Changes of hepatic vitronectin levels in patients with chronic hepatitis Ctreated with interferon alpha

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.