Evidence mapPaperPMID 41933369Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2026

Therapeutic effects of IL-33/ST-2 pathway inhibition combined with albendazole on hepatic fibrosis and immune regulation in alveolar echinococcosis: in vivo and in vitro evidence.

Shi-Lei Cheng, Xiu-Mei Ma, Bin-Jie Wu, Yu-Xuan Yang, Hai-Ning Fan

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Article in Parasites & vectors, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Shi-Lei ChengDepartment of Hepato-Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Research Key Laboratory for Echinococcosis of Qinghai Province, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, No. 29 of Tongren Road, Chengxi District, Xining, 810001, Qinghai Province, China.
Xiu-Mei MaDepartment of Infection Control, Qinghai Branch Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xining, 810001, Qinghai Province, China.
Bin-Jie WuDepartment of Hepato-Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Research Key Laboratory for Echinococcosis of Qinghai Province, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, No. 29 of Tongren Road, Chengxi District, Xining, 810001, Qinghai Province, China.
Yu-Xuan YangResearch Center for High Altitude Medicine, Key Laboratory of High Altitude Medicine (Ministry of Education), Qinghai University Medical College, Xining, 810001, Qinghai Province, China.
Hai-Ning FanDepartment of Hepato-Pancreatobiliary Surgery, The Research Key Laboratory for Echinococcosis of Qinghai Province, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, No. 29 of Tongren Road, Chengxi District, Xining, 810001, Qinghai Province, China. fanhaining@medmail.com.cn.

Funding

National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Project of Hepatobiliary Surgery (Hydatid disease), Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University No. 125, QingHealth OfficeNational Science Foundation of China 81960576
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study aimed to examine the role of the interleukin-33 (IL-33)/suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST-2) signaling pathway in hepatic fibrogenesis within the microenvironment of alveolar echinococcosis (AE). The therapeutic efficacy and immunomodulatory effects of concurrent IL-33/ST-2 pathway inhibition and albendazole (ABZ) treatment were also evaluated.

methodsProtein expression levels of IL-33 and ST-2 in liver were examined in a murine model of AE using immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of IL-33 and ST-2 on eosinophils in the blood, liver, and spleen, respectively. Phagocytosis assays, migration assays, and western blot analysis were performed to investigate the effects of IL-33 and ST-2 on eosinophils and hepatic stellate cells, so as to evaluate their roles in hepatic fibrosis and eosinophil activity. Following targeted suppression of the IL-33/ST-2 signaling pathway in combination with ABZ administration, hepatic fibrosis in liver and therapeutic outcomes were assessed through Masson staining, western blot analysis, and liver index measurements. Immune function was assessed via spleen index evaluation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in blood, while hepatic function was assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels.

resultsThe AE model demonstrated elevated expression of IL-33 and ST-2 in hepatic tissues. In vitro analyses indicated that IL-33 and ST-2 promoted profibrotic phenotypes, including upregulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), in hepatic stellate cells, supporting their role in fibrosis development, and modulated eosinophil activity. Inhibition of IL-33/ST-2 expression, followed by ABZ administration, enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved liver function parameters, and modulated immune responses in AE mice. Combined therapy led to superior outcomes compared with monotherapy, with evidence of reduced hepatic injury and restored immunological homeostasis.

conclusionsThe IL-33/ST-2 signaling pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis and immunological dysregulation in AE by influencing eosinophil function. Combined intervention targeting this pathway and albendazole administration confers enhanced therapeutic efficacy for AE, encompassing antifibrotic action, liver function recovery, and immune modulation.

Indexed as

AlbendazoleEchinococcosisInterleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 ProteinInterleukin-33Liver CirrhosisAnimalsAnthelminticsDisease Models, AnimalEosinophilsFemaleHepatic Stellate CellsLiverMaleMiceMice, Inbred BALB CReceptors, Interleukin-1AlbendazoleAnthelminticsIl1rl1 protein, mouseIl33 protein, mouseInterleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 ProteinInterleukin-33Receptors, Interleukin-1ST2L protein, mouseAlbendazoleEchinococcosisEosinophilsIL-33Immune system

Identifiers

PMID41933369
PMCPMC13104343

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.