Allograft inflammatory factor-1 alleviates liver disease of BALB/c mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum

Parasitol Res. 2014 Jul;113(7):2629-39. doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-3915-8. Epub 2014 May 10.

Abstract

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) plays an important role in various inflammatory conditions. Our previous study demonstrated that AIF-1 was over-expressed in the liver of BALB/c mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum and played significant role in the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis. The aim of this study was to focus on the effect of AIF-1 treatment on liver fibrosis and necrosis of BALB/c mice infected with S. japonicum. Seventy-two BALB/c mice were infected with cercariae of S. japonicum and then divided into three groups: AIF-1-treated group, saline-treated group, and control group. The vital signs, liver function, egg load, and hepatic pathological changes of the mice were assessed, and the levels of AIF-1 and TNF-α in the liver and spleen were measured at 5, 8, and 14 weeks postinfection. The treatment of AIF-1 on the mice infected with S. japonicum suppressed the expression of TNF-α and increased the effectiveness of AIF-1 in the liver and spleen at 14 weeks postinfection. Histopathological analysis and Masson trichrome staining for the liver tissues showed that the liver fibrosis and necrosis were alleviated previously compared with other infected mice at 14 weeks postinfection. The treatment of AIF-1 on the mice infected with S. japonicum can alleviate hepatic fibrosis and necrosis which indicate that AIF-1 use may prevent and cure the liver fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / mortality
  • Liver Cirrhosis / parasitology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Schistosoma japonicum / drug effects
  • Schistosoma japonicum / growth & development
  • Schistosoma japonicum / pathogenicity
  • Schistosomiasis japonica / drug therapy*
  • Schistosomiasis japonica / metabolism
  • Schistosomiasis japonica / mortality
  • Schistosomiasis japonica / parasitology
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • AIF1 protein, human
  • Aif1 protein, mouse
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha