Enhancement of Hepatitis B Virus Replication by the Regulatory X Protein In Vitro and In Vivo

摘要: The 3.2-kb hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome encodes a single regulatory protein termed HBx. While multiple functions have been identified for HBx in cell culture, its role replication remains undefined. In the present study, we combined an HBV plasmid-based assay with hydrodynamic tail vein injection model to investigate function(s) of vivo. Using greater-than-unit-length plasmid DNA construct (payw1.2) and similar stop codon at position 7 open reading frame (payw1.2*7), showed that transfected HepG2 cells was reduced 65% absence These plasmids were next introduced into livers outbred ICR mice via injection. At peak replication, 4 days postinjection, intrahepatic markers 72% 83% injected HBx-deficient payw1.2*7 compared those measured receiving wild-type payw1.2. A second encoding able restore from levels. Finally, viremia monitored over course acute it by nearly 2 logs studies establish previously shown is also apparent mouse liver within context hepatitis. Importantly, function can now be studied vivo setting more closely approximates cellular environment replication.