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Expression of gap junction protein connexin 32 in chronic liver diseases
K Yamaoka1, T Nouchi, T Kohashi
1Department of Internal Medicine, Hokushin General Hospital, Nagano, Japan.
Background:
Gap junctions contain intercellular channels through which contacting cells communicate directly. The expression of connexin 32, a major gap junction protein in the liver, during the progression of chronic liver diseases has not yet been clarified.
Methods:
Immunohistochemical staining was performed using anti-connexin 32 antibody on 6 specimens of normal human liver, 7 of chronic viral hepatitis, and 7 of liver cirrhosis.
Results:
The number of gap junction plaques in chronic viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis was significantly smaller than that in normal liver (10350+/-2180 and 7550+/-3040 vs 22560+/-3700 spots/mm2, p<0.01). The number of gap junction plaques tended to be lower in liver cirrhosis than in chronic viral hepatitis.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that in chronic liver diseases impaired intercellular communication between hepatocytes occurs.