Result: Next, we also identified amino acid substitutions
sL21S (n = 3) and
sF220C (n = 4) in the MHC class II-restricted T-cell epitope region, which are reported to cause a complete loss of T-cell reactivity and anti-
HBs production among individuals vaccinated against HBV in an ex vivo study.
Discussion: Moreover, 6 of 24 (25%) patients had
sL21S and/or
sF220C amino acid variants in the MHC class II-restricted T-cell epitope of the
small S protein, potentially leading to a complete loss of T-cell reactivity and anti-
HBs production.