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

The main pathogenic event caused by Schistosoma mansoni infection is characterized by a granulomatous inflammatory reaction around parasite eggs and fibrosis in the liver. We have previously shown that transplantation of bone marrow cells (BMC) promotes a reduction in liver fibrosis in chronically S. mansoni-infected mice. Here we investigated the presence and phenotype of bone marrow-derived cells in livers of S. mansoni-infected mice. During the chronic phase of infection, C57BL/6 mice had an increased number of circulating mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral blood when compared to uninfected controls. In order to investigate the fate of BMC in the liver, we generated bone marrow chimeric mice by transplanting BMC from transgenic green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice into lethally irradiated wild-type C57BL/6 mice. S. mansoni-infected chimeric mice did not demonstrate increased mortality and developed similar liver histopathological features, when compared to wild-type S. mansoni-infected mice. GFP(+) bone marrow-derived cells were found in the liver parenchyma, particularly in periportal regions. CD45(+)GFP(+) cells were found in the granulomas. Flow cytometry analysis of digested liver tissue characterized GFP(+) cells as lymphocytes, myeloid cells and stem cells. GFP(+) cells were also found in areas of collagen deposition, although rare GFP(+) cells expressed the myofibroblast cell marker α-SMA. Additionally GFP(+) endothelial cells (co-stained with von Willebrand factor) were frequently observed, while BMC-derived hepatocytes (GFP(+) albumin(+) cells) were sparsely found in the liver of chimeric mice chronically infected with S. mansoni. In conclusion, BMC are recruited to the liver during chronic experimental infection with S. mansoni and contribute to the generation of different cell types involved, not only in disease pathogenesis, but possibly in liver regeneration and repair.

Reduction of galectin-3 expression and liver fibrosis after cell therapy in a mouse model of cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, is caused by different mechanisms of injury, associated with persistent inflammation. Galectin-3 is an important regulator of fibrosis that links chronic inflammation to fibrogenesis. We investigated the role of bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation in chronic inflammation and hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Liver cirrhosis was induced by administration of carbon tetrachloride and ethanol to wild-type C57BL/6 or bone marrow chimeric mice. Bone marrow chimeras were generated by lethal irradiation and transplantation with BMC obtained from green fluorescent protein (GFP(+) )donors. Wild-type cirrhotic mice were transplanted with BMC without irradiation. Livers from chimeras and cirrhotic transplanted mice were obtained for evaluation of inflammation, fibrosis and regulatory factors [galectin-3, matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß]. RESULTS: The development of cirrhosis was associated with increased expression of galectin-3 by F4/80(+) cells and intense migration of BMC to the liver. Furthermore, when transplanted after the establishment of cirrhosis, BMC also migrated to the liver and localized within the fibrous septa. Two months after BMC therapy, cirrhotic mice had a significant reduction in liver fibrosis and expression of type I collagen. We did not find any difference in levels of TGF-ß, TIMP-1 and MMP-9 between saline and BMC groups. However, the numbers of inflammatory cells, phagocytes and galectin-3(+) cells were markedly lower in the livers of cirrhotic mice treated with BMC. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate an important role for BMC in the regulation of liver fibrosis and that transplantation of BMC can accelerate fibrosis regression through modulatory mechanisms.