lewis-x-antigen and Hepatitis--Chronic

Activation of telomerase and stabilization of telomeres are considered necessary for immortalization of tumor cells. Telomerase activity was analyzed in 69 hepatocellular carcinomas and adjacent chronic liver disease tissues. The telomerase activity level was examined in relation to clinicopathologic features.. Telomerase activity was determined by a telomeric repeat amplification protocol. Immature and mature leukocytes were removed from homogenized tissue of adjacent livers using anti-CD45 and anti-CD15 monoclonal antibody-coated magnetic beads.. Telomerase activity was detected in hepatocellular carcinomas and leukocytes, but not in liver cells from adjacent chronic liver disease tissues after the separation of leukocytes. All hepatocellular carcinomas displayed telomerase activity, and the activity level correlated with the degree of differentiation (P=0.021) and patient survival (P=0.039).. These results indicate that activation of telomerase may be required as a critical step in hepatocarcinogenesis and tumor development, and detection of telomerase activity with removal of contaminating leukocytes may be useful in the characterization or prognostication of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Female; Hepatitis, Chronic; Humans; Leukocyte Common Antigens; Leukocytes; Lewis X Antigen; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Survival Rate; Telomerase; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The expression of LeY antigen (Fuc alpha 1-->2Gal beta 1-->4 [Fuc alpha-->3] GlcNAc beta 1-->R), recognized by the monoclonal antibody BM-1, was studied in peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with viral hepatitis, and in liver tissue of patients with acute viral hepatitis. The relationship between the expression of LeY antigen on peripheral blood T-lymphocytes and the effects of interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis type C were also evaluated. LeY antigen is not markedly expressed in B or T-lymphocytes of healthy individuals. However, it was strongly expressed in CD8 and CD4 T-lymphocytes in patients with viral hepatitis. In the acute phase of acute viral hepatitis, the expression of LeY antigen was more markedly expressed on peripheral CD8 T-lymphocytes than on CD4 T-lymphocytes. In chronic hepatitis type B and type C, it was significantly expressed more often on CD4 T-lymphocytes. In the liver tissues of patients with acute viral hepatitis, LeY antigen was expressed on hepatocytes and infiltrating lymphocytes. IFN therapy for chronic active hepatitis type C proved most effective when LeY antigen was more markedly expressed on the patient's CD4 and CD8 peripheral blood T-lymphocytes before treatment. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between the mechanisms of hepatic cell injury and LeY antigen.

Topics: Adult; Carbohydrate Sequence; CD4 Antigens; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8 Antigens; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis, Chronic; Humans; Interferon alpha-2; Interferon-alpha; Lewis X Antigen; Molecular Sequence Data; Recombinant Proteins; T-Lymphocyte Subsets

The hepatocellular expression of the carbohydrate antigen sialyl monomeric Lewis X (SMLex) and sialyl oligomeric Lewis X(SOLex) in chronic hepatitis was examined using specific monoclonal antibodies. Both of these sialyl Lewis X (SLex) antigens were membranously expressed in chronic hepatitis in spite of their absence in normal liver. Although SMLex was detected in mild hepatic inflammation, the expression of SOLex was associated only with moderate to severe necroinflammation. Hepatocellular expression of these antigens increased significantly as histological diagnosis advanced. Chronological observation also showed the change of SLex expression according to the histological change. The present observations suggest that hepatocellular SLex is a novel histological marker with a close correlation to the severity of necroinflammation in chronic hepatitis.

Topics: Biomarkers; Chronic Disease; Glycolipids; Hepatitis; Hepatitis, Chronic; Humans; Lewis X Antigen; Liver; Necrosis; Reference Values

The expression of a carbohydrate antigen, sialyl oligomeric Lewis X (SOLex), by Kupffer cells was examined in liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis. The antigen was expressed by Kupffer cells from these patients but not by those from normal controls. Expression of the antigen did not correlate with the histological type of chronic hepatitis, nor with SOLex expression in liver cells, which did correlate with severity of hepatic necrosis and inflammation. Treatment of patients with interferon-alpha increased SOLex expression by Kupffer cells, but not by liver cells, which suggests different means of regulation of SOLex expression in these two cell types. SOLex and HLA class II antigens were expressed simultaneously by Kupffer cells. Expression of SOLex by Kupffer cells (HLA class II antigen-positive) and liver cells (HLA class I antigen-positive) suggests a possible autoimmune response against this carbohydrate antigen in chronic hepatitis.

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Glycolipids; Hepatitis; Hepatitis, Chronic; HLA Antigens; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Kupffer Cells; Lewis X Antigen; Liver; Male; Middle Aged