Galectin-receptor interaction: a key player in liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Schistosoma japonicum eggs lodge in the liver and induce a fibrotic granulomatous immune response in the liver of host. Galectin 3 (Gal-3) is a protein implicated in fibrosis in multiple organs. However, the pathology and molecular mechanisms promoting hepatic granuloma formation remain poorly understood.

Methods

To investigate the effect of blocking galectin-receptor interactions by α-lactose on liver immunopathology in mice with S. japonicum infection, C57BL/6 mice were infected with S. japonicum and alpha (α)-lactose was intraperitoneally injected to block the interactions of galectins and their receptors.

Results

Compared with S. japonicum-infected mice, there were significantly decreased Gal-3 mRNA and protein expression levels, decreased intensity of

SUBMITTER: Huang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11106894 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature