Specificity of antibodies elicited by a synthetic peptide having a sequence in common with a fragment of a virus protein, the hepatitis B surface antigen.

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Abstract
The major hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) determinant was previously predicted to lie within residues 135-155. A peptide corresponding to this sequence (P135-155) was synthesized, linked to macromolecular carriers and used to immunize rabbits. In accordance with published data on shorter peptides within the same amino acid sequence, antibodies to HBsAg were elicited. A detailed analysis of the immune response to P135-155 was carried out. A heterogeneous population of IgG and IgM antibodies reacting with P135-155 was detected in the antisera by a variety of radioimmunoassays and enzyme-linked fluorescence immunoassays. Only a subpopulation of these antibodies reacted with HBsAg. The equilibrium constant (K) for the reaction of the antibodies with HBsAg (K = 4 .times. 105 M-1) was .apprx. 2 orders of magnitude lower than K for the reaction with P135-155 and was below K for the reaction between HBsAg and antibodies elicited by HBsAg (K > 107 M-1). Preimmunization with P135-155 did not result in an enhanced response to subsequent immunization with HBsAg. Peptides more accurately mimicking determinants on HBsAg may have to be synthesized for possible application in antiviral prophylaxis.