Immunohistological study of intrahepatic expression of hepatitis B core and E antigens in chronic type B hepatitis. 1992

C M Chu, and Y F Liaw
Liver Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE To study the intrahepatic expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsid antigen; and to determine the differential distribution of hepatitis B core and E antigens in chronic hepatitis B. METHODS Hepatocyte expression of HBV nucleocapsid antigen was studied using rabbit anti-HBc, directed against both HBcAg and HBeAg; differential distribution of HBcAg and HBeAg was studied using murine monoclonal anti-HBc and anti-HBe in 120 patients with chronic hepatitis B. RESULTS HBV nucleocapsid antigen was detected in 14 of 16 (87.5%) HBeAg seropositive patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH), and in 54 of 64 (84.4%) HBeAg seropositive patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Nuclear expression of nucleocapsid antigen was more prevalent in patients with CPH than in those with CAH; this was reversed in terms of exclusive cytoplasmic expression of nucleocapsid antigen (p < 0.05). Of 45 patients with nucleocapsid antigen in the nucleus, samples from 44 (97.8%) and 17 (37.8%) stained positively with monoclonal anti-HBc and anti-HBe, respectively. Of 65 patients with cytoplasmic nucleocapsid antigen, samples from 61 (93.8%) and 57 (87.7%) stained positively with monoclonal anti-HBc and anti-HBe, respectively. CONCLUSIONS HBV nucleocapsid antigen is more prevalent in HBeAg positive patients with CPH than in those with CAH. Cellular expression of HBcAg and HBeAg in the cytoplasm is more or less the same; in the nucleus HBcAg exceeds HBeAg expression.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007150 Immunohistochemistry Histochemical localization of immunoreactive substances using labeled antibodies as reagents. Immunocytochemistry,Immunogold Techniques,Immunogold-Silver Techniques,Immunohistocytochemistry,Immunolabeling Techniques,Immunogold Technics,Immunogold-Silver Technics,Immunolabeling Technics,Immunogold Silver Technics,Immunogold Silver Techniques,Immunogold Technic,Immunogold Technique,Immunogold-Silver Technic,Immunogold-Silver Technique,Immunolabeling Technic,Immunolabeling Technique,Technic, Immunogold,Technic, Immunogold-Silver,Technic, Immunolabeling,Technics, Immunogold,Technics, Immunogold-Silver,Technics, Immunolabeling,Technique, Immunogold,Technique, Immunogold-Silver,Technique, Immunolabeling,Techniques, Immunogold,Techniques, Immunogold-Silver,Techniques, Immunolabeling
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D002467 Cell Nucleus Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed) Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D002908 Chronic Disease Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2). Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D003593 Cytoplasm The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990) Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D006509 Hepatitis B INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by a member of the ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS genus, HEPATITIS B VIRUS. It is primarily transmitted by parenteral exposure, such as transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, but can also be transmitted via sexual or intimate personal contact. Hepatitis B Virus Infection
D006512 Hepatitis B Core Antigens The hepatitis B antigen within the core of the Dane particle, the infectious hepatitis virion. HBcAg,Hepatitis B Core Antigen
D006513 Hepatitis B e Antigens A closely related group of antigens found in the plasma only during the infective phase of hepatitis B or in virulent chronic hepatitis B, probably indicating active virus replication; there are three subtypes which may exist in a complex with immunoglobulins G. HBeAg,Hepatitis B e Antigen,Hepatitis Be Antigen,e Antigen,e Antigens,HBe Ag-1,HBe Ag-2,Hepatitis Be Antigens,Antigen, Hepatitis Be,Antigen, e,Antigens, Hepatitis Be,Antigens, e,Be Antigen, Hepatitis,Be Antigens, Hepatitis
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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