Immunogenetic susceptibility for post-schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.
In 19 children with hepatic fibrosis as the result of continued schistosomiasis mansoni and 20 children without hepatic fibrosis, the following studies were carried out: HLA antigen typing for 30 antigens, immune response of T lymphocytes to schistosome antigen by measuring DNA synthesis evidenced by 3H-thymidine uptake, and measurement of total OKT3+, OKT4+, and OKT8+ cells using monoclonal antibodies. Patients with hepatic fibrosis were mostly high responders in contrast with those without fibrosis. High immune response and susceptibility to post-schistosomal hepatic fibrosis were associated with a high frequency of A2 and B12 antigens and a lack of DR2 antigens, while low response was associated with the presence of the DR2 antigen. The T4+:T8+ ratio showed increased suppressor proportions in patients with low immune response and/or with no hepatic fibrosis. We suggest an immunogenetic susceptibility for post-schistosomal hepatic fibrosis, probably controlled by HLA-linked genes via the suppressor T cells.
Hafez
M
M
Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.
Aboul Hassan
S
S
el-Tahan
H
H
el-Shennawy
F
F
Khashaba
M
M
al-Tonbary
Y
Y
el-Morsi
Z
Z
el-Sallab
S
S
el-Desoky
I
I
el-Shazly
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015802:HLA-DR2 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; C035015:HLA-B12 antigen; D015802:HLA-DR2 Antigen