Hepatitis B virus core and e antigen: immune recognition and use as a vaccine carrier moiety

Intervirology
F SchödelD R Milich

Abstract

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) core gene codes for two partially colinear antigens: a secreted antigen (HBeAg) and the particulate core antigen (HBcAg), which assembles to form subviral particles and in virions contains the viral genome and polymerase. In this review we summarize data on the immune recognition of HBc/eA and recent progress in the use of HBcAg as a carrier moiety for heterologous epitopes. During HBV infection, HBcAg and HBeAg are important targets of antiviral immunity. HBcAg and HBeAg are serologically distinct but share all characterized T-cell epitopes. The particulate HBcAg can elicit T-cell-independent as well as T-cell-dependent antibody responses, HBeAg is a strictly T-cell-dependent antigen. Neonatal tolerance to maternally derived circulating HBeAg may facilitate chronic HBV infection after vertical transmission of HBV. In a murine transgenic model, HBc/eAg-specific Th1 cells were more readily anergized, whereas Th2 cells more easily escaped tolerization. In human HBV infection, acute adult HBV infection with subsequent virus elimination was characterized by Th1-like alpha-HBV serum IgG subtype distribution, whereas a Th2-like distribution of IgG subtypes was observed during chronic infection. During chro...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 12, 2002·Hepatology : Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases·Timothy Pruett
Mar 21, 2002·Immunology and Cell Biology·A J FreemanA R Lloyd
Dec 23, 2006·Expert Review of Vaccines·Joseph U IgietsemeCarolyn M Black
Jan 5, 2007·World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG·Jia-Yu Chen, Fan Li
Feb 8, 2018·Virus Genes·Maemu P GededzhaSelokela G Selabe
Jan 21, 2003·The Journal of General Virology·Una LazdinaMatti Sällberg

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.