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Molecular and genetic aspects of the immune responses to hepatitis B viral antigens
1Department of Molecular Biology, Research Institute of Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California 92037.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|January 1, 1989
Abstract:
In the absence of an inbred animal model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, several laboratories have chosen to study the murine immune response to HBV-encoded proteins as immunogens as opposed to an infectious agent. This article reviews the immunogenicity, the fine specificity of T and B cell recognition of HBV antigens, and the genetic influences that regulate these responses. It is anticipated that this approach will increase our understanding of immune-mediated viral clearance mechanisms during HBV infection, and may provide the framework for the design of second and third generation HBV vaccines.