The Role of Dendritic Cell, HLA-DR and CD8+ Presenting Lymphocytes in Chronic Viral Hepatitis: An Immunohistochemical Study.
- Author:
Sang Wook CHOI
1
;
Don Hyoun JOE
;
Sung Soo KIM
;
Jin Mo YANG
;
Byung Min AHN
;
Nam Ik HAN
;
Chang Don LEE
;
Kyu Won CHUNG
;
Hee Sik SUN
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Chronic viral hepatitis;
HLA-DR;
Dendritic cell;
CD8+ lymphocyte;
Immunohistochemical stain
- MeSH:
Antigens, Viral;
Biopsy;
Dendritic Cells*;
Dendritic Cells, Follicular;
Hepatitis B, Chronic;
Hepatitis C, Chronic;
Hepatitis*;
Hepatitis, Chronic;
HLA-DR Antigens*;
Humans;
Incidence;
Liver;
Lymphocytes*;
Necrosis
- From:The Korean Journal of Hepatology
2000;6(4):448-455
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: This study focuses on the pathogenesis of inflammatory reaction and cell necrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and examines the possible effects of follicular dendritic cells, HLA-DR and CD8+ presenting lymphocytes by analyzing their expression and the histological activity index (HAI) in liver tissues. METHODS: Liver biopsy specimens were obtained from 59 patients with chronic hepatitis B and from 26 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The expressions of dendritic cells, HLA-DR and CD8+ presenting lymphocytes were determined by immunohistochemical stain. RESULTS: The incidence of lymphoid follicle and/or lymphoid aggregates in portal tracts of the liver was higher in chronic hepatitis C than it was in chronic hepatitis B (84.6% vs. 15.3%, p=0.000). Follicular dendritic cells were exclusively expressed within lymphoid follicles and/or lymphocyte aggregates in portal areas. HLA-DR restricted cells were mainly observed in portal and periportal areas as well as in the area of piecemeal necrosis. CD8+ lymphocytes were diffusely expressed in portal and periportal areas and within intralobular parenchymal sinusoids. The expression of dendritic cell and HLA-DR was more frequently observed in moderate chronic hepatitis than in mild chronic hepatitis. While that of CD8+ lymphocyte expression was more frequent in severe chronic hepatitis with a high HAI score. CONCLUSIONS: The follicular dendritic cells may trap viral antigens in intraportal lymphoid follicle and present them to HLA-DR and CD8+ presenting lymphocytes. It is suggested that the associated expression of dendritic cells, HLA-DR and CD8+ presenting lymphocytes in liver tissues may play one of the biological role in immune injury in chronic viral hepatitis.
