Interaction of HBV with p53 “gain-of-function“ mutants inhibits apoptosis of HBV-infected hepatocytes

Introduction: Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection causes liver cirrhosis leading to over 80% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) worldwide. We have previously shown that a functional p53- and an intact CD95-signaling pathway are essential for elimination of HBV-infected cells. Furthermore, we have described the role of the p53 family in hepatocarcinogenesis, therapeutic response and prognosis of HCC. Whereas the hallmark of wild-type (wt) p53 is its tumor suppressor activity, tumor-associated mutant p53 proteins can exert novel anti-apoptotic “gain-of-function“ (GOF) activities, which confer a selective adv…