Serological relationship of woodchuck hepatitis virus to human hepatitis B virus.

AUTOR(ES)

Werner, B G

RESUMO

Two antigenic systems of the woodchuck hepatitis virus have been identified. The relationship between viral antigens of the woodchuck hepatitis virus and the human hepatitis B virus was determined by using immunoprecipitation, hemagglutination, and immune electron microscopy techniques. Antigens found on the cores of the two viruses were cross-reactive. Lack of cross-reactivity between the surface antigens of the two viruses in immunodiffusion experiments suggested that the major antigenic determinants of the viral surfaces are different; however, results of passive hemagglutination tests indicated that there are common minor determinants. Nucleic acid homology, as measured by liquid hybridization, was found to be 3 to 5% of the viral genomes. The results of this study provide further evidence that woodchuck hepatitis virus is the second member of a new class of viruses represented by human hepatitis B virus. Since virus-infected woodchucks may acquire chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma, these antigens and their respective antibodies will be useful markers for following the course of virus infection in investigations of the oncogenic potential of this class of viruses. The nucleocapsid antigen described may be a class-specific antigen of these viruses and, thus, may be useful in discovering new members of the group.

Documentos Relacionados

• Isolation, characterization, and comparison of recombinant DNAs derived from genomes of human hepatitis B virus and woodchuck hepatitis virus.
• Hepatocarcinogenicity of the woodchuck hepatitis virus.
• Antigenic and structural relationships of the surface antigens of hepatitis B virus, ground squirrel hepatitis virus, and woodchuck hepatitis virus.
• Methodological approaches to disinfection of human hepatitis B virus.
• Comparison of properties of woodchuck hepatitis virus and human hepatitis B virus endogenous DNA polymerases.