High molecular weight caldesmon positive stromal cells in the capsule of hepatocellular carcinomas
H Nakayama1, H Enzan, M Yamamoto
1Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan. nakayamh@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Aims:
To investigate the smooth muscle nature of the stromal cells in the capsule of hepatocellular carcinomas.
Methods:
Immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibody to high molecular weight caldesmon (HCD), a highly specific marker for smooth muscle cells, was performed in 33 encapsulated hepatocellular carcinomas and adjacent hepatic tissues.
Results:
HCD positive stromal cells were detected in the capsule of 21 of the 33 hepatocellular carcinomas examined.
Conclusions:
The capsule of hepatocellular carcinomas contains smooth muscle cells.
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