Clonorchis sinensis ferritin heavy chain triggers free radicals and mediates inflammation signaling in human hepatic stellate cells

Parasitol Res. 2015 Feb;114(2):659-70. doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-4230-0. Epub 2014 Nov 22.

Abstract

Clonorchiasis, caused by direct and continuous contact with Clonorchis sinensis, is associated with hepatobiliary damage, inflammation, periductal fibrosis, and the development of cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatic stellate cells respond to liver injury through production of proinflammatory mediators which drive fibrogenesis; however, their endogenous sources and pathophysiological roles in host cells were not determined. C. sinensis ferritin heavy chain (CsFHC) was previously confirmed as a component of excretory/secretory products and exhibited a number of extrahepatic immunomodulatory properties in various diseases. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and biological role of CsFHC in C. sinensis. CsFHC was expressed throughout life stages of C. sinensis. More importantly, we found that treatment of human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 with CsFHC triggered the production of free radicals via time-dependent activation of NADPH oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The increase in free radicals substantially promoted the degradation of cytosolic IκBα and nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunits (p65 and p50). CsFHC-induced NF-κB activation was markedly attenuated by preincubation with specific inhibitors of corresponding free radical-producing enzyme or the antioxidant. In addition, CsFHC induced an increased expression level of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-6, in NF-κB-dependent manner. Our results indicate that CsFHC-triggered free radical-mediated NF-κB signaling is an important factor in the chronic inflammation caused by C. sinensis infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoferritins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Clonorchiasis / immunology*
  • Clonorchiasis / parasitology
  • Clonorchis sinensis / immunology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Free Radicals / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Free Radicals
  • NF-kappa B
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Apoferritins