Class I and class II major histocompatibility complex antigen expression on hepatocytes: a study in children with liver disease.

Abstract

Controversy exists regarding major histocompatibility complex antigen expression on hepatocytes. In this study, hepatocyte expression of class I and II major histocompatibility complex antigens was investigated in diseased and normal livers, using indirect immunofluorescent staining of mechanically isolated, viable hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were obtained from 76 children: 10 with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, nine with primary sclerosing cholangitis, nine with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, five after liver transplantation, 19 with extrahepatic biliary atresia, 11 with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, four with idiopathic neonatal hepatitis and nine with histologically normal liver. Immunohistochemistry was performed in all cases; flow cytofluorimetry was performed for class I antigens in 38 cases and performed for class II antigens in 18 cases. From three children with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis and two with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, isolated hepatocytes were also incubated with gamma-interferon before staining and analysis. By fluorescence microscopy, class I antigens were detected on hepatocytes from all children, the highest percentage (100%) of positive cells and the most intense staining were observed in untreated patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis and in those with acute rejection of a liver transplant. Reduced class I antigen expression occurred in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Class II antigens were only detected on hepatocytes from eight patients: three with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis and five with primary sclerosing cholangitis, all untreated. Flow cytofluorimetric analysis confirmed the results obtained by fluorescence microscopy, but it also demonstrated a weak class II antigen expression during liver allograft rejection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

• Authors: A Lobo-Yeo, G Senaldi, B Portmann, A P Mowat, G Mieli-Vergani, D Vergani
• Journal: Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) (Hepatology) Vol. 12 Issue 2 Pg. 224-32 (Aug 1990) ISSN: 0270-9139 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2118117 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• HLA Antigens
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Biopsy
• Cells, Cultured
• Child, Preschool
• Flow Cytometry
• HLA Antigens (classification, immunology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Interferon-gamma (pharmacology)
• Liver (immunology, pathology)
• Liver Diseases (immunology, pathology)
• Microscopy, Ultraviolet