[Study on cells associated with human liver fibrosis]

The cells which related to deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in human liver fibrogenesis were investigated with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and nucleic acid hybridization. Results showed that ECMs were high in chronic liver disease (CLD) tissues, particularly collagen III and its mRNA in active-CLD. In this group, cells positive for pre-collagen III pro-peptide (PIIIP) and collagen III mRNA were markedly increased and mostly located in the area connecting interstitium and parenchyma. These collagen producing cells were mainly the interstitial cells identified by IHC and electron microscopy as fat storing cells and associated myofibroblasts and fibroblasts. Their degree of hyperplasia was closely related to the infiltration of inflammatory cells.