At least 250 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and at a greatly increased risk to develop liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, causing an estimated 650,000 deaths per year. HBV is a member of the hepadnaviridae family and contains a partially double stranded relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) genome. Following entry into human hepatocytes through the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) receptor, this rcDNA is converted into a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the host cell nucleus. Current antiviral therapy inhibits cytoplasmic HBV genomic replication, but is not curative because it does not directly affect nuclear HBV cccDNA, inhibit viral transcription and block viral persistence. Novel approaches are desired to further understand the HBV life cycle regulation and develop HBV eliminating drugs.
In this Research Topic, we focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms allowing HBV to hijack the host cell and destroy liver tissue. By deepening our knowledge of HBV and host interactions in liver diseases, we may discover much reliable and effective therapeutic strategies. To achieve this goal, state-of-art technologies (such as PROTAC, CRISPR and AI based drug design) and novel animal models or cell lines should be applied. High resolution fluorescence probes to visualize the HBV particles are recommended to study the dynamics of HBV life cycle in liver cells.
Areas to be covered in this Research topic may include, but are not limited to:
• HBV life cycle in liver cells (such as the mechanism of HBV cccDNA formation and degradation).
• In vitro and in vivo studies focusing on the molecular mechanisms of HBV that underlie the deterioration of the liver (hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma).
• Host immune response to control the spread of HBV infection and resulting inflammatory liver pathologies.
• Novel HBV associated animal models.
• PROTAC or base editing related HBV research.
• Development of novel therapeutic strategies (such as NTCP based drug screen and verification).
• Clinical studies and case reports on novel anti-HBV drugs.
At least 250 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and at a greatly increased risk to develop liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, causing an estimated 650,000 deaths per year. HBV is a member of the hepadnaviridae family and contains a partially double stranded relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) genome. Following entry into human hepatocytes through the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) receptor, this rcDNA is converted into a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the host cell nucleus. Current antiviral therapy inhibits cytoplasmic HBV genomic replication, but is not curative because it does not directly affect nuclear HBV cccDNA, inhibit viral transcription and block viral persistence. Novel approaches are desired to further understand the HBV life cycle regulation and develop HBV eliminating drugs.
In this Research Topic, we focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms allowing HBV to hijack the host cell and destroy liver tissue. By deepening our knowledge of HBV and host interactions in liver diseases, we may discover much reliable and effective therapeutic strategies. To achieve this goal, state-of-art technologies (such as PROTAC, CRISPR and AI based drug design) and novel animal models or cell lines should be applied. High resolution fluorescence probes to visualize the HBV particles are recommended to study the dynamics of HBV life cycle in liver cells.
Areas to be covered in this Research topic may include, but are not limited to:
• HBV life cycle in liver cells (such as the mechanism of HBV cccDNA formation and degradation).
• In vitro and in vivo studies focusing on the molecular mechanisms of HBV that underlie the deterioration of the liver (hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma).
• Host immune response to control the spread of HBV infection and resulting inflammatory liver pathologies.
• Novel HBV associated animal models.
• PROTAC or base editing related HBV research.
• Development of novel therapeutic strategies (such as NTCP based drug screen and verification).
• Clinical studies and case reports on novel anti-HBV drugs.