In situ characterization by monoclonal antibodies of the mononuclear cell infiltrate in chronic active hepatitis

Abstract

To characterize the inflammatory infiltrate of chronic active hepatitis we have examined 26 liver biopsy specimens [16 hepatitis B surface antigen-negative and 10 hepatitis B surface antigen-positive] with monoclonal antibodies and antiimmunoglobulins that react against the following mononuclear cell populations: T cells, T4 cells, T8 cells, monocytes-macrophages, Ia-positive cells, surface Ig-bearing cells, natural killer/killer cells. A biotin-avidin-fluorescein technique was used and the number of positive cells was counted in a portal tract that was more severely involved. The T cells predominate in all the specimens. The T4:T8 cell ratio and the number of T and T4 cells in the hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients are higher than in the hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients. While natural killer/killer cells, surface Ig-bearing cells, and macrophages are always rare, Ia-positive cells are numerous and the double-staining technique demonstrates a fair number of cells displaying both T-cell and Ia markers. These findings, while not supporting a major role of killer cells in chronic active hepatitis, suggest a different alteration of T-cell subsets in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive and -negative chronic active hepatitis.