Enzyme-linked immunoassay of pre-S gene-coded sequences in hepatitis B vaccines.
Pre-S gene coded domains of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope protein are highly immunogenic in experimental animals and humans. Their presence in HBV and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles leads to production of anti-pre-S-specific antibodies during the course of HBV infection. Since antibodies specific for pre-S domains are capable of preventing the attachment of HBV to hepatocytes and are virus neutralizing, it would seem desirable to produce HBV vaccines with a standardized level of pre-S determinants to ensure their potential for eliciting the same repertoire of protective antibodies as found after recovery from natural infection. However, a test with appropriate sensitivity for detecting pre-S determinants to ensure their potential for eliciting the same repertoire of protective antibodies as found after (ELISA) for detecting pre-S determinants in vaccines containing less than or equal to 20 micrograms of HBsAg. The components of this assay are (1) antibodies to a synthetic peptide pre-S (120-145) adsorbed to polystyrene beads, and (2) beta-lactamase-labelled antibodies purified from anti-HBV serum on the basis of their affinity for a pre-S (120-174) beta-galactosidase fusion protein produced in Escherichia coli. Results of an evaluation of the pre-S content of HBV vaccines from two different commercial sources are discussed.
Neurath
A R
AR
Strick
N
N
Kent
S B
SB
Offensperger
W
W
Wahl
S
S
Christman
J K
JK
Acs
G
G
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines