EFFECT OF PRE-S1 PROTEIN ON THE LONG-TERM CULTURES OF HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES AFTER HEPATITIS B IMMUNIZATION

: Long-term cultured T-cells, reactive to Pre-S1 protein, were developed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of individuals after recovery from hepatitis B infection and of vaccine recipients by in vitro Pre-S1 protein stimulation in the presence of IL-2. The proliferative responses to Pre-S1 protein and functional activities of cultured T-cells were characterized.