[Immunohistochemical analysis of HLA class I antigens of the hepatocyte membrane in hepatitis B virus carriers].

HLA class I antigens on hepatocyte membrane were studied in liver biopsies from 46 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection by using immunoenzyme technique. The results revealed that the density of HLA class I antigens displayed on hepatocyte membrane in HBeAg positive carriers with minor hepatic inflammatory activity (the high replicative phase) was lower than that in patients with chronic active liver diseases (the low replicative phase) (P less than 0.005), but higher than that in patients with anti-HBe positivity and minor hepatic inflammatory activity (the nonreplicative phase) (P less than 0.05). In a follow-up of 21 HBeAg positive chronic HBV carriers, we found that five of the seven cases with high-density HLA class I antigens showed display of antigens on hepatocyte membrane, whereas only one of the 14 cases with lowdensity antigens were seroconverted from HBe antigen to antibody within one year. These findings suggest that the display on HLA class I antigens on hepatocyte membrane is enhanced and the cytotoxic T lymphacytes can recognize and lyze the infected hepatocytes.