The Role of Quasi-Enveloped Hepatitis A Virus in Hepatitis A Virus⟉nfection

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection affects the global population and is responsible for acute hepatitis. Although most acute HAV infections can resolve spontaneously, there are about 15,000–30,000 deaths occurring annually worldwide. Therefore, it is important to study the mechanism of HAV infection. Recent studies have shown that HAV can be cloaked in the host membrane and exit cells nonlytically. This unique form of HAV is called quasi-enveloped HAV (eHAV) and is infectious and resistant to neutralizing antibodies. eHAV makes HAV different from many picornaviruses and provides a new pathway to HAV infection. In this review, we briefly summarize the characteristics and functions of eHAV in HAV infection.

Keywords::

• cellular entry
• HAV infection
• hepatitis A virus
• membrane hijack
• quasi-enveloped HAV

Author contributions

Y Zhao wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Y Chen, Q Chen, C Bao and H Xiang edited and revised the manuscript. This article was designed and guided by L Mao. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 32070182) and the Key Project of Jiangsu Commission of Health (grant no. ZD2021049) to LM. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 32070182) and the Key Project of Jiangsu Commission of Health (grant no. ZD2021049) to LM. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.