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Reifenberg K, Hildt E, Lecher B, Wiese E, Nusser P, Ott S, Yamamura KI, Rutter G, Löhler J. IFNgamma expression inhibits LHBs storage disease and ground glass hepatocyte appearance, but exacerbates inflammation and apoptosis in HBV surface protein-accumulating transgenic livers. Liver Int 2006; 26:986-93. [PMID: 16953839 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01317.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Interferon gamma (IFNgamma) controls hepatitis B virus replication. As systemic application may cause severe adverse effects, approaches of liver-directed IFNgamma gene therapy may represent an attractive alternative for treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B and thus needs testing in vivo in suitable animal models. METHODS We therefore crossbred Alb-1HBV transgenic mice overexpressing the large HBV surface protein (LHBs) in their livers and developing LHBs storage disease and ground glass hepatocyte appearance with SAP-IFNgamma transgenic animals previously shown to exhibit constitutive hepatic IFNgamma expression, and analyzed the resulting double-transgenic offspring. RESULTS We found that IFNgamma coexpression significantly reduced hepatic LHBs expression and thereby inhibited hepatocellular LHBs storage disease and ground glass hepatocyte appearance. The beneficial antiviral IFNgamma effects as observed in Alb1-HBV SAP-IFNgamma double-transgenic livers were associated with significantly elevated serum ALT concentrations, massive mononuclear cell infiltrates, appearance of Councilman bodies, and increased alpha-PARP (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage). CONCLUSIONS Exacerbation of hepatic necroinflammation and increased hepatocellular apoptosis rate in IFNgamma-expressing Alb1-HBV transgenic livers suggest that special precautions be taken for testing approaches of liver-specific IFNgamma expression in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Reifenberg
- Central Laboratory Animal Facility, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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52
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Crawford DR, Ostrowski S, Vakharia D, Ilic Z, Sell S. Separate origins of hepatitis B virus surface antigen-negative foci and hepatocellular carcinomas in transgenic HBsAg (alb/psx) mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2006; 169:223-32. [PMID: 16816375 PMCID: PMC1698773 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2006.051284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We have examined the development and transgene expression in liver lesions of transgenic mice bearing the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) gene of hepatitis B virus under the control of the albumin promoter (alb/psx) to study liver regeneration and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with hepatitis B virus infection. Storage of the HBsAg in the endoplasmic reticulum precedes loss of liver cells and regenerative hyperplastic nodules that do not express HBsAg. Histological analysis indicated that HBsAg-negative foci and nodules arose from liver progenitor cells in the portal zone and lacked mRNA expression. Genomic DNA from eight of nine HBsAg-negative laser capture-excised liver foci showed loss of part of the alb/psx gene, whereas no loss of the actin gene was observed. The alb/psx DNA was intact in adjacent HBsAg-positive tissue. Sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products suggested that alterations in the HBsAg transgene in HBsAg-negative foci occurred via large-scale deletions as opposed to single-site mutations. Southern blot analysis of HCC from 2-year-old transgenic HBsAg mice, however, revealed an intact alb/psx gene. Thus, HBsAg-negative progenitor cells with deletions in the transgene appear to be responsible for compensatory regeneration of the liver, whereas HCCs arise from clonal expansion of hepatocytes with intact alb/psx transgenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana R Crawford
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease, The Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
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He F, Tang H, Liu L, Liu FJ, Wang S, Zhou TY, Zhao LS, Liu C. Establishment of a highly sensitive chemiluminescent detection system for analysis of hepatitis B virus transcription and replication level in vitro. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2006; 14:1346-1351. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v14.i14.1346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To establish a stable and highly sensitive chemiluminescent detection system for analysis of hepatitis V virus (HBV) transcription and replication level in vitro.
METHODS: Human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and HepG2.2.15, a HepG2 cell line with HBV transcription and replication, were collected after being cultured for 3 d and then divided equally. Total RNA of the cells and HBV replication intermediates were extracted and analyzed by Northern and Southern blot hybridization, respectively, while digoxigenin labeled HBV recombinant plasmid pHBV4.1 was used as the probe of the hybridizations. The results of the hybridizations were detected by chemiluminescent detection system. Thereafter pHBV4.1 was diluted into a series of multi-stage differential log-rank concentrations, and analyzed by dot blot hybridization along with Northern and Southern blot hybridization, which were used as the internal controls.
RESULTS: High levels of HBV specific transcripts (3.5 kb and 2.4/2.1 kb mRNA) and HBV replication intermediate DNAs were detected by Northern and Southern hybridization analysis, respectively, in the HepG2.2.15 cells. No HBV specific transcripts or HBV replication intermediate DNAs were found in the HepG2 cells. Positive dot signals detected in the internal controls were weakened as the decrease of pHBV4.1 concentration. The sensitivity of the chemiluminescent detection system of the Northern and Southern hybridization analysis was 1 pg of the target nucleotides according to the internal controls, which was almost equal to that of isotope detection system. Similar results were obtained after the whole procedures were repeated for more than three times.
CONCLUSION: A stable and highly sensitive chemiluminescent detection system for analysis of HBV transcription and replication level in vitro is successfully established.
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Tsutsumi Y, Kanamori H, Mori A, Tanaka J, Asaka M, Imamura M, Masauzi N. Reactivation of hepatitis B virus with rituximab. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2006; 4:599-608. [PMID: 15934864 DOI: 10.1517/14740338.4.3.599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Rituximab has become a useful drug for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and such autoimmune diseases as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and rheumatoid arthritis. When combined with cytotoxic agents, rituximab showed synergistic effects for the treatment of NHL. In such treatment, hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a crucial complication when patients are treated with immunosuppressive or chemotherapeutic agents. Despite its treatment efficacy, several studies have pointed out unusual viral infections after its administration that resulted in fatal hepatitis due to HBV reactivation. In the cases at the authors' institute, the authors analysed the kinetics of HBV antibodies, HBV-reactivation timing, and the prophylactic efficacy of lamivudine. The authors reviewed their cases and the previous literature to clarify the characteristics of HBV-reactivated patients who were administered rituximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Tsutsumi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hakodate Municipal Hospital, Hakodate 041-8680, Japan.
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Siebler J, Protzer U, Wirtz S, Schuchmann M, Höhler T, Galle PR, Neurath MF. Overexpression of STAT-1 by adenoviral gene transfer does not inhibit hepatitis B virus replication. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006; 18:167-74. [PMID: 16394798 DOI: 10.1097/00042737-200602000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Interferons are known to inhibit the replication of hepatitis B viruses (HBV) in several animal models in vitro and in vivo as well in humans. The STAT-1 protein plays a central role in the biological activity of both type I and type II interferons. The lack of functional STAT-1 renders cells and organisms susceptible to bacterial and viral infectious agents. We analysed whether the overexpression of STAT-1 protein enhances the biological interferon response and whether it elicits antiviral activity against HBV in vitro. METHODS To achieve an efficient STAT-1 overexpression in primary liver cells and hepatoma cells, we generated a recombinant, replication-deficient adenovirus expressing human STAT-1 (Adv-STAT-1). We analysed whether the overexpression of STAT-1 inhibits the replication of duck HBV and human HBV in vitro using Western blot analysis, the immunofluorescence of viral proteins and quantification of HBV-DNA copies, respectively. RESULTS In the duck model of HBV infection the overexpression of STAT-1 neither inhibited an established infection nor prevented the establishment of duck HBV replication when administered simultaneously with Adv-STAT-1. These observations were confirmed in an in-vitro model of human HBV infection using the human hepatoma cell line HepG2.2.15, which continuously replicates HBV. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that the over-expression of STAT-1 alone is not sufficient to strengthen the biological response of interferon as an antiviral agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Siebler
- Labor für Klinische Immunologie I, I. Medizinische Klinik, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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56
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Peltekian C, Gordien E, Garreau F, Meas-Yedid V, Soussan P, Willams V, Chaix ML, Olivo-Marin JC, Bréchot C, Kremsdorf D. Human MxA protein participates to the interferon-related inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication in female transgenic mice. J Hepatol 2005; 43:965-72. [PMID: 16168514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2005.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2004] [Revised: 06/13/2005] [Accepted: 06/15/2005] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The interferon (IFN) inducible MxA protein is endowed with antiviral activity against a broad range of RNA viruses. In a previous in vitro study, we demonstrated that MxA inhibits hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, arguing that the antiviral activity of MxA is not restricted to RNA viruses but also includes a DNA virus. The aim of the present study was to further demonstrate in vivo the antiviral action of MxA against HBV. METHODS We generated HBV and HBV/MxA transgenic mice lacking a functional IFN-alpha/beta receptor and thus constituting a good model to evaluate MxA-induced virus resistance. HBV proteins expression, viral load and HBV replication were compared in HBV and HBV/MxA mice. RESULTS An MxA-dependent moderate inhibitory effect on HBV expression was only observed in female HBV/MxA mice, in which MxA downregulates (i) viral HBeAg and capsid protein expression, (ii) viremia and (iii) HBV replication by decreasing the synthesis of HBV DNA replicative intermediates. Furthermore, these effects were not associated with changes to steady-state levels of HBV RNAs. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that in vivo, MxA is able per se to reduce HBV expression by a post-transcriptional mechanism, and thus participates in the antiviral activity of IFN-alpha against HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Peltekian
- INSERM U370/Institut Pasteur, Faculté de Médecine Necker Enfants-Malades, 156, rue de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris, France
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57
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Tsuge M, Hiraga N, Takaishi H, Noguchi C, Oga H, Imamura M, Takahashi S, Iwao E, Fujimoto Y, Ochi H, Chayama K, Tateno C, Yoshizato K. Infection of human hepatocyte chimeric mouse with genetically engineered hepatitis B virus. Hepatology 2005; 42:1046-54. [PMID: 16250045 DOI: 10.1002/hep.20892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Studies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants have been hampered by the lack of a small animal model with long-term infection of cloned HBV. Using a mouse model in which liver cells were highly replaced with human hepatocytes that survived over a long time with mature human hepatocyte function, we performed transmission experiments of HBV. Human serum containing HBV and the virus produced in HepG2 cell lines that transiently or stably transfected with 1.4 genome length HBV DNA were inoculated. Genetically modified e-antigen-negative mutant strain also was produced and inoculated into the mouse model. A high-level (approximately 10(10) copies/mL) viremia was observed in mice inoculated with HBV-positive human serum samples. The level of viremia tended to be high in mice with a continuously high human hepatocyte replacement index. High levels and long-lasting viremia also were observed in mice injected with the in vitro generated HBV. The viremia continued up to 22 weeks until death or killing. Passage experiments showed that the serum of these mice contained infectious HBV. Genetically engineered hepatitis B e antigen-negative mutant clone also was shown to be infectious. Lamivudine effectively reduced the level of viremia in these infected mice. In conclusion, this mouse model of HBV infection is a useful tool for the study of HBV virology and evaluation of anti-HBV drugs. Our results indicate that HBeAg is dispensable for active viral production and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Tsuge
- Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Division of Frontier Medical Science, Programs for Biomedical Research, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Japan
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58
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Anderson AL, Banks KE, Pontoglio M, Yaniv M, McLachlan A. Alpha/beta interferon differentially modulates the clearance of cytoplasmic encapsidated replication intermediates and nuclear covalently closed circular hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA from the livers of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1alpha-null HBV transgenic mice. J Virol 2005; 79:11045-52. [PMID: 16103155 PMCID: PMC1193586 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.79.17.11045-11052.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment with alpha interferon is a standard therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. This treatment can reduce virus load and ameliorate disease symptoms. However, in the majority of cases, alpha interferon therapy fails to resolve the chronic HBV infection. The reason alpha interferon therapy is inefficient at resolving chronic HBV infections is assumed to be because it fails to eliminate covalently closed circular (CCC) HBV DNA from the nuclei of infected hepatocytes. In an attempt to address this issue, the stability of HBV CCC DNA in response to alpha/beta interferon induction was examined in HNF1alpha-null HBV transgenic mice. Alpha/beta interferon induction by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I-C)] treatment efficiently eliminated encapsidated cytoplasmic HBV replication intermediates while only modestly reducing nuclear HBV CCC DNA. These observations indicate that nuclear HBV CCC DNA is more stable than cytoplasmic replication intermediates in response to alpha/beta interferon induction. Consequently it appears that for therapies to resolve chronic HBV infection efficiently, they will have to target the elimination of the most stable HBV replication intermediate, nuclear HBV CCC DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee L Anderson
- Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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59
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Dumortier J, Schönig K, Oberwinkler H, Löw R, Giese T, Bujard H, Schirmacher P, Protzer U. Liver-specific expression of interferon gamma following adenoviral gene transfer controls hepatitis B virus replication in mice. Gene Ther 2005; 12:668-77. [PMID: 15647761 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Interferons control viral replication and the growth of some malignant tumors. Since systemic application may cause severe adverse effects, tissue-specific expression is an attractive alternative. Liver-directed interferon gene therapy offers promising applications such as chronic viral hepatitis B or C or hepatocellular carcinoma and thus needs testing in vivo in suitable animal models. We therefore used the Tet-On system to regulate gene expression in adenoviral vectors, and studied the effect of liver-specific and regulated interferon gamma expression in a mouse model of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In a first generation adenoviral vector, genes encoding for firefly luciferase and interferons alpha, beta or gamma, respectively, were coexpressed under control of the bidirectional tetracycline-regulated promoter P(tet)bi. Liver-specific promoters driving expression of the reverse tetracycline controlled transactivator ensured local expression in the livers of HBV transgenic mice. Following gene transfer, we demonstrated low background, tight regulation and a 1000-fold induction of gene expression by doxycycline. Both genes within the bidirectional transcription unit were expressed simultaneously, and in a liver-specific fashion in cell culture and in living mice. Doxycycline-dependent interferon gamma expression effectively controlled HBV replication in mice, but did not eliminate HBV transcripts. This system will help to study the effects of local cytokine expression in mouse disease models in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Dumortier
- Department of Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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60
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Abstract
Lambda interferon (IFN-lambda) induces an intracellular IFN-alpha/beta-like antiviral response through a receptor complex distinct from the IFN-alpha/beta receptor. We therefore determined the ability of IFN-lambda to inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. IFN-lambda inhibits HBV replication in a differentiated murine hepatocyte cell line with kinetics and efficiency similar to IFN-alpha/beta and does not require the expression of IFN-alpha/beta or IFN-gamma. Furthermore, IFN-lambda blocked the replication of a subgenomic and a full-length genomic HCV replicon in human hepatocyte Huh7 cells. These results suggest the possibility that IFN-lambda may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of chronic HBV or HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Robek
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.
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61
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Matskevich AA, Cordelier P, Strayer DS. Conditional expression of IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma activated by HBV as genetic therapy for hepatitis B. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2004; 23:709-21. [PMID: 14769147 DOI: 10.1089/107999003772084824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) has potentially devastating consequences and is very difficult to treat. Therapy with recombinant interferons (IFN), especially IFN-alpha, may be effective. The blood IFN-alpha levels that are needed to maintain therapeutic IFN-alpha levels in the liver, however, often cause severe side effects. Gene delivery to the liver may provide a solution. Using a long-term expression construct could provide the desired levels of IFN locally without the need to maintain potentially problematic blood levels. Recombinant, Tag-deleted SV40-derived vectors transduce hepatocytes efficiently and provide permanent transgene expression. We designed an expression construct that was effective against HBV and whose activity was limited to HBV-infected cells. To do this, we exploited the ability of HBV X protein to activate NF-kappaB and, via NF-kappaB, to activate promoter activity of HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) in hepatocytes. Using HIVLTR as a conditional promoter upstream of human and murine IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma cDNAs, rSV40 vectors were used to test the responsiveness of IFN to HBV and the ability of these IFNs to inhibit HBV transcripts and protein production and to activate IFN signaling in neighboring untransduced cells. We found that in hepatocyte cell lines and in primary hepatocytes, HBV activated the promoter activity of the HIVLTR via NF-kappaB. When whole HBV genome was delivered to cells by transfection to simulate HBV infection, IFN expression was activated, IFNs were produced and secreted, and they protected cells from HBV. Levels of IFN proteins that were secreted in this context were comparable to targeted blood levels needed to control chronic hepatitis viral infection. Further, IFNs that were elicited and secreted in this manner were able to activate IFN-induced signaling pathways in neighboring, untransduced cells and so were likely to provide protection even to cells that the rSV40 vector did not transduce. Gene delivery using such rSV40 vectors expressing IFNs conditionally in response to HBV may be an attractive therapeutic option for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey A Matskevich
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19107
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62
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Shi TD, Wu YZ, Jia ZC, Zou LY, Zhou W. Therapeutic polypeptides based on HBV core 18-27 epitope can induce CD 8+ CTL-mediated cytotoxicity in HLA-A2 + human PBMCs. World J Gastroenterol 2004; 10:1902-6. [PMID: 15222033 PMCID: PMC4572227 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i13.1902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM: To explore how to improve the immunogenicity of HBcAg CTL epitope based polypeptides and to trigger an HBV-specific HLA I-restricted CD8+ T cell response in vitro.
METHODS: A new panel of mimetic therapeutic peptides based on the immunodominant B cell epitope of HBV PreS2 18-24 region, the CTL epitope of HBcAg18-27 and the universal T helper epitope of tetanus toxoid (TT) 830-843 was designed using computerized molecular design method and synthesized by Merrifield’s solid-phase peptide synthesis. Their immunological properties of stimulating activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, of inducing TH1 polarization, CD8+ T cell magnification and HBV-specific CD8+ CTL mediated cytotoxicity were investigated in vitro using HLA-A2+ human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and chronic hepatitis B patients.
RESULTS: Results demonstrated that the therapeutic polypeptides based on immunodominant HBcAg18-27 CTL, PreS2 B- and universal TH epitopes could stimulate the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, induce specifically and effectively CD8+ T cell expansion and vigorous HBV-specific CTL-mediated cytotoxicity in human PBMCs.
CONCLUSION: It indicated that the introduction of immunodominant T helper plus B-epitopes with short and flexible linkers could dramatically improve the immunogenicity of short CTL epitopes in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong-Dong Shi
- Institute of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Street, Chongqing 400038, China.
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63
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Hilleman MR. Critical overview and outlook: pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of hepatitis and hepatocarcinoma caused by hepatitis B virus. Vaccine 2004; 21:4626-49. [PMID: 14585670 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(03)00529-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis B is an enigmatic disease in which the host's own immune response to persistent viral infection may bring about host destruction through antiviral inflammatory responses which might otherwise present as a benign or inapparent disease. The simple solution to the hepatitis B problem is by immunoprophylaxis using the vaccine licensed in 1981, which prevents both infection and the late sequelae of liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Immunotherapeutic vaccines against persistent hepatitis B infection have not been successful and new explorations are being directed to therapies which include antisense, ribozymes, gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) and aptamer approaches. Limited benefits from nucleoside therapy and limitations in opportunity for liver transplantation have left a large void of curative treatments. Findings with respect to e antigen tolerance provide a basis for exploration to determine whether passively administered e antigen might suppress cell-mediated immunity, creating a commensal state in which virus persists but without pathologic damage to the host. Therapy of hepatocarcinoma by conventional chemotherapy, radiation, or surgical resection and ablation gives little hope for restoration of health unless the tumor is detected very early. The large engagement of the world medical science community to develop therapeutic vaccines against cancer is now in major clinical trials to determine the hope and credibility for the immunization approach. Vaccines based on tumor peptides which are linked to heat shock proteins and directed to host dendritic cells give reason for excitement and may be the "best show in town". A new era of tumor therapy will need to be based on new discoveries in immune function which are required to pursue immunotherapy on a more rational basis. The many facets of current hepatitis B virology, pathogenesis, immunoprophylaxis, immunotherapeusis, chemotherapy, and tumor pathogenesis and therapy are discussed here, in depth, but in keeping with needed brevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurice R Hilleman
- Merck Institute for Vaccinology, 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA.
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64
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Xiong W, Wang X, Liu X, Xiang L, Zheng L, Yuan Z. Interferon-inducible MyD88 protein inhibits hepatitis B virus replication. Virology 2004; 319:306-14. [PMID: 14980490 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2003.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2003] [Revised: 11/04/2003] [Accepted: 11/07/2003] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Myeloid differential primary response protein (MyD88) is a critical component in the signaling cascade through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and is induced by alpha interferon (IFN-alpha). To examine the role of MyD88 in the antiviral activity of IFN-alpha against hepatitis B virus (HBV), we established MyD88 stably expressing cell lines and studied HBV replication in these lines after transient transfection. The levels of HBV proteins and viral replicative intermediates were effectively reduced in MyD88-expressing cells. A significant reduction of total and cytoplasmic viral RNAs in MyD88 stably expressing cells was also observed. Using a nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) dependent reporter assay, it was shown that activation of NF-kappaB was moderately increased in the presence of expression of MyD88, and further significantly increased by co-expression of HBV. These results suggest a novel mechanism for the inhibition of HBV replication by IFN-alpha via expression of MyD88 protein involving activation of NF-kappaB signaling pathway and downregulation of viral transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Ministry of Education and Health, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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65
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Robek MD, Boyd BS, Wieland SF, Chisari FV. Signal transduction pathways that inhibit hepatitis B virus replication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:1743-7. [PMID: 14757813 PMCID: PMC341846 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0308340100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatocytes is strongly inhibited in response to IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma. Although it has been previously demonstrated that IFN-alpha/beta eliminates HBV RNA-containing capsids from the cell in a proteasome-dependent manner, the precise cellular pathway that mediates this antiviral effect has not been identified. Because IFN-induced signal transduction involves kinase-mediated activation of gene expression, we used an immortalized hepatocyte cell line that replicates HBV in an IFN-sensitive manner to investigate the role of cellular kinase activity and the cellular transcription and translation machinery in the antiviral effect. Our results indicate that Janus kinase activity is required for the antiviral effect of IFN against HBV, but that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, cyclin-dependent kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and NF-kappaB activity are not. Additionally, we found that inhibitors of cellular transcription and translation completely abolish the antiviral effect, which also appears to require cellular kinase activity downstream of signal transduction and gene expression. Collectively, these results identify IFN-regulated pathways that interrupt the HBV replication cycle by eliminating viral RNA-containing capsids from the cell, and they provide direction for discovery of the terminal effector molecules that ultimately mediate this antiviral effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Robek
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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