Participation of endothelial cells in murine schistosomiasis
Lenzi, H.L.; Sobral, A.C.; Lenzi, J.A.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 21(5): 999-1003
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0100-879X PMID: 3150298 Document Number: 323894
Five-day-old mice were infected percutaneously with 70 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and killed after 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 days (3 animals/day). Histological examination of their livers detected F-VIII-RA+ endothelial cells in the portal veins, sinusoids and within granulomata. The F-VIII-RA+ cells formed small clumps, and were observed in mice 35-60 days pi; the reaction was most intense at 40 and 50 days pi. There was no F-VIII-RA response in the central or periovular zone of granulomata rich in epithelioid cells. An increase in F-VIII-RA activity was noted in the proximity of adult worms. It is suggested that endothelial cells play an important part in the early development of S. mansoni granulomata.