[Immunohistochemical study of the distribution of collagens (type I, III, IV), fibronectin, factor XIIIa and factor VIII related antigen in alcoholic liver disease].

Histopathological changes in alcoholic liver disease are characterized by Mallory body, fatty liver, and peculiar fibrosis such as pericentral fibrosis, pericellular fibrosis, stellate fibrosis originating from Glisson's sheath, and swelling of the liver cells. However, the mechanism of fibrosis remains unknown. The author tried to demonstrate, by the immunohistochemical method, fibronectin (FN), collagen type I, III, IV (IC, IIIC, IVC), factor XIIIa, and factor VIII related antigen (VIII RAg), all of which are related to the process of wound healing, in order to clarify the mechanism of fibrosis in alcoholic liver disease. With the progress of fibrosis, FN was demonstrated in the sinusoidal wall, as well as the portal areas and around the central veins. IC and IIIC were positive in the fibrotic area extending into the lobules and pericellular fibrosis. IVC was similar to FN and was positive in the sinusoidal wall. Scattered XIIIa positivity was recognized in the fibrotic areas, especially in the foci of active fibrosis. VIII RAg was positive in the capillary vessels invading the lobules through the limiting plates. The distribution of these proteins in the fibrotic area in alcoholic liver disease closely resembled that in the wound healing process. It is concluded that fibrosis occurring in the periportal area is essentially the same as in the wound healing process and the mechanism of fibrosis in alcoholic liver disease is thought to be active fibroplasia.