A synthetic peptide coded for by the pre-S2 region of hepatitis B virus for adding immunogenicity to small spherical particles made of the product of the S gene

Small spherical particles produced in the non-permissive phase of hepatitis B virus infection, when the viral genome is integrated into the chromosome of hosts, are rich in the product of the S gene, but poor in the product of the pre-S2 region. For the purpose of adding immunogenicity to spherical particles deficient in the pre-S2 region product, they were conjugated with a synthetic peptide of 19 amino acid residues. The peptide reproduced a hydrophilic area of the pre-S2 region product encoded by viral genomes of subtypes adr, ayw and ayr. The spherical particles supplemented with the pre-S2 peptide raised antibody to the pre-S2 region product in mice, in addition to antibody to the product of the S gene. Antibody to pre-S2 region product, prepared from sera of immunized mice by absorption with the S gene product, bound to spherical particles bearing pre-S2 region product, irrespective of adr, adw, ayw or ayr subtype, and agglutinated hepatitis B virions in immune electron microscopy. Based on the results obtained, the synthetic peptide may prove useful in adding protective efficacy to small spherical particles poor in pre-S2 region product.

A solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for the determination of IgM and IgG antibodies against translation products of pre-S1 and pre-S2 regions of hepatitis B virus

The envelope of hepatitis B virus is coded for by pre-S1, pre-S2 regions and the S gene. A method was developed to determine antibody to the product of pre-S1 region (anti-pre-S1) and antibody to the product of pre-S2 region (anti-pre-S2), either of IgM or IgG class, by a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. For the determination of anti-pre-S1, tubular particles containing translation products of pre-S1, pre-S2 regions and the S gene were broken into constituent envelope polypeptides and immobilized on a solid support. Serums were absorbed with spherical particles containing translation products of pre-S2 region and the S gene, obtained from plasma positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and deprived of particles carrying pre-S1 product by an affinity column. They were then tested for the binding with tubular polypeptides fixed on a solid support, and the bound antibody representing anti-pre-S1 was detected by monoclonal antibody to human IgM/mu or IgG/gamma labeled with horseradish peroxidase. For the determination of anti-pre-S2, test serums were absorbed with spherical particles containing the product of the S gene, obtained from plasma positive for antibody to HBeAg and deprived of particles bearing pre-S2 product by an affinity column. They were then tested for the binding with polypeptides, fixed on a solid support, composed of products of pre-S2 region and the S gene. The assay was applied to the determination of anti-pre-S1 and anti-pre-S2 of IgM or IgG class in asymptomatic carriers and in persons who had recovered from infection with hepatitis B virus.

Translation products of pre-S(1), pre-S(2) regions and the S gene of hepatitis B virus: susceptibility of their antigenic activities to treatment with heat, urea, formalin or pepsin

Hepatitis B subviral particles, purified from plasma of asymptomatic carriers seropositive for hepatitis B e antigen, were treated with various conditions reported for the processing of vaccines. Thereafter, antigenic activities displayed by the translation products of pre-S(1), pre-(2) regions and the S gene were determined with monoclonal antibodies, and the reactivity for polyalbumin receptor was tested. Heating at 100 degrees C for 1.5 min and then at 65 degrees C for 10 h preserved more than 1/2 of antigenic activities representing products of pre-S(1), pre-S(2) regions and the S gene. After incubation in the presence of 8 M urea at 37 degrees C for 4 h, more than 2/3 of antigenic activities still remained. The antigenic activity of the S gene product was decreased to 2/3 and that of pre-S(2) region product to 1/3, after treatment with formalin at the final concentration of 1:4000 at 37 degrees C for 72 h, whereas the activity of pre-S(1) region product was affected drastically. Although 1/5 of the antigenic activity of the S gene product survived the digestion with pepsin for 18 h, antigenic activities of pre-S(1) and pre-S(2) region products were destroyed almost completely. Polyalbumin receptor, borne by the pre-S(2) region product, was lost by pepsin digestion also. Based on the results obtained, heating may be most appropriate for sterilizing plasma-derived hepatitis B particles for use as a vaccine, because it is reliably virucidal and would not affect the protective efficacy to an extent as the other virucidal methods would.

Application of hepatitis B core particles produced by human primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PLC/342) propagated in nude mice to the determination of anti-HBc by passive hemagglutination

Human primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PLC/342), carried by nude mice, produces hepatitis B core particles as well as hepatitis B surface antigen particles. Core particles purified form PLC/342 tumors displayed epitopes of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) but not epitopes of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) on their surface, unlike core particles prepared from Dane particles, derived from plasma of asymptomatic carriers, that expressed epitopes of both HBcAg and HBeAg. Core particles obtained from PLC/342 tumors were applied to the determination of antibody to HBcAg (anti-HBc) by passive hemagglutination. The assay detected anti-HBc not only in individuals with persistent infection with hepatitis B virus and in those who had recovered from transient infection, but also in patients with acute type B hepatitis, indicating that it can detect anti-HBc of either IgG or IgM class. A liberal availability of core particles from tumors carried by nude mice, taken together with an easy applicability of the method, would make the passive hemagglutination for anti-HBc a valuable tool in clinical and epidemiological studies, especially in places where sophisticated methods are not feasible.

Antibody to the receptor for polymerized human serum albumin in acute and persistent infection with hepatitis B virus

The antibody against the receptor for polymerized human serum albumin was determined by radioimmunoassay. The method involved the inhibition by the test serum, absorbed with HBsAg particles without the receptor, on the binding of polymerized human serum albumin to HBsAg particles with the receptor fixed on a solid support. The amount of polymerized human serum albumin captured by the receptor on HBsAg was then determined by the radiolabeled monoclonal antibody directed to an epitope specific for polymerized human serum albumin. In acute infection, the antibody to the receptor for polymerized human serum albumin appeared in the early recovery phase while HBs antigenemia and elevated transaminase levels were still present, preceding the antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). The antibody was detected in 4 (1%) of 358 sera from asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg containing antibody to HBeAg, and in none of 67 sera containing HBeAg. Although the antibody was found in as many as 111 (74%) of 150 sera from blood donors who had presumably acquired anti-HBs after natural infection, it was not detected in any sera from 77 recipients of hepatitis B vaccine who had seroconverted for anti-HBs. On the basis of these observations, the determination of antibody to the receptor for polymerized human serum albumin helps in further understanding the immunity to hepatitis B virus.

A solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for the common and subtypic determinants of hepatitis B surface antigen with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against the common (a) as well as subtypic determinants (d, y, w and r) of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). They were applied to subtyping HBsAg by sandwiching it between antibody against a fixed on a solid-phase support and antibody against one or other of d, y, w and r, linked to horseradish peroxidase. The assay was applied to evaluate antigenic specificities of the NIH and Japanese panels composed of 44 sera containing HBsAg particles of various subtypes. HBsAg particles of a hybrid subtype, adyr, were sandwiched between monoclonal antibody against d and that against y, thereby indicating that they possessed both d and y determinants on the selfsame particle. The expression of d and y determinants on hybrid HBsAg particles was much less than that on ordinary particles of adw, adr, ayw or ayr subtype.

Kinetics of 3H-serotonin uptake by platelets in infantile autism and developmental language disorder (including five pairs of twins)

The kinetics of 5-HT uptake by platelets was studied in cases of infantile autism and developmental language disorder (DLD) and normal subjects. Two patients of the autism group were twins, and the seven patients of the DLD group were members of four pairs of twins. The Vmax values (means +/- SD) for autism and DLD were 6.46 +/- .90 pmol 5-HT/10(7) cells/min and 4.85 +/- 1.50 pmol 5-HT/10(7) cells/min, respectively. These values were both significantly higher than that of 2.25 +/- .97 pmole 5-HT/10(7) cells/min for normal children. The Km values of the three groups were not significantly different. Data on the five pairs of twins examined suggested that the elevated Vmax of 5-HT uptake by platelets was determined genetically.

Large hepatitis B surface antigen polypeptides of Dane particles with the receptor for polymerized human serum albumin

Large hepatitis B surface antigen polypeptides with apparent molecular sizes of 39,000 and 43,000 daltons (P39 and P43) were liberated from a purified preparation of Dane particles of subtype adr. They were tested for reactivity with monoclonal antibodies raised against three synthetic oligopeptides representing fundamental sequences of the pre-S region in deoxyribonucleic acid of hepatitis B virus (subtype adr), as well as with monoclonal antibody against the major surface antigen polypeptide (P22) coded for by the S gene. Both P39 and its glycosylated form P43 bound to all four monoclonal antibodies, thereby indicating that they were coded for by the sequence of 1200 nucleotides, from the second ATG codon in the pre-S region to the stop codon of the S gene. Both P39 and P43 bound to polymerized human and chimpanzee albumins, but not to polymerized albumin from species without susceptibility to hepatitis B virus. Due to their presence in Dane particles and the expression of a polyalbumin receptor, the immune responses against P39 and P43 may have significance in infection with hepatitis B virus and its immunoprophylaxis.

Immunoglobulin A antibody against hepatitis B core antigen in the acute and persistent infection with hepatitis B virus

Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen of immunoglobulin A class was determined in the serum of patients infected with hepatitis B virus by a sandwich-type solid-phase radioimmunoassay with monoclonal antibodies. The antibody, as defined by a sample to normal ratio greater than 2.1, was detected in all of 39 patients with acute hepatitis, with titers varying widely depending on the time of blood sampling. In persons with persistent infection, the antibody was detected in only 2 (4%) of 46 asymptomatic carriers of the virus, contrasting with the positivity in as many as 15 (41%) of 37 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, in 45 (94%) of 48 patients with chronic active hepatitis, and in 40 (87%) of 46 patients with liver cirrhosis with or without hepatocellular carcinoma. The mean +/- SE titer of antibody in chronic persistent hepatitis (3.8 +/- 0.9) was significantly lower than those in chronic active hepatitis (13.8 +/- 3.2) and cirrhosis with or without carcinoma (25.6 +/- 6.1) (p less than 0.001). Based on the results obtained, the antibody may reflect hepatic injury in the persistent hepatitis B virus infection.

A two-site sandwich radioimmunoassay of human gamma interferon with monoclonal antibodies

Two monoclonal antibodies (nos. 6008 and 6016) were raised against human gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) derived from E. coli harboring the recombinant cDNA for IFN-gamma, and one (3710) against a synthetic peptide representing its C-terminus amino acid sequence of 20 residues. The monoclonal antibody against the synthetic peptide (3710) reacted either with IFN-gamma or the synthetic peptide. One monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma (6008) did not react with the synthetic peptide, while the other (6016) showed a weak binding with the peptide. The binding of the monoclonal antibody against the synthetic peptide (3710) with IFN-gamma was not inhibited by 6008, but to a certain extent by 6016. A 2-site '1-step' radioimmunoassay was developed in which 6008 was fixed on a solid-phase support, and the test sample together with radiolabeled 3710 was added for the binding with it. The assay was rapid with a sensitivity capable of detecting a few ng/ml of IFN-gamma.

Hemagglutination assay of polypeptide coded by the pre-S region of hepatitis B virus DNA with monoclonal antibody: correlation of pre-S polypeptide with the receptor for polymerized human serum albumin in serums containing hepatitis B antigens

The receptor for polymerized human as well as chimpanzee serum albumins has been identified on the 55-amino acid polypeptide coded by the pre-S region of hepatitis B virus DNA. Monoclonal antibodies were raised against a synthetic polypeptide of 19 amino acid residues representing a hydrophilic region of the pre-S amino acid sequence deduced from hepatitis B virus DNA. Sheep erythrocytes fixed with glutaraldehyde were coated with monoclonal antibody against the synthetic polypeptide to develop a hemagglutination assay for pre-S polypeptide. The pre-S polypeptide was detected in the serum containing hepatitis B surface antigen particles along with hepatitis B e antigen, with titers in parallel with those of the receptor for polymerized human serum albumin.

Hemagglutination assay of polypeptide coded by the pre-S region of hepatitis B virus DNA with monoclonal antibody: correlation of pre-S polypeptide with the receptor for polymerized human serum albumin in serums containing hepatitis B antigens

The receptor for polymerized human as well as chimpanzee serum albumins has been identified on the 55-amino acid polypeptide coded by the pre-S region of hepatitis B virus DNA. Monoclonal antibodies were raised against a synthetic polypeptide of 19 amino acid residues representing a hydrophilic region of the pre-S amino acid sequence deduced from hepatitis B virus DNA. Sheep erythrocytes fixed with glutaraldehyde were coated with monoclonal antibody against the synthetic polypeptide to develop a hemagglutination assay for pre-S polypeptide. The pre-S polypeptide was detected in the serum containing hepatitis B surface antigen particles along with hepatitis B e antigen, with titers in parallel with those of the receptor for polymerized human serum albumin.

A two-site sandwich radioimmunoassay of beta 2-microglobulin with monoclonal antibodies

Among 21 batches of monoclonal antibodies raised against beta 2-microglobulin (anti-beta 2m), 6 reacted with soluble beta 2m, as well as with beta 2m present in association with HLA heavy chains on the surface of leukocytes. The remaining 15 anti-beta 2m antibodies bound with soluble beta 2m, but failed to react with beta 2m on the cell surface. No monoclonal anti-beta 2m antibodies revealed precipitin lines when they were tested against beta 2m in immunodiffusion. When 2 anti-beta 2m antibodies with different specificities were mixed together, however, they developed a precipitin line against beta 2m. Based on these observations, there was only 1 epitope on beta 2m that was available for the binding with a monoclonal anti-beta 2m antibody with either specificity. This allowed the development of a solid-phase radioimmunoassay in which beta 2m in test specimens was sandwiched between immobilized anti-beta 2m of 1 specificity and radiolabeled anti-beta 2m of a heterologous specificity in a single step. Monoclonal antibodies with at least 2 different specificities would be required for developing a sandwich-type immunoassay of polypeptides, such as beta 2m, that do not display 2 or more epitopes of the same specificity.

A polypeptide containing 55 amino acid residues coded by the pre-S region of hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid bears the receptor for polymerized human as well as chimpanzee albumins

The receptor for polymerized human and chimpanzee albumins has been identified on a hepatitis B surface antigen polypeptide of approximately 31,000 daltons. The polypeptide, designated P31, is composed of the major polypeptide of hepatitis B surface antigen (P22) and an additional, as yet unidentified, amino acid sequence. We split P31 with cyanogen bromide and obtained a polypeptide of approximately 8000 daltons (P8) that contained carbohydrate. P8 could bind to polymerized human and chimpanzee albumins, but not to polymerized albumins from animals without susceptibility to hepatitis B virus. The amino acid composition of P8 closely resembled that of 55 amino-acid sequence coded by the pre-S region in the deoxyribonucleic acid of hepatitis B virus. Using monoclonal antibody against P8, a solid-phase sandwich radioimmunoassay was developed for the specific determination of hepatitis B surface antigen bearing the receptor for polymerized albumin in the serum of patients with hepatitis B virus infection.

Inhibitory effect of alpha-alpha-diphenyl-alpha-propoxyacetic acid-L-methyl-4-piperidyl ester hydrochloride on the activity of the rat urinary bladder

alpha-alpha- Diphenyl-alpha- propoxyacetic acid-l-methyl-4-piperidyl ester hydrochloride(propiverine) significantly decreased the volume-pressure ratio of the rat urinary bladder and suppressed efferent nervous activity of the bladder branch of the pelvic nerve during vesical extension.

A two-site sandwich radioimmunoassay of human fibroblast (beta-) interferon with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies were produced against human fibroblast (beta-)interferon (IFN-beta). Four of them were directed to the determinant designated a, while the remaining 3 to another determinant named b. An IFN molecule was found to bear one each of a and b determinants arranged in such a manner that the occupation of a with the corresponding antibody did not interfere with the binding of b to its corresponding antibody, and vice versa. This allowed the development of a 2-site sandwich radioimmunoassay in which antibody to b was immobilized on wells of a microtiter plate and the bound antigen was detected by the radiolabeled antibody to a. The 2-site sandwich radioimmunoassay detected, with a high sensitivity, IFN-beta either induced from fibroblast or produced by Escherichia coli harboring the gene of IFN-beta.

Selective binding of YM-09151-2, a new potent neuroleptic, to D2-dopaminergic receptors

Effects of YM-09151-2 and five other neuroleptics (haloperidol, spiperone, chlorpromazine, sulpiride and clozapine) on the binding of [3H]-ligands to nine different receptors (alpha 1-adrenergic, alpha 2-adrenergic, beta-adrenergic, muscarinic, D2-dopaminergic, H1-histaminergic, 5HT1-serotonergic, 5HT2-serotonergic and opiate receptors) and on dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase were determined using brain membranes in the rat, guinea-pig and dog. The affinity of YM-09151-2 for D2-receptors with a Ki value of 0.1 nM was more than 1000-times higher than that for the other receptors and dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase, and it was the greatest among the neuroleptics tested.

Immunochemical structure of hepatitis B e antigen in the serum

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) constitutes the nucleocapsid of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and occurs in association with plasma proteins, particularly with IgG, in the serum of persons infected with the virus. A polypeptide with an approximate m.w. of 15,500 (P15.5) is obtained either from HBeAg in the serum or from the nucleocapsid of HBV. P15.5 preparations from serum and virus resembled closely each other in the amino acid composition. The C-terminus amino acid sequence of P15.5 from serum was determined to be -Thr-Thr-Val-Val, whereas that from the virus ended with -Thr-Thr. The same sequence of four amino acid residues was found on the gene coding for the nucleopeptide of hepatitis B virus with a molecular size of 19,000 daltons (P19). P15.5 identified on the nucleotide sequence of P19 was composed of 149 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular size of 16,770 daltons. The gene coding for P19 had two -Asp-Pro-connections. By splitting these connections in P19 and P15.5 preparations with formic acid, smaller polypeptides were obtained with sizes predicted from the nucleotide sequence and with the N-terminus amino acid of proline as expected. One of two monoclonal antibodies raised against the core of Dane particles (HBcAg) bound with P15.5 preparations purified from serum and HBV. The IgG fraction from a human serum containing antibodies to HBcAg but not to HBeAg bound with P15.5 also. On the basis of the results obtained, the IgG molecules associated with P15.5 in the serum of persons infected with HBV may well represent the antibodies against HBcAg with limited specificities.

Immunochemical structure of hepatitis B e antigen in the serum

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) constitutes the nucleocapsid of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and occurs in association with plasma proteins, particularly with IgG, in the serum of persons infected with the virus. A polypeptide with an approximate m.w. of 15,500 (P15.5) is obtained either from HBeAg in the serum or from the nucleocapsid of HBV. P15.5 preparations from serum and virus resembled closely each other in the amino acid composition. The C-terminus amino acid sequence of P15.5 from serum was determined to be -Thr-Thr-Val-Val, whereas that from the virus ended with -Thr-Thr. The same sequence of four amino acid residues was found on the gene coding for the nucleopeptide of hepatitis B virus with a molecular size of 19,000 daltons (P19). P15.5 identified on the nucleotide sequence of P19 was composed of 149 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular size of 16,770 daltons. The gene coding for P19 had two -Asp-Pro-connections. By splitting these connections in P19 and P15.5 preparations with formic acid, smaller polypeptides were obtained with sizes predicted from the nucleotide sequence and with the N-terminus amino acid of proline as expected. One of two monoclonal antibodies raised against the core of Dane particles (HBcAg) bound with P15.5 preparations purified from serum and HBV. The IgG fraction from a human serum containing antibodies to HBcAg but not to HBeAg bound with P15.5 also. On the basis of the results obtained, the IgG molecules associated with P15.5 in the serum of persons infected with HBV may well represent the antibodies against HBcAg with limited specificities.