Hepatitis B virus virion and HBsAg secretion pathway (HBV secretion pathway)

The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) virion and HBsAg secretion pathway is a complex biological process encompassing the assembly, trafficking, and release of infectious Dane particles and non-infectious subviral particles (SVPs) from hepatocytes [4, 12]. In chronic HBV infection, SVPs composed of HBsAg are secreted in massive excess (up to 100,000-fold over infectious virions), acting as immunological decoys that drive T-cell exhaustion and prevent viral clearance [1, 8]. This pathway is a critical therapeutic target because sequestering these antigens can remove the inhibitory block on the host's innate and adaptive immune systems, potentially leading to a 'functional cure' [9, 13]. Nucleic acid polymers (NAPs), such as REP 2139, are the primary class of drugs designed to inhibit this secretion, facilitating rapid HBsAg clearance and immune restoration [11, 13]. Monitoring the target involves quantitative HBsAg and HBV DNA assays, while therapeutic challenges include managing immune-mediated ALT flares that occur during the clearance phase [13, 16].

Other names

HBV assembly and release pathwayHBsAg release mechanismHBV subviral particle secretion pathwayViral egress pathwayHBsAg secretion mechanism

Inhibition of the assembly and secretion of subviral particles (SVPs) and infectious virions from hepatocytes, leading to the reduction of circulating HBsAg levels and restoration of host immune response.