Host–virus interactions in hepatitis B virus infection

•Hepatocellular HBV infection is noncytopathic.•HBV does not induce a measurable innate immune response in vivo.•Robust, broad adaptive immune responses mediate HBV clearance and acute hepatitis.•Weak, narrow adaptive responses mediate HBV persistence and chronic hepatitis.•Chronic hepatitis evolves to cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma.