Endothelium in hepatic cavernous hemangiomas does not express the hyaluronan receptor for endocytosis.
The liver contains two distinct endothelial cell types: vascular and sinusoidal. Although cavernous hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the liver, vascular or sinusoidal endothelial cell differentiation has not been described. An endocytic receptor responsible for the uptake and degradation of hyaluronan is present in the sinusoidal endothelium of the liver. The hyaluronan receptor for endocytosis (HARE) may therefore be a useful marker for sinusoidal endothelial cell differentiation. Using monoclonal antibodies specific for HARE, CD31, and factor VIII, we completed an immunohistochemical study of the endothelial cells of both hepatic cavernous hemangiomas and of nonneoplastic human liver. The anti-HARE monoclonal antibodies showed diffuse strong staining of nonneoplastic liver sinusoidal endothelium. No staining of nonsinusoidal endothelium or the endothelial lining of the hemangiomas was seen with anti-HARE. In contrast, diffuse strong staining for factor VIII and CD31 was present in nonsinusoidal endothelium and cavernous hemangioma endothelium. Neither factor VIII nor CD31 staining was present in the sinusoidal endothelium. In conclusion, the endothelium of hepatic cavernous hemangiomas demonstrates vascular but not sinusoidal differentiation based on the absence of HARE and presence of CD31 and factor VIII.
Duff
Brian
B
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
Weigel
Janet A
JA
Bourne
Patricia
P
Weigel
Paul H
PH
McGary
Carl T
CT
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D005169:Factor VIII