HBcAg induced T-cell independent anti-HBc production in chronic HBsAg carriers.
The capacity of the nucleocapsid protein of HBV to function as a T-cell independent antigen in man was studied. When T-cell depleted B-cell cultures were challenged with E coli-derived HBcAg, anti-HBc production was registered in culture supernatants from the majority of chronic HBsAg carriers in a quiescent stage of disease. In contrast, similarly prepared and stimulated cultures from donors with natural acquired immunity to hepatitis B or HB-susceptible controls were non-responsive. Addition of autologous T-cells effectively restored anti-HBc responsiveness in T-cell depleted B-cell cultures from HB-immune donors, demonstrating the T-cell dependency for anti-HBc induction in natural HBV-infection.
Sylvan
S P
SP
Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Inst, Roslagstull Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hellström
U B
UB
Fei
G
G
Norder
H
H
Magnius
L
L
Lindh
G
G
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002353:Carrier State; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G