Implication of adhesion molecules in inflammation of the common bile duct in patients with secondary cholangitis due to biliary obstruction.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate the participation of the adhesion molecules and their ligands in the inflammatory process in secondary cholangitis.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens were collected from the common bile duct from 29 patients with extrahepatic bile obstruction. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, LFA-1, PECAM-1, Mac-1, and VLA-4). The patients were categorized into 2 groups - chronic exacerbated cholangitis and chronic sclerotic cholangitis.


RESULTS
An increased ICAM-1 expression was demonstrated and also de novo VCAM-1 and E-selectin appearance on the endothelium of microvessels in chronic exacerbated cholangitis. The inflammatory cells were strongly LFA-1-, Mac-1- positive. In chronic sclerotic cholangitis the E-selectin expression persisted on vascular endothelium in the fibrous tissue and reduced inflammatory infiltrate showed LFA-1 and VLA-4 positivity. The newly formed vessels in the fibrous connective tissue were PECAM-1-positive.


CONCLUSIONS
From these results, it could be concluded that in chronic exacerbated cholangitis with complete bile obstruction the firm adhesion is mediated by ICAM-1/LFA-1 and ICAM-1/Mac-1 and less by VCAM-1/VLA-4 pathways. In chronic sclerotic cholangitis, caused by incomplete obstruction, the firm adhesion was maintained by ICAM-1/LFA-1 and less by VCAM-1/VLA-4 pathways. It seems likely that PECAM-1 and VCAM-1/VLA-4 play additional roles in neutrophil recruitment.
Gulubova
Maya
M
Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. mgulubova@hotmail.com
Vlaykova
Tatyana
T
Manolova
Irena
I
Hadjipetkov
Philip
P
Popharitov
Angel
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000473:pathology*; D001651:Cholestasis, Extrahepatic / Q000473:pathology*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000473:pathology; D003137:Common Bile Duct Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000032:analysis; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1