Liver cell membrane antibody detected by protein A and isolated rabbit liver plasma membrane in sera of patients with chronic liver diseases
Toda, G.; Ikeda, Y.; Hashimoto, N.; Yamazaki, M.; Torii, M.; Oka, H.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 54(3): 661-670
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 6360443 Document Number: 219501
Using the plasma membrane fraction isolated from rabbit liver (RLPM), non-species specific IgG antibody against liver cell surface membrane was detected in the sera from patients with chronic liver diseases. The sera were treated with dithiothreitol and iodoacetamide, and absorbed with sufficient amount of actin isolated from rabbit striated muscles. The antibody was detected by incubation of RLPM with the treated and absorbed sera and subsequent determination of IgG bound to RLPM by 125I-staphylococcal protein A. It was found mainly in the patients with autoimmune hepatitis (12 of 28) and liver cirrhosis (8 of 24). It occurred more frequently in HBsAg [hepatitis B (surface) antigen] negative liver cirrhosis than in HBsAg positive forms (6 of 13 vs. 2 of 11). The frequency of the antibody was low in chronic hepatitis except autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. The antibody against RLPM was an immunological marker of autoimmune hepatitis and HBsAg negative liver cirrhosis. The occurrence did not correlate with those of anti-smooth muscle antibody, anti-nuclear antibody and anti-mitochondrial antibody. In 2 cases of autoimmune hepatitis, the antibody against RLPM decreased with clinical improvement induced by corticosteroids.