Transcriptomic Analysis of Livers of Inactive Carriers of Hepatitis B Virus With Distinct Expression of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen. (19th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rico Montanari, Noe; Ramirez, Ricardo; Van Buuren, Nick; van den Bosch, Thierry P P; Doukas, Michail; Debes, Jose D; Feierbach, Becket; Boonstra, Andre
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 225:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1081
• Page End: 1090
• Publication Date: 2021-07-19
• Subjects: hepatitis B -- HBsAg -- intrahepatic transcriptome; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab381
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Inactive carrier phases in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection present minimal liver disease and HBV replication activity suggesting partial immune reconstitution, although the mechanisms responsible remain elusive. Moreover, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) production—hypothesized to modulate the immune response—is unaltered. In the current study, we assessed the intrahepatic transcriptome in inactive carriers of HBV versus healthy liver donors, including in the context of diverse HBsAg levels (serum and liver), to better understand the phenomenon of immune control. We found a deregulated liver transcriptome in inactive carriers compared with healthy controls, despite normal liver function. Moreover, diverse HBsAg levels have minimal impact on the liver transcriptome in inactive carriers, although gene correlation analysis revealed that leukocyte activation, recruitment, and innate responses genes were correlated with liver HBsAg levels. These findings provide more insight into the mechanisms underlying anti-HBV strategies currently under development, aimed at interfering with HBsAg production or inducing a state of immune control.