A modified hepatitis B virus surface antigen with the receptor-binding site for hepatocytes at its C terminus: expression, antigenicity and immunogenicity

J Gen Virol. 1994 Dec:75 ( Pt 12):3673-7. doi: 10.1099/0022-1317-75-12-3673.

Abstract

A modified hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen, the SA-28 protein, was constructed and expressed by recombinant vaccinia virus in mammalian cells. This protein was composed of a PreS1 region-derived peptide (amino acids 21 to 47) that contained the hepatocyte receptor-binding site, joined to the C terminus of the major S protein at amino acid position 223. This modified surface antigen could be efficiently assembled into particles with a density of 1.23 g/ml and could be secreted from several mammalian cell lines. The results of immunoprecipitation revealed that the SA-28 protein was recognized by both the anti-S protein antibody and the anti-PreS1 antibody. A strong antibody response, against both the S protein and PreS1 epitopes, was induced in BALB/c mice immunized by the SA-28 particles indicating good immunogenicity. These results suggested that the HBV surface antigen consisting of the SA-28 protein could be a promising candidate as a new HBV vaccine with higher efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Antibody Reactions
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Gene Expression
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / biosynthesis
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / chemistry
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / genetics
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / virology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Protein Precursors / biosynthesis
  • Protein Precursors / chemistry
  • Protein Precursors / genetics
  • Protein Precursors / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Virus / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology*
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccinia virus / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Vaccines

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Protein Precursors
  • Receptors, Antigen
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines
  • hepatitis B surface antigen receptor
  • presurface protein 1, hepatitis B surface antigen