Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
11:14
Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
Published on: November 7, 2018
Pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus infection
F V Chisari1, M Isogawa, S F Wieland
1Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. fchisari@scripps.edu
Pathologie-Biologie
|February 2, 2010
Summary
The adaptive immune response, particularly T cells, is crucial for clearing hepatitis B virus (HBV). A weak immune response leads to persistent HBV infection, causing chronic liver damage and increasing cancer risk.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Virology
Background:
- The adaptive immune response, involving humoral and cellular immunity, plays a dual role in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, mediating viral clearance and disease pathogenesis.
- T cell responses are vigorous in acute HBV infection, leading to viral clearance, but weak in chronic infection, indicating T cell dependency for resolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of the adaptive immune response in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, distinguishing between viral clearance and chronic pathogenesis.
- To investigate the characteristics of T cell responses in acute versus chronic HBV infection and their implications for disease outcome.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of T cell responses (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes) in patients with acute and chronic HBV infection.
- Assessment of the impact of T cell responses on viral replication and liver pathology, including studies in HBV transgenic mouse models.
Main Results:
- A vigorous, polyclonal, and multispecific T cell response is associated with successful HBV clearance.
- A weak and narrowly focused T cell response characterizes persistent HBV infection, often linked to inefficient T cell priming.
- Adoptive transfer of HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes into HBV transgenic mice induced liver disease and cleared viral intermediates, demonstrating their pathogenic and antiviral potential.
Conclusions:
- Successful clearance of hepatitis B virus is T cell dependent, requiring a robust adaptive immune response.
- Ineffective T cell responses, potentially due to factors like immunological tolerance or epitope inactivation, are fundamental to HBV persistence.
- Chronic HBV infection, driven by an inadequate immune response, leads to progressive liver injury, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Hepatitis
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...
01:28Viral 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...
01:29Viruses 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...
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
01:18Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America. After transmission through a mosquito bite, the virus initially replicates in skin-resident immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These cells then migrate to the lymph nodes, where viral replication increases, eventually leading to...
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
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...
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...