Control of Hepatitis Virus Infections by New Methods.

摘要

During the past contract year, we have continued our investigations with antiidiotype reagents that recognize a common idiotypic determinant on human anti-HBs molecules. Several important immunochemical parameters were established: (1) Injection of anti-idiotype antibodies prior to HBsAg inoculation enhanced the anti-HBs response when compared to groups of mice given control antibodies before HBsAg. (2) Primarily IgG anti-HBs was induced if the anti-idiotype antibodies were given as an alum precipitate, whereas IgM anti-HBs was generated if the anti-idiotype antibodies were administered in a soluble form. (3) The anti-HBs response also was increased when antiidiotype antibodies were given in conjugation with a cyclic synthetic HBsAg peptide (SPI) which contains amino acid sequences 122-137. This anti-HBs response was comparable to a single injection of HBsAg. We also have induced anti-HBs by injecting anti-idiotype antibodies alone. The antiidiotype-induced anti-HBs expressed an interpsecies idiotype that is shared by human anti-HBs produced by natural infection with HBV. In addition, the anti-HBs recognized the group-specific a determinant of HBsAg. These data suggest the potential use of antiidiotypes as vaccines and immunopotentiators of the anti-HBs response. Studies also have been performed on the use of an HBsAg polypeptide vaccine in young adults. Finally, we have made a firm commitment from Baylor funds to continue our investigations with HBsAg synthetic peptides by purchasing an amino acid synthesizer.