title: Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) as a Mesenchymal marker of Early Hepatic Stellate Cells Activation in Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to determine expression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and of Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA) in hepatic stellate cells of CHC cases and their association with stage of fibrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at Ziauddin University, Clifton Campus during the year 2010-2012. Sixty Chronic Hepatitis C cases were immmunostained using anti α-SMA antibody and anti-GFAP antibody. Semi quantitative scoring in pericentral, periportal and perisinusoidal area of each case was done to assess immunoexpression of each marker. Results : Immunoexpression of GFAP showed significant association with α-SMA. GFAP expression was inversely correlated with progression of fibrosis. Conclusion : GFAP could represent a useful marker for early hepatic stellate cells activation. Follow up biopsies showing decline in GFAP levels may help identify the target group requiring aggressive therapy.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Sobia Hassan, Lecturer, Pathology Department, Ziauddin University Clifton Campus, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sobia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Prof. Serajuddaula Syed, Head of Pathology Department, Ziauddin University Clifton Campus, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Serajuddaula
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.affiliation: Dr. Shahnaz Imdad Kehar, Associate Professor, Pathology Department, BMSI - JPMC, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahnaz Imdad
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kehar
keywords: Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA); Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP); Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs); Liver Fibrosis