| Abstract: | To explore the functional phenotype of liver macrophages in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Compared with patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB), the absolute CD(68)(+) cell count in patients with AIH was significantly higher (all P<0.05). It was positively correlated with ALT and IgG levels (the correlation coefficients 0.600 and 0.700, P=0.285 and 0.188 respectively). Additionally, compared with patients with NAFLD, the absolute iNOS positive cell count in patients with AIH and CHB were significantly higher (all P<0.05). The expression of TNFα, iNOS and IL-1β in patients with AIH and CHB were significantly higher than in patients with NAFLD (all P<0.05). Interestingly, compared with patients with AIH and CHB, the absolute CD(206)(+) cell count in patients with NAFLD were significantly higher (all P<0.05). CD(206) expression in patients with NAFLD was higher than patients with AIH and CHB, but with no statistical significance. M1 type macrophages over-expressed and played a major role in the inflammatory reaction and liver injury in patients with AIH. |
