LIVER-CELL SURFACE LOCALIZATION OF HEPATITIS B-ANTIGEN AND OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEPATITIS AND IN LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (3) , 396-402
Abstract
Immunofluorescence studies on [human] liver cell surface localization of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and of IgG [immunoglobulin G] in acute and chronic hepatitis and in cirrhosis are described. In acute hepatitis B, HBsAg was found at the surface of hepatocytes in an early phase of the disease, but not during the recovery. Immune reactions to HBsAg may be responsible for the liver cell lysis. In HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis the antigen was found in the cytoplasm, but not on the surface of the hepatocytes, while in HBsAg-negative cases the antigen could not be detected in the liver cells. In HBsAg-positive and in HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and cryptogenic cirrhosis, IgG bound to the membrane of the hepatocytes could be detected, suggesting a role of antibodies in the pathogenesis of the disease.