Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice
Published on: September 25, 2019
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 1 and immunity to hepatitis B virus
Marie C Lin1, Nikki P Lee, Ning Zheng
1Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital 102 Pokfulum Road, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Aim:
To compare the gene expression profile in a pair of HBV-infected twins.
Methods:
The gene expression profile was compared in a pair of HBV-infected twins.
Results:
The twins displayed different disease outcomes. One acquired natural immunity against HBV, whereas the other became a chronic HBV carrier. Eighty-eight and forty-six genes were found to be up- or down-regulated in their PBMCs, respectively. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 1 (TNF-alphaIP1) that expressed at a higher level in the HBV-immune twins was identified and four pairs of siblings with HBV immunity by RT-PCR. However, upon HBV core antigen stimulation, TNF-alphaIP1 was downregulated in PBMCs from subjects with immunity, whereas it was slightly upregulated in HBV carriers. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a K+ channel tetramerization domain in TNF-alphaIP1 that shares a significant homology with some human, mouse, and C elegan proteins.
Conclusion:
TNF-alphaIP1 may play a role in the innate immunity against HBV.
Related Concept Videos
Hepatitis
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

