The expression profile of bile acid and cholesterol synthesis genes are affected by the binding of Hepatitis B Virus to its cellular receptor

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been associated with alterations in lipid metabolism, suggesting that HBV may affect the expression of metabolism-related genes. Moreover, the sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), responsible for bile acid uptake into hepatocytes, was identified as the functional cellular receptor mediating HBV entry. Aim of the study was to determine whether HBV alters the liver metabolic profile by employing HBV-infected and uninfected human-liver chimeric mice. Methods: humanized uPA/SCID mice were used to establish chronic HBV infection. Gene expression profiles…