Identification of intrahepatic lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with drug‐induced allergic hepatitis

Abstract

Intrahepatic lymphocyte subpopulations were studied in eight cases of drug‐induced allergic hepatitis (DIAH) by the immunoenzymatic technique using monospecific T cell antibodies and other reagents. In peripheral blood, the CD4: CD8 ratio in DIAH was higher than that in normal controls. In liver tissue, CD8 positive lymphocytes were predominant, and these cells were attached to the surface of hepatocytes. Leu 7, CD4 and CD11 positive lymphocytes were scarce and were not attached to hepatocytes. HLA‐class I was displayed on the cell membrane of hepatocytes. These results suggest that cytotoxic T cells, which are CD8 positive, CD4 negative and CD11 negative, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of liver cell injury in patients with DIAH.

Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 expression on the hepatocyte membrane of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C

“…Accordingly, endogenous cytokines derived from the interleukin cascade appear to be more important than exogenous ones with regard to expression in CAH. In CHC, HLA-1 is expressed on the hepatocyte membrane and most infiltrating lymphocytes are cytotoxic T cells (18). In this study, ICAM-1 was detected on CHC hepatocytes and the degree of expression had a close relationship to disease activity.…”

Viral hepatitis, hallmarks and molecular features

“…Important to remember as well is the fact that in front of the SARS-CoV-2 infection the deregulation of the immune system has been reported; leaving aside the protection against infectious agents causes an adverse effect when overactivated. 60,71 Since these outbreaks are not related to infection with classical hepatitis viruses, as has been demonstrated and confirmed by various molecular tests, it is worthwhile analyzing the timeline of the development of these cases. So far, the sequence of these events have been as follows: from October 2021 to February 2022, nine cases of hepatitis of unknown origin were reported in Alabama, United States; all were positive for Adenovirus 41, however they also presented coinfection with other viruses such as EBV, only 2 patients required liver transplantation.…”

“…Several years ago, two independent reports on a 24-year-old and a 28-year-old man with rubella infection were associated with elevations of serum aminotransferases, globular degeneration, and focal necrosis of liver cells, and it was suggested that cytotoxic T cells may be playing a role in liver injury in acute rubella infections in adults. [59][60][61][62] Human Adenovirus (HAdV)…”