# FIBROBLAST STIMULATION IN SCHISTOSOMIASIS

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER · 1992 · $197,660

## Abstract

Liver fibrosis is the major cause of serious morbidity and mortality in
schistosomiasis mansoni.  The long-range goal of this project is to
define the molecular and cellular basis of hepatic fibrosis in
schistosomiasis, knowledge that can have practical applications and could
be relevant to a variety of other fibrotic diseases (such as pulmonary
sarcoid and systemic sclerosis).

Fibrogenic cytokines produced by hepatic egg granulomas (including
fibroblast stimulating factor-1 [FsF-l], a novel heparin-binding
lymphokine) apparently play an important role in hepatic fibrogenesis;
down-regulation of this production or effect may have salutary
consequences.  FsF-l will be analysed by molecular cloning of FsF-l cDNA
and expression in COS cells.  Amino acid sequence of FsF-l will be
derived from the nucleotide sequence of cDNA and compared to peptide
sequences directly determined in natural FsF-l and to sequences for other
proteins in a databank.  Purified recombinant FsF-l will be used to
assess FsF-l receptors on mesenchymal cells, and to prepare monoclonal
and polyclonal antibodies for use in an immunoassay for FsF-l.  This
assay and FsF-l cDNA probes will be used to investigate aspects of the
immunoregulation of FsF-1 in chronic schistosomiasis.  Infected mice will
be infused with splenocyte subpopulations from chronically-infected mice
and with selected anticytokine antibody and the hepatic egg granulomas
that develop at 8 weeks in the recipients will be analysed for FsF-l
production.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3127301
- **Project number:** 2R01AI017615-12
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MY2ERHGDV956
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID J WYLER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $197,660
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1987-09-30 → 1997-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3127301

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3127301, FIBROBLAST STIMULATION IN SCHISTOSOMIASIS (2R01AI017615-12). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3127301. Licensed CC0.

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