THROMBOMODULIN EXPRESSION OF SINUSOIDAL ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS IN CHRONIC VIRAL-HEPATITIS

The expression of thrombomodulin on sinusoidal endothelial cells was s tudied using the immuno-peroxidase method;and both light and electron microscopy in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (type B: four case s; type C: 28 cases). Thrombomodulin was found on sinusoidal endotheli al cells, especially on the surface in both type B and type C chronic hepatitis. There was no correlation between the level of thrombomoduli n expression and clinical data including serum level of trans-aminase, and coagulating factors. The supernatant of liver tissue homogenate o btained from the patients showed a clear 80 kDa single band by western blotting. We concluded that the expression of thrombomodulin might be related to hepatic inflammatory responses in chronic viral hepatitis.