MicroRNA-497 induced by Clonorchis sinensis enhances the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to promote hepatic fibrosis by targeting Smad7.

Background: Various stimuli, including Clonorchis sinensis infection, can cause liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis is characterized by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) with massive production of extracellular matrix (ECM). Our previous study showed that the TGF-β-induced Smad signaling pathway played a critical role in the activation of HSCs during liver fibrosis induced by worm infection; however, the mechanisms that modulate the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway are still poorly understood.

The Application of Tissue Glue in Eyelid Laceration Repair in Children During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Lockdown in Wuhan.

Objective: To discuss a rapid and effective treatment used for children with eyelid lacerations during the COVID-19 lockdown in Wuhan to limit the risk of cross-infection.

Methods: A comparative study was conducted of forty-five patients with eyelid lacerations who attended the Ophthalmology Department of Wuhan Children's Hospital between January 23, 2020 and March 6, 2020. The tissue glue Histoacryl was used to bond the wounds in 24 cases, while the traditional suture method was used for 21 cases.

Recombinant CsHscB of carcinogenic liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis induces IL-10 production by binding with TLR2.

Background: Clonorchis sinensis, a fluke dwelling in the intrahepatic bile ducts causes clonorchiasis, which affect about 15 million people wide-distributed in eastern Asia. During C. sinensis infection, worm-host interaction results in activation of patterns recognition receptors (PRRs) such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and further triggers immune responses, which determines the outcome of the infection.

Clonorchis sinensis ESPs enhance the activation of hepatic stellate cells by a cross-talk of TLR4 and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway.

Excretory/Secretory products (ESPs) from Clonorchis sinensis-a fluke dwelling on the biliary ducts-promote the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and lead to hepatic fibrosis ultimately, although the mechanisms that are responsible for CsESPs-induced activation of HSCs are largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the underlying mechanism of TLR4 in the regulation of the activation of HSCs caused by CsESPs. We found that the expression of TLR4 was significantly increased in the HSCs with CsESPs for 24 h, compared to the control group.

Membrane-bound IgE on B cells is increased during Clonorchis sinensis infection.

A high level of serum IgE is a hallmark of helminthic disease. Secretory IgE can bind FcεRI or FcεRII/CD23. The combination of IgE and FcεRI, a high-affinity interaction, has long received attention and is believed to facilitate helminth control, while the properties of CD23-bound IgE have long been unexplored.