title: Age-related changes in metallothionein, copper, copper-associated protein, and lipofuscin in human liver: a histochemical and immunohistochemical study.
abstract: The relationship between immunohistochemically demonstrable hepatic metallothionein (MT) and age was studied in histologically normal livers from 12 fetuses (13-28 weeks' gestation) and 19 children (birth-4 years). In addition, the relationships between copper (rubeanic acid-positive), copper-associated protein (orcein-positive), lipofuscin (periodic acid Schiff after diastase digestion and Schmorls-positive), and MT (immunostaining) were studied. The fetal livers showed periportal and patchy mid-zone copper-associated protein and lipofuscin granules, together with strong diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear MT immunostaining. On the other hand, the livers of the children over 6 months of age showed no copper-associated protein or lipofuscin granules, and minimal or no cytoplasmic MT immunostaining (one case showed nuclear MT immunostaining). The DPAS and Schmorls-positive lipofuscin granules appeared to be identical to the orcein-positive copper-associated protein granules which were consistently negative on MT immunostaining. The demonstration of cytoplasmic granular orcein positivity or diffuse non-granular MT immunostaining in liver above the age of 6 months would appear to be of pathological significance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Elmes
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jasani
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008062:Lipofuscin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008062:Lipofuscin; D010860:Pigments, Biological; C007121:copper thionein; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein