Hepatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hepatitis, including details on hepatitis a, b, c, causes, symptoms.

Human monoclonal antibody against Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg).

Shin YW, Ryoo KH, Hong KW, Chang KH, Choi JS, So M, Kim PK, Park JY, Bong KT, Kim SH

Antibody Engineering Laboratory, Research Center, Green Cross Corporation, 341 Bojeong-Dong, Giheung-Gu, Yongin City, Gyunggi-Do 446-799, Republic of Korea.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the main pathogens responsible for hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Human plasma-derived Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) is being used for prophylactic and liver transplantation currently. However, it may be necessary to replace a HBIG with a recombinant one because of limited availability of human plasma with high anti-HBsAg antibody titer and possible contamination of human pathogens. A Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line, HB-C7A, was established which produces a fully human IgG1 that binds HBsAg. The HB-C7A exhibits approximately 2600 units/mg of antibody. The affinity (K(a)) of HB-C7A is 1.1 x 10(8) M(-1) by Biacore analysis and estimated 6.7-fold higher than that of Hepabig (a plasma-derived HBIG from Green Cross Corp., Yongin, Korea) by competition ELISA. The HB-C7A recognizes the conformational "a" determinant of HBsAg and binds HBV particle more efficiently than the Hepabig. The HB-C7A binds to HBV-infected human liver tissue but does not bind to normal human tissues. This HB-C7A has several advantages compared to plasma-derived Hepabig such as activity, safety and availability.

Published 7 May 2007 in Antiviral Res, 75(2): 113-20.
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