Assay of preS epitopes and preS1 antibody in hepatitis B virus carriers and immune persons.
The diagnostical significance of the large hepatitis B surface protein with its preS1 attachment site and of anti-preS antibodies are not yet well known. We investigated the epitope of the preS1 attachment site to see whether it is a marker of viremia and whether antibodies against it occur in convalescents and vaccinees. For comparison, sera were also tested for the presence and relative amount of a preS2 epitope. The epitopes were detected by binding to specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb MA18/7 for the preS1 epitope and mAb Q19/10 for the preS2 epitope) at the solid phase of a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody against the preS1 epitope was detected by inhibition of binding to mAb MA18/7. This mAb inhibits attachment of preS1 antigen to hepatocytes and reacts with a subtype-independent sequential epitope at the surface of hepatitis B virus between amino acid 29-36. This preS1 epitope occurs in most hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, irrespective of viremia. Free preS2 epitope Q19/10 is present in samples with more than 8 micrograms/ml total HBsAg and it is masked in sera with less HBsAg. Antibodies which compete with mAb MA18/7 for its viral preS1 epitope occur in one third of HBsAg carriers who were negative for hepatitis B e antigen. It also occurs in one third of convalescents and in most good responders to plasma-derived vaccines.
Hygiene Institut, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
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Deepen
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Heermann
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Uy
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Thomssen
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Gerlich
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D003289:Convalescence; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D014766:Viremia / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D011498:Protein Precursors; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines; C050806:presurface protein 1, hepatitis B surface antigen; C050807:presurface protein 2, hepatitis B surface antigen