Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
The role of tumour necrosis factor in hepatitis B infection: Jekyll and Hyde
Zina Valaydon1, Marc Pellegrini2, Alexander Thompson3
1The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy,Victoria, Australia; Division of Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Peter Doherty Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, Eastern Hill Academic Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a global health issue without a cure. Understanding the immune response, particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF), is crucial for developing new therapies to eliminate the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) poses a significant global health burden, leading to severe long-term complications.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) establishes lifelong infections by integrating into the host genome, evading current curative treatments.
- The host immune response, not the virus itself, is the primary driver of liver injury in CHB.
Conclusions:
- Elucidating the immunopathogenesis of CHB is essential for developing curative therapies.
- TNF is a critical factor in CHB, offering potential as a therapeutic target if its detrimental effects can be managed.
- Harnessing TNF-mediated immune responses may provide a pathway toward a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B.
Abstract:
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major health problem worldwide and is associated with significant long-term morbidity and mortality. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus that is capable of integrating in the host nucleus permanently resulting in lifelong infection. To date, there is no definitive cure for HBV, as our current treatments cannot eradicate the viral reservoir that has integrated in the liver. Elucidating the immunopathogenesis is key to finding a therapeutic target for HBV as the virus is not in itself cytopathic but the immune response to the virus causes the majority of the cellular injury. In most cases, the virus reaches a state of equilibrium with low viral replication constrained by host immunity. Multiple cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of CHB. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has emerged as a key player; on one hand it can facilitate immune-mediated virological control but on the other hand it can cause collateral hepatocyte damage, cirrhosis and possibly promote hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of HBV, focusing on TNF and whether it can be harnessed in therapeutic strategies to cure HBV infection.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
02:26NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
01:24Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
01:29Immune 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...