Expression of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum protein rSjE16 and its effects on LX-2 cells in vitro

OBJECTIVE: The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key event in schistosome-induced liver fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that soluble egg antigens and the recombinant P40 protein from Schistosoma japonicum eggs inhibit HSC activation. In the present study, we observed the direct effect of the S. japonicum recombinant (r)SjE16 protein on HSCs. METHODS: The sequence of SjE16 was analyzed by bioinformatics. Then western blotting, quantitative PCR, and MTT assays were performed to observe the effects of rSjE16 on HSCs. RESULTS: The SjE16 protein has no signal peptide or transmembrane region. rSjE16 significantly inhibited expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen I protein in LX-2 cells. rSjE16 also significantly increased the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and enhanced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in LX-2 cells. LX-2 cell viability was not inhibited by rSjE16. CONCLUSION: rSjE16 may be involved in the progression of HSC activation via a complex molecular mechanism, which requires further study to fully understand.