Bone marrow-derived cells migrate to the liver and contribute to the generation of different cell types in chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection

Prognostic role of the stromal cell derived factor-1 in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

BACKGROUND

Stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) plays a pivotal role in the recruitment of stem cells to injured livers. However, the changes of SDF-l in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) have yet to be elucidated.

AIM

To study the SDF-1 changes in patients with HBV-related ACLF.

METHODS

30 patients with HBV-related ACLF, 27 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 20 healthy individuals are involved in our study. The SDF-l mRNA expression in liver tissue was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to illustrate the expression of SDF-l, CXC receptor 4 (CXCR4) and Ki67. The serum SDF-l concentrations were also detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

The expression of SDF-1 mRNA from ACLF patients was remarkably higher than that from other patients (both P < 0.05). The expression of SDF-l, CXCR4 and Ki67 from ACLF were the highest among the three groups (all P < 0.01). The serum SDF-l levels in ACLF patients were significantly lower than that in other patients (both P < 0.01). Moreover, in ACLF patients, the serum SDF-1 Levels were positively correlated with serum total bilirubin and international normalized ratio. In addition, the serum SDF-l levels in survival were significantly lower compared with the non-survivals (P < 0.05). The area under the curve for the serum SDF-1 level in predicting 28-d mortality was 0.722 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study provides the SDF-1 changes in patients with HBV-related ACLF. The SDF-1 Level at admission may serve as a promising prognostic marker for predicting short-term prognosis.

A Systematic Review of the Evidence of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation to Fibroblasts

Fibroblasts have an important role in the maintenance of the extracellular matrix of connective tissues by producing and remodelling extracellular matrix proteins. They are indispensable for physiological processes, and as such also associate with many pathological conditions. In recent years, a number of studies have identified donor-derived fibroblasts in various tissues of bone marrow transplant recipients, while others could not replicate these findings. In this systematic review, we provide an overview of the current literature regarding the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into fibroblasts in various tissues. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (Core Collection) were systematically searched for original articles concerning fibroblast origin after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in collaboration with a medical information specialist. Our search found 5421 studies, of which 151 were analysed for full-text analysis by two authors independently, resulting in the inclusion of 104 studies. Only studies in animals and humans, in which at least one marker was used for fibroblast identification, were included. The results were described per organ of fibroblast engraftment. We show that nearly all mouse and human organs show evidence of fibroblasts of hematopoietic stem cell transfer origin. Despite significant heterogeneity in the included studies, most demonstrate a significant presence of fibroblasts of hematopoietic lineage in non-hematopoietic tissues. This presence appears to increase after the occurrence of tissue damage.

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells: The Expanding World of Helminth Modulation of the Immune System

Infection with helminths or parasitic worms are highly prevalent worldwide especially in developing regions. Helminths cause chronic infections that are associated with suppression of immune responses to unrelated pathogens, vaccines, and by-stander antigens responsible for dysregulated immune responses as occurs in diseases such as allergies. Helminths use multiple mechanisms to modulate the immune system to evade the highly polarized type 2 immune response required to expel adult worms and for immunity to reinfection. Anthelmintic drugs are efficient in reducing adult worm burdens in helminth-infected individuals, but resistance to these drugs is rapidly increasing and vaccines against these pathogens are not available. Emerging evidence indicate that helminths induce myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), originally described in tumor-bearing mice and cancer patients. MDSC are a heterogenous population of immature cells that consist of two distinct sub-populations, polymorphonuclear (PMN)-MDSC and monocytic (M)-MDSC based on morphology and phenotype. MDSC suppress the function of T cells and other innate and adaptive immune cells including NK cells and B cells. During cancer or infection with bacteria or viruses, there is marked expansion of MDSC. Furthermore, the frequencies of MDSC correlate inversely with the prognosis and survival of tumor-bearing hosts as well as bacterial and viral burdens, persistence, and outcome in infected hosts. Currently, there is a paucity of data on MDSC and helminth infections. Here, we provide a survey of the evidence accumulated so far that overall support a role for MDSC in modulating immune responses during helminth infections. We review data from studies in various helminths, including those that infect humans. Finally, we summarize the progress to date in understanding the role of MDSC in helminth infections and briefly discuss potential host-directed strategies to target MDSC-mediated suppression of immune responses to helminths in favor of development of immunity to eliminate adult worms and possibly induce protection against reinfection.

Cell therapy as a new approach on hepatic fibrosis of murine model of Schistosoma mansoni-infection

BACKGROUND

Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease of the genus Schistosoma triggered by blood flukes. Schistosomiasis is a disease occurring in, or endemic to, tropical and subtropical regions. A new concept was implemented to deal with schistosomiasis from natural plant sources. Curcumin's common name is Turmeric. Curcumin has proven to be main active component in Curcuma longa L. and has a wide range of anti-phrastic effects. Previous studies have shown the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) therapy in hepatic fibrosis recovery.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was, therefore, intended to examine therapeutic role of BMSCs and Turmeric in murine schistosomiasis mansoni.

ANIMALS

Mice were divided into five groups: a negative control group (non-infected non-treated), a positive control group (infected non-treated), a BMSCs treated group; Turmeric treated group, and untreated group. BMSCs derived from male mice were injected intraperitoneally into female mice receiving S. mansoni cercariae through the subcutaneous route. Liver histopathology and immuno-histochemical examinations were evaluated.

RESULTS

BMSCs intraperitoneal injection resulted in a significant reduction of liver collagen, granuloma size, and significant increase of OV-6 expression in the Schistosomiasis-treated mice group. There was overall improvement in pathological changes of the liver. Unfortunately, group IV showed a mild improvement in the granuloma size and fibrosis compared to corresponding BMSCs treatment group, although with vacuolated liver cells.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

BMSCs have a regenerative potential in liver tissue histopathology by decreasing liver fibrosis and granulomas. Turmeric, by contrast, could not be used as an anti-fibrotic, according to the findings.

Intravital microscopy: Imaging host-parasite interactions in lymphoid organs

Intravital microscopy allows imaging of biological phenomena within living animals, including host-parasite interactions. This has advanced our understanding of both, the function of lymphoid organs during parasitic infections, and the effect of parasites on such organs to allow their survival. In parasitic research, recent developments in this technique have been crucial for the direct study of host-parasite interactions within organs at depths, speeds and resolution previously difficult to achieve. Lymphoid organs have gained more attention as we start to understand their function during parasitic infections and the effect of parasites on them. In this review, we summarise technical and biological findings achieved by intravital microscopy with respect to the interaction of various parasites with host lymphoid organs, namely the bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen and the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, and present a view into possible future applications.