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Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
Published on: December 15, 2023
Pathogenicity and virulence of Hepatitis B virus
Yu-Chen Chuang1, Kuen-Nan Tsai1, Jing-Hsiung James Ou1
1Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus and an important human pathogen. There are an estimated 296 million people in the world that are chronically infected by this virus, and many of them will develop severe liver diseases including hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV is a small DNA virus that replicates via the reverse transcription pathway. In this review, we summarize the molecular pathways that govern the replication of HBV and its interactions with host cells. We also discuss viral and non-viral factors that are associated with HBV-induced carcinogenesis and pathogenesis, as well as the role of host immune responses in HBV persistence and liver pathogenesis.
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