RÉSUMÉ
We have analyzed the expression of HBsAg on different subpopulations of peripheral blood cells from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients using two-color immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. An average of 7.4 +/- 0.8% and 9.8 +/- 1.2% HBsAg + cells were found among cells from acute and chronic hepatitis B patients, respectively. When studied by two-color immunofluorescence, HBsAg was limited to cells expressing the B-cell restricted antigen CD19 (16.7 +/- 2.4%), whereas for the other subsets studied (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD67+, CD68+) the percentage of positivity was lower than 4%. The expression of viral antigen on B cells might be relevant for a number of functional interactions between HBsAg+ B and T lymphocytes.
Sujet(s)
Antigènes de surface du virus de l'hépatite B/sang , Hépatite B/immunologie , Hépatite chronique/immunologie , Leucocytes/immunologie , Maladie aigüe , Anticorps monoclonaux/immunologie , Couleur , Cytométrie en flux , Technique d'immunofluorescence , Hépatite B/sang , Hépatite chronique/sang , HumainsRÉSUMÉ
We have analyzed the expression of HBsAg on different subpopulations of peripheral blood cells from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients using two-color immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. An average of 7.4 +/- 0.8
and 9.8 +/- 1.2
HBsAg + cells were found among cells from acute and chronic hepatitis B patients, respectively. When studied by two-color immunofluorescence, HBsAg was limited to cells expressing the B-cell restricted antigen CD19 (16.7 +/- 2.4
), whereas for the other subsets studied (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD67+, CD68+) the percentage of positivity was lower than 4
. The expression of viral antigen on B cells might be relevant for a number of functional interactions between HBsAg+ B and T lymphocytes.