Distribution of HBsAg in Liver Tissues from Various Liver Diseases, and Cellular Immunity

Abstract

Hepatitis B surface antigen in liver tissues of 44 autopsy and 82 biopsy cases with various liver diseases was demonstrated in the cytoplasma of the hepatocytes by Shikata et al's orcein and aldehyde-fuchsin staining method. Furthermore, immunological response study was made by DNCB skin test, subpopulation of peripheral lymphocyte and serum immunoglobulin assay.
1) HBsAg in liver tissues was found in 26 of 44 (59.1 %) in autopsy cases and also observed in 16 of 82 (19.6%) in biopsy cases. Incidence of HBsAg with liver diseases was highly documented in subacute atrophy of the liver, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The result strongly suggests that HBsAg is not only the cause of the hepatitis, but is likely to be the cause of the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
2) Distribution pattern of HBsAg in the liver tissues was tentatively classified a three types, that is;
I. solitary type.
II. scattering type.
III. lobular type.
These patterns correlated well with the histological diagnosis of liver diseases, namely, the type of distribution pattern tended to change from I to II or III, as the liver disease progressed to more severe form.
3) Examination of immunological response study showed the marked depression of the absolute number of T lymphocyte, delayed hypersensitivity to DNCB, and the elevation of serum IgG and IgA in the cases of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The cause of development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma from hepatitis B was discussed with the emphasis on the importance of host immune response.