TY - JOUR TI - Cytokeratin-7, cytokeratin-19, and c-Kit: Immunoreaction during the evolution stages of primary biliary cirrhosis AU - Chatzipantelis, Paschalis AU - Lazaris, Andreas C. AU - Kafiri, Georgia AU - and Papadimitriou, Konstandina AU - Papathomas, Thomas G. AU - Nonni, AU - Aphrodite AU - Patsouris, Efstratios S. JO - Hepatology Research PY - 2006 VL - 36 TODO - 3 SP - 182-187 PB - Wiley-Blackwell SN - 1386-6346, 1872-034X TODO - 10.1016/j.hepres.2006.07.014 TODO - PBC; stage; CK-7; CK-19; c-Kit TODO - 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. ER -