Immunohistochemical Characterization of Macrophages and Myofibroblasts in Fibrotic Liver Lesions Due to <i>Fasciola</i> Infection in Cattle

Abstract

ABSTRACT. 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.

HISTOPATHOLOGY ASPECTS AND FIBROSIS EVALUATION OF BOVINE NATURALLY INFECTED LIVERS BY Fasciola hepatica

“…The changes that occur in the composition of collagen around the bile ducts are similar to those produced in the liver cirrhosis or other pathological conditions. For Golbar et al (2013), in fibrotic liver lesions by Fasciola infection in cattle, there are macrophages, myofibroblasts and eosinophiles, and macrophages are associated with liver fluke infection in development of myofibroblast and deposition of extracellular matrices.…”

Myofibroblasts in Normal and Fibrotic Liver in Different Animal Species

“…These cells are increased in the peribiliary connective tissue, although the desmin-positive cells are fewer [67]. Similarly to those, HSCs, portal/septal MFs and interface MFs are positive to α-SMA (Fig.…”

Caracterização do imunofenótipo das células envolvidas no processo fibrótico de fígados bovinos cronicamente infectados por Fasciola hepatica

“…2C), localizadas entre os hepatócitos e os espaços de Disse, corroborando Kukolj et al (2015), e os miofibroblastos foram observados nos EP. Resultados semelhantes foram relatados por Golbar et al (2013). Carpino et al (2005) consideraram o anticorpo α-SMA um marcador confiável de CEH ativadas, em seres humanos e em rato.…”

“…Em concordância a isso, Cassiman et al (2002) Estudos em fígados com fasciolose crônica indicaram que existe associação entre a intensidade da infecção e a progressão da fibrose em diversos modelos animais (Marcos et al, 2007). Golbar et al (2013) e Kukolj et al (2015) demostraram que a intensidade de expressão de α-SMA nas CEH aumenta com a progressão da fibrose, em fígados bovinos e ovinos infectados por F. hepatica.…”