Joanna Maria Lotowska1, Maria Elzbieta Sobaniec-Lotowska2, Urszula Daniluk3, Dariusz Marek Lebensztejn3. 1. Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. 2. Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. Electronic address: maria.sobaniec-lotowska@umb.edu.pl. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Allergology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
Abstract
Since Kupffer cells/macrophages (KCs/MPs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), this pioneer study was undertaken to evaluate KCs/MPs in pediatric AIH in transmission-electron microscope. METHODS: Ultrastructural analyses were performed using liver biopsies from 14 children with clinicopathologically diagnosed AIH. RESULTS: In all AIH children, ultrastructural findings revealed changes in the cells lining sinusoidal vessels, especially KCs/MPs and endothelial cells. KCs/MPs showed increased phagocytic activity and damaged mitochondria, frequently with accompanying intense fibrosis. In 10/14 AIH patients, the cytoplasm of sinusoidal KCs/MPs contained characteristic glassy droplet inclusions. They were round, sharply circumscribed, and contained homogeneous material and distinct translucent fields. Their ultrastructure was identical with the Russel bodies of plasma cells, which were also found in liver biopsies in the same patients. CONCLUSION: Ultrastructural identification of characteristic cytoplasmic droplets with glassy appearance in KCs/MPs, never before described in AIH, provides a useful novel morphological feature in the diagnosis of this disease.
Since Kupffer cells/macrophages (KCs/MPs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), this pioneer study was undertaken to evaluate KCs/MPs in pediatric AIH in transmission-electron microscope. METHODS: Ultrastructural analyses were performed using liver biopsies from 14 children with clinicopathologically diagnosed AIH. RESULTS: In all AIH children, ultrastructural findings revealed changes in the cells lining sinusoidal vessels, especially KCs/MPs and endothelial cells. KCs/MPs showed increased phagocytic activity and damaged mitochondria, frequently with accompanying intense fibrosis. In 10/14 AIH patients, the cytoplasm of sinusoidal KCs/MPs contained characteristic glassy droplet inclusions. They were round, sharply circumscribed, and contained homogeneous material and distinct translucent fields. Their ultrastructure was identical with the Russel bodies of plasma cells, which were also found in liver biopsies in the same patients. CONCLUSION: Ultrastructural identification of characteristic cytoplasmic droplets with glassy appearance in KCs/MPs, never before described in AIH, provides a useful novel morphological feature in the diagnosis of this disease.
Authors: Mohammed A Khedr; Nermin M Adawy; Tahany A Salim; Menan E Salem; Ramy M Ghazy; Ahmed S Elharoun; Mervat M Sultan; Nermine A Ehsan Journal: J Clin Exp Hepatol Date: 2021-05-04