Expression of CD1 antigens by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from hepatitis B patients

We have studied the expression of CD1 antigens on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from acute hepatitis B patients in order to analyse a possible role for CD1 antigens in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Using immunofluorescence and the monoclonal antibodies which recognized CD1a, CD1b and CD1c molecules, we have shown that CD1 antigens were expressed on PBMC from acute hepatitis B patients but not from other acute and chronic liver disease. Dot blot analysis on nitrocellulose sheets of the lysates of the cells confirmed these observations. Cell fractionation and double-labelling experiments clearly demonstrated the CD1 antigens were expressed only on non-T cells. Furthermore, CD1 antigens were coexpressed with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) on the surface of Ig-positive cells. These results could indicate that CD1 expression may be associated with the lymphotropic effect of HBV.