Hepatitis B virus cccDNA-derived RNA transcripts (HBV RNA)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) acts as the stable, episomal template for the transcription of all viral RNAs within the nucleus of infected hepatocytes [Tu et al., 2017]. These transcripts include the pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), which serves as the template for reverse transcription into new viral DNA, and several subgenomic mRNAs that encode essential viral proteins such as the surface antigen (HBsAg) and the X protein (HBx) [Nassal, 2015]. Because cccDNA is highly persistent and difficult to eradicate, targeting its RNA products has become a cornerstone of modern functional cure strategies [Fanning et al., 2019]. Therapeutic agents like antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are designed to specifically bind and induce the degradation of these transcripts, thereby inhibiting viral replication and reducing the burden of viral antigens [Yuen et al., 2022]. This reduction in viral protein expression is intended to alleviate immune exhaustion and allow the host's immune system to regain control over the infection [Gish et al., 2015].

Other names

HBV transcriptsHepatitis B virus RNAPregenomic RNApgRNASubgenomic HBV RNAHBV mRNA

Degradation of viral RNA transcripts via RNA interference (siRNA) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) to inhibit viral protein synthesis and replication.