Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small enveloped DNA virus with a complex life cycle. It is the causative agent of acute and chronic hepatitis. HBV can resist immune system responses and often causes persistent chronic infections. HBV is the leading cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis. Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines with antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antitumor properties. IFNs are glycoproteins with a strong antiviral activity that plays an important role in adaptive and innate immune responses. They are classified into three categories (type I, II, and III) based on the structure of their cell-surface receptors. As an effective drug for controlling chronic viral infections, Type I IFNs are approved to be clinically used for the treatment of HBV infection. The therapeutic effect of interferon will be enhanced when combined with other drugs. IFNs play a biological function by inducing the expression of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the host cells, which are responsible for the inhibiting of HBV replication, transcription, and other important processes. Animal models of HBV, such as chimpanzees, are also important tools for studying IFN treatment and ISG regulation. In the present review, we summarized the recent progress in IFN-HBV treatment and focused on its mechanism through the interaction between HBV and ISGs.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1034968 | DOI Listing |
Viruses
January 2025
Instituto Nacional de Saúde of Mozambique, EN1, Bairro da Vila, Marracuene 3943, Mozambique.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health concern responsible for hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. In Mozambique, HBsAg prevalence is high and endemic, and despite the strategies to mitigate the spread of the disease, the HCC incidence is still high and one of the highest in the world. There is still limited data on the serological profile and molecular epidemiology of HBV in Mozambique given the burden of this disease.
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January 2025
Department of Virology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
In the 1980s, Poland was a medium-endemic country, with one of the highest incidences of hepatitis B in Europe (45/10 inhabitants). Pursuant to the WHO guidelines, obligatory vaccination was introduced in 1994-1996 (as a part of hepatitis B prophylaxis for newborns), and in 2000-2011, all 14-year-olds were vaccinated. To prevent transfusion-transmitted HBV infection (TT-HBV), since the 1970s, each donation has been tested for HBsAg and, since 2005, additionally for the presence of HBV DNA.
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December 2024
Department of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta (HDV) virus infections pose critical public health challenges, particularly in Romania, where HDV co-infection is underdiagnosed.
Methods: This study investigates the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of HBV/HDV co-infection in vulnerable populations, leveraging data from the LIVE(RO2) program. Conducted between July 2021 and November 2023, the program screened 320,000 individuals across 24 counties, targeting socially disadvantaged groups such as rural residents, the Roma community, and those lacking health insurance.
Viruses
December 2024
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Since the discovery of the Australia antigen, now known as the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), significant research has been conducted to elucidate its physical, chemical, structural, and functional properties. Subviral particles (SVPs) containing HBsAg are highly immunogenic, non-infectious entities that have not only revolutionized vaccine development but also provided critical insights into HBV immune evasion and viral assembly. Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have uncovered the heterogeneity and dynamic nature of spherical HBV SVPs, emphasizing the essential role of lipid-protein interactions in maintaining particle stability.
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December 2024
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
Achieving HBsAg seroclearance is a key goal in treating chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection but remains difficult with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF), a recommended NA for managing chronic HBV infection (CHB), has uncertain effects on HBsAg levels and potential adverse events when used long-term after switching from entecavir (ETV). We retrospectively evaluated 77 CHB patients, including 47 who switched from ETV to TAF with a median follow-up of 40 months post-switch and a median of 60 months of HBsAg monitoring pre-switch.
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