Establishment and Fate of HBV cccDNA (14)

• Subject Area: Virology
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 272983813

HBV persists by establishing a covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA form in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes, which serves as transcription template for all viral RNAs. Current antiviral treatment does not target established HBV cccDNA. In contrast, cytokines can induce modification and degradation of HBV cccDNA, but also influence its transcriptional activity. This may finally contribute to curing chronic hepatitis B. The overarching goal of this project is to understand the molecular details of the establishment of cccDNA, the maintenance of its integrity and its fate. Identified mechanisms shall serve as the basis for innovative therapies targeting HBV cccDNA.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 179: Determinants and dynamics of elimination versus persistence of hepatitis virus infection
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Ulrike Protzer; Dr. Jochen Wettengel, since 7/2024