Production of 22 nm HBsAG particles by human lymphocytes infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus containing the coding sequence for hepatitis B virus surface antigen. |
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Authors: | L Theilmann A von Brunn |
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Institution: | Department of Internal Medicine, University of Heidelberg, FRG. |
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Abstract: | To examine the possible role of lymphocytes in the course of hepatitis B virus infection, we studied peripheral blood lymphocytes and Epstein-Barr virus transformed B-cells for their capability to produce hepatitis B virus gene products. Infection of these cells with a recombinant vaccinia virus containing the hepatitis B virus surface antigen resulted in the production and secretion of hepatitis B virus surface antigen shortly after infection reaching a peak after three days. When the supernatants of the cells were analyzed on density gradients, a peak of reactivity for hepatitis B virus surface antigen was reached at 1.21 g/cm3. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of spherical and filamentous HBsAg particles. These findings show that human lymphocytes are capable of producing hepatitis B virus surface antigen. |
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