Open AccessAn immunocompetent mouse model for the tolerance of human chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Author(s) -
Li–Rung Huang,
HuiLin Wu,
PeiJer Chen,
DingShinn Chen
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0608578103
Subject(s) - virology , hepatitis b virus , biology , hepatitis b , antigen , virus , viral replication , immunity , animal model , immunology , chronic hepatitis , hepadnaviridae , immune system , endocrinology
An animal model for human hepatitis B virus (HBV) tolerance is needed to investigate the mechanisms. This model will also facilitate therapeutic strategies for the existing 350 million patients with chronic hepatitis B. We established a mouse model by hydrodynamic injection of an engineered, replication-competent HBV DNA into the tail veins of C57BL/6 mice. In 40% of the injected mice, HBV surface antigenemia persisted for >6 months. Viral replication intermediates, transcripts, and proteins were detected in the liver tissues of the injected mice for up to 1 year. The tolerance toward HBV surface antigen in this model was shown to be due to an insufficient cellular immunity against hepatitis B core antigen, as was documented in humans. This animal model will accelerate further genetic and mechanistic studies of human chronic hepatitis B infection.