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Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its α and β receptor (R) subunits are overexpressed in human cirrhotic liver
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PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR (PDGF) AND ITS a AND fl RECEPTOR (R) SUBUNITS ARE OVEREXPRESSED IN HUMAN CIRRHOTIC LIVER
M.Pinzani, *S.Milan~ *C.Grappone, t~De Franco, A. Gentilin~ A_._~.Caligiur~ and P. Geatilini. Clinica Medica I7, and *Gastroenterologia, Universita' di Firenze, 1-50134 Florence, ITALY. Recent experimental evidence suggests that expression of PDGF-B chain and PDGF-R fl subunit are strictly related to liver tissue repair following acute injury. In order to evaluate whether or not, PDGF/PDGF-R subunits are associated with chronic liver disease and fibrogenesis, we have studied their expression, both at the mRNA (by in situ hybridization) and protein (by immunohystochemistry) level, in liver specimens obtained from 16 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis and from 2 patients undergoing uncomplicated cholecistectomy (normal liver). In normal liver, mRNA and protein expression of PDGF and PDGFR subunits was limited to the endothelial layer of blood vessels and to mesenchymal cells within the portal tract stroma, respectively. In cirrhotic liver, a marked immunoreactivity for both PDGF-BB and -AA, as well as PDGF-B chain mRNA transcripts were present along the surface of hepatic sinusoids and in groups of infiltrating inflammatory cells. These aspects tended to be more pronounced at the edges a n d within fibrous septa and around groups of necrotic hepatocytes. The presence of mRNA transcripts and immunoreactivity specific for PDGF-R a and fl subunits was markedly increased and was concentrated in fibrous septa and over perisinusoidal mesenchymal cells. Codistribution of P D G F with mesenchymal cells showing upregulation of PDGF-R gene expression tends to confirm a functional role of this growth factor in liver fibrogenesis.
Working parties
PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR (PDGF) AND ITS a AND fl RECEPTOR (R) SUBUNITS ARE OVEREXPRESSED IN HUMAN CIRRHOTIC LIVER
M.Pinzani, *S.Milan~ *C.Grappone, t~De Franco, A. Gentilin~ A_._~.Caligiur~ and P. Geatilini. Clinica Medica I7, and *Gastroenterologia, Universita' di Firenze, 1-50134 Florence, ITALY. Recent experimental evidence suggests that expression of PDGF-B chain and PDGF-R fl subunit are strictly related to liver tissue repair following acute injury. In order to evaluate whether or not, PDGF/PDGF-R subunits are associated with chronic liver disease and fibrogenesis, we have studied their expression, both at the mRNA (by in situ hybridization) and protein (by immunohystochemistry) level, in liver specimens obtained from 16 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis and from 2 patients undergoing uncomplicated cholecistectomy (normal liver). In normal liver, mRNA and protein expression of PDGF and PDGFR subunits was limited to the endothelial layer of blood vessels and to mesenchymal cells within the portal tract stroma, respectively. In cirrhotic liver, a marked immunoreactivity for both PDGF-BB and -AA, as well as PDGF-B chain mRNA transcripts were present along the surface of hepatic sinusoids and in groups of infiltrating inflammatory cells. These aspects tended to be more pronounced at the edges a n d within fibrous septa and around groups of necrotic hepatocytes. The presence of mRNA transcripts and immunoreactivity specific for PDGF-R a and fl subunits was markedly increased and was concentrated in fibrous septa and over perisinusoidal mesenchymal cells. Codistribution of P D G F with mesenchymal cells showing upregulation of PDGF-R gene expression tends to confirm a functional role of this growth factor in liver fibrogenesis.
Working parties