title: A poliovirus neutralization epitope expressed on hybrid hepatitis B surface antigen particles.
abstract: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope protein carrying the surface antigen (HBsAg) is assembled with cellular lipids in mammalian cells into empty viral envelopes. In a study to evaluate the capacity of such particles to present foreign peptide sequences in a biologically active form, in-phase insertions were created in the S gene encoding the major envelope protein. One of the sequences inserted was a synthetic DNA fragment encoding a poliovirus neutralization epitope. Mammalian cells expressing the modified gene secreted hybrid particles closely resembling authentic 22-nanometer HBsAg particles. These particles reacted with a poliovirus-specific monoclonal antibody and induced neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus. The results indicate that empty viral envelopes of HBV may provide a means for the presentation of peptide sequences and for their export from mammalian cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D017955:Poliovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins