Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) as a mesenchymal marker of early hepatic stellate cells activation in liver fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis C infection

Objective: this study aims to determine expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-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 α-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 α-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.