[Characteristic of readiness of thymocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes to proliferation and apoptosis in experimental chronic liver disease].

Indices of of thymocyte and peripheral blood lymphocyte readiness to apoptosis and proliferation were studied in experimental chronic liver disease of toxic and autoimmune genesis. Smears of thymocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes were examined. Readiness to programmed cell death was determined by indirect immunofluorescence reaction with monoclonal antibodies to detect FAS/APO antigen (CD95), known to mediate apoptosis. Proliferative activity was estimated by counting nucleolar organizing regions. Indices of thymocyte readiness to apoptosis and proliferation were found to decrease in experimental animals, while similar parameters of peripheral blood lymphocytes increased. These data suggest the increased sensitivity of immunocompetent cells to activating signals, which might result in impaired immune response.