Total RNA was extracted from frozen livers using ReliaPrep™ RNA Tissue Miniprep System (Promega), according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as described63 (link), genomic DNA contamination was removed using Ambion® TURBO DNA-freeTM DNase. 1 μg of total RNA was reverse transcribed with Superscript IV Vilo (Life Technologies) prior to qPCR analysis for mouse il2 (TaqMan Mm00434256, Life Technologies), ifng (TaqMan Mm01168134, Life Technologies), HBV core (forward TACCGCCTCAGCTCTGTATC, reverse CTTCCAAATTAACACCCACCC, probe TCACCTCACCATACTGCACTCAGGCAA). Reactions were run and analysed on Quant Studio 5 instrument (Life Technologies). For viremia quantification, a standard curve was drawn using plasmid DNA. All experiments were performed in triplicate and normalized to the reference gene GAPDH.