Effect of acute phase proteins, especially alpha 2-macroglobulin, on granuloma formation around Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the rat.

A new model for the study of granuloma formation in the liver is described. Rats received an injection of 20,000 Schistosoma mansoni eggs in the portal vein and granuloma formation was evaluated at 3, 5 and 7 weeks post-injection. Liver collagen was estimated at the same time and serum procollagen III peptide, a marker of collagenesis, weekly. With this model, wherein the number of S. mansoni eggs and the time of injury are standardized, the effect of high levels of acute phase proteins especially alpha 2-macroglobulin on granuloma formation was studied. It appeared that in rats with high levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin the mean size of granulomas was significantly greater at 3 and 5 weeks compared with controls. In both groups an increase in liver collagen was observed during this period, reaching a peak at 5 weeks in the acute phase group. This model facilitates the study of the effects of S. mansoni eggs on granuloma formation.