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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Seven Steps to Stellate Cells
Published on: May 10, 2011
[Immunohistochemical analysis of alpha-SMA and GFAP expression in liver stellate cells]
Nada Tomanović1, Ivan Boricić, Dimitrije Brasanac
1Medicinski fakultet, Institut za patologiju, Beograd, Srbija i Crna Gora. tnada@yubc.net
Background/Aim:
Liver stellate cells play an important role in hepatic fibrosis, and its progression to cirrhosis. These cells show immunoreactivity with different monoclonal antibodies amongst which the commonest are alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). The aim of this study was to analyze stellate cell immunoreactivity for alpha-SMA and GFAP in tissue sections showing the signs of chronic viral B-hepatitis and compare it with those without histopathological changes.
Methods:
We included 12 tissue samples showing chronic viral B hepatitis in the different stages of fibrosis and 7 tissue samples showing no histopathological changes. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using the streptavidin-biotin method.
Results:
There was a regular presence of alpha-SMA immunoreactivity in tissue sections without histopathological changes in the portal tracts and also in liver parenchyma, while GFAP expression was noted in the periportal cavity. Tissue sections with the signs of chronic viral B hepatitis displayed very strong alpha-SMA expression in the portal tracts. A statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between the degree of liver fibrosis and alpha-SMA expression along the fibrous septa, whereas a negative correlation between the degree of liver fibrosis and alpha-SMA expression was present in the portal zone.
Conclusion:
This study showed the existance of two different stellate cell subpopulations in liver tissue. Differentiation between them was possible on the basis of SMA/GFAP expression.
