Understanding the immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B virus: An Asian prospective

Abstract

The study of hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunity has been mainly focused on understanding the differences between subjects who are able to control HBV infection and patients with persistent infection. These studies have been instrumental in increasing our knowledge on the pathogenesis of the disease caused by HBV. However, it is possible that heterogeneity of host and virus factors which segregate in ethnically distinct HBV infected populations might modify important aspects of the immune response against HBV. In this review, we reexamine the kinetics and the pattern of HBV-specific immunity associated with control or persistence of infection. We then discuss how the epidemiological, genetic and viral characteristics peculiar to Asian patients can impact the profile of HBV-specific immunity.Key words adaptive immune response, Asian, hepatitis B virus, host and viral factors, innate immunity.

Role of HLA Allele Polymorphism in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection and HBV Vaccine Sensitivity in Patients from Eastern Turkey

“…The cellular immune response is a major contributor to HBV clearance, but humoral responses also are involved in its elimination. HBV clearance is associated with the production of anti-envelope antibodies, and sera with high levels of antiviral antibodies (specific for the viral envelope) have been shown to control HBV infection (Grady et al 1978;Tan et al 2008). Host genetic factors have been associated with susceptibility to different infectious diseases.…”

“…They are also required for the efficient development of effector cytotoxic CD8 ? T cells and for B-cell antibody production (Tan et al 2008).…”

“…Host genetic factors have been associated with susceptibility to different infectious diseases. The most-studied host factors that might affect susceptibility to viral infection are the HLA genes (McMichael and Klenerman 2002;Tan et al 2008). HLA class I genes encode HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C proteins, which are expressed on the surface of all nucleated cells.…”

Frequencies and characterization of HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in self-limited and chronic hepatitis B viral infection in China

“…It affects more than 130 million people. The factors that determine the outcome in an individual patient are poorly understood, as in addition to the virological factors, host immunological and genetic factors play important roles in determining the outcome [2] .Since HBV is a hepatotropic noncytopathic DNA virus, HBV-specific CTLs are thought to play a central role not only in mediating viral control, but also in Xinxing YANG, initiating liver injury [3] . A vigorous and multispecific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against different HBV proteins is believed to play a major role in viral clearance and disease pathogenesis during HBV infection [4] .…”

“…It affects more than 130 million people. The factors that determine the outcome in an individual patient are poorly understood, as in addition to the virological factors, host immunological and genetic factors play important roles in determining the outcome [2] .…”