Objective: The hepatic myofibroblasts (hepatic MFs) can be divided into 3 groups: (a) portal/septal MFs; (b) activated hepatic stellate cell myofibroblasts (HSC/MFs); and (c) interface myofibroblasts (IF/MFs). The portal/septal MFs situated in portal triad, HSC/MFs located in space of Disse and IF/MFs lay in the rim of hepatic nodule. This study was aimed to elucidate the relationship between mast cells and hepatic MFs in cirrhotic rats induced by thioacetamide (TAA).

Material and Method: The rats were divided into two groups: control group, TAA-induced. The rats were treated with TAA administration (200 mg/kg) 3 times per week to induce cirrhosis (TAA-induced cirrhosis group). The hepatic MFs and mast cells were demonstrated by light and transmission electron microscopy.

Results: The hepatic MFs were often seen to locate in the connective tissue of cirrhotic liver. HSC/MF localized in space of Disse adjacent to mast cells. IF/MFs were also present at the margin of hepatic nodules closed to mast cell. Mast cells were predominantly found together with plasma cells in portal areas in proximity to lymphatic capillary.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that mast cells were usually situated in close vicinity to the hepatic MFs and lymphatic capillary. It is probable that mast cells directly or indirectly involved in fibrogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in cirrhotic liver.

Keywords: Mast cell, Hepatic myofibroblast, Induced cirrhosis