title: A monoclonal antibody specific to the non-epitope region of hepatitis B virus preS1 contributes to more effective HBV detection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The hepatitis B virus (HBV) preS1 protein is divided into an epitope region and a non-epitope region based on the respective antigenicities of these regions. Most of the antibodies that are currently used to detect the large surface protein of HBV (HBV LHB) are specific to the epitope region of preS1, which may contribute to the false negative results of HBV LHB detection assays. Here, we established a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) that could improve the efficiency of HBV LHB detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The HBV preS1 protein was expressed in E. coli strain BL21 and used to screen hybridoma clones. HBV preS1-specific mAb was produced by immunizing mice with a chemically synthesized peptide antigen derived from the non-epitope region of HBV preS1. The mAb was characterized by ELISA, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry and was subsequently used in serum sample tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on in silico B cell epitope predictions, the HBV preS1 aa 91-117 peptide was synthesized as an antigen. Recombinant HBV preS1 was expressed in E. coli and identified by SDS-PAGE. The mAb D8 (IgG2b) recognized the recombinant preS1 protein in both ELISA and Western blot assays and also recognized the preS1 protein expressed in plasmid-transfected HepG2.2.15 cells by immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, the D8 mAb, which is specific for the non-epitope region of preS1, contributed to the improved sensitivity and specificity of HBV detection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We established an mAb that is specific to the non-epitope region of HBV preS1 and improved the detection of HBV LHB in an ELISA assay. This mAb could help increase the accuracy of the clinical measurement of preS1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Southwestern Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Zhujun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Southwestern Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Xinjun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Southwestern Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Weijing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Southwestern Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Shuhui
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Southwestern Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Chuanmin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Southwestern Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China. Electronic address: chenan7281@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology*; D002353:Carrier State; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014779:Virus Replication; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D010455:Peptides; D011498:Protein Precursors; C050806:presurface protein 1, hepatitis B surface antigen
keywords: ELISA; Hepatitis B virus; Monoclonal antibody; Non-epitope region; PreS1