Sobia Hassan, Serajuddaula Syed, Shahnaz Imdad Kehar.
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) as a Mesenchymal marker of Early Hepatic Stellate Cells Activation in Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection..
Pak J Med Sci Jan ;30(5):1027-32.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine expression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and of Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin (alpha-SMA) in hepatic stellate cells of CHC cases and their association with stage of fibrosis. METHODS: The study was conducted at Ziauddin University, Clifton Campus during the year 2010-2012. Sixty Chronic Hepatitis C cases were immmunostained using anti alpha-SMA antibody and anti-GFAP antibody. Semi quantitative scoring in pericentral, periportal and perisinusoidal area of each case was done to assess immunoexpression of each marker. Results : Immunoexpression of GFAP showed significant association with alpha-SMA. GFAP expression was inversely correlated with progression of fibrosis. Conclusion : GFAP could represent a useful marker for early hepatic stellate cells activation. Follow up biopsies showing decline in GFAP levels may help identify the target group requiring aggressive therapy.

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