title: Immunological effects of ciclosporin in primary biliary cirrhosis: suppression of activated T cells and autoantibody levels.
abstract: The effects of ciclosporin (CS) on liver immunohistology and peripheral blood T lymphocyte distribution were studied in 5 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) receiving CS treatment for 6 months. Several significant immunological changes were seen during the course of treatment: the numbers of infiltrating T cells (Leu4+) and HLA-DR+ cells (mainly macrophage/dendritic-like) within the lobule parenchyma decreased; the total circulating T cell numbers increased and the percentage of activated, HLA-DR-expressing Leu2a+ ('suppressor/cytotoxic') T cells and Leu3a+ ('helper/inducer') T cells decreased. Moreover, using a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay for antimitochondrial antibody (AMA), a selective decrease of IgM-type (but not IgG-type) AMA levels was observed in 4 patients. A reversal towards pretreatment values was observed for all these immunological parameters 3-6 months after withdrawal of therapy. We conclude that CS may inhibit both cell-mediated and antibody-mediated autoimmune mechanisms operating in PBC.
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D003524:Cyclosporins; D007075:Immunoglobulin M