Direct ex vivo evaluation of long-lived protective antiviral memory B cell responses against hepatitis B virus.

Journal article

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.

Authors: Ward, S; Phalora, P; Bradshaw, D; Leyendeckers, H; Klenerman, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of infectious diseases
• Volume: 198
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 813-817
• Publication date: 2008-09-01
• DOI: 10.1086/591094
• EISSN: 1537-6613
• ISSN: 0022-1899
• Language: English
• Keywords: Immunologic Memory; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Hepatitis B virus; Cell Separation; Humans; Antigens, CD19; Reference Values; Hepatitis B; B-Lymphocytes; Antigens, CD; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Hepatitis B Vaccines