Serum levels of integrins in chronic liver diseases.

The serum levels of beta 1 integrin (microgram/ml) were significantly higher in the patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (2.59 +/- 0.04), chronic active hepatitis (3.45 +/- 0.13), cirrhosis (4.77 +/- 0.30) and hepatocellular carcinoma (4.71 +/- 0.49) than in normal subjects (2.11 +/- 0.08). Serum levels of beta 3 integrin (microgram/ml) were significantly higher in the patients with chronic active hepatitis (10.48 +/- 1.22), liver cirrhosis (13.55 +/- 1.54) and hepatocellular carcinoma (14.1 +/- 1.77) when compared with normal subjects (5.51 +/- 0.52). A positive correlation was found between serum levels of beta 1 and beta 3 integrins (p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between serum levels of beta 1 integrin and histologic features, particularly in the degree of hepatic fibrosis, while no correlation was found between serum levels of beta 3 integrin and hepatic fibrosis. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the beta 1 integrin was present on the plasma membranes of hepatocytes and sinusoidal lining cells in the normal liver, and was increased in fibrotic areas, and on the plasma membranes of hepatocytes and sinusoidal lining cells of the chronic liver disease. However, no positive staining for beta 3 integrin was observed in fibrotic area. The serum level of beta 1 integrin in patients with chronic liver diseases may therefore be a useful marker of hepatic fibrosis.