Analysis of cellular gene expression changes associated with hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication involves virus-host cell interactions. The identification of host cell factors involved in HBV infection can enhance the understanding of viral replication, pathogenesis, and potential. Transcriptome analysis by RNA sequencing was done with HBV-infected cells to identify gene expression changes due to viral infection. In this thesis, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate and analyze selected genes, and potential roles in viral replication. Additionally, cellular genes associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were identified as having altered gene expression. Analysis of HBx expression and selected HBx mutants on cellular gene expression revealed associations with HCC.