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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

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Characterisation of HBV and co-infection with HDV and HIV through spatial transcriptomics

Amy Cross1, James M Harris2, Edward Arbe-Barnes3

  • 1Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Egastroenterology
|August 16, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Spatial transcriptomics reveals distinct intrahepatic pathways in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) or HIV co-infection. This method aids understanding of complex liver disease and guides personalized treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Immunology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) intrahepatic processes, particularly with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) or HIV co-infection, require deeper understanding.
  • Spatial transcriptomics offers novel insights into complex intrahepatic biology for personalized treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate spatial transcriptomics for characterizing the intrahepatic transcriptional landscape, cellular composition, and biological pathways in liver biopsies.
  • To investigate HBV, HDV, and HIV co-infections using this advanced methodology.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized NanoString GeoMx digital spatial profiling on FFPE liver biopsies from treatment-naïve patients.
  • Quantified gene expression using the GeoMx Human Whole Transcriptome Atlas and deconvoluted cell type proportions.
  • Applied weighted gene correlation network analysis to evaluate transcriptomic signatures.

Main Results:

  • Identified spatially discrete transcriptomic signatures and distinct biological pathways linked to HBV infection and immune responses.
  • Observed shared features like 'cytotoxicity' and 'B cell receptor signalling' across patients.
  • HDV/HBV co-infection showed upregulated apoptosis and immune cell recruitment genes; HIV/HBV co-infection revealed interferon response regulation genes. γδT cells were abundant in HDV/HBV samples. Hepatocyte function differences suggest metabolic disruption in HDV/HBV co-infection.

Conclusions:

  • This proof-of-principle study demonstrates the utility of spatial transcriptomics in dissecting complex intrahepatic immune landscapes.
  • The platform highlights relevant host pathways contributing to disease pathogenesis in viral hepatitis co-infections.
Abstract

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