Hepatic stellate cell/myofibroblast subpopulations in fibrotic human and rat livers
(2002) Journal of Hepatology — Vol. 36, n° 2, p. 200-209 (2002)
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- BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are commonly considered the precursor population of septal myofibroblasts (MF) in cirrhosis. We studied the distribution and expression profile of mesenchymal (myo)fibroblast-like populations in fibrotic and cirrhotic liver, in an attempt to elucidate their possible interrelationships. METHODS: Fibrotic/cirrhotic livers (from 22 human explants and from two rat models: carbon tetrachloride intoxication, bile duct-ligation) were studied by means of immunohistochemistry (single and double immunostaining) with antibodies raised against desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neural-cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), synaptophysin, neurotrophins, neurotrophin receptors and alpha B-crystallin (ABCRYS). RESULTS: Septal MF showed the same expression profile as portal MF, in human and rat, being alpha SMA/ABCRYS/brain-derived nerve growth factor/GFAP-expression, with additional N-CAM- and desmin-expression in rat portal/septal MF. Perisinusoidally located HSC stained with all tested markers, MF at the septal/parenchymal interface showed an expression profile, intermediate between the profiles of HSC and portal/septal MF. CONCLUSIONS: In advanced fibrosis and in cirrhosis, regardless of cause or species, three distinct mesenchymal (myo)fibroblast-like liver cell subpopulations can be discerned: portal/septal MF, interface MF and perisinusoidally located HSC. The fact that septal MF share more characteristics with portal MF than with HSC might suggest descent.
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Cassiman, D., Libbrecht, L., Desmet, V., Denef, C., & Roskams, T. (2002). Hepatic stellate cell/myofibroblast subpopulations in fibrotic human and rat livers. Journal of Hepatology, 36(2), 200-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-8278(01)00260-4 (Original work published 2002)