Asselah

Research Project

Chronic viral hepatitis B and C represent a major public health problem, affecting over 400 million patients worldwide. The Hepatology Department at Beaujon Hospital is a major international clinical trial center for viral hepatitis, and close interaction with our laboratory enables us to develop numerous clinical, applied and translational research projects. We follow large cohorts of untreated (natural history) and treated (long-term impact of treatment) patients. We have a clinical and biochemical database, as well as a tissue and serum biobank, for patients who have been followed for many years. This invaluable material enables us to develop various fundamental and clinical projects and collaborations with other laboratories. Our plan is to pursue a strong therapeutic trials activity and to extend our translational research projects for a better understanding of the pathophysiology and response to treatments of viral hepatitis B and C. Current work (genomics, transcriptome, miRNA expression, etc.) will be continued, with a particular effort to maintain high-quality translational research.

The team’s project is to contribute to the cure of hepatitis B. The Hepatology Department at Beaujon Hospital is a major international clinical trial center for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The development of antibodies against the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) is the hallmark of resolution of acute infection, and is a therapeutic goal for the functional cure of HCB. One of the research projects is the identification of T and B cell response mechanisms and to better understand their role in HBsAg seroconversion. In addition, the team led by Dr Abdellah Mansouri has expertise in mitochondrial functions. Mitochondria are cellular organelles involved in multiple signaling and metabolic pathways, and also play important roles in antiviral and inflammatory immune responses. HBV is capable of interfering with several of these signaling pathways, most notably the HBV X protein, which is capable of interacting with complex IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, causing an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). One of the team’s projects is to understand the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of HCB, in inflammation, fibrosis progression and the onset of hepatocellular carcinoma.