Isolated rat hepatocytes as a tool for the determination of antibodies against human liver cell membrane

Antibodies against liver cell membrane are measured by counting the percentages of fluorescent rat hepatocytes (FRH), obtained by an indirect immunofluorescence method after incubation of isolated rat hepatocytes with sera of patients with chronic liver diseases. A close relationship exists between the percentages of FRH and the serological and histological parameters of diseases activity, there was no difference between HBsAg-positive or -negative sera