Morphometric analysis of dysplastic nodules in hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis: comparison with cirrhotic and large regenerative nodules.
OBJECTIVE
To apply a computerized morphometric model to evaluate and quantify the morphologic features, including hepatic progenitor cells, in large regenerative nodules (LRN) and high grade dysplastic nodules (DN) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis.


METHODS
Thirty-two cirrhotic nodules; 10 LRN; and 8 DN were identified in cirrhotic livers with HCV-related cirrhosis removed at transplantation. All specimens were stained for routine diagnosis with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemically for CD31, CD34, cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and reticulin. We determined by a computerized morphometric model on hematoxylin-eosin slices the volume fractions occupied by hepatocyte nuclei and cytoplasm, sinusoids, portal triads, fibrosis and centrilobular veins. We also investigated volume fraction of hepatocytes expressing CK7, and volume fractions of capillary units and of sinusoid capillarization expressing CD31 and CD34, respectively, and surface fraction of reticulin.


RESULTS
Compared to LRN, DN showed higher volume fraction of hepatocyte nuclei, higher number of hepatocytes in unit volume, higher nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, higher volume fractions of capillarized sinusoids, capillary units and CK7 positive hepatocytes and lower mean hepatocyte volume and surface reticulin fraction.


CONCLUSIONS
Our morphometric model is an objective method of quantification of the morphologic changes of LRN and DN, including the hepatic progenitor compartment.
Vertemati
Maurizio
M
Department of Human Morphology, University of Milan, Italy.
Quaglia
Alberto
A
Minola
Ernesto
E
Moscheni
Claudia
C
Cossa
Mara
M
Goffredi
Maria
M
Vizzotto
Laura
L
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D053552:Keratin-7 / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D053552:Keratin-7