An anti-preS2 antibody protects human hepatocytes from hepatitis B virus infection.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B virus infection is a major problem in liver transplantation. In this study, we examined the potential efficay of a recombinant adenovirus expressing an antibody against the HBV preS2 antigen (Ab-H-HBV-S2) in preventing HBV recurrent infection after liver transplantation.


METHODS
A gene for humanized antibody against the HBV preS2 antigen was cloned into pDC315, a type 5 adenoviral shuttle plasmid. Recombinant virus was obtained by homologous recombination in the 293 packaging cells. The virus containing the Ab-H-HBV-S2 gene was transduced into the rat liver graft during cold preservation. The recombinant virus produced antibody and showed protective effects on human hepatocytes from hepatitis B virus infection in vitro.


RESULTS
The recombinant virus titer determined by TCID50 analysis was 5.1x10(10) PFU/mL. The concentration of preS2 antibody in BALB/C nude mice was 16.7 +/- 10.5 microg/mL on day 3,30.9 +/- 13.6 pg/mL on day 7, and lasted for 5 weeks after the injection. At a concentration of 0.5 microg/mL or above, the preS2 antibody protected cultured human hepatocytes from hepatitis B virus.


CONCLUSIONS
Adenovirus-mediated gene transduction of anti-preS2 antibody in the transplanted liver may be a useful approach to prevent hepatitis B infection after liver transplantation.
Guo
Minggao
M
Department of Surgery, Shanghai Sixth Peoples Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China.
Kang
Bin
B
Zheng
Qi
Q
Qian
Qijun
Q
Su
Changqing
C
Wu
Mengchao
M
Yang
Jiamei
J
D000256:Adenoviridae; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D011498:Protein Precursors; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C050807:presurface protein 2, hepatitis B surface antigen