Possible mechanisms underlying peripheral lymphocyte activation in chronic liver disease and asymptomatic HBsAg carriers.
Proportions of T lymphocyte subsets (OKT3, OKT4, OKT8) and expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), transferrin (TFR) receptors and HLA-DR antigens were studied in the peripheral blood of 21 healthy HBsAg carriers, 10 patients with chronic active hepatitis B (CAH), 10 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) and 10 subjects with negative markers of previous hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. T lymphocyte subsets ranged within normal levels in CAH and carriers, whereas a significant decrease of OKT4 was noted in ALC possibly involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Significantly elevated numbers of activated cells (cells expressing IL-2, TFR receptors and HLA-DR antigens) were observed in all three groups. A significant increase in OKT8 cells within the TFR population was noted in CAH and ALC, whereas proportions of T subsets in the TFR population were normal in carriers. These findings possibly suggest a common pathogenetic mechanism in the activation of lymphocytes in CAH and ALC leading to liver damage and an immune response against HBV in healthy carriers.
Raptopoulou-Gigi
M
M
2nd Medical Department, Aristotelian University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Orphanou-Koumerkeridou
H
H
Lagra
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin