Abstract
Abstract Both the immunological function of lymphocytes and the immunopathogenic mechanisms in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are still not well understood. The aim of this study was to clarify the cell types responsible for the hepatocellular damage in AIH. Sera, liver biopsy specimens and peripheral lymphocytes were obtained from AIH patients. Chronic viral hepatitis, type C (C-CH) patients and healthy subjects were also studied as controls. In the liver of untreated AIH patients, the infiltration of CD8-positive cells was predominant. In addition, the serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) and soluble CD8 (sCD8) levels in pre-treated AIH patients were high, which thus suggested that the CD8-positive T lymphocytes were in an activated state. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) produced a high level of IFN-γ which reflected a Th1-dominant state of the T cells in the liver. Even after corticosteroid therapy at a sufficient dose, the increased serum sCD8 level did not normalize in AIH patients, while, in contrast, the increased serum sIL-2R level and IFN-γ production of PBMC did normalize. These results therefore suggest that a persistent activated state of CD8-positive lymphocytes and a Th1-dominant state in the pre-treated stage may be closely associated with the immune pathogenesis of AIH.
Published Version
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