Decorin and actin expression and distribution in patients with chronic hepatitis C following interferon-alfa-2b treatment

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellul ar carcinoma. Interferon-alfa therapy may prevent the progression of the di sease. The expressions of decorin and alfa-smooth muscle cell actin of the extracellular matrix play a central role in liver fibrosis, We set out to a ssess the expressions of these proteins in chronic hepatitis C patients, an d to evaluate how they can be modified by interferon-alfa therapy. Methods: Twenty chronic hepatitis C patients received interferon-alfa-2b th erapy for 6 months (group I) or 12 months (group II). Liver biopsy samples were taken before and after the therapy. The alfa-smooth muscle actin-posit ive cells were determined with a monoclonal antibody, and decorin expressio n was detected with a polyclonal antibody. The cells were evaluated with a semiquantitative scoring method. For statistical analysis, non-parametric m ethods were used. Results: Before the therapy, alfa-smooth muscle actinlabeled cells and mark ed decorin expression were present throughout all the acinar zones. Interfe ron-alfa-2b therapy resulted in significant decreases in both the number of alfa-smooth muscle actin-positive cells and the decorin expression. The al fa-smooth muscle actin-positive cells and decorin expression correlated wit h the histological activity index (R=0.72, p<0.03, R=0.68, p<0.05), Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a large number of alfa-smooth mus cle actin-positive cells and a marked decorin expression are frequent findi ngs in chronic hepatitis C, Treatment with interferon-alfa-2b for 12 months reduced the number of labeled cells and the decorin expression. The result s suggest that interferon-alfa-2b is capable of interfering with fibrogenes is in an early and presumably still reversible phase of chronic hepatitis C .