ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to chronicle a number of the advances made possible by the availability of recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) proteins. Several investigators have examined the occurrence of preS1 region antigen in sera and/or liver tissue of acutely and chronically HBV-infected patients. The detection of preS2 protein in serum was approached indirectly by measuring serum polymerized human serum albumin (pHSA) receptor activity. An examination of antibodies capable of inhibiting the hepatitis B surface antign-pHSA interaction revealed the appearance of anti-rpHSA in the early recovery phase of acute hepatitis co-occurring with HBsAg and elevated transaminase levels and preceding the anti-HBs response. Advances in human T cell cloning techniques as well as the availability of recombinant HBV proteins have made it possible to examine human antigen-specific responses in vitro. In vitro neutralization experiments and in vivo immunization with preS-specific synthetic peptides have shown that preS2- and preS1-specific antibodies in the absence of anti-S region antibody can protect chimpanzees against HBV infection.
