Pre-S encoded surface proteins in relation to the major viral surface antigen in acute hepatitis B virus infection.
The role of pre-S encoded viral surface proteins in acute hepatitis B virus infection is still poorly understood. Binding sites for polymerized human serum albumin have been found to be encoded by the pre-s2 region of the hepatitis B virus genome. Recently, murine monoclonal antibodies against pre-s1 and pre-s2 encoded hepatitis B virus gene products were generated and used for their specific detection in serum. In sera from patients with acute hepatitis B, pre-s1 and pre-s2 antigen occurred in 16 of 20 and 15 of 20 patients, respectively. In the initial stage of the disease, pre-S gene products correlated with binding sites for polymerized human serum albumin, but not with hepatitis B surface antigen. Subsequently, pre-s1 and pre-s2 antigens were cleared from the serum of patients with acute hepatitis B before binding sites for polymerized human serum albumin and hepatitis B surface antigen. Possibly, the early clearance of pre-S markers can be of prognostic value in acute hepatitis B. The mechanisms of the early clearance of the pre-S antigens in acute hepatitis B remain to be elucidated. However, elimination by immunologic mechanisms appears likely.
D000208:Acute Disease; D001665:Binding Sites; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014764:Viral Proteins