Expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Virus-specific T-cell responses are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of liver cell injury secondary to hepatitis B virus infection. In this study, liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection were analyzed for expression of two major pathways of adhesion used by cytotoxic T cells to interact with target cells. The lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 was found preferentially expressed on hepatocytes of patients with active hepatitis B virus replication, whereas the expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 on hepatocytes seemed more closely related with inflammatory activity. Adhesion molecules were also highly expressed on T lymphocytes found in areas of piecemeal and spotty necrosis, indicating the presence of antigen-specific "memory" T cells at the site of hepatocellular injury. This study suggests that the expression of the lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 on hepatocytes may be important for viral elimination. The coordinate expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 may regulate inflammatory response and enhance viral antigen presentation to T cells. Conversely, the absence of hepatocyte adhesion molecules might be a favorable factor for viral persistence.
Malizia
G
G
Clinica Medica R, Ospedale Cervello, Palermo, Italy.
Dino
O
O
Pisa
R
R
Caltagirone
M
M
Giannuoli
G
G
Di Marco
V
V
Aragona
E
E
Calabrese
A
A
Raiata
F
F
Craxi
A
A
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins