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Multivesicular stellate cells in primary biliary cirrhosis
R G Cameron1, M G Neuman, N H Shear
1Department of Pathology, The Toronto Hospital, and Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Canada.
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|September 26, 1997
Summary
Stellate cells in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients show increased lipid vesicles. This suggests altered hepatic lipid storage involving stellate cells may be an early PBC manifestation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cell Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Stellate cells are gaining attention in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).
- Hepatic lipid metabolism alterations are implicated in liver diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine lipid-storing activity of stellate cells in PBC patients.
- To compare stellate cell morphology in PBC versus normal liver histology.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy and morphometry were used.
- Liver biopsies from 26 PBC patients and 51 normal histology controls were analyzed.
Main Results:
- PBC patients had significantly more lipid vesicles in stellate cells compared to controls.
- Multivesicular stellate cells were prevalent in PBC patients (21/26) but absent in normal female livers.
- Hepatocytes showed minimal steatosis in most PBC patients (92%).
Conclusions:
- Alterations in hepatic lipid storage involving stellate cells are present in PBC.
- These changes may represent an early manifestation of primary biliary cirrhosis.
- The clinical significance of these findings requires further investigation.