Angiogenesis in chronic hepatitis C is associated with inflammatory activity grade and fibrosis stage

• Published in: Pathology, research and practice Vol. 205; no. 11; pp. 758 - 764
• Main Authors: Gabriel, Andrzej, Kukla, Michał, Wilk, Mariusz, Liszka, Łukasz, Petelenz, Michał, Musialik, Joanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Elsevier GmbH 01.01.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Angiogenesis; Antigens, CD34 - metabolism; CD 34; Chronic hepatitis C; Female; Fibrosis; Hepatitis C, Chronic - pathology; Hepatitis C, Chronic - physiopathology; Humans; Inflammation - pathology; Inflammation - physiopathology; Inflammatory activity; Liver - metabolism; Liver - pathology; Liver - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Neovascularization, Pathologic - physiopathology; Statistics, Nonparametric; sPECAM; FGF; VEGF; HGF; MMPs; ECM; CD 34; sICAM; Inflammatory activity; sVCAM; Angiogenesis; TGF; Chronic hepatitis C; Fibrosis; TIMPs; HCV; Ang; CHC
• ISSN: 0344-0338; 1618-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2009.06.007

Data regarding the assessment of angiogenesis in liver tissue in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are rare. The study was performed to explain the association between the histopathological features and the number of new blood vessels in lobules and portal tracts in CHC. The second aim of the study was to define the localization of sprouting and pattern of formation of new vessels by estimating CD 34 antigen expression in the liver. The study involved 74 patients with CHC, infected with viral genotype 1b before antiviral therapy. The number of new-formatted blood vessels was positively associated with fibrosis stage and inflammatory activity grade in the liver biopsy from CHC patients. The relationship was evident in the portal tract, fibrous septa and periportal zones of lobules. The results suggest that inflammatory hepatocyte injury may promote neo-angiogenesis.