In Vivo Effect of Chronic Ethanol Abuse on Membrane αl‐Glycoprotein of Lymphocytes and Immune Response to Various Stimulating Agents

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Abstract
Data on the immune status of chronic alcoholic patients are rather conflicting probably due to the interference of liver disease and/or malnutrition on immune function. In order to avoid this kind of interference, peripheral lymphocytes from 12 chronic alcoholic patients in good nutritional status and without heavy liver damage and 15 healthy controls were examined in this study. Lymphocyte functional activity was evaluated by means of response to phytohemagglutinin, calcium ionophore A 23187, and autologous non-T-cells [autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR)]. Phenotypical analysis was carried out by the indirect immunofluorescence technique using monoclonal antibodies specific to CD5 (mature T-lymphocytes). CD4 (helper/inducer T-lymphocytes), CD8 (suppressor/cytotoxic T-lymphocytes), glycoproteins, and an immunoglobulin fraction from rabbit directed to membrane α1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) that is involved in T-cell activation process. Our results show significant impairment in AMLR while response to phytohemagglutinin, heterologous non-T-cells and carcinoma ionophore did not differ from controls. No differences were present in circulating T-lymphocytes expressing CD5, CD4, and CD8 on their membrane, whereas AGP-bearing lymphocytes were significantly lower in chronic alcoholics (14.4 ± 8.6) than in controls (31.9 ± 8.1; p < 0.001). These results support the hypothesis of a direct action of alcohol on one of the pathways of lymphocyte activation and the role of the lymphocyte membrane AGP on the AMLR.