Lymphocyte cytotoxity to autologous hepatocytes in chronic active hepatitis

Abstract

The cytotoxic effect of T and non-T cell fractions on autologous hepatocytes was separately investigated by a microcytotoxity system in 18 patients with chronic active hepatitis. The T cellmediatedcytotoxicity was found to be increased in 9 out of 10 HBsAg positive cases and in 5 out of 8 negative ones. Decreased T cell-mediated cytotoxity was observed, when target hepatocytes that were proved to possess β2-microglobulin and HBsAg on the cell membrane by mixed hemadsorption test, were treated with either anti-β2-microglobulin or anti-HBs, or when effector T cell was treated with OKT8 and complement. In addition, in these patients the percentage of OKT3 and OKT8 positive lymphocytes in the liver was significantly higher than in the peripheral blood. These data suggest that cytotoxic T cells play an important role in hepatocellular necrosis and HLA antigen and HBsAg are regarded as target antigens for these T cell. © 1985, The Japan Society of Hepatology. All rights reserved.