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Aberrant cytokeratin 7 expression of centrilobular hepatocytes: a clinicopathological study
Author(s) -
Matsukuma Susumu,
Takeo Hiroaki,
Kono Takako,
Nagata Yuiko,
Sato Kimiya
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04278.x
Subject(s) - cytokeratin , pathology , centrilobular necrosis , steatosis , steatohepatitis , alcoholic liver disease , hepatocyte , liver biopsy , histopathology , medicine , liver disease , hepatitis , fibrosis , fatty liver , biopsy , immunohistochemistry , necrosis , biology , cirrhosis , disease , biochemistry , in vitro
Matsukuma S, Takeo H, Kono T, Nagata Y & Sato K
(2012) Histopathology 61, 857–862 Aberrant cytokeratin 7 expression of centrilobular hepatocytes: a clinicopathological study Aims: This study has attempted to elucidate the clinicopathological features of aberrant cytokeratin 7 (CK7) expression by centrilobular hepatocytes. Methods and results: A total of 113 liver biopsy specimens from patients with common non‐neoplastic liver diseases, including hepatitis B or C, non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and other diseases were examined. In 56 specimens (49.6%), CK7‐positive centrilobular hepatocytes (CK7 + CHs) were identified and sometimes showed binuclear features. CK7 + CHs were associated with patients’ older age ( P = 0.004), higher serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase ( P = 0.016) and γ‐glutamyltransferase ( P = 0.006), centrilobular fibrosis ( P < 0.001), prominent thickening of hepatocytic plates ( P < 0.001) and higher scores of total and periportal CK7‐positive hepatocytes (both P < 0.001), but were not correlated with gender, steatosis, serum levels of total bilirubin or alanine aminotransferase. In 55 cases of hepatitis B and hepatitis C only, CK7 + CHs were related to a higher stage of fibrosis ( P = 0.006). Conclusion: CK7 + CHs occur relatively frequently in non‐neoplastic liver disease, associated with centrilobular scarring and the presence of CK7‐positive periportal hepatocytes, and appear to be a non‐specific phenomenon with respect aetiology of underlying disease. CK7 + CHs may represent age‐dependent activation of hepatic progenitor cells or a regenerative phenomenon of hepatocytes themselves, both of which might contribute to liver regeneration.