Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) (HBeAg)

Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) is a secreted, non-structural viral protein produced by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) during periods of active replication (UniProt P03147). It is translated from the precore mRNA and serves as a primary clinical biomarker for high viral load and increased infectivity in patients with chronic hepatitis B (PMID: 15603019). Biologically, HBeAg acts as an immune tolerogen, helping the virus evade the host's immune system by inducing T-cell exhaustion and preventing the clearance of infected hepatocytes (PMID: 29434380). In the context of disease progression, persistent HBeAg positivity is strongly associated with an elevated risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (NIH: Hepatitis B). Therapeutic strategies targeting HBeAg production include nucleos(t)ide analogues like Entecavir, which suppress viral replication, and emerging RNA interference (RNAi) therapies like JNJ-3989 that directly silence the viral transcripts responsible for HBeAg synthesis (PMID: 32853805). The ultimate goal of these treatments is often HBeAg seroconversion, which marks a significant reduction in viral activity and improved long-term clinical outcomes.

Other names

HBeAgHBV e antigenHepatitis B virus precore proteinPre-C proteinp25 precore proteinExternal core antigen

Inhibition of HBV DNA polymerase to reduce viral replication; RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) mediated degradation of viral mRNA to inhibit protein synthesis; and immunomodulation to promote HBeAg seroconversion.