title: In situ characterization by monoclonal antibodies of the mononuclear cell infiltrate in chronic active hepatitis.
abstract: To characterize the inflammatory infiltrate of chronic active hepatitis we have examined 26 liver biopsy specimens [16 hepatitis B surface antigen-negative and 10 hepatitis B surface antigen-positive] with monoclonal antibodies and antiimmunoglobulins that react against the following mononuclear cell populations: T cells, T4 cells, T8 cells, monocytes-macrophages, Ia-positive cells, surface Ig-bearing cells, natural killer/killer cells. A biotin-avidin-fluorescein technique was used and the number of positive cells was counted in a portal tract that was more severely involved. The T cells predominate in all the specimens. The T4:T8 cell ratio and the number of T and T4 cells in the hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients are higher than in the hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients. While natural killer/killer cells, surface Ig-bearing cells, and macrophages are always rare, Ia-positive cells are numerous and the double-staining technique demonstrates a fair number of cells displaying both T-cell and Ia markers. These findings, while not supporting a major role of killer cells in chronic active hepatitis, suggest a different alteration of T-cell subsets in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive and -negative chronic active hepatitis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001706:Biopsy; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II