Studies of Murine Schistosomiasis Reveal Interleukin–13 Blockade As A Treatment for Established and Progressive Liver Fibrosis

MG Chiaramonte, AW Cheever, JD Malley… - Hepatology, 2001 - journals.lww.com
In several allergic, autoimmune, and infectious diseases, fibrosis is a major cause of
morbidity and mortality. Here, using a model of infection–induced liver fibrosis, we show that
interleukin (IL)–13 is required at all stages of Schistosomiasis mansoni infection to induce
fibrosis. IL–4 production was preserved in IL–13-deficient mice, yet failed to significantly
contribute to the fibrotic response in either acute or chronic infection. Significant fibrosis
develops in all infected mice, although the magnitude of the response varies widely in …