Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies of myofibroblasts in hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT

Sections from 13 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were examined to determine the myofibroblasts (MFBs) in tumour fibrous stroma and cirrhotic fibrous stroma, using monoclonal antibodies to specific actins HHF-35, 1A4 and sarcomeric actin. Histological grading of tumours with the expression of a labelling index using monoclonal antibodies to proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PC-10) were correlated with the amount of MFBs. The results showed a statistically significant increase in the amount of MFBs in tumour fibrous stroma. However, no significant correlation was found between the amount of MFBs with histological grading or the labelling index. However, a good correlation with statistically significant differences between the histological grading of HCC with the labelling index was shown. In conclusion, MFBs found in the tumour fibrous septa of HCC were a response by the stromal reaction or a desmoplastic reaction intended to limit the tumour size by contraction.