Immune Netw.  2003 Dec;3(4):281-286. 10.4110/in.2003.3.4.281.

Production, Characterization, and Variable Region Analysis of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Hepatitis B Virus S Antigen

• Song MY
• Kim CS
• Park SK
• Lee JS
• Yoo TH
• Ko IY

• KMID: 2054232
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2003.3.4.281

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the worldwide public health problem affecting about 300 million people. The envelope protein of HBV consists of three components known as preS1, preS2, and S antigen. According to the recent study, anti-HBs Ab showed effective neutralization ability against HBV from chronic hepatitis B and liver transplant patients, suggesting the possible development of therapeutic antibody. METHODS: Spleen cells immunized with S antigen of HBV were fused with myeloma cell line to obtain HBsAg specific monoclonal antibodies. High affinity antibodies against HBsAg (adr, ad and ay type) were selected by competitive ELISA method. Nucleotide sequence of the variable regions of monoclonal antibodies was analyzed by RT-PCR followed by conventional sequencing method. RESULTS: We produced 14 murine monoclonal antibodies which recognize S antigen of HBV. Two of them, A9-11 and C6-9 showed the highest affinity. The sequence analysis of A9-11 revealed that variable regions of the heavy chain and light chains are members of mouse heavy chain I (B) and light chain lambda 1, respectively. Likewise, the sequence analysis of C6-9 revealed that variable regions of the heavy chain and light chains are members of mouse heavy chain II (B) and light chain kappa 1, respectively. Neutralization assay showed that A9-11 and C6-9 effectively neutralize the HBV infection. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that A9-11 and C6-9 mouse monoclonal antibodies can be used for the development of therapeutic antibody for HBV infection.

Keyword

HBV; monoclonal antibody; variable region; nucleotide sequence

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antibodies
Antibodies, Monoclonal*
Base Sequence
Cell Line
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Hepatitis B virus*
Hepatitis B*
Hepatitis B, Chronic
Hepatitis*
Humans
Liver
Mice
Public Health
Sequence Analysis
Spleen
Antibodies
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens