Immunoregulatory T cells in HBV-induced chronic liver disease as defined by monoclonal antibodies.

Peripheral blood T lymphocytes and T-cell subsets were analyzed in 19 patients with HBV-associated chronic liver disease, in 9 "autoimmune" chronic active hepatitis patients, and in three patients with HBV acute hepatitis. The percentages of the different T-cell subpopulations were defined by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies against all peripheral blood T cells (OKT3), T helper cells (OKT4), T suppressor cytotoxic cells (OKT8), and Ia antigens (OKIa1). The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was significantly lower in HBsAg+ chronic liver disease patients as compared with controls (P less than 0.001), with both decreases of T helper cells and increases of T suppressor cells, while "autoimmune" chronic active hepatitis patients showed a significantly increased ratio (P less than 0.001). Acute HBV infection was associated with a reversal in the normal ratio of helper to suppressor T lymphocytes. During convalescence helper T lymphocytes increased and suppressor T lymphocytes decreased.