Recombinant VP1 protein as a potential marker for the diagnosis of acute hepatitis A virus infection

J Virol Methods. 2017 Jul:245:1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2017.03.005. Epub 2017 Mar 9.

Abstract

Since hepatitis A virus (HAV) production is time-consuming and expensive, the use of recombinant proteins may represent an alternative source of antigens for diagnostic purposes. The present study aimed to express, purify and evaluate the potential of recombinant VP1 protein (rVP1) as a marker for the diagnosis of acute HAV infection. The rVP1 was expressed and purified successfully from Escherichia coli. The purified rVP1 was used to establish an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-rVP1) for detection of IgM antibodies in sera from HAV-positive patients. For a cut-off point of 0.351, the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA-rVP1 were 100.0% and 95.0%, respectively. These results indicate that rVP1 may be a useful antigen for detection of IgM antibodies against HAV.

Keywords: Diagnosis; ELISA; Escherichia coli; Hepatitis A.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Hepatitis A / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis A / virology
  • Hepatitis A virus / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Viral Structural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Structural Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Structural Proteins / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • VP1 protein, hepatitis A virus
  • Viral Structural Proteins