Furthermore, caspase-1 co-localized with the HSC marker α-SMA (t-test; t(6) = 15.208, P < 0.0001) (Fig. 2c), suggesting that caspase-1 activation occurred in activated HSCs and was involved in schistosomiasis-associated liver fibrosis. This evidence concerns the gene ACTA1 and Hepatic fibrosis.