Immunogenicity of the gene S and Pre-S domains in hepatitis B virions and HBsAg filaments.
The three morphological forms (20-nm particles, filaments, virions) of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were isolated from serum of chronic virus carriers or from transfected cell lines. BALB/c mice and guinea pigs were immunized with the antigens and the antibody responses against the three antigenic domains of the viral envelope were assayed. The proportion of pre-S1, pre-S2 and gene S antibodies was similar to the molar proportion of the domains in the immunogens. The major gene S and pre-S1 epitopes were conformational, and the major epitopes of the pre-S2 domain were sequential. The immunogenicity of natural and recombinant antigens was identical. The proportion of subtype-specific antibodies was high. The results suggest that recombinant HBsAg filaments containing both subtypes ad and ay may be optimal hepatitis B vaccines.
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D014771:Virion / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines