Antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen is not cytotoxic to antigen-secreting hepatocytes

A continuously growing cell line which produces hepatitis B surface antigen was grown in the presence of antibody to the surface antigen. Antibody from animal and human sources was used. Neither growth rate nor cell morphology was affected and the cells did not inactivate the antibody over a 4-day incubation period. The surface antigen produced was specifically neutralized. These results suggest that hepatic injury occurring in response to hepatitis B virus infection is not mediated by humoral immunity to the surface antigen.