[Hepatocyte apoptosis in chronic viral hepatitis and its relationship with viral and Fas antigen expression].
To study the apoptosis of hepatocytes and its relationship with viral and Fas antigen expression in viral hepatitis, we detected apoptosis of liver cell and the expression of viral and Fas antigens in liver tissues of patients with chronic hepatitis B and/or C virus infection by using in situ end-labelling and immunohistochemical methods, respectively. 25 of 31 cases were detected end-labelling positive cells in their liver. The stained cells scattered in hepatic lobules, and also located in some necrosis areas and in bile duct epithelium. The apoptosis index was higher in patients with high histological active index (HAI) and in patients with viral antigen(s) positive in their liver than that in patients with low HAI and in patients without viral antigen, respectively. Apoptosis occurred in antigen positive and negative cells. There was no significant difference of apoptosis index between Fas antigen positive and negative group. These results indicated that both the infected and uninfected liver cells could occur apoptosis in patients with viral hepatitis. Further study on the mechanism of liver cell apoptosis is needed.
Zhao
X
X
Clinical Immunology Research Unit, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan.
Yang
D
D
Peng
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000032:analysis*; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; D019014:fas Receptor; C087036:NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase