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Expression of the hepatic endothelin system in human cirrhotic livers
Expression of the hepatic endothelin system in human cirrhotic livers
- Source :
- The Journal of pathology. 204(3)
- Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- It is considered that endothelin-1 participates in the development of liver cirrhosis and it has been recognized that every component of the endothelin system is upregulated in cirrhotic livers. However, the expression pattern of this system, including interaction between its components, is not fully understood in human livers. In this study, the expression pattern of the endothelin system was examined. Immunohistochemical analysis for endothelin-1, endothelin receptors and endothelin-converting enzyme was performed in 16 cirrhotic and 17 normal human liver tissues. Peptides, proteins, and RNAs extracted from the livers were also investigated using quantitative assays for the components of the hepatic endothelin system. Hepatic endothelin-1 levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic livers (0.084 ± 0.052 pg/mg wet liver) than in normal livers (0.041 ± 0.032 pg/mg; p < 0.01), and were closely related to the severity of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension. Immunoreactivity for endothelin-1, endothelin receptors, and endothelin-converting enzyme was detected mainly in fibrous areas and in the hepatic vasculature, and was enhanced in cirrhosis. Although there was a negative correlation between the expression of receptor mRNA and the hepatic endothelin-1 level, the amounts of the mRNAs were greater in cirrhotic livers than in normal livers. However, expression of endothelin-converting enzyme in cirrhotic livers was increased at the protein level but was relatively reduced at the mRNA level. These findings suggest that the hepatic endothelin system is activated in human cirrhotic livers in association with worsening of the disease, but that the regulation of the components of this system in this disorder is complex. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Subjects :
- Liver Cirrhosis
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Cirrhosis
Blotting, Western
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Endothelin-Converting Enzymes
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Severity of Illness Index
Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Downregulation and upregulation
Internal medicine
medicine
Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
Humans
RNA, Messenger
Aged
chemistry.chemical_classification
Endothelin-1
business.industry
Receptors, Endothelin
Metalloendopeptidases
Anatomical pathology
medicine.disease
Receptor, Endothelin A
Endothelin 1
Immunohistochemistry
Receptor, Endothelin B
Endocrinology
Enzyme
chemistry
Liver
cardiovascular system
Portal hypertension
Female
business
Endothelin receptor
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 00223417
- Volume :
- 204
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- The Journal of pathology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....bc1d6c756db2499d1b4ff5183921a06f