A common human anti-hepatitis B surface antigen idiotype is associated with the group a conformation-dependent antigenic determinant

Human antibodies that express a common anti-hepatitis B surface antigen idiotype were directed against the group-specific a determinant. The ability of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-derived polypeptides to inhibit the idiotype-anti-idiotype reaction was dependent on conformation, since denatured HBsAg viral polypeptides virtually lost their inhibitor capacity when compared to native polypeptides. This report further characterizes a common idiotype associated with human antibodies to HBsAg.