Ultrastructural localization of interferon-producing cells in the livers of patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Cells expressing alpha- and gamma-interferon were localized in the liver tissue of patients with chronic hepatitis B by means of light and electron microscopy using monoclonal antibodies. Interferon-positive cells were regularly seen in the infiltrating mononuclear cells, and the number showed a good correlation with the degree of the necroinflammatory activity of the disease. In chronic persistent hepatitis and in normal livers, they were infrequent or virtually absent. alpha-Interferon was shown to be positive in lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and fibroblasts, Kupffer cells and, weakly, in the cytoplasm of a few hepatocytes in cases of active hepatitis, whereas gamma-interferon was demonstrated only in lymphocytes. The expression of human leukocyte class I antigens on hepatocytes showed a close association with the number of interferon-producing cells, but not with the presence of virus particles and HBcAg in liver cells, when studied using electron microscopy and double-labeling. Interferon seems to be an important regulator of the local immune response in the liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Its functions may play a role in inducing the human leukocyte class I antigen expression on hepatocytes, thus enhancing the elimination of virus-containing hepatocytes by major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxic lymphocytes.
Dienes
H P
HP
Institute für Pathologie, Universität Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
Hess
G
G
Wöorsdörfer
M
M
Rossol
S
S
Gallati
H
H
Ramadori
G
G
Meyer zum Büschenfelde
K H
KH
D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000473:pathology
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007370:Interferon Type I; D007371:Interferon-gamma