Hepatic extracellular matrix in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania donovani.

The development of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the liver of the BALB/c mouse infected with Leishmania donovani was observed by histology, immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy at 1, 2, 4, 8, 14 and 20 weeks after infection. Collagen III and proteoglycan were detected in granulomas and in the portal spaces from 4 to 20 weeks after infection. Laminin was not detected in granulomas but was observed in the basement membrane of new small blood vessels in the granulation tissue around the portal spaces from 8 to 20 weeks after infection. The ECM components in the space of Disse showed no changes in distribution throughout the entire period of study. Systemic fibrosis in the hepatic lobule was not evident in the BALB/c mice. This mouse strain does not appear to be an appropriate model to study the role of ECM in chronic visceral leishmaniasis.