Schistosoma japonicum Infection in Treg-Specific USP21 Knockout Mice

Figure 3

Changes in liver fibrosis in USP21^fl/flFOXP3^cre mice infected with S. japonicum. (a–e) The livers were harvested from the mice on the 42^nd day after the infection and stained with Masson’s trichrome ( animals/group). (a) Representative images of collagen deposition in the WT-INF and KO-INF mice (original magnification: 100x) were obtained. The blue areas are collagen granules. (b) Comparison of the percentages of the hepatic fibrosis area between the WT-INF and KO-INF groups. The data are presented as the , . (c) Comparison of the levels the α-SMA, Collagen I, and Collagen III mRNAs in the WT and KO mice in the NC and INF groups. The data are presented as the . Comparison of the levels of the α-SMA, Collagen I, and Collagen III mRNAs between the infected groups. The data are presented as the . In the infection group, α-SMA: ; collagen I: , and Collagen III: . (d) Representative images of SMA, Collagen I, and Collagen III protein expression in the WT and KO mice from the NC and INF groups, as determined by Western blotting. (e) Comparison of protein expression between WT and KO mice in the NC and INF groups. The data are presented as the . In the infection group, α-SMA: , Collagen I: , and Collagen III: .

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