Alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and hepatic fibrosis.

The relationship between alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AG) and liver fibrosis was studied. Immunoperoxidase staining of liver specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis showed large amounts of alpha 1-AG to be located primarily in hepatocytes adjacent to areas of piecemeal necrosis, bridging fibrosis and fibrous septa. In patients with severe chronic active hepatitis, hepatocytes throughout the liver stained similarly to those adjacent to areas of piecemeal necrosis. In cell cultures of human embryonal lung (HEL) fibroblasts, addition to the culture medium of alpha 1-AG promoted cell growth. It is known that alpha 1-AG is also produced in the liver. It thus appears likely that alpha 1-AG is a promoter of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis.