Hepatitis B virus DNA methylation and its potential role in chronic hepatitis B
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-16-2022
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection led to 66% liver deaths world-wide in year 2015. Thirty-seven per cent of these deaths were the result of chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although early diagnosis of HCC improves survival, early detection is rare. Methylation of HBV DNA including covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is more often encountered in HCC cases than those in CHB and cirrhosis. Three typical CpG islands within the HBV genome are the common sites for methylation. The HBV cccDNA methylation affects the viral replication and protein expression in the course of infection and may associate with the disease pathogenesis and HCC development. We review the current findings in HBV DNA methylation that provide insights into its role in HCC diagnosis.
Keywords
Biomarker, Chronic hepatitis B, Covalently closed circular DNA, CpG islands, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Methylation
Divisions
fac_med,medicinedept
Funders
Ministry of Education, Malaysia (Grant No: FRGS/1/2019/SKK08/SYUC/03/2),Sunway Medical Centre (Grant No: SRC/006/2017/FR)
Publication Title
Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
Volume
25
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publisher Location
32 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY 10013-2473 USA