Proteolytic Resistance Determines Albumin Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Properties and Increases Cathepsin B, D, and G Expression.

Proteolytic activity is pivotal in maintaining cell homeostasis and function. In pathological conditions such as cancer, it covers a key role in tumor cell viability, spreading to distant organs, and response to the treatment. Endosomes represent one of the major sites of cellular proteolytic activity and very often represent the final destination of internalized nanoformulations.

Replenishment of Hepatitis B Virus cccDNA Pool Is Restricted by Baseline Expression of Host Restriction Factors In Vitro.

Background: Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major cause of viral persistence in patients with chronic HBV infection. Understanding the mechanisms underlying stability and persistence of HBV cccDNA in hepatocytes is critical for developing novel therapeutics and managing chronic hepatitis B. In this study, we observed an unexpected increase in HBV cccDNA levels upon suppression of transcription by de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A and uncovered additional mechanisms potentially involved in HBV cccDNA maintenance.