title: The effect of recombinant alpha-interferon treatment on serum levels of hepatitis B virus-encoded proteins in man.
abstract: The effect of alpha-interferon treatment on serum levels of hepatitis B virus-encoded proteins was analyzed in eight patients with chronic type B hepatitis who participated in a pilot study of interferon therapy. Three individuals became HBsAg-negative, 4 lost HBeAg but remained HBsAg-positive and 1 remained positive for both HBsAg and HBeAg. Initiation of interferon treatment was rapidly followed by reduction or loss of hepatitis B virus DNA in the serum but by little immediate change in hepatitis B virus antigen levels. Changes in hepatitis B virus antigens were usually delayed. Loss of HBsAg from the serum was preceded by the sequential disappearance of pre-S-encoded proteins (pre-S1 and polymerized human serum albumin) and HBeAg. In patients who lost HBeAg but remained HBsAg-positive, serum levels of pre-S1 and polymerized human serum albumin usually, but did not always, decrease. The individual who remained HBsAg- and HBeAg-positive had unchanged serum levels of pre-S1, polymerized human serum albumin and HBsAg. These results suggest that alpha-interferon inhibits hepatitis B virus DNA replication but has little direct effect on synthesis of hepatitis B virus gene products.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins