©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2021; 27(23): 3182-3207
Published online Jun 21, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i23.3182
Published online Jun 21, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i23.3182
Silencing hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA: The potential of an epigenetic therapy approach
Prashika Singh, Dylan Kairuz, Patrick Arbuthnot, Kristie Bloom, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, Gauteng, South Africa
Author contributions: Singh P, Kairuz D, Arbuthnot P and Bloom K contributed to the writing and critical revision of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflict-of-interest.
Corresponding author: Kristie Bloom, MSc, PhD, Academic Research, Research Scientist, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits, Johannesburg 2050, Gauteng, South Africa.
Received: January 29, 2021
Peer-review started: January 29, 2021
First decision: March 14, 2021
Revised: March 23, 2021
Accepted: May 7, 2021
Article in press: May 7, 2021
Published online: June 21, 2021
Processing time: 140 Days and 2.8 Hours
Peer-review started: January 29, 2021
First decision: March 14, 2021
Revised: March 23, 2021
Accepted: May 7, 2021
Article in press: May 7, 2021
Published online: June 21, 2021
Processing time: 140 Days and 2.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Epigenetic regulation of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) minichromosome is important for establishing and maintaining infection. To do this HBV manipulates several cellular pathways, resulting in an intricate and complex interplay between the virus and the host. Epigenetic silencing of the cccDNA could permanently inhibit viral transcription. Therapies such as immune modulators, small molecules, and epigenome engineering tools could silence HBV DNA to promote a functional cure.