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Activation of Hedgehog pathway promotes fibrogenesis and vascular remodelling in human schistosomiasis

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 9, page 689 (2012)Cite this article

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“The parasite eggs lodge in tiny blood vessels within the liver. Over time, egg-derived factors trigger immune responses that can lead to progressive liver scarring and blood flow abnormalities, which can be life-threatening,” explains author Anna Mae Diehl. The researchers investigated whether the Hh pathway regulates this disease course in humans.

Immunohistochemical analysis of liver biopsy samples from 28 patients with varying levels of schistosomiasis fibrosis revealed that, in contrast with healthy individuals, patients infected with S. mansoni expressed high levels of Hh pathway ligands (SHH and IHH) and targets (PTCH1 and GLI2) in macrophages. Furthermore, the severity of liver scarring and vascular abnormalities matched the level of Hh ligand production and pathway activation.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Pereira, T. A. Macrophage-derived Hedgehog ligands promotes fibrogenic and angiogenic responses in human schistosomiasis mansoni. Liver Int. doi:10.1111/liv.12016

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  1. Katrina Ray
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Ray, K. Activation of Hedgehog pathway promotes fibrogenesis and vascular remodelling in human schistosomiasis. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 9, 689 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2012.205

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2012.205

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