Liver Membrane Antibodies in Chronic Delta Hepatitis

Abstract

The correlation between the presence of liver membrane antibodies (LMA) and delta superinfection in chronic hepatitis B was studied in 136 chronic hepatitis patients, 20 hepatitis B surface antigen asymptomatic carriers and 50 healthy controls, by testing for the presence of LMA, hepatitis B virus markers and anti-delta (anti-HD). Neither anti-HD nor LMA were detected in controls or in asymptomatic carriers. LMA positivity was statistically higher (p < 0.001) in anti-HD-positive patients than in those with no anti-HD. Gamma globulin and glutamic pyruvic transaminase values were increased both in anti-HD- and LMA-positive patients with respect to those who were negative. In conclusion, a close association between the positivity to anti-HD and the presence of circulating LMA was found.

Elevation of 2′,5′-Oligoadenylate Synthetase Activity and HLA-I Associated β2-Microglobulin in Response to Recombinant Interferon-γ Administration in Chronic HBeAg-Positive Hepatitis

“…2). The low rIFN-dose (2 MU) resulted in the higher and longer-lasting elevation in this 12 16 activity, although no differences were found between the two doses. Just after concluding the rIFN-7 administration, the 2-5A synthetase levels were slightly increased, but close to their basal values, and remained unchanged throughout the follow-up (data not shown).…”

Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection: Molecular Biology and Treatment

“…Although HDAg is located on the hépato cyte nuclei, the involvement of the immune system in the pathogenesis of HDV infection cannot be excluded, since a high incidence of antiliver and kidney membrane antibodies (anti-LKM), antibasal cell layer antibodies (anti-BCL), antithymic epithelial cell anti bodies (anti-TEC) and antiliver membrane antibodies (anti-LMA) has been reported [45][46][47][48], Thus, Pizzi et al [49] reported 13% of anti-LKM and 49% of anti-BCL positivity in chronic HDV-infected patients, higher than in those patients only infected by HBV. How ever, the significance of the presence of these autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of hepati tis D is unknown today.…”

Detection of Antibody to Calmodulin in Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Lack of Correlation with Virus Replication and Hepatocellular Damage

“…Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was per formed in duplicate by microplate ELISA [9], accord ing to the instructions of the supplier (Ortho Diagnos tic Systems Inc., Raritan, N.J., USA). A detection test for LMA was performed in serum by indirect immu nofluorescence on rat perfused hcpatocytes isolated by enzymatic treatment with collagenase as described previously [6). Samples showing a linear immunoflu orescence pattern on the hcpatocytes were regarded as positive for LMA.…”

“…Binding of CaM to Ca2+ results in activation of 3',5'-phosphodiesterase and regulates cellular re sponses [1], Recently, the presence of anti calmodulin auto-antibodies (anti-CaM) has been reported in both acute and chronic viral hepatitis, with or without hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as well as in other liver diseases [2], HBsAg chronic carriers may be superinfected with the hepatitis 8 virus (HDV). These cases are frequently associated with the presence of auto-antibodies, such as liver kidney microsomal antibodies, anti-basal cell layer antibodies [3,4], as well as anti bodies to thymic epithelial cells [5], A close association between the presence of 8 hepati tis and liver membrane antibodies (LMA) has been recently described [6],…”