Simultaneous expression of type I procollagen mRNA and albumin in cirrhotic human liver

The gene expression of human type I procollagen was investigated in cirrhotic human liver by using in situ hybridization with nonradioactive DNA probes. Using in situ hybridization can provide direct evidence for the cell type capable for type I collagen synthesis in tissues. T-T dimerized DNA probes were used and DNAs hybridized in situ were detected immunohistochemically using specific antibodies against T-T dimer. The data demonstrated that type I collagen is synthesized in hepatocytes and stellate cells in pseudolobules and in fibroblasts in Glissons capsules in cirrhotic human livers. We indicated hepatocytes morphologically and functionally by using immunohistochemical localization of albumin, which was used as a marker of hepatocyte, since albumin is synthesized exclusively by hepatocytes.