CD117+ cells/telocytes in chronic steatohepatitis and hepatitis C virus infection: histotopographic and quantitative features.

Abstract

Background. The course of the most common chronic liver diseases depends on the balance in fibrosis and reparative regeneration. Interrelations between these processes depend on many factors, including recently described cellular type CD117+ cells/telocytes which are involved in paracrine regulation. Objective. The aim is to study histotopographic and quantitative features of CD117+ cells/telocytes in chronic steatohepatitis and hepatitis C virus infection. Methods. 20 autopsies with diagnosed alcoholic steatohepatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and viral hepatitis C (fibrosis stage 2-3, METAVIR) were enrolled in this study. The CD117+ cells/telocytes were evaluated in the liver tissue. Marker quantification was performed by assessing the ratio of stained tissue to the total area of the liver section using image analysis. Differences between groups were analyzed using Student’s t-test; p 0,05). Conclusion. Differences in the amount of CD117+ cells/telocytes in the area of “stem cell niche” in patients with chronic steatohepatitis and hepatitis C virus infection correlates with the hypothesis about existence of multiple pathogenetic pathways of fibrosis and regeneration which depends on the etiologic factors or secondary influences induced during the course of the disease.

Keywords

• CD117+ клітини/телоцити
• хронічний стеатогепатит
• вірусний гепатит С