Immunolocalization of cellular fibronectins in the normal liver, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cellular (c) fibronectins (Fn) differ biochemically, immunologically, and functionally from plasma fibronectins (pFn). Most existing data on Fn distribution in the normal and diseased liver require revision because those studies were based on reagents that did not distinguish pFn from cFn and predated the development of specific cFn monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). We immunostained cryosections of normal adult livers (n = 5), cirrhotic livers (n = 20), and livers with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n = 10) by the avidin-biotin-complex method with specific Mabs to the extradomains A and B (EDA, EDB) and oncofetal (Onc) isoforms of cFn. Selected samples were stained with an antiserum to pFn; fetal livers served as controls. Normal and cirrhotic livers showed EDA-cFn staining in the portal, septal, and perisinusoidal matrix; its distribution was more restricted than that of pFn. In cirrhosis, EDA-cFn reactions were strongest at sites of piecemeal necrosis and around proliferating ductules in biliary cirrhosis. EDA-cFn reactions were consistently most intense in the matrix of HCC. Distinct from adult normal and cirrhotic livers, reactions for EDB- and Onc-cFn were noted exclusively in most cases of HCC. We conclude that the only cFn isoform indigenous to the normal adult liver matrix is EDA-cFn. Enhanced EDA-cFn in cirrhotic livers may serve as indicator of active stromal remodeling. The restriction of EDB- and Onc-cFn to a large subset of HCC and the putative role of cFn in modulating cell-matrix adhesive interactions would suggest that the emergence of these molecules may be related to the variably invasive and metastatic properties of these tumors.