Familial OKT4 epitope deficiency and its relation to the aspects of hepatitis B virus infection

This report presents cases of OKT4 epitope deficiency in members of a family affected with HBV. Two members of the family were HBV carrier in whom one was OKT4 epitope deficient and the other was intact. One other member was OKT4 epitope deficient but had anti-HBs antibody and her peripheral lymphocytes was capable to response to purified HBs antigen in in vitro T cell proliferation test. Lymphocyte from the two OKT4 epitope deficient members also revealed a normal proliferation by PPD stimulation, and this response was blocked considerably by the addition of monocloned Leu 3a antibody, but not by OKT4 antibody. These observations suggest that T cells of the OKT4 epitope deficient members have no functional defects so far as the responsiveness to HBs antigen.