Mitochondrial DNA dysfunction in oncocytic hepatocytes

Hepatic oncocytes with abundant granular, eosinophilic cytoplasm due to mitochondrial hyperplasia are seen in various chronic liver diseases, particularly chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Increased mitochondria in oncocytes are thought to be a compensatory mechanism for deficiencies in the hepatocellular respiratory chain, although the pathogenesis of these deficiencies has been uncertain. We selected seven cases of cirrhosis (six with oncocytes, one without) for the following analysis: histoenzymatic and immunohistochemical staining of several mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)- and nuclear DNA (nDNA)-encoded respiratory chain enzymes; immunostaining using antibodies against double-strand-DNA (anti-DNA) and against Ki-67 (a cell proliferation marker); and Southern blot analysis for mtDNA and nDNA. Eighty percent of oncocytes showed histoenzymatic and immunohistochemical deficiencies of cytochrome c oxidase and the mtDNA-encoded subunit I of complex IV, with preserved expression of nDNA-encoded succinate dehydrogenase and the iron-sulfur subunit of complex III (FeS). Cytoplasmic (but not nuclear) anti-DNA staining was partially or completely absent in approximately 50% of oncocytes. Three cases with oncocytes studied by Southern blot showed mtDNA reductions of 66%, 71%, and 85%. In conclusion, hepatic oncocytes demonstrate significant deficiencies of mtDNA and mtDNA-encoded respiratory chain enzymes. We propose that mtDNA depletion plays an important role in hepatocellular oncocytic transformation.