Alpha-smooth-muscle actin expression in normal and fibrotic human livers.

Abstract

To determine the significance of the expression of alpha-smooth-muscle actin in the fibrotic human liver, normal and diseased livers were stained with anti-alpha-smooth-muscle-actin antibody by an immunoperoxidase method. Vitamin A-containing lipocytes were also identified by the modified Kupffer's gold chloride method. In the normal human liver, lipocytes as well as vascular smooth muscle cells expressed alpha-smooth-muscle actin. In alcoholic liver disease, there was an increase in the cells positive for alpha-smooth-muscle actin adjacent to the fibrotic areas, but the response of lipocytes to the gold chloride reaction diminished. In chronic hepatitis, the cells positive for alpha-smooth-muscle actin increased around the enlarged portal areas, and the response to the gold chloride reaction did not change appreciably. An increase in the cells positive for alpha-smooth-muscle actin was associated with the progression of hepatic fibrosis in the liver of patients with alcoholic liver disease and chronic hepatitis.

• Authors: K Yamaoka, T Nouchi, F Marumo, C Sato
• Journal: Digestive diseases and sciences (Dig Dis Sci) Vol. 38 Issue 8 Pg. 1473-9 (Aug 1993) ISSN: 0163-2116 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8344103 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Actins
• Biomarkers
• Desmin
• Gold Compounds
• Vitamin A
• gold chloride
• Gold

Topics

• Actins (analysis)
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Desmin (analysis)
• Gold (analysis)
• Gold Compounds
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Liver (metabolism)
• Liver Cirrhosis (metabolism)
• Muscle, Smooth, Vascular (metabolism)
• Reference Values
• Vitamin A (metabolism)