6533b829fe1ef96bd128a1d1

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Experimental Hepatitis

Karl-hermann Meyer Zum BüschenfeldeAnsgar W. Lohse

subject

PathogenesisHepatitisbusiness.industryImmunologyAutoantibodyMedicineIn patientSpontaneous remissionDiseaseAutoimmune hepatitisbusinessmedicine.diseaseViral hepatitis

description

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the animal models of experimental hepatitis (EAH). EAH was developed as a model of human autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). AIH in humans is a heterogeneous disease, which most often occurs in young females and generally responds very well to immunosuppressive therapy. AIH is often not recognized or is misdiagnosed as chronic non-A, non-B (non-C) viral hepatitis. Even when left untreated for considerable time periods, the disease in some patients is moderate to mild, and transient spontaneous remissions can be observed. EAH in many ways reflects this disease process. EAH also is often mild to moderate, and spontaneous remission occurs. Autoantibodies are critical in diagnosing AIH in patients, but their role in pathogenesis appears tenuous. Histologically predominantly T-cell infiltrates are observed, and autoantibody levels correlate very poorly with disease activity. EAH supports the concept of a T-cell-mediated disease and can be transferred by T cells. In addition, autoantibodies in EAH appear only after the peak of disease and are associated with recovery rather than pathogenesis.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
1994-01-01
https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-091736-8.50016-7