Mesenchymal stem cells relieve fibrosis of Schistosoma japonicum-induced mouse liver injury.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained popularity for their potential as seed cells to treat various human diseases, including pathogenic infections. Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) infection is characterized by formation of parasite egg granulomas and host liver fibrosis. MSCs have been proposed as useful treatments of S. japonicum infection, but the efficacy and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Herein, we report that MSCs were able to ameliorate S. japonicum-induced liver injury in vivo and this effect was enhanced by combining MSCs with conventional drug praziquantel (PZQ). Kunming strains of mice were infected with S. japonicum and treated with vehicle, MSCs, PZQ or PZQ + MSCs. MSC treatment not only prolonged the survival time of infected mice but reduced egg granuloma diameter and decreased the concentrations of serum transforming growth factor-β1 and hyaluronic acid. MSC treatment also inhibited collagen deposition and reduced the expression of collagen type 3, α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin in infected mouse liver tissues. Collectively, our findings suggest that MSC treatment represents a novel therapeutic approach for S. japonicum-induced liver injury and fibrosis.
School of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, PR China.
Huijuan
H
Xu
Hui
H
Qian
Wei
W
Zhu
Xu
X
Zhang
Yongmin
Y
Yan
Fei
F
Mao
Mei
M
Wang
Huitao
H
Xu
Wenrong
W
Xu
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D005260:Female; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D024061:Collagen Type III; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014746:Vimentin; C544013:alpha-smooth muscle actin, mouse; D011223:Praziquantel; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid