Differential findings for CD14-positive hepatic monocytes/macrophages in primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis C and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
OBJECTIVE
Endotoxin-responsive monocytes/macrophages (CD14-positive) are potential sources of profibrogenic factors. The aims of this study were to determine (1) whether hepatic CD14-positive cells are present in various forms of chronic liver disease, and (2) the relationship between CD14-positive cells, myofibroblasts, and fibrosis in these diseases.


METHODS
Liver specimens from control subjects (n = 12) and those with primary biliary cirrhosis (n = 18), chronic hepatitis C (n = 13), or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (n = 13) were immunostained for CD14, CD68, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and the number of cells expressing these antigens was determined. Fibrosis and inflammation were also assessed.


RESULTS
The total number of hepatic CD68-positive cells was similar in diseased and control livers. The number of CD14-positive cells was increased in advanced fibrosis in primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatitis C but not in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The number of CD14-positive cells was also increased in hepatitis C specimens with high inflammatory activity. CD14-positive cells were often associated with alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts in fibrous septa.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of hepatic CD14-positive cells is increased in advanced fibrosis in subjects with primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatitis C but not in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatitis C, CD14-positive macrophages are found in close proximity to fibrous septa and myofibroblasts. In hepatitis C, an increased number of CD14-positive cells are associated with high inflammatory activity.
Leicester
Katherine L
KL
School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Olynyk
John K
JK
Brunt
Elizabeth M
EM
Britton
Robert S
RS
Bacon
Bruce R
BR
D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology
D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors