title: In vitro effect of TP-1 (a calf thymic extract) on suppressor T-cell function of patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.
abstract: Concanavalin A-activated T-lymphocyte suppression of IgG production was found to be significantly impaired in patients with untreated active autoimmune chronic hepatitis when compared to normals or patients with inactive disease. When the dose-response effect of TP-1, a calf thymic extract, on in vitro suppressor cell activity was assessed, lymphocytes from six out of eight patients with previously reduced suppressor cell function showed a significant improvement, while over a similar range the suppressor cell activity of most normal controls declined. These results support the possibility that defective immunoregulation in patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis may be related to a deficiency in thymic hormone levels.
authors.affiliation: Liver Unit, King's College Hospital School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, U.K.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Nouri-Aria
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hegarty
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vento
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Eddleston
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013949:Thymus Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013949:Thymus Extracts; C031407:thymostimulin; D003208:Concanavalin A