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The autophagic marker p62 highlights Alzheimer type II astrocytes in metabolic/hepatic encephalopathy
Author(s) -
Gelpi Ellen,
Rahimi Jasmin,
Klotz Sigrid,
Schmid Susanne,
Ricken Gerda,
ForcenVega Sara,
Budka Herbert,
Kovacs Gabor G.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
neuropathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1440-1789
pISSN - 0919-6544
DOI - 10.1111/neup.12660
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , pathology , hepatic encephalopathy , encephalopathy , medicine , etiology , biology , cirrhosis
Metabolic/hepatic encephalopathy is neuropathologically characterized by the presence of Alzheimer type II astrocytes (AA II) with large and clear nuclear morphology. To date, there is no good immunohistochemical marker to better identify these cells. Here, we assessed cases of hepatic encephalopathy of different etiologies by immunohistochemistry using an anti‐p62 antibody. We observed peripheral or diffuse nuclear staining of variable intensity in AA II in all cases but not in normal controls or reactive astrocytes. We conclude that p62 is a useful immunohistochemical marker for the identification of AA II and may be helpful for the neuropathological diagnosis of metabolic/hepatic encephalopathy in difficult or equivocal cases.