Hepatitis B virus-induced cirrhosis: Mechanisms, global variations, and treatment advances

Figure 1 Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through blood or body fluids, which leads to infection of hepatocytes in the liver. The virus particle is composed of an outer envelope containing surface proteins (HBs) and an inner nucleocapsid containing core proteins (HBc) and relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA). Upon entry into hepatocytes via the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide receptor, the viral rcDNA is transported to the nucleus where it is converted into covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). This cccDNA serves as a template for viral transcription and replication, leading to the production of new viral particles. Some of the infected hepatocytes experience necrosis or apoptosis as a result of viral replication, while others excrete viral particles by bile. Chronic hepatitis B infection can cause persistent liver damage, eventually leading to liver cirrhosis and significant loss of liver function. NTCP: Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide receptor; rcDNA: Relaxed circular DNA; CHB: Chronic hepatitis B; HBV: Hepatitis B virus.