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Haga Y, Coates S, Ray R. Hepatitis C virus chronicity and oncogenic potential: Vaccine development progress. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 99:101305. [PMID: 39167987 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem worldwide. It can cause liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), making it a cause of morbidity from liver disease. Thus, there is an urgent need for a prophylactic HCV vaccine. Fortunately, modern medicine has transformed the therapy for HCV infection through development of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), achieving high rates of sustained virologic response and giving significant relief from HCC and associated mortality, but unfortunately it fails to eradicate the risk of HCC, especially in HCV-cleared patients with already advanced liver disease. Additionally, DAA-cured patients do not develop sufficient antiviral immunity and are susceptible to reinfection. A comprehensive strategy to control HCV infection must include a vaccine development approach in which the host can develop humoral and cellular immunity to eradicate HCV successfully; however, this remains a challenge as HCV has developed systems to evade immune attacks from its host. This review highlights the current understanding of HCV's effect on liver disease and cancer progression, the nature of immune responses from cell populations interacting with HCV, and the current strategies for vaccine development. The information in this review will advance prophylactic intervention strategies for HCV infection, with the end goal being to prevent chronicity and subsequent liver disease leading to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Haga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, Missouri, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Sydney Coates
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, Missouri, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Ranjit Ray
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, Missouri, MO, 63104, USA; Department Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Saint Louis University, Missouri, MO, 63104, USA.
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2
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Florova M, Abreu-Mota T, Paesen GC, Beetschen AS, Cornille K, Marx AF, Narr K, Sahin M, Dimitrova M, Swarnalekha N, Beil-Wagner J, Savic N, Pelczar P, Buch T, King CG, Bowden TA, Pinschewer DD. Central tolerance shapes the neutralizing B cell repertoire against a persisting virus in its natural host. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2318657121. [PMID: 38446855 PMCID: PMC10945855 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318657121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral mimicry of host cell structures has been postulated to curtail the B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire against persisting viruses through tolerance mechanisms. This concept awaits, however, experimental testing in a setting of natural virus-host relationship. We engineered mouse models expressing a monoclonal BCR specific for the envelope glycoprotein of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a naturally persisting mouse pathogen. When the heavy chain of the LCMV-neutralizing antibody KL25 was paired with its unmutated ancestor light chain, most B cells underwent receptor editing, a behavior reminiscent of autoreactive clones. In contrast, monoclonal B cells expressing the same heavy chain in conjunction with the hypermutated KL25 light chain did not undergo receptor editing but exhibited low levels of surface IgM, suggesting that light chain hypermutation had lessened KL25 autoreactivity. Upon viral challenge, these IgMlow cells were not anergic but up-regulated IgM, participated in germinal center reactions, produced antiviral antibodies, and underwent immunoglobulin class switch as well as further affinity maturation. These studies on a persisting virus in its natural host species suggest that central tolerance mechanisms prune the protective antiviral B cell repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Florova
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel4009, Switzerland
| | - Tiago Abreu-Mota
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel4009, Switzerland
| | - Guido C. Paesen
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Sophia Beetschen
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel4009, Switzerland
| | - Karen Cornille
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel4009, Switzerland
| | - Anna-Friederike Marx
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel4009, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Narr
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel4009, Switzerland
| | - Mehmet Sahin
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel4009, Switzerland
| | - Mirela Dimitrova
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel4009, Switzerland
| | - Nivedya Swarnalekha
- Department of Biomedicine, Immune Cell Biology Laboratory, University Hospital Basel, Basel4031, Switzerland
| | - Jane Beil-Wagner
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zurich, Zurich8093, Switzerland
| | - Natasa Savic
- ETH Phenomics Center, ETH Zürich, Zürich8093, Switzerland
| | - Pawel Pelczar
- Center for Transgenic Models, University of Basel, Basel4001, Switzerland
| | - Thorsten Buch
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zurich, Zurich8093, Switzerland
| | - Carolyn G. King
- Department of Biomedicine, Immune Cell Biology Laboratory, University Hospital Basel, Basel4031, Switzerland
| | - Thomas A. Bowden
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel D. Pinschewer
- Division of Experimental Virology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel4009, Switzerland
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3
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Park SJ, Hahn YS. Hepatocytes infected with hepatitis C virus change immunological features in the liver microenvironment. Clin Mol Hepatol 2023; 29:65-76. [PMID: 35957546 PMCID: PMC9845665 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is remarkably efficient in establishing viral persistence, leading to the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are promising HCV therapies to clear the virus. However, recent reports indicate potential increased risk of HCC development among HCV patients with cirrhosis following DAA therapy. CD8+ T-cells participate in controlling HCV infection. However, in chronic hepatitis C patients, severe CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell dysfunctions have been observed. This suggests that HCV may employ mechanisms to counteract or suppress the host T-cell responses. The primary site of viral replication is within hepatocytes where infection can trigger the expression of costimulatory molecules and the secretion of immunoregulatory cytokines. Numerous studies indicate that HCV infection in hepatocytes impairs antiviral host immunity by modulating the expression of immunoregulatory molecules. Hepatocytes expressing whole HCV proteins upregulate the ligands of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) synthesis compared to those in hepatocytes in the absence of the HCV genome. Importantly, HCV-infected hepatocytes are capable of inducing regulatory CD4+ T-cells, releasing exosomes displaying TGF-β on exosome surfaces, and generating follicular regulatory T-cells. Recent studies report that the expression profile of exosome microRNAs provides biomarkers of HCV infection and HCV-related chronic liver diseases. A better understanding of the immunoregulatory mechanisms and identification of biomarkers associated with HCV infection will provide insight into designing vaccine against HCV to bypass HCV-induced immune dysregulation and prevent development of HCV-associated chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo-Jeung Park
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA,USA
| | - Young S. Hahn
- Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA,USA,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA,Corresponding author : Young S. Hahn Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, 345 Crispell Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA Tel: +1-434-924-1275, Fax: +1-434-924-1221, E-mail:
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4
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Almagro JC, Mellado-Sánchez G, Pedraza-Escalona M, Pérez-Tapia SM. Evolution of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Antibodies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179763. [PMID: 36077159 PMCID: PMC9456190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first COVID-19 reports back in December of 2019, this viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has claimed millions of lives. To control the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or European Agency of Medicines (EMA) have granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to nine therapeutic antibodies. Nonetheless, the natural evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has generated numerous variants of concern (VOCs) that have challenged the efficacy of the EUA antibodies. Here, we review the most relevant characteristics of these therapeutic antibodies, including timeline of approval, neutralization profile against the VOCs, selection methods of their variable regions, somatic mutations, HCDR3 and LCDR3 features, isotype, Fc modifications used in the therapeutic format, and epitope recognized on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. One of the conclusions of the review is that the EUA therapeutic antibodies that still retain efficacy against new VOCs bind an epitope formed by conserved residues that seem to be evolutionarily conserved as thus, critical for the RBD:hACE-2 interaction. The information reviewed here should help to design new and more efficacious antibodies to prevent and/or treat COVID-19, as well as other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Almagro
- GlobalBio, Inc., 320 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioterapéuticos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional para Servicios Especializados de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (I+D+i) para Farmoquímicos y Biotecnológicos, LANSEIDI-FarBiotec-CONACyT, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.C.A.); (S.M.P.-T.)
| | - Gabriela Mellado-Sánchez
- Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioterapéuticos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional para Servicios Especializados de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (I+D+i) para Farmoquímicos y Biotecnológicos, LANSEIDI-FarBiotec-CONACyT, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Martha Pedraza-Escalona
- CONACyT-Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioterapéuticos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Sonia M. Pérez-Tapia
- Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioterapéuticos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional para Servicios Especializados de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (I+D+i) para Farmoquímicos y Biotecnológicos, LANSEIDI-FarBiotec-CONACyT, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.C.A.); (S.M.P.-T.)
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5
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Vaccine-elicited CD4 T cells prevent the deletion of antiviral B cells in chronic infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2108157118. [PMID: 34772811 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108157118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic viral infections subvert protective B cell immunity. An early type I interferon (IFN-I)-driven bias to short-lived plasmablast differentiation leads to clonal deletion, so-called "decimation," of antiviral memory B cells. Therefore, prophylactic countermeasures against decimation remain an unmet need. We show that vaccination-induced CD4 T cells prevented the decimation of naïve and memory B cells in chronically lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-infected mice. Although these B cell responses were largely T independent when IFN-I was blocked, preexisting T help assured their sustainability under conditions of IFN-I-driven inflammation by instructing a germinal center B cell transcriptional program. Prevention of decimation depended on T cell-intrinsic Bcl6 and Tfh progeny formation. Antigen presentation by B cells, interactions with antigen-specific T helper cells, and costimulation by CD40 and ICOS were also required. Importantly, B cell-mediated virus control averted Th1-driven immunopathology in LCMV-challenged animals with preexisting CD4 T cell immunity. Our findings show that vaccination-induced Tfh cells represent a cornerstone of effective B cell immunity to chronic virus challenge, pointing the way toward more effective B cell-based vaccination against persistent viral diseases.
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6
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Development and Evaluation of a Set of Spike and Receptor Binding Domain-Based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays for SARS-CoV-2 Serological Testing. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081506. [PMID: 34441440 PMCID: PMC8393265 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The implementation and validation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG serological assays are reported in this paper. S1 and RBD proteins were used to coat ELISA plates, and several secondary antibodies served as reporters. The assays were initially validated with 50 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 sera, which showed high IgG titers of mainly IgG1 isotype, followed by IgG3. Low or no IgG2 and IgG4 titers were detected. Then, the RBD/IgG assay was further validated with 887 serum samples from RT-PCR positive COVID-19 individuals collected at different times, including 7, 14, 21, and 40 days after the onset of symptoms. Most of the sera were IgG positive at day 40, with seroconversion happening after 14–21 days. A third party conducted an additional performance test of the RBD/IgG assay with 406 sera, including 149 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 samples, 229 RT-PCR negative COVID-19 individuals, and 28 sera from individuals with other viral infections not related to SARS-CoV-2. The sensitivity of the assay was 99.33%, with a specificity of 97.82%. All the sera collected from individuals with infectious diseases other than COVID-19 were negative. Given the robustness of this RBD/IgG assay, it received approval from the sanitary authority in Mexico (COFEPRIS) for production and commercialization under the name UDISTEST-V2G®.
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7
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Illouz T, Biragyn A, Iulita MF, Flores-Aguilar L, Dierssen M, De Toma I, Antonarakis SE, Yu E, Herault Y, Potier MC, Botté A, Roper R, Sredni B, London J, Mobley W, Strydom A, Okun E. Immune Dysregulation and the Increased Risk of Complications and Mortality Following Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults With Down Syndrome. Front Immunol 2021; 12:621440. [PMID: 34248930 PMCID: PMC8267813 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.621440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk of severe outcomes following respiratory tract infections is significantly increased in individuals over 60 years, especially in those with chronic medical conditions, i.e., hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer. Down Syndrome (DS), the most prevalent intellectual disability, is caused by trisomy-21 in ~1:750 live births worldwide. Over the past few decades, a substantial body of evidence has accumulated, pointing at the occurrence of alterations, impairments, and subsequently dysfunction of the various components of the immune system in individuals with DS. This associates with increased vulnerability to respiratory tract infections in this population, such as the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), and bacterial pneumonias. To emphasize this link, here we comprehensively review the immunobiology of DS and its contribution to higher susceptibility to severe illness and mortality from respiratory tract infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Illouz
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Arya Biragyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Maria Florencia Iulita
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lisi Flores-Aguilar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Center for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ilario De Toma
- Center for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stylianos E. Antonarakis
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Medigenome, Swiss Institute of Genomic Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
- iGE3 Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eugene Yu
- The Children’s Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics and Genomics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
- Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Program, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Yann Herault
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, IGBMC - UMR 7104 - Inserm U1258, Illkirch, France
| | - Marie-Claude Potier
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Botté
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Randall Roper
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Benjamin Sredni
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - William Mobley
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Andre Strydom
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eitan Okun
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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8
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Fallet B, Hao Y, Florova M, Cornille K, de Los Aires AV, Girelli Zubani G, Ertuna YI, Greiff V, Menzel U, Hammad K, Merkler D, Reddy ST, Weill JC, Reynaud CA, Pinschewer DD. Chronic Viral Infection Promotes Efficient Germinal Center B Cell Responses. Cell Rep 2020; 30:1013-1026.e7. [PMID: 31995746 PMCID: PMC6996002 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent viral infections subvert key elements of adaptive immunity. To compare germinal center (GC) B cell responses in chronic and acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, we exploit activation-induced deaminase (AID) fate-reporter mice and perform adoptive B cell transfer experiments. Chronic infection yields GC B cell responses of higher cellularity than acute infections do, higher memory B cell and antibody secreting cell output for longer periods of time, a better representation of the late B cell repertoire in serum immunoglobulin, and higher titers of protective neutralizing antibodies. GC B cells of chronically infected mice are similarly hypermutated as those emerging from acute infection. They efficiently adapt to viral escape variants and even in hypermutation-impaired AID mutant mice, chronic infection selects for GC B cells with hypermutated B cell receptors (BCRs) and neutralizing antibody formation. These findings demonstrate that, unlike for CD8+ T cells, chronic viral infection drives a functional, productive, and protective GC B cell response. Chronic viral infection elicits potent and sustained germinal center (GC) responses Chronic infection triggers prolonged plasma cell and memory B cell output from GCs GC B cells hypermutate efficiently and are potently selected in chronic infection
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Affiliation(s)
- Bénédict Fallet
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, Haus Petersplatz, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yi Hao
- Development of the Immune System, Institut Necker-Enfants Malades, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1151-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8253, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Marianna Florova
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, Haus Petersplatz, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karen Cornille
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, Haus Petersplatz, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alba Verge de Los Aires
- Development of the Immune System, Institut Necker-Enfants Malades, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1151-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8253, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Giulia Girelli Zubani
- Development of the Immune System, Institut Necker-Enfants Malades, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1151-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8253, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Yusuf I Ertuna
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, Haus Petersplatz, 4009 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Victor Greiff
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Immunology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ulrike Menzel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karim Hammad
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Clinical Pathology, University & University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Doron Merkler
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Clinical Pathology, University & University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sai T Reddy
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Claude Weill
- Development of the Immune System, Institut Necker-Enfants Malades, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1151-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8253, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Claude-Agnès Reynaud
- Development of the Immune System, Institut Necker-Enfants Malades, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1151-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8253, Faculté de Médecine Paris Descartes, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Daniel D Pinschewer
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, Haus Petersplatz, 4009 Basel, Switzerland.
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9
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Sala E, Kuka M. The Suppressive Attitude of Inflammatory Monocytes in Antiviral Antibody Responses. Viral Immunol 2020; 33:327-333. [PMID: 32027238 PMCID: PMC7247028 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2019.0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory monocytes play important functions in antiviral immune responses, including release of inflammatory cytokines and antigen presentation to T lymphocytes. Depending on the pathological context, these functions might translate into beneficial or detrimental effects in the resolution of the disease. Recent literature has highlighted a role for inflammatory monocytes also in direct suppression of B cell responses. In this review, we will briefly discuss research showing the relationship between inflammatory monocytes and B lymphocytes, its functional consequences on antiviral antibody responses, and possible implications in the design of future vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Sala
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirela Kuka
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation, and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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10
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Envelope-Specific IgG3 and IgG1 Responses Are Associated with Clearance of Acute Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Viruses 2020; 12:v12010075. [PMID: 31936235 PMCID: PMC7019651 DOI: 10.3390/v12010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be cleared naturally in a subset of individuals. However, the asymptomatic nature of acute HCV infection makes the study of the early immune response and defining the correlates of protection challenging. Despite this, there is now strong evidence implicating the humoral immune response, specifically neutralising antibodies, in determining the clearance or chronicity outcomes of primary HCV infection. In general, immunoglobulin G (IgG) plays the major role in viral neutralisation. However, there are limited investigations of anti-HCV envelope protein 2 (E2) isotypes (IgM, IgG, IgA) and IgG subclasses (IgG1-4) in early HCV infection. In this study, using a rare cohort of 14 very recently HCV-infected individuals (4-45 days) with varying disease outcome (n = 7 clearers), the timing and potency of anti-HCV E2 isotypes and IgG subclasses were examined longitudinally, in relation to neutralising antibody activity. Clearance was associated with anti-E2 IgG, specifically IgG1 and IgG3, and appeared essential to prevent the emergence of new HCV variants and the chronic infection outcome. Interestingly, these IgG responses were accompanied by IgM antibodies and were associated with neutralising antibody activity in the subjects who cleared infection. These findings provide novel insights into the early humoral immune response characteristics associated with HCV disease outcome.
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Greczmiel U, Kräutler NJ, Borsa M, Pedrioli A, Bartsch I, Richter K, Agnellini P, Bedenikovic G, Oxenius A. LCMV-specific CD4 T cell dependent polyclonal B-cell activation upon persistent viral infection is short lived and extrafollicular. Eur J Immunol 2019; 50:396-403. [PMID: 31724162 PMCID: PMC7079077 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201948286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Persistent virus infections with non‐ or poorly cytopathic viruses are commonly associated with B cell dysregulations. These include the induction of hypergammaglobulinemia and the emergence of virus‐unspecific antibodies. These seemingly unspecific antibody responses interfere with the virus‐specific humoral immunity and contribute to delayed virus control. Whether these virus‐unspecific antibodies are induced in the B cell follicle or at extrafollicular sites and whether one specific CD4 T cell subset is involved in the polyclonal B cell activation is unclear. Here we studied virus‐unrelated IgG antibody responses against self or foreign antigens in the context of persistent lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. We found that the LCMV‐unspecific antibody response is short‐lived and induced predominantly at extrafollicular sites and depends on the presence of LCMV‐specific CD4 T cells. Our data support a scenario in which activated, virus‐specific CD4 T cells provide help to non‐specific B cells at extrafollicular sites, supporting the production of virus unspecific IgG antibodies during persistent viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Greczmiel
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Mariana Borsa
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Ilka Bartsch
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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12
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Hepatitis C Virus Genetic Variability, Human Immune Response, and Genome Polymorphisms: Which Is the Interplay? Cells 2019; 8:cells8040305. [PMID: 30987134 PMCID: PMC6523096 DOI: 10.3390/cells8040305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the main cause of chronic hepatitis, affecting an estimated 150 million people worldwide. Initial exposure to HCV is most often followed by chronic hepatitis, with only a minority of individuals spontaneously clearing the virus. The induction of sustained and broadly directed HCV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, together with neutralizing antibodies (nAb), and specific genetic polymorphism have been associated with spontaneous resolution of the infection. However, due to its high variability, HCV is able to overwhelm the host immune response through the rapid acquisition of mutations in the epitopes targeted by T cells and neutralizing antibodies. In this context, immune-mediated pressure represents the main force in driving HCV evolution. This review summarizes the data on HCV diversity and the current state of knowledge about the contributions of antibodies, T cells, and host genetic polymorphism in driving HCV evolution in vivo.
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Levander S, Holmström F, Frelin L, Ahlén G, Rupp D, Long G, Bartenschlager R, Sällberg M. Immune-mediated effects targeting hepatitis C virus in a syngeneic replicon cell transplantation mouse model. Gut 2018; 67. [PMID: 28646094 PMCID: PMC6204962 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE HCV is characterised by its ability to establish chronic infection in hepatocytes and to replicate in the presence of an inflammation. We mimicked this situation in vivo in immune-competent mice by syngeneic transplantation of HCV replicon-containing mouse hepatoma cells. DESIGN A total of 5 million H-2b positive Hep56.1D cells, carrying a subgenomic genotype (gt) 2a replicon (HCV replicon cells) or stably expressing comparable levels of the HCV NS3/4A protease/helicase complex (NS3/4A hepatoma cells), were injected subcutaneously into syngeneic H-2b-restricted mice. Kinetics of tumour growth, HCV RNA replication levels and HCV-specific immune responses were monitored. For immune monitoring, new H-2b-restricted cytotoxic T cell epitopes within the gt2a NS3/4A region were mapped. Immune mice were generated by DNA-based vaccination. RESULTS HCV replicon and NS3/4A hepatoma cells generated solid tumours in vivo. Similar to what is seen in human HCV infection did HCV RNA replicate in the presence of inflammation. NS3/4A-specific CD8+ T cells seemed to transiently reduce HCV RNA levels. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were required for protection against tumour growth. Vaccine-induced NS3/4A(gt2a)-specific T cells protected against HCV replicon tumours in wild-type, but not in HCV NS3/4A(gt1a)-transgenic mice with dysfunctional HCV-specific T cells. Importantly, as in human HCV infection, HCV replicon cells neither primed nor boosted a strong NS3/4A-specific T cell response. CONCLUSION Syngeneic transplantation of mouse HCV replicon cells into immune-competent animals mirrors many in vivo events in humans. This system is versatile and can be applied to any genetically modified H-2b-restricted mouse strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Levander
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Solna, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Holmström
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Solna, Sweden
| | - Lars Frelin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Solna, Sweden
| | - Gustaf Ahlén
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Solna, Sweden
| | - Daniel Rupp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany,Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gang Long
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany,Unit of Virus Assembly and Host, Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany,Division of Virus-AssociatedCarcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, germany
| | - Matti Sällberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Karolinska University Laboratory, Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Guo X, Zhong JY, Li JW. Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Vaccine Development. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2018; 8:195-204. [PMID: 29892184 PMCID: PMC5992307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the twenty-seven years since the discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) the majority of individuals exposed to HCV establish a persistent infection, which is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In developed nations, the cure rates of HCV infection could be over 90% with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens, which has made the great progress in global eradication. However, the cost of these treatments is so expensive that the patients in developing nations, where the disease burden is the most severe, could not afford it, which highly restricted its access. Additionally, the largely asymptomatic nature of infection facilitates continued transmission in risk groups due to limited surveillance. Consequently a protective vaccine and likely emergence of drug-resistant viral variants call for further studies of HCV biology. In the current review, the development and the progress of preventive and therapeutic vaccines against the HCV have been reviewed in the context of peptide vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, HCV-like particle, DNA vaccines and viral vectors expressing HCV genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Guo
- Research Institute of Chemical Defense, No.1 Huaiyin Road, Beijing 102205, China
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 Dali Road, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Jin-Yi Zhong
- Research Institute of Chemical Defense, No.1 Huaiyin Road, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Jun-Wen Li
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 Dali Road, Tianjin 300050, China
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Abstract
Antibodies play a crucial role in virus control. The production of antibodies requires virus-specific B cells to encounter viral antigens in lymph nodes, become activated, interact with different immune cells, proliferate and enter specific differentiation programmes. Each step occurs in distinct lymph node niches, requiring a coordinated migration of B cells between different subcompartments. The development of multiphoton intravital microscopy has enabled researchers to begin to elucidate the precise cellular and molecular events by which lymph nodes coordinate humoral responses. This Review discusses recent studies that clarify how viruses interfere with antibody responses, highlighting how these mechanisms relate to our topological and temporal understanding of B cell activation within secondary lymphoid organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirela Kuka
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases and Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Matteo Iannacone
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases and Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, Milan 20132, Italy
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Neonatal Exposure to Hepatitis C Virus Antigens in Uninfected Children Born to Infected Mothers. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018; 66:106-111. [PMID: 28953534 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000001755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is uncommon and occurs in approximately 5% of births from HCV-infected mothers. The reason for the low transmission rate is unclear. We aimed to investigate whether there is evidence of HCV exposure also in the noninfected children born to HCV-infected mothers by the presence of a detectable immune response. METHODS Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 9 HCV vertically infected children, 32 uninfected children born to HCV infected mothers, and 15 HCV chronically infected mothers, were analyzed. HCV-RNA-negative adults and children were used as controls. HCV-specific T cell responses were analyzed by interferon gamma using an enzyme-linked immunospot assay and 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. HCV antibodies were also analyzed. RESULTS An HCV-specific T cell response was detected in 73% (11/15) of the HCV-infected mothers, 67% (6/9) of the vertically infected children, 56% (18/32) of the exposed but uninfected children and in 10% and 20% of the control groups, respectively. The 2 groups of HCV-exposed children both had a significantly higher proportion of HCV-specific T cell responders compared to pediatric controls (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS HCV-specific immune responses were more common in children born to HCV-infected mothers, regardless of the presence of HCV RNA. We conclude that noninfected children born to HCV-infected mothers may have been exposed to HCV antigens.
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The dynamics of HCV-specific antibody responses in HIV/HCV patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy. Clin Immunol 2017; 179:54-63. [PMID: 28315414 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Antibody responses have not been fully characterised in chronically HIV/HCV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Seventeen HIV/HCV patients receiving ART were followed for a median (range) interval of 597 (186-766) weeks. Prior to ART, HIV/HCV patients had lower levels of antibodies reactive with HCV core and JFH-1, and lower genotype cross-reactive neutralising antibodies (nAb) titres, than HCV patients. Levels of JFH-1 reactive antibody increased on ART, irrespective of CD4+ T-cell counts or changes in serum ALT levels. The appearance of nAb coincided with control of HCV viral replication in five HIV/HCV patients. In other patients, HCV viral loads remained elevated despite nAb responses. Sustained virological responses following HCV therapy were associated with reduced antibody responses to JFH-1 and core but elevated responses to non-structural proteins. We conclude that nAb responses alone may fail to clear HCV, but contribute to control of viral replication in some HIV/HCV patients responding to ART.
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Hepatitis C virus infection inhibits a Src-kinase regulatory phosphatase and reduces T cell activation in vivo. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006232. [PMID: 28235043 PMCID: PMC5342304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Among human RNA viruses, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is unusual in that it causes persistent infection in the majority of infected people. To establish persistence, HCV evades host innate and adaptive immune responses by multiple mechanisms. Recent studies identified virus genome-derived small RNAs (vsRNAs) in HCV-infected cells; however, their biological significance during human HCV infection is unknown. One such vsRNA arising from the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 coding region impairs T cell receptor (TCR) signaling by reducing expression of a Src-kinase regulatory phosphatase (PTPRE) in vitro. Since TCR signaling is a critical first step in T cell activation, differentiation, and effector function, its inhibition may contribute towards HCV persistence in vivo. The effect of HCV infection on PTPRE expression in vivo has not been examined. Here, we found that PTPRE levels were significantly reduced in liver tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from HCV-infected humans compared to uninfected controls. Loss of PTPRE expression impaired antigen-specific TCR signaling, and curative HCV therapy restored PTPRE expression in PBMCs; restoring antigen-specific TCR signaling defects. The extent of PTPRE expression correlated with the amount of sequence complementarity between the HCV E2 vsRNA and the PTPRE 3' UTR target sites. Transfection of a hepatocyte cell line with full-length HCV RNA or with synthetic HCV vsRNA duplexes inhibited PTPRE expression, recapitulating the in vivo observation. Together, these data demonstrate that HCV infection reduces PTPRE expression in the liver and PBMCs of infected humans, and suggest that the HCV E2 vsRNA is a novel viral factor that may contribute towards viral persistence.
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Fallet B, Narr K, Ertuna YI, Remy M, Sommerstein R, Cornille K, Kreutzfeldt M, Page N, Zimmer G, Geier F, Straub T, Pircher H, Larimore K, Greenberg PD, Merkler D, Pinschewer DD. Interferon-driven deletion of antiviral B cells at the onset of chronic infection. Sci Immunol 2016; 1:eaah6817. [PMID: 27872905 PMCID: PMC5115616 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aah6817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate antibody responses and perturbed B cell compartments represent hallmarks of persistent microbial infections, but the mechanisms whereby persisting pathogens suppress humoral immunity remain poorly defined. Using adoptive transfer experiments in the context of a chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection of mice, we have documented rapid depletion of virus-specific B cells that coincided with the early type I interferon response to infection. We found that the loss of activated B cells was driven by type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling to several cell types including dendritic cells, T cells and myeloid cells. Intriguingly, this process was independent of B cell-intrinsic IFN-I sensing and resulted from biased differentiation of naïve B cells into short-lived antibody-secreting cells. The ability to generate robust B cell responses was restored upon IFN-I receptor blockade or, partially, when experimentally depleting myeloid cells or the IFN-I-induced cytokines interleukin 10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. We have termed this IFN-I-driven depletion of B cells "B cell decimation". Strategies to counter "B cell decimation" should thus help us better leverage humoral immunity in the combat against persistent microbial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict Fallet
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Narr
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yusuf I. Ertuna
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Remy
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rami Sommerstein
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Karen Cornille
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mario Kreutzfeldt
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital Geneva, 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Page
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Gert Zimmer
- Institute of Virology and Immunology IVI, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Geier
- Department of Biomedicine, Bioinformatics Core Facility, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Straub
- Institute for Immunology, Department for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hanspeter Pircher
- Institute for Immunology, Department for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Larimore
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, WA 98109, USA
| | - Philip D. Greenberg
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, WA 98109, USA
| | - Doron Merkler
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Geneva Faculty of Medicine, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital Geneva, 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Daniel D. Pinschewer
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
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Rafik M, Bakr S, Soliman D, Mohammed N, Ragab D, ElHady WA, Samir N. Characterization of differential antibody production against hepatitis C virus in different HCV infection status. Virol J 2016; 13:116. [PMID: 27357382 PMCID: PMC4928299 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-016-0572-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update on hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing approach, in which it omitted the use of recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) in the diagnostic algorithm and recommended that future studies are needed to evaluate the performance of HCV testing without RIBA. As Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV worldwide, we aimed to evaluate the value of RIBA in HCV testing in a high prevalence population. Our objective was to clarify whether enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) anti-HCV signal-to-cutoff (S/CO) ratios were able to discriminate true positive from false positive anti-HCV antibody status and to evaluate the role of RIBA in solving this problem which may lead to a redefined strategy for diagnosis of HCV infection. Our second objective was to elucidate the effects of different HCV peptides of both structural and non-structural proteins on the humoral immune response to HCV infection. METHODS The current study drew results from 167 individuals divided into three groups: Group I: included 77 HCV antibody positive (ELISA) high risk health care workers (HCW), Group II: included 56 presumably uninfected individuals who showed normal liver enzymes, negative HCV RNA and were asymptomatic. Their ELISA HCV antibody S/C ratio ranged from 0.9 to <5. Group III: included 34 patients enrolled from outpatient clinics of Ain Shams Hospital with persistent viral replication, elevated liver enzymes, and chronic HCV related liver disease. All study participants were assessed for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by 3(rd) generation ELISA which was confirmed by RIBA. RESULTS Interpreting the results of both ELISA and RIBA together, false positive results were highly significantly increased in HCW when compared with the other two groups. Indeterminate and false negative results were only found in the presumably uninfected group. For differentiated antibody responses by RIBA, chronic HCV cases had the highest frequency of positive antibody response to core peptides while the presumably uninfected group had the lowest. Antibody response to E2 was found less frequently in chronic cases than Core 1, Core 2 and NS3. The specific antibody response to the different HCV peptides showed the same distribution of frequencies in both chronic HCV cases and the presumably uninfected individuals with the chronic cases having the highest frequencies. This distribution was different from the HCW. The most evident difference was the reaction towards NS3 which was the highest antibody producing peptide in chronic HCV and presumably uninfected individuals whereas in HCW Core1 was the highest. CONCLUSION The HCV antibody immunoblot assay (RIBA) is still necessary for the detection of false positive cases which can occur quite frequently in countries of high prevalence as Egypt. Indeterminate RIBA results indicate a waning antibody response in elderly individuals who recovered from previous or distant HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Rafik
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Children village, POB 9505, Nasr city, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Salwa Bakr
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Children village, POB 9505, Nasr city, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina Soliman
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Children village, POB 9505, Nasr city, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nesrine Mohammed
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Children village, POB 9505, Nasr city, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina Ragab
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Children village, POB 9505, Nasr city, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Walid Abd ElHady
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Children village, POB 9505, Nasr city, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nancy Samir
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Children village, POB 9505, Nasr city, Cairo, Egypt
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Pouriayevali MH, Bamdad T, Aghasadeghi MR, Sadat SM, Sabahi F. Construction and Immunogenicity Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Truncated Non-Structural Protein 3 (NS3) Plasmid Vaccine. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2016; 9:e33909. [PMID: 27226878 PMCID: PMC4877565 DOI: 10.5812/jjm.33909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To develop hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine, induction of potent humoral and T cell response against immunogenic targets with conserved region should be achieved. T cell response against NS3 is often associated with complete clearance of the virus. Objectives Herein, we expressed the truncated form of NS3 in a mammalian cell line and evaluated immune responses of NS3 DNA vaccine in BALB/c. Materials and Methods The partial length of NS3 gene, which encodes immunogenic epitopes (1095 - 1379 aa), was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on RNA obtained from a patient with HCV, inserted into pcDNA3.1 plasmid using XhoI/HindIII sites, and finally evaluated by restriction analysis and sequencing. After transfection of the recombinant plasmid into HEK293T cells, the NS3 protein expression was confirmed by western blotting. Mice were immunized intra-dermally close to the base of the mice tail with four doses in two-weeks intervals and the immune responses were assessed using total and subtypes of IgG antibody assay, cell proliferation and cytokine assay. Results The pcDNA3.1 plasmid harboring the coding sequence of NS3 (pc-NS3) was constructed and confirmed with the expected size. Proper expression of the recombinant protein in transfected HEK 293T cells was confirmed using western blotting. The immunization results indicated that pc-NS3 induced significant levels of total antibody, IgG2a subclass antibody, Interferon (IFN)-γ, Interleukin (IL)-4 and proliferation assay compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The pc-NS3 possesses the capacity to express NS3 in the mammalian cell line and demonstrated strong immunogenicity in a murine model. Our primary results demonstrated that the immunogenic truncated region of NS3 could be used as a potential vaccine candidate against hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Taravat Bamdad
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran
- Corresponding author: Taravat Bamdad, Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran. Tel: +98-2182884525, E-mail:
| | | | - Seyed Mehdi Sadat
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran. Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Farzaneh Sabahi
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran
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Kolesanova EF, Sobolev BN, Moysa AA, Egorova EA, Archakov AI. [Way to the peptide vaccine against hepatitis C]. BIOMEDIT︠S︡INSKAI︠A︡ KHIMII︠A︡ 2015; 61:254-64. [PMID: 25978391 DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20156102254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In order to surpass the problem of genetic variability of hepatitis C virus envelope proteins during vaccine development, we used the so-called "reverse vaccinology"approach--"from genome to vaccine". Database of HCV protein sequences was designed, viral genome analysis was performed, and several highly conserved sites were revealed in HCV envelope proteins in the framework of this approach. These sites demonstrated low antigenic activity in full-size proteins and HCV virions: antibodies against these sites were not found in all hepatitis C patients. However, two sites, which contained a wide set of potential T-helper epitope motifs, were revealed among these highly conserved ones. We constructed and prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis several artificial peptide constructs composed of two linker-connected highly conserved HCV envelope E2 protein sites; one of these sites contained a set of T-helper epitope motifs. Experiments on laboratory animals demonstrated that the developed peptide constructs manifested immunogenicity compared with one of protein molecules and were able to raise antibodies, which specifically bound HCV envelope proteins. We succeeded in obtaining antibodies reactive with HCV from hepatitis C patient plasma upon the immunization with some constructs. An original preparation of a peptide vaccine against hepatitis C is under development on the basis of these peptide constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - B N Sobolev
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - A A Moysa
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - E A Egorova
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - A I Archakov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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Murira A, Lapierre P, Lamarre A. Evolution of the Humoral Response during HCV Infection: Theories on the Origin of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies and Implications for Vaccine Design. Adv Immunol 2015; 129:55-107. [PMID: 26791858 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, vaccine-induced elicitation of broadly neutralizing (bNt) antibodies (Abs) is gaining traction as a key goal toward the eradication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) pandemic. Previously, the significance of the Ab response against HCV was underappreciated given the prevailing evidence advancing the role of the cellular immune response in clearance and overall control of the infection. However, recent findings have driven growing interest in the humoral arm of the immune response and in particular the role of bNt responses due to their ability to confer protective immunity upon passive transfer in animal models. Nevertheless, the origin and development of bNt Abs is poorly understood and their occurrence is rare as well as delayed with emergence only observed in the chronic phase of infection. In this review, we characterize the interplay between the host immune response and HCV as it progresses from the acute to chronic phase of infection. In addition, we place these events in the context of current hypotheses on the origin of bNt Abs against the HIV-1, whose humoral immune response is better characterized. Based on the increasing significance of the humoral immune response against HCV, characterization of these events may be critical in understanding the development of the bNt responses and, thus, provide strategies toward effective vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armstrong Murira
- Immunovirology Laboratory, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Pascal Lapierre
- Immunovirology Laboratory, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alain Lamarre
- Immunovirology Laboratory, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, Quebec, Canada.
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Borhis G, Richard Y. Subversion of the B-cell compartment during parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections. BMC Immunol 2015; 16:15. [PMID: 25884828 PMCID: PMC4374497 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-015-0079-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies on HIV infection have identified new human B-cell subsets with a potentially important impact on anti-viral immunity. Current work highlights the occurrence of similar B-cell alterations in other viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, suggesting that common strategies have been developed by pathogens to counteract protective immunity. For this review, we have selected key examples of human infections for which B-cell alterations have been described, to highlight the similarities and differences in the immune responses to a variety of pathogens. We believe that further comparisons between these models will lead to critical progress in the understanding of B-cell mechanisms and will open new target avenues for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenoline Borhis
- INSERM u1016, Cochin Institute, Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, 27 rue du Faubourg St-Jacques, Roussy Bldg., Paris, 75014, France. .,CNRS, Paris, UMR8104, France. .,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, 75014, France.
| | - Yolande Richard
- INSERM u1016, Cochin Institute, Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, 27 rue du Faubourg St-Jacques, Roussy Bldg., Paris, 75014, France. .,CNRS, Paris, UMR8104, France. .,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, 75014, France.
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Cashman SB, Marsden BD, Dustin LB. The Humoral Immune Response to HCV: Understanding is Key to Vaccine Development. Front Immunol 2014; 5:550. [PMID: 25426115 PMCID: PMC4226226 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a global problem, despite advances in treatment. The low cost and high benefit of vaccines have made them the backbone of modern public health strategies, and the fight against HCV will not be won without an effective vaccine. Achievement of this goal will benefit from a robust understanding of virus-host interactions and protective immunity in HCV infection. In this review, we summarize recent findings on HCV-specific antibody responses associated with chronic and spontaneously resolving human infection. In addition, we discuss specific epitopes within HCV's envelope glycoproteins that are targeted by neutralizing antibodies. Understanding what prompts or prevents a successful immune response leading to viral clearance or persistence is essential to designing a successful vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhán B Cashman
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford , Oxford , UK
| | - Brian D Marsden
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford , Oxford , UK ; Nuffield Department of Medicine, Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford , Oxford , UK
| | - Lynn B Dustin
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford , Oxford , UK
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Lee S, Saraswati H, Yunihastuti E, Gani R, Price P. Patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus recover genotype cross-reactive neutralising antibodies to HCV during antiretroviral therapy. Clin Immunol 2014; 155:149-59. [PMID: 25283333 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2014.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
When severely immunodeficient HIV/HCV co-infected patients are treated with antiretroviral therapy, it is important to know whether HCV-specific antibody responses recover and whether antibody profiles predict the occurrence of HCV-associated immune restoration disease (IRD). In 50 HIV/HCV co-infected patients, we found that antibody reactivity and titres of neutralising antibodies (nAb) to JFH-1 (HCV genotype 2a virus) increased over 48 weeks of therapy. Development of HCV IRD was associated with elevated reactivity to JFH-1 before and during the first 12 weeks of therapy. Individual analyses of HCV IRD and non-HCV IRD patients revealed a lack of an association between nAb responses and HCV viral loads. These results showed that increased HCV-specific antibody levels during therapy were associated with CD4(+) T-cell recovery. Whilst genotype cross-reactive antibody responses may identify co-infected patients at risk of developing HCV IRD, neutralising antibodies to JFH-1 were not involved in suppression of HCV replication during therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Lee
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Royal Perth Hospital, Australia.
| | - Henny Saraswati
- Institute of Human Virology and Cancer Biology, University of Indonesia, Indonesia
| | - Evy Yunihastuti
- School of Medicine, University of Indonesia/Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Indonesia
| | - Rino Gani
- School of Medicine, University of Indonesia/Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Indonesia
| | - Patricia Price
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Australia
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Ball JK, Tarr AW, McKeating JA. The past, present and future of neutralizing antibodies for hepatitis C virus. Antiviral Res 2014; 105:100-11. [PMID: 24583033 PMCID: PMC4034163 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Revised: 02/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. HCV establishes a chronic infection in the majority of cases. However, some individuals clear the virus, demonstrating a protective role for the host immune response. Although new all-oral drug combinations may soon replace traditional ribavirin-interferon therapy, the emerging drug cocktails will be expensive and associated with side-effects and resistance, making a global vaccine an urgent priority. T cells are widely accepted to play an essential role in clearing acute HCV infection, whereas the role antibodies play in resolution and disease pathogenesis is less well understood. Recent studies have provided an insight into viral neutralizing determinants and the protective role of antibodies during infection. This review provides a historical perspective of the role neutralizing antibodies play in HCV infection and discusses the therapeutic benefits of antibody-based therapies. This article forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on "Hepatitis C: next steps toward global eradication."
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan K Ball
- School of Life Sciences and The Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre Biomedical Research Unit, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander W Tarr
- School of Life Sciences and The Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre Biomedical Research Unit, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Jane A McKeating
- Viral Hepatitis Research Group and Centre for Human Virology, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
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Russi S, Sansonno D, Mariggiò MA, Vinella A, Pavone F, Lauletta G, Sansonno S, Dammacco F. Assessment of total hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein in HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinemia. Arthritis Res Ther 2014; 16:R73. [PMID: 24636026 PMCID: PMC4060364 DOI: 10.1186/ar4513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related mixed cryoglobulinemia (MCG), the nonenveloped HCV core protein (HCV-Cp) is a constituent of the characteristic cold-precipitating immune complexes (ICs). A possible correlation between HCV-Cp, virologic, laboratory, and clinical parameters in both untreated MCG patients and those undergoing specific treatment was explored. Methods HCV-Cp was quantified by a fully automated immune assay. Correlations between HCV-Cp and HCV RNA, cryocrit, and virus genotype (gt) were investigated in 102 chronically HCV-infected MCG patients. Results HCV-Cp concentrations strongly correlated with HCV RNA levels in baseline samples. An average ratio of 1,425 IU and 12,850 IU HCV RNA per picogram HCV-Cp was estimated in HCV gt-1 and gt-2 patients, respectively. This equation allowed us to estimate that, on average, HCV-Cp was associated with the viral genome in only 3.4% of the former and in 35% of the latter group of patients. The direct relation between HCV-Cp and the cryocrit level suggests that the protein directly influences the amount of cryoprecipitate. Although the therapy with rituximab (RTX) as a single agent resulted in the enhancement of HCV-Cp levels, in patients treated with RTX in combination with a specific antiviral therapy (pegylated interferon-α plus ribavirin), the prompt and effective clearance of HCV-Cp was documented. Conclusions Our data provide evidence that HCV-Cp has a direct effect on the cold-precipitation process in a virus genotype-dependence in HCV-related MCG patients.
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Singh S, Vedi S, Li W, Samrat SK, Kumar R, Agrawal B. Recombinant adenoviral vector expressing HCV NS4 induces protective immune responses in a mouse model of Vaccinia-HCV virus infection: a dose and route conundrum. Vaccine 2014; 32:2712-21. [PMID: 24631092 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.02.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) leads to chronic infection in the majority of infected patients presumably due to failure or inefficiency of the immune responses generated. Both antibody and cellular immune responses have been suggested to be important in viral clearance. Non-replicative adenoviral vectors expressing antigens of interest are considered as attractive vaccine vectors for a number of pathogens. In this study, we sought to evaluate cellular and humoral immune responses against HCV NS4 protein using recombinant adenovirus as a vaccine vector expressing NS4 antigen. We have also measured the effect of antigen doses and routes of immunization on the quality and extent of the immune responses, especially their role in viral load reduction, in a recombinant Vaccinia-HCV (Vac-HCV) infection mouse model. Our results show that an optimum dose of adenovirus vector (2×10(7)pfu/mouse) administered intramuscularly (i.m.) induces high T cell proliferation, granzyme B-expressing CD8(+) T cells, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-6, and antibody responses that can significantly reduce the Vac-HCV viral load in the ovaries of female C57BL/6 mice. Our results demonstrate that recombinant adenovirus vector can induce both humoral and cellular protective immunity against HCV-NS4 antigen, and that immunity is intricately controlled by route and dose of immunizing vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakti Singh
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Satish Vedi
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Subodh Kumar Samrat
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Babita Agrawal
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Brakha C, Arvers P, Villiers F, Marlu A, Buhot A, Livache T, Calemczuk R, Zarski JP, Villiers CL, Marche PN, Villiers MB. Relationship between humoral response against hepatitis C virus and disease overcome. SPRINGERPLUS 2014; 3:56. [PMID: 24516785 PMCID: PMC3915053 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Hepatitis C virus infection leads to liver disease whose severity can range from mild to serious lifelong illness. However the parameters involved in the evolution of the disease are still unknown. Among other factors, the virus-elicited antibody profile is suspected to play a role in the outcome of the disease. Analysis of the relationship between anti-virus antibodies and disease state requires the analysis of a large number of serums from patients (hepatitis C virus+) and of epitopes from the viral proteins. Such a study would benefit from microarray-based screening systems that are appropriate for high-throughput assays. We used a method combining peptide chips and surface plasmon resonance imaging previously shown to be suitable for analyzing complex mediums and detecting peptide-protein interactions. 56 peptides covering the entire viral proteome were grafted on chips and their interaction with antibodies present in the 68 injected serums from infected and non-infected donors was measured. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine a possible relationship between antibodies (specificity and amount) and disease states. A good discrimination between infected and non-infected donors validated our approach, and several correlations between antibodies profiles and clinical parameters have been identified. In particular, we demonstrated that ratios between particular antibodies levels allow for accurate discrimination of patients according to their pathologic states. Conclusion Humoral response against hepatitis C virus linear epitopes is partly modified according to the disease state. This study highlights the importance of considering relative quantities of antibodies with different specificities rather than the amount of each antibody. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-56) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine Brakha
- INSERM, U823, Institut A. Bonniot, BP 170 Cedex 9, F-38042 Grenoble, France ; Université J. Fourier, UMR-823, F-38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Philippe Arvers
- HIA Desgenettes, 108 Bd Pinel Cedex 03, Lyon, F-69275 France
| | - Florent Villiers
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Alice Marlu
- Pôle Digidune, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, La Tronche, F-38700 France
| | - Arnaud Buhot
- INAC, SPrAM (UMR 5819, CEA, CNRS, UJF), INAC/CEA Cedex 09, Grenoble, F-38054 France
| | - Thierry Livache
- INAC, SPrAM (UMR 5819, CEA, CNRS, UJF), INAC/CEA Cedex 09, Grenoble, F-38054 France
| | - Roberto Calemczuk
- INAC, SPrAM (UMR 5819, CEA, CNRS, UJF), INAC/CEA Cedex 09, Grenoble, F-38054 France
| | - Jean-Pierre Zarski
- Pôle Digidune, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, La Tronche, F-38700 France
| | - Christian L Villiers
- INSERM, U823, Institut A. Bonniot, BP 170 Cedex 9, F-38042 Grenoble, France ; Université J. Fourier, UMR-823, F-38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Patrice N Marche
- INSERM, U823, Institut A. Bonniot, BP 170 Cedex 9, F-38042 Grenoble, France ; Université J. Fourier, UMR-823, F-38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Marie-Bernadette Villiers
- INSERM, U823, Institut A. Bonniot, BP 170 Cedex 9, F-38042 Grenoble, France ; Université J. Fourier, UMR-823, F-38042 Grenoble, France
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Pasetto A, Aleman S, Chen M. Functional attributes of responding T cells in HCV infection: the recent advances in engineering functional antiviral T cells. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2013; 62:23-30. [PMID: 23955531 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-013-0248-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) around the world. HCV promotes characteristics of cancer stem cells and the infected cells are insensitive to apoptotic signals, which lead to persistent antigen stimulation and T cell exhaustion in the host. In spite of new effective antiviral drugs, new challenges are around the corner as drug-resistant viral strains and drug-drug interactions have already been reported. Considering that there are few effective treatments available for HCC, novel immunotherapies to prevent HCC and late stage HCV-related liver diseases should be considered. Given that adoptive immunotherapy with antigen-specific T lymphocytes has emerged as an effective therapeutic strategy for combating cancer, there is, therefore, reason to examine the possibility of using highly functional HCV-reactive T cells in immunotherapy. This review aims to provide the current understanding of natural HCV responding T cells in HCV infection and to give an update on the novel approaches that have the capacity to ex vivo generate functional T cells for potential adoptive cell therapy. Approaches based on the pMHC tetramer-associated magnetic enrichment, exogenous HCV T cell receptor transfer, and induced pluripotent stem cell technologies are described herein. Their potentials as immunotherapeutic against HCV-related diseases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pasetto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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Wahid A, Dubuisson J. Virus-neutralizing antibodies to hepatitis C virus. J Viral Hepat 2013; 20:369-76. [PMID: 23647953 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For a long time, the lack of an appropriate cell culture system has hampered the study of neutralizing antibody responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the last decade has seen the development of several model systems that have significantly advanced our understanding of viral entry and antibody neutralization. Studies of acutely infected patients suggest that a strong and early production of neutralizing antibodies may contribute to control the virus during the acute phase of HCV infection and facilitate viral elimination by cellular immune responses. It also emerges that the early antibody response mainly targets hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the envelope glycoprotein E2. This host response can lead to viral escape from neutralization by rapid amino acid changes in this hypervariable region. In contrast, cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies seem to appear later during HCV infection, and several mechanisms contribute to reduce their accessibility to their cognate epitopes. These include the masking of major conserved neutralizing epitopes by HVR1, specific N-linked glycans and the lipid moiety of the viral particle. Other potential mechanisms of evasion from the neutralizing antibody response include a modulation by high-density lipoproteins and interfering antibodies as well as the capacity of the virus to be transferred by cell-to-cell contacts. Finally, the recent identification of several highly conserved neutralizing epitopes provides some opportunities for the design and development of vaccine candidates that elicit a protective humoral immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Wahid
- Center for Infection & Immunity of Lille CIIL, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR8204, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Univ Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
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Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Due to shared transmission routes, the prevalence of HCV is especially high among individuals infected with HIV. HIV uninfected individuals spontaneously clear HCV approximately 30 % of the time, while the rate of control in HIV infected individuals who subsequently acquire HCV is substantially lower. In addition, complications of HCV are more frequent in those with HIV infection, making liver disease the leading cause of non-AIDS-related death in HIV infected individuals. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the role of the innate and adaptive immune responses to HCV in those with and without HIV. Further defining the interaction between hepatitis C and the host immune system will potentially reveal insights into HCV pathogenesis and the host's ability to prevent persistent infection, as well as direct the development of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca R Terilli
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Rangos Building, Suite 536, 855 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Efficiency of pH-sensitive fusogenic polymer-modified liposomes as a vaccine carrier. ScientificWorldJournal 2013; 2013:903234. [PMID: 23431260 PMCID: PMC3575622 DOI: 10.1155/2013/903234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The usefulness of pH-sensitive fusogenic polymer-(succinylated poly(glycidol)-(SucPG-) modified liposomes as a vaccine carrier in the induction of immune responses was evaluated. Mice were intraperitoneally immunized with ovalbumin- (OVA-) containing SucPG-modified liposomes. After immunization, significant OVA-specific antibodies were detected in the serum. When sera were analyzed for isotype distribution, OVA-specific IgG1 antibody responses were noted in mice immunized with OVA-containing polymer-unmodified liposomes, whereas immunization with OVA-containing SucPG-modified liposomes resulted in the induction of OVA-specific IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG3 Ab responses. In spleen lymphocytes from mice immunized with OVA-containing SucPG-modified liposomes, both IFN-γ-(Th1-type-) and IL-4-(Th2 type-) specific mRNA were detected. Moreover, substantial production of IFN-γ and IL-4 was demonstrated in spleen cells from OVA-containing SucPG-modified liposomes in vitro. These results suggest that the pH-sensitive fusogenic polymer-(SucPG-) modified liposomes would serve effectively as an antigen delivery vehicle for inducing Th1 and Th2 immune responses.
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Fafi-Kremer S, Fauvelle C, Felmlee DJ, Zeisel MB, Lepiller Q, Fofana I, Heydmann L, Stoll-Keller F, Baumert TF. Neutralizing antibodies and pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection. Viruses 2012. [PMID: 23202451 PMCID: PMC3497039 DOI: 10.3390/v4102016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The interplay between the virus and host innate and adaptive immune responses determines the outcome of infection. There is increasing evidence that host neutralizing responses play a relevant role in the resulting pathogenesis. Furthermore, viral evasion from host neutralizing antibodies has been revealed to be an important contributor in leading both to viral persistence in acute liver graft infection following liver transplantation, and to chronic viral infection. The development of novel model systems to study HCV entry and neutralization has allowed a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of virus-host interactions during antibody-mediated neutralization. The understanding of these mechanisms will ultimately contribute to the development of novel antiviral preventive strategies for liver graft infection and an urgently needed vaccine. This review summarizes recent concepts of the role of neutralizing antibodies in viral clearance and protection, and highlights consequences of viral escape from neutralizing antibodies in the pathogenesis of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Fafi-Kremer
- Inserm, U748, Strasbourg, France ; (S.F.-K.); (C.F.); (D.J.F.); (M.B.Z.); (Q.L.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (F.S.-K.)
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Catherine Fauvelle
- Inserm, U748, Strasbourg, France ; (S.F.-K.); (C.F.); (D.J.F.); (M.B.Z.); (Q.L.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (F.S.-K.)
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Daniel J. Felmlee
- Inserm, U748, Strasbourg, France ; (S.F.-K.); (C.F.); (D.J.F.); (M.B.Z.); (Q.L.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (F.S.-K.)
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mirjam B. Zeisel
- Inserm, U748, Strasbourg, France ; (S.F.-K.); (C.F.); (D.J.F.); (M.B.Z.); (Q.L.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (F.S.-K.)
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Quentin Lepiller
- Inserm, U748, Strasbourg, France ; (S.F.-K.); (C.F.); (D.J.F.); (M.B.Z.); (Q.L.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (F.S.-K.)
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Isabel Fofana
- Inserm, U748, Strasbourg, France ; (S.F.-K.); (C.F.); (D.J.F.); (M.B.Z.); (Q.L.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (F.S.-K.)
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura Heydmann
- Inserm, U748, Strasbourg, France ; (S.F.-K.); (C.F.); (D.J.F.); (M.B.Z.); (Q.L.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (F.S.-K.)
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Françoise Stoll-Keller
- Inserm, U748, Strasbourg, France ; (S.F.-K.); (C.F.); (D.J.F.); (M.B.Z.); (Q.L.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (F.S.-K.)
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Inserm, U748, Strasbourg, France ; (S.F.-K.); (C.F.); (D.J.F.); (M.B.Z.); (Q.L.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (F.S.-K.)
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; ; Tel.: +33 3 68 85 37 03; Fax: +33 3 68 85 37 50
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Glances in Immunology of HIV and HCV Infection. Adv Virol 2012; 2012:434036. [PMID: 22754568 PMCID: PMC3375159 DOI: 10.1155/2012/434036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the identification of HIV and HCV much progress has been made in the understanding of their life cycle and interaction with the host immune system. Despite these viruses markedly differ in their virological properties and in their pathogenesis, they share many common features in their immune escape and survival strategy. Both viruses have developed sophisticated ways to subvert and antagonize host innate and adaptive immune responses. In the last years, much effort has been done in the study of the AIDS pathogenesis and in the development of efficient treatment strategies, and a fatal infection has been transformed in a potentially chronic pathology. Much of this knowledge is now being transferred in the HCV research field, especially in the development of new drugs, although a big difference still remains between the outcome of the two infections, being HCV eradicable after treatment, whereas HIV eradication remains at present unachievable due to the establishment of reservoirs. In this review, we present current knowledge on innate and adaptive immune recognition and activation during HIV and HCV mono-infections and evasion strategies. We also discuss the genetic associations between components of the immune system, the course of infection, and the outcome of the therapies.
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Flynn JK, Dore GJ, Hellard M, Yeung B, Rawlinson WD, White PA, Kaldor JM, Lloyd AR, Ffrench RA. Early IL-10 predominant responses are associated with progression to chronic hepatitis C virus infection in injecting drug users. J Viral Hepat 2011; 18:549-61. [PMID: 20626625 PMCID: PMC4277610 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01335.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The critical events in clearance or persistence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are unknown but likely to be determined early in acute infection. Type 1 and type 2 cytokine production was assessed by HCV peptide ELISpot and multiplex in vitro cytokine production assays in longitudinally collected samples from 20 untreated participants enrolled in the Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C (ATAHC); a prospective cohort of acute HCV infection (77% injecting drug users, IDU). Significantly higher interleukin-10 (IL-10) production (P = 0.048), in the relative absence of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and IL-2 production, was present early in HCV infection in those who progressed to chronic infection. In contrast, viral clearance was associated with a greater magnitude and broader specificity of IFN-γ (magnitude P < 0.001, breadth P = 0.004) and IL-2 responses, in the relative absence of IL-10. Early IL-10 production was correlated with higher HCV RNA level at baseline (P = 0.046) and week 12 (P = 0.018), while IFN-γ and IL-2 production was inversely correlated with HCV RNA level at baseline (IFN-γ P = 0.020, IL-2 P = 0.050) and week 48 (IFN-γ P = 0.045, IL-2 P = 0.026). Intracellular staining (ICS) indicated the HCV-specific IFN-γ response was primarily from CD8(+) T cells and NK cells, whereas IL-10 production was predominantly from monocytes, with a subset of IL-10 producing CD8(+) T cells present only in those who progressed to chronic infection. IL-10, an immunoregulatory cytokine, appears to play a key role in progression to chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gregory J Dore
- National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Barbara Yeung
- National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - William D Rawlinson
- Virology Division, Southern Eastern Area Laboratory Services, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter A White
- School of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - John M Kaldor
- National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Centre for Infection and Inflammation Research, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract
The fourth component of human complement (C4) plays an important role in innate immune function. C4 activity has been observed to be significantly lower in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, although the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we have examined the mechanisms of C4 regulation by HCV. Liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic HCV infections displayed significantly lower C4 mRNA levels than liver tissue samples from patients with unrelated liver disease. Further, C4 mRNA levels of the two isoforms (C4A and C4B) were significantly reduced in hepatocytes transfected with RNA from HCV genotype 1a or 2a. Subsequently, a significant C4 regulatory role of HCV core or NS5A upon C4 promoter activity was observed. HCV core or NS5A transgenic mice displayed a reduction in C4 mRNA. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-induced C4 promoter activation was also impaired in the presence of HCV proteins. We further demonstrated that HCV core reduced the expression of upstream stimulating factor 1 (USF-1), a transcription factor important for basal C4 expression. On the other hand, the expression of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), which is important for IFN-γ-induced C4 expression, was inhibited by hepatocytes expressing HCV NS5A. These results underscore the roles of HCV proteins in innate immune regulation in establishing a chronic infection.
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Acute hepatitis C in HIV-infected individuals: recommendations from the European AIDS Treatment Network (NEAT) consensus conference. AIDS 2011; 25:399-409. [PMID: 21139491 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0b013e328343443b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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40
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Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global public health problem affecting approximately 2% of the human population. The majority of HCV infections (more than 70%) result in life-long persistence of the virus that substantially increases the risk of serious liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The remainder (less than 30%) resolves spontaneously, often resulting in long-lived protection from persistence upon reexposure to the virus. To persist, the virus must replicate and this requires effective evasion of adaptive immune responses. In this review, the role of humoral and cellular immunity in preventing HCV persistence, and the mechanisms used by the virus to subvert protective host responses, are considered.
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Strasak AM, Kim AY, Lauer GM, de Sousa PS, Ginuino CF, Fernandes CA, Velloso CE, de Almeida AJ, de Oliveira JM, Yoshida CF, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Paranhos-Baccalá G, Lang S, Brant LJ, Ulmer H, Strohmaier S, Kaltenbach L, Lampe E, Lewis-Ximenez LL. Antibody dynamics and spontaneous viral clearance in patients with acute hepatitis C infection in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. BMC Infect Dis 2011; 11:15. [PMID: 21226945 PMCID: PMC3032695 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-11-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The anti-HCV antibody response has not been well characterized during the early phase of HCV infection and little is known about its relationship to the clinical course during this period. Methods We analyzed serial anti-HCV antibodies longitudinally obtained from a prospective cohort of 65 patients with acute HCV infection by using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay AxSYM HCV 3.0 (Abbott Diagnostics) during the first 12 months from HCV acquisition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Spontaneous viral clearance (SVC) was defined as undetectable HCV RNA in serum, in the absence of treatment, for three consecutive HCV PCR tests within 12-months of follow-up. Results Baseline antibody values were similar among patient groups with self-limiting HCV evolution (n = 34) and persistent viremia (n = 31) [median (interquartile range) signal/cut-off ratio (s/co) 78.7 (60.7-93.8) vs. 93.9 (67.8-111.9), p = 0.26]. During 12-months follow-up, patients with acute spontaneous resolving HCV infection showed significantly lower serial antibody response in comparison to individuals progressing to chronic infection [median (interquartile range) s/co 62.7 (35.2-85.0) vs. 98.4 (70.4-127.4), p < 0.0001]. In addition, patients with self-limiting HCV evolution exhibited an expeditious, sharp decline of serial antibody values after SVC in comparison to those measured before SVC [median (interquartile range) s/co 56.0 (25.4-79.3) vs. 79.4 (66.3-103.0), p < 0.0001]. Conclusion Our findings indicate a rapid short-term decline of antibody values in patients with acute spontaneous resolving HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Strasak
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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Liposome-coupled antigens are internalized by antigen-presenting cells via pinocytosis and cross-presented to CD8 T cells. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15225. [PMID: 21179411 PMCID: PMC3003686 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that antigens chemically coupled to the surface of liposomes consisting of unsaturated fatty acids were cross-presented by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to CD8+ T cells, and that this process resulted in the induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In the present study, the mechanism by which the liposome-coupled antigens were cross-presented to CD8+ T cells by APCs was investigated. Confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis demonstrated that antigens coupled to the surface of unsaturated-fatty-acid-based liposomes received processing at both MHC class I and class II compartments, while most of the antigens coupled to the surface of saturated-fatty-acid-based liposomes received processing at the class II compartment. In addition, flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that antigens coupled to the surface of unsaturated-fatty-acid-liposomes were taken up by APCs even in a 4°C environment; this was not true of saturated-fatty-acid-liposomes. When two kinds of inhibitors, dimethylamiloride (DMA) and cytochalasin B, which inhibit pinocytosis and phagocytosis by APCs, respectively, were added to the culture of APCs prior to the antigen pulse, DMA but not cytochalasin B significantly reduced uptake of liposome-coupled antigens. Further analysis of intracellular trafficking of liposomal antigens using confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that a portion of liposome-coupled antigens taken up by APCs were delivered to the lysosome compartment. In agreement with the reduction of antigen uptake by APCs, antigen presentation by APCs was significantly inhibited by DMA, and resulted in the reduction of IFN-γ production by antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. These results suggest that antigens coupled to the surface of liposomes consisting of unsaturated fatty acids might be pinocytosed by APCs, loaded onto the class I MHC processing pathway, and presented to CD8+ T cells. Thus, these liposome-coupled antigens are expected to be applicable for the development of vaccines that induce cellular immunity.
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Lewis-Ximenez LL, Lauer GM, Schulze Zur Wiesch J, de Sousa PSF, Ginuino CF, Paranhos-Baccalá G, Ulmer H, Pfeiffer KP, Goebel G, Pereira JL, Mendes de Oliveira J, Yoshida CFT, Lampe E, Velloso CE, Alves Pinto M, Coelho HS, Almeida AJ, Fernandes CA, Kim AY, Strasak AM. Prospective follow-up of patients with acute hepatitis C virus infection in Brazil. Clin Infect Dis 2010; 50:1222-30. [PMID: 20235831 DOI: 10.1086/651599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The natural outcome of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) varies substantially among individuals. However, little is known about host and viral factors associated with a self-limiting or chronic evolution of HCV infection. METHODS From 1 January 2001 through 31 December 2008, a consecutive series of 65 patients from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a well-documented diagnosis of acute HCV infection, acquired via various routes, were enrolled in this study. Patients were prospectively followed up for a median of 40 months after the estimated date of HCV infection with serial measurements of serum alanine aminotransferase, HCV RNA, and anti-HCV antibodies. Spontaneous viral clearance (SVC) was defined as undetectable levels of HCV RNA in serum, in the absence of treatment, for 3 consecutive HCV polymerase chain reaction tests within the first 6 months of follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify host and viral predictors of SVC. RESULTS The cumulative rate of SVC was 44.6% (95% confidence interval, 32.3%-57.5%). Compared with chronic HCV evolution, patients with self-limiting disease had significantly lower peak levels of anti-HCV antibodies (median, 109.0 vs 86.7 optical density-to-cutoff ratio [od/co]; P<.02), experienced disease symptoms more frequently (69.4% vs 100%; P<.001), and had lower viral load at first clinical presentation (median, 4.3 vs 0.0 log copies; P=.01). In multivariate analyses, low peak anti-HCV level (<93.5 od/co) was the only independent predictor for SVC; the hazard ratio compared with high anti-HCV levels (> or =93.5 od/co) was 2.62 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-6.19; P=.03). CONCLUSION Our data suggest that low levels of anti-HCV antibodies during the acute phase of HCV infection are independently related to spontaneous viral clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia L Lewis-Ximenez
- Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Sällberg M, Frelin L, Weiland O. DNA vaccine therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection: immune control of a moving target. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2009; 9:805-15. [PMID: 19527105 DOI: 10.1517/14712590902988444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The use of DNA plasmids for DNA vaccination was first described in the early 1990 s. DNA vaccinations were successful in small animal models but in larger animals and humans problems appeared. One major obstacle, effective delivery, has been partly overcome by new delivery techniques, such as transdermal delivery with the gene gun, and in vivo electroporation. We are entering a new era of DNA vaccination, where such techniques can be tested in humans. DNA vaccination may be a useful therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Patients with these infections have a reduced T cell response to the invading virus. The genetic variability of HCV, its immunomodulatory properties and high replication rate contribute to chronicity. By providing the correct stimulus T cells may be activated to clear the infection. The vaccination is intended to induce a coordinated immune-based attack on the continuously moving HCV target. If effective, this should help in clearing the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti Sällberg
- Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Department of Laboratory Medicine, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
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45
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Kottilil S, Yan MY, Reitano KN, Zhang X, Lempicki R, Roby G, Daucher M, Yang J, Cortez KJ, Ghany M, Polis MA, Fauci AS. Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C infections induce distinct immunologic imprints in peripheral mononuclear cells. Hepatology 2009; 50:34-45. [PMID: 19551908 PMCID: PMC2736098 DOI: 10.1002/hep.23055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is present in one-third of all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals in the United States and is associated with rapid progression of liver fibrosis and poor response to pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin. In this study we examined gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from different groups of individuals who are monoinfected or coinfected with HIV and HCV. Data showed that HIV and HCV viremia up-regulate genes associated with immune activation and immunoregulatory pathways. HCV viremia is also associated with abnormalities in all peripheral immune cells, suggesting a global effect of HCV on the immune system. Interferon-alpha-induced genes were expressed at a higher level in PBMCs from HIV-infected individuals. HCV and HIV infections leave distinct profiles or gene expression of immune activation in PBMCs. HIV viremia induces an immune activated state; by comparison, HCV infection induces immunoregulatory and proinflammatory pathways that may contribute to progression of liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION An aberrant type-I IFN response seen exclusively in HIV-infected individuals could be responsible for the poor therapeutic response experienced by HIV/HCV coinfected individuals receiving interferon-alpha-based current standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - MY Yan
- LIR, NIAID, NIH, DHHS Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - X Zhang
- LIR, NIAID, NIH, DHHS Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - G Roby
- LIR, NIAID, NIH, DHHS Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - M Daucher
- LIR, NIAID, NIH, DHHS Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J Yang
- SAIC-Frederick, Frederick, MD USA
| | - KJ Cortez
- National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA, CCMD, CC, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - M Ghany
- NIDDK, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - MA Polis
- LIR, NIAID, NIH, DHHS Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - AS Fauci
- LIR, NIAID, NIH, DHHS Bethesda, MD, USA
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46
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Abstract
HCV can cause acute or chronic hepatitis and is a health problem all over the world. It is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is a common indication for liver transplantation. Unrecognized patients with HCV infection may transmit the virus to uninfected people. The acute form of the disease leads to chronic hepatitis in the majority of cases. Since the success rate of treatment given in the chronic phase is much lower than that given in the acute phase, recognizing acute hepatitis is critical. Although HCV is less prevalent since 1990s in the Western world after improved blood-donor screening programs, needle-exchange facilities and education among intravenous drug users, it is still endemic in some regions, including African countries, Egypt, Taiwan, China and Japan. Acute HCV infection may be a challenge for the clinician; since it is often asymptomatic, detection and diagnosis are usually difficult. After an incubation period of 7 weeks (2-12 weeks), only a minority of patients (10-15%) report symptoms. The spontaneous clearance of the virus is more frequent primarily during the first 3 months of clinical onset of the disease, but may occur anytime during the 6 months of acute infection. This spontaneous resolution seems to be more frequent in symptomatic cases. Viremia persisting more than 6 months is accepted as chronic infection. The virus is transmitted more frequently through infected blood or body fluids. Detection of antibodies against HCV is not a reliable method of diagnosing acute HCV infection since the appearance of antibodies against HCV can be delayed in up to 30% of patients at the onset of symptoms. Thus, the diagnosis of acute hepatitis C relies on the qualitative detection of HCV RNA, which may appear as early as 1-2 weeks after exposure quickly followed by highly elevated alanine aminotransferase. After a follow-up period of 8-12 weeks for allowing spontaneous resolution, treatment should be initiated. Pegylated interferon monotherapy for 24 weeks seems effective, and the therapy can be individualized according to the characteristics of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Resat Ozaras
- Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Infectious Diseases Department, TR-34098 Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Sillanpää M, Melén K, Porkka P, Fagerlund R, Nevalainen K, Lappalainen M, Julkunen I. Hepatitis C virus core, NS3, NS4B and NS5A are the major immunogenic proteins in humoral immunity in chronic HCV infection. Virol J 2009; 6:84. [PMID: 19549310 PMCID: PMC2709157 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-6-84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2009] [Accepted: 06/23/2009] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The viral genome of hepatitis C virus constitutes a 9.6-kb single-stranded positive-sense RNA which encodes altogether 11 viral proteins. In order to study the humoral immune responses against different HCV proteins in patients suffering from chronic HCV infection, we produced three structural (core, E1 and E2) and six nonstructural proteins (NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A and NS5B) in Sf9 insect cells by using the baculovirus expression system. Results The recombinant HCV core, E1, E2, NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A and NS5B proteins were purified and used in Western blot analysis to determine antibody responses against individual HCV protein in 68 HCV RNA and antibody positive human sera that were obtained from patients suffering from genotype 1, 2, 3 or 4 infection. These sera were also analysed with INNO-LIA Score test for HCV antibodies against core, NS3, NS4AB and NS5A, and the results were similar to the ones obtained by Western blot method. Based on our Western blot analyses we found that the major immunogenic HCV antigens were the core, NS4B, NS3 and NS5A proteins which were recognized in 97%, 86%, 68% and 53% of patient sera, respectively. There were no major genotype specific differences in antibody responses to individual HCV proteins. A common feature within the studied sera was that all except two sera recognized the core protein in high titers, whereas none of the sera recognized NS2 protein and only three sera (from genotype 3) recognised NS5B. Conclusion The data shows significant variation in the specificity in humoral immunity in chronic HCV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarit Sillanpää
- Department of Vaccination and Immune Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), FI-00271 Helsinki, Finland.
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48
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Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a high propensity to establish chronic infection with end-stage liver disease. The high turnover of virus particles and high transcription error rates due to lack of proof-reading function of the viral polymerase imply that HCV exists as quasispecies, thus enabling the virus to evade the host immune response. Clearance of the virus is characterized by a multispecific, vigorous and persistent T-cell response, whereas T-cell responses are weak, narrow and transient in patients who develop chronic infection. At present, standard treatment is a combination of pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin, with a sustained viral response rate of 40-80%, depending on genotype. The mechanisms for the observed synergistic effects of the two drugs are still not known in detail, but in addition to direct antiviral mechanisms, the immunomodulatory effects of both drugs seem to be important, with a shift from Th2- to Th1-cytokine profiles in successfully treated patients. This article describes virus-host relations in the natural course of HCV infection and during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge Myrmel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
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49
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Dowd KA, Netski DM, Wang XH, Cox AL, Ray SC. Selection pressure from neutralizing antibodies drives sequence evolution during acute infection with hepatitis C virus. Gastroenterology 2009; 136:2377-86. [PMID: 19303013 PMCID: PMC2895772 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.02.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2008] [Revised: 01/27/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2009] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Despite recent characterization of hepatitis C virus-specific neutralizing antibodies, it is not clear to what extent immune pressure from neutralizing antibodies drives viral sequence evolution in vivo. This lack of understanding is particularly evident in acute infection, the phase when elimination or persistence of viral replication is determined and during which the importance of the humoral immune response has been largely discounted. METHODS We analyzed envelope glycoprotein sequence evolution and neutralization of sequential autologous hepatitis C virus pseudoparticles in 8 individuals throughout acute infection. RESULTS Amino acid substitutions occurred throughout the envelope genes, primarily within the hypervariable region 1 of E2. When individualized pseudoparticles expressing sequential envelope sequences were used to measure neutralization by autologous sera, antibodies neutralizing earlier sequence variants were detected at earlier time points than antibodies neutralizing later variants, indicating clearance and evolution of viral variants in response to pressure from neutralizing antibodies. To demonstrate the effects of amino acid substitution on neutralization, site-directed mutagenesis of a pseudoparticle envelope sequence revealed amino acid substitutions in hypervariable region 1 that were responsible for a dramatic decrease in neutralization sensitivity over time. In addition, high-titer neutralizing antibodies peaked at the time of viral clearance in all spontaneous resolvers, whereas chronically evolving subjects displayed low-titer or absent neutralizing antibodies throughout early acute infection. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that, during acute hepatitis C virus infection in vivo, virus-specific neutralizing antibodies drive sequence evolution and, in some individuals, play a role in determining the outcome of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Dowd
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Dale M. Netski
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Xiao-Hong Wang
- Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, Peoples Republic of China, 400038
| | - Andrea L. Cox
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Stuart C. Ray
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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50
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Quiroga JA, Castillo I, Llorente S, Bartolomé J, Barril G, Carreño V. Identification of serologically silent occult hepatitis C virus infection by detecting immunoglobulin G antibody to a dominant HCV core peptide epitope. J Hepatol 2009; 50:256-63. [PMID: 19070391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2008.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2008] [Revised: 07/28/2008] [Accepted: 08/25/2008] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Occult HCV infection has been described among anti-HCV-HCV RNA-negative individuals with abnormal transaminase values in whom HCV RNA is detected in liver. METHODS IgG antibody to an HCVcore-derived peptide (anti-HCVcore) was investigated in 145 patients with serologically silent occult HCV infection. RESULTS At the time of the diagnostic biopsy 45/145 (31%) occult HCV-infected patients tested IgG anti-HCVcore-positive but none of the 140 patients with HCV-unrelated liver disease (P<0.001). Among 23 IgG anti-HCVcore-positive patients at baseline, 22 remained antibody-reactive (one became antibody-negative). Similarly, 17/31 baseline anti-HCVcore-negative patients remained non-reactive whereas 14 seroconverted to IgG anti-HCVcore (although transiently in 10 patients). Thus, a total of 59/145 (40.7%) patients with occult HCV infection showed IgG anti-HCVcore reactivity at any time point analyzed, including 14 initially non-reactive patients. By supplemental immunoblot assay 16 sera reacted weakly with an HCVcore-peptide band (indeterminate result) of which 10 (62.5%) reacted in the IgG anti-HCVcore assay. Occult HCV-infected patients who tested anti-HCVcore-positive showed more frequently signs of necro-inflammation (P=0.035) and greater percentages of HCV RNA-positive hepatocytes (P=0.004) compared with those anti-HCVcore-negative. CONCLUSIONS This work documents that IgG anti-HCVcore testing identifies occult HCV infection among seronegative, non-viremic patients using screening tests and may be useful in tracking anti-HCV-negative infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A Quiroga
- Fundación para el Estudio de las Hepatitis Virales, Guzman el Bueno, 72 28015 Madrid, Spain
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