How the hepatitis B ‘e’ antigen helps the virus persist in the liver
Official title: Hepatitis B virus e antigen in viral persistence
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11294163 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explains how a hepatitis B protein called HBeAg changes liver immune cells in ways that help the virus survive long-term, with the goal of helping people with chronic hepatitis B.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 20, 2017 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $495,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R37AI129540-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11294163 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This is a laboratory, preclinical project using mouse models and does not enroll human participants.
✕Less likely to help
People with chronic hepatitis B should not expect to receive direct medical benefit or clinical treatment from this project in the near term because it is basic research.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team uses laboratory mouse models that carry hepatitis B to study how a viral protein called HBeAg interacts with liver macrophages (Kupffer cells). They examine how HBeAg changes the metabolism of these immune cells toward oxidative phosphorylation and how that shift dampens inflammatory responses. The scientists manipulate HBeAg and macrophage function in the lab to see which changes promote viral persistence versus clearance. Results aim to reveal specific steps that could be targeted to help the immune system clear chronic hepatitis B.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to boost liver immune responses and lead to treatments that help clear chronic hepatitis B.
How similar studies have gone: Previous mouse-model and clinical observations linked HBeAg to HBV persistence and the team has published evidence that HBeAg alters macrophage behavior, so this work builds on prior findings while probing new metabolic mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ou, J.-H. James — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Ou, J.-H. James
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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.