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CHARACTERISTICS OF HEPATIC STELLATE CELLS PHENOTYPES IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

Journal: Journal of the Grodno State Medical University (Vol.20, No. 4)

Publication Date:

Authors : ; ; ; ;

Page : 393-399

Keywords : stellate cells; phenotypes; hepatitis C;

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Abstract

Background. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play a key role in the development of liver fibrosis in different damages. The aim is to present the structural-functional and quantitative characteristics of various HSC phenotypes in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Material and methods. The object of the study was 18 liver biopsies of patients with verified CHC (HCV+ RNA in PCR). The stage of liver fibrosis was assessed by Metavir. Structural, functional and quantitative characteristics of different phenotypes of 160 analyzed HSCs at different stages of fibrosis in CHC were assessed by the results of light (semithin sections) and electron microscopy. We determined the average area, length and width of one PSL in each biopsy specimen, the number of lipid droplets in all and in one PSL as well as the average area, length and width of one lipid droplet. Results. At different stages of fibrosis in CHC, all three HSC phenotypes, which had differences in the main structural and quantitative parameters, were simultaneously detected in the patient. Predominantly (44.4%), HSCs corresponding to the non-activated (sleeping) phenotype were detected, less often (20.6%) – those corresponding to the active (myofibroblastic) phenotype. As the HSC was activated, the shape of the cells changed (star-shaped–elongated), the number of lipid droplets in the cell decreased without changing the size of the inclusions, and the cytoplasmic/nuclear ratio changed towards an increase in the nucleus. The frequency distribution of phenotypes depended on the stage of liver fibrosis. Conclusions. Patients with CHC are characterized by the presence of all three HSC phenotypes, which differ from each other in structural and quantitative characteristics, the frequency of which depends on the stage of liver fibrosis.

Last modified: 2022-09-19 21:34:16