T lymphocyte subsets implicated in cytotoxicity in autologous hepatocytes in chronic active hepatitis patients with active viral replication.
We investigated inhibitory effect of various monoclonal antibodies on T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity against autologous hepatocytes in 24 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen/hepatitis B e antigen (HBsAg/HBeAg)-positive chronic active hepatitis. A significant reduction of cytotoxicity index occurred after preincubation of T lymphocytes with anti-Leu 7 (killer-natural killer cells), D1/12 (Ia-positive cells), 5/9 (restricted helper/inducer cells), and MLR4 ("activated" and radiosensitive helper cells) monoclonal antibodies (MAb). Anti-Leu 2a (cytotoxic/suppressor cells) and anti-Leu 3a (helper/inducer cells) MAb did not affect cytotoxic activity. This finding supports the hypothesis that the T cytotoxic reaction in this in vitro system is probably due to two mechanisms: first, spontaneous cell membrane cytotoxicity sustained by anti-Leu-7-positive lymphocytes; and second, specific cytotoxicity mediated by activated Ia-positive cells. We also found that the presence of helper/inducer cells (5/9 positive) appears to be a prerequisite for the cytotoxic reaction.
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004261:DNA Replication; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000145:classification*; D014779:Virus Replication
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal