title: Immunoregulatory T subsets in chronic active viral hepatitis: characterization by monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: Immunoregulatory T subsets, defined by monoclonal antibodies, were enumerated in children affected by HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis. The helper to suppressor/cytotoxic cells ratio was lower in patients than in age-matched controls. The lower ratio was mainly due to an increase of lymphocytes of the suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype. Helper cells were even fewer in severe chronic hepatitis patients, thereby lowering still further the helper/suppressor ratio. Therapy seemed to influence the ratio in patients affected by moderate active chronic hepatitis, for four of eight children treated with azathioprine and prednisone had a ratio within -1 SD of normal values. The increase of the suppressor/cytotoxic cells in patients affected by chronic hepatitis might be a means for limiting virus-induced cell hyperactivity.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone