Hepatic alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in hepatitis C patients before and after interferon therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The mechanism of hepatic fibrogenesis with chronic viral hepatitis is not well understood. Persistent activation of hepatic stellate cells is felt to play a role in the development of fibrogenesis and progression to cirrhosis.


METHODS
We determined the expression of hepatic alpha-smooth muscle actin, a marker of hepatic stellate cell activation, in 29 patients with chronic hepatitis C and varying degrees of liver injury and fibrosis. In addition to a baseline evaluation, we assessed the effect of interferon therapy on alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in 11 patients, including 6 with a sustained response to therapy. Specimens were evaluated by light microscopy for grade of inflammation and stage of fibrosis. Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin was assessed semiquantitatively by immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
At baseline, all patients had alpha-smooth muscle actin expressed within the liver without an obvious correlation with the severity of liver injury. However, among sustained responders, a reduction in hepatic necroinflammatory activity was associated with a trend towards a decrease in alpha-smooth muscle actin expression. This however did not reach statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic alpha-smooth muscle actin expression, as a marker of hepatic stellate cell activation appears reversible and tends to correlate with necroinflammatory activity.
Khan
M A
MA
Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
Poulos
J E
JE
Brunt
E M
EM
Li
L
L
Solomon
H
H
Britton
R S
RS
Bacon
B R
BR
Di Bisceglie
A M
AM
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism*
D000199:Actins; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D016898:Interferon-alpha