title: Immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a widespread infectious disease with unfavorable outcomes and life-threatening consequences for patients, in spite of modern vaccination and antiviral treatment modalities. Cutting-edge experimental approaches have demonstrated key pathways that involve cross-talk between viral particles and host immune cells. All events, including penetration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) particles into host cells, establishing persistence, and chronization of CHB infection, and possibility of complete elimination of HBV particles are controlled by the immune system. Researchers have paid special attention to the replication capacity of HBV in host cells, which is associated with cellular changes that reflect presentation of viral antigens and variability of HBV antigen features. In addition, specific HBV proteins have an immune-modulating ability to initiate molecular mechanisms that "avoid" control by the immune system. The relationship between immunological shifts and chronic infection stages has been intensively studied since it was recognized that the immune system is a direct participant in the recurrent (cyclic) nature of CHB. Understanding the wide diversity of molecular pathways and the crosstalk between innate and adaptive immune system components will provide fresh insight into CHB immune pathogenesis and the possibilities of developing new treatment strategies for this disease.
authors.affiliation: Irina P Balmasova, Nikolay D Yushchuk, Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Treatment Methods in Infection Diseases, Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Moscow 127374, Russia.
authors.forename: Irina P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Balmasova
authors.affiliation: Irina P Balmasova, Nikolay D Yushchuk, Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Treatment Methods in Infection Diseases, Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Moscow 127374, Russia.
authors.forename: Nikolay D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Yushchuk
authors.affiliation: Irina P Balmasova, Nikolay D Yushchuk, Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Treatment Methods in Infection Diseases, Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Moscow 127374, Russia.
authors.forename: Ospan A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Mynbaev
authors.affiliation: Irina P Balmasova, Nikolay D Yushchuk, Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Treatment Methods in Infection Diseases, Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Moscow 127374, Russia.
authors.forename: Nageswara R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Alla
authors.affiliation: Irina P Balmasova, Nikolay D Yushchuk, Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Treatment Methods in Infection Diseases, Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Moscow 127374, Russia.
authors.forename: Elena S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Malova
authors.affiliation: Irina P Balmasova, Nikolay D Yushchuk, Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Treatment Methods in Infection Diseases, Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Moscow 127374, Russia.
authors.forename: Zhongjie
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Irina P Balmasova, Nikolay D Yushchuk, Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Treatment Methods in Infection Diseases, Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Moscow 127374, Russia.
authors.forename: Chang-Lu
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015195:Drug Design; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens
keywords: Antiviral drugs; Chronic hepatitis B; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Immune response; Immunopathogenesis