RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Vanlandschoot, Peter A1 Van Houtte, Freya A1 Roobrouck, Annelies A1 Farhoudi, Ali A1 Leroux-Roels, GeertYR 2002 T1 Hepatitis B virus surface antigen suppresses the activation of monocytes through interaction with a serum protein and a monocyte-specific receptor JF Journal of General Virology, VO 83 IS 6 SP 1281 OP 1289 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-83-6-1281 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB During hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, high numbers of non-infectious HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) particles are present in circulation. It is shown here that recombinant HBsAg (rHBsAg) particles, which contain the S protein only, bind almost exclusively to monocytes. Attachment of rHBsAg to the THP-1 pre-monocytic cell line occurs upon 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced differentiation. Binding to monocytes is enhanced by a heat-labile serum protein and is inhibited by Ca2+/Mg2+, low pH and an HBsAg-specific monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, it is shown that rHBsAg suppresses lipopolysaccharide- and IL-2-induced production of cytokines. These results suggest the existence of a monocyte-specific receptor, the engagement of which by HBsAg suppresses the activity of these cells., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-83-6-1281