Differential activation of hepatic stellate cells by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces.

Echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis (Em) and Echinococcus granulosus (Eg), induces distinct patterns of liver fibrosis. Understanding how protoscoleces (PSCs) from these species interact with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is crucial to elucidating the mechanisms of fibrogenesis. In this study, HSC-LX2 cells were co-cultured with Em and Eg PSCs. ELISA was used to quantify collagen-I, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), osteopontin (OPN), and TNF-α levels, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examined ultrastructural changes. Both E. multilocularis- and E. granulosus-derived PSCs significantly increased extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression, but EmPSCs induced earlier and stronger responses, accompanied by more pronounced structural alterations in HSCs. These findings demonstrate species-specific HSC activation and provide insight into the differential fibrogenic potential of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus.