Immunohistochemical analysis of mesenchymal cells in experimental hepatic fibrosis using monoclonal antibodies.

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Abstract
The phenotype and distribution of mesenchymal cells were studied immunohistologically in thioacetamide-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, using monoclonal antibodies specific to smooth muscle actins, muscle actins, desmin and vimentin, respectively. All studies were performed in tissues fixed with methanol-Carnoy''s fixative and embedded in paraffin. In normal liver, scattered desmin-positive cells were recognized in the periportal areas. In the early stages of septal fibrosis, desmin-positive cells appeared around the central veins first and increased in the fibrous strands. With progression of fibrosis, desmin-positive cells decreased, while muscle actin-positive cells increased predominantly within the fibrous septa. Muscle-actin positive cells surrounded each parenchymal nodule in a circular pattern, suggesting their important role in the formation of nodulatory of fibrotic liver. Examining the change in phenotype of mesenchymal cells during progressive liver fibrosis has given us new insight regarding cirrhosis pathogenesis.