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Changes of igg‐bearing cell populations in the portal tracts of patients with chronic liver disease of viral etiology: An evaluation by immunoperoxidase method and computerized image analysis
Author(s) -
Torgano Giuseppe,
Vecchi Maurizio,
Arosio Eliana,
Santambrogio Daniela,
Ronchi Guido,
Ani Giorgio,
Tomasini Maurizio,
Contessini Ettore,
De Franchis Roberto
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.1840160105
Subject(s) - immunoperoxidase , antigen , pathology , antibody , liver biopsy , viral hepatitis , monoclonal antibody , liver disease , chronic liver disease , immunohistochemistry , hepatitis , population , biopsy , biology , immunology , medicine , virology , cirrhosis , gastroenterology , environmental health
Little is known about the distribution of IgG‐bearing cell subpopulations in normal liver and their possible changes in disease conditions. We developed an immunohistochemical method that proved suitable and accurate for the identification and characterization of IgG‐bearing cells and their subpopulations in liver specimens. The method uses specific monoclonal antibodies on serial mirror liver sections. We applied this method to four normal liver tissue specimens and 25 liver biopsy samples of chronic hepatitis of viral etiology. Only rare IgG‐bearing cells could be observed in the portal tracts of normal liver specimens. In contrast, a dense infiltrate of such cells was seen in liver specimens from patients with chronic viral hepatitis. The density of IgG‐bearing cells in such patients ranged from 6 to 20 cells × 10 –4 μm 2 in the different specimens (x― = 11 × 10 –4 μm 2 ). The increase in IgG‐bearing cells did not appear to be related to the histological diagnosis, to the degree of histological inflammatory activity or to the type of viral infection. The major population of IgG‐bearing cells consisted of IgG1‐positive cells (68%); IgG 2 ‐ (17%), IgG 3 ‐ (8%) and IgG 4 (7%)–bearing cells represented only minor fractions. The increased prevalence of IgG 1 ‐bearing cells observed in chronic hepatitis but not in normal liver specimens suggests that these findings may reflect an activation of antibody production directed toward viral antigens or antigenic structures of self. The identification of the antigenic specificities of the antibodies produced by IgG‐bearing cells might provide important clues in understanding the pathogenesis of chronic viral hepatitis. (H EPATOLOGY 1992:16:19–23.)