Increase of T cells in the liver during hepatocarcinogenesis with N-2-fluorenylacetamide in rats.
The localization of thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) was investigated in rat liver by the immunofluorescence method during hepatocarcinogenesis with N-2-fluorenylacetamide. In the early stage of carcinogenesis, the number of T cells never increased significantly in livers in which hyperplastic liver nodules (population I) were seen. On the other hand, in the late stage of carcinogenesis, T cells extensively invaded hyperplastic nodules (population II) as well as hepatomas. According to the concept of cell-mediated immunity, hyperplastic nodules in the late stage might have a neoantigen(s) which evokes the response of T cells. Therefore, it may be concluded that populations I and II are biologically distinct lesions in spite of their histological identity.