The role of hepatitis B surface antibodies in HBV infection, disease and clearance

Nadia Warner, Stephen Locarnini, Hui Xu

Research output: Contribution to journalReview ArticleResearchpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The clinical sequelae associated with chronic HBV infection is generally regarded as a consequence of an inadequate and inappropriate immune response to active viral replication, predominantly at the T-cell level. However, recent studies on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific B cells and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HB) responses have identified their previously unrecognized role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). These studies have also uncovered novel therapeutic approaches to more effectively target HBsAg loss and seroconversion, an important end point and regarded as a functional cure. Anti-HBs IgG has also been shown to have multiple direct acting antiviral roles with the Fab component directly blocking viral entry, and release while the Fc component has been linked to antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Likewise, the HBsAg-specific B-cell dysfunctionality can be reversed providing new therapeutic opportunities to achieve functional cure in CHB.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)293-306
Number of pages14
JournalFuture Virology
Volume15
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ADCC/CDC
  • anti-HBs
  • B-cell dysfunction
  • immune complexes
  • neutralizing antibody
  • non-neutralizing antibody
  • therapeutic vaccine

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