# Mechanisms of HBV-Induced Innate Immunity

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $387,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis B virus infections affect about 350 million people worldwide and constitute a
significant risk factor for fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV alters mitochondrial
dynamics. HBV has been shown to induce autophagy of mitochondria (Mitophagy) as evidenced by
Parkin translocation to mitochondria. We propose to investigate a possible link between mitochondrial
dynamics induced by HBV and innate immunity. HBV cripples host innate immunity to maintain
chronic persistent infection. Here, we propose to investigate the molecular mechanisms of HBV-
induced suppression of innate immune signaling from mitochondrial platform. The key player in this
process is a mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS). There is sufficient supporting
information, which shows that Parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, interacts with MAVS on the mitochondria
and that Parkin causes the ubiquitination of MAVS. These investigations will elucidate how MAVS is
targeted by Parkin in a supracomplex and affects downstream antiviral signaling of interferon
synthesis. These interactions and ubiquitinations eventually cripple innate immunity. These studies
will provide unique insights into molecular mechanisms of HBV-induced mitochondrial dynamics and
its effects on altering host innate immune response and open new avenues of investigations in the
elucidation of innate immune pathways.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10159072
- **Project number:** 5R01AI125350-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** ALEEM SIDDIQUI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $387,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-06-23 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10159072

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10159072, Mechanisms of HBV-Induced Innate Immunity (5R01AI125350-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10159072. Licensed CC0.

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