• Animal cells and systems
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.337-341
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• 1999

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive strand RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family and the major cause of post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis. Vaccine development for HCV is essential but has been slowed by poor understanding of the type of immunity that naturally terminates HCV infection. The DNA-based immunization technique offers the potential advantage of including cellular immune responses against conserved internal proteins of a virus, as well as the generation of antibodies to viral surface proteins. Here, we demonstrate that cell lines expressing the HCV core and/or NS3 proteins can induce a specific CTL response in mice, and these results suggest a possibility that the HCV core and NS3 DNA can be used to induce CTL activity against the antigen in mice and can be further developed as a therapeutic and preventive DNA vaccine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.823-828
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• 2000

The complete nucleotide sequence of hepatitis B virus DNA isolated from Korean patient serum was determined and characterized, and its phylogenetic relation was then investigated. The viral genome was 3,215 base pairs long and included four well known open reading frames (i.e. surface antigens, core antigens, X protein and DNA polymerase). The sequence of the surface antigen showed that the HBV genome under investigation, designated HBV 315, was characteristic of subtype adr. A phylogenetic analysis using the total genome sequence revealed that HBV315 was grouped into genomic group C together with isolates from Japan, China, Thailand, Polynesia, and New Caledonia. The mean percent similarity between HBV315 and other HBV isolates in genomic group C was 97.25%, and that with other genomic groups ranged from 86.16% to 91.25%. The predicted amino acid sequences of HBV315 were compared with two closely related subtype adr isolates, M38636 and D12980. The results showed that the X gene product was identical in the three strains, while there were significant amino acid sequence differences between HBV315 and M38636 in the Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 regions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6227-6231
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• 2013

In the past, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was endemic in the general Korean population. The association of HBV infection with the occurrence of liver cancer has been well demonstrated in several epidemiologic studies. While the mortality rates of liver cancer in Korea have decreased steadily over the last decade, the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in mothers remains high at 3-4%, and 25.5% of these HBsAg positive mothers are positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). HBV infection caused almost a quarter of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases and one-third of deaths from HCC. These aspects of HBV infection prompted the Korean government to create a vaccination program against HBV in the early 1980s. In 1995, the Communicable Disease Prevention Act (CDPA) was reformed, and the government increased the number of HBV vaccines in the National Immunization Program (NIP), driving the vaccination rate up to 95%. In 2000, the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) was enacted, which provided increased resources for the prevention of perinatal HBV infection. Then in 2002, the Korean government, in conjunction with the Korean Medical Association (KMA), launched an HBV perinatal transmission prevention program. The prevalence of HBsAg in children had been high (4-5%) in the early 1980s, but had dropped to below 1% in 1995, and finally reached 0.2% in 2006 after the NIP had been implemented. After the success of the NIP, Korea finally obtained its first certification of achievement from the Western Pacific Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WPRO-WHO) for reaching its goal for HBV control. An age-period-cohort analysis showed a significant reduction in the liver cancer mortality rate in children and adolescents after the NIP had been implemented. In addition to its vaccination efforts, Korea launched the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) for 5 leading sites of cancer, including the liver, in 1999. As a consequence of this program, the 5-year liver cancer survival rate increased from 13.2% (1996-2000) to 23.3% (2003-2008). The development of both the primary and secondary prevention for liver cancer including HBV immunization and cancer screening has been of critical importance.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.32-38
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• 2003

목 적: HBcAb 양성인 공여자로부터 생체 부분 간이식을 시행할 때 HBsAg 음성인 수혜자가 B형 간염 바이러스에 감염될 가능성이 높다. 본 연구에서는 삼성서울병원의 소아 생체 부분 간이식에서 능동 면역을 주로 사용하였던 초창기와 Hepatitis Bimmunoglobulin (HBIg) 단독 요법을 사용하였던 후기를 비교 분석하여 간이식 후 de novo hepatitis B발생에 대한 HBIg 단독 요법의 예방 효과에 대해 조사해 보고자 하였다. 방 법: 1996년 5월부터 2002년 6월까지 시행한 생체 부분 간이식에서 공여자가 HBcAb 양성이었으며 수혜자가 HBsAg 음성인 소아는 15명이었다. 다른 이유로 사망한 2명을 제외한 13명 중 11명은 HBsAb 양성, 2명은 naive (HBsAb 음성, HBcAb 음성)였다. 모든 환자는 간이식 전 B형 간염 바이러스 예방 접종을 실시하였다. 초기 단계에는(1997년 1월~1997년 11월, 3명) 수혜자가 HBsAb 양성인 경우 간이식 후 B형 간염 추가접종을 실시하였다. 후기 단계에서는(1997년 12월 이후, 10명) 간이식 전후에 모두 B형 간염 예방 접종을 실시한 이후 항체 양성인 수혜자에게 HBsAb 항체가를 200 IU/L 이상 유지하기 위해 HBIg를 단독 유지요법으로 사용하였다. HBIg의 심한 부작용으로 인해 1명의 경우 Lamivudine을 사용하였다. De novo hepatitis B의 예방효과를 병력 고찰을 통하여 후향적으로 분석하였다. 결 과: 13명 중 3명(23.1%)에서 de novo hepatitis B가 발생하였다. 능동 면역만을 시행한 초기 단계에서 3명 중 3명 모두 7~19개월에 HBsAg 양성으로 혈청 변환을 하였다. 1명은 간이식 전 naive 혈청 소견이었고 2명은 HBsAb 양성인 상태였다. HBIg를 사용한 후기 단계에서는 10명 모두 관찰 기간 7~55개월 동안 HBsAg 음성으로 남아 있다. 결 론: HBIg 단독 요법은 HBcAb 양성인 공여자의 간을 이식받은 HBsAg 음성 수혜자에서 de novo hepatitis B를 예방하는데 효과적이다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권6호
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• pp.418-425
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• 2017

Interferon-${\gamma}$-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), also known as chemokine C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL) 10, is closely associated with antiviral immunity and the progression of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the value of baseline serological and histological IP-10 expression levels in predicting the efficacy of the antiviral response to nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) is still unknown. In our research, intrahepatic and peripheral IP-10 expression levels were systemically examined before and after treatment with entecavir (ETV). Baseline serological and histological IP-10 expression levels were significantly increased in patients with CHB, particularly in patients with higher degrees of liver inflammation and liver fibrosis. Moreover, higher baseline intrahepatic IP-10 levels indicated better prognoses in patients with CHB after entecavir therapy. The baseline IP-10 level was also positively associated with several clinical parameters, including baseline levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and with the decrease in HBsAg levels after treatment. In addition, monocyte-derived IP-10 was expressed at higher levels in patients with CHB than in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and healthy controls (HC). According to the results of our in vitro experiments, IP-10 directly promoted hepatocyte apoptosis. Based on these findings, baseline serological and histological IP-10 levels might predict CHB severity and the decrease in HBsAg levels after entecavir therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권13호
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• pp.5285-5288
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• 2015

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been reported to be associated with inferior prognosis in hepatocellular and pancreatic carcinoma cases, but has not been studied with respect to non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of HBV infection in advanced NSCLC patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of 445 advanced NSCLC patients was recruited at our hospital from January 1, 2003 until August 30, 2014. Serum HBV markers were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. COX proportional hazards analysis was used to evaluate associations of HBV infection with overall survival (OS). Results: Of 445 patients who were qualified for the study, 68 patients were positive for HBsAg, also considered as HBV infection. Patients in HBsAg negative group were found to have better OS (12.6 months [12.2-12.9]) than those in HBsAg positive group (11.30 months [10.8-11.9]; p=0.001). Furthermore, COX multivariate analysis identified HBV infection as an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR 0.740 [0.560, 0.978], p=0.034). Conclusions: Our study found that HBsAg-positive status was an independent prognostic factor for OS in patients with advanced NSCLC. Future prospective studies are required to confirm our findings.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.280-286
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• 1987

For evaluating the boosting (anamnestic) effects of the most recent commercially produced plasma derived heat-inactivated hepatitis B vaccine (A. Co.), 117 adults with naturally acquired antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) were selected at random. In addition, out of case immunized at zero and 1 month, and boosted at 6 months (primary boosting) by conventional vaccine (B. Co), inactivated by pepsin digestion and formalin treatment, 11 cases who showed elevated titer after primary boosting were also submitted to the study. The results were as follows: 1) Out of the 117 subjects with naturally acquired anti-HBs, 6(5.1%) showed isolated anti-HBs and the titers were below 10 ratio units (RU). Negative seroconversion was seen in 4(3.4%) of the 117 cases at 12 months after the screening and, of these cases, 3 showed isolated anti-HBs and the titers were below 10 RU. 2) Eighty-three percent of the cases with naturally acquired isolated anti-HBs below 10 RU did not respond to a booster injection with 3 us dose of A. Co. vaccine at all, but 90% of the other subjects responded. 3) The anti-HBs titers of all the 11 cases who showed a rise of more than 10 RU (increased GMT, 28.04) at one month after primary booster injection by $20{\mu}g$ dose of B. Co. vaccine decreased at 19 months after the primary booster. And 3 subjects (27.3%) of the 11 reached negative seroconversion. All of the 11 cases, who had secondary booster injection with $3{\mu}g$ dose of A. Co. vaccine at 19 months after primary boosting, showed increased anti-HBs titer at least 20 RU or more (increased GMT, 57. 72) at one month after the boosting. According to the above results in the anti-HBs screening survey for the purpose of immunization with hepatitis B vaccine, subjects with isolated anti-HBs below 10 RU should be regarded as being in an unimmunized state. In cases who are in risk circumstances, immunized primarily with a $20{\mu}g$ dose of B. Co. vaccine, a secondary booster injection should be given within 2 years after initiation of primary immunization and a $3{\mu}g$ booster dose of A. Co. vaccine can be reliably used.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.223-229
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• 1984

An attempt to confirm the associations of some selected risk factors of HBV infection and measure their risks, a cross-sectional study with 1,209 urban office workers was carried out. For the study, a simple questionnaire which contained several questions on personal experience and behaviors on several known selected risk factors of HBV infection was applied to each subject, and the Hepatitis B virus surface antigen and its antibody were checked by RPHA and PHA method, respectively. Risk factors chosen for this study were experience of blood transfusion and personal contact variables, such as frequencies of eating-out, drinking after office hours, going to tea room, sharing cigarettes, etc. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The proportion of HBsAg positive was 10.6%, and total HVB infected including the Anti-HBs positive cases without vaccination was 44.2%. Both were higher in male than in female. 2. Frequent personal contact through glasses and dishes in eating-outs and drinkings turned out not to be a significant risk factor of Hepatitis B surface antigenecity. 3. Frequent visits to tea room was a significant risk factor of HBV infection which combined HBsAg positive cases and Anti-HBs cases who had not received HBV vaccination. The odds ratio was 1.56 4. Blood transfusion was not a significant risk factor of both HBsAg positive and total HBV infection. In summary, indirect oral contacts through eating-outs and drinkings was not significant risk factor in Korea at least between adults. Blood transfusion is no more major source of HBV infection in Korea probably because the adquate screening test of HBsAg for the blood donors is being made.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.844-850
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• 2000

The specific binding and internalization of viral particles is an essential step for the successful infection of viral pathogens. In the case of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), virions bind to the host cell via the preS domain of the viral surface antigen and are subsequently internalized by endocytosis. HBV-preS specific receptors are primarily expressed on hepatocytes, however, viral DNA and proteins have also been detected in extrahepatic sites, suggsting that celluar recepators for HBV may also exist on extrahepatic cells. Recently, an EBV-transformed B-cell line was identified onto which the preS region binds in a receptor-ligand specific manner. In this study, this specific interaction was further characterized, and the binding region within the preS protein was locaized. Also the internalization after host cell attachment was visualized and analyzed by fluorescence-labeled HBV-preS1 proteins using confocal microscopy. Energy depletion by sodium azide treatment effectively inhibited the internalization of the membrane-bound preS1 ligands, thereby indicating an energy-dependent receptor-mediated endocytotic pathway. Accordingly, the interaction of HBV-pres! with this specific B-cell line may serve as an effective model for an infection pathway in extrahepatic cells.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.6-12
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• 1990

adr 아형 B형 간염바이러스의 preS2염기서열을 베타갈락토시다세 유전자에 연결시켜 클론닝한 후, 융합단백질의 형태로 대장균에서 발현시켰다. 한국인 간염환자로부터 분리된 표면항원으로 유도한 단일 클론항체 H8는 preS2에 특이성을 지니고 있으며, 상기의 융합단백질과 특이적으로결합하였다. 이 단일 클론항체는 adw2아형 preS2 융합단백질과는 단지 낮은 수준의 결합성을 보여주었는데, 이와 같은 단일클론항체 H8의 adr 아형과 adw2아형에 대한 결합성의 차이는 preS2부위의 아미노산 차이에 기인한다고볼 수 있다.