T-cell inducers of suppressor lymphocytes control liver-directed autoreactivity.
The sensitisation of helper T cells of patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis to a liver-cell membrane-expressed asialoglycoprotein receptor protein is shown to be associated with a defect of T cells that specifically induce suppressor lymphocytes. These lymphocytes are found in an activated state in the peripheral blood of healthy people and may form part of an immunoregulatory network which actively prevents autoimmunity.
D000328:Adult; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology*; D037263:Asialoglycoprotein Receptor; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D037263:Asialoglycoprotein Receptor; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic