Nude mice bearing human primary hepatocellular carcinoma that produces hepatitis B surface, core, and e antigens, as well as deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase.
A primary hepatocellular carcinoma, from a patient carrying hepatitis B virus, was transplanted to athymic nude mice, and maintained through eight passages involving 39 mice. Hepatitis B surface and e antigens were detected in the circulation of tumor-bearing mice. Hepatitis B surface, core, and e antigens were demonstrated in tumor cells. Hepatitis B core particles were visualized in the tumor extract by immune electron microscopy, and they exhibited an activity of deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase. In the tumor tissue, deoxyribonucleic acid of hepatitis B virus was present both in integrated and extrachromosomal forms. Nude mice carrying the tumor would provide opportunities for studying the replication of hepatitis B virus and the expression of its various proteins, and also for evaluating the efficacy of virustatic drugs in interrupting the persistent infection.
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase