Immunohistochemical Characterization of Macrophages and Myofibroblasts in Fibrotic Liver Lesions Due to Fasciola Infection in Cattle

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 75; no. 7; pp. 857 - 865
• Main Authors: GOLBAR, Hossain M., IZAWA, Takeshi, JUNIANTITO, Vetnizah, ICHIKAWA, Chisa, TANAKA, Miyuu, KUWAMURA, Mitsuru, YAMATE, Jyoji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2013; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, CD - metabolism; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic - metabolism; biliary fibrosis; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - parasitology; Cattle Diseases - pathology; Fasciola; Fascioliasis - pathology; Fascioliasis - veterinary; Immunohistochemistry - veterinary; Immunophenotyping - veterinary; Keratin-19; liver; Liver - parasitology; Liver - pathology; macrophages; Macrophages - parasitology; Macrophages - pathology; myofibroblasts; Myofibroblasts - parasitology; Myofibroblasts - pathology; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.12-0536

Histopathologically, fibrosis in Fasciola-infected cattle livers was characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration, such as eosinophils and macrophages, pseudo-lobule, pseudo-bile ducts and fibrotic bridges separating pseudo-lobules; the fibrotic lesions were developed in the Glisson’s sheath. Pseudo-bile ducts consisting of epithelial cells reacted clearly to cytokeratin (CK) 19, indicating cholangiocyte origin. Immunophenotypes of macrophages and myofibroblasts were investigated in the fibrotic livers. Macrophages positive for CD68 (reflecting phagocytosis) and CD163 (representing proinflammatory cytokine production) were increased, and those for CD204 (implying lipid metabolism) and Iba-1 (a calcium-binding protein playing role in chemotaxis) decreased in fibrotic livers compared to control livers. Spindle-shaped myofibroblasts positive for vimentin, desmin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) increased in the peribiliary connective tissues, although the desmin-positive cells were fewer. In addition to the usefulness of these antibodies for macrophage detection in cattle livers, this study shows that macrophages with different immunophenotypes participate in Fasciola-infected cattle livers, in relation to development of myofibroblasts expressing mainly vimentin and α-SMA.