H2AX and infection: Figure 8c,d showed the γ-H2AX foci induced by HBx. The average foci numbers in HepG2 and SK-HEP-1 cells infected with Ad-HBx at 48 h and 72 h post-infection were respectively 28.67 ± 3.06 and 40.67 ± 0.58, and 32 ± 3.61 and 34.67 ± 4.16, which were significantly different from those in cells infected with Ad-N. Similarly, higher levels of γ-H2AX were detected in liver tissues of individuals infected with HBV compared with those of individuals uninfected with HBV by immunohistochemistry analyses (Fig. 8e).