Hepatitis B virus causes mixed cryoglobulinaemia by driving clonal expansion of innate B-cells producing a VH1-69-encoded antibody.

Abstract

VH1-69-encoded antibodies are known to preferentially recognise a variety of viral proteins including HCV E2, influenza A virus haemagglutinin and HIV gp41/gp120, and may serve as innate first line antiviral defense. Thus, like HCV, HBV may cause MC by protracted antigenic stimulation of VH1-69-expressing B-cells.