Fig. 1

The expressions of S100A4 and MMP-2 in HPCs. a, f, k In sections from normal liver, parenchymal cells expressed neither S100A4 nor MMP-2 (original magnification × 200). b, g, l Some HPCs in mild hepatitis showed immunopositivity for EpCAM, rather than MMP-2. (original magnification × 200, inserts, original magnification × 400). c, h, m Majority of HPCs in moderate hepatitis expressed strong-diffuse cytoplasmic positivity for S100A4 and MMP-2 (original magnification × 200, inserts, original magnification × 400). d, i, n The expression level of S100A4 decreased significantly in HPCs from severe hepatitis. But HPCs expressed a high level of MMP-2 (original magnification × 200, inserts, original magnification × 400). e, j, o HPCs in cirrhosis sections showed negativity for S100A4. Both HPCs and intermediate hepatocytes (arrow) adjacent to portal tracts expressed MMP-2 (original magnification × 200)