PMID: 7033035Feb 1, 1982Paper

Core antigen-specific immunoglobulin G bound to the liver cell membrane in chronic hepatitis B

Gastroenterology
A TrevisanR Meliconi

Abstract

The antibody specificity of immunoglobulin G bound to the liver cell membrane during hepatitis B virus infection and chronic liver disease has been studied in 8 patients after antibody elution with high molar urea. Eluted immunoglobulin G showed antibody specificity for hepatitis B core antigen by radioimmunoassay and by indirect immunofluorescence on positive liver tissue. On the contrary, no reaction could be detected against other viral antigens (i.e., hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen) or against liver-specific proteins. Furthermore, in 5 selected cases, after urea removal of cytophilic antibody, hepatitis B core antigen could be demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence in a granular pattern on the liver cell surface, thus suggesting a masking effect of immunoglobulin G on membranous hepatitis B core antigen in patients with persistent virus replication in the liver.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antibody Specificity

Antibodies produced by B cells are highly specific for antigen as a result of random gene recombination and somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation. As the main effector of the humoral immune system, antibodies can neutralize foreign cells. Find the latest research on antibody specificity here.