Automated quantification of collagen proportionate area correlates with molecular and histological markers of fibrosis in CCl4-treated rats.

Abstract

Liver fibrosis results from chronic liver injury and is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix due to sustained wound-healing responses. Although histological evaluation remains the gold standard for fibrosis assessment, its subjectivity can limit reproducibility. In this study, we evaluated an automated image analysis software, MorphoQuant, for liver fibrosis quantification in a rat model of CCl4-induced liver injury. Male Wistar rats were treated with CCl4 or vehicle for six weeks, and fibrosis severity was assessed using both the conventional Ishak staging system and automated quantification of collagen proportionate area (CPA). Automated CPA strongly correlated with Ishak stage, liver index, and plasma aminotransferase levels. Additionally, CPA values were significantly associated with the expression of fibrosis-related genes and macrophage infiltration, highlighting the software's ability to assess both fibrosis progression and inflammatory responses. These findings support the use of MorphoQuant as a robust, reader-independent tool that enhance analytical consistency in preclinical models of liver fibrosis.