title: In vitro immune responses to hepatitis B surface antigens S and preS2 during acute infection by hepatitis B virus in humans.
abstract: This study evaluated the in vitro immune responses to different components of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) over the course of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Early in the convalescent phase of infection, while HBsAg was present in the serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with preS2 peptide or hepatitis B surface protein. Specific IgG directed to different components of HBsAg was produced without a polyclonal increase in total IgG production. Stimulation with preS2 peptide produced IgG to the preS2 peptide (anti-preS2) and to the S antigen (anti-HBs). Hepatitis B surface protein stimulation produced anti-HBs but not anti-preS2. After this initial reactive phase, the PBMCs did not produce specific antibody when stimulated with either component of HBsAg; this effect lasted greater than 1 year. At some time 1-2 years after acute infection, the pattern of in vitro S antigen- and preS2 antigen-stimulated anti-HBs response reemerged in the PBMCs. Reemergence of sustained preS2 peptide-stimulated anti-preS2 response was not observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007.
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Cupps
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hoofnagle
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gerin
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Volkman
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Haas-Smith
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011498:Protein Precursors; C050807:presurface protein 2, hepatitis B surface antigen