Distribution Pattern of Liver Matrix Proteins, Fibronectin and Type I Collagen, in DAB-Induced Hepatoma of Rat

KATSUKURA, Y., ABE, N., WATABE, N. and TSUCHIYA, T. Distribution Pattern of Liver Matrix Proteins, Fibronectin and Type I Collagen, in DAB- Induced Hepatoma of Rat. Tohoku J. exp. Med., 1985, 146 (4), 405-417 -Specific antibodies to fibronectin and type I collagen in rat livers were used to demonstrate these matrix proteins with direct immunoperoxidase method in paraffin sections of normal liver, DAB-induced hepatoma and CCl4-induced fibrotic liver. In normal livers, the immunoreactive products of both matrix proteins were found in the periportal regions, while the hepatocytes and most of the interstitial matrix remained unstained. The specimens obtained from DAB-treated liver showed a more intense reaction with fibronectin antibody in the perisinusoidal space including proliferated cholangiolar cells, as compared to no reaction with type I collagen antibody. In CCl4-fibrotic liver, apparent reactions were also found for both matrix proteins in the periportal interstitium and in progressing fibrotic area with severe fatty metamorphosis. These findings suggest that these matrix proteins have an advantage in the attempt to distinguish different patterns of neoplastic alteration in experimental rat livers.