Glisson’s capsule structure and function is altered in cirrhotic patients irrespective of etiology

Abstract

AbstractBackground and AimsGlisson’s capsule is the interstitial connective tissue that surrounds the liver. As part of its normal physiology, it withstands significant daily changes in liver size. The pathophysiology of the capsule in disease is not well understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the changes in capsule matrix, cellular composition, and mechanical properties that occur in liver disease and to determine whether these correlate with disease severity or etiology.Methods10 control, 6 steatotic, 7 moderately fibrotic and 37 cirrhotic patient samples were collected from autopsies, intraoperative biopsies and liver explants. Matrix proteins and cell markers were assessed by staining and second harmonic generation imaging. Mechanical tensile testing was performed on a test frame.ResultsCapsule thickness was significantly increased in cirrhotic samples compared to normal controls irrespective of disease etiology (69.62 ± 9.99 and 171.269 ± 16.65 µm respectively), whereas steatosis and moderate fibrosis had no effect on thickness (62.15 ± 4.97 µm). Changes in cirrhosis included an increase in cell number (fibroblasts, vascular cells, infiltrating immune cells and biliary epithelial cells). Key matrix components (collagens 1 and 3, hyaluronan, versican and elastin) were all deposited in the lower capsule although only the relative amounts per area of hyaluronan and versican were increased. Organizational features including crimping and alignment of collagen fibers were also altered in cirrhosis. Unexpectedly, capsules from cirrhotic livers had decreased resistance to loading in comparison to controls.ConclusionsThe liver capsule, like the parenchyma, is an active site of disease, demonstrating changes in matrix and cell composition as well as mechanical properties.Lay summaryWe assessed the changes in composition and response to stretching of the liver outer sheath, the capsule, in human liver disease. We find an increase in key structural components and numbers of cells as well as a change in matrix organization of the capsule in the later stages of disease. This allows the diseased capsule to stretch more under any given force, suggesting it is less stiff than healthy tissue.Graphical abstractHighlightsThe capsule is an active site of disease: thickness and cellularity increase markedly in cirrhosisExtracellular matrix composition and organization change in cirrhosisThe cirrhotic capsule stretches more and is less stiff