Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
09:02
Modeling Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Non-Hepatic 293T-NE-3NRs Cells
Published on: June 5, 2020
8.0K
Host-virus interactions in hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection
Sachiyo Yoshio1, Tatsuya Kanto2
1The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, 272-8516, Japan.
Journal of Gastroenterology
|February 20, 2016
Summary
Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses evade immune detection. Research highlights innate immune responses, including dendritic cells and NK cells, and interferons, crucial for understanding viral control and developing new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Virology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infect over 500 million people globally.
- These viruses cause acute and chronic hepatitis, potentially leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Both HBV and HCV employ sophisticated strategies to evade host immune surveillance, often remaining undetected by the immune system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on immune responses against HBV and HCV infections.
- To focus specifically on the role of innate immunity in viral control.
- To identify gaps in knowledge and suggest future research directions for developing immune modulatory therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on HBV and HCV immunology.
- Analysis of the roles of specific immune cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells.
- Examination of key molecules involved in immune response, including indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase and type-III interferon (IFN-λ3).
Main Results:
- HBV is recognized as a 'stealth virus' but interacts with DCs and NK cells, inducing indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase.
- The interleukin-28B genotype influences HCV eradication, with IFN-λ3 production by BDCA3(+)DCs potentially key for therapeutic HCV vaccines.
- Innate immune responses are critical for controlling HBV and HCV infections.
Conclusions:
- Understanding innate immune mechanisms is vital for controlling HBV and HCV.
- Further clinical studies are needed to elucidate immune responses and develop effective immune modulatory therapies.
- Targeting innate immunity holds promise for novel treatments for chronic HBV and HCV infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Hepatitis
34
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.
34
01:29Viruses with RNA Genomes
1.3K
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...
1.3K
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
16
Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
16
01:26Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions
469
A drug interaction occurs when the concurrent use of another drug, food, or an external substance alters the pharmacological activity of a drug. This interaction can modify the action of the original drug, affecting its effectiveness and safety.Drug–food interactions are significant as they impact drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion. For example, grapefruit juice is a well-known disruptor of drug metabolism. It inhibits the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme, crucial for the metabolism of...
469
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
19
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...
19
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
2.5K
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...
2.5K