Search

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]

An indirect immunofluorescence technique was used to investigate the immunoglobulin class, IgG subclass, light chain type and complement fixing ability of anti-liver kidney microsomal antibody (anti-LKM) in the sera of six children and five adults with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (aCAH), Anti-LKM titres ranged from 1/80 to 20,480. In the children, the antibody belonged to the IgG1 subclass alone (titre l/80-1/20,480) and was able to fix complement (titre 1/40 -1/5120). In the adult group, antibody belonged to the IgG1 subclass in three cases (titre 1 40-1 640 whilst two belonged to both IgG1 (titre 1/640) and lgG4 (titre 1/40, 1/640). Such subclass restriction is similar to that found in other autoimmune disorders and may be genetically determined. Investigation of' the light chain constituent of anti-LKM revealed that the kappa to lambda ratio was consistent with a polyclonal antibody response. To investigate the nature of the antigen to which anti-LKM is directed, the ability of these sera to bind to the surface membrane of isolated human hepatoma cells (Alexander cells) was investigated. Four of the eleven sera showed significant binding activity. Prior incubation of these four sera with Alexander cells abolished their membrane binding activity, but did not alter the anti-LKM titre. These results suggest that anti-LKM binds to cytoplasmic constituents alone and does not cross-react with surface antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prospective epidemiological study of the Neonatal Hepatitis Syndrome in S.E. England showed Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency (Pi ZZ) to be present in seven out of fifty-two patients. Data are considered from these seven patients, and from a further six cases from outside this area. The nature of acute illness, pathological changes on early liver biopsy, and short-term prognosis show considerable variability, but in general the hepatitis is more severe in patients with Alpha-1-A.T. deficiency than in those in whom no aetiological factor was found. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]