Therapeutic vaccination for chronic hepatitis B in the Trimera mouse model [Elektronische Ressource] / von Vuyyuru, Raja Sekhar Reddy

Therapeutic vaccination for chronic hepatitis B in the Trimera mouse model Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades “Doktor der Naturwissenschaften” Am Fachbereich Biologie der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz von Vuyyuru, Raja Sekhar Reddy geb. am 11. February 1976 in Indien Mainz, 2008 1 Dekan: 1. Berichterstatter: 2. Berichterstatter: Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 10/02/2009 2 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HEPATITIS B (HBV) INFECTION ............................... 6 1.2 STRUCTURE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS ........................................................................................ 6 1.3 CLINICAL CONSEQUENCES OF HBV INFECTION .................................... 12 1.3.1 Acute Infection ............................................... 13 1.3.2 Chronic Infection ............................................ 14 1.3.3 Liver cirrhosis and Hepatocellular carcinoma ................................ 16 1.4 THERAPY OF HBV INFECTION .............................................................................................. 18 1.4.1 Interferon alfa ................................................. 20 1.4.2 Lamivudine ..................................................................................... 22 1.4.