Abstract
Fibronectin (FN) was prepared from human plasma by affinity chromatography with gelatinsepharose 4B. The distribution of FN in the liver was observed by technique of indirect immunofluorescence with rabbit anti-FN antiserum.
The distribution of FN in the liver coincided with that of collagen fibers, and increased according to increment of collagen fibers. FN was recognized in necrotic leisions and also along the reticular fibers around the sinusoids in the case of acute viral hepatitis, in periportal area in chronic hepatitis, and along extended collagen fibers, loose network between them and reticular fibers in hepatic cirrhosis. However, FN was not detected in hepatocytes.
The low levels of plasma FN in acute viral hepatitis and hepatic cirrhosis suggested increased deposition of FN to liver tissue.
Since the coexistence of FN with acid mucopolysaccharide was observed by histochemical technique, it was suggested that combination of FN and acid mucopolysaccharide was the base for promotion of fibrosis of human livers.
