Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025
10:37
Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix
Published on: October 20, 2021
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Higher Rates of Viral Evolution in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Linked to Predicted T Cell Epitopes
Magnus Illum Dalegaard1,2, Anni Winckelmann1,2, Ulrik Fahnøe1,2,3
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark.
Viruses
|May 28, 2025
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) evolves faster in patients not needing antiviral treatment, suggesting immune pressure drives disease control. This viral evolution impacts chronic hepatitis B (CHB) progression.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Hepatology
Background:
- The impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) diversity and evolution on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) disease progression remains unclear.
- Understanding viral evolution is crucial for managing CHB and predicting disease outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare intra-individual HBV evolution in CHB patients with and without antiviral treatment initiation.
- To investigate the relationship between viral genetic diversity and host immune control in CHB.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serial plasma samples from 25 CHB patients (14 treatment-initiated, 11 non-initiated) using next-generation sequencing.
- Quantification of HBV DNA and alanine transaminase levels.
- Genome-wide association analysis to identify genetic factors associated with treatment initiation.
Main Results:
- Patients requiring antiviral treatment (TI group) showed elevated HBV DNA and alanine transaminase levels.
- A significantly higher rate of HBV substitutions was observed in the non-treatment-initiated (NTI) group compared to the TI group.
- CD8+ T cell epitopes and specific amino acid residues in the HBV genome were significantly associated with treatment initiation, particularly in the NTI group.
Conclusions:
- HBV exhibits a higher substitution rate in CHB patients who do not require antiviral treatment, indicating active viral evolution.
- This increased viral evolution in the NTI group may be driven by host immune pressure, contributing to disease control.
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