Güncel Patoloji Dergisi
2026, Cilt 10, Sayı 1
Effect of Steatosis and Steatohepatitis on Hepatic Stellate Cells in Chronic Hepatitis B: Comparison with Hepatitis B Virus-Negative Steatohepatitis Cases
1 Marmara Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Patoloji Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, Türkiye
2 Marmara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Patoloji Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, Türkiye
DOI : 10.5146/jcpath.2026.663 Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of steatosis and steatohepatitis on the density and distribution of stellate cells showing myofibroblastic differentiation in liver tissue from patients with Chronic hepatitis B and to determine the role of CD56-positive NK cells in the fibrogenesis process. Material and Methods: Liver biopsy specimens from 86 patients with Chronic hepatitis B (22 without steatosis, 20 with steatosis, and 22 with steatohepatitis) were evaluated using trichrome and reticulin stains, as well as immunohistochemistry for smooth muscle actin and CD56. The density and distribution of SMA+ stellate cells and CD56+ NK cells were assessed and correlated with histological features, including steatosis, ballooning degeneration, and fibrosis score. Results: In the Chronic hepatitis B group without steatosis, SMA immunostaining was absent, whereas CD56 expression was restricted to zone 1 in a subset of cases. Significant differences in CD56 distribution and staining intensity were observed between the non-steatotic group and the other groups (p < 0.01). CD56 expression correlated significantly with steatosis severity and ballooning degeneration. Furthermore, the presence of CD56-positive NK cells was associated with higher fibrosis scores. A positive correlation between smooth muscle actin and CD56 expression was identified (p < 0.01), suggesting a potential interaction between stellate cell activation and NK cell involvement in fibrogenesis. Conclusion : These findings suggest that active fibrogenesis persists in chronic hepatitis B, particularly in cases with steatohepatitis, and may be associated with CD56-positive NK cell activity. Anahtar Kelimeler : Chronic Hepatitis B, Hepatic steatosis, Steatohepatitis, Hepatic stellate cell, Natural killer cell
2 Marmara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Patoloji Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, Türkiye
DOI : 10.5146/jcpath.2026.663 Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of steatosis and steatohepatitis on the density and distribution of stellate cells showing myofibroblastic differentiation in liver tissue from patients with Chronic hepatitis B and to determine the role of CD56-positive NK cells in the fibrogenesis process. Material and Methods: Liver biopsy specimens from 86 patients with Chronic hepatitis B (22 without steatosis, 20 with steatosis, and 22 with steatohepatitis) were evaluated using trichrome and reticulin stains, as well as immunohistochemistry for smooth muscle actin and CD56. The density and distribution of SMA+ stellate cells and CD56+ NK cells were assessed and correlated with histological features, including steatosis, ballooning degeneration, and fibrosis score. Results: In the Chronic hepatitis B group without steatosis, SMA immunostaining was absent, whereas CD56 expression was restricted to zone 1 in a subset of cases. Significant differences in CD56 distribution and staining intensity were observed between the non-steatotic group and the other groups (p < 0.01). CD56 expression correlated significantly with steatosis severity and ballooning degeneration. Furthermore, the presence of CD56-positive NK cells was associated with higher fibrosis scores. A positive correlation between smooth muscle actin and CD56 expression was identified (p < 0.01), suggesting a potential interaction between stellate cell activation and NK cell involvement in fibrogenesis. Conclusion : These findings suggest that active fibrogenesis persists in chronic hepatitis B, particularly in cases with steatohepatitis, and may be associated with CD56-positive NK cell activity. Anahtar Kelimeler : Chronic Hepatitis B, Hepatic steatosis, Steatohepatitis, Hepatic stellate cell, Natural killer cell