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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Published on: August 27, 2015
Chitotriosidase gene expression in Kupffer cells from patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
L Malaguarnera1, M Di Rosa, A M Zambito
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Italy. lucmal@mbox.unict.it
Background And Aims:
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a clinicopathological condition characterised by a necroinflammatory disorder with fatty infiltration of the hepatocytes. The molecular mechanisms involved in the anomalous behaviour of liver cells have only partially been determined. Human chitotriosidase (Chit) is a chitinolytic enzyme mainly produced by activated macrophages. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the chitinase-like gene in Kupffer cells, to determine how chitotriosidase may be implicated in the progression from uncomplicated steatosis to steatohepatitis with progressive fibrosis.
Methods:
75 subjects were studied: 40 with NASH, 20 with simple steatosis, and 15 normal controls. Kupffer cells obtained from liver biopsies were used to detect CHIT expression, superoxide anion (O2-), lipid peroxidation, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and ferritin levels.
Results:
CHIT expression differed markedly in livers from normal controls and in those from patients with simple steatosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. A significant correlation between mRNA CHIT and O2-, lipid peroxidation, TNFalpha, and ferritin levels was observed in both NASH and simple steatosis.
Conclusions:
Human Kupffer cells in NASH patients overproduce chitotriosidase. At the highest levels of production, this enzyme may play a role in increasing the risk for a poor outcome in steatohepatitis.
