行肝门空肠吻合术的胆道闭锁患儿预后影响因素分析

目的探讨行肝门空肠吻合术的胆道闭锁患儿预后影响因素,为术后胆道闭锁的治疗提供指导。方法回顾性分析45例肝门空肠吻合术后胆道闭锁患儿的临床资料,比较21例预后良好者(预后良好组)和24例预后不良者(预后不良组)手术日龄、肝功能指标、肝脏纤维化程度、肝脏组织MMP-2蛋白表达,分析胆道闭锁患儿预后的影响因素。结果预后良好组手术日龄小于预后不良组,肝脏纤维化程度低于预后不良组,肝脏组织MMP-2蛋白表达低于预后不良组,P均<0.05;两组肝功能指标比较,P>0.05。结论手术日龄、肝脏纤维化程度、肝脏组织MMP-2蛋白表达是肝门空肠吻合术后胆道闭锁患儿预后的影响因素。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体在肝纤维化形成过程中表达变化的研究

目的 探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体(angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 rcceptor，AT1R)在不同程度纤维化肝脏组织中的表达情况。方法 采用免疫组化法检测Ⅰ型胶原；采用间接免疫荧光标记法进行AT1R检测，同时应用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测AT1R mRNA的表达。结果 Ⅰ型胶原面积随肝纤维化程度增加而增加。AT1R阳性表达主要分市在肝小叶周边及肌窦区星形细胞(HSC)的胞质内。12例正常肝组织中8例呈阳性表达，18例纤维化肝组织均呈阳性表达，纤维化肝脏组AT1R阳性表达细胞数明显多于正常肌脏组(P＜0．001)，并随Ⅰ型胶原面积的增加而明显增加。纤维化肝脏组AT1R mRNA的相对表达量明显高于正常肝脏组(P＜0．01)。结论随着肝组织纤维化程度的增加，AT1R及AT1R mRNA的表达量均明显增多，AT1R在肝纤维化发生发展过程中可能具有重要的作用。     

实验性肝纤维化大鼠MMPs和TIMPs mRNA表达及中药小柴胡汤的作用

目的 探讨大鼠肝纤维化过程中MMP-2、TIMP-1 mRNA表达及小柴胡汤对其的影响.方法 用40%的四氯化碳制备大鼠肝纤维化模型,并用不同剂量的小柴胡汤进行干预.应用HE常规染色法对肝组织切片行组织病理学检查;应用逆转录聚合酶链反应法(RT-PCR)半定量测定大鼠肝组织中MMP-2、TIMP-1 mRNA的表达.结果 (1)肝组织病理学检查结果显示:小柴胡汤治疗组与模型组相比,肝纤维化程度显著减轻.(2)病理模型组TIMP-1 mRNA与正常对照组比明显升高(P＜0.01);而MMP-2 mRNA却明显降低(P＜0.05).(3)小柴胡汤治疗组TIMP-l mRNA与模型组比显著降低(P＜0.01),而MMP-2 mRNA与模型组无差异(P＞0.05).结论 TIMP-1 mRNA在肝纤维化过程中升高;小柴胡汤能显著减轻大鼠肝纤维化程度,其可能通过下调TIMP-1 mRNA的表达发挥作用.     

PTEN在乳腺癌中的表达及其与转移的关系

目的 通过检测PTEN基因在乳腺癌组织中的表达探讨其临床病理意义.方法 采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测PTEN在40例乳腺癌中的表达.结果 乳腺癌组织与正常乳腺组织和癌旁组织PTEN的表达有显著差异(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).PTEN在早期浸润性癌和晚期浸润性癌阳性表达率差异显著(P＜0.05);在淋巴结转移组与无淋巴结转移组检出阳性率差异显著(P＜0.01).结论 PTEN表达与乳腺癌临床病理特征和生物学行为存在密切关系;PTEN基因是乳腺癌细胞增生活跃的重要影响因素.     

灯盏花素干预大鼠肝星状细胞TGFβ1、α-SMA的表达

目的 研究灯盏花素对CCl4诱导的肝纤维化模型大鼠TGFβ1、α-SMA表达的研究.方法 本实验用CCl4诱导大鼠肝纤维化模型,喂服灯盏花素.60只Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、灯盏花素高剂量组、灯盏花素中剂量组、灯盏花素低剂量组、秋水仙碱组.用药4w后,测定肝纤维化模型大鼠的谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶,检测平滑肌肌动蛋白mRNA和蛋白的表达,转化生长因子mRNA与蛋白的表达.结果 模型组大鼠血清ALT、AST明显高于正常对照组(P＜0.05).与模型组相比较,灯盏花素高、中、低剂量组ALT、AST均明显降低(P＜0.05).模型组与正常对照组α-SMA mRNA及蛋白有显著性差异(P＜0.01);灯盏花素不同剂量组均能使α-SMA mRNA及蛋白表达显著降低(P＜0.01).模型组与正常对照组TGFβ1 mRNA及蛋白有显著性差异(P＜0.01),灯盏花素不同剂量组均能使TGFβ1 mRNA及蛋白的表达显著降低(P＜0.01或P＜0.05).光镜显示:灯盏花素各剂量组的肝脏病理学改变较模型组减轻.结论 ①灯盏花素能保护肝细胞活性,促进肝细胞修复再生;降低转氨酶,具有抗肝纤维化作用.②灯盏花素可以降低α-SMA、TGFβ1表达,抑制星状细胞激活.     

HBV感染对人T细胞免疫及细胞因子TNF-α、GF-β2的影响

目的:检测HBV感染后外周血及感染肝组织内CD4+T和CD8+T细胞的数量及功能,以及肝组织内TNF-α及TGF-β2表达,探讨HBV对人体T细胞免疫的影响及其可能机制.方法:用流式细胞仪检测HBV感染者36例和正常人20例外周血中T细胞亚群的数量.用免疫组化法HBV感染肝组织50例中CD4,CD8,CD25和TNF-α,TGF-β2的表达,并作相应比较.结果:HBV感染组外周血,CD4+和CD4+/CD8+比值明显低于对照组(P＜0.05);CD8+细胞升高,明显高于对照组(P＜0.05).肝组织内浸润的淋巴细胞主要聚集在汇管区和小叶坏死区,免疫组化结果显示HBV感染组肝组织内的CD8+和CD4+细胞数量多于非HBV感染组(P＜0.01).HBV感染组肝组织内CD25+细胞数量减少,但统计学上无显著意义.HBV感染组肝组织TNF-α表达明显增强,与非HBV感染组相比有显著差异(P＜0.05);而TGF-β2在HBV感染组肝组织的表达与非HBV感染组相比无显著差异.TGF-β2及TNF-α在肝硬化、癌旁肝硬化、肝细胞癌中均较强表达,且与慢性乙肝组和正常对照组比较有非常显著差异(P＜0.01).结论:HBV感染者外周血和肝内的T细胞亚群紊乱,活性下降,功能受损.TNF-α表达与HBV感染和免疫损伤密切相关,而HBV对TGF-β2的影响微弱.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织病理研究

目的:探讨慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者临床表现和病理诊断的相关性.方法:收集30例CHB患者的临床资料,分析临床表现与病理诊断的相关性.结果:肝组织的炎症和纤维化程度的相关性显著(r=0.659,P＜0.01),白蛋白/球蛋白比值(A/G)与肝脏炎症和纤维化分级显著负相关(r=-0.368,P＜0.05;r=-0.401,P＜0.05).年龄、性别及其他化验指标如ALT、AST、TP、ALB、GLO、TBil、PLT、PT、PTA、门静脉宽度、脾脏厚度等与肝组织炎症和纤维化分级无显著相关性(P＞0.05).结论:慢性乙型肝炎肝脏炎症和纤维化的严重程度密切相关,仅根据肝功能判断轻中度的CHB患者的肝脏炎症及纤维化程度有相当的局限性.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者血清HBV DNA、ALT及透明质酸与肝组织病理的关系

目的:探讨慢性乙型病毒性肝炎(CHB)患者血清HBV DNA、ALT(丙氨酸转氨酶)、HA(透明质酸)与肝组织病理的关系,为临床治疗提供一定的理论指导.方法:对127例CHB患者行肝组织病理、乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)免疫组化检查,并检测其血清HBV DNA、HBV-M、ALT、HA水平.结果:ALT对肝脏炎症程度的评估有意义(P＜0.01),HA有助于判断CHB患者肝脏的炎症及纤维化程度(P＜0.01),肝组织S0组与S1~4组、肝组织G0~1组与G2~4组的血清HBV DNA水平比较差异无显著性意义(P＞0.05);HBcAg阳性组与阴性组的HBV DNA含量比较差异有显著性意义(P＜0.01).结论:血清HBV DNA水平与肝组织HBcAg表达有一致性,ALT正常或低水平者应争取肝组织活检,以便及时判断肝组织病理状况,把握治疗时机.     

丙氨酸氨基转移酶水平正常与轻度升高慢性HBV感染者的肝脏病理学特征比较

目的 探讨ALT/AST正常和ALT/AST轻度升高慢性HBV感染者的肝脏病理学特征,并进行比较. 方法 收集ALT/AST正常慢性HBV感染者134例,ALT/AST轻度升高慢性HBV感染者265例,采用肝脏穿刺术以进行肝活组织病理学检查;用荧光定量PCR法检测血清HBVDNA水平;用化学发光法定量检测血清HBV标志物(HBsAg、抗-HBs、HBeAg、抗-HBe、抗-HBc).计数资料采用x2检验分析,相关性采用Spearman等级相关分析. 结果 ALT/AST轻度升高组男性比例明显增加.ALT/AST正常组,50.0％ (67/134)的患者肝脏有中度以上的病理学改变,3.0％(4/134)的患者炎症或纤维化程度在3级(期)以上;ALT/AST轻度升高组,65.7％ (174/265)的患者肝脏有中度以上的病理学改变,16.2％ (43/265)的患者炎症或纤维化程度在3级(期)以上.ALT/AST轻度升高组肝脏炎症程度和纤维化程度均较ALT/AST正常组严重(x2=26.386,P＜0.01;x 2=15.299,P＜0.01).在ALT/AST正常组,炎症程度和纤维化程度均与年龄呈正相关(rs=0.620,P＜ 0.01;rs=0.347,P＜0.01);而在ALT/AST轻度升高组,炎症程度和纤维化程度均与年龄呈负相关(rs=-0.807,p＜0.01 ;rs=-0.557,P＜0.01).两组患者肝脏炎症程度和纤维化程度均与HBV DNA载量呈负相关(rs=-0.215,P＜0.01,rs=-0.527,P＜0.01;rs=-0.951,P＜ 0.01 ;rs=-0.715,P＜0.01),而与HBeAg阳性与否无明显相关性.结论 ALT/AST正常或轻度升高的慢性HBV感染者大部分肝脏均有中度以上的病理学改变;即使HBV DNA处于低水平,无论HBeAg阳性与否,也都是需要密切观察的群体.     

β-榄香烯对实验性肝纤维化大鼠TGF-β1、α-SMA、Col-Ⅰ表达的影响

目的观察β-榄香烯对四氯化碳肝纤维化大鼠TGF-β1、α-SMA、Col-Ⅰ表达的影响.方法采用CCl4皮下注射诱导Wistar ♂大鼠肝纤维化模型,用β-榄香烯0.1 mL/100 g剂量每天腹腔注射8 wk后,用苏木精-伊红染色(HE)和胶原纤维(Masson)染色观察大鼠肝脏病理变化,酶动力法检测肝功能,SP免疫组化法检测肝组织中α-肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)、Ⅰ型胶原(Col-Ⅰ)表达的变化,样本碱水解法检测肝组织中羟脯氨酸(HYP)的含量.结果8 wk后,正常组、模型组、对照组及治疗组肝组织胶原纤维面积百分比分别为1.22%±0.24%,7.47%±0.81%,5.57%±0.78%,4.33%±0.48%,治疗组与模型组、对照组相比均有显著差异(P＜0.01),并且治疗组肝组织纤维化程度分级较模型组逐渐好转,胶原纤维所占面积显著缩小;在肝组织中测得的Col-Ⅰ阳性面积比分别为3.022%±0.553%,9.998%±1.431%,7.554%±0.914%,4.587%±1.008%,治疗组与模型组、对照组相比均有显著差异(P＜0.01).α-SMA和TGF-β1在治疗组和模型组肝组织中的表达也有显著差异(3.172%±0.542% vs 5.605%±1.315%,P＜0.01;2.868%±0.554% vs 5.653%±0.9%,P＜0.01).结论β-榄香烯对四氯化碳肝纤维化大鼠具有拮抗作用,主要是通过抑制肝星状细胞激活,降低TGF-β1,α-SMA在肝组织中的表达,减少细胞外基质在肝脏中的沉积,从而延缓肝纤维化的进程.     

髓系白血病患者SHP-1与c-kit基因检测的临床意义

目的探讨造血细胞磷酸酶（SHP-1）基因与原癌基因c—kit在髓系白血病患者中的表达,以及其与白血病发生和预后的关系。方法用半定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应法检测67例髓系自血病患者（患者组）及33例正常对照组的白细胞SHP-1与c-kit mRNA表达。结果患者组中,急性髓系白血病（AML）、慢性粒细胞白血病慢性期（CML—CP）和急变期（CML—BP）患者的SHP-1平均表达水平均低于对照组（P〈0．05）;CML-CP患者的c—kit平均表达水平高于对照组,CML—CP和CML—BP患者比较有统计学差异（P〈0．05）;34例初治AML患者中,SHP-1^＋的完全缓解率高于SHP-1^-,而c—kit则相反。SHP-1^＋c—kit^＋的完全缓解率高于SHP-1^-c-kit^＋。结论SHP-1可能作为潜在的抑癌基因与c-kit基因参与白血病的发病,检测SHP-1与c—kit基因表达可作为判断髓系白血病患者预后的指标。     

Autoimmune liver disease-related autoantibodies in patients with biliary atresia

AIM To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of autoimmune liver disease(ALD)-related autoantibodies in patients with biliary atresia(BA).METHODS Sera of 124 BA patients and 140 age-matched non-BA controls were assayed for detection of the following autoantibodies: ALD profile and specific anti-nuclear antibodies(ANAs), by line-blot assay; ANA and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA), by indirect immunofluorescence assay; specific ANCAs and antiM2-3 E, by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Associations of these autoantibodies with the clinical features of BA(i.e., cytomegalovirus infection, degree of liver fibrosis, and short-term prognosis of Kasai procedure) were evaluated by Spearman's correlation coefficient.RESULTS The overall positive rate of serum autoantibodies in preoperative BA patients was 56.5%. ALD profile assay showed that the positive reaction to primary biliary cholangitis-related autoantibodies in BA patients was higher than that to autoimmune hepatitis-related autoantibodies. Among these autoantibodies, anti-BPO was detected more frequently in the BA patients than in the controls(14.8% vs 2.2%, P 0.05). Accordingly, 32(25.8%) of the 124 BA patients also showed a high positive reaction for anti-M2-3 E. By comparison, the controls had a remarkably lower frequency of anti-M2-3 E(P 0.05), with 6/92(8.6%) of patients with other liver diseases and 2/48(4.2%) of healthy controls. The prevalence of ANA in BA patients was 11.3%, which was higher than that in disease controls(3.3%, P 0.05), but the reactivity to specific ANAs was only 8.2%. The prevalence of ANCAs(ANCA or specific ANCAs) in BA patients was also remarkably higher than that in the healthy controls(37.9% vs 6.3%, P 0.05), but showed no difference from that in patients with other cholestasis. ANCA positivity was closely associated with the occurrence of postoperative cholangitis(r = 0.61, P 0.05), whereas none of the autoantibodies showed a correlation to cytomegalovirus infection or the stages of liver fibrosis.CONCLUSION High prevalence of autoantibodies in the BA developmental process strongly reveals the autoimmunemediated pathogenesis. Serological ANCA positivity may be a useful predictive biomarker of postoperative cholangitis.     

Immunohistochemical study on liver fibrosis in biliary atresia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although advanced liver fibrosis is a critical complication in influencing the outcome of biliary atresia (BA), the mechanism is poorly understood. In adult hepatic disorders, the relationships between sinusoidal liver cells (SLC) such as hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), some growth factors and enzymes concerned with extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism have been clarified, but are unknown in BA. This study aimed to investigate such relationships in BA. METHODOLOGY: Seventeen liver samples from 14 patients with BA were immunohistochemically examined using primary antibodies such as alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA), transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. The degree of liver fibrosis and these immunohistochemical findings were compared and examined semiquantitatively. Ultrathin sections from two samples were also examined with electron microscopy. RESULTS: The immunoreactivity of alphaSMA and MMPs increased with the degree of liver fibrosis, whereas that of TGFbeta, PDGF, and TIMPs showed no difference in expression in groups with any degrees of fibrosis. The immunoreactivity of MMPs statistically significantly increased in fibrotic livers. Electronmicroscopically, HSCs had many filaments in their cytoplasm, showing myofibroblastic morphology. CONCLUSIONS: The present study gave a different result than other reports on adult liver fibrosis. Livers with BA may be in a predominant state of fibrolysis, indicating the presence of the similar process to recovery from liver fibrosis in adults.     

瞬时弹性成像技术、APRI及FIB-4对胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化程度的诊断价值

目的探讨肝脏瞬时弹性成像技术检测肝脏硬度(LSM)、AST-PLT比值指数(APRI)、基于4因子的肝纤维化指数(FIB-4)对胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化程度的诊断价值。方法选取2016年1月1日-2018年12月31日于湖南省儿童医院新生儿外科行Kasai术的胆道闭锁患儿110例。收集患儿术中肝脏病理活检标本及术前1周内血常规、肝功能、瞬时弹性成像检查结果。计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验,非正态分布的计量资料多组间比较采用Kruskal-Wallis H秩和检验。采用MedCalc软件绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线),通过ROC曲线评估瞬时弹性成像技术、APRI和FIB-4对胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化程度的诊断效能。采用Spearman相关法进行相关性分析。结果ROC曲线分析显示,LSM、APRI、FIB-4用于判断胆道闭锁明显肝纤维化(F≥2)的临界值分别为9.250 kPa、0.680、0.047,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.874[95%可信区间(95%CI):0.778~0.970]、0.636(95%CI:0.362~0.911)、0.622(95%CI:0.363~0.880);LSM、APRI、FIB-4用于判断胆道闭锁进展性肝纤维化(F≥3)的临界值分别为10.75 kPa、0.70、0.05,AUC分别为0.781(95%CI:0.689~0.873)、0.519(95%CI:0.401~0.636)、0.506(95%CI:0.389~0.623);LSM、APRI、FIB-4用于判断胆道闭锁肝硬化(F≥4)的临界值分别为11.85 kPa、0.82、0.09,AUC分别为0.855(95%CI:0.769~0.942)、0.701(95%CI:0.599~0.803)、0.717(95%CI:0.609~0.825)。相关性分析结果显示,LSM值与AST水平呈正相关(r=0.258,P=0.007),与PLT水平呈负相关(r=-0.248,P=0.009)。结论瞬时弹性成像技术对于胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化分级具有较高的准确性,其诊断肝纤维化程度的临床价值高于APRI、FIB-4。     

Expression of the stem cell factor receptor c-kit in normal and diseased pediatric liver: identification of a human hepatic progenitor cell?

The stem cell factor (SCF)/c-kit ligand/receptor system has been implicated in stem (oval) cell activation following liver injury in the rat. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the SCF/c-kit system in pediatric human liver during acute and chronic liver injury. Tissue was obtained from hepatectomy specimens of patients undergoing liver transplantation for extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) and fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Specific expression of mRNA for c-kit and beta-actin was measured by ribonuclease protection and by immunohistochemistry to localize c-kit in tissue sections. Expression of c-kit was detected at relatively consistent levels in normal and cirrhotic (EHBA) livers. However, in FHF, c-kit mRNA levels were elevated in 3 of 6 specimens. Immunolocalization highlighted the presence of small numbers of c-kit-positive cells in the portal tracts of normal livers with increased numbers in cirrhotic livers. The highest c-kit staining, however, was observed in FHF, in which, in addition to the cells in the portal tracts, discrete c-kit-positive cells were also found integrated into bile ducts. Colocalization studies demonstrated some of the c-kit-positive cells to be of mast cell, leukocyte, and hematopoietic cell origin. However, there remained a subset that was also negative for these markers. The up-regulation of c-kit receptor expression in diseased livers suggests an involvement of this receptor/ligand system in hepatic repair mechanisms, and we speculate that c-kit-positive cells may represent a hepatic progenitor cell population. The origin and growth/differentiation potential of these c-kit-positive cells is under investigation.     

Liver histology in benign biliary stricture: Fibrosis to cirrhosis . . . and reversal?

Background: Secondary biliary cirrhosis is a potential complication of post‐cholecystectomy bile duct stricture (PCBDS). This study addresses the factors that determine the severity of pathological changes on liver biopsy and the correlation with long‐term outcome following repair. Methods: Liver biopsies obtained at surgery for repair of PCBDS in 71 patients were reviewed and pathological changes were scored from 0 to 3. Patients with fibrosis score 0–2 were categorized as the non‐cirrhotic group and those with score 3 (secondary biliary cirrhosis) were categorized as the cirrhotic group. Clinical and biochemical parameters, stricture type and outcome were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis for correlation with degree of fibrosis. Follow‐up liver biopsies (3–60 months) after stricture repair were obtained in five patients. Results: There were 58 patients in the non‐cirrhotic group and 13 in the cirrhotic group. On univariate analysis, portal hypertension and prolonged injury‐repair duration correlated with secondary biliary cirrhosis. Patients with a fair outcome in the cirrhotic group (4/13) had derangements in liver function tests but had patent biliary enteric anastomosis on evaluation. Of the five patients in whom liver biopsies were obtained at follow up, two had regression, two were static, and one had progression. Conclusion: All patients with PCBDS had varying degrees of fibrosis. Prolonged injury‐repair interval and portal hypertension were the important parameters correlating with secondary biliary cirrhosis. Early repair of biliary stricture is recommended to prevent liver fibrosis. A successful relief of biliary obstruction may halt and/or reverse pathological changes in the liver.     

Growth failure and outcomes in infants with biliary atresia: a report from the Biliary Atresia Research Consortium

Malnutrition is a significant clinical problem in infants with biliary atresia. The natural history of poor growth and its potential association with early transplantation or death in children with biliary atresia was determined. Serial weight- and length-for-age z-scores were computed as part of a retrospective study of 100 infants who underwent hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE) for biliary atresia at 9 U.S. pediatric centers between 1997 and 2000. Poor outcome was defined as transplantation or death by 24 months of age (n = 46) and good outcome was defined as survival with native liver at 24 months of age with total serum bilirubin less than 6 mg/dL (n = 54). Growth velocity was significantly slower in the poor outcome group compared to the good outcome group (P < 0.001 for both weight and length). Mean weight z-scores were significantly lower by 6 months after HPE in the poor outcome group (-2.1 +/- 1.4) compared to the good outcome group (-1.2 +/- 1.4) (P < 0.001). In a subgroup with total bilirubin between 2 and 6 mg/dL at 3 months after HPE (n = 28), the weight z-scores at 3 months after HPE were significantly lower in the poor outcome group (-2.0 +/-1.2) compared to the good outcome group (-1.0 +/- 1.2) (P = 0.04) despite similar bilirubin concentrations. CONCLUSION: Growth failure after HPE was associated with transplantation or death by 24 months of age. The combination of intermediate bilirubin concentrations and poor mean weight z-scores 3 months after HPE was also associated with poor clinical outcome.     

Immunohistochemical study of hepatic oval cells in human chronic viral hepatitis

AIM: To detect immunohistochemically the presence of oval cells in chronic viral hepatitis with antibody against c-kit. METHODS: We detected oval cells in paraffin embedded liver sections of 3 normal controls and 26 liver samples from patients with chronic viral hepatitis, using immunohistochemistry with antibodies against c-kit, piclass glutathione S-transferase (pi-GST) and cytokeratins 19 (CK19). RESULTS: Oval cells were not observed in normal livers. In chronic viral hepatitis, hepatic oval cells were located predominantly in the periportal region and fibrosis septa,characterized by an ovoid nucleus, small size,and scant cytoplasm. Antibody against stem cell factor receptor, c-kit, had higher sensitivity and specificity than pi-GST and CK19. About 50%-70% of c-kit positive oval cells were stained positively for either pi-GST or CK19. CONCLUSION: Oval cells are frequently detected in human livers with chronic viral hepatitis, suggesting that oval cell proliferation is associated with the liver regeneration in this condition.     

Intestinal synthesis and secretion of bile salts as an adaptation to developmental biliary atresia in the sea lamprey

Bile salt synthesis is a specialized liver function in vertebrates. Bile salts play diverse roles in digestion and signaling, and their homeostasis is maintained by controlling input (biosynthesis) and intestinal conservation. Patients with biliary atresia (i.e., obliteration of the biliary tree) suffer liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In contrast, sea lamprey thrives despite developmental biliary atresia. We discovered that the sea lamprey adapts to biliary atresia through a unique mechanism of de novo synthesis and secretion of bile salts in intestine after developmental biliary atresia, in addition to known mechanisms, such as the reduction of bile salt synthesis in liver. During and after developmental biliary atresia, expression of cyp7a1 in intestine increased by more than 100-fold (P < 0.001), whereas in liver it decreased by the same magnitude (P < 0.001). Concurrently, bile salt pools changed in similar patterns and magnitudes in these two organs and the composition shifted from C24 bile alcohol sulfates to taurine-conjugated C24 bile acids. In addition, both in vivo and ex vivo experiments showed that aductular sea lamprey secreted taurocholic acid into its intestinal lumen. Our results indicate that the sea lamprey, a jawless vertebrate, may be in an evolutionarily transitional state where bile salt synthesis occurs in both liver and intestine. Understanding the molecular basis of these mechanisms may shed light on the evolution of bile salt synthesis and possible therapy for infant biliary atresia.     

Expression of collagens type I and IV, osteonectin and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta1) in biliary atresia and paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts during infancy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Biliary atresia and paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts are the main causes of neonatal cholestasis leading to hepatic fibrosis. Fibrotic evolution is slow in paucity of bile ducts as compared to the rapid progression to biliary cirrhosis in biliary atresia when cholestasis persists despite hepatoportoenterostomy. Our aim was to compare the expression of collagens type I and IV, alpha-smooth muscle actin, osteonectin and transforming growth factor beta1 in biliary atresia and paucity of bile ducts. METHODS: Liver biopsies were obtained in 12 children with biliary atresia and in five with paucity of bile ducts. Collagens type I and IV, alpha-smooth muscle actin were detected with immunostaining. Collagens type I and IV, osteonectin and transforming growth factor beta1 mRNAs were detected by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Expression of mRNA and proteins was roughly parallel. In ductular proliferation areas of biliary atresia: (1) the expression of collagens type I and IV and osteonectin was increased, and was localized to periductular myofibroblasts; (2) transforming growth factor beta1 was expressed around biliary ductules, probably in inflammatory cells, and also in biliary cells. Osteonectin expression was also increased in the lobules. In paucity of bile ducts, there was no overexpression of collagens type I and IV and transforming growth factor beta1, except in the only child with marked fibrosis. However, osteonectin expression was enhanced at the periphery of the lobules, even when fibrosis was mild or absent. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that in biliary atresia ductular proliferation areas are the site of a marked production of extracellular matrix proteins in periductular myofibroblasts, probably secondary to transforming growth factor beta1 production by inflammatory cells and by biliary cells. The weak expression of transforming growth factor beta1 could explain the slow progression of fibrosis in paucity of bile ducts.