Immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA and GFAP expression in liver stellate cells

• Main Authors: Tomanović Nada, Boričić Ivan, Brašanac Dimitrije
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Military Health Department, Ministry of Defance, Serbia 2006-01-01
• Series: Vojnosanitetski Pregled
• Subjects: hepatitis B; immunohistochemistry; biological markers; biopsy; actins; glial fibrillary acidic protein
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2006/0042-84500606553T.pdf

Background/Aim. Liver stellate cells play an important role in hepatic fibrosis, and its progression to cirrhosis. These cells show immunoreactivity with different monoclonal antibodies amongst which the commonest are α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). The aim of this study was to analyze stellate cell immunoreactivity for α-SMA and GFAP in tissue sections showing the signs of chronic viral B-hepatitis and compare it with those without histopathological changes. Methods. We included 12 tissue samples showing chronic viral B hepatitis in the different stages of fibrosis and 7 tissue samples showing no histopathological changes. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using the streptavidinbiotin method. Results. There was a regular presence of α-SMA immunoreactivity in tissue sections without histopathological changes in the portal tracts and also in liver parenchyma, while GFAP expression was noted in the periportal cavity. Tissue sections with the signs of chronic viral B hepatitis displayed very strong α-SMA expression in the portal tracts. A statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between the degree of liver fibrosis and α-SMA expression along the fibrous septa, whereas a negative correlation between the degree of liver fibrosis and α-SMA expression was present in the portal zone. Conclusion. This study showed the existance of two different stellate cell subpopulations in liver tissue. Differentiation between them was possible on the basis of SMA/GFAP expression.