Specificity of T lymphocyte cytotoxicity to autologous hepatocytes in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: evidence that T cells are directed against HBV core antigen expressed on hepatocytes.
Peripheral blood T lymphocytes from 21 patients with chronic HBV infection were incubated with autologous hepatocytes in a microcytotoxicity assay. Cytotoxicity was significantly increased in 13 cases, and in 12 of these the cytotoxic effect of the T lymphocytes was inhibited by preincubating the liver cells with IgG containing antibodies to the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg). Normal human IgG and IgG containing antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG) were without effect. Control experiments using autologous fibroblasts as target cells showed low levels of T cell cytotoxicity and no blocking effect of anti-core antibody. All patients in whom it was possible to demonstrate HBcAg in liver tissue had significantly increased T cell cytotoxicity to autologous hepatocytes. These studies suggest that T cell cytotoxicity in patients with chronic HBV infection is directed against determinants resembling the hepatitis B core antigen on the plasma membrane of hepatocytes.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens