Studies on Epidemic Non-A, Non-B Hepatits

本研究试图对流行性非甲非乙型肝炎的假定病毒进行表征和分子克隆。首先，使用食蟹猴建立实验动物模型。食蟹猴是一个很好的动物模型，因为如果我们静脉注射足够量的病毒，几乎所有的猴子都发生了急性肝炎。并成功地进行了串行传输实验。从接种后10天开始，到转氨酶高峰，病毒大量分泌到胆汁中。在早期阶段，病毒分散在胆汁中，但下一阶段病毒颗粒自发聚集，可能是由于分泌IgA。我们已经用免疫筛选法从λ gt11 cDNA文库中克隆了病毒RNA。我们还用PCR方法证实了潜伏期的病毒血症。目前我们正在利用重组多肽制备抗体检测试剂盒。我们也在尝试开发重组疫苗。

An attempt was made to characterize and molecularly clone the putative virus of epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis. First, experimental animal model was established using cynomolgus macaca. Cynomolgus is a good animal model, because if we inoculate enough amount virus intravenously, almost all monkeys developed acute hepatitis. Serial transmission experiments were also done successfully. We have found large amount of virus excrete into bile from 10 days after inoculation until peak of transaminase. In early stage, virus scattered in the bile but next stage virus particles spontaneously aggregated probably due to secretory lgA. We already cloned viral RNA from lambda gtll cDNA library using immunoscreening method. We also confirmed viremia in incubation stage by PCR method. Now we are preparing antibody assay kit using recombinant peptide. We are attempting to develop recombinant vaccine too.