Immune responses in hepatitis B virus infection.
Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the most frequent causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Even though a preventive vaccine is available, the search for a cure for chronically infected patients remains a high priority to reduce the morbidity and mortality from liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This review summarizes the immune response in acute, self-limited and chronic hepatitis B; its differential effects on viral replication and liver injury; and prospects for immunotherapy.
Rehermann
Barbara
B
Liver Diseases Section, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, HHS, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. Rehermann@nih.gov
D000917:Antibody Formation; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D014779:Virus Replication
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines