Updates on Immune Responses to Hepatitis B Infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of acute and chronic liver inflammation worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicates in hepatocytes without causing direct damage to the cell. The infection outcome is largely determined by the immune response against the virus, and the virus cannot often be completely removed by the immune system. HBV has a low chronicity rate compared to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and patients who mount a successful immune response against the virus have lifelong protective immunity, though trace amounts of viral DNA may still be detected.

Evidence has suggested cytotoxic T cells are responsible for preventing viral replication and for inducing the lysis of infected hepatocytes. These studies also suggested that an interferon response is lacking suggesting the importance of adaptive immunity over innate immunity in responding to the infection. Though recent evidence has improved our understanding of the importance of innate immune responses, including PAMPs, in the early stages of infection. HBV utilizes various innate immune evasion strategies and induces immunosuppression to successfully infect the host.

Recent technology breakthroughs are allowing us to understand the immunopathogenesis of chronic HBV, including immune parameters facilitating persistence, and whether infected human livers can be completely cleared of the virus. More research is required to understand the molecular mechanisms in the liver underlying immune cell function and dysfunction in acute and chronic disease. Though our knowledge of the effective immune responses required to control HBV infection has increased, translation to immunotherapeutic strategies has been limited.

In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Clinical Trial, Opinion, and Perspective articles, related but not limited to, the following sub-topics:

• Reviews of our current understanding of immune responses to acute and chronic HBV infection

• Immune responses/immune dysfunction underlying determination of infection outcome: acute vs chronic

• Novel insights into adaptive immune responses in acute and chronic HBV infection

• Novel insights into innate immune responses involved to chronic HBV infection, including PAMPs and IFN signaling

• Strategies by HBV to evade the immune system and induce immunosuppression

• Novel therapeutics targeting immune responses/ immune dysfunction

• Use of novel technologies to understand immunity to HBV

Keywords: Immunity, Viral, Virus, Innate Immunity, Adaptive Immunity, HBV, Hepatitis, Hepatitis B Virus

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.