[Presence of antisinusoid antibodies in alcoholic hepatitis. Its probable pathogenic implications]

In nine patients with histological diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis, in-situ deposition of autologous immunoglobulins (IgG, Iga, IgM) were investigated by inmmuno fluorescent techniques (IF). In three patients a linear fluorescent pattern was seen on the sinusoidal walls. The bound inmunoglobulins could be eluted by treatment with low pH buffers. In the same patients circulating antibodies against liver structures were investigated by indirect IF using normal murine or human liver as targets. In the same patients showing bound immunoglobulins in their liver, curculating antibodies against human sinusoids and not against murine liver could be found. On the basis of these findings the probable pathogenetic role of immune mechanism in alcoholic liver damage is discussed.