Macrophages, TGF-β1 expression and iron deposition in development of NASH

Abstract

A wide range of molecular markers and different types of cells in liver are possible factors for progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) development of liver fibrosis. We investigated biopsies from 57 patients with NASH. The material was obtained from livers and was proceed immunohistochemistry antibodies against CD68 and TGFbeta 1. In addition,biopsies were evaluated for iron content. Macrophages/-positive/ could be found in all 57 cases. The number of macrophages in the sinusoids correlated with the degreeof portal fibrosis:64.% ofthe patients with mild or intensive fibrosis had high infiltration with CD68-positive cells, while 100% ofthe patients without fibrosis hadlow infiltration (?2=8.56; p=0.003). In specimens we ,69.% of patientswith different degreeof fibrosis expressed TGF-β1 in their portal tracts, and 100% ofpatients without fibrosis did demonstrate expression of the protein (?2=23.7; p<0.001). Hepatic iron was found in 100% (9) of patients with intensive fibrosis vs. 10.3% of the patients mild fibrosis (?2=23.4; p<0.001). Our results suggest that the macrophages and macrophage-derived TGF-beta1 are the major factors responsible for development of fibrosis and progression of chronic liver disease. © Versita Sp. z o.o.