Monoclonal radioimmunoassays for hepatitis B surface antigen: demonstration of hepatitis B virus DNA or related sequences in serum and viral epitopes in immune complexes.
High-affinity monoclonal IgM and IgG antibodies (anti-HBs) to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) have recently been developed and used by us in the construction of highly sensitive radioimmunoassays for the detection of HBsAg-associated determinants in serum. We now report that selected serum samples demonstrating monoclonal immunoreactive material also contain nucleic acid sequences complementary to hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by molecular hybridization analysis. In addition, monoclonal radioimmunoassays can detect viral determinants in HBsAg-anti-HBs immune complexes formed in anti-HBs excess; such determinants are undetectable by commercial radioimmunoassay. These and our previous studies suggest that there are HBV or "HBV-related" agents present in human serum that are detected by monoclonal antibodies but are not identified by conventional polyvalent antibodies.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001782:Blood Donors; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005006:Ethnicity; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens