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Immune regulation and HLA types in chronic hepatitis
Author(s) -
Krawitt Edward L.,
Albertini Richard J.,
Webb Duane D.,
Chastenay Bette F.,
Holdstock Greg,
Macpherson Bruce R.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.1840010404
Subject(s) - concanavalin a , immunology , suppressor , immune system , hepatitis , human leukocyte antigen , cirrhosis , biology , population , hepatitis b , medicine , antigen , gene , in vitro , genetics , environmental health
Studies were undertaken in 32 patients with hepatitis B‐negative or ‐positive chronic active hepatitis or chronic persistent hepatitis to define the relationship between immunoregulatory activity and the HLA‐B8 and B12 phenotypes. Suppressor T‐cell activity measured by a concanavalin A‐induced suppressor system using allogeneic responder cells was dependent on which individual was selected as a source of responder cells. No differences were noted using isogeneic cells as responders. Suppressor T‐cell activity measured by the effect of a noninduced suppressor cell on a mixed leukocyte culture was not different from controls. Increased prostaglandin‐producing suppressor cell activity was found in patients with hepatitis B‐negative (p < 0.005) and hepatitis B‐positive (p < 0.05) chronic active hepatitis. When results of the suppressor activities were compared among patients with chronic hepatitis dependent on the presence of HLA‐B8, B12, or neither of these phenotypes, no significant differences were present. These results provide further evidence of altered immunoregulatory function in patients with chronic active hepatitis, which may reflect increased suppression by a population of prostaglandin‐producing suppressor cells. The results do not, however, suggest that a gene coding for altered immune regulation is linked to HLA‐B8 or B12.