Vol 49, No 3 (2011)
Original paper
Published online: 2011-10-28
Expression of pattern recognition receptors in liver biopsy specimens of children chronically infected with HBV and HCV
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0058
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(3):410-416.
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) constitute a pivotal arm of innate immunity. Their distribution
is widespread and not limited to cells of the immune system. Following our previous findings concerning the
expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2, 3 and 4 in chronic viral hepatitis C of children, we wished to search for
other PRRs, including other TLRs, NOD-like receptors (NLRs) and RIG-1-like helicase receptors (RLR) in
infected hepatocytes. Liver biopsy fragments from ten children with chronic hepatitis B and C were used and two
others in which hepatotropic virus infection was excluded. Frozen sections of liver samples were subjected to ABC
immunohistochemistry (IHC) following incubation with a set of antibodies. Results of IHC findings were screened
for correlation with clinical/laboratory data of patients. It was found that several PRRs could be shown in affected
hepatocytes, but the incidence was higher in hepatitis C than in B. In hepatitis C, TLR1, 2, 4, NALP and RIG-1
helicase showed the most marked expression. In hepatitis B, TLR1, 3, 9, NOD1 and NALP expression were the
most conspicuous. Expression PRRs in liver from hepatitis of unknown origin was much lower. It was also the case
in cytospins from human hepatoma cell line. Several correlations between PRRs expression and clinical findings in
patients could be shown by statistical exploration. In conclusion, this data suggests some role for PRRs in the
pathogenesis of chronic viral hepatitis. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 410–416)
Keywords: pattern recognition receptorsviral hepatitisliver biopsychildrenimmunohistochemistry
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