Hyaluronan histochemistry—a potential new tool to assess the progress of liver disease from simple steatosis to hepatocellular carcinoma

• DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwz002
• Publication Date: 2019-01-21T07:07:42Z
• Authors: Anne-Mari Mustonen; Anu Salvén; Vesa Kärjä; Kirsi Rilla; Johanna Matilainen; Petteri Nieminen
• Keywords: Steatohepatitis; Steatosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is among the most common diseases worldwide and one cause of cirrhosis that can result in development hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hyaluronan (HA) a high-molecular-mass glycosaminoglycan with diverse functions tissue injury repair, for instance, inflammation fibrogenesis. The aim present study was to investigate relationships between HA synthesizing degrading enzymes spectrum pathologies. This realized by histological staining sections from controls patients simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, HCC (n = 90). HA-positive intensified connective all pathologies, CD44, major receptor, similarly increased steatohepatitis cirrhosis. synthase 1 (HAS1)-positive reduced HCC. Staining HAS3, which produces lower molecular mass, promotes pathogenic animal models, diagnoses. responses intensity HAS2 hyaluronidases 1-2 were specific different cell types. These findings suggest HAS1-2 are responsible synthesis healthy livers, while HAS3 increases importance diseases. It noteworthy pathological changes metabolism already visible steatosis and, thus, precede fibrosis. could be possible intervene progression at an early stage influencing metabolism. results have potential clinical applications immunostaining supplementing existing diagnostics.