title: Cellular immune response in liver of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Electron microscopic observation of lymphocyte subsets by the immunoperoxidase method using monoclonal antibodies.
abstract: The morphological association between lymphocytes and hepatocytes was studied at the light and electron microscopic levels by the peroxidase-labeled antibody method using mouse monoclonal antibodies against Leu-1, Leu-2a, Leu-3a, Leu-7 and Leu-10 antigens in liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis B. Leu-1 + cells (T cells), especially Leu-2a + cells (cytotoxic/suppressor T cells), infiltrated mostly in periportal areas with piecemeal necrosis and in parenchymal areas with focal necrosis. By double staining techniques, Leu-2a + cells were often seen in contact with hepatocytes containing membranous hepatitis B surface and/or core antigens in patients with chronic active hepatitis. At the ultrastructural level, Leu-2a + cells frequently occupied the sinusoid and also migrated into both the space of Disse and between hepatocytes. Furthermore, they often showed intimate surface-contact with hepatocytes having hepatitis B surface and/or core antigens, and, occasionally, injured hepatocytes were surrounded by several Leu-2a + cells. In contrast, Leu-3a + cells, Leu-7 + cells and Leu-10 + cells sometimes appeared in the sinusoid, but seldom in the space of Disse and between hepatocytes. These findings suggest that cytotoxic T lymphocytes may be associated with the necrosis of hepatocytes in chronic hepatitis B.
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens