Dissecting mechanisms of liver disease in HIV-Hepatitis B coinfection

Globally, 8% of people living with HIV (PLWH) also have chronic Hepatitis B infection (HBV). They have increased liver related death and disease. In this thesis I worked with samples from PLWH with HBV to investigate reasons for accelerated liver fibrosis. I also developed new cell models in the laboratory to further investigate the mechanisms for liver disease in PLWH and HBV. In a longitudinal study over 3 years, 20% of participants had progression of liver fibrosis. I found an association with an inflammatory marker (CXCL10), and a ‘danger protein’, the alarmin high mobility group box 1 protein HMGB1.