Induction of cell-mediated immunity to HBsAg polypeptides.
Adult male guinea pigs were immunized with hepatitis B virus polypeptides prepared by Triton X-100 solubilization of purified 22-nm hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles. A virus-specific subunit containing both the 28,000 molecular weight glycoprotein and the 23,000 molecular weight protein stimulated both cell-mediated and humoral immunity. A whole-blood-cell transformation assay additionally showed that the 64,000 molecular weight component of HBsAg, previously shown to contain host-specific antigens, also stimulated a cellular response to purified intact HBsAg particles, suggesting the additional presence of virus-specific material in this fraction. Immunization of animals with the 28,000--23,000 molecular weight polypeptides subsequently prepared in micelle form enhanced the demonstration of a cell-mediated reaction after only a single dose of immunogen. The results provide further evidence as to the suitability of HBsAg polypeptides prepared by Triton X-100 solubilization for hepatitis B prophylaxis.
D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007114:Immunization; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008823:Micelles; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000276:immunology
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D008823:Micelles; D010455:Peptides; D012709:Serum Albumin