title: HBsAg-induced interferon-gamma secretion in T cells from asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and HB-immune donors in vitro.
abstract: Peripheral T lymphocytes obtained from asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and donors immune to hepatitis B (HB) through natural infection or vaccination were induced by the envelope protein (HBsAg) of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) into secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in vitro. The kinetics of the IFN-gamma response varied between individuals, but was constantly found to be biphasic, with an early peak attained after 12 hr-4 days and a late peak after 5-8 days of antigen stimulation. The early release of IFN-gamma activity was antigen-specifically induced, as it was in T cells from HB-immune and asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg but not HB-susceptible controls. The second peak of HBsAg-induced IFN-gamma secretion was induced in all three donor groups and the kinetics of IFN-gamma release were similar to that of the mitogen phytohemagglutinin(PHA)-induced IFN-gamma production in similarly prepared T-cell cultures. Thus the late burst of IFN-gamma activity seems to result from a mitogenic property contained within the envelope material of HBV. The mitogenic response was three- to fivefold higher for 4/7 asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg compared to HB-immune donors and HB-susceptible controls, indicating that some patients with chronic asymptomatic carriership of HBsAg exhibit enhanced mitogenic responses to HBsAg.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institute, Roslagstull Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sylvan
authors.forename: U B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Hellström
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D007371:Interferon-gamma