Objective: To establish a highly expressing and replicating hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome transgenic mouse models for screening anti-HBV drugs and investigating the pathogenesis of hepatitis B.
Methods: Elongated HBV genome as the investigated gene was transducted into the pronuclei of the fertilized eggs of mice by the technique of microinjection, then the eggs were transplanted into the oviducts of the pseudopregnant mice. All the newborn mice were screened and identified by PCR and Southern blot detecting genomic DNA in tail tissue, then the positive mice were examined plasma HBsAg, HBeAg by ELISA and plasma HBV DNA by Southern blot.
Results: Among the 61 offsprings, 18 were positive for tail tissue HBV DNA examination, 7 of which were positive for replication and expression detection.
Conclusion: Transgenic mice with elongated HBV genome possess high efficiency of replication and expression, which can be used for further investigation.