1. Anti-lymphocytic antibodies in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis starting in childhood.
- Author
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Donaldson, P. T., Hussain, M. J., Mieli-Vergani, G., Mowat, A. P., and Vergani, D.
- Subjects
LYMPHOCYTES ,AUTOIMMUNE diseases ,TRYPSIN ,HEPATITIS ,DIGESTIVE enzymes ,T cells - Abstract
Anti-lymphocytic antibodies (ALA) have been described in a variety of autoimmune disorders. We have investigated the presence of ALA in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (aCAH) starting in childhood. Using a modified Terasaki technique ALA were found in 17 of 18 patients with aCAH but in only one of 15 patients with alpha-1-anti-trypsin deficiency or Wilson's disease and three of 27 aged-matched healthy controls (P < 0.0005 for both). Sera from 12 patients with uncontrolled aCAH had significantly higher cytotoxicity values than sera from six children with inactive disease (P < 0.01). ALA were directed to T but not B lymphocytes and were not reactive with specific HLA antigens. No preferential killing was observed against CD4 or CD8 positive T lymphocytes. Characterization of ALA revealed them to be cold-reactive IgM. The possible role of ALA in aCAH is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1989