BILIARY EXPRESSION OF HEAT-SHOCK PROTEIN - A NONSPECIFIC FEATURE OF CHRONIC CHOLESTATIC LIVER-DISEASES

Aim-To analyse the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 60 in biliar y epithelium in auto-immune liver conditions and also in chronic chole static and other liver diseases. Methods-Hepatic expression of HSP-60 in frozen liver biopsy specimens from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), auto-immune hepat itis (AIH), obstructive jaundice (LDO), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and from normal controls was studied by immunohistochemistry using th e APAAP technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results-Incr eased expression of HSP-60 was demonstrated in the biliary epithelium of patients with PBC, LDO and, to a lesser extent, with PSC. Focal, we aker, biliary epithelial expression of HSP-60 was observed in AIH, ALD and normal liver tissue. Increased expression was also seen on Kupffe r cells in LDO and in hepatocytes in areas of piecemeal necrosis in AI H. Conclusion-Enhanced biliary expression of HSP-60 is a common featur e of chronic biliary disease irrespective of aetiology and is not spec ific to auto-immune diseases.