Binding of HBs antigen to HeLa cells by use of reconstitution into liposomes and fusion by Sendai virus.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was reconstituted into liposomes composed of phosphatidylserin. An isolated membrane fraction of HeLa cells was mixed with the liposomes, then the liposomes were incubated with HeLa cells in the presence of Sendai virus. In this system the attachment of HBsAg to the cell surface was enhanced and became resistant to treatment with trypsin-EDTA. The presence of the HBsAg on the cell surface was revealed by immunoelectronmicroscopy. This technique may provide a model system for studying immunological reactions to HBsAg-bearing target cells in vitro.