Jiapeng Wu

Mr. Jiapeng Wu

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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26 October 2026 in Vaccines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
James AhodantinJames Ahodantin
James Ahodantin
JWJiapeng Wu
Jiapeng Wu
MFMasaya Funaki
Masaya Funaki
LTLydia Tang
Lydia Tang
SKShyam Kottilil
Shyam Kottilil
Lishan SuLishan Su
Lishan Su
Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHB) affects nearly 300 million individuals globally and remains incurable with current antiviral therapies, which suppress viral replication but rarely achieve a functional cure, defined by sustained loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). CHB is characterized by profound virus-induced immune tolerance that limits the efficacy of conventional therapeutic vaccination strategies. Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and immunological mechanisms of HEPLISAV-B, a CpG-1018 adjuvanted HBsAg vaccine, in breaking immune tolerance and inducing functional cure-like responses in a murine model of CHB. Design: Using the adeno-associated virus-HBV (AAV-HBV) mouse model, mice with high levels of persistent HBV viremia were vaccinated with two doses of HEPLISAV-B. Virological outcomes in the blood and liver, immune responses and mechanisms were assessed. Results: HEPLISAV-B induced rapid and durable HBsAg clearance, markedly reduced circulating and intrahepatic HBV DNA and RNA, and suppressed viral replication without hepatocellular injury. Vaccination elicited robust, sustained anti-HBs IgG1 and IgA responses, enhanced HBsAg-specific T- and B-cell immunity, reduced CD4 regulatory T cells, and decreased PD-1 expression on CD4 T cells. Therapeutic efficacy was strictly dependent on CD4 T cells and the CD40/CD40L signaling pathway, but independent of CD8 T cells, indicating a CD4-driven, non-cytolytic antiviral mechanism critical for HEPLISAV-B-induced HBV control. Conclusions: HEPLISAV-B effectively breaks HBV-induced immune tolerance and restores coordinated antiviral immunity through a CD4 T cell/CD40L-dependent pathway. The findings support its potential as a therapeutic vaccine in CHB patients.