title: In situ characterization of the cell-surface antigens of the mononuclear cell infiltrate and bile duct epithelium in primary biliary cirrhosis.
abstract: To analyze the tissue distribution of mononuclear cells and HLA antigens in primary biliary cirrhosis, we studied liver biopsies of 12 patients at different stages of the disease, using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique and monoclonal antibodies directed against T and B lymphocytes, T-cell subsets, macrophages, NK/K cells, dendritic cells, and HLA class I and II antigens. To evaluate the proportion of activated T cells we used anti-interleukin-2-receptor antibodies and a double-staining technique for T cells and class II HLA antigens. In all biopsies activated T cells predominated in the portal areas and around the damaged bile ducts. T4 cells almost always outnumbered T8 cells. While B cells, NK/K cells, and dendritic cells were always scarce, macrophages constituted about 30% of the cellular infiltrate. Biliary epithelium, which normally expresses HLA class I antigens, displayed mainly HLA class II antigens. The predominance of T4 cells around the bile ducts, which express class II antigens, suggests that class II-restricted T4 lymphocytes may mediate liver damage in primary biliary cirrhosis.
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006680:HLA Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II