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Helper and suppressor T lymphocyte function in severe alcoholic liver disease
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|April 1, 1985
Summary
Severe alcoholic liver disease (ALD) patients show altered T cell percentages but normal T cell function. Increased IgA synthesis in ALD is not due to T cell immunoregulation defects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Severe alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is associated with immune dysregulation.
- The role of T cell immunoregulation in ALD pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the T cell regulatory status in patients with severe ALD.
- To determine if T cell defects contribute to altered immunoglobulin synthesis in ALD.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze lymphocyte subsets in ALD patients and healthy controls.
- Functional assays assessed T cell suppressor and helper activities.
- Spontaneous immunoglobulin synthesis by mononuclear cells was measured.
Main Results:
- ALD patients exhibited decreased T suppressor/cytotoxic cells and increased T helper/inducer cell percentages, but absolute numbers were comparable to controls.
- T cell immunoregulatory functions, including suppression and help for B cell immunoglobulin production, were normal in ALD patients.
- A significant increase in spontaneous IgA synthesis was observed in ALD patients.
Conclusions:
- T cell immunoregulation appears to be intact in patients with severe ALD.
- The observed increase in immunoglobulin synthesis in ALD is not attributable to a defect in T cell immunoregulation.