How the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) helps the virus stay in the body
The Role of HBeAg in HBV Persistence
Researchers are looking at how a hepatitis B protein called HBeAg helps the virus persist in people living with chronic hepatitis B.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11226155 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about lab work that follows what HBeAg does inside infected liver cells and immune cells. The team will study how an HBeAg piece called p22 is made and how it blocks antiviral signaling pathways such as the JAK-STAT route. They will also examine how circulating HBeAg affects immune cells like monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (mMDSCs) that can weaken T cell responses. Results come from experiments using human-related samples and molecular lab techniques to map these pathways and interactions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with chronic hepatitis B—especially those who are HBeAg-positive or have detectable viral replication—who can provide blood or clinical information for research.
Not a fit: People without chronic hepatitis B (for example, those who cleared the infection, are vaccinated, or have unrelated liver diseases) are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost immune responses or target HBeAg to help clear chronic hepatitis B infection.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown HBeAg can alter immune responses and block signaling, but translating those findings into proven patient cures or therapies remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Haitao — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Guo, Haitao
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 below.