Abstract: 　AIM:To clarify the dynamic changes in type Ⅵ procollagen mRNA expression and collagen content in mice with schistosomal liver fibrosis.METHODS:Northern blot hybridization and immunohistochemical technique.RESULTS:The expression of α1(Ⅵ) procollagen mRNA measured by Northern blot hybridization in the liver of schistosome infected mice was elevated significantly at 8 wk post infection,peaked at 10 wk pi, slightly decreased at 12～16 wk pi,and sustained at high levels until 20 wk pi. Immunohistochemical assay revealed that the staining pattern of type Ⅵ collagen first appeared in the walls of central veins and liver sinusoids at 8 wk pi, then extended gradually to the egg granuloma and the portal tract,within and surrounding the egg granuloma to form dense reticular septum at the 12,16 and 20 wk pi, respectively.The Ⅵ collagen content as indicated by the intensity of stain peaked at 16 wk pi. CONCLUSION:Both the expression of α1(Ⅵ) procollagen and the content of collagen Ⅵ were significantly increased in the liver of mice with early schistosomal fibrosis,suggesting that the type Ⅵ collagen detection might be of importance for evaluating the intensity of schistosomal liver fibrosis.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, liver fibrosis, type Ⅵ collagen, α1(Ⅵ) procollagen mRNA