Abstract

Hepatic stellate celi (HSC) is the key fibrogenic celi type in liver. Transforming growth factor-p (TGFp), using mostly trans-forming growth factor-p receptor-1 (TGFpR-1), generated by the activated HSC is the most significant fibrogenic molecule of cirr-hosis. We pianned this study to observe the expressions of TGFpR-1 in different steps of liver injury. We immunostained 65 viral hepatitis, 58 cirrhosis and 21 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases vvith TGFpR-1 antibody and scored the intensity and the distribution of the stainings. Biostatisticai analysis vvere done to see, if there are any meaningful results betvveen age, sex, etio-logy, hepatic activity index, fibrosis scores; tumor diameter, vascular invasion, multifocality, presence of cirrhosis and receptor expressions. İn the hepatitis group the intensity of TGFpR-1 staining vvas positively correiated vvith the increasing fibrosis score (p< 0.05). İn the cases vvhich cirrhosis vvas inactive, there vvere no TGFfSR-1 expressions. The only positive result in HCC group vvas the inverse correiation betvveen tumor diameter and TGFpR-1 expression. TGFpR-1 is an important mediator in liver vvound healing. But its' effect is important in the early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. İn complete cirrhosis or HCCs greater than 3 cm, anti-TGFpR strategies vvill not be useful alone.