Large liver cell change in hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis.
Large liver cell change (LLCC) refers to microscopic lesions often found in various chronic liver diseases; however, its nature is still controversial. Thirty-four formalin-fixed and 19 fresh frozen hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis samples were examined for the presence of LLCC, small liver cell change (SLCC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The cell cycle checkpoint status (p21, p27, p16, Tp53), cell dynamics (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Ki-67, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling, M30), DNA damage (gamma-H2AX [H2A histone family, member X]), telomere lengths, chromosomal instability (micronuclei index), and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) activity were evaluated using an in situ approach and compared to those in normal liver (n = 5) and liver with chronic cholestasis (34 cases of hepatolithiasis and three cases of primary biliary cirrhosis). In HBV-related cirrhosis, the p21, p27, and p16 cell cycle checkpoint markers were activated in normal-looking cirrhotic hepatocytes (NLCH), but diminished gradually from LLCC, SLCC, to HCC, with an increase in Tp53 expression. There was a general decrease in telomere length from NLCH, LLCC, SLCC, to HCC. Micronuclei, gamma-H2AX foci, and net cellular gain were significantly increased from normal hepatocytes, NLCH, LLCC, SLCC, to HCC. The SA-beta-Gal activity was weaker in LLCC compared to NLCH and absent in SLCC and HCC. In contrast, cholestatic LLCC showed retained expression of cell cycle checkpoint markers and decreased net cellular gain compared to adjacent normal-looking hepatocytes. HBV-related LLCC showed significantly higher Tp53 labeling index, gamma-H2AX labeling index, and micronuclei index; shorter telomere length; decreased SA-beta-Gal activity; and increased net cellular gain compared to cholestatic LLCC.


CONCLUSIONS
The nature of LLCC is rather heterogeneous depending on the biological setting. The characteristics of HBV-related LLCC are more consistent with dysplastic rather than merely reactive hepatocytes, whereas cholestatic LLCC more likely represents reactive change with more stringent cell cycle checkpoint control.
Kim
Haeryoung
H
Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
Oh
Bong-Kyeong
BK
Roncalli
Massimo
M
Park
Chanil
C
Yoon
So-Mi
SM
Yoo
Jeong Eun
JE
Park
Young Nyun
YN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology; D002453:Cell Cycle; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D043171:Chromosomal Instability; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016615:Telomere / Q000737:chemistry; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis
D001616:beta-Galactosidase