Cellular cytotoxicity against autologous hepatocytes in children with different forms of chronic hepatitis B.
Cell-mediated immune reactions play the most important role in the pathogenesis of chronic viral and auto-immune hepatitis. Cellular cytotoxicity (CC) of peripheral blood lymphocytes against autologous hepatocytes isolated from liver biopsies was studied in 29 children with different types of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive hepatitis. Children with chronic hepatitis B showed higher cytotoxicity than control patients. However, a correlation of cytotoxicity to serum amino-transferases, HBeAg-/Anti-HBe-status, and hepatitis B virus DNA in serum could not be found. Children with a higher percentage of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) expression in their liver tissue presented lower CC values, and vice versa. This supports the hypothesis that virus elimination occurs via T-cell attack against HBcAg expressing hepatocytes. Furthermore, children with a longer duration of chronic hepatitis B had considerably higher cytotoxicity values. Possibly, CC plays a role in perpetuating liver damage after infection with hepatitis B virus.
Keller
K M
KM
Department of Paediatrics, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
Poralla
T
T
Dienes
H P
HP
Wirth
S
S
Baumann
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000637:Transaminases