Preclinical antiviral study of a liver-targeted TLR1/2 agonist in an immune-competent mouse model of HBV infection

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B cure requires the inactivation and/or elimination of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), together with silencing of integrated viral genomes and restoration of HBV-specific immune responses. The TLR1/2 agonist Pam3CSK4 has previously been identified as a potent direct anti-HBV agent in vitro. In the present study, we engineered a liver-targeting polymeric nanoparticle formulation of Pam3CSK4 to enhance its in vivo immunostimulatory and antiviral activity. We evaluated the antiviral efficacy of this novel nanoformulation carrying the TLR1/2 agonist (NP-Pam3CSK4) in monotherapy and started to investigate its mechanism of action through immunological correlates in an immune-competent AAV-HBV mouse model. AAV-HBV-infected mice received intravenous administrations of NP-Pam3CSK4 at doses of 5 or 20 g twice per treatment cycle over four cycles, followed by a 2-week follow-up period. Soluble Pam3CSK4 was administered at substantially higher doses (100 g). Serial blood samples were regularly collected to monitor virological and host immune parameters. At study completion, liver tissues were harvested for intrahepatic quantification of viral and immunological markers using immunoassays, quantitative PCR, and histological analyses. The most pronounced antiviral effects were observed in mice treated with NP-Pam3CSK4 formulations, which achieved greater viral suppression than free Pam3CSK4 despite markedly lower administered doses. Histological examination of liver biopsies from treated animals revealed prominent immune cell infiltration, including macrophages, monocytes, and T cells, organized in dense cluster-like structures. These findings support the induction of coordinated innate and adaptive immune responses contributing to HBV control and clearance. Collectively, our results demonstrate that nanoparticle-based delivery of TLR1/2 agonist represents a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic HBV infection and may improve the likelihood of achieving functional cure. Further mechanistic and translational studies (combination) are warranted to support clinical development.