Hassan G, Moreno S, Massimi M, Di Biagio P, Stefanini S. Interleukin-1-producing plasma cells in close contact with hepatocytes in patients with chronic active hepatitis.
J Hepatol 1997;
27:6-17. [PMID:
9252067 DOI:
10.1016/s0168-8278(97)80273-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS
In chronic active liver diseases (CALD) with viral aetiology, a population of plasma cells localised in the piecemeal necrosis areas was previously detected by means of autoradiography after in vitro 3H-proline incorporation, a method which proved much more sensitive than conventional immunohistochemical procedures. These plasma cells, characteristically located in niches among hepatocytes, in close contact with collagen fibrils, have been hypothesised to exert a role in fibrogenesis stimulation, and particularly in collagen synthesis, possibly through secretion of lymphokines. Specifically, we investigated the presence of interleukin-1, well known to play a crucial role in inflammation and production of collagen by epithelial cells, and to be present in activated plasma cells of myeloma.
METHODS
The immunohistochemical localisation of interleukin-1beta in biopsies of patients suffering from chronic active hepatitis was studied, using an affinity-purified rabbit polyclonal antibody.
RESULTS
The strongest interleukin-1beta immunostaining was observed in the above-described plasma cell population, identified by anti-immunoglobulin antibodies, and 3H-proline incorporation.
CONCLUSIONS
The ability of plasma cells to produce interleukin-1 during viral CALD suggests that in these pathologies plasma cells play a major role, mainly of paracrine nature. Interleukin-1, possibly together with other mediators, might in turn stimulate the production of collagen. Hepatocytes of the piecemeal necrosis area appear to be possible candidates for this synthesis, as they show a significant labelling after 3H-proline incorporation, which is absent from hepatocytes far from necrotic areas.
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