[Follow-up study on antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and cell-mediated cytotoxicity to HBs-antigen conjugated target cells in patients with hepatitis B (author's transl)].

Results of a follow up study on ADCC and CMC to HBs antigen conjugated target cells in patients with hepatitis B are given. The cytotoxic reaction was measured immediately after onset of the disease, three weeks and three months thereafter CMC was increased over the whole observation period. The results in hepatitis B patients were significantly different to those in normal controls. The ADCC in the presence of an antiserum to HBs antigen was in patients with hepatitis B immediately after onset of the disease reduced in comparison to the controls; it increased during the three months to the values of the controls in patients with uncomplicated disease. Experiments with isolated lymphocyte populations showed that the ADCC is mainly dependent on Fc receptor bearing lymphocytes whereas the CMC is mediated by T-cells and Fc-receptor bearing cells.