Intrahepatic distribution of T cell and T cell subsets in cases with type B chronic liver disease by peroxidase-labeled antibody method using monoclonal antibodies.

Intrahepatic distribution of T cell and T cell subsets was studied in 23 cases with type B chronic liver disease (of which 19 cases were also positive for hepatitis B e antigen) and in 6 cases with non-B chronic liver disease by indirect peroxidase-labeled antibody method using monospecific anti-T antibodies and other reagents (anti-Leu series). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in liver tissue were also observed by the peroxidase-labeled antibody method. Membranous expression of HBsAg was found in 16 out of 23 patients with sero-HBsAg, and HBcAg was detected in 15 of them. In these patients, pan-T cells (Leu-1 positive cells) were the predominant cells in the portal tract and the parenchyma. Particularly, T cytotoxic/suppressor cells (Leu-2a positive cells) were often recognized both in sites of piecemeal necrosis and focal necrosis. In some patients whose liver biopsy specimens were obtained during acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis, T cytotoxic/suppressor cells as well as pan-T cells were increased remarkably in sites of piecemeal necrosis and focal necrosis. These results suggest that T cell cytotoxicity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of liver cell necrosis in type B chronic liver disease.