T- and B-cell responses and previous exposure to hepatitis B virus in 'anti-HBc alone' patients.

Abstract

A serologic response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) defined as 'anti-HBc alone' is commonly observed, but its significance remains unclear. This study aimed to define the relationship between 'anti-HBc alone' serostatus and HBV infection, including HBV-specific T- and B-cell memory responses. We enrolled 31 'anti-HBc alone' patients. Total HBV DNA and cccDNA were tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis in liver samples from 22 'anti-HBc alone' patients vs controls (chronic or resolved HBV infection), followed by HBsAg/HBcAg immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. IFN-γ secretion by HBV-specific T cells was compared in individuals who were 'anti-HBc alone' (n = 27), resolved HBV (n = 21), chronic HBV (n = 24) and 12 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays. An HBsAg-IgG B-cell ELISpot assay was performed in 'anti-HBc alone' patients before and after one dose of recombinant HBsAg vaccine. The majority (23/31, 74.2%) of the 'anti-HBc alone' individuals were co-infected with HCV. Infrequent intrahepatic total HBV DNA (2/22, 9.1%) and cccDNA (1/22, 4.5%) were detected in biopsies; HBsAg and HBcAg IHC staining was negative. HBV-specific T-cell responses were similar between 'anti-HBc alone' individuals and HBV resolvers. Circulating HBV-memory B-cell responses were detected in all 'anti-HBc alone' individuals, consistent with an HBsAg-specific memory pool. After one HBV vaccine dose, increased anti-HBs antibody levels were observed, accompanied by an expansion of HBsAg-specific memory B cells (P = 0.0226). 'Anti-HBc alone' individuals showed HBV-specific T-cell and memory B-cell responses typical of previous viral exposure and protective memory, suggesting a resolved infection.

• Authors: Q Wang, P Sachse, M Semmo, M Lokhande, M Montani, J-F Dufour, F Zoulim, P Klenerman, N Semmo
• Journal: Journal of viral hepatitis (J Viral Hepat) Vol. 22 Issue 12 Pg. 1068-78 (Dec 2015) ISSN: 1365-2893 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26075501 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Hepatitis B Antibodies
• Hepatitis B Core Antigens
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Hepatitis B Vaccines
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Viral (blood, immunology)
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Female
• Hepatitis B Antibodies (blood, immunology)
• Hepatitis B Core Antigens (analysis, immunology)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (analysis, immunology)
• Hepatitis B Vaccines (immunology)
• Hepatitis B virus (immunology)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (immunology, virology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Interferon-gamma (metabolism)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Vaccination
• Viral Load