Variable expression of preS1 antigen in serum during chronic hepatitis B virus infection: an accurate marker for the level of hepatitis B virus replication.
The expression of the preS1 antigen of hepatitis B virus in sera from chronic HBsAg carriers was studied using a specific monoclonal antibody F35.25 in an original, double-immunoradiometric assay. The antibody F35.25 recognized an epitope located between amino-acid residues 32 and 53 on the preS1 sequence of the large HBsAg protein. This domain could be involved in the recognition of hepatitis B virus by hepatocyte receptors. PreS1 antigen detection by monoclonal antibody F35.25 closely correlated with the presence of complete virions in the serum of HBsAg carriers, as demonstrated by ultracentrifugation-gradient experiments and electron-microscopical examination. Of the 19 HBsAg carriers with chronic liver disease, preS1 antigen was detected in 17 (90%): all of the 11 HBeAg- and hepatitis B virus-DNA--positive cases (group 1) and six of eight anti-HBe--positive cases with low levels of hepatitis B virus replication (group 2). PreS1 antigen/HBsAg ratios parallel to preS1 antigen titers were significantly higher in the HBeAg-positive group (34% and 1:10(6] than in the anti-HBe--positive group (18% and 1:10(2]. In contrast, preS1 antigen was not detected in 18 (90%) of the 20 HBsAg healthy carriers positive for anti-HBe and negative for serum hepatitis B virus-DNA (group 3). Our results show that in chronic HBsAg carriers the serum expression of preS1 antigen correlates well with the level of hepatitis B virus replication (serum hepatitis B virus-DNA and/or liver HBcAg) and that it may be useful in assessing the clinical importance of the chronic viral infection.
Petit
M A
MA
INSERM U131, Clamart, France.
Zoulim
F
F
Capel
F
F
Dubanchet
S
S
Dauguet
C
C
Trepo
C
C
D015415:Biomarkers; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D014771:Virion / Q000032:analysis; D014779:Virus Replication
D015415:Biomarkers; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D011498:Protein Precursors; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C050806:presurface protein 1, hepatitis B surface antigen; C050807:presurface protein 2, hepatitis B surface antigen