Pre-S1 antigens and antibodies early in the course of acute hepatitis B virus infection.
The presence of the two "large" surface proteins of hepatitis B virus (HBV), P39 and GP42 of pre-S1-hepatitis B surface antigen, was assayed in the serum of an experimentally infected chimpanzee by using antibodies to a pre-S1-specific fusion protein synthesized in Escherichia coli. The immune response to pre-S1-hepatitis B surface antigen was monitored by using the pre-S1 fusion protein as an antigen. pre-S1 proteins were detected in the serum early in the course of infection and prevailed as long as hepatitis B surface antigen did, together with hepatitis B e antigen and viral DNA. Thus, the pre-S1 antigen can be considered a novel diagnostic marker for acute HBV infection. Antibodies to pre-S1, both immunoglobulin M and G classes, were also detected early in infection, shortly after the appearance of the pre-S1 antigen, suggesting its strong immunogenicity in vivo. The anti-pre-S1 antibodies therefore also represent an early serological marker for acute HBV infection and, owing to their early appearance and persistence, may play a role in the neutralization of the virus.
M Q
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Klinkert
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L
Theilmann
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E
Pfaff
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Schaller
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011498:Protein Precursors; D014764:Viral Proteins