Human immune repertoire in hepatitis B virus infection.

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health threat that affects 257 million people worldwide and can progress to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The HBV antigen- induced adaptive immune response plays an important role in HBV clearance. Immune repertoire sequencing (IRS) has been used to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the immune system, find novel ways to treat HBV infection, and evaluate the genetic responses and immune characteristics of individuals infected by HBV or immunized by HBV vaccine. This review summarizes the human immune repertoire analysis methodology, and the application of the IRS in the prediction of HBV infection progression, treatment, and vaccination.