Serum anti-modified citrullinated vimentin antibody concentration is associated with liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis

Background and aims The hepatic stellate cell, which plays a pivotal role in hepatic fibrosis, contains the filament vimentin which is known to undergo protein citrullination and become immunogenic. The aims of this study were to find out if anti-modified citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) antibodies are produced in patients with chronic hepatitis and if such production is associated with liver fibrosis.