[Pathological observation and immunohistochemistry study of Type I, III, IV collagen in mitral valve and cardiac interstitium of rheumatic disease].

OBJECTIVES

To examine the pathological base of mitral valve and cardiac interstitium of rheumatic disease, and to explore the relationship between Type I, and III, IV collagen in mitral and cardiac interstitium of rheumatic heart disease.

METHODS

HE and ABC method special staining were used to observe the mitral valve and cardiac interstitium pathology in 26 case.

RESULTS

Diffused collagen fibroplasia, hyaline and amyloid degeneration were noted and sometimes associated local necrosis and calcification in myocardial interstitium and in mitral valve. It was a significant pathologic characteristic of rheumatic heart disease. The localization of Type I, III and IV collagen in the valve and myocardiac tissues was studied by ABC method of immunohistochemistry. Significant fibroplasia of collagen Type I and III was found in the valve, cordae tendon and myocardial interstitium of rheumatic heart disease. The composition and secretion of collagen Type I and III were expressed not only in fibroblasts but also in myocardial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathologic foundation of valve and myocardial fibrosis is collagen fibroplasia. The degree of fibroplasia is related to the repeated reaction of chronic rheumatic inflammation.