Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
11:34

A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target

Published on: May 10, 2022

Enhanced intracellular retention of a hepatitis B virus strain associated with fulminant hepatitis

Jun Inoue1, Yoshiyuki Ueno, Futoshi Nagasaki

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo, Aoba, Sendai 980-8574, Japan. yueno@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp

Virology
|October 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Fulminant hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains may retain viral DNA within cells. Specific mutations in the HBV genome appear to cause this retention, potentially linked to hepatitis B core antigen localization.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Fulminant hepatitis is a severe liver disease.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide.
  • Specific HBV mutations are associated with disease severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of specific HBV mutations in fulminant hepatitis.
  • To determine the effect of these mutations on HBV replication and DNA retention.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of a plasmid with a 1.3-fold HBV genome from a fulminant hepatitis strain (pBFH2).
  • Transfection of HepG2 cells with pBFH2 and its variants.
  • Quantification of intracellular and extracellular HBV DNA.
  • Confocal fluorescence microscopy to observe hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) localization.
  • Immunohistochemical examination of liver tissue samples.

Main Results:

  • Mutations A1762T/G1764A, G1862T, and G1896A in pBFH2 led to the highest levels of core particle-associated intracellular HBV DNA.
  • These mutations did not significantly increase extracellular HBV DNA.
  • HBcAg was localized in the nucleus of HepG2 cells transfected with pBFH2.
  • Stronger nuclear HBcAg staining was observed in liver tissues from fulminant hepatitis patients compared to acute hepatitis patients.

Conclusions:

  • The studied HBV strain and its mutations promote the retention of replicative intermediates within cells.
  • Nuclear localization of HBcAg may be associated with this retention mechanism.
  • Fulminant HBV strains contribute to the intracellular accumulation of core particles and HBV DNA.

More Related Videos

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection11:14

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection

Published on: November 7, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Enterohepatic Cycling01:17

Hepatic Drug Excretion: Enterohepatic Cycling

Enterohepatic cycling involves the active secretion of drugs and their metabolites into the bile via transporters in the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. This secretion is an integral part of the digestive process, releasing these substances into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Post-release drugs and metabolites can be reabsorbed into the body from the intestine. For conjugated metabolites like glucuronides, reabsorption requires enzymatic hydrolysis by intestinal microflora. This...
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors01:16

Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors

The biliary system of the liver, crucial for bile secretion and drug excretion, comprises intrahepatic bile ducts that merge to form the common hepatic duct. This duct, carrying hepatic bile, combines with the cystic duct, draining the gallbladder and forming the common bile duct, which empties into the duodenum. Bile, produced by hepatic cells lining the bile canaliculi, is composed primarily of water, bile salts, pigments, electrolytes, and lesser amounts of cholesterol and fatty acids. Bile...