Establishment of a convenient Hepatitis B virus-producing xenograft model for validation of anti-HBV drug efficacy

[[abstract]]Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) has infected more than 350 million people worldwide. However, compared with anti-cancer drugs, the development of drugs for viral hepatitis still needs a breakthrough. In this study, we established a convenient hepatitis B virus animal model for validate the efficacy of anti-HBV drug. HepG2 2.2.15, which produce the infectious HBV particle, could cause the viremia in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice by subcutaneous transplantation. High levels of HBV DNA also caused an elevated Natural Killer (NK) cell activity compared with parental HepG2 cells. The increased serum alanine aminotransferase and sHBsAg were also observed in this HepG2 2.2.15 xenograft model and which is relevant to the high levels of serum HBV DNA. 3TC, which is the first market drug for hepatitis B infection, was found effective in this HBV-producing xenograft animal model. The serum HBV DNA, sHBsAg and NK cell activity were decreased by 3TC. Boehmeria nivea extract (BNE), which is widely used as folk medicine in south Taiwan, was assessed by using this Hepatitis B virus-producing xenograft model. BNE administered by intraperitoneal routes appeared to be more potent to inhibit serum HBV DNA levels compared with oral administration under the same dosage. In conclusion, establishment of this Hepatitis B virus-producing xenograft model can facilitate the development of anti-HBV drug.[[fileno]]2050110030002[[department]]生科