How immune cells help control chronic hepatitis B
Official title: Integrated analysis of HBV-specific CD4 T cell and B cell responses to define their role in chronic hepatitis B and HBV functional cure.
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11388070 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how two immune cell types (CD4 T cells and B cells) in adults with hepatitis B act differently in people who clear the virus versus those with long-term infection to find clues for treatments that could lead to a functional cure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $160,224 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI184931-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11388070 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults age 21 and older with chronic hepatitis B or people who have naturally controlled HBV are the most relevant candidates for participation.
✕Less likely to help
Children under 21, people without hepatitis B, or those unable to provide blood samples are unlikely to benefit from participating in this research.
What this research studies
You would join well-defined clinical groups of adults with different hepatitis B outcomes, including people who naturally control the virus and those with chronic infection. Researchers will collect blood samples to study HBV-specific CD4 T cells and B cells, measuring their functions and molecular activity. They will use an integrated systems approach combining cellular assays, antibody analyses, and gene-expression data to find patterns linked to cure or persistent infection. The findings will be used to guide development of targeted immunotherapies and better therapeutic vaccines.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal immune targets and biomarkers that help develop new treatments or vaccines enabling a functional cure for hepatitis B.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior studies have found immune markers linked to HBV control, but combining detailed CD4 T cell and B cell molecular profiling within the same patient cohorts is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lauer, Georg Michael — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lauer, Georg Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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HBV immune responses in functional cure and therapies guided by CD4 T cells and B cells
This grant studies how HBV-specific CD4 T cells and B cells behave in people with hepatitis B to identify clues for achieving a functional cure.
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Therapeutic nucleic acid vaccine for chronic hepatitis B in people with HIV/HBV co-infection
A new genetic vaccine approach is being tested to help people living with both HIV and chronic hepatitis B reduce and potentially cure their HBV infection.
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HBV immune responses and pathways linked to functional cure
Researchers will study how HBV-specific CD4 T cells and B cells behave in people with chronic hepatitis B to find what immune changes are needed for a functional cure.
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Nanobodies to help clear HBV surface antigen and restore immunity
A small, targeted antibody therapy using nanobodies is being explored to lower hepatitis B surface antigen in people with chronic HBV, with the goal of helping the immune system clear the infection.
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Host-targeted antiviral to achieve a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B
A research project tests a new drug strategy that aims to clear signs of hepatitis B in people who have a chronic infection.
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Long-acting injectable hepatitis B antivirals with an immune booster
This project is developing long-lasting injectable hepatitis B medicines combined with an immune stimulant for people living with chronic hepatitis B.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.