Serum hyaluronate reflects hepatic sinusoidal capillarization

Abstract

Background: Most of circulating hyaluronate has been commonly degraded by hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs). In hepatic sinusoidal Capillarization, SECs morphologically change and also seem to decrease hyaluronate degradation. This work expands on the relationship between serum hyaluronate levels and changes in hepatic SECs accompanying hepatic sinusoidal capillarization. Methods: Serum hyaluronate levels were determined using an enzyme binding assay system. Liver biopsy specimens were collected to examine basement-membrane formation, the localization of Weibel-Palade bodies, and the localization of factor VIII-related antigen (FVIIIRAg) in SECs. Results: Serum hyaluronate levels increased with the progression of liver disorder, being high in all patients with liver cirrhosis. Patients showing markedly high serum hyaluronate levels, 200 ng/mL or more, had liver cirrhosis involving the SECs, which showed basement-membrane formation, Weibel-Palade bodies, and FVIIIRAg and closely resembled vascular endothelial cells. Conclusions: Measurement of the serum hyaluronate concentration allows the evaluation of morphological and functional changes that occur in SEC accompanying hepatic sinusoidal capillarization in various liver disorders. The findings also suggest that patients with high serum hyaluronate levels, 200 ng/mL or more, have liver cirrhosis with typical hepatic sinusoidal capillarization formed by SECs containing FVIIIRAg.