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Immunization against hepatitis B through adoptive transfer of immunity
Intervirology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Transferring immune cells from donors immunized against hepatitis B virus (HBV) can establish protective antibodies in recipients. This adoptive transfer of immunity shows promise for treating HBV infection, even in carriers.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Effective clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection relies on T-cell-dependent humoral immunity.
- This immune response is frequently impaired in chronic HBV carriers and immunosuppressed individuals.
- Bone marrow (BM)-derived memory cells can produce antibodies against HBV antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of adoptive transfer of HBV immunity through bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) infusion.
- To assess the efficacy of transferring anti-HBV antibodies from immunized donors to recipients.
Main Methods:
- Immunization of bone marrow donors (BMD) with recombinant HBV surface antigen (HBsAg).
- Transplantation of BM from anti-HBs-positive BMDs to irradiated recipient mice and humans.
- Infusion of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from immunized human donors to recipients.
- Monitoring for seroconversion to anti-HBs and clearance of HBV antigens and DNA.
Main Results:
- Recipient mice and 19/26 human recipients seroconverted to anti-HBs within weeks after BMT.
- Recipients showed positive responses to booster vaccinations.
- Antibodies to HBsAg were detected in 3 recipients of PBL.
- An HBV carrier with leukemia experienced clearance of HBsAg and HBV DNA post-BMT from an immunized sibling.
Conclusions:
- Adoptive transfer of immunity to HBV is achievable via immunization of BM or PBL donors.
- This approach demonstrates potential for treating or preventing HBV infection.
- Transferable memory cells from immunized donors can confer protection against HBV.