Specific expression of human interferon-gamma controls hepatitis B virus replication in vitro in secreting hepatitis B surface antigen hepatocytes

► A novel strategy for targeted delivery of human interferon gamma to the HBsAg-secreting hepatocytes mediated by pcDNA3.1 was developed. ► This strategy resulted in robust induction of interferon gamma expression in a cell-specific fashion with a very low background. ► The cell-specific interferon gamma expression controlled effectively HBV replication in HepG2.2.15 cells without cell toxicity.