Lack of immunological DNA sensing in hepatocytes facilitates hepatitis B virus infection
Martin K. Thomsen, Ramya Nandakumar, Daniela Stadler, Antje Malo, Roser Marin Valls, Fan Wang, Line S. Reinert, Frederik Dagnæs‐Hansen, Anne Kruse Hollensen, Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen, Ulrike Protzer, Søren R. Paludan – 16 June 2016 – Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major human pathogen, and about one third of the global population will be exposed to the virus in their lifetime. HBV infects hepatocytes, where it replicates its DNA and infection can lead to acute and chronic hepatitis with a high risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.