title: Detection of cellular and humoral immunity to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in asymptomatic HBsAg carriers.
abstract: Cell mediated and humoral immunity to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was studied in nine asymptomatic HBsAg carriers, nine patients with natural acquired immunity to HB infection and nine HB-susceptible donors. Peripheral T and B lymphocytes from all asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and all HB-immune donors studied were specifically induced into proliferation and anti-HBs secretion when stimulated with low doses of HBsAg (2-30 ng antigen protein/ml) in vitro. This activation was achieved by mixing purified B and/or T cells with optimal concentrations of autologous monocytic cells. T and B cells from the HB-susceptible donors were non-responsive under identical culture conditions. These data do neither substantiate the existence of a qualitative defect in T cell function, nor the absence of circulatory B cells capable of synthesizing anti-HBs in vitro in asymptomatic HBsAg carriers. Thus, the inability to mount a satisfactory antibody response to HBsAg in vivo might be a consequence of altered immune responsiveness to this antigen, which may be a relevant factor in the pathogenesis of asymptomatic HBsAg carriership.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008938:Mitosis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens