Resolution of chronic hepatitis B and anti-HBs seroconversion in humans by adoptive transfer of immunity to hepatitis B core antigen

Gastroenterology. 2002 Mar;122(3):614-24. doi: 10.1053/gast.2002.31887.

Abstract

Background & aims: Impaired T-cell reactivity is believed to be the dominant cause of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We characterized HBV-specific T-cell responses in chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers who received bone marrow from HLA-identical donors with natural immunity to HBV and seroconverted to antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen.

Methods: T-cell reactivity to HBV antigens and peptides was assessed in a proliferation assay, the frequency of HBV core- and surface-specific T cells was quantified directly by ELISPOT assays, and T-cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results: CD4+ T-cell reactivity to HBV core was common in bone marrow donors and the corresponding recipients after hepatitis B surface antigen clearance, whereas none reacted to surface, pre-S1, or pre-S2 antigens. Furthermore, CD4+ T cells from donor/recipient pairs recognized similar epitopes on hepatitis B core antigen; using polymerase chain reaction for the Y chromosome, the recipients' CD4+ T lymphocytes were confirmed to be of donor origin. The frequency of core-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was several-fold higher than those specific for surface antigen.

Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence in humans that transfer of hepatitis B core antigen-reactive T cells is associated with resolution of chronic HBV infection. Therapeutic immunization with HBV core gene or protein deserves further investigation in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cell Division / immunology
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens