CXCL13 mRNA expression in LCM-based portal tracts. Example of LCM is reported in panel A. An enlarged portal tract with heavy inflammatory infiltrate and lymphoid aggregate with the appearance of lymphoid follicle was dissected by laser beam along the yellow dotted line from cryostat section of liver biopsy. (B) Quantitative real-time RT-PCR performed on nucleic acids extracted from microdissected portal tracts of HCV-infected patients without and with MC and controls. Data are means plus or minus SD for each group.