Intracellular antibody fragment against hepatitis B virus X protein does not inhibit viral replication

Yonsei Med J. 2006 Oct 31;47(5):721-8. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2006.47.5.721.

Abstract

Replication of the hepatitis B virus is suppressed by deficiency of the X protein. Although several molecules that block cellular targets of X protein reduce the production of hepatitis B virus progeny, the effect of a specific inhibitor of X protein on viral replication has not been investigated. To block X protein specifically, we adopted an intracellular expression approach using H7 single chain variable fragment (H7scFv), an antibody fragment against X protein. We previously demonstrated that cytoplasmic expression of H7scFv inhibits X protein-induced tumorigenicity and transactivation. In this study, intracellular H7scFv expression inhibits reporter gene transactivation but not viral replication determined by endogenous hepatitis B virus polymerase activity assay and real-time PCR. Our findings imply that intracellular expression of antibody fragment against X protein may not be an alternative therapeutic modality for inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / metabolism
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects*
  • Hepatitis B virus / physiology
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / pharmacology*
  • Trans-Activators / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Trans-Activators / immunology
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Hepatitis B e Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Trans-Activators
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
  • hepatitis B virus X protein