Immunohistochemical study of hyaluronate receptor (CD44) in alcoholic liver disease

Background: It has been suggested that the elevation of serum hyaluronate ( HA) levels in liver diseases may be due to increased synthesis of HA by hep atic stellate cells or decreased degradation by sinusoidal endothelial cell s. The increase in serum HA levels in patients with cirrhosis is thought to be a response to a reduction in HA receptors (CD44) in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells. To learn more about how alcohol affects the number and d istribution of HA receptors of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, we imm unohistochemically studied CD44 levels in liver biopsy obtained from patien ts with alcoholic liver disease (ALD patients) and also from patients with nonalcoholic liver disease (non-ALD); ALD patients were evaluated when they were currently drinking and again after they became abstinent. Normal live r tissue obtained from three autopsy cases served as a control. Methods: Liver biopsy specimens were obtained from 18 ALD patients and 12 n on-ALD patients. In ALD patients, liver biopsy was performed twice within 3 days and 4 to 8 weeks after abstinence when serum levels of aspartate amin otransferase and alanine aminotransferase became normal. CD44 in liver spec imens was stained with anti-CD44 antibody by streptavidine-biotin-peroxidas e complex. The intensity of the staining of CD44 in liver tissue was determ ined by a computer-assisted imaging analyzer. We also measured serum levels of CD44 in both ALD and non-ALD patients. Results: The intensity and the number of CD44 staining increased in both AL D and non-ALD patients compared with those in normal liver, which was negat ive. The staining intensity of CD44 in liver specimens obtained from patien ts with ALD who were active in alcohol consumption were significantly highe r when compared with patients with ALD after abstinence. Serum levels of CD 44 in patients with liver disease increased compared with those of healthy subjects. Conclusions: The results suggest that HA receptors may increase to degrade the increased HA in serum and/or liver.