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Decreased S100B expression in chronic liver diseases
Su Jung Baik1, Tae Hun Kim2, Kwon Yoo2
1Healthcare Research Team, Health Promotion Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hepatic nerve density decreases in cirrhotic nodules and early fibrosis. S100B mRNA levels are reduced in chronic liver diseases, particularly hepatitis C, indicating altered hepatic innervation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Hepatic innervation's role in liver diseases remains unclear.
- S100B protein serves as a marker for hepatic nerves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate S100B expression as a marker of hepatic nerves in patients with chronic liver diseases.
- To assess the topographic and semi-quantitative changes in hepatic innervation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of S100B protein in liver specimens from 70 subjects (controls and patients with chronic hepatitis B, C, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma).
- Calculation of hepatic nerve density in portal tracts and lobules.
- Semi-quantitative assessment of S100B mRNA levels relative to GAPDH mRNA.
Main Results:
- Hepatic nerve densities in portal tracts were similar between controls and chronic liver disease patients.
- Significant decrease in hepatic nerve densities observed in lobular areas of liver cirrhosis.
- S100B/GAPDH mRNA ratio significantly decreased in chronic liver diseases, most notably in chronic hepatitis C.
- No significant correlation found between S100B/GAPDH mRNA ratio and fibrosis score.
Conclusions:
- Hepatic innervation is reduced in cirrhotic regenerating nodules compared to controls.
- Innervation appears to decrease during early stages of fibrosis progression.
- Further research is required to elucidate the relationship between altered hepatic innervation and chronic liver disease progression.
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