T-cell-directed hepatocyte damage in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.
To investigate the function of activated T lymphocytes in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, 7 of 15 T-cell clones from the peripheral blood of 8 patients were studied. These clones showed specificity for liver-membrane antigen with proliferation when stimulated by rabbit liver cell membranes. 6 of these clones reacted with liver-specific lipoprotein complex, and 1 clone (and 3 subclones) responded to the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), both known targets of immune attack in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. 2 of these clones stimulated autologous B lymphocytes to produce liver-membrane-specific autoantibodies and antibody to the ASGPR. These results suggest that liver-membrane-specific activated T lymphocytes in peripheral blood may be important in the autoimmune attack of chronic active hepatitis.
Wen
L
L
Department of Immunology, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
Peakman
M
M
Lobo-Yeo
A
A
McFarlane
B M
BM
Mowat
A P
AP
Mieli-Vergani
G
G
Vergani
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002455:Cell Division; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
D001323:Autoantibodies