Open AccessMonoclonal radioimmunoassays for hepatitis B surface antigen: demonstration of hepatitis B virus DNA or related sequences in serum and viral epitopes in immune complexes.
Author(s) -
David A. Shafritz,
Harvey M. Lieberman,
Kurt J. Isselbacher,
Jack R. Wands
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.79.18.5675
Subject(s) - hbsag , radioimmunoassay , monoclonal antibody , virology , epitope , hepatitis b virus , antigen , antibody , hepatitis b , monoclonal , biology , hepadnaviridae , microbiology and biotechnology , hepatitis b virus dna polymerase , virus , immunology , biochemistry
High-affinity monoclonal IgM and IgG antibodies (anti-HBs) to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) have recently been developed and used by us in the construction of highly sensitive radioimmunoassays for the detection of HBsAg-associated determinants in serum. We now report that selected serum samples demonstrating monoclonal immunoreactive material also contain nucleic acid sequences complementary to hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by molecular hybridization analysis. In addition, monoclonal radioimmunoassays can detect viral determinants in HBsAg-anti-HBs immune complexes formed in anti-HBs excess; such determinants are undetectable by commercial radioimmunoassay. These and our previous studies suggest that there are HBV or "HBV-related" agents present in human serum that are detected by monoclonal antibodies but are not identified by conventional polyvalent antibodies.