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Pale bodies in hepatocellular carcinoma
1Department of Pathology, Chonbuk National University, Medical School, Institute for Medical Science, Chonju, Korea. mws@moak.chonbuk.ac.kr
Journal of Korean Medical Science
|November 9, 2000
Summary
Pale bodies (PB) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are linked to fibrinogen accumulation. These findings suggest a defect in fibrinogen transport within the endoplasmic reticulum in some HCC cases.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary pathology
- Cellular biology
- Cancer research
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with diverse histological features.
- Pale bodies (PB) are an uncommon finding in HCC, and their composition and origin are not fully understood.
- Previous studies have suggested various potential compositions for PBs, but definitive characterization is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of pale bodies (PB) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- To determine the molecular composition and cellular origin of PBs in HCC.
- To elucidate the potential pathogenetic mechanism underlying the formation of PBs in HCC.
Main Methods:
- Histochemical staining (Periodic Acid-Schiff, Masson's trichrome) was performed on HCC tissues containing PBs.
- Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted using antibodies against fibrinogen, albumin, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, and alpha-1-antitrypsin.
- Ultrastructural examination using electron microscopy was employed to study the morphology and cellular association of PBs.
Main Results:
- Pale bodies were identified in 5.5% of resected HCC cases, characterized by pale or eosinophilic cytoplasm and a ground-glass appearance in hepatocytes.
- PBs were negative for PAS and Masson's trichrome stains.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed strong positivity for fibrinogen and weak positivity for albumin within PBs, with negativity for viral antigens and other proteins. Ultrastructural studies showed PBs as membrane-bound inclusions within dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Conclusions:
- Pale bodies in HCC represent accumulated secretory fibrinogen within cystic endoplasmic reticulum.
- The formation of PBs likely reflects a defect in the intracellular transport and secretion of fibrinogen.
- These findings contribute to understanding the heterogeneity of HCC and potential cellular dysfunction in malignant hepatocytes.