1. Introduction of Hepatitis B Vaccine Antigen
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a pathogen that causes hepatitis B (hepatitis B for short) and belongs to the family Hepadnaviridae and the genus Orthohepadnavirus. HBV is transmitted through the blood or other body fluids of infected persons (daily work or life without blood exposure contact, generally will not infect HBV), causing liver cell inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. Hepatitis B is divided into acute and chronic 2 kinds. Acute hepatitis B can heal itself in 90% of adults, and chronic hepatitis B can develop into cirrhosis and even liver cancer.
After HBV invades the human body, it binds to the receptors on the liver cell membrane, removes the envelope, penetrates the liver cytoplasm, and then removes the capsid. Part of double-linked looped HBV DNA enters the liver nucleus. Under the action of host enzymes, the negative strand DNA is used as a template to extend the positive strand, repair the fenced region in the positive strand, and form covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). Then, using cccDNA as a template, several mRNA with different lengths were transcribed under the action of host RNA polymerase II. The progeny in the cytoplasm can also enter the liver nucleus to form cccDNA and continue to replicate. cccDNA has a long half-life (decay) period and is difficult to eliminate from the body.
As there is no effective cure for hepatitis B, once infected with hepatitis B virus and develop into chronic hepatitis, it is difficult to completely cure, therefore, the prevention of HBV infection is particularly important. Vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) is the most effective way to prevent HBV infection.
2. Clinical application
Hepatitis B vaccine antigen (recombinant) is a vaccine used to prevent hepatitis B. The vaccine is administered with hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) to stimulate an immune response in the body, thereby preventing the infection and development of hepatitis B. Hepatitis B vaccine antigen (recombinant) is widely used in the following areas:
- Prevention of hepatitis B: The vaccine is one of the most effective means of preventing hepatitis B, and hepatitis B infection can be prevented by injection.
- Treatment of hepatitis B: Hepatitis B vaccine antigen (recombinant) can be used to treat patients with hepatitis B, and more research needs to be done in terms of treatment.
- For medical research: Hepatitis B vaccine antigen (recombinant) can also be used as a tool in the field of medical research to further explore the pathology and treatment of hepatitis B.
In conclusion, the hepatitis B vaccine antigen (recombinant) has a wide range of application prospects in the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B.
3. Action mechanism
The mechanism of action of the hepatitis B vaccine antigen (recombinant) is to prevent infection by the hepatitis B virus by activating the immune system. The vaccine contains recombinant proteins that are similar to the surface of the hepatitis B virus, and when inoculated, the body produces antibodies against these proteins. If the vaccinated person comes into contact with the hepatitis B virus, the body's antibodies will recognize and destroy the virus, thereby preventing infection.
In addition, the recombinant protein of hepatitis B vaccine antigen is safer and more efficient than traditional vaccine antigen production methods, and can simultaneously prevent infection of multiple subtypes of hepatitis B virus.
4. Merits and demerits
4.1 Advantages:
- Prevent hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a serious infectious disease, but vaccination against hepatitis B can protect a person from infection.
- High security. Vaccines made using recombinant vaccine technology are relatively safe because they cannot be replicated or passed on as infectious diseases.
- Long-lasting immune effect. Studies have shown that the immune effect of the hepatitis B vaccine lasts for many years after vaccination and has a long-term protective effect.
4.2 Disadvantages:
- Possible side effects after vaccination. Although rare, it is possible to experience discomfort after vaccination, such as fever, headache, muscle pain, etc.
- If not vaccinated at the right time, it may affect the immune effect. The hepatitis B vaccine needs to be administered according to a certain schedule, and if the time is missed, the immune effect will be affected.
- Vaccine costs are high. The hepatitis B vaccine is more expensive than other vaccines and may be less friendly to certain populations.
In general, Hepatitis B Vaccine Antigen (Recombinant) has a reliable preventive effect as a vaccine against hepatitis B, but it is necessary to pay attention to its possible side effects and the correct time of vaccination.
5. Research progress
Vaccines are a very effective tool for preventing disease, which can help people build immunity and prevent the spread of disease. Hepatitis B vaccine antigen has been approved by the FDA to prevent the development of liver-related diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
