Important roles of HBe and HBs antigens in the evasion of endogenous innate immune responses in Hepatitis B Virus infection.

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Ruth Bröring
• Subject Area: Gastroenterology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 450164446

Host innate immunity is the body's first line of defense against viral infections. Clinical investigations have found that the level of interferon response in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is low or almost undetectable. One of the causes is due to the strong ability of HBV proteins to inhibit the expression of endogenous interferons. HBV excretory (HBeAg) and HBV surface antigens (HBsAg) are two secretory proteins produced by HBV-infected cells. However, parts of HBeAg and HBsAg remain in infected host cells. This project will explore the molecular mechanism by which intracellular HBeAg and HBsAg affect the host cellular innate immune system including endogenous interferon responses using cell culture models, animal experiments and clinical specimens’ analysis and other strategies including HBV infection in primary human hepatocytes. We will investigate the interaction of viral proteins with the host adapter proteins of innate immune signaling and interferon pathways and the related downstream signaling, and study the regulatory effect of HBeAg and HBsAg on the expression of antiviral and inflammatory cytokines during HBV infection at the molecular level. Unveiling the mechanism behind the action of HBeAg and HBsAg in antagonizing endogenous antiviral responses during HBV infection, our research may provide a new idea for the future clinical treatment of hepatitis B virus infection.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: China
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Shi Liu; Professor Dr. Ying Zhu, Ph.D.