cccDNA epigenetic regulator as target for therapeutical vaccine development against hepatitis B

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) remains a global health concern, with currently available antiviral therapies demonstrating limited effectiveness in preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Two primary challenges in CHB treatment include the persistence of the minichromosome, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the failure of the host immune response to eliminate cccDNA. Recent findings indicate several host and HBV proteins involved in the epigenetic regulation of cccDNA, including HBV core protein (HBc) and HBV x protein (HBx). Both proteins might contribute to the stability of the cccDNA minichromosome and interact with viral and host proteins to support transcription. One potential avenue for CHB treatment involves the utilization of therapeutic vaccines. This paper explores HBV antigens suitable for epigenetic manipulation of cccDNA, elucidates their mechanisms of action, and evaluates their potential as key components of epigenetically-driven vaccines for CHB therapy. Molecular targeted agents with therapeutic vaccines offer a promising strategy for addressing CHB by targeting the virus and enhancing the host's immunological response. Despite challenges, the development of these vaccines provides new hope for CHB patients by emphasizing the need for HBV antigens that induce effective immune responses without causing T cell exhaustion.

Keywords: chronic hepatitis B; covalently closed circular DNA; epigenetic; immune response; therapeutic vaccine.