Protective potential of hepatitis B virus antigens other than the S gene protein.
The current recombinant hepatitis B vaccines are safe and effective. However, the occurrence of non-responders and difficulties in immunizing immunodeficient persons suggest the need for further improvements. Recent data suggest that the pre-S2 and pre-S1 domains of hepatitis B virus induce protective antibodies. The good T-helper cell response against pre-S1 epitopes would also improve the antibody response against the small surface antigen protein. An even better T-cell priming could be achieved by including hepatitis B core (HBc) proteins or peptides. An optimal immunogen would contain all three proteins comprising hepatitis B surface antigen in their natural conformation and glycosylation as well as the major T-cell epitopes of HBc.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Georg August Universität, Göttingen, FRG.
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Gerlich
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Heermann
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Krone
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D000818:Animals; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011487:Protein Conformation; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines