The expression and significance of interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase-4 in inferior mesenteric vein of rats with schistosomal cirrhosis

Abstract

Objective To explore the expression and significance of interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase-4 (IRAK-4) in mesenteric vein of rats with schistosomal cirrhosis.Methods Fifty-five rats were randomly divided into two groups:normal control group (N group,n =15)) and model group (M group,n =40).The rats in M group were infected percutaneously with cercariae of schistosomiasis japonica,and divided into post-infection 12-week subgroup and 20-week subgroup.The mRNA expression levels of IRAK-4 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Western blotting was applied to examined the protein expression of IRAK-4.Results The expression of IRAK-4 mRNA in mesenteric vein in M groups (12th week:0.734 ± 0.081 ;20th week:0.682 ±0.069) was significantly stronger than in N group (0.163 ±0.031).The expression of IRAK-4 protein in M group (12th week:1034.52 ± 89.72 ; 20th week:989.56 ± 69.35) was significantly stronger than in N group (667.45 ± 72.22).No significant differences were found in the level of IRAK-4 between post-infection 20-week group and post-infection 12-week group (P ＞ 0.05).The expression of IRAK-4 mRNA was significantly positively correlated with the level of TNF-α mRNA (r =5.56,P ＜0.01).Conclusion The high expression of IRAK-4 and activation of downstream inflammatory factor play an important role in vasculopahty of rats with schistosomal cirrhosis. Key words: Portal hypertension; Endotoxemia; Vasculopahty; Interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase-4