Detection of a Liver-Membrane Autoantibody in HBsAg-negative Chronic Active Hepatitis

Abstract

Investigation of humoral immunity against hepatocellular membrane antigens in patients with chronic active hepatitis and other liver diseases showed two different immunofluorescence patterns of IgG on hepatocyte membranes. A linear pattern was seen in HB_s Ag-negative hepatitis, but HB_s Ag-positive cases and some of protracted, acute hepatitis B had a granular pattern. In patients with IgG bound to hepatocytes, continuing necrosis of parenchymal liver cells was seen. Conversely, hepatocytes without bound IgG were found in cases of chronic active hepatitis in remission, acute viral hepatitis without HB_s Ag and chronic persistent hepatitis, in "healthy" HB_s Ag-carriers and in patients with fatty liver or alcoholic cirrhosis. A liver-membrane autoantibody in serum, proved by fixation on membranes of isolated rabbit hepatocytes, could be demonstrated only in HB_s Agnegative chronic active hepatitis with elevated IgG-concentrations. The results support the existence of different pathogenetic types of chronic active hepatitis, a so-called autoimmune type and a hepatitis virus-B-induced type. (N Engl J Med 294:578–582, 1976)