Production of antibody to individual polypeptides derived from purified hepatitis B surface antigen

The antigenic structure of HBsAg: study of the d/y subtype determinant by chemical modification and site directed mutagenesis

Lysine residue 122 of the major protein of HBsAg/adw has been shown previously to be involved in the d subtype determinant. We demonstrate here that the corresponding residue of the HBsAg/ayw, arginine 122, does not play such a critical role the y site of this antigen subtype. Thus, conversion by site directed mutagenesis of arginine 122 to lysine 122 in HBsAg/ayw does not result in the loss of y activity nor gain of d activity. Moreover, chemical modification studies of both the adw and ayw antigens with the reagents o-methylisourea and cyclohexanedione, demonstrate that arginine 122 plays at most only a minor role in this subtype antigenic site.

Response to a hepatitis B polypeptide vaccine in micelle form in a young adult population

Polypeptide micelles with relative molecular weights of 25,000 (p25) and 30,000 (gp30) daltons were prepared from native 22-nm hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles. This p25/gp30 complex was alum-adsorbed, and three dosage levels (20 micrograms, 4 micrograms, and 0.8 micrograms) were administered at 0, 1, and 6 months to 51 human volunteers. Local and systemic reactions were clinically insignificant, and all vaccinees seroconverted, regardless of dose. As anticipated, antibody responses diminished as the dosage was reduced. Seroconversion rates and geometric mean antibody levels for the 20 micrograms dosage group were significantly better than those observed with a commercial vaccine and were comparable to those achieved after immunization with 40 micrograms of the intact 22-nm particles used to prepare the polypeptides. By 2 weeks, an anti-HBs response was elicited in 80% of the group receiving 20 micrograms of the polypeptide vaccine. This rapid response to immunization may be particularly beneficial for postexposure prophylaxis where the early development of immunity is advantageous.

Clinical evaluation of a monoclonal assay for hepatitis B surface antigen: identification of "HBsAg-like" polypeptides non-reactive in conventional radioimmunoassays

An immunoradiometric assay for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that employs monoclonal antibodies directed against the common epitope(s) of HBsAg was used to analyse 3,694 samples of human serum. Further analysis of those sera identified as HBsAg-positive in this assay demonstrated that the findings with the monoclonal-antibody-based assay correlated with the presence of HBsAg as determined by Austria II. A small proportion of apparently false-positive reactions were observed, in that some sera, although reactive with the monoclonal antibodies, were not positive in conventional immunoassays using polyclonal antisera, nor were they neutralisable with polyclonal anti-HBs. The material purified by monoclonal immunoabsorbants from representative "true" and "false-positive" sera was run on polyacrylamide gels and examined under the electron microscope. The antigen in the apparently false-positive sera contained some polypeptides of similar size to those found in HBsAg, but no virus particles were seen by electron microscopy. The majority of patients with this monoclonal-antibody-reactive antigen gave either a history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) contact or had signs of liver disease.

Location and chemical synthesis of a pre-S gene coded immunodominant epitope of hepatitis B virus

Immunodominant, disulfide-bond independent epitopes recognized by human antibodies to hepatitis B virus (HBV) are located within the 55-residue amino terminal portion (coded for by the pre-S region of HBV DNA) of minor HBV envelope components larger than the major protein constituents encoded by the S gene. A peptide having the sequence of the first 26 amino acids from the amino terminal methionine was synthesized and elicited antibodies (at dilutions of greater than or equal to 1 to 10(5) ) to the HBV envelope. These antibodies can be utilized for diagnostic tests. The immunogenicity of the peptide was substantially increased by covalent attachment to liposomes. The disulfide bond-independent determinants on sequences coded for by the pre-S gene may be more easily mimicked by peptide analogs than "conformational" determinants on the S-gene product.

The nature of polypeptides larger in size than the major surface antigen components of hepatitis b and like viruses in ground squirrels, woodchucks, and ducks

The relationships of various polypeptides associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), ground squirrel hepatitis surface antigen (GSHsAg), woodchuck hepatitis surface antigen (WHsAg), and duck hepatitis B surface antigen (DHBsAg) were studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and tryptic peptide mapping. Analysis of independent antigen isolates by SDS-PAGE resulted in bands consistently observed at 24,000, 28,000, 32,000, 43,000, and 50,000 Da with HBsAg; at 22,000, 25,000, 35,000, 37,000, 39,000, and 42,000 Da with GSHsAg and WHsAg; and at 18,500, 30,000, and 38,500, Da with DHBsAg. Comparison of the major polypeptide pair from the mammalian viruses by tryptic peptide mapping suggests more than a single point of glycosylation or other post-translational modification(s) in some paired comparisons and/or heterogeneity in glycosylation in others. Comparison of the major component of each mammalian virus (HBsAg p24, GSHsAg p22, or WHsAg p22), or the major polypeptide of DHBsAg (p18.5), with their respective larger polypeptides by peptide mapping indicated that one or more of the larger components in each virus shares extensive homology with the appropriate major component. Further, these larger components possess additional spots, interpreted as additional primary sequences, which were not found in the map of the appropriate major component. Collectively, the results suggest that a number of surface antigen-associated polypeptides may be partially encoded for by the pre-S gene region known to exist in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV), and likely to exist in ground squirrel hepatitis virus (GSHV) and duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) DNA.

Detection of interspecies idiotypic cross-reactions associated with antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen

A common idiotype was defined by a rabbit anti-idiotypic antiserum generated against human antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). This idiotype was detected in anti-HBs from eight different individuals who had been previously infected with hepatitis B virus and is referred to as the CHBs idiotype. The CHBs idiotype was also identified in sera from rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, swine, goats and chimpanzees that had been immunized with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Expression of the CHBs idiotype in sera from other species was associated with anti-HBs molecules. These results suggested that variable-region genes responsible for the CHBs idiotype have been conserved through long periods of evolution. It was noteworthy that the CHBs idiotype was not detected in the sera of a nonmammalian species, chickens, that had been successfully immunized with HBsAg.

Mechanism of inactivation of hepatitis B surface antigen by N alpha-cocoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester

The mechanism of N alpha-cocoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester (CAE) in the inactivation of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was investigated. The CAE increased the density of HBsAg, and particles of the antigen were destroyed in amorphous clusters, suggesting that CAE influences the lipid components of HBsAg. The lipid components such as cholesterol and phospholipid were mostly removed from the antigen by the treatment with CAE. N alpha-Lauroyl-L-[U-14C] arginine ethyl ester (LAE), a principal component of CAE, became tightly bound to HBsAg in place of the lipid components. The binding amounts of LAE in the HBsAg-LAE complex reached 3.04 +/- 0.44 microgram/mg of protein. The formation of the complex was not influenced by the presence of CAE-related compounds such as L-arginine, L-arginine ethyl ester, and N alpha-cocoyl-L-arginine. Treatment with mercaptoethanolurea, guanidine hydrochloride, and some detergents failed to resolve appreciably the labeled LAE from the labeled complex. All attempts to reactivate the CAE-treated HBsAg and to restore it morphologically from the denatured aggregates were unsuccessful. These results indicate that CAE tightly binds to HBsAg, followed by formation of stable aggregates of the denatured HBsAg-CAE complex.

Immunization of chimpanzees with hepatitis B virus-derived polypeptides

Previous studies established that the purified polypeptides derived from the 22-nm particles associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) produce both humoral and cellular immunity against HBsAg in guinea pigs. Therefore, the two major polypeptides with molecular weights of 22,000 and 25,000 (P22 and P25, respectively) were isolated, adsorbed to an alum adjuvant, and used to immunize four nonimmune chimpanzees. A vigorous anti-HBs response was observed in all four animals after one inoculation of an alum-adsorbed polypeptide vaccine containing 40 micrograms of protein. After one to two booster inoculations, anti-HBs switched from being predominantly immunoglobulin M to the immunoglobin G class, indicating the establishment of immunological memory. Challenge of the vaccinated chimpanzees with 30,000 chimpanzee infectious doses of hepatitis B virus provided evidence for the efficacy of this vaccine. None of the four animals developed serological markers associated with an active hepatitis B infection, and no biochemical or histopathological changes of hepatitis were observed. A nonvaccinated control chimpanzee that was inoculated with the same hepatitis B virus material developed hepatitis B infection, confirming infectivity of the challenge inoculum.

Structural relationships between the surface antigens of ground squirrel hepatitis virus and human hepatitis B virus

Several physical, chemical, and serological properties of surface antigen particles from ground squirrel hepatitis virus (GSHsAg) and human hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) were compared. GSHsAg and HBsAg particles were purified from positive sera by gel chromatography and isopycnic centrifugation. Both antigens consisted mainly of spherical particles with an average diameter of approximately 20 nm and a buoyant density in CsCl of approximately 1.19 g/ml. Their UV absorption spectra indicated the presence of more tryptophane than tyrosine and the absence of detectable nucleic acid. GSHsAg was found to contain two major polypeptides of approximately 23,000 and 27,000 daltons, with electrophoretic migration rates distinctly faster than those of the two major polypeptides of HBsAg particles. After radiolabeling of purified antigen preparations with Bolton-Hunter reagent, the two major polypeptides of GSHsAg showed almost identical tryptic peptide maps. The tryptic peptide map of the major polypeptide from GSHsAg contained 13 of 37 spots also present in the map of the major HBsAg polypeptide, and 13 of 27 spots in the map of the major HBsAg polypeptide were also present in the map of the major GSHsAg polypeptide. This suggests considerable sequence homology between the major surface antigen polypeptides of the two viruses. However, there was only a weak serological cross-reactivity between antigens of the two viruses. Using an anti-HBs-containing serum with a relatively strong cross-reactivity, GSHsAg was found to consist of at least two antigenically different subspecies. The more strongly cross-reacting from had a slightly higher buoyant density than the other antigenic form.

Hepatitis B surface antigen polypeptides: artifactual bands in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis caused by aggregation

Hepatitis B surface antigen, subtype ad, was purified and studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. Two major bands with molecular weights of 23,500 and 27,500 and several weaker bands with higher molecular weights were observed. When the low-molecular-weight bands and the group of high-molecular-weight bands were excised from the gel, eluted, and reelectrophoresed, neither the low-molecular-weight bands nor the high-molecular-weight bands ever appeared alone, but both high- and low-molecular-weight bands always appeared. It was concluded that the apparently high-molecular-weight bands represented aggregates of the two small polypeptides whose monomers formed the major bands. The preparation thus contained only two polypeptides.

Antibodies as immunological probes for studying the denaturation of HBsAg

Radioimmunoassays were developed for antibodies to denaturated forms of HBsAg (reduced and alkylated in an isotonic buffer (RAHBs) or in 8 M urea-HBs) or reduced in 8M urea but not alkylated). These tests revealed that intact HBsAg and RA-HBs shared common antigenic determinants, termed Re[Imai et al, 1974]. Anti-Re is elicited in the course of immune response to intact HBsAg in humans and experimental animals. Denaturation in 8 M urea and alkylation causes the appearance of additional antigenic determinants, the specificity of which is affected by the reagent used for alkylation. Reduction in 8 M urea followed by treatment with iodoacetate reveals antigenic sites common for HBsAg and some human serum proteins. Antibodies specific for the Le Bouvier determinants of HBsAg are probably not the appropriate probe for detection of primary translational products of the hepatitis B virus genome.

Polypeptides of hepatitis B virus surface antigen produced by a hepatoma cell line

The PLC/PRF/5 cell line derived from a human hepatoma produces hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 22-nm particles of the same buoyant density as those found in the serum of infected patients. The HBsAg particles from this cell line were labeled with [35S]methionine and purified, and the polypeptides were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with those of serum-derived particles. The two major polypeptides of serum-derived HBsAg particles (p20 and p23) were found in the same relative amounts in the particles from the cell line. The three smallest of the five minor components observed in HBsAg particles from serum were present in particles from the cell line. These polypeptides (p31, p36, and p43), as well as p20 and p23, were precipitated with anti-HBs-containing serum. The two largest polypeptides of serum particles (p49 and p66) were not detected in particles from these cells. When the PLC/PRF/5 HBsAg particles were radiolabeled with tritiated sugars, p23, and not p20, was found to contain radioactivity, indicating that the pattern of polypeptide glycosylation is similar to that of serum HBsAg. None of the other possible gene products of hepatitis B virus was detected in the PLC/PRF/5-derived HBsAg particles, in the cells, or in the cell supernatants.

Localization on the viral genome and nucleotide sequence of the gene coding for the two major polypeptides of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag)

The structural gene coding for both polypeptides I and II which are the two major polypeptides of the Hepatitis B surface antigen, is found to be localized on the viral genome. This gene, referred to as gene S, is located in the partially single stranded region. It maps between positions 73.6 and 95.1% of the genome length. It is composed of 678 nucleotides, which correspond to a theoretical polypeptide of 25,422 molecular weight.

The hepatitis B virus and its DNA polymerase: the prototype three-D virus

The hepatitis B virus (HBV), the causal agent of serum hepatitis, has a diameter of 42 nm and is comprised of an outer surface coat and a 27 nm core. A unique DNA-dependent DNA polymerase is associated with the core of the virus. The core also houses a circular DNA that contains both double-stranded and single-stranded regions. In the endogenous reaction, the DNA polymerase repairs the single-stranded gaps of the viral DNA. The surface protein of the virus, called hepatitis B surface antigen, contains both lipid and carbohydrate, and is often present in particulate form in the blood of infected patients. In Asia and Africa HBV infection is associated with subsequent development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Although most patients recover completely from acute illness, the hepatitis B virus may cause chronic infection. Recently, a virus similar to human HBV was discovered in woodchucks. HBV has not yet been propagated in a cell culture system and the mode of replication of this unusual virus in hepatocytes is still moot. Although reliable therapy has not yet been provided, the problem of this world-wide infection has led to many interesting approaches to both vaccine production and anti-viral chemotherapy.

Association of normal serum protein antigens with chimpanzee hepatitis B surface antigen particles

HBsAg/adw was purified from 2.6 liters of pooled plasma from a single chimpanzee carrier by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation followed by isopycnic and rate zonal centrifugation. The different morphological populatilons of HBsAg separated in the final rate zonal centrifugation step were combined into seven pools: two fractions rich in filaments and Dane particles, two pools composed of filaments and 20--28-nm spheres, and three fractions containing mostly 20--28-nm spheres. The purified preparations of HBsAg analyzed for normal serum protein contaminants revealed albumin and traces of IgG. The same samples analyzed after Tween-80 treatment, revealed enhanced quantitites of the previous two contaminants, and in addition, transferrin, traces of alpha2-macroglobulin, IgM, and complement (C3/C3c). The residual contaminants were mostly removed by further purification and fractionation after detergent treatment using zone convection electrofocusing and rate zonal centrifugation. Our findings indicate that conventional purification techniques will not provide preparations of HBsAg free of traces of serum protein contaminants. Many of these are released only by detergent treatments and subsequent purification. It is not yet clear whether detergents release these contaminants from the interior of the particles or from firm association or incorporation within the membranes.

Recent advances in the identification of hepatitis viruses

Resulting directly from the discovery of virus-related antigens, rapid progress has marked the last decade of viral hepatitis research. The hepatitis B virion has been tentatively identified as a DNA virus with an endogenous DNA polymerase, and new serological markers for type B hepatitis have been discovered. Hepatitis A antigen has been identified on a virus-like particle thought to be the hepatitis A virion. Progressively more sophisticated assays for hepatitis antigens and antibodies have been applied to the study of viral hepatitis epidemiology and biochemical-biophysical characterization of the agents. Most recently, knowledge learned from such studies has been exploited to develop a prototype non-infectious but immunogenic hepatitis B vaccine using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) purified in large quantities from chronic HBsAg carriers. Especially exciting is the prospect, suggested by serological studies of viral hepatitis, that hepatitis viruses besides hepatitis A and B viruses will be identified.

Hepatitis B prevalence within a dental student population

In this descriptive epidemiologic study, prevalence rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its antibody (anti-HBs) among fourth-year dental students and second-year dental hygiene students were found to be comparable to those of a control population and a local age-adjusted blood donor group. This observation contrasts with the rates reported for practicing dentists, especially oral surgeons, and indicates that the increased risk experienced by dentists after dental school may be attributable to potentially greater exposure to the hepatitis B virus resulting from an expanded patient load. No significant correlation was found between a positive serologic response and several potential risk factors: previous liver disease, prior contact with hepatitis patients, parenteral injections, facial hair, and punctures sustained during dental procedures. In contrast, prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs was increased significantly among black students.

The proteins of hepatitis B Dane particle cores

Although several studies have been done to analyze the peptides of purified 22-nm HbsAg particles, no information has been published about the peptides of the core of the Dane particle which bears the other hepatitis B viral antigen. HbcAg. Dane particles and Dane particle cores (produced by NP-40 treatment of Dane particles) were purified by equilibrium centrifugation in CsCl density gradients. Two populations of Dane particles were observed at densities 1.27 and 1.24 g/ml, respectively. The higher buoyant density Dane particles yielded exclusively cores of buoyant density 1.38 g/ml in CsCl, and the lower buoyant density Dane particles yielded two kinds of cores with buoyant densities of 1.38 and 1.325 g/ml, respectively. Only the higher density Dane particles and cores manifested endogenously primed DNA polymerase activity. The peptides of density 1.38 g/ml Dane particle cores purified by equilibrium CsCl density gradient centrifugation and HBcAg particles from HBV infected chimpanzee liver purified in the same way were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both kinds of particles were found to consistently contain 3 Coomassie blue staining peptides with approximate molecular weights of 19,000, 70,000 and 80,000 daltons (designated P-19, P-70 and P-80 respectively). In addition, the HBcAg particles from infected liver regularly yielded a protein component with molecular weight greater than 200,000 daltons. This component was occasionally present in electrophoresis runs of core peptides from only one of two patients. Its irregular appearance after gel electrophoresis suggests it may have been an aggregate not completely dissociated under the conditions used. The lower density core component consistently contained P-19, P-70, and P-80, and infrequently additional minor peptides of uncertain origin. The irregular occurrence of the minor peptides in varying amounts suggests they were not intrinsic core proteins.

Purification of hepatitis B surface antigen using polyethylene gylcol, pepsin and Tween 80

A simple, inexpensive procedure for the isolation and purification of HB8Ag from plasma is described. The technique included precipitation of HBsAg with PEG and elimination of normal plasma proteins by digestion with pepsin. Tween 80 was used to remove contaminating lipoprotein(s). This technique resulted in about a 200-fold gain in the specific activity of HBsAg and yielded about 20-40% recovery. Rabbits immunized with the purified antigen produced type-specific antibodies to HBsAg without detectable reactivity to normal human plasma antigens.

Hepatitis-B: a review

The recent literature on various aspects of hepatitis-B is reviewed with emphasis on the interrelationships of viral structure, antigenic components, and host immune response in acute, chronic, and asymptomatic carrier states of the infection. The mode of replication and mechanisms of transmission are discussed. Special attention is paid to potential non-parenteral routes of spread. The role of hepatitis-B in associated immune complex diseases and in hepatoma is outlined. A guide to the interpretation of serologic tests for hepatitis-B associated antigen and antibody patterns is presented in relation to the clinical stage and prognosis of the infection. Therapy, except in conceptual terms, is not covered but a summary of the current status of active and passive immunization is given. The unresolved question of the infectivity of carrier medical staff for their patient contacts, and the reverse, is discussed.

Cell-mediated immunity in guinea pigs to subunits derived from hepatitis B surface antigen

Guinea pigs immunized wit- hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg), types adw and ayw, and with two polypeptides (400,000 and 24,000 molecular weight) developed cell-mediated immunity (CMI), as determined by radioimmunoassay. Peritoneal exudate (PE) cells from guinea pigs immunized with the 40,000-molecular-weight polypeptide migrated poorly (30 to 88% inhibition) after challenge with the immunizing subunit or with purified HBSAg, type gdw or ayw. Response of the same PE cells to the 24,000-molecular-weight subunit was significantly reduced. Similar but less striking evidence for CMI was observed was PE cells derived from guinea pigs inoculated with purified type-specific HBSAg or with the 24,000-molecular-weight polypeptide. Humoral responses were predictable and showed a reasonable degree of correlation with the CMI response. PE cells from control animals inoculated with normal human serum or polyacrylamide gel were not inhibited after challenge with purified preparations of HBSAg or with the 400,000-molecular-weight polypeptide, but did show CMI with their respective immunogens. In addition, PE cells from guinea pigs inoculated with normal human serum were inhibited from migrating after challenge with the 24,000-molecular-weight subunit, suggesting that the latter may contain an antigenic determinant related to a human serum protein.