Therapeutic effect of hepatitis B surface antigen-antibody complex is associated with cytolytic and non-cytolytic immune responses in hepatitis B patients.
To study the responses of chronic hepatitis B patients to yeast-derived HBsAg-HBIG complexes (YIC) and the mechanisms involved, twenty HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients were immunized with 60microg of YIC or alum as the control at 4-week intervals, for 24 weeks. Five of ten patients responded to 60microg YIC immunization showing > or =2 logs decrease of serum HBV DNA with loss or marked reduction of HBeAg and appearance of anti-HBe; two of these patients developed anti-HBs. Flares of alanine aminotransferase were observed in 4 of the 5 responders, and in 2 out of 10 control patients. HBsAg-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) secreted Th1/Th2 cytokines around 24 weeks after immunization. Dendritic cells incubated with YIC showed the highest levels of IL-12 secretion and up-regulation of functional markers. Thus, the therapeutic effect of YIC is associated with cytolytic and non-cytolytic responses in patients.
Yao
Xin
X
Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Ministry of Education/Ministry of Health, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Zheng
Bojian
B
Zhou
Jie
J
Xu
Dao-Zhen
DZ
Zhao
Kai
K
Sun
Shu-Hui
SH
Yuan
Zheng-Hong
ZH
Wen
Yu-Mei
YM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D000410:Alanine Transaminase