title: [In vitro demonstration of a deficit in suppressor T-cell function in alcoholic cirrhosis. Role of hepatitis B virus infection].
abstract: The T lymphocyte suppressor cell activity has been evaluated in 33 alcoholic patients compared with 16 normal controls, using an in vitro test. Suppressor T cells were activated with concanavalin A, and suppressor effect was quantified by the inhibition of an autologous B cell culture response to Pokeweed Mitogen. When compared with controls, cirrhotic patients showed a significant defect of suppressor cell activity on B cell production of IgG (20 +/- 3 vs 46 +/- 5 p. 100, p less than 0.001) and IgM (26 +/- 4 vs 56 +/- 8 p. 100, p less than 0.05). In cirrhotic patients, defect of T cell suppressor function was independent of sex and severity of the cirrhosis (Child's staging). This defect was more marked in cirrhotics with serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (n = 11) than in cirrhotics without markers (n = 22) (9 +/- 5 vs 25 +/- 3 p. 100, p less than 0.05; 16 +/- 6 vs 30 +/- 5 p. 100, p less than 0.05 respectively for IgG and IgM production suppression). These results suggest that HBV and lymphocytes interact directly. This interaction could increase the T suppressor cell defect, and explain the promoting role of HBV infection in the constitution of the cirrhosis in alcoholics even when viral replication is not serologically apparent.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Hépatogastroentérologie, Clinique Médicale B, Hôpital Central.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vetter
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gut
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doffoël
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reville
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bockel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirn
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G
vernacular_title: Mise en évidence in vitro d'un déficit de la fonction lymphocytaire T suppressive dans la cirrhose alcoolique. Rôle de l'infection par le virus de l'hépatite B.