title: Binding of biotin to hepatitis B surface antigen: a possible pitfall in immunohistochemistry.
abstract: We report on the binding of biotin, and hence of biotinylated antibodies and lectins, to ground glass hepatocytes and liver cell membranes in chronic hepatitis B viral infection. This binding is of low affinity, and was proved to be directed at the hepatitis B surface antigen, presumably at its disulfide bonds. To avoid false-positive results, this affinity should be considered in the interpretation of immunohistochemical stainings of hepatitis B virus-infected liver tissue with biotinylated reagents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital Sint Rafael, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van den Oord
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchetti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Wolf-Peeters
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Desmet
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001706:Biopsy; D001710:Biotin / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D001710:Biotin