CD14 expression and Kupffer cell dysfunction in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: superparamagnetic iron oxide-magnetic resonance image and pathologic correlation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM:

Kupffer cell (KC) function and CD14 expression contributes to pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, these relationships remain unclear. We investigated the relationship of KC function with superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (SPIO-MRI), histopathological severity of NASH, and number of CD14-positive KCs in NASH.

METHODS:

This retrospective study included 32 patients (24 with NASH and eight with simple steatosis) who had previously undergone SPIO-MRI with T2-weighted gradient-recalled echo sequence. All subjects were diagnosed pathologically and were evaluated for necroinflammation grade, fibrosis stage, and number of CD14-positive KCs. Patients with NASH and simple steatosis were compared by using the Mann-Whitney test to determine differences in percent reduction of liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio (reduction-%LMR), as a surrogate parameter of KC function, and number of CD14-positive KCs. Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to analyze relation among reduction-%LMR, histopathological severity and number of CD14-positive KCs.

RESULTS:

There were statistically significant differences in reduction-%LMR and number of CD14-positive KCs between NASH and simple steatosis patients (Mann-Whitney test, P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Reduction-%LMR decreased with an increase in necroinflammation grade or fibrosis stage. The number of CD14-positive KCs increased with an increase in necroinflammation grade and fibrosis stage (Kruskal-Wallis test, both, P < 0.001). A high correlation was seen between number of CD14-positive KCs and reduction-%LMR (Pearson r = 0.81; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

KC phagocytic function evaluated with SPIO-MRI correlated with histopathological severity and number of CD14-positive KCs. These results support the concept that KC phagocytic dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of NASH.

• Authors: Tatsuyuki Tonan, Kiminori Fujimoto, Aliya Qayyum, Yasuyo Morita, Osamu Nakashima, Noriyuki Ono, Akihiko Kawahara, Masayoshi Kage, Naofumi Hayabuchi, Takato Ueno
• Journal: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology (J Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 27 Issue 4 Pg. 789-96 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 1440-1746 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 22188204 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2011 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Drosophila Proteins
• Ferric Compounds
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
• otu protein, Drosophila
• ferric oxide

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Cell Count
• Contrast Media
• Drosophila Proteins
• Fatty Liver (metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
• Female
• Ferric Compounds
• Humans
• Kupffer Cells (metabolism)
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors (metabolism)
• Liver Cirrhosis (metabolism, pathology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Muscle, Skeletal (physiology)
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• Phagocytosis
• Retrospective Studies
• Statistics, Nonparametric