DIMINISHED ACTIVE-T ROSETTE LEVELS AND INCREASED SPONTANEOUS LYMPHOCYTE-B BLASTOGENESIS IN HEPATITIS-B VIRUS POSITIVE CHRONIC ACTIVE HEPATITIS

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  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (3) , 472-476
Abstract
Abnormalities in CMI [cell-mediated immunity] and the presence of polyclonally activated B cells in patients with HBV [hepatitis B virus] positive CAH [chronic active hepatitis] were investigated. The peripheral levels and 3H-thymidine incorporation of the following 3 lymphocyte subsets were studied: B lymphocytes and 2 T cell subsets that are active or late rosetters with high and low affinity receptors, respectively, for sheep red blood cells (SRBC). In patients the level of peripheral T active cells was decreased, but they exhibited elevated B cell activation. There was also a significant correlation between the decreased levels of T active cells and increased 3H-thymidine incorporation by B lymphocytes. Taken together, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that patients with HBV positive CAH have a severe impairment of T cell function that may lead to an abnormal B cell activation. The increased B cell activity may account for the presence of circulating immune complexes and the variety of autoantibodies often observed in patients with HBV positive CAH.