Liver Cirrhosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Liver Cirrhosis, including details on alcohol, treatment, drugs, effects, causes. | ||||||||
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The role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in biliary atresia.Kobayashi H, Tamatani T, Tamura T, Kusafuka J, Koga H, Yamataka A, Lane GJ, Miyahara K, Sueyoshi N, Miyano T Department of Pediatric General and Urogenital Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan. koba@med.juntendo.ac.jp BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explain the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in biliary atresia (BA). METHODS: Concentrations of serum MCP-1 and collagen type IV were measured in 38 patients with BA by using commercially available kits. MCP-1 was also assessed in liver biopsy specimens by using immunohistochemistry. Subjects were classified into groups. Group 1 comprised BA patients with normal liver function (n = 13), group II comprised BA patients with moderate liver dysfunction (n = 18), group III comprised BA patients older than 20 years awaiting liver transplantation (n = 7), and the control group comprised age-matched patients without evidence of liver disease (n = 23). RESULTS: Serum MCP-1 levels were significantly increased in group II compared with group I (P < .0001) and the control group (P < .0001). Serum MCP-1 levels in group III were lower than in the control group (P < .0001). There was a significant linear correlation between serum MCP-1 levels and type IV collagen levels in group II. Group II subjects with portal hypertension (PH) had higher MCP-1 levels than those without PH (P = .0009). Biopsy specimens showed MCP-1 was expressed mainly on biliary epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, and hepatocytes in group II. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that MCP-1 probably plays a significant role in the development of progressive liver fibrosis in BA. Published 12 December 2006 in J Pediatr Surg, 41(12): 1967-72.
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