CD14 expression and Kupffer cell dysfunction in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis : Superparamagnetic iron oxide-magnetic resonance image and pathologic correlation

Kupffer细胞(KC)功能和CD14表达参与了非酒精性脂肪性肝炎(NASH)的发病机制，但这些关系尚不清楚。这项回顾性研究包括32名曾接受过超顺磁性氧化铁增强磁共振成像(SPIO-MRI)的患者(24名NASH患者和8名单纯性脂肪变性患者)。所有受试者均经病理诊断，并进行Brunt分级(坏死炎性分级和纤维化分期)和CD14阳性KC数量的评估。NASH组与单纯性脂肪变性组相比，肝肌肉信号强度比减少率(-%LMR)和CD14阳性KC数差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。CD14阳性KC数与LMR减少率呈高度正相关。SPIO-MRI评价的KC吞噬功能与组织病理学严重程度和CD14阳性的KC数量相关。这些结果支持KC吞噬功能障碍在NASH发病机制中的作用。

Kupffer cell(KC) function and CD14 expression contributes to pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH), but these relationships remain unclear. This retrospective study included 32 patients(24 with NASH and eight with simple steatosis) who had previously undergone superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(SPIO-MRI). All subjects were diagnosed pathologically and were evaluated for Brunt classification(necroinflammation grade and fibrosis stage), and number of CD14-positive KCs. There were statistically significant differences in percent reduction of liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio(reduction-% LMR), as a surrogate parameter of KC function, and number of CD14-positive KCs between NASH and simple steatosis patients. A high correlation was seen between number of CD14-positive KCs and reduction-% LMR. KC phagocytic function evaluated with SPIO-MRI correlated with histopathological severity and number of CD14-positive KCs. These results support the concept that KC phagocytic dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of NASH.