Author/Authors :
KORUK, Süda Tekin Harran University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Turkey , Özardalı, İlyas Harran University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pathology, Turkey , Dinçoğlu, Dilnur Harran University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pathology, Turkey , Güldür, Muhammed Emin Harran University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pathology, Turkey , Çalışır, Celal Harran University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Turkey
Abstract :
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and pathological properties of cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with respect to the presence or absence of hepatic progenitor cells positive for the proto-oncogene c-Kit (CD117) in hepatic tissue. Material and Methods: The study was performed on hepatic biopsy specimens from 61 cases with HCV infection. Stained hepatic biopsy slides were examined. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using an anti-c-Kit antibody. The cases were divided into four groups (minimal, mild, moderate and severe according to their total hepatic activity index and into two groups (none/mild, moderate/severe) according to fibrosis grade. Results: c-Kit-positive oval cells were detected in 30 cases (49.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in c- Kit positivity status with respect to the ALT, AST or HCV RNA results. c-Kit positivity increased with increasing hepatitis grade (p 0.001). In cases with moderate/severe fibrosis, c-Kit positivity was found to be higher than in cases with no fibrosis or low-grade fibrosis (p 0.02). Conclusion: It was found that HCV patients with more inflammation and fibrosis were more likely to present c-Kit-positive hepatic progenitor cells. c-Kit expression in hepatic progenitor cells could possibly be used in the follow-up of patients with HCV. Larger patient cohorts are needed to confirm these results.
