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We found a significant increase of activated circulating T lymphocytes expressing interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2r) (mean ±s,e,m, 11.0±1.1%) or DR antigen (5.0 ±0.49%) in patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (CAH) starling in childhood when compared lo healthy controls (0.14 ±0.09%. P<0.001 and 2.8±0.06%, P<001), Patients with liver disorders due to Wilson's disease (IL-2r 0.64±0.25%, DR 3.5 ±0.22%) Or alpha-l-antitrypsin deficiency (IL-2r 0.1±0.06%. DR 2.8 ± 0.35%) had levels similar to conirots. Levels of both IL-2r and DR positive T lymphocytes were higher in patients with uncontrolled CAH (IL-2r 18.0± 1.01%; DR 6.3±0.78%) than in patients with inactive disease (IL-2r 3.2±1.4%. P<0.001: DR 3.0 ± 0 13% .P<0.01), In patients with active disease levels of IL-2r positive cells were higher than DR positive cells ( P <0.001). Only 21 % of activated T cells coexpressed the two markers of activation. Sixty-seven percent of IL-2r positive T lymphocytes were helper/inducer and 25% suppressor/cytotoxic. while 66% of the DR positive T cells were suppressor/cytotoxic and 3I'M, helper/inducer. The finding that the highest levels of activated T lymphocytes are present in patients with uncontrolled CAH suggests that these cells are involved in its pathogenesis. The preferential increase of activated helper/inducer cells might explain the enhanced immune reactivity characteristic of autoimmune CAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Con A stimulated suppressor cell function and the proportion of suppressor T cells were reduced in children with untreated chronic active hepatitis (CAH) but were normal in corticosteroid treated CAH patients, patients with severe acute hepatitis and inactive chronic liver disease. Adults with CAH also have defective suppressor function hut a normal proportion of T suppressor cells. This difference may account for the observation that relapse after treatment withdrawal is less frequent in children than in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proportion of T cell subsets, spontaneous and PWM stimulated immunoglobulin production by peripheral blood lymphocytes and concanavalin A- (Con A) stimulated suppressor cell activity on immunoglobulin production by B cells was studied in 37 infants and children, to investigate changes of these parameters with age. Proportion of suppressor/cytotoxic (T8+) T lymphocytes was significantly lower in children below the age of 5 years, while there was no difference in proportion of total T lymphocytes (T3+) and helper/inducer (T4+) T cells. Spontaneous production and secretion of IgG and IgM by lymphocytes from children of all age groups was similar to that found in adults, but lymphocytes of children below the age of 10 years showed a low response to PWM stimulation. The activity of Con A-induced suppressor cells in inhibiting B cells producing immunoglobulins was almost absent in infancy, gradually increased during childhood and reached adult levels in teenagers. A significant association between the proportion of T8+ cells and Con A-induced suppression of B cell proliferation and a relationship between T4+ cells and spontaneous Ig production indicated the increasing maturity with respect to both number and function of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets with advancing age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]