Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix
Published on: October 20, 2021
Direct ex vivo evaluation of long-lived protective antiviral memory B cell responses against hepatitis B virus
Scott M Ward1, Prabhjeet Phalora, Daniel Bradshaw
1Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom. s.ward1@uq.edu.au
Background:
The frequency of protective antiviral memory B cells after hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is unknown.
Methods:
A novel 2-step immunomagnetic protocol to assess the ex vivo frequency of protective HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific memory B cells was used.
Results:
HBsAg-specific memory B cells were detected in vaccinated individuals, although at very low frequency (median, 0.2% of CD19(+) cells [range, 0%-4% of CD19(+) cells]). No correlation existed between the frequency of HBsAg-specific memory B cells and the corresponding serum antibody titer or B cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot findings.
Conclusion:
Our results indicate sustained B cell-mediated protection against HBV despite waning antibody titers, which is consistent with clinical observations.
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