Work

Heat Shock Protein Family A Member 1 Promotes Intracellular Amplification of Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Elimination or functional inactivation of cccDNA minichromosomes in HBV-infected hepatocytes is essential for the cure of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, lack of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of cccDNA metabolism and regulation hampers the development of antiviral drugs to achieve this therapeutic goal. Our findings reported here imply that enhanced cccDNA amplification may occur under selected pathobiological conditions, such as cellular stress, to subvert the dilution or elimination of cccDNA and maintain the persistence of HBV infection. Therapeutic inhibition of HSPA1-enhanced cccDNA amplification under these pathobiological conditions should facilitate the elimination of cccDNA and cure of chronic hepatitis B.

Source: Journal of Virology

DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01261-22

Authors: Liudi Tang, Ping An, Qiong Zhao, Cheryl A. Winkler, Jinhong Chang, Ju-Tao Guo

Institutions: Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Drexel University, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

Language: English

Topic: Hepatitis B Virus Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases