DETECTION OF TISSUE T-CELL IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ACTIVE HEPATITIS USING FRAGMENTED SHEEP RED-BLOOD-CELL (SRBC) MEMBRANE

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Abstract
Fragmented sheep red blood cell (SRBC) membrane was used for detection of T[thymus-derived]-cells in liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic active hepatitis. SRBC was separated with Lymphoprep, sonicated, then filtered through a 3 .mu.m Millipore-membrane as a fragmented SRBC reagent. Tissue T cells were stained by an indirect immunofluorescent technique using SRBC reagent and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled rabbit anti-SRBC. Positively staining lymphocytes were present in portal tracts and in areas of piecemeal necrosis. There seemed to be a positive correlation between the number of positively staining lymphocytes and the activity of chronic hepatitis, numerous lymphocytes being stained in areas of severe piecemeal necrosis. The fragmented SRBC technique for detection of T cells is apparently reliable and reproducible; it could be used as a clinical routine method and is useful for further elucidating the nature of host immune reactions on tissue levels.