[Common linear B-cell epitopes in human hepatitis B virus core protein and woodchuck hepatitis virus core protein].
OBJECTIVE
To search for and verify some common B cell epitopes in the core proteins of woodchuck hepatitis virus and human hepatitis B virus.


METHODS
Monoclonal antibodies against both core proteins of woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) and human hepatitis B virus (HBV) were prepared by inoculating Balb/c mice with denatured recombination WHV and HBV core proteins. ELISA and immunoblotting assays for WHcAg and HBcAg were carried out by using these antibodies. Immunohistochemistry was carried out with liver tissue sections of both WHV-infected woodchucks and chronic HBV-infected patients. The epitopes were mapped with the mouse mAbs (6D1 and 1H4) by using a panel of 24 16mer overlapping peptides covering the entire WHcAg. The amino acid sequences of WHcAg and HBcAg were compared.


RESULTS
Cross-reactions were observed between mAbs (6D1 and 1H4) and WHcAg and between Mabs and HBcAg/HBcAg in ELISA and immunoblotting assay. Liver tissue sections of both WHV-infected woodchucks and chronic HBV-infected patients could be stained specifically by mAbs. The epitopes were mapped at aa1-8 (6D1) and aa125-140 (1H4) of the core proteins of both WHV and HBV by using ELISA assay. WHcAg and HBcAg share similar amino acids sequences at aa1-8 and aa125-140 respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The core proteins of woodchuck hepatitis virus and human hepatitis B virus share common linear B cell epitopes which span aa1-8 and aa125-140 respectively.
Zhang
Zhen-hua
ZH
Division of Clinical Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Wang
Rong
R
Tian
Yong-jun
YJ
Li
Lei
L
Xia
Jian-bo
JB
Gong
Jin-song
JS
Lu
Meng-ji
MJ
Gong
Fei-li
FL
Yang
Dong-liang
DL
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003429:Cross Reactions; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017919:Hepatitis B Virus, Woodchuck / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008392:Marmota; D051379:Mice; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D014758:Viral Core Proteins