HLA A1-B8-DR3 and suppressor cell function in first-degree relatives of patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.

The relationship between suppressor T cell function and the inheritance of the A1, B8, DR3 haplotype was studied in 17 healthy, first-degree relatives of patients with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. A marked defect in suppressor cell function was found significantly more often in A1, B8, DR3-positive relatives (5 of 7) compared with those who were A1, B8, DR3-negative (1 of 10; P = 0.017). Less marked abnormalities were also found in the A1, B8, DR3-negative relatives compared with A1, B8, DR3-negative control subjects. The results indicate that the defects in suppressor cell function in patients with untreated chronic active hepatitis result from the inheritance of genetic factors linked to the major histocompatibility complex and other gene loci and are not secondary to hepatic inflammation.