The nucleocapsid of the hepatitis B virus: a remarkable immunogenic structure.
The hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid or core antigen is extremely immunogenic during infection and after immunization. This review summarizes several features of the nucleocapsid which explain this exceptionally high immunogenicity: a unique three-dimensional folding, the presence of a region that interacts with immunoglobulins outside the classical antibody-binding site, the presence of many CD4+ T cell epitopes, and the presence of encapsidated nucleic acids. Because of these features, nucleocapsids efficiently interact and activate antigen presenting cells, especially nai;ve B cells. This leads to the generation of a dominant Th1 immunity phenotype and the secretion of high levels of IgM and IgG anti-nucleocapsid antibodies.
Vanlandschoot
Peter
P
Department of Clinical Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Cao
Tinghua
T
Leroux-Roels
Geert
G
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008958:Models, Molecular; D019251:Nucleocapsid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D017510:Protein Folding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012313:RNA / Q000276:immunology
D000939:Epitopes; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D012313:RNA