A monoclonal antibody specific to the non-epitope region of hepatitis B virus preS1 contributes to more effective HBV detection.

OBJECTIVES

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) preS1 protein is divided into an epitope region and a non-epitope region based on the respective antigenicities of these regions. Most of the antibodies that are currently used to detect the large surface protein of HBV (HBV LHB) are specific to the epitope region of preS1, which may contribute to the false negative results of HBV LHB detection assays. Here, we established a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) that could improve the efficiency of HBV LHB detection.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The HBV preS1 protein was expressed in E. coli strain BL21 and used to screen hybridoma clones. HBV preS1-specific mAb was produced by immunizing mice with a chemically synthesized peptide antigen derived from the non-epitope region of HBV preS1. The mAb was characterized by ELISA, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry and was subsequently used in serum sample tests.

RESULTS

Based on in silico B cell epitope predictions, the HBV preS1 aa 91-117 peptide was synthesized as an antigen. Recombinant HBV preS1 was expressed in E. coli and identified by SDS-PAGE. The mAb D8 (IgG2b) recognized the recombinant preS1 protein in both ELISA and Western blot assays and also recognized the preS1 protein expressed in plasmid-transfected HepG2.2.15 cells by immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, the D8 mAb, which is specific for the non-epitope region of preS1, contributed to the improved sensitivity and specificity of HBV detection.

CONCLUSIONS

We established an mAb that is specific to the non-epitope region of HBV preS1 and improved the detection of HBV LHB in an ELISA assay. This mAb could help increase the accuracy of the clinical measurement of preS1.