Localization of hepatitis C virus antigens in liver and skin tissues of chronic hepatitis C virus-infected patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia.
Skin and/or liver biopsy specimens were obtained from the following patients: 15 anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), HCV RNA-positive patients and 3 anti-HCV, HCV RNA-negative patients with type II mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC); 7 anti-HCV, HCV RNA-positive patients with chronic active liver disease (CALD); 5 anti-HCV, HCV RNA-negative patients with noncryoglobulinemic vasculitis; and 7 anti-HCV, HCV RNA-negative patients with lichen ruber planus. A pool of murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) developed against c22-3, c33c, and c100-3 proteins was used to detect HCV-related antigens (Ags) by indirect immunohistochemistry. Acid electroelution (AEE) of tissue sections was performed to enhance the sensitivity of the immunohistochemical method. In anti-HCV-positive MC patients, specific HCV-related Ags were detected in the small vessels of the skin and in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Prior AEE of biopsy sections allowed detection of HCV Ags in 6 of 15 (40%) skin biopsy and in 9 of 14 (64.3%) liver biopsy specimens. HCV immunoreactive deposits in the skin displayed two immunohistochemical patterns: (1) coarse intraluminal material associated with dermal inflammatory infiltrates and intravascular deposition of eosinophilic hyaline material; and (2) reactivity confined to the vessel wall in the context of an apparently normal tissue. Immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM deposition in the skin showed immunohistochemical features comparable with those found for HCV Ag deposits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Italy.
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Sansonno
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Cornacchiulo
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Iacobelli
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Di Stefano
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Lospalluti
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Dammacco
D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral