| Autor: |
Vanlandschoot P; Center for Vaccinology, Department of Clinical Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium1., Van Houtte F; Center for Vaccinology, Department of Clinical Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium1., Roobrouck A; Center for Vaccinology, Department of Clinical Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium1., Farhoudi A; Center for Vaccinology, Department of Clinical Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium1., Leroux-Roels G; Center for Vaccinology, Department of Clinical Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium1. |
| Abstrakt: |
During hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, high numbers of non-infectious HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) particles are present in circulation. It is shown here that recombinant HBsAg (rHBsAg) particles, which contain the S protein only, bind almost exclusively to monocytes. Attachment of rHBsAg to the THP-1 pre-monocytic cell line occurs upon 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced differentiation. Binding to monocytes is enhanced by a heat-labile serum protein and is inhibited by Ca(2+)/Mg(2+), low pH and an HBsAg-specific monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, it is shown that rHBsAg suppresses lipopolysaccharide- and IL-2-induced production of cytokines. These results suggest the existence of a monocyte-specific receptor, the engagement of which by HBsAg suppresses the activity of these cells. |
