J Vet Sci.  2008 Jun;9(2):211-213. 10.4142/jvs.2008.9.2.211.

Macrophages, myofibroblasts and mast cells in a rat liver infected with Capillaria hepatica

• Jeong WI
• Do SH
• Hong IH
• Ji AR
• Park JK
• Ki MR
• Park SC
• Jeong KS

• KMID: 1106239
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2008.9.2.211

Abstract

We trapped a rat (Rattus norvegicus) infected with Capillaria hepatica. At necropsy, grossly yellowish-white nodules (2-3 mm in diameter) were noted to be scattered on the liver's surface. Microscopically, granulomatous and fibrotic nodules that contained the eggs and/or adult worms of Capillaria hepatica were detected in the liver. Septal fibrosis was diffusely formed throughout the liver. There were a number of ED1-positive macrophages located in the sinusoids of the pseudolobules. On the double staining, myofibroblasts and mast cells were generally observed within the fibrous septa with the mast cells in close proximity to the myofibroblasts. We suggest that the interactions between macrophages, myofibroblasts and mast cells play a role in the septal fibrosis observed in rats infected by Capillaria hepatica.

Keyword

Capillaria hepatica; fibrosis; liver; rat

MeSH Terms

Animals
*Capillaria
Enoplida Infections/immunology/parasitology/*veterinary
Fibroblasts/immunology
Liver/parasitology/pathology
Macrophages/immunology
Mast Cells/immunology
Rats
Rodent Diseases/*immunology/*parasitology/pathology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Collagen fibers are detected in the portal areas and note the fibrous septa that form pseudolobules. Azan stain. ×13.

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  Fig. 2 There are a number of ED1-positive macrophages located in the sinusoids of the pseudolobules. SAB method. ×13.

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  Fig. 3 α-SMA positive myofibroblasts are observed in the fibrous septa and they form pseudolobules. SAB method. ×33.

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  Fig. 4 Mast cells (arrow head) and myofibroblasts (arrow) are simultaneously detected within the fibrous septa (F) and around the central vein (C). Mast cells are largely observed along the myofibroblasts. SAB method and toluidine blue stain. ×66.

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