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Review
. 2015 Aug:13:109-16.
doi: 10.1016/j.coviro.2015.06.004. Epub 2015 Jul 8.

Determinants of hepatitis B and delta virus host tropism

Benjamin Y Winer  1 , Alexander Ploss  2
Affiliations
Review

Determinants of hepatitis B and delta virus host tropism

Benjamin Y Winer et al. Curr Opin Virol. 2015 Aug.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are a global health problem afflicting approximately 360 million patients. Of these individuals, 15-20 million are co-infected with hepatitis delta virus (HDV). Progress toward curative therapies has been impeded by the highly restricted host tropism of HBV, which is limited to productive infections in humans and chimpanzees. Here, we will discuss different approaches that have been taken to study HBV and HDV infections in vivo. The development of transgenic and humanized mice has lead to deeper insights into HBV pathogenesis. An improved understanding of the determinants governing HBV and HDV species tropism will aid in the construction of a small animal model with inheritable susceptible to HBV/HDV.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Host range of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and related surrogate hepadnaviruses
Figure 2
Figure 2. Host adaptation approaches to render mice permissive to HBV and HDV infections
I. Genetic humanization of the mouse through knowledge of what host factors are necessary for supporting the HBV life-cycle. II. Creation of a human immune system engrafted, human liver chimeric and dual engrafted mice for the investigation of lymphotropic and hepatotropic pathogens respectively.
Figure 3
Figure 3. The HBV life-cycle is blocked at several steps in murine cells
Green checks represent those steps that are also supported in murine hepatocytes. Red question marks and red/white dashes indicate those steps that are most likely or are known not to be supported in murine hepatocytes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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