Hepatitis B "e" antigen: an apparent association with lactate dehydrogenase isozyme-5
Vyas, G.N.; Peterson, D.L.; Townsend, R.M.; Damle, S.R.; Magnius, L.O.
Science 198(4321): 1068-1070
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 73221 Document Number: 114943
Sera containing the e antigen of hepatitis B virus were subjected to electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. An extra band appeared in the lactate dehydrogenase isozyme pattern, but this band was undetectable in sera containing antibodies to the e antigenic determinant. Prior separation of the lactate dehydrogenase isozyme-5 fraction by chromatography of serum on minicolumns of DEAE-Sephadex-A50 improved electrophoretic identification of the extra band. Neutralization with antibodies to the e antigen as well as by antibodies to the homologous d or y component of the hepatitis B surface antigen removed the extra band; antibodies to the lactate dehydrogenase isozyme-5 removed the normal and the extra enzymatic band of isozyme-5. This feature of the e antigen provides an assay system for laboratory diagnosis of potential clinical usefulness and suggests its possible role in pathogenesis of hepatocellular injury.