Comparative analysis of C5aR and C5L2 receptor deficiency in liver and kidney fibrosis

Background: Complement factor C5a has two known receptors, C5aR and C5L2. C5aR is involved in transduction of the proinflammatory effects of C5a, whereas C5L2 has been suggested as a decoy receptor. We previously demonstrated a pro-fibrotic role of C5a and C5aR in kidney and liver, but nothing is known concerning the potential involvement of C5L2 in organ fibrosis. Methods: C5aR-/-, C5L2-/- and wild-type (WT) control mice were challenged with CCl4 for 6 weeks to induce liver fibrosis or subjected to 5 days of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), a model of renal fibrosis. Extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition,…