Detection of a Microsomal Antigen and Its Antibody in Human Liver Diseases

Abstract

Sera of 173 patients with various forms of liver disease along with serum precipitates produced by polyethylene glycol were screened for the presence of a microsomal antigen referred to as ubiquitous tissue antigen (UTA) and its antibody by double diffusion precipitation in agarose gel. UTA was detected in 7 of 26 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 1 of 5 with alcoholic hepatitis, 2 of 14 with alcoholic cirrhosis and 18 of 98 with hepatoma. Antibodies to UTA were found only in 2 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 1 with alcoholic cirrhosis and 1 with hepatoma. No UTA or its antibody were noted in sera of 5 patients with alcoholic fatty liver, 10 patients with hepatitis B, and 15 asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg. Positivity for the UTA or its antibody was restricted to severe, chronic cases irrespective of diagnosis, indicating that persistent tissue destruction might be necessary for antigen release or antibody formation.

Dextran and Antidextran Antibodies in the Sera of Patients with Liver Diseases

“…These results essentially confirmed those reported in previous studies includ ing the initial studies of UTA [1,2,4,6]. In the present study, antidextran antibodies were found in 22% and the dextran antigen in 15% of the patients with liver diseases.…”

“…In fact, all patients with high levels of the anti gen in their sera showed a definite elevation of serum transaminases indicating destruction of hepatic cells. In this respect, as it has been suggested by other inves tigators [3,6], the appearance of the dextran antigen in the patients' circulation may be considered an indi cator of the disease activity.…”