RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN T-CELL SUBSETS AND SUPPRESSOR-CELL ACTIVITY IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS-B VIRUS (HBV) INFECTION

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 53  (2) , 281-288
Abstract
The relationship between T cell subset, as defined by monoclonal antibodies, and suppressor cell function, using a short lived suppressor cell assay, was studied in 38 chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers and in 32 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)negative chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Patients with HBV chronic infection showed an absolute reduction in the OKT4 positive subset and a significantly decreased OKT4/OKT8 ratio, as compared with healthy controls. Patients with anti-nuclear antibodies and anti-smooth muscle antibodies positive CAH with or without antibodies to HBV antigens, namely, anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibody, demonstrated a significant reduction in cytotoxic/suppressor T cells and an increased helper/suppressor ratio. A negative correlation between suppressor index (SI) and OKT4/OKT8 ratio (P < 0.01), and a positive correlation between SI and OKT8 positive cells absolute number (P < 0.01) were also observed.