S. Yamada et al., Changes of hepatic vitronectin levels in patients with chronic hepatitis Ctreated with interferon alpha, RES COM M P, 104(3), 1999, pp. 253-263
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS IN MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
Hepatic vitronectin expression was assessed in 27 patients with chronic hep
atitis C before and after interferon alpha treatment and in 7 control patie
nts. Before interferon therapy, vitronectin was localized in the hepatocyte
s and in the portal and central venous regions. A high correlation was foun
d for the vitronectin expression level with the histological grading and st
aging scores in the hepatocytes as well as in the portal region. After inte
rferon therapy, the hepatic vitronectin was significantly decreased in the
sustained and transient responders, but it was not as markedly decreased in
the nonresponders and the non-treated group. A good correlation was found
for the vitronectin expression with the staging scores but not with the gra
ding scores in the portal region. These findings suggest that hepatic vitro
nectin is influenced by interferon therapy and that it may play an importan
t role as a hepatic adhesion molecule through the improvement of inflammati
on, necrosis and fibrogenesis.