Light microscopic and ultrastructural distribution of type VI collagen in human liver: alterations in chronic biliary disease.

We have investigated the distribution of type VI collagen in normal human liver obtained from cadaveric renal transplant donors, using a peroxidase-antiperoxidase method for light microscopic visualization, and an immunogold labelling method for ultrastructural localization. The distribution was compared with that of the more abundant interstitial collagen type III, using antibodies to amino terminal procollagen type III. Staining for type VI collagen was identified in Glisson's capsule, in portal tract stroma and within the space of Disse. Perisinusoidal staining showed intra-acinar heterogeneity with the intensity in acinar zones 2 and 3 being greater than in zone 1. Type III collagen was also found in the space of Disse although no significant intra-acinar variation in staining intensity was noted. Immuno-gold labelling for type VI collagen was demonstrated on amorphous or microfilamentous material lying between, and occasionally appearing to interconnect, cross-striated collagen fibrils, whereas labelling for amino terminal procollagen type III was exclusively on fibrils. Intracellular staining for type VI collagen was noted in perisinusoidal (lto) cells. These results confirm that type VI collagen is a ubiquitous constituent of the normal hepatic extracellular matrix and suggest that it may be synthesized by perisinusoidal (lto) cells. The distribution of type VI collagen was also studied in biopsy material from patients with different histological stages of primary biliary cirrhosis. Intense staining was noted around proliferating bile ductules within developing fibrous septa and in established septa of cirrhotic liver. These observations indicate that this 'minor' matrix component may play an important role in hepatic fibrogenesis.