A significant proportion of myofibroblasts are of bone marrow origin in human liver fibrosis.

Background & Aims: Myofibroblasts of bone marrow origin have recently been found in a number of parenchymal organs such as the gut and kidney. We have analyzed the origin of myofibroblasts within fibrotic liver in 2 scenarios: (1) 7 male patients (hepatitis B; hepatitis B and D; Wilson's disease; hepatitis B, D, and C; and 3 with hepatitis C) who received liver transplants from female donors and subsequently developed liver fibrosis and (2) a female patient who received a bone marrow transplant from a male donor and subsequently developed hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis.

Methods: Through the use of in situ hybridization for the Y chromosome, we have tracked male cells of extrahepatic origin.