Antibodies to peptides detect new hepatitis B antigen: serological correlation with hepatocellular carcinoma

The expression of a previously unidentified gene product, encoded by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome, has been achieved with a recombinant SV40 expression vector. Antibodies against synthetic peptides representing defined regions of this protein were used to screen cells infected with recombinant virus as well as tissues naturally infected with HBV. A 24,000-dalton protein (p24) was detected in cells infected with recombinant virus and a 28,000-dalton protein (p28) was detected in tissues infected with HBV. The peptides or recombinant-derived protein were used as antigens to screen sera from individuals infected with HBV. Specific antibodies were detected predominantly in sera from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The presence of p28 in tissues infected with HBV and the appearance of specific antibodies in infectious sera establish the existence of an additional marker for HBV infection.     

Enhanced immunogenicity of the pre-S region of hepatitis B surface antigen

The 55 codons upstream of the gene sequence encoding the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are called the pre-S(2) region. It has been proposed that polypeptides of high molecular weight that contain the pre-S(2) region should be included in future hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines. The pre-S(2) region and the S gene product [25 kilodalton (kD)] together compose a polypeptide of high molecular weight (33 kD). As an initial attempt to determine the relevance of the 33-kD polypeptide to development of an HBV vaccine, the murine immune response to pre-S(2)-encoded determinants as compared to S-encoded determinants on the same polypeptide was examined. The results indicate (i) the pre-S(2) region is significantly more immunogenic than the S region of HBsAg, (ii) the 26 amino acid residues at the NH2-terminus of the 33-kD polypeptide represent a dominant antibody binding site on the pre-S(2) region, (iii) the immune response to the pre-S(2) region is regulated by H-2-linked genes distinct from those that regulate the response to the S region, and (iv) immunization of an S region nonresponder strain with HBV envelope particles that contain both the pre-S(2) and S regions can circumvent nonresponsiveness to the S region.     

A transgenic mouse model of the chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carrier state

In an attempt to establish a model of the healthy carrier state in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, transgenic mice expressing HBV genes were produced. Fertilized one-cell eggs were microinjected with subgenomic fragments of HBV DNA containing the coding regions for the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and pre-S and X antigens. Either the normal (HBV) or metallothionein promoters were used to obtain expression of the HBV genes. There was no evidence of viral replication or tissue pathology. The integrated HBV DNA sequences were inherited in a normal Mendelian fashion. Three of 16 transgenic mice expressed HBV-encoded gene products to which they were immunologically tolerant. Expression was not tissue specific and may be influenced by the genomic integration site and cellular factors. Both HBsAg and pre-S antigen were detectable within the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells. High serum concentrations of HBsAg were detectable and the secreted product appeared authentic as judged by mean density, morphology, mean particle diameter, polypeptide composition, and antigenicity. The absence of tissue pathology in these immunologically tolerant animals supports the hypothesis that cellular injury under these conditions is not a direct consequence of expression of the pre-S or HBs regions of the HBV genome.     

Antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen potentiate the response of human T lymphocyte clones to the same antigen

Human t-helper lymphocyte clones specific for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) proliferate on stimulation with HBsAg in vitro. Antibodies specific for HBsAg, but no other antibodies, augment this proliferative response. In the presence of antibodies to HBsAg, the maximum response could be achieved at HBsAg concentrations that were 1 percent of those required in the absence of the antibodies. These findings suggest that antigen-specific antibodies exert regulatory controls on T cells that recognize the same antigens.     

A poliovirus neutralization epitope expressed on hybrid hepatitis B surface antigen particles

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope protein carrying the surface antigen (HBsAg) is assembled with cellular lipids in mammalian cells into empty viral envelopes. In a study to evaluate the capacity of such particles to present foreign peptide sequences in a biologically active form, in-phase insertions were created in the S gene encoding the major envelope protein. One of the sequences inserted was a synthetic DNA fragment encoding a poliovirus neutralization epitope. Mammalian cells expressing the modified gene secreted hybrid particles closely resembling authentic 22-nanometer HBsAg particles. These particles reacted with a poliovirus-specific monoclonal antibody and induced neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus. The results indicate that empty viral envelopes of HBV may provide a means for the presentation of peptide sequences and for their export from mammalian cells.     

Specific expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in transgenic mice

Two transgenic mice were obtained that contain in their chromosomes the complete hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome except for the core gene. These mice secrete particles of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) in the serum. In one mouse, HBV DNA sequences that had integrated at two different sites were shown to segregate independently in the first filial generation (F1) and only one of the sequences allowed expression of the surface antigen. Among these animals the males produced five to ten times more HBsAg than the females. A 2.1-kilobase messenger RNA species comigrating with the major surface gene messenger RNA is expressed specifically in the liver in the two original mice. The results suggest that the HBV sequences introduced into the mice are able to confer a tissue-specific expression to the S gene. In addition, the HBV transgenic mice represent a new model for the chronic carrier state of hepatitis B virus infection.     

Inhibition of secretion of hepatitis B surface antigen by a related presurface polypeptide

The presurface (preS) proteins of hepatitis B virus are structural components of the viral envelope that may play important roles in virion assembly and infectivity. They are specified by a large open reading frame that includes the coding region for the major surface (S) protein in its 3' half. Translation of the preS proteins initiates upstream from the S region, giving rise to proteins that are composed of the S domain and an additional 163 (preS1) or 55 (preS2) amino acids. Little is known about the biosynthesis and assembly of these proteins. The expression of the S and preS1 proteins was examined by transfecting cultured mammalian cells with viral DNA and injecting synthetic messenger RNA's into Xenopus oocytes. In contrast to the proteins encoded by the S region, the preS1 proteins are not detectably secreted into the culture medium. Furthermore, when the S and preS1 proteins are synthesized together, secretion of the S proteins is specifically and strongly inhibited. The results suggest a unique molecular interaction during secretion of the S and preS proteins that may be important for virus assembly.     

GPC3在肝癌患者血清、癌组织和肝癌细胞株中的表达

目的探讨GPC3在肝癌患者血清、组织和肝癌细胞株中的表达。方法荧光定量PCR检测GPC3基因在HepG2、Huh7、LM3肝癌细胞株及HL7702正常肝细胞株中的表达;免疫组化S-P法检测肝癌患者癌组织、癌旁组织及良性病变中Glypican-3蛋白的表达;Western blot检测肝癌、慢性肝炎患者和正常人血清中Glypican-3蛋白的表达。结果 GPC3基因在肝癌细胞系HepG2、Huh7、LM3中的表达分别为35.38、11.82、35.77,在正常肝细胞系HL7702中不表达;Glypican-3蛋白在肝癌组织、癌旁组织及良性病变中的表达率分别为72.9%、0%、0%;肝癌、慢性肝炎患者和正常人血清中Glypican-3蛋白阳性率分别为51.6%、0%、0%。结论 GPC3在肝癌患者血清、组织和肝癌细胞株中均呈高表达。     

乙肝病毒表面抗原基因转化番茄

将乙肝病毒表面抗原 (HBs Ag)基因与 Ca MV3 5 s启动子及 nos终止子构建植物表达载体 p1 3 0 1 HBs,直接法转入根癌农杆菌 EHA1 0 5 (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) ,以该菌株介导叶盘法转化番茄 ,得到抗潮霉素的再生植株 .抗性苗总 DNA经 PCR、Southern斑点杂交证实目的基因已整合到番茄基因组中 ,EILSA检测证明在番茄中正确表达了乙肝表面抗原蛋白 .     

应用昆虫杆状病毒载体在昆虫细胞中表达乙肝表面抗原

人乙型肝炎病毒（ａｄｒ亚型）表面抗原Ｓ基因克隆到ＰｕＡＣ－５苜蓿尺蠖核型多角体病毒转移载体上，所构建的重组转移载体质粒与野生型ＡｃＮＰＶＤＮＡ共转染Ｓｆ－２１细胞，经空斑法筛选和纯化，得到了含ＨＢＶＳ基因的重组病毒ＡｃＮＰＶＳ．用放射免疫法测定了ＡｃＮＰＶＳ感染的Ｓｆ－２１细胞及其培养液中的ＨＢｓＡｇ，总表达量为１．２２μｇ／１０￣６细胞．     

Deletion in chromosome 11p associated with a hepatitis B integration site in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a virus with known carcinogenic potential, integrates into cellular DNA during long-term persistent infection in man. Hepatocellular carcinomas isolated from viral carriers often contain clonally propagated viral DNA integrations. As small chromosomal deletions are associated with several types of carcinomas, the occurrence of chromosomal deletions in association with HBV integration in hepatocellular carcinoma was studied. HBV integration was accompanied by a deletion of at least 13.5 kilobases of cellular sequences in a human hepatocellular carcinoma. The viral DNA integration and deletion of cellular sequences occurred on the short arm of chromosome 11 at location 11p13-11p14. The cellular sequences that were deleted at the site of HBV integration were lost from the tumor cells, leaving only a single copy of the remaining cellular allele.     

Expression of the major surface antigen of Plasmodium knowlesi sporozoites in yeast

The circumsporozite protein, a surface antigen of the sporozoite stage of the monkey malarial parasite Plasmodium knowlesi, was expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using an expression vector containing the 5' regulatory region of the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase I gene. It was necessary to eliminate the entire 5' upstream region of the parasite DNA to obtain the expression of this protein. Only the circumsporozoite precursor was produced by the yeast transformants, as detected by immunoblotting. About 55 and 20 percent of the circumsporozoite protein produced in yeast was associated wtih the 25,000 g and 150,000 g particulate fractions, respectively. The protein could be solubilized in Triton X-100 and was stable in solubilized extracts.     

B cell antigen receptor signaling: roles in cell development and disease

Signals propagated through the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) are vital for the development and survival of B lymphocytes in both the bone marrow and the periphery. These signals not only guide maturation and activation but also affect the removal of potentially self-reactive B lymphocytes. Interestingly, these signals are known to be either ligand-independent ("tonic" signals) or induced by ligand (antigen) binding to the BCR. We focus on the problems that occur in B cell development due to defects in signals emanating from the BCR. In addition, we present the B Cell Antigen Receptor Pathway, an STKE Connections Map that illustrates the events involved in B cell signaling.     

Virus particles and murine leukemia virus complement-fixing antigen in neoplastic and nonneoplastic cell lines

Twenty-seven lines of murine tissue cultures derived from 12 different cell pools and grown on various media were examined with the electron microscope for morphologically detectable virus particles. They were also tested for complement-fixing mouse leukemia virus antigens and for recoverable virus. A 100-percent correlation between results obtained by these two methods is reported.An additional 19 lines from 8 different cell pools were examined for either virus particles or complement-fixing antigens. All lines were assayed for neoplastic transformation. Seven cell pools gave rise to lines showing evidence of contamination with leukemia virus. Since most of these lines had also undergone "spontaneous" neoplastic transformation in vitro, this virus cannot be excluded as a possible cause of the neoplastic change, or of influencing it. The remaining cell pools gave rise to lines with no evidence of contamination with leukemia virus;but most of these lines also underwent similar transformation. These results suggest that "spontaneous" neoplastic transformation can occur in the absence of detectable mouse leukemia virus.     

The nucleocapsid of hepatitis B virus is both a T-cell-independent and a T-cell-dependent antigen

One characteristic of the immune response during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in humans is the vigorous production and subsequent persistence of antibodies of immunoglobulin (Ig) classes M and G to the nucleocapsid antigen (HBcAg). In this study HBcAg was shown to be similarly immunogenic in mice. When injected into athymic (nude) B10.BR and athymic BALB/c mice, HBcAg induced IgM and IgG class antibodies to HBc in spite of the absence of T cells in nude mice. In euthymic mice, HBcAg efficiently stimulated T-cell proliferation in vitro and helper T-cell function in vivo. The dual functions of HBcAg as a T-cell-independent and a T-cell-dependent antigen may explain its enhanced immunogenicity. Denaturation of HBcAg yields a nonparticulate antigen designated HBeAg; when HBeAg was used as the immunogen, antibody production required helper T-cell function. Although HBcAg and HBeAg are serologically distinct, they are structurally related, and in these experiments were highly cross-reactive at the T-cell level. These results suggest that the elevated levels of IgM antibodies to HBc and the enhanced immunogenicity of HBcAg during HBV infection in humans reflect the ability of HBcAg to directly activate B cells to produce antibodies to HBc in the presence or absence of HBcAg- or HBeAg-sensitized T cells.     

A single recombinant plasmid expressing two major outer surface proteins of the Lyme disease spirochete

A gene bank of DNA from the Lyme disease spirochete was constructed in the plasmid pBR322. Plasmid pTRH32, a recombinant that in Escherichia coli expresses the two major outer surface proteins of the Lyme disease spirochete, was identified. One of the recombinant products, designated OspA, represents a surface protein that appears to be common to all Lyme disease spirochetes, whereas the other recombinant product, designated OspB, represents a more variable surface protein. This recombinant plasmid provides a foundation for future studies on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Lyme disease as well as on the genetic organization of the etiologic agent.     

A distinct signaling pathway used by the IgG-containing B cell antigen receptor

The immunoglobulin G (IgG)-containing B lymphocyte antigen receptor (IgG-BCR) transmits a signal distinct from that of IgM-BCR or IgD-BCR, although all three use the same signal-transducing component, Igalpha/Igbeta. Here we demonstrate that the inhibitory coreceptor CD22 down-modulates signaling through IgM-BCR and IgD-BCR, but not that through IgG-BCR, because of the IgG cytoplasmic tail, which prevents CD22 phosphorylation. These results suggest that the cytoplasmic tail of IgG specifically enhances IgG-BCR signaling by preventing CD22-mediated signal inhibition. Enhanced signaling through IgG-BCR may be involved in efficient IgG production, which is crucial for immunity to pathogens.     

急性乙型病毒性肝炎肝组织中Fas抗原和Fas配体的表达

探讨Ｆａｓ－ＦａｓＬ系统在急性病毒性肝炎发病中的作用。方法采用免疫组织化学技术对３８例急性乙型肝炎患者组织中Ｆａｓ和ＦａｓＬ表达进行检测，并与１０例正常肝组织作对照。结论：由ＣＴＬ－ＦａｓＬ系统介导的肝细胞凋亡在急性乙型肝炎的发病中可能起了较重要的作用。     

某豆科植物粗提物(JA1)对人肝癌细胞株端粒酶活性的抑制和细胞周期的改变

采用单管法一步完成端粒重复序列扩增法检测人肝癌细胞株,经不同浓度JA1及不同时间的作用前后端粒酶活性的变化,并采用流式细胞仪分析细胞周期的变化。结果显示,JA1可显著抑制人肝癌细胞端粒酶活性,而且这种抑制效果有剂量依赖性和时间依赖性。流式细胞仪分析细胞周期的变化表明,端粒酶活性被抑制后,肝癌细胞被阻滞在G2/M。同时,在检测标本中显示有明显的DNA低含量颗粒(“亚G1期”峰),表明肝癌细胞凋亡的存在。     

bcl-x基因在两株鼻咽癌细胞中的转录和表达

目的：研究细胞凋亡相关基因bcl-x在人鼻咽癌高分化上皮细胞株CNE-1和低分化上皮细胞株CNE-2Z中的转录和表达。方法：分别抽提两种细胞的总RNA，通过逆转录PCR(RT-PCR)检测bcl-x基因的转录；同时制备两种细胞的蛋白质样品。经免疫印迹检测bcl-x基因的表达。结果：在两株鼻咽癌细胞中均检测到bcl-xL的转录和表达。但没有bcl-xs的表达。结论：bcl-xL在人鼻咽癌高、低分化上皮细胞株中均有表达。但表达量没有明显差异提示其表达可能与细胞分化程度无关。