Hepatic progenitor cells in children with chronic hepatitis C: correlation with histopathology, viremia, and

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Hanaa A El-Araby1, Nermine A Ehsan, Hatem A Konsowa

  • 1Departments of aPediatric Hepatology bPathology, National Liver Institute, Menofiya University, Menofiya, Egypt.

European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|March 31, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) expand in most children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This expansion correlates with fibrosis and inflammation but not treatment response, suggesting a role in CHC pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hepatology
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are crucial for liver regeneration, differentiating into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes.
  • Previous research on HPCs in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection focused on adults.
  • The pediatric population with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) remained understudied regarding HPC behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expansion of HPCs in children diagnosed with CHC.
  • To determine the correlation between HPC expansion and liver histopathology (fibrosis and necroinflammation).
  • To assess the relationship of HPC expansion with viral load and response to interferon-based therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Eighty children with CHC were enrolled, with 73 undergoing interferon-based therapy.
  • Liver biopsy samples were analyzed using immunostaining for HPCs with cytokeratin-7 antibody.
  • Histopathological parameters including fibrosis stage and necroinflammatory grade were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • HPC expansion was observed in 81.3% of children with CHC, manifesting as intraparenchymal or ductular reactions.
  • HPC expansion significantly increased with advanced fibrosis stages (P=0.029).
  • A significant positive correlation was found between HPC number, ductular reaction, viremia, and necroinflammatory activity (P<0.0001). HPC expansion was unrelated to treatment outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • HPC expansion in pediatric CHC is linked to disease severity and fibrosis.
  • The findings suggest a potential role for HPCs in the pathogenesis of CHC.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved in HPCs' role in liver disease progression.
Abstract

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