HEPATITIS-B VIRUS-REPLICATION IS CELL-CYCLE INDEPENDENT DURING LIVER-REGENERATION IN TRANSGENIC MICE

The content of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicative forms and HBV core protein in the liver of HBV transgenic mice is transiently reduced dur ing massive liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy while the steady-state content of viral RNA is unchanged. This antiviral effect is triggered by interferon and tumor necrosis factor that are induced in the liver following hepatectomy and either prevent the formation o r accelerate the degradation of viral nucleocapsids in the cytoplasm o f the hepatocyte. Despite massive hepatocellular turnover, this effect is independent of liver cell division, indicating that HBV replicates efficiently in resting and dividing hepatocytes.