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Monoclonal Antibody Recognizing Pre‐S(2) Epitope of Hepatitis B Virus: Characterization of Pre‐S(2) Epitope and Anti‐Pre‐S(2) Antibody
Author(s) -
Budkowska Agata,
Riottot MarieMadeleine,
Dubreuil Pascal,
Lazizi Yamina,
Petit MarieAnne,
Pillot Jacques,
Brechot Christian,
Sobczak Eliane
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.1890200204
Subject(s) - epitope , virology , monoclonal antibody , hbsag , antibody , hepatitis b virus , microbiology and biotechnology , conformational epitope , hepadnaviridae , biology , virus , immunology
A hybrid cell line producing monoclonal antibodies recognizing an epitope encoded by the pre‐(S)2 region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome was obtained by fusion of mouse myeloma cells with lymphocytes from mice immunized with HBV. The monoclonal antibody Mo‐F124 secreted from the hybrid line reacted with the pre‐S(2) epitope expressed on the surface of both viral and recombinant HBsAg particles–pre‐S(2) and S gene product–localised on 34 kD glycoprotein of the viral envelope. The pre‐S(2) epitope was sensitive to digestion with V8 protease from Staphylucoccus aureus. The enzyme abolished reactivity with Mo‐F124 and polymerized human serum albumin (pHSA) binding activity of recombinant particles. Mo‐F124 antibody was used to develop highly sensitive radioimmunoassays for determination of pre‐S(2) epitope and anti‐pre‐S(2) antibody in sera of hepatitis B patients. Detection of a pre‐S(2) epitope by the monoclonal antibody‐based assay in the early phase of acute HBV infection correlated well with the presence of markers of active viral replication (HBeAg, HBV DNA). The appearance of anti‐pre‐S(2) antibody, usually in the third month after onset of symptoms, was followed by elimination of circulating HBsAg and seroconversion to anti‐HBs in all tested cases of uncomplicated acute hepatitis followed by recovery. Anti‐pre‐S(2) response was not observed in patients with chronic hepatitis B or acute HBV infection progressing to chronic disease. The observed correlation of anti‐pre‐S(2) response with recovery suggests that the pre‐S(2) epitope may represent one of the epitopes inducing antibodies that neutralize the hepatitis B virus.