title: Transfer of HBV genomes using low doses of adenovirus vectors leads to persistent infection in immune competent mice.
abstract: Studies of mechanisms responsible for the persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been hindered by a lack of appropriate animal models. HBV genomes can be delivered to livers of mice using hydrodynamic injection or high doses of an adenoviral vector; these lead to clearance of HBV. We found that infection of immunocompetent mice with low doses of an adenoviral vector resulted in persistent HBV infection; the mice neither underwent seroconversion to production of antibodies against HBV nor developed a strong HBV-specific effector T-cell response. As in patients with chronic HBV infection, DNA vaccination failed to generate T cells that cleared infection. This model of persistent HBV infection could be used to study the pathogenesis of chronic HBV infection and develop new therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Institutes of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Li-Rung
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yvonne A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Gäbel
authors.forename: Steffi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arzberger
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kurts
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heikenwalder
authors.forename: Percy A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Knolle
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Protzer
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae; D000818:Animals; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007121:Immunocompetence; D051379:Mice; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens