HBV Slow Maturation Process Leads to Infection

Initial hepatitis B virus (HBV) attachment occurs via heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), which then trigger receptor-mediated internalization. Although HSPGs express in many tissues, HBV is destined for hepatotropic infection. A recent paper by Seitz et al. proposed that the slow viral maturation process plays a critical role in liver-specific distribution.