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Age‐related changes in metallothionein, copper, copper‐associated protein, and lipofuscin in human liver: A histochemical and immunohistochemical study
Author(s) -
Fuller Clare E.,
Elmes Margaret E.,
Jasani Bharat
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711610212
Subject(s) - immunostaining , lipofuscin , orcein , copper deficiency , pathology , metallothionein , biology , immunohistochemistry , staining , copper , chemistry , biochemistry , medicine , organic chemistry , gene
The relationship between immunohistochemically demonstrable hepatic metallothionein (MT) and age was studied in histologically normal livers from 12 fetuses (13–28 weeks' gestation) and 19 children (birth‐4 years). In addition, the relationships between copper (rubeanic acid‐positive), copper‐associated protein (orcein‐positive), lipofuscin (periodic acid Schiff after diastase digestion and Schmorls‐positive), and MT (immunostaining) were studied. The fetal livers showed periportal and patchy mid‐zone copper‐associated protein and lipofuscin granules, together with strong diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear MT immunostaining. On the other hand, the livers of the children over 6 months of age showed no copper‐associated protein or lipofuscin granules, and minimal or no cytoplasmic MT immunostaining (one case showed nuclear MT immunostaining). The DPAS and Schmorls‐positive lipofuscin granules appeared to be identical to the orcein‐positive copper‐associated protein granules which were consistently negative on MT immunostaining. The demonstration of cytoplasmic granular orcein positivity or diffuse non‐granular MT immunostaining in liver above the age of 6 months would appear to be of pathological significance.