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Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms
Published on: May 29, 2020
Detecting plasma cell precursors in autoimmune hepatitis
1Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Karolinska Institute and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Carlos.Rubio@ki.se
In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|February 22, 2012
Summary
MUM1 immunostain helps identify plasma cells in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) cases where traditional H&E staining is inconclusive. This method aids in diagnosing AIH and differentiating it from other liver diseases.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver condition.
- Typical AIH histology shows plasma cells on H&E stain, but this can be absent.
- MUM1 (multiple myeloma oncogene 1/IRF4) antibody identifies plasma cells and their precursors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of MUM1 immunostain in diagnosing AIH.
- To compare MUM1 staining with H&E in differentiating AIH from other liver diseases.
Main Methods:
- Liver biopsies from 11 patients were analyzed.
- Samples were stained using H&E and anti-MUM1 antibody.
- MUM1-expressing cells were counted in cases of suspected AIH, viral hepatitis C, NASH, and fatty liver.
Main Results:
- H&E staining identified plasma cells in only one of four suspected AIH cases.
- MUM1 immunostain detected plasma cells in all four suspected AIH cases.
- Significantly higher MUM1-expressing cell counts were observed in AIH compared to viral hepatitis C, NASH, and fatty liver (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- MUM1 immunostain may assist in the presumptive diagnosis of AIH.
- This technique provides valuable differential diagnostic information for AIH.
- This is the first report applying MUM1 immunostain to assess plasma cell precursors in AIH.

