[Common linear B-cell epitopes in human hepatitis B virus core protein and woodchuck hepatitis virus core protein].

OBJECTIVE: To search for and verify some common B cell epitopes in the core proteins of woodchuck hepatitis virus and human hepatitis B virus. METHODS: Monoclonal antibodies against both core proteins of woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) and human hepatitis B virus (HBV) were prepared by inoculating Balb/c mice with denatured recombination WHV and HBV core proteins. ELISA and immunoblotting assays for WHcAg and HBcAg were carried out by using these antibodies. Immunohistochemistry was carried out with liver tissue sections of both WHV-infected woodchucks and chronic HBV-infected patients. The epitopes were mapped with the mouse mAbs (6D1 and 1H4) by using a panel of 24 16mer overlapping peptides covering the entire WHcAg. The amino acid sequences of WHcAg and HBcAg were compared. RESULTS: Cross-reactions were observed between mAbs (6D1 and 1H4) and WHcAg and between Mabs and HBcAg/HBcAg in ELISA and immunoblotting assay. Liver tissue sections of both WHV-infected woodchucks and chronic HBV-infected patients could be stained specifically by mAbs. The epitopes were mapped at aa1-8 (6D1) and aa125-140 (1H4) of the core proteins of both WHV and HBV by using ELISA assay. WHcAg and HBcAg share similar amino acids sequences at aa1-8 and aa125-140 respectively. CONCLUSION: The core proteins of woodchuck hepatitis virus and human hepatitis B virus share common linear B cell epitopes which span aa1-8 and aa125-140 respectively.