Biomaterial Database

Intrahepatic distribution of hepatitis B surface and core antigens in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatocyte with cytoplasmic/membranous hepatitis B core antigen as a possible target for immune hepatocytolysis. 1987

C M Chu, and Y F Liaw

The intrahepatic distribution of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) and surface antigen (HBsAg) was studied in 32 patients with chronic type B hepatitis, and the results were correlated with the status of hepatitis B e antigen/antibody (HBeAg/anti-HBe) and with the histologic activity of the patients. In HBeAg-positive patients with minor hepatitis activity, HBcAg was distributed mainly in the nuclei, whereas HBsAg was diffusely located on the plasma membrane as well as focally in the cytoplasm. In HBeAg-positive patients with chronic active liver disease, although the distribution pattern of HBsAg in liver remained unchanged, the expression of nuclear HBcAg decreased significantly with concomitant increase in cytoplasmic/membranous HBcAg expression. In HBsAg carriers who were anti-HBe positive, HBcAg was undetectable anywhere, whereas HBsAg could be seen only in the cytoplasm. These results suggest that membranous expression of HBsAg relates closely to active viral replication but is probably not responsible for the observed histologic activities. In contrast, cytoplasmic/membranous expression of HBcAg correlates with high degree of liver inflammatory activity. It is therefore suggested that hepatocytes with cytoplasmic/membranous HBcAg expression might be the target cells for immune hepatocytolysis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
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
D005455	Fluorescent Antibody Technique	Test for tissue antigen using either a direct method, by conjugation of antibody with fluorescent dye (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, DIRECT) or an indirect method, by formation of antigen-antibody complex which is then labeled with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibody (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, INDIRECT). The tissue is then examined by fluorescence microscopy.	Antinuclear Antibody Test, Fluorescent,Coon's Technique,Fluorescent Antinuclear Antibody Test,Fluorescent Protein Tracing,Immunofluorescence Technique,Coon's Technic,Fluorescent Antibody Technic,Immunofluorescence,Immunofluorescence Technic,Antibody Technic, Fluorescent,Antibody Technics, Fluorescent,Antibody Technique, Fluorescent,Antibody Techniques, Fluorescent,Coon Technic,Coon Technique,Coons Technic,Coons Technique,Fluorescent Antibody Technics,Fluorescent Antibody Techniques,Fluorescent Protein Tracings,Immunofluorescence Technics,Immunofluorescence Techniques,Protein Tracing, Fluorescent,Protein Tracings, Fluorescent,Technic, Coon's,Technic, Fluorescent Antibody,Technic, Immunofluorescence,Technics, Fluorescent Antibody,Technics, Immunofluorescence,Technique, Coon's,Technique, Fluorescent Antibody,Technique, Immunofluorescence,Techniques, Fluorescent Antibody,Techniques, Immunofluorescence,Tracing, Fluorescent Protein,Tracings, Fluorescent Protein
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
D006510	Hepatitis B Antibodies	Antibodies to the HEPATITIS B ANTIGENS, including antibodies to the surface (Australia) and core of the Dane particle and those to the "e" antigens.	Anti-Australia Antigens,Anti-HBAg,Anti-Hepatitis B Antigens,Anti HBAg,Hepatitis B Virus Antibodies,Anti Australia Antigens,Anti Hepatitis B Antigens,Antibodies, Hepatitis B,Antigens, Anti-Australia,Antigens, Anti-Hepatitis B,B Antibodies, Hepatitis,B Antigens, Anti-Hepatitis,HBAg, Anti
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
D006514	Hepatitis B Surface Antigens	Those hepatitis B antigens found on the surface of the Dane particle and on the 20 nm spherical and tubular particles. Several subspecificities of the surface antigen are known. These were formerly called the Australia antigen.	Australia Antigen,HBsAg,Hepatitis B Surface Antigen,Antigen, Australia
D006521	Hepatitis, Chronic	INFLAMMATION of the LIVER with ongoing hepatocellular injury for 6 months or more, characterized by NECROSIS of HEPATOCYTES and inflammatory cell (LEUKOCYTES) infiltration. Chronic hepatitis can be caused by viruses, medications, autoimmune diseases, and other unknown factors.	Chronic Hepatitis,Cryptogenic Chronic Hepatitis,Hepatitis, Chronic, Cryptogenic,Hepatitis, Chronic Active,Hepatitis, Chronic Persistent,Chronic Active Hepatitis,Chronic Hepatitis, Cryptogenic,Chronic Persistent Hepatitides,Chronic Persistent Hepatitis,Hepatitis, Cryptogenic Chronic