SERUM LEVELS OF INTEGRINS IN CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASES

The serum levels of beta 1 integrin mu g/ml) were significantly higher in the patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (2.59 +/- 0.04), ch ronic active hepatitis (3.45 +/- 0.13), cirrhosis (4.77 +/- 0.30) and hepatocellular carcinoma (4.71 +/- 0.49) than in normal subjects (2.11 +/- 0.08). Serum levels of beta 3 integrin (mu g/ml) were significant ly higher in the patients with chronic active hepatitis (10.48 +/- 1.2 2), liver cirrhosis (13.55 +/- 1.54) and hepatocellular carcinoma (14. 1 +/- 1.77) when compared with normal subjects (5.51 +/- 0.52). A posi tive correlation was found between serum levels of beta 1 and beta 3 i ntegrins (p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed betwe en serum levels of beta 1 integrin and histologic features, particular ly in the degree of hepatic fibrosis, while no correlation was found b etween serum levels of beta 3 integrin and hepatic fibrosis. Immunohis tochemical studies revealed that the beta 1 integrin was present on th e plasma membranes of hepatocytes and sinusoidal lining cells in the n ormal liver, and was increased in fibrotic areas, and on the plasma me mbranes of hepatocytes and sinusoidal lining cells of the chronic live r disease. However, no positive staining for beta 3 integrin was obser ved in fibrotic area. The serum level of beta 1 integrin in patients w ith chronic liver diseases may therefore be a useful marker of hepatic fibrosis.