Publication: Cytoglobin-expressing cells in the splenic cords contribute to splenic fibrosis in cirrhotic patients
Authors
Iimuro, Yuji ; Yada, Akito ; Okada, Toshihiro ; Nakamura, Ikuo ; Suzumura, Kazuhiro ; Xu, Jinyang ; Sudo, Makoto ; Nishiguchi, Shuhei ; Kawada, Norifumi ; Hatano, Etsuro ; Fujimoto, Jiro
item.page.secondaryauthor
item.page.director
Publisher
Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia
publication.page.editor
publication.page.department
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14670/HH-18-257
item.page.type
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
Background and Aim. Among several
noninvasive evaluation methods of portal hypertension
(PH), the measurement of spleen stiffness is a reliable
method for predicting esophageal variceal bleeding;
however, the underlying mechanisms for increased
stiffness remain unclear. We attempted to elucidate the
pathological changes to the spleen and the underlying
mechanisms in patients with PH.
Methods. Histological examination was performed
using splenic tissues from 42 patients with PH who
underwent laparoscopic splenectomy, and the results
were compared with those from patients without PH.
Results. In addition to splenic sinus congestion,
diffuse fibrosis was detected in the splenic cords in the
red pulp of patients with PH. The degree of the fibrosis
was well correlated with severity in thrombocytopenia
and splenomegaly. Cells expressing α-smooth muscle
actin dramatically increased in the splenic cord.
Cytoglobin (Cygb) expression was detected in human
splenic cords as reported in animal reticular cells, and
fluorescent double immunostaining revealed that these
cells expressed α-smooth muscle actin in patients with
PH, suggesting transformation of Cygb-expressing cells
to myofibroblastic cells. Expression levels of
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase
(NOX) 2, nitrotyrosine, and transforming growth factor-
β were markedly upregulated in the red pulp of patients
with PH, implying a significant role of oxidative stress
in the mechanism for splenic fibrosis.
Conclusion. Splenic fibrosis progresses along with
advancement of PH. Cygb-expressing cells in the splenic
cord possibly participate in this process through
mechanisms including oxidative stress.
publication.page.subject
Citation
Histology and Histopathology Vol. 35, nº11 (2020)
item.page.embargo
Ir a Estadísticas
Este ítem está sujeto a una licencia Creative Commons. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/