@article{3114926,
    title = "Cytokeratin-7, cytokeratin-19, and c-Kit: Immunoreaction during the
evolution stages of primary biliary cirrhosis",
    author = "Chatzipantelis, Paschalis and Lazaris, Andreas C. and Kafiri, Georgia and and Papadimitriou, Konstandina and Papathomas, Thomas G. and Nonni, and Aphrodite and Patsouris, Efstratios S.",
    journal = "Hepatology Research",
    year = "2006",
    volume = "36",
    number = "3",
    pages = "182-187",
    publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",
    issn = "1386-6346, 1872-034X",
    doi = "10.1016/j.hepres.2006.07.014",
    keywords = "PBC; stage; CK-7; CK-19; c-Kit",
    abstract = "Aims: The quantitative and qualitative expression of CK-7, CK-19, and
c-Kit markers in various cell types were evaluated during the four
stages of primary biliary cirrhosis.
Methods: A total of 53 specimens were examined. Thirteen specimens were
identified as Ludwig’s stage 1, 23 as stage 2, 14 as stage 3, and 2 as
stage 4. Immunohistochemical stains were performed for CK-7, CK-19,
c-Kit and subsequently graded. The cell types expressing the markers
were qualitatively analysed.
Results: In normal liver, biliary epithelial cells expressed CK-7,
CK-19, whereas the Canals of Hering (CoH) were stained with c-Kit and
partly CK-19, contrary to hepatocytes. The aforementioned expression
patterns were detected in pathologic samples of PBC, with qualitative
and quantitative differences though. CK-7 grading was found to
correspond with Ludwig’s staging, in contrast to CK-19. c-Kit was absent
in the early stages and focally present in the advanced stages. All
biliary-type, intermediate cells and hepatocytes were CK-7 positive,
particularly in samples with cholestasis, whereas CK-19 was only found
in biliary-type and intermediate cells. c-Kit was expressed in CoH which
appeared as clusters and strings of cuboidal cells in advanced stages.
Conclusions: CK-7 can be regarded as a histological marker of
progression in PBC; CK-19 cannot be assessed as a safe marker in the
development of the disease. The absence of c-Kit in the early stages of
PBC is related to the destruction of the CoH. CK-7 hepatocyte expression
in the advanced stages is likely to be related to damaged hepatocytes’
metaplastic potential. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights
reserved."
}