Hepatitus B Virus Core Antigen

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver and is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a member of the Hepadnavirus family and one of hundreds of unrelated viral species which cause viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B virus is spherical in shape with a diameter of 42 nm. It contains a 27 nm partially double-stranded DNA core enclosed within a lipoprotein coat. The antigenic activity of the nucleocapsid core is designated as Hepatitis B core antigen. Some reports show that core antigens are dominantly localized within the nuclei while others show they are dominantly present in the cytoplasm of the infected cells.

Anti-Hepatitis B core antibody labels the cell nuclei infected with Hepatitis B virus, a common cause of Hepatitis leading to cirrhosis. Hepatitis B is the second most common cause of parenterally transmitted Hepatitis.

HBcAg antibody is the purified immunoglobulin fraction of rabbit antiserum, diluted in phosphate bu• ered saline, pH 7.6, with protein base, and preserved with sodium azide preservative.

1. Guarnieri M, et al. J Virol. 2006;80:587-95
2. Iannacone M, et al. Future Virology. 2006;1(2):189-196.

1. Cut and mount 3-4 micron formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues on positive charged slides.
2. Air dry for 2 hours at 58° C.
3. Deparaffinize, dehydrate and rehydrate tissues.
4. Subject tissues to heat epitope retrieval using a suitable retrieval solution such as ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate (BSB 0020-BSB 0023) or EDTA (BSB 0030-BSB 0033).
5. Any of three heating methods may be used:
   • Electric Pressure Cooker
     Place standoff rack at base of pressure cooker. Add 1-2 inches of distilled water to the pressure cooker and turn heat to high, and incubate for 15 minutes. Open and immediately transfer slides to room temperature.
   • Water Bath Method
     Place tissues/slides in a pre-warmed staining dish or coplin jar containing the ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate or EDTA in a water bath set at 95°-99° C. Incubate for 30-60 minutes.
   • Conventional Steamer Method
     Place tissues/slides in a pre-warmed staining dish or coplin jar containing the ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate or EDTA in a Steamer, cover and steam for 30-60 minutes.
6. After heat treatment, transfer slides in ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate or EDTA to room temperature and let stand for 15-20 minutes.
7. Wash slides with IHC wash buffer or DI water.
8. Continue IHC staining protocol.