51
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Yu X, Long Q, Shen S, Liu Z, Chandran J, Zhang J, Ding H, Zhang H, Cai D, Kim ES, Huang Y, Guo H. Screening of an epigenetic compound library identifies BRD4 as a potential antiviral target for hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA transcription. Antiviral Res 2023; 211:105552. [PMID: 36737008 PMCID: PMC10036215 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105552] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
HBV cccDNA is the persistent form of viral genome, which exists in host cell nucleus as an episomal minichromosome decorated with histone and non-histone proteins. cccDNA is the authentic viral transcription template and resistant to current antivirals. Growing evidence shows that the transcriptional activity of cccDNA minichromosome undergoes epigenetic regulations, suggesting a new perspective for anti-cccDNA drug development through targeting histone modifications. In this study, we screened an epigenetic compound library in the cccDNA reporter cell line HepBHAe82, which produces the HA-tagged HBeAg in a cccDNA-dependent manner. Among the obtained hits, a bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor MS436 exhibited marked inhibition of cccDNA transcription in both HBV stable cell line HepAD38 and HepG2-NTCP or primary human hepatocyte infection system under noncytotoxic concentrations. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay demonstrated that MS436 dramatically reduced the enrichment of H3K27ac, an activating histone modification pattern, on cccDNA minichromosome. RNAseq differential analysis showed that MS436 does not drastically change host transcriptome or induce any known anti-HBV factors/pathways, indicating a direct antiviral effect of MS436 on cccDNA minichromosome. Interestingly, the MS436-mediated inhibition of cccDNA transcription is accompanied by cccDNA destabilization in HBV infection and a recombinant cccDNA system, indicating that BRD4 activity may also play a role in cccDNA maintenance. Furthermore, depletion of BRD4 by siRNA knockdown or PROTAC degrader resulted in cccDNA inhibition in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells, further validating BRD4 as an antiviral target. Taken together, our study has demonstrated the practicability of HepBHAe82-based anti-HBV drug screening system and provided a proof-of-concept for targeting HBV cccDNA with epigenetic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Quanxin Long
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sheng Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Zhentao Liu
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jithin Chandran
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hao Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Dawei Cai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Elena S Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yufei Huang
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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52
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Sun F, Xia W, Ouyang Y. Research progress on detection methods for hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:366-373. [PMID: 36751941 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a serious global public health problem, and HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected cells cannot be eliminated by current treatments and is a major factor in the persistence and recurrence of hepatitis B. Efficient and scientific detection methods are important for clinical monitoring of cccDNA and targeted drug development. Western blotting is the gold standard for the quantitative detection of cccDNA, but it is time-consuming and complex. In recent years, new detection technologies have been continuously updated. There are new developments and breakthroughs in both next-generation polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and non-PCR methods such as in situ hybridization. Some HBV-related markers (such as hepatitis B core-related antigen) have also been shown to be closely related to cccDNA, and they can be used as surrogate markers to indirectly reflect cccDNA content. In this paper, the main detection methods of cccDNA and their improvements are reviewed, the advantages and limitations of these methods are analysed and summarized, and future development directions are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Yaoling Ouyang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
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53
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Jabeen K, Javed A, Waris A, Shahzad S. Restoration of IL-11 and IL-15 cytokine production post calcium modulators and ROS treatment can assist viral clearance both in vitro and in vivo. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2023; 26:176-182. [PMID: 36742132 PMCID: PMC9869883 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2022.65983.14536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection alters the cytokines production to establish persistent infection. A reversion of cytokines back to their normal state can be a promising therapeutic approach to establish an optimal host immune response. Materials and Methods We investigated the alteration in expression of IL-15 and IL-11 after HBV infection in vitro and in vivo in PBMCs of 63 individuals divided into various HBV-infected patient groups. The mRNA expression was evaluated post-anti-oxidant and calcium modulators treatment by Real-time qPCR. Results In vitro mRNA expression of both cytokines, post-infection was down-regulated considerably. Interestingly, in line with in vitro results, both cytokines' in vivo expression was intensively down-regulated in chronic HBV-infected individuals rather than healthy controls. Both cytokines' expression was up-regulated in cases of recovery compared with the inactive carriers and chronic HBV-infected individuals. IL-15 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in both cell lines post EGTA and Ru360 treatment while a significant increase was observed in the HepAD38 cell line with NAC and BAPTA treatment. IL-11 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in the HepG2 cell line after all modulator treatments, whereas in the HepAd38 cell line it was observed after BAPTA treatment. Our results thus indicate that viral infection tends to down-regulate the expression of cytokines and an in vivo up-regulation is an indication of recovery. Conclusion Treatment of anti-oxidants and calcium modulators has resulted in the successful restoration of these cytokines thus pointing towards the use of calcium modulators to boost natural antiviral cytokine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kehkshan Jabeen
- Genomics Research Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Aneela Javed
- Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan,Corresponding author: Aneela Javed. Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-ur Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Asim Waris
- School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shaheen Shahzad
- Genomics Research Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Heat Shock Protein Family A Member 1 Promotes Intracellular Amplification of Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA. J Virol 2023; 97:e0126122. [PMID: 36519896 PMCID: PMC9888207 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01261-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) contains a partially double-stranded relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) genome that is converted into a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of the infected hepatocyte by cellular DNA repair machinery. cccDNA associates with nucleosomes to form a minichromosome that transcribes RNA to support the expression of viral proteins and reverse transcriptional replication of viral DNA. In addition to the de novo synthesis from incoming virion rcDNA, cccDNA can also be synthesized from rcDNA in the progeny nucleocapsids within the cytoplasm of infected hepatocytes via the intracellular amplification pathway. In our efforts to identify cellular DNA repair proteins required for cccDNA synthesis using a chemogenetic screen, we found that B02, a small-molecule inhibitor of DNA homologous recombination repair protein RAD51, significantly enhanced the synthesis of cccDNA via the intracellular amplification pathway in human hepatoma cells. Ironically, neither small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of RAD51 expression nor treatment with another structurally distinct RAD51 inhibitor or activator altered cccDNA amplification. Instead, it was found that B02 treatment significantly elevated the levels of multiple heat shock protein mRNA, and siRNA knockdown of HSPA1 expression or treatment with HSPA1 inhibitors significantly attenuated B02 enhancement of cccDNA amplification. Moreover, B02-enhanced cccDNA amplification was efficiently inhibited by compounds that selectively inhibit DNA polymerase α or topoisomerase II, the enzymes required for cccDNA intracellular amplification. Our results thus indicate that B02 treatment induces a heat shock protein-mediated cellular response that positively regulates the conversion of rcDNA into cccDNA via the authentic intracellular amplification pathway. IMPORTANCE Elimination or functional inactivation of cccDNA minichromosomes in HBV-infected hepatocytes is essential for the cure of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, lack of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of cccDNA metabolism and regulation hampers the development of antiviral drugs to achieve this therapeutic goal. Our findings reported here imply that enhanced cccDNA amplification may occur under selected pathobiological conditions, such as cellular stress, to subvert the dilution or elimination of cccDNA and maintain the persistence of HBV infection. Therapeutic inhibition of HSPA1-enhanced cccDNA amplification under these pathobiological conditions should facilitate the elimination of cccDNA and cure of chronic hepatitis B.
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Burdette D, Hyrina A, Song Z, Beran RK, Cheung T, Gilmore S, Kobayashi T, Li L, Liu Y, Niedziela-Majka A, Medley J, Mehra U, Morganelli P, Novikov N, Niu C, Tam D, Tang J, Wang J, Yue Q, Fletcher SP, Holdorf MM, Delaney WE, Feierbach B, Lazerwith S. Characterization of a Novel Capsid Assembly Modulator for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0134822. [PMID: 36519892 PMCID: PMC9872672 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01348-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The standard of care for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is typically lifelong treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs), which suppress viral replication and provide long-term clinical benefits. However, infectious virus can still be detected in patients who are virally suppressed on NA therapy, which may contribute to the failure of these agents to cure most CHB patients. Accordingly, new antiviral treatment options are being developed to enhance the suppression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in combination with NAs ("antiviral intensification"). Here, we describe GS-SBA-1, a capsid assembly modulator (CAM) belonging to class CAM-E, that demonstrates potent inhibition of extracellular HBV DNA in vitro (EC50 [50% effective concentration] = 19 nM) in HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) as well as in vivo in an HBV-infected immunodeficient mouse model. GS-SBA-1 has comparable activities across HBV genotypes and nucleos(t)ide-resistant mutants in HBV-infected PHHs. In addition, GS-SBA-1 demonstrated in vitro additivity in combination with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). The administration of GS-SBA-1 to PHHs at the time of infection prevents covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formation and, hence, decreases HBV RNA and antigen levels (EC50 = 80 to 200 nM). Furthermore, GS-SBA-1 prevents the production of extracellular HBV RNA-containing viral particles in vitro. Collectively, these data demonstrate that GS-SBA-1 is a potent CAM that has the potential to enhance viral suppression in combination with an NA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhijuan Song
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | - Tara Cheung
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | - Li Li
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Congrong Niu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Danny Tam
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | - Qin Yue
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, USA
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Murata T, Iwahori S, Okuno Y, Nishitsuji H, Yanagi Y, Watashi K, Wakita T, Kimura H, Shimotohno K. N6-methyladenosine Modification of Hepatitis B Virus RNA in the Coding Region of HBx. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032265. [PMID: 36768585 PMCID: PMC9917364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a post-transcriptional modification of RNA involved in transcript transport, degradation, translation, and splicing. We found that HBV RNA is modified by m6A predominantly in the coding region of HBx. The mutagenesis of methylation sites reduced the HBV mRNA and HBs protein levels. The suppression of m6A by an inhibitor or knockdown in primary hepatocytes decreased the viral RNA and HBs protein levels in the medium. These results suggest that the m6A modification of HBV RNA is needed for the efficient replication of HBV in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Murata
- Department of Virology and Parasitology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
- Department of Virology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Satoko Iwahori
- Department of Virology and Parasitology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
| | - Yusuke Okuno
- Department of Virology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Hironori Nishitsuji
- Department of Virology and Parasitology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
- Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa 272-8516, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yanagi
- Department of Virology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Department of Virology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Kunitada Shimotohno
- Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa 272-8516, Japan
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Monroe MK, Wang H, Anderson CF, Qin M, Thio CL, Flexner C, Cui H. Antiviral supramolecular polymeric hydrogels by self-assembly of tenofovir-bearing peptide amphiphiles. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:489-498. [PMID: 36449365 PMCID: PMC9894536 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01649d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The development of long-acting antiviral therapeutic delivery systems is crucial to improve the current treatment and prevention of HIV and chronic HBV. We report here on the conjugation of tenofovir (TFV), an FDA approved nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), to rationally designed peptide amphiphiles (PAs), to construct antiviral prodrug hydrogelators (TFV-PAs). The resultant conjugates can self-assemble into one-dimensional nanostructures in aqueous environments and consequently undergo rapid gelation upon injection into 1× PBS solution to create a drug depot. The TFV-PA designs containing two or three valines could attain instantaneous gelation, with one displaying sustained release for more than 28 days in vitro. Our studies suggest that minor changes in peptide design can result in differences in supramolecular morphology and structural stability, which impacted in vitro gelation and release. We envision the use of this system as an important delivery platform for the sustained, linear release of TFV at rates that can be precisely tuned to attain therapeutically relevant TFV plasma concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya K Monroe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Caleb F Anderson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Meng Qin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Chloe L Thio
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Charles Flexner
- Divisions of Clinical Pharmacology and Infectious Diseases, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Honggang Cui
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Nanomedicine, The Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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58
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Yan R, Cai D, Zong Y, Guo L, Zhou Y, Tang A, Li L, Huang Q, Colonno R, Walker MA. Preclinical characterization of ABI-H2158, an HBV core inhibitor with dual mechanisms of action. Antiviral Res 2023; 209:105485. [PMID: 36509208 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The HBV core protein plays an integral role in multiple steps of the HBV lifecycle. Consequently, HBV core inhibitors interrupt multiple steps of the replication cycle, including blocking pgRNA encapsidation and prematurely disassembling existing nucleocapsids, thereby preventing them from transporting relaxed circular (rcDNA) to the nucleus for conversion to covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). ABI-H2158 is an HBV core inhibitor that advanced into Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection (cHBV) but was discontinued due to hepatotoxicity. Here, the potency, selectivity, and mechanisms of action of ABI-H2158 were evaluated using a variety of cell-based assays. Antiviral activity was measured by quantifying intracellular or secreted HBV DNA, RNA, and antigens. ABI-H2158 inhibited HBV replication by blocking pgRNA encapsidation in induced HepAD38 cells (EC50 = 22 nM) and had similar potency in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells (EC50 = 27 nM) and primary human hepatocytes (PHH) (EC50 = 41 nM). ABI-H2158 is a pan-genotypic HBV inhibitor, with EC50s ranging from 7.1 to 22 nM across HBV genotypes A-E. ABI-H2158 also potently blocked the formation of cccDNA in de novo HBV infections with EC50s of ∼200 nM in HepG2-NTCP and PHH assays. These results indicate ABI-H2158 has dual mechanisms of action, inhibiting both early and late steps of the HBV replication cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Yan
- Assembly Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Dawei Cai
- Assembly Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yuhua Zong
- Assembly Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lida Guo
- Assembly Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yi Zhou
- Assembly Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ariel Tang
- Assembly Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lichun Li
- Assembly Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Qi Huang
- Assembly Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
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Sarfaraz N, Somarowthu S, Bouchard MJ. The interplay of long noncoding RNAs and hepatitis B virus. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28058. [PMID: 35946066 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections remain a major global health burden with an estimated 296 million people living with a chronic infection and 884,000 HBV-related deaths annually. Notably, patients with a chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection are at a 30-fold greater risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer, which is the 3rd deadliest cancer worldwide. Several groups have assessed HBV-related aberrant expression of host-cell long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and how altered expression of specific lncRNAs affects HBV replication and progression to associated disease states. Given the challenges in establishing effective HBV models and analyzing transcriptomic data, this review focuses on lncRNA expression data primarily collected from clinical patient samples and primary human hepatocytes, with the subsequent mechanism of action analysis in cell lines or other model systems. Ultimately, understanding HBV-induced lncRNA-expression dysregulation could lead to new treatments and biomarkers for HBV infection and its associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Sarfaraz
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Srinivas Somarowthu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael J Bouchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Pregenomic RNA Launch Hepatitis B Virus Replication System Facilitates the Mechanistic Study of Antiviral Agents and Drug-Resistant Variants on Covalently Closed Circular DNA Synthesis. J Virol 2022; 96:e0115022. [PMID: 36448800 PMCID: PMC9769369 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01150-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicates its genomic DNA by reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate, termed pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), within nucleocapsid. It had been shown that transfection of in vitro-transcribed pgRNA initiated viral replication in human hepatoma cells. We demonstrated here that viral capsids, single-stranded DNA, relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) became detectable sequentially at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h post-pgRNA transfection into Huh7.5 cells. The levels of viral DNA replication intermediates and cccDNA peaked at 24 and 48 h post-pgRNA transfection, respectively. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) became detectable in culture medium at day 4 posttransfection. Interestingly, the early robust viral DNA replication and cccDNA synthesis did not depend on the expression of HBV X protein (HBx), whereas HBsAg production was strictly dependent on viral DNA replication and expression of HBx, consistent with the essential role of HBx in the transcriptional activation of cccDNA minichromosomes. While the robust and synchronized HBV replication within 48 h post-pgRNA transfection is particularly suitable for the precise mapping of the HBV replication steps, from capsid assembly to cccDNA formation, targeted by distinct antiviral agents, the treatment of cells starting at 48 h post-pgRNA transfection allows the assessment of antiviral agents on mature nucleocapsid uncoating, cccDNA synthesis, and transcription, as well as viral RNA stability. Moreover, the pgRNA launch system could be used to readily assess the impacts of drug-resistant variants on cccDNA formation and other replication steps in the viral life cycle. IMPORTANCE Hepadnaviral pgRNA not only serves as a template for reverse transcriptional replication of viral DNA but also expresses core protein and DNA polymerase to support viral genome replication and cccDNA synthesis. Not surprisingly, cytoplasmic expression of duck hepatitis B virus pgRNA initiated viral replication leading to infectious virion secretion. However, HBV replication and antiviral mechanism were studied primarily in human hepatoma cells transiently or stably transfected with plasmid-based HBV replicons. The presence of large amounts of transfected HBV DNA or transgenes in cellular chromosomes hampered the robust analyses of HBV replication and cccDNA function. As demonstrated here, the pgRNA launch HBV replication system permits the accurate mapping of antiviral target and investigation of cccDNA biosynthesis and transcription using secreted HBsAg as a convenient quantitative marker. The effect of drug-resistant variants on viral capsid assembly, genome replication, and cccDNA biosynthesis and function can also be assessed using this system.
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Gilmore SA, Tam D, Cheung TL, Snyder C, Farand J, Dick R, Matles M, Feng JY, Ramirez R, Li L, Yu H, Xu Y, Barnes D, Czerwieniec G, Brendza KM, Appleby TC, Birkus G, Willkom M, Kobayashi T, Paoli E, Labelle M, Boesen T, Tay CH, Delaney WE, Notte GT, Schmitz U, Feierbach B. Characterization of a KDM5 small molecule inhibitor with antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271145. [PMID: 36477212 PMCID: PMC9728921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a global health care challenge and a major cause of liver disease. To find new therapeutic avenues with a potential to functionally cure chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, we performed a focused screen of epigenetic modifiers to identify potential inhibitors of replication or gene expression. From this work we identified isonicotinic acid inhibitors of the histone lysine demethylase 5 (KDM5) with potent anti-HBV activity. To enhance the cellular permeability and liver accumulation of the most potent KDM5 inhibitor identified (GS-080) an ester prodrug was developed (GS-5801) that resulted in improved bioavailability and liver exposure as well as an increased H3K4me3:H3 ratio on chromatin. GS-5801 treatment of HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes reduced the levels of HBV RNA, DNA and antigen. Evaluation of GS-5801 antiviral activity in a humanized mouse model of HBV infection, however, did not result in antiviral efficacy, despite achieving pharmacodynamic levels of H3K4me3:H3 predicted to be efficacious from the in vitro model. Here we discuss potential reasons for the disconnect between in vitro and in vivo efficacy, which highlight the translational difficulties of epigenetic targets for viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Gilmore
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Danny Tam
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Tara L. Cheung
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Chelsea Snyder
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Julie Farand
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Ryan Dick
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Mike Matles
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Joy Y. Feng
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Ricardo Ramirez
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Li Li
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Helen Yu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Yili Xu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Dwight Barnes
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Gregg Czerwieniec
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | | | - Todd C. Appleby
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Gabriel Birkus
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Madeleine Willkom
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Tetsuya Kobayashi
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Eric Paoli
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | | | - Thomas Boesen
- EpiTherapeutics ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark
| | - Chin H. Tay
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | | | - Gregory T. Notte
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
| | - Uli Schmitz
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
- * E-mail:
| | - Becket Feierbach
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, California, United States America
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Liu L, Wang M, Li C, Han X, Xie Y, Feng K, Zhang L, Chen Y, Jia H. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel dihydrobenzodioxine derivatives as HBV capsid protein inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2022; 128:106052. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Presence of entry receptors and viral markers suggest a low level of placental replication of hepatitis B virus in a proportion of pregnant women infected with chronic hepatitis B. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17795. [PMID: 36272995 PMCID: PMC9588053 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22699-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The transplacental route of vertical transmission of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) has been known for over a decade. Here we present evidence which suggest HBV can replicate in placenta. Forty-one HBsAg positive and 10 control pregnant women were enrolled in the study after obtaining informed consent. HBV positives were further divided in the High Viral Load (HVL) Group and Low Viral Load (LVL) Group according to INASL guidelines 2018. The Presence of the HBV DNA and expression of NTCP in the placenta was analyzed by qPCR/RT-qPCR and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC). The presence of cccDNA was assessed using Digital Droplet PCR while the presence of pre-genomic (pg) RNA was assessed through qRT-PCR and sequencing. The presence of HBeAg and HBcAg in the placenta was assessed by IHC. Immunostaining of NTCP, HBeAg and HBcAg on trophoblasts along with the presence of total HBV DNA, cccDNA and pgRNA indicated, that these cells are not only susceptible to HBV infection but may also support viral replication. This is further supported by the finding that trophoblasts of the several HBeAg seronegative samples harbored the HBeAg. Although, we did not find any correlation in NTCP expression and viral markers with viral load indicates placental replication may not aping hepatocytes. The presence of the HBV receptor, NTCP along with the presence of cccDNA, pgRNA, and HBeAg in placenta of HBV infected females without circulating HBeAg suggest that placenta act as a replication host.
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Jiang W, Wu D, Zeng Q, Liu C, Chen E, Bai L, Tang H. USP18 attenuates the anti-hepatitis B virus effect of IFN by down-regulating JAK-STAT pathway. Future Virol 2022. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2022-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aim: USP18 is a type of IFN-stimulated gene, which is associated with virological responses to IFN therapy in HBV (hepatitis B virus). However, its detailed molecular mechanism needs to be explored. Materials & methods: With HBV replication cells and mouse models, the USP18 was overexpressed or inhibited, followed by treatment with IFN or Poly (I:C). The expressions of HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg and protein factors in the samples were detected. Results: Overexpression of USP18 attenuates anti-HBV effect of IFN in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting JAK-STAT pathway and reducing the expression of MX1 and OAS. While, the inhibition of USP18 can promote to activate JAK-STAT pathway to enhance the antiviral effect of IFN. Conclusion: USP18 negatively regulates the anti-HBV effect of IFN by regulating JAK-STAT pathway. It may provide new insights into innate immunity mechanisms in CHB patients receiving IFN treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jiang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Dongbo Wu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Qingmin Zeng
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Enqiang Chen
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Lang Bai
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
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Presence of Intact Hepatitis B Virions in Exosomes. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:237-259. [PMID: 36184032 PMCID: PMC9676402 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was identified as an enveloped DNA virus with a diameter of 42 nm. Multivesicular bodies play a central role in HBV egress and exosome biogenesis. In light of this, it was studied whether intact virions wrapped in exosomes are released by HBV-producing cells. METHODS Robust methods for efficient separation of exosomes from virions were established. Exosomes were subjected to limited detergent treatment for release of viral particles. Electron microscopy of immunogold labeled ultrathin sections of purified exosomes was performed for characterization of exosomal HBV. Exosome formation/release was affected by inhibitors or Crispr/Cas-mediated gene silencing. Infectivity/uptake of exosomal HBV was investigated in susceptible and non-susceptible cells. RESULTS Exosomes could be isolated from supernatants of HBV-producing cells, which are characterized by the presence of exosomal and HBV markers. These exosomal fractions could be separated from the fractions containing free virions. Limited detergent treatment of exosomes causes stepwise release of intact HBV virions and naked capsids. Inhibition of exosome morphogenesis impairs the release of exosome-wrapped HBV. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of intact virions in exosomes. Moreover, the presence of large hepatitis B virus surface antigen on the surface of exosomes derived from HBV expressing cells was observed, which conferred exosome-encapsulated HBV initiating infection in susceptible cells in a , large hepatitis B virus surface antigen/Na+-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide-dependent manner. The uptake of exosomal HBV with low efficiency was also observed in non-permissive cells. CONCLUSION These data indicate that a fraction of intact HBV virions can be released as exosomes. This reveals a so far not described release pathway for HBV.
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Xu S, Liu H, Tian R, Xie J, Chen S, Luo J, Zhu H, Wang Y, Li Z. Construction and validation of a prognostic model with RNA binding protein-related mRNAs for the HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:970613. [PMID: 36212461 PMCID: PMC9539435 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.970613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy worldwide with poor clinical outcomes, and the infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of this disease. Mounting evidence shows that RNA binding proteins (RBPs) can modulate the progression of cancers. However, the functions and clinical implications of RBP-related mRNAs in HBV-related HCC remain largely unclear. Therefore, we aim to develop a prognostic model based on the RBP-related mRNAs for HBV-related HCC patients. Firstly, we identified 626 differentially expressed RBP-related mRNAs in the HBV-related HCC through the Pearson correlation analysis. Subsequently, the Kaplan-Meier survival, univariate, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to construct a prognostic model comprised of five RBP-related mRNAs. Furthermore, the patients were categorized into the high- and low-risk groups by the prognostic model and the patients in the high-risk group had a poor prognosis. Additionally, the prognostic model was an independent predictor of prognosis, and the accuracy of the prognostic model was proved by the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis. Furthermore, the functional enrichment analysis revealed that various cancer-promoting processes were enriched in the high-risk group. Taken together, our study may provide the HBV-related HCC biomarkers of prognosis to improve the clinical outcomes of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Xu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Renyun Tian
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiahui Xie
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Su Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Junyun Luo
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Haizhen Zhu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- Research Center of Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Translational Medicine Research Center of Liver Cancer, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Haizhen Zhu, ; Yirong Wang, ; Zhaoyong Li,
| | - Yirong Wang
- Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Haizhen Zhu, ; Yirong Wang, ; Zhaoyong Li,
| | - Zhaoyong Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- Research Institute of Hunan University in Chongqing, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Haizhen Zhu, ; Yirong Wang, ; Zhaoyong Li,
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Tian X, Dong H, Lai X, Ou G, Cao J, Shi J, Xiang C, Wang L, Zhang X, Zhang K, Song J, Deng J, Deng H, Lu S, Zhuang H, Li T, Xiang K. TRIM56 impairs HBV infection and replication by inhibiting HBV core promoter activity. Antiviral Res 2022; 207:105406. [PMID: 36084850 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family strongly induced by interferons (IFNs) are parts of the innate immune system with antiviral activity. However, it is still unclear which TRIMs could play important roles in hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibition. Here, we identified that TRIM56 expression responded in IFN-treated HepG2-NTCP cells and HBV-infected liver tissues, which was a potent IFN-inducible inhibitor of HBV replication. Mechanistically, TRIM56 suppressed HBV replication via its Ring and C-terminal domain. C-terminal domain was essential for TRIM56 translocating from cytoplasm to nucleus during HBV infection. Further analysis revealed that TRIM56's Ring domain targeted IκBα for ubiquitination. This modification induced phosphorylation of p65, which subsequently inhibited HBV core promoter activity, resulting in the inhibition of HBV replication. The p65 was found to be necessary for NF-κB signal pathway to inhibit HBV replication. We verified our findings using HepG2-NTCP and primary human hepatocytes. Our findings reveal that TRIM56 is a critical antiviral immune effector and exerts an anti-HBV activity via NF-κB signal pathway, which is essential for inhibiting transcription of HBV covalently closed circular DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Huijun Dong
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xinyuan Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Guomin Ou
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Junning Cao
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Jihang Shi
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Chengang Xiang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic, Drugs, Peking University Health Science Center and the MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, College of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China; Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xuechao Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ji Song
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Juan Deng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hongkui Deng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic, Drugs, Peking University Health Science Center and the MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, College of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shichun Lu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Hui Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Kuanhui Xiang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Cao X, Chen H, Li Z, Li X, Yang X, Jin Q, Liang Y, Zhang J, Zhou M, Zhang N, Chen G, Du H, Zao X, Ye Y. Network pharmacology and in vitro experiments-based strategy to investigate the mechanisms of KangXianYiAi formula for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:985084. [PMID: 36133813 PMCID: PMC9483169 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.985084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Chinese traditional medicine KangXianYiAi formula (KXYA) is used to treat hepatic disease in the clinic. Here we aim to confirm the therapeutic effects and explore the pharmacological mechanisms of KXYA on hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We first collected and analyzed clinical data of 40 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with precancerous liver lesions under KXYA treatment. Then, the cell viability, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis of HepAD38 cells with KXYA treatment were examined. Next, we performed network pharmacological analysis based on database mining to obtain the key target pathways and genes of KXYA treatment on HBV-related HCC. We finally analyzed the expression of the key genes between normal and HBV-related HCC tissues in databases and measured the mRNA expression of the key genes in HepAD38 cells after KXYA treatment. The KXYA treatment could reduce the liver nodule size of CHB patients, suppress the proliferation and migration capabilities, and promote apoptosis of HepAD38 cells. The key pathways of KXYA on HBV-related HCC were Cancer, Hepatitis B, Viral carcinogenesis, Focal adhesion, and PI3K-Akt signaling, and KXYA treatment could regulate the expression of the key genes including HNF4A, MAPK8, NR3C1, PTEN, EGFR, and HDAC1. The KXYA exhibited a curative effect via inhibiting proliferation, migration, and promoting apoptosis of HBV-related HCC and the pharmacological mechanism was related to the regulation of the expression of HNF4A, MAPK8, NR3C1, PTEN, EGFR, and HDAC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Cao
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hening Chen
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiguo Li
- Beijing Fengtai Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoke Li
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xianzhao Yang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qiushuo Jin
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yijun Liang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Meiyue Zhou
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ningyi Zhang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Guang Chen, ; Hongbo Du, ; Xiaobin Zao, ; Yong’an Ye,
| | - Hongbo Du
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Guang Chen, ; Hongbo Du, ; Xiaobin Zao, ; Yong’an Ye,
| | - Xiaobin Zao
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Guang Chen, ; Hongbo Du, ; Xiaobin Zao, ; Yong’an Ye,
| | - Yong’an Ye
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Guang Chen, ; Hongbo Du, ; Xiaobin Zao, ; Yong’an Ye,
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Liu Y, Park D, Cafiero TR, Bram Y, Chandar V, Tseng A, Gertje HP, Crossland NA, Su L, Schwartz RE, Ploss A. Molecular clones of genetically distinct hepatitis B virus genotypes reveal distinct host and drug treatment responses. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100535. [PMID: 36035359 PMCID: PMC9403497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims HBV exhibits wide genetic diversity with at least 9 genotypes (GTs), which differ in terms of prevalence, geographic distribution, natural history, disease progression, and treatment outcome. However, differences in HBV replicative capacity, gene expression, and infective capability across different GTs remain incompletely understood. Herein, we aimed to study these crucial aspects using newly constructed infectious clones covering the major HBV GTs. Methods The replicative capacity of infectious clones covering HBV GTs A-E was analyzed in cell lines, primary hepatocytes and humanized mice. Host responses and histopathology induced by the different HBV GTs were characterized in hydrodynamically injected mice. Differences in treatment responses to entecavir and various HBV capsid inhibitors were also quantified across the different genetically defined GTs. Results Patient-derived HBV infectious clones replicated robustly both in vitro and in vivo. GTs A and D induce more pronounced intrahepatic and proinflammatory cytokine responses which correlated with faster viral clearance. Notably, all 5 HBV clones robustly produced viral particles following transfection into HepG2 cells, and these particles were infectious in HepG2-NTCP cells, primary human hepatocytes and human chimeric mice. Notably, GT D virus exhibited higher infectivity than GTs A, B, C and E in vitro, although it was comparable to GT A and B in the human liver chimeric mice in vivo. HBV capsid inhibitors were more readily capable of suppressing HBV GTs A, B, D and E than C. Conclusions The infectious clones described here have broad utility as genetic tools that can mechanistically dissect intergenotypic differences in antiviral immunity and pathogenesis and aid in HBV drug development and screening. Lay summary The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major contributor to human morbidity and mortality. HBV can be categorized into a number of genotypes, based on their specific genetic make-up, of which 9 are well known. We isolated and cloned the genomes of 5 of these genotypes and used them to create valuable tools for future research on this clinically important virus.
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Key Words
- AAV, adeno-associated virus
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- BCP, basic core promoter
- CHB, chronic hepatitis B
- CpAM, core protein allosteric modulators
- DR, direct repeat
- ETV, entecavir
- En, enhancer
- GT(s), genotype(s)
- HBV, hepatitis B virus
- HBVcc, cell culture-derived HBV
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HDI, hydrodynamic injection
- IFN, interferon
- IHC, immunohistochemistry
- IL, interleukin
- MOI, multiplicity of infection
- NA, nucleos(t)ide analogue
- NRG, NODRag1−/−IL2RγNULL
- PHH, primiary human hepatocyte
- SVR, sustained virologic response
- cccDNA, covalently closed circular DNA
- dpi, days post infection
- drug development
- genotypes
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis B virus
- host responses
- pgRNA, pre-genomic RNA
- reverse genetics
- viral hepatitis
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhen Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Debby Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Thomas R. Cafiero
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Yaron Bram
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vasuretha Chandar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Tseng
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hans P. Gertje
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lishan Su
- Division of Virology, Pathogenesis and Cancer, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert E. Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Ueda K, Suwanmanee Y. ATP5B Is an Essential Factor for Hepatitis B Virus Entry. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179570. [PMID: 36076968 PMCID: PMC9455612 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidation of the factors responsible for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is extremely important in order to understand the viral life cycle and pathogenesis, and thereby explore potential anti-HBV drugs. The recent determination that sodium taurocholate co-transporting peptide (NTCP) is an essential molecule for the HBV entry into cells led to the development of an HBV infection system in vitro using a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line expressing NTCP; however, the precise mechanism of HBV entry is still largely unknown, and thus it may be necessary to elucidate all the molecules involved. Here, we identified ATP5B as another essential factor for HBV entry. ATP5B was expressed on the cell surface of the HCC cell lines and bound with myristoylated but not with non-myristoylated preS1 2-47, which supported the notion that ATP5B is involved in the HBV entry process. Knockdown of ATP5B in NTCP-expressing HepG2 cells, which allowed HBV infection, reduced HBV infectivity with less cccDNA formation. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that ATP5B is an essential factor for HBV entry into the cells.
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Zahoor MA, Kuipery A, Mosa AI, Gehring AJ, Feld JJ. HepG2-NTCP Subclones Exhibiting High Susceptibility to Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081800. [PMID: 36016422 PMCID: PMC9412438 DOI: 10.3390/v14081800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
HepG2 cells reconstituted with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) entry receptor sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) are widely used as a convenient in vitro cell culture infection model for HBV replication studies. As such, it is pertinent that HBV infectivity is maintained at steady-state levels for an accurate interpretation of in vitro data. However, variations in the HBV infection efficiency due to imbalanced NTCP expression levels in the HepG2 cell line may affect experimental results. In this study, we performed single cell-cloning of HepG2-NTCP-A3 parental cells via limiting dilution and obtained multiple subclones with increased permissiveness to HBV. Specifically, one subclone (HepG2-NTCP-A3/C2) yielded more than four-fold higher HBV infection compared to the HepG2-NTCP-A3 parental clone. In addition, though HBV infectivity was universally reduced in the absence of polyethylene glycol (PEG), subclone C2 maintained relatively greater permissiveness under PEG-free conditions, suggesting the functional heterogeneity within parental HepG2-NTCP-A3 may be exploitable in developing a PEG-free HBV infection model. The increased viral production correlated with increased intracellular viral antigen expression as evidenced through HBcAg immunofluorescence staining. Further, these subclones were found to express different levels of NTCP, albeit with no remarkable morphology or cell growth differences. In conclusion, we isolated the subclones of HepG2-NTCP-A3 which support efficient HBV production and thus provide an improved in vitro HBV infection model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Atif Zahoor
- Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Adrian Kuipery
- Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Alexander I. Mosa
- Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Adam J. Gehring
- Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jordan J. Feld
- Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
- Correspondence:
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72
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Wang PY, Yang X, Guo L, Wang YW, Zhang WL, Sun YX, Li J, Gan CY, Long SY, Liu JJ, Fan SY, Huang AL, Hu JL. Establishment of a human cell line with a surface display system for screening and optimizing Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide-binding peptides. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:920280. [PMID: 36060770 PMCID: PMC9428559 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.920280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most desirable targets for HBV medications is the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), an entry receptor for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). N-myristoylated preS1 2–48 (Myrcludex B or Hepcludex), an NTCP-binding peptide from the large surface protein of HBV, has been developed as the first-in-class entry inhibitor. However, its relatively large molecular weight contributes to increased immunogenicity and antibody production. As a result, it is preferable to look for an NTCP-binding peptide with a smaller size. To do this, we developed a human cell surface display strategy and screened peptides based on preS1-21. PreS1-21 (genotype D) was extended by 7 random amino acids and fused with mCherry and FasL transmembrane domain. The pooled constructs were transfected into HEK293 cells by using the transposon/transposase system to create a library displaying various peptides on the cell surface with red fluorescence. On the other hand, we expressed NTCP protein fused with EGFP on HEK293 and used the membrane lysate containing NTCP-GFP as the bait protein to select peptides with increased NTCP affinity. After 7 cycles of selection, the deep sequencing results revealed that some polypeptides were more than 1,000 times enriched. Further screening of the mostly enriched 10 peptides yields the peptide preS1-21-pep3. Replacing the preS1-21 sequence of preS1-21-pep3 with those from different genotypes demonstrated that the consensus sequence of genotype A–F had the best performance. The peptide (Myr-preS1-21-pep3) was synthesized and tested on the HepG2-NTCP cell model. The results showed that Myr-preS1-21-pep3 is approximately 10 times more potent than the initial peptide Myr-preS1-21 in preventing HBV infection. In conclusion, we developed a new strategy for screening peptides binding to membrane proteins and identified a new NTCP-binding peptide with a much smaller size than Hepcludex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-yun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-wei Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen-lu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-xue Sun
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun-yang Gan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shao-yuan Long
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jia-jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shu-ying Fan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ai-long Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Ai-long Huang,
| | - Jie-Li Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Jie-Li Hu,
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73
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Burm R, Maravelia P, Ahlen G, Ciesek S, Caro Perez N, Pasetto A, Urban S, Van Houtte F, Verhoye L, Wedemeyer H, Johansson M, Frelin L, Sällberg M, Meuleman P. Novel prime-boost immune-based therapy inhibiting both hepatitis B and D virus infections. Gut 2022; 72:1186-1195. [PMID: 35977815 PMCID: PMC10176361 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chronic HBV/HDV infections are a major cause of liver cancer. Current treatments can only rarely eliminate HBV and HDV. Our previously developed preS1-HDAg immunotherapy could induce neutralising antibodies to HBV in vivo and raise HBV/HDV-specific T-cells. Here, we further investigate if a heterologous prime-boost strategy can circumvent T-cell tolerance and preclude HDV superinfection in vivo. DESIGN A DNA prime-protein boost strategy was evaluated for immunogenicity in mice and rabbits. Its ability to circumvent T-cell tolerance was assessed in immunocompetent hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-transgenic mice. Neutralisation of HBV and HDV was evaluated both in vitro and in immunodeficient human-liver chimeric mice upon adoptive transfer. RESULTS The prime-boost strategy elicits robust HBV/HDV-specific T-cells and preS1-antibodies that can effectively prevent HBV and HDV (co-)infection in vitro and in vivo. In a mouse model representing the chronic HBsAg carrier state, active immunisation primes high levels of preS1-antibodies and HDAg-specific T-cells. Moreover, transfer of vaccine-induced antibodies completely protects HBV-infected human-liver chimeric mice from HDV superinfection. CONCLUSION The herein described preS1-HDAg immunotherapy is shown to be immunogenic and vaccine-induced antibodies are highly effective at preventing HBV and HDV (super)infection both in vitro and in vivo. Our vaccine can complement current and future therapies for the control of chronic HBV and HDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani Burm
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases (LLID), Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Panagiota Maravelia
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gustaf Ahlen
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External partner site, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Noelia Caro Perez
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Pasetto
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Freya Van Houtte
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases (LLID), Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lieven Verhoye
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases (LLID), Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Magnus Johansson
- School of Medical Sciences, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Orebro, Sweden
| | - Lars Frelin
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matti Sällberg
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases (LLID), Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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74
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Desmares M, Delphin M, Chardès B, Pons C, Riedinger J, Michelet M, Rivoire M, Verrier B, Salvetti A, Lucifora J, Durantel D. Insights on the antiviral mechanisms of action of the TLR1/2 agonist Pam3CSK4 in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected hepatocytes. Antiviral Res 2022; 206:105386. [PMID: 35963549 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pegylated-interferon-alpha (Peg-IFNα), an injectable innate immune protein, is still used to treat chronically HBV-infected patients, despite its poor tolerability. Peg-IFNα has the advantage over nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) to be administrated in finite regimen and to lead to a higher HBsAg loss rate. Yet it would be interesting to improve the efficacy (i.e. while decreasing doses), or replace, this old medicine by novel small molecules/stimulators able to engage innate immune receptors in both HBV replicating hepatocytes and relevant innate immune cells. We have previously identified the Toll-Like-Receptor (TLR)-2 agonist Pam3CSK4 as such a potential novel immune stimulator. The aim of this study was to gain insights on the antiviral mechanisms of action of this agonist in in vitro cultivated human hepatocytes. DESIGN We used in vitro models of HBV-infected cells, based on both primary human hepatocytes (PHH) and the non-transformed HepaRG cell line to investigate the MoA of Pam3SCK4 and identify relevant combinations with other approved or investigational drugs. RESULTS We exhaustively described the inhibitory anti-HBV phenotypes induced by Pam3CSK4, which include a strong decrease in HBV RNA production (inhibition of synthesis and acceleration of decay) and cccDNA levels. We confirmed the long-lasting anti-HBV activity of this agonist, better described the kinetics of antiviral events, and demonstrated the specificity of action through the TLR1/2- NF-κB canonical-pathway. Moreover, we found that FEN-1 could be involved in the regulation and inhibitory phenotype on cccDNA levels. Finally, we identified the combination of Pam3CSK4 with IFNα or an investigational kinase inhibitor (called 1C8) as valuable strategies to reduce cccDNA levels and obtain a long-lasting anti-HBV effect in vitro. CONCLUSIONS TLR2 agonists represent possible assets to improve the rate of HBV cure in patients. Further evaluations, including regulatory toxicity studies, are warranted to move toward clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Desmares
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Marion Delphin
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Brieux Chardès
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Caroline Pons
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1111, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Juliette Riedinger
- INSERM, U1111, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Maud Michelet
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Bernard Verrier
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et Ingénierie Thérapeutique, CNRS UMR_5305, University of Lyon (UCBL1), Lyon, France
| | - Anna Salvetti
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1111, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Julie Lucifora
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1111, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - David Durantel
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1111, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France.
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75
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Qu B, Nebioglu F, Leuthold MM, Ni Y, Mutz P, Beneke J, Erfle H, Vondran FW, Bartenschlager R, Urban S. Dual role of neddylation in transcription of hepatitis B virus RNAs from cccDNA and production of viral surface antigen. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100551. [PMID: 36124123 PMCID: PMC9482114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims HBV persistence is maintained by both an episomal covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA reservoir and genomic integration of HBV DNA fragments. While cccDNA transcription is regulated by Cullin4A-DDB1-HBx-mediated degradation of the SMC5/6 complex, HBsAg expression from integrants is largely SMC5/6 independent. Inhibiting neddylation of Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases impairs degradation of substrates. Herein, we show that targeting neddylation pathway components by small-interfering (si)RNAs or the drug MLN4924 (pevonedistat) suppresses expression of HBV proteins from both cccDNA and integrants. Methods An siRNA screen targeting secretory pathway regulators and neddylation genes was performed. Activity of MLN4924 was assessed in infection and integration models. Trans-complementation assays were used to study HBx function in cccDNA-driven expression. Results siRNA screening uncovered neddylation pathway components (Nedd8, Ube2m) that promote HBsAg production post-transcriptionally. Likewise, MLN4924 inhibited production of HBsAg encoded by integrants and reduced intracellular HBsAg levels, independent of HBx. MLN4924 also profoundly inhibited cccDNA transcription in three infection models. Using the HBV inducible cell line HepAD38 as a model, we verified the dual action of MLN4924 on both cccDNA and integrants with sustained suppression of HBV markers during 42 days of treatment. Conclusions Neddylation is required both for transcription of a cccDNA reservoir and for the genomic integration of viral DNA. Therefore, blocking neddylation might offer an attractive approach towards functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Lay summary Current treatments for chronic hepatitis B are rarely able to induce a functional cure. This is partly because of the presence of a pool of circular viral DNA in the host nucleus, as well as viral DNA fragments that are integrated into the host genome. Herein, we show that a host biological pathway called neddylation could play a key role in infection and viral DNA integration. Inhibiting this pathway could hold therapeutic promise for patients with chronic hepatitis B. Neddylation plays a dual role in HBV expression from viral integrants and episomal cccDNA. Impaired neddylation suppresses production of HBsAg expressed from viral integrants. Neddylation promotes HBsAg generation from viral integrants in an HBx-independent manner. MLN4924 also inhibits the synthesis of viral transcripts from episomal cccDNA.
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76
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Wang Y, Wang S, Tao X, Wang Y, Wu Y, Chen N, Hu C, Wang H, Yu S, Sheng R. The SAR-based development of small molecular HBV capsid assembly modulators. Med Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02936-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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77
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The RNA-Binding Protein ELAVL1 Regulates Hepatitis B Virus Replication and Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147878. [PMID: 35887229 PMCID: PMC9316910 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous RNA immunoprecipitation followed by proteomic approaches successfully demonstrated that Embryonic Lethal, Abnormal Vision, Drosophila-Like 1 (ELAVL1) interacts with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-derived RNAs. Although ELAVL family proteins stabilize AU-rich element (ARE)-containing mRNAs, their role in HBV transcription remains unclear. This study conducted loss-of-function assays of ELAVL1 for inducible HBV-replicating HepAD38 cells and HBx-overexpressed HepG2 cells. In addition, clinicopathological analyses in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surgical samples were also conducted. Lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA knockdown of ELAVL1 resulted in a decrease in both viral RNA transcription and production of viral proteins, including HBs and HBx, probably due to RNA stabilization by ELAVL1. Cell growth of HepAD38 cells was more significantly impaired in ELAVL1-knockdown than those in the control group, with or without HBV replication, indicating that ELAVL1 is involved in proliferation by factors other than HBV-derived RNAs. Immunohistochemical analyses of 77 paired HCC surgical specimens demonstrated that diffuse ELAVL1 expression was detected more frequently in HCC tissues (61.0%) than in non-tumor tissues (27.3%). In addition, the abundant expression of ELAVL1 tended to affect postoperative recurrence in HBV-related HCC patients. In conclusion, ELAVL1 contributes not only to HBV replication but also to HCC cell growth. It may be a potent therapeutic target for HBV-related HCC treatment.
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78
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Wang X, Xiao Y, Cui Z, Li Z, Li L, Wu L, Yin F, Cui X. Cyclocytidine hydrochloride inhibits the synthesis of relaxed circular DNA of hepatitis B virus. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13719. [PMID: 35846878 PMCID: PMC9285472 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cyclocytidine hydrochloride (HCl) has been reported to inhibit DNA synthesis by affecting DNA polymerase. Here, we tested the antiviral effect of cyclocytidine on hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA synthesis, which is reliant on DNA polymerase activity. Materials and Methods Cyclocytidine HCl was treated to HBV-producing HepAD38 cells or added to an endogenous polymerase reaction, and HBV DNA was detected by Southern blot. Results Treatment of 20 µM cyclocytidine HCl significantly decreased the production of relaxed circular (rc) DNA in HepAD38 cells and block rcDNA synthesis in endogenous polymerase reaction (EPR), a cell free assay, possibly by inhibiting the HBV DNA polymerase activity. Conclusion Cyclocytidine HCl could inhibit the synthesis of HBV rcDNA, the precursor of covalently closed circular DNA, and this result provides a case for the usage of "old" drugs for "new" applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wang
- School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yihan Xiao
- School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhigang Cui
- School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zongxin Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Lihua Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Lixian Wu
- School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Feifei Yin
- School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China,Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China,NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China,Hainan Medical University—The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiuji Cui
- School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China,Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China,NHC Key Laboratory of Control of Tropical Diseases, School of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China,Hainan Medical University—The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
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79
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Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Is Stabilized by the Deubiquitinating Enzyme VCPIP1 in a Ubiquitin-Independent Manner by Recruiting the 26S Proteasome Subunit PSMC3. J Virol 2022; 96:e0061122. [PMID: 35695579 PMCID: PMC9278118 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00611-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and the viral X protein (HBx) is an etiological factor in HCC development. HBx is a high-turnover protein, but knowledge of the role of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in maintaining HBx homeostasis is very limited. We used a 74-DUB library-based yeast two-hybrid assay and determined that a novel DUB, valosin-containing protein-interacting protein 1 (VCPIP1), interacted with HBx. VCPIP1 and its C-terminal amino acids 863 to 1221 upregulated the HBx protein expression, with or without HBV infection. Mechanistically, VCPIP1 stabilized HBx protein through a ubiquitin-independent pathway, which was validated by the HBx ubiquitination site mutant plasmid. Coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrated the potency of VCPIP1 in recruiting 26S proteasome regulatory subunit 6A (PSMC3) and forming a ternary complex with HBx through mutual interaction. In vitro, purified His-tagged PSMC3 protein rescued HBx degradation induced by the 20S proteasome, and in vivo VCPIP1 synergized the mechanism. Functionally, HBx specifically binding to VCPIP1 significantly enhanced the transcriptional transactivation of HBx by activating NF-κB, AP-1, and SP-1 and inhibited hepatoma cell clonogenicity in Huh7 and HepG2 cells. Moreover, we further demonstrated that overexpression of VCPIP1 significantly affected the HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcription in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells. Altogether, our results indicate a novel mechanism by which VCPIP1 recruits PSMC3 to bind with HBx, stabilizing it in a ubiquitin-independent manner, which might be critical for developing DUB inhibitors in the future. IMPORTANCE HBx is a multifunctional viral oncoprotein that plays an essential role in the viral life cycle and hepatocarcinogenesis. HBx degradation occurs through the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). However, whether novel compartments of the DUBs in the UPS also act in regulating HBx stability is not fully understood. Here, for the first time, we defined VCPIP1 as a novel DUB for preventing HBx degradation by the 20S proteasome in a ubiquitin-independent manner. PSMC3, encoding the 26S proteasome regulatory subunit, directly stabilized HBx through physical binding instead of a common approach in protein degradation, serving as the key downstream effector of VCPIP1 on HBx. Therefore, the ternary binding pattern between VCPIP1, HBx, and PSMC3 is initiated for the first time, which eventually promotes HBx stability and its functions. Our findings provide novel insights into host-virus cross talk by targeting DUBs in the UPS.
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80
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Mitosis of Hepatitis B virus-infected cells in vitro results in uninfected daughter cells. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100514. [PMID: 35898957 PMCID: PMC9309680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims The chronicity of HBV (and resultant liver disease) is determined by intrahepatic persistence of the HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), an episomal form that encodes all viral transcripts. Therefore, cccDNA is a key target for new treatments, with the ultimate therapeutic aim being its complete elimination. Although established cccDNA molecules are known to be stable in resting hepatocytes, we aimed to understand their fate in dividing cells using in vitro models. Methods We infected HepG2-NTCP and HepaRG-NTCP cells with HBV and induced mitosis by passaging cells. We measured cccDNA copy number (by precise PCR assays) and HBV-expressing cells (by immunofluorescence) with wild-type HBV. We used reporter viruses expressing luciferase or RFP to track number of HBV-expressing cells over time after mitosis induction using luciferase assays and live imaging, respectively. Results In all cases, we observed dramatic reductions in cccDNA levels, HBV-positive cell numbers, and cccDNA-dependent protein expression after each round of cell mitosis. The rates of reduction were highly consistent with mathematical models of a complete cccDNA loss in (as opposed to dilution into) daughter cells. Conclusions Our results are concordant with previous animal models of HBV infection and show that HBV persistence can be efficiently overcome by inducing cell mitosis. These results support therapeutic approaches that induce liver turnover (e.g. immune modulators) in addition to direct-acting antiviral therapies to achieve hepatitis B cure. Lay summary Chronic hepatitis B affects 300 million people (killing 884,000 per year) and is incurable. To cure it, we need to clear the HBV genome from the liver. In this study, we looked at how the virus behaves after a cell divides. We found that it completely clears the virus, making 2 new uninfected cells. Our work informs new approaches to develop cures for chronic hepatitis B infections. HBV persists over decades in the liver, leading to chronic inflammation and serious liver disease. Controversy exists over the fate of viral DNA after cell mitosis, which is crucial to understanding viral persistence. We find here that 2 completely uninfected daughter cells are generated when infected cells undergo mitosis. Our results suggest that therapies that induce turnover of infected cells could facilitate the clearance of chronic HBV infection.
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Kim ES, Zhou J, Zhang H, Marchetti A, van de Klundert M, Cai D, Yu X, Mitra B, Liu Y, Wang M, Protzer U, Guo H. Hepatitis B virus X protein counteracts high mobility group box 1 protein-mediated epigenetic silencing of covalently closed circular DNA. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010576. [PMID: 35679251 PMCID: PMC9182688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), serving as the viral persistence form and transcription template of HBV infection, hijacks host histone and non-histone proteins to form a minichromosome and utilizes posttranslational modifications (PTMs) "histone code" for its transcriptional regulation. HBV X protein (HBx) is known as a cccDNA transcription activator. In this study we established a dual system of the inducible reporter cell lines modelling infection with wildtype (wt) and HBx-null HBV, both secreting HA-tagged HBeAg as a semi-quantitative marker for cccDNA transcription. The cccDNA-bound histone PTM profiling of wt and HBx-null systems, using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR), confirmed that HBx is essential for maintenance of cccDNA at transcriptionally active state, characterized by active histone PTM markers. Differential proteomics analysis of cccDNA minichromosome established in wt and HBx-null HBV cell lines revealed group-specific hits. One of the hits in HBx-deficient condition was a non-histone host DNA-binding protein high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Its elevated association to HBx-null cccDNA was validated by ChIP-qPCR assay in both the HBV stable cell lines and infection systems in vitro. Furthermore, experimental downregulation of HMGB1 in HBx-null HBV inducible and infection models resulted in transcriptional re-activation of the cccDNA minichromosome, accompanied by a switch of the cccDNA-associated histones to euchromatic state with activating histone PTMs landscape and subsequent upregulation of cccDNA transcription. Mechanistically, HBx interacts with HMGB1 and prevents its binding to cccDNA without affecting the steady state level of HMGB1. Taken together, our results suggest that HMGB1 is a novel host restriction factor of HBV cccDNA with epigenetic silencing mechanism, which can be counteracted by viral transcription activator HBx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena S. Kim
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hu Zhang
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Alexander Marchetti
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | | | - Dawei Cai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Xiaoyang Yu
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Bidisha Mitra
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Yuanjie Liu
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Mu Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine/Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Haitao Guo
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
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Hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma with Smc5/6 complex deficiency is susceptible to PARP inhibitors. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 607:89-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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83
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HIRA Supports Hepatitis B Virus Minichromosome Establishment and Transcriptional Activity in Infected Hepatocytes. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:527-551. [PMID: 35643233 PMCID: PMC9304598 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Upon hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, partially double-stranded viral DNA converts into a covalently closed circular chromatinized episomal structure (cccDNA). This form represents the long-lived genomic reservoir responsible for viral persistence in the infected liver. Although the involvement of host cell DNA damage response in cccDNA formation has been established, this work investigated the yet-to-be-identified histone dynamics on cccDNA during early phases of infection in human hepatocytes. METHODS Detailed studies of host chromatin-associated factors were performed in cell culture models of natural infection (ie, Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP)-overexpressing HepG2 cells, HepG2hNTCP) and primary human hepatocytes infected with HBV, by cccDNA-specific chromatin immunoprecipitation and loss-of-function experiments during early kinetics of viral minichromosome establishment and onset of viral transcription. RESULTS Our results show that cccDNA formation requires the deposition of the histone variant H3.3 via the histone regulator A (HIRA)-dependent pathway. This occurs simultaneously with repair of the cccDNA precursor and independently from de novo viral protein expression. Moreover, H3.3 in its S31 phosphorylated form appears to be the preferential H3 variant found on transcriptionally active cccDNA in infected cultured cells and human livers. HIRA depletion after cccDNA pool establishment showed that HIRA recruitment is required for viral transcription and RNA production. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, we show a crucial role for HIRA in the interplay between HBV genome and host cellular machinery to ensure the formation and active transcription of the viral minichromosome in infected hepatocytes.
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84
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Chu Q, Li J, Chen J, Yuan Z. HBV induced the discharge of intrinsic antiviral miRNAs in HBV-replicating hepatocytes via extracellular vesicles to facilitate its replication. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 35604380 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can cause chronic hepatitis B, has sophisticated machinery to establish persistent infection. Here, we report a novel mechanism whereby HBV changed miRNA packaging into extracellular vesicles (EVs) to facilitate replication. Disruption of the miRNA machinery in hepatocytes enhanced HBV replication, indicating an intrinsic miRNA-mediated antiviral state. Interference with EV release only decreased HBV replication if there was normal miRNA biogenesis, suggesting a possible link between HBV replication and EV-associated miRNAs. Microarray and qPCR analyses revealed that HBV replication changed miRNA expression in EVs. EV incubation, transfection of miRNA mimics and inhibitors, and functional pathway and network analyses showed that EV miRNAs are associated with antiviral function, suggesting that to promote survival HBV coopts EVs to excrete anti-HBV intracellular miRNAs. These data suggest a novel mechanism by which HBV maintains its replication, which has therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaofang Chu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
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Murai K, Kodama T, Hikita H, Shimoda A, Fukuoka M, Fukutomi K, Shigeno S, Shiode Y, Motooka D, Higuchi Y, Miyakawa K, Suemizu H, Ryo A, Tahata Y, Makino Y, Yamada R, Sakamori R, Tatsumi T, Takehara T. Inhibition of nonhomologous end joining-mediated DNA repair enhances anti-HBV CRISPR therapy. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2474-2487. [PMID: 35608131 PMCID: PMC9426388 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Current anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapies have little effect on covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and fail to eliminate HBV. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system has been reported to directly target cccDNA and exert antiviral effects. In this study, we hypothesized that the inhibition of the DNA repair machinery, which is important for the repair of CRISPR-induced double-strand breaks, may enhance the effect of CRISPR targeting cccDNA, and we investigated the antiviral effect of potential combination therapy. The antiviral effect of CRISPR targeting cccDNA (HBV-CRISPR) was evaluated in HBV-susceptible HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells expressing Cas9 (HepG2-hNTCP-C4-iCas9) or primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) expressing Cas9. Following HBV infection, HBV-CRISPR reduced cccDNA levels, accompanied by decreases in pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) levels and supernatant HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen levels in HepG2-hNTCP-C4-iCas9 cells, and PHHs. HBV-CRISPR induced indel formation in cccDNA and up-regulated poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) activity in HBV-infected HepG2-hNTCP-C4-iCas9 cells. The suppression of PARP2-Histone PARylation factor 1 (HPF1) (involved in the initial step of DNA repair) with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting either PARP2 or HPF1 increased the reduction in pgRNA and cccDNA by HBV-CRISPR in HBV-infected HepG2-hNTCP-C4-iCas9 cells. The suppression of DNA Ligase 4 (LIG4) (essential for nonhomologous end joining [NHEJ]) but not breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) (essential for homologous recombination) enhanced the antiviral effect of HBV-CRISPR in HBV-infected HepG2-hNTCP-C4-iCas9 cells. Finally, the clinically available PARP inhibitor olaparib increased the reductions in pgRNA and cccDNA levels induced by HBV-CRISPR in HBV-infected HepG2-hNTCP-C4-iCas9 cells and PHHs. Conclusion: The suppression of the NHEJ-mediated DNA repair machinery enhances the effect of CRISPR targeting cccDNA. The combination of CRISPR and olaparib may represent a therapy for HBV elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Murai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Shimoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Makoto Fukuoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Keisuke Fukutomi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Satoshi Shigeno
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuto Shiode
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Higuchi
- Laboratory Animal Research Department, Biomedical Research Laboratory, Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Kei Miyakawa
- Department of Microbiology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Suemizu
- Laboratory Animal Research Department, Biomedical Research Laboratory, Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Akihide Ryo
- Department of Microbiology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yuki Tahata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuki Makino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Ryoko Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Sakamori
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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Novel Neplanocin A Derivatives as Selective Inhibitors of Hepatitis B Virus with a Unique Mechanism of Action. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0207321. [PMID: 35604213 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02073-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel neplanocin A derivatives have been identified as potent and selective inhibitors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in vitro. These include (1S,2R,5R)-5-(5-bromo-4-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]-pyrimidin-7-yl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-3-ene-1,2-diol (AR-II-04-26) and (1S,2R,5R)-5-(4-amino-3-iodo-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-1-yl)-3-(hydroxylmethyl)cyclopent-3-ene-1,2-diol (MK-III-02-03). The 50% effective concentrations of AR-II-04-26 and MK-III-02-03 were 0.77 ± 0.23 and 0.83 ± 0.36 μM in HepG2.2.15.7 cells, respectively. These compounds reduced intracellular HBV RNA levels in HepG2.2.15.7 cells and infected primary human hepatocytes. Accordingly, they could reduce HBs and HBe antigen production in the culture supernatants, which was not observed with clinically approved anti-HBV nucleosides and nucleotides (reverse transcriptase inhibitors). The neplanocin A derivatives also inhibited HBV RNA derived from cccDNA. In addition, unlike neplanocin A itself, the compounds did not inhibit S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase activity. Thus, it appears that the mechanism of action of AR-II-04-26 and MK-III-02-03 differs from that of the clinically approved anti-HBV agents. Although their exact mechanism (target molecule) remains to be elucidated, the novel neplanocin A derivatives are considered promising candidate drugs for inhibition of HBV replication.
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Song Y, Shou S, Guo H, Gao Z, Liu N, Yang Y, Wang F, Deng Q, Liu J, Xie Y. Establishment and Characterization of a New Cell Culture System for Hepatitis B Virus Replication and Infection. Virol Sin 2022; 37:558-568. [PMID: 35568375 PMCID: PMC9437612 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a primary cause of chronic liver diseases in humans. HBV infection exhibits strict host and tissue tropism. HBV core promoter (Cp) drives transcription of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and plays a key role in the viral life cycle. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) acts as a major transcriptional factor that stimulates Cp. In this work, we reported that BEL7404 cell line displayed a high efficiency of DNA transfection and high levels of HBV antigen expression after transfection of HBV replicons without prominent viral replication. The introduction of exogenous HNF4α and human sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (hNTCP) expression into BEL7404 made it permissive for HBV replication and susceptible to HBV infection. BEL7404-derived cell lines with induced HBV permissiveness and susceptibility were constructed by stable co-transfection of hNTCP and Tet-inducible HNF4α followed by limiting dilution cloning. HBV replication in such cells was sensitive to inhibition by nucleotide analog tenofovir, while the infection was inhibited by HBV entry inhibitors. This cell culture system provides a new and additional tool for the study of HBV replication and infection as well as the characterization of antiviral agents. BEL7404 cells are characterized by a high transfection efficiency, but do not support canonical HBV replication. BEL7404 cells lack endogenous HNF4α expression, and exogenous HNF4α rescues canonical HBV replication. BEL7404 cells with stable hNTCP and inducible HNF4α expression support HBV infection and inducible replication. BEL7404-derived cell lines supporting HBV infection retain high transfection efficiencies and allow testing of antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Song
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shuyu Shou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huimin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute for Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518112, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, China
| | - Zixiang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Nannan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Youhua Xie
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
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Sun J, Wu G, Pastor F, Rahman N, Wang WH, Zhang Z, Merle P, Hui L, Salvetti A, Durantel D, Yang D, Andrisani O. RNA helicase DDX5 enables STAT1 mRNA translation and interferon signalling in hepatitis B virus replicating hepatocytes. Gut 2022; 71:991-1005. [PMID: 34021034 PMCID: PMC8606016 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-323126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE RNA helicase DDX5 is downregulated during HBV replication and poor prognosis HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of this study is to investigate the role of DDX5 in interferon (IFN) signalling. We provide evidence of a novel mechanism involving DDX5 that enables translation of transcription factor STAT1 mediating the IFN response. DESIGN AND RESULTS Molecular, pharmacological and biophysical assays were used together with cellular models of HBV replication, HCC cell lines and liver tumours. We demonstrate that DDX5 regulates STAT1 mRNA translation by resolving a G-quadruplex (rG4) RNA structure, proximal to the 5' end of STAT1 5'UTR. We employed luciferase reporter assays comparing wild type (WT) versus mutant rG4 sequence, rG4-stabilising compounds, CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the STAT1-rG4 sequence and circular dichroism determination of the rG4 structure. STAT1-rG4 edited cell lines were resistant to the effect of rG4-stabilising compounds in response to IFN-α, while HCC cell lines expressing low DDX5 exhibited reduced IFN response. Ribonucleoprotein and electrophoretic mobility assays demonstrated direct and selective binding of RNA helicase-active DDX5 to the WT STAT1-rG4 sequence. Immunohistochemistry of normal liver and liver tumours demonstrated that absence of DDX5 corresponded to absence of STAT1. Significantly, knockdown of DDX5 in HBV infected HepaRG cells reduced the anti-viral effect of IFN-α. CONCLUSION RNA helicase DDX5 resolves a G-quadruplex structure in 5'UTR of STAT1 mRNA, enabling STAT1 translation. We propose that DDX5 is a key regulator of the dynamic range of IFN response during innate immunity and adjuvant IFN-α therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazeng Sun
- Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Guanhui Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Florentin Pastor
- International Center for Infectiology Research (CIRI), INSERM U1111-CNRS UMR5308, Lyon, France
| | - Naimur Rahman
- Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University System, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Wen-Hung Wang
- Gene Editing Core, Bindley Biosciences Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Zhengtao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai, China
| | - Philippe Merle
- Service d'Hépatologie, Hôpital de La Croix-Rousse Centre Livet, Lyon, Rhône-Alpes, France
| | - Lijian Hui
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai, China
| | - Anna Salvetti
- International Center for Infectiology Research (CIRI), INSERM U1111-CNRS UMR5308, Lyon, France
| | - David Durantel
- INSERM U1111-CNRS UMR5308 International Center for Infectiology Research (CIRI), Lyon, France
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Ourania Andrisani
- Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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Xi J, Cui X, Liu K, Liu H, Wang J, Hu J. Region-Specific Hepatitis B Virus Genome Exposure from Nucleocapsid Modulated by Capsid Linker Sequence and Inhibitor: Implications for Uncoating. J Virol 2022; 96:e0039922. [PMID: 35389266 PMCID: PMC9044944 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00399-22] [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: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) contains a partially double-stranded, relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome synthesized within a nucleocapsid (NC) in the host cell cytoplasm. The release of RC DNA from the NC, in an ill-defined process called uncoating, to the nucleus is required for its conversion to the covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA, the viral episome serving as the transcriptional template for all viral RNAs necessary for replication and, thus, essential for establishing and sustaining viral infection. In efforts to better understand uncoating, we analyzed HBV core (HBc) mutants that show various levels of nuclear CCC DNA but little to no cytoplasmic RC DNA. We found that RC DNA could be synthesized by these mutants outside the cell, but in contrast to the wild type (wt), the mutant NCs were unable to protect RC DNA from digestion by the endogenous nuclease(s) in cellular lysates or exogenous DNase. Subcellular fractionation suggested that the major RC DNA-degrading activity was membrane associated. Digestion with sequence-specific and nonspecific DNases revealed the exposure of specific regions of RC DNA from the mutant NC. Similarly, treatment of wt NCs with a core inhibitor known to increase CCC DNA by affecting uncoating also led to region-specific exposure of RC DNA. Furthermore, a subpopulation of untreated wild type (wt) mature NCs showed site-specific exposure of RC DNA as well. Competition between RC DNA degradation and its conversion to CCC DNA during NC uncoating thus likely plays an important role in the establishment and persistence of HBV infection and has implications for the development of capsid-targeted antivirals. IMPORTANCE Disassembly of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsid (NC) to release its genomic DNA, in an ill-understood process called uncoating, is required to form the viral nuclear episome in the host cell nucleus, a viral DNA essential for establishing and sustaining HBV infection. The elimination of the HBV nuclear episome remains the holy grail for the development of an HBV cure. We report here that the HBV genomic DNA is exposed in a region-specific manner during uncoating, which is enhanced by mutations of the capsid protein and a capsid-targeted antiviral compound. The exposure of the viral genome can result in its rapid degradation or, alternatively, can enhance the formation of the nuclear episome, thus having a major impact on HBV infection and persistence. These results are thus important for understanding fundamental mechanisms of HBV replication and persistence and for the ongoing pursuit of an HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Xi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiuji Cui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kuancheng Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Haitao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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90
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Martinez MG, Combe E, Inchauspe A, Mangeot PE, Delberghe E, Chapus F, Neveu G, Alam A, Carter K, Testoni B, Zoulim F. CRISPR-Cas9 Targeting of Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA Generates Transcriptionally Active Episomal Variants. mBio 2022; 13:e0288821. [PMID: 35389262 PMCID: PMC9040760 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02888-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection persists due to the lack of therapies that effectively target the HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). We used HBV-specific guide RNAs (gRNAs) and CRISPR-Cas9 and determined the fate of cccDNA after gene editing. We set up a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery system in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells. HBV parameters after Cas9 editing were analyzed. Southern blot (SB) analysis and DNA/RNA sequencing (DNA/RNA-seq) were performed to determine the consequences of cccDNA editing and transcriptional activity of mutated cccDNA. Treatment of infected cells with HBV-specific gRNAs showed that CRISPR-Cas9 can efficiently affect HBV replication. The appearance of episomal HBV DNA variants after dual gRNA treatment was observed by PCR, SB analysis, and DNA/RNA-seq. These transcriptionally active variants are the products of simultaneous Cas9-induced double-strand breaks in two target sites, followed by repair and religation of both short and long fragments. Following suppression of HBV DNA replicative intermediates by nucleoside analogs, mutations and formation of smaller transcriptionally active HBV variants were still observed, suggesting that established cccDNA is accessible to CRISPR-Cas9 editing. Targeting HBV DNA with CRISPR-Cas9 leads to cleavage followed by appearance of episomal HBV DNA variants. Effects induced by Cas9 were sustainable after RNP degradation/loss of detection, suggesting permanent changes in the HBV genome instead of transient effects due to transcriptional interference. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus infection can develop into chronic infection, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment of chronic hepatitis B requires novel approaches to directly target the viral minichromosome, which is responsible for the persistence of the disease. Designer nuclease approaches represent a promising strategy to treat chronic infectious diseases; however, comprehensive knowledge about the fate of the HBV minichromosome is needed before this potent tool can be used as a potential therapeutic approach. This study provides an in-depth analysis of CRISPR-Cas9 targeting of HBV minichromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emmanuel Combe
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Aurore Inchauspe
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Evotec, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Emmanuel Mangeot
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR-5308, INSERM and Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Elodie Delberghe
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Fleur Chapus
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard, Lyon, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
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91
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Xu M, Li C, Ding J, Wu M, Tang Y, Yuan Z, Zhang X. The role of hepatitis B virus surface proteins in regulating the maturation and secretion of complete and incomplete virions. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 35438623 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of various forms of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface proteins regulates the release of mature virion, but whether they affect the release of other incomplete viral particles, such as naked capsid, is not clear. Here, by stable overexpression of large or middle/small hepatitis B surface proteins (LHBs, M/SHBs) in HepAD38 cells, we evaluated their effects on the release of complete and incomplete viral particles. Overproduction of LHBs inhibited the release of all surface proteins, which increased the ratio of naked capsids/virions. This effect was accompanied by the elevated extracellular HBV RNA. On the other hand, overexpression of M/SHBs greatly improved the secretion of enveloped viral and subviral particles. In situ visualization of viral DNA and LHBs revealed intracellular retention of mature virions when LHBs were overexpressed. These results indicate that the molecular decision on secretion of enveloped or unenveloped viral particles is modulated by the intracellular ratio of large, middle and small surface antigens. This mechanism may be relevant in the progression and resolution of HBV-induced chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Xu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Chang Li
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jiahui Ding
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Min Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yijie Tang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xiaonan Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.,Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, ACT, Australia
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92
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Michelet M, Alfaiate D, Chardès B, Pons C, Faure-Dupuy S, Engleitner T, Farhat R, Riedl T, Legrand AF, Rad R, Rivoire M, Zoulim F, Heikenwälder M, Salvetti A, Durantel D, Lucifora J. Inducers of the NF-κB pathways impair hepatitis delta virus replication and strongly decrease progeny infectivity in vitro. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100415. [PMID: 35141510 PMCID: PMC8792426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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93
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Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Replication from cccDNA via AMPK Activation and AKT/mTOR Suppression. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030498. [PMID: 35336076 PMCID: PMC8950817 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), which is involved in the calcium signaling pathway, is an important regulator of cancer cell proliferation, motility, growth, and metastasis. The effects of CaMKII on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication have never been evaluated. Here, we found that phosphorylated, active CaMKII is reduced during HBV replication. Similar to other members of the AMPK/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway associated with HBV replication, CaMKII, which is associated with this pathway, was found to be a novel regulator of HBV replication. Overexpression of CaMKII reduced the expression of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), HBV RNAs, and replicative intermediate (RI) DNAs while activating AMPK and inhibiting the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Findings in HBx-deficient mutant-transfected HepG2 cells showed that the CaMKII-mediated AMPK/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was independent of HBx. Moreover, AMPK overexpression reduced HBV cccDNA, RNAs, and RI DNAs through CaMKII activation. Although AMPK acts downstream of CaMKII, AMPK overexpression altered CaMKII phosphorylation, suggesting that CaMKII and AMPK form a positive feedback loop. These results demonstrate that HBV replication suppresses CaMKII activity, and that CaMKII upregulation suppresses HBV replication from cccDNA via AMPK and the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Thus, activation or overexpression of CaMKII may be a new therapeutic target against HBV infection.
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94
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Jiang S, Wang X, Chen K, Yang P. Establishment of an inducible cell line for Hepatitis B virus genotype C2 and its pharmacological responses to interferons. Pharmacol Res 2022; 178:106142. [PMID: 35218895 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is closely associated with poor prognosis, contributing greatly to heavy chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related liver disease burden in China and worldwide. However, the mechanistic studies on genotype C of HBV remain largely limited, partially because of a long-term lack of genotype C HBV-based stable cell tools. According to a bioinformatic analysis on the sub-genotype C2 HBV that is predominantly endemic in China, we selected 17.3 strain as a representative isolate. With a Tet-off gene expression system, an inducible viral replication and virion production of genotype C2 HBV were achieved in a cell line carrying persistent rcDNA-cccDNA recycling, termed HepG2-17.3, can be useful for virological studies on genotype C2 HBV. Additionally, this cell line has been formatted into cell-based assay that permits particular pharmacological screening of drug candidates, such as interferon regimens, for evaluations of the inhibitory effects on genotype C2 HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaodong Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kaili Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Pengyuan Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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95
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N6-methyladenosine modification of the 5' epsilon structure of the HBV pregenome RNA regulates its encapsidation by the viral core protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2120485119. [PMID: 35135882 PMCID: PMC8851549 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120485119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
HBV infections are the leading cause of chronic hepatitis and carry the risk of liver cirrhosis and cancer. The HBV life cycle is perpetuated by an RNA intermediate termed pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), which is encapsidated by the viral core protein. The pgRNA packaging process is an essential step in viral replication. Here, we investigated the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in the recognition of pgRNA by the core protein during encapsidation. m6A modification of 5′ epsilon structural motifs serves as the recognition signal for the core protein interaction, as evidenced by the failure of 5′ epsilon m6A mutant to encapsidate pgRNA. This study identifies the structural role of m6A modification in pgRNA encapsidation and provides an avenue in RNA–protein complex interactions. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) contains a partially double-stranded DNA genome. During infection, its replication is mediated by reverse transcription (RT) of an RNA intermediate termed pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) within core particles in the cytoplasm. An epsilon structural element located in the 5′ end of the pgRNA primes the RT activity. We have previously identified the N6-methyladenosine (m6A)–modified DRACH motif at 1905 to 1909 nucleotides in the epsilon structure that affects myriad functions of the viral life cycle. In this study, we investigated the functional role of m6A modification of the 5′ ε (epsilon) structural element of the HBV pgRNA in the nucleocapsid assembly. Using the m6A site mutant in the HBV 5′ epsilon, we present evidence that m6A methylation of 5′ epsilon is necessary for its encapsidation. The m6A modification of 5′ epsilon increased the efficiency of viral RNA packaging, whereas the m6A of 3′ epsilon is dispensable for encapsidation. Similarly, depletion of methyltransferases (METTL3/14) decreased pgRNA and viral DNA levels within the core particles. Furthermore, the m6A modification at 5′ epsilon of HBV pgRNA promoted the interaction with core proteins, whereas the 5′ epsilon m6A site–mutated pgRNA failed to interact. HBV polymerase interaction with 5′ epsilon was independent of m6A modification of 5′ epsilon. This study highlights yet another pivotal role of m6A modification in dictating the key events of the HBV life cycle and provides avenues for investigating RNA–protein interactions in various biological processes, including viral RNA genome encapsidation in the context of m6A modification.
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96
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Fukutomi K, Hikita H, Murai K, Nakabori T, Shimoda A, Fukuoka M, Yamai T, Higuchi Y, Miyakawa K, Suemizu H, Ryo A, Yamada R, Kodama T, Sakamori R, Tatsumi T, Takehara T. Capsid Allosteric Modulators Enhance the Innate Immune Response in Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Hepatocytes During Interferon Administration. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:281-296. [PMID: 34558845 PMCID: PMC8793994 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Capsid allosteric modulators (CAMs) inhibit the encapsidation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), which contains a pathogen-associated molecular pattern motif. However, the effect of CAMs on the innate immune response of HBV-infected hepatocytes remains unclear, and we examined this effect in this study. Administration of a CAM compound, BAY41-4109 (BAY41), to HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) did not change the total cytoplasmic pgRNA levels but significantly reduced intracapsid pgRNA levels, suggesting that BAY41 increased extracapsid pgRNA levels in the cytoplasm. BAY41 alone did not change the intracellular interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene (ISG) expression levels. However, BAY41 enhanced antiviral ISG induction by IFN-α in HBV-infected PHHs but did not change ISG induction by IFN-α in uninfected PHHs. Compared with BAY41 or IFN-α alone, coadministration of BAY41 and IFN-α significantly suppressed extracellular HBV-DNA levels. HBV-infected human liver-chimeric mice were treated with vehicle, BAY41, pegylated IFN-α (pegIFN-α), or BAY41 and pegIFN-α together. Compared with the vehicle control, pegIFN-α highly up-regulated intrahepatic ISG expression levels, but BAY41 alone did not change these levels. The combination of BAY41 and pegIFN-α further enhanced intrahepatic antiviral ISG expression, which was up-regulated by pegIFNα. The serum HBV-DNA levels in mice treated with the combination of BAY41 and pegIFN-α were the lowest observed in all the groups. Conclusion: CAMs enhance the host IFN response when combined with exogenous IFN-α, likely due to increased cytoplasmic extracapsid pgRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Fukutomi
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Kazuhiro Murai
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Tasuku Nakabori
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Akiyoshi Shimoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Makoto Fukuoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Takuo Yamai
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Yuichiro Higuchi
- Laboratory Animal Research DepartmentCentral Institute for Experimental AnimalsKawasakiJapan
| | - Kei Miyakawa
- Department of MicrobiologyYokohama City University School of MedicineYokohamaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Suemizu
- Laboratory Animal Research DepartmentCentral Institute for Experimental AnimalsKawasakiJapan
| | - Akihide Ryo
- Department of MicrobiologyYokohama City University School of MedicineYokohamaJapan
| | - Ryoko Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Ryotaro Sakamori
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
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97
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Li W, Duan X, Zhu C, Liu X, Jeyarajan AJ, Xu M, Tu Z, Sheng Q, Chen D, Zhu C, Shao T, Cheng Z, Salloum S, Schaefer EA, Kruger AJ, Holmes JA, Chung RT, Lin W. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Virus Infection Promote Liver Fibrogenesis through a TGF-β1-Induced OCT4/Nanog Pathway. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:672-684. [PMID: 35022275 PMCID: PMC8770612 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection accelerates liver fibrosis progression compared with HBV or HCV monoinfection. Octamer binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) and Nanog are direct targets of the profibrogenic TGF-β1 signaling cascade. We leveraged a coculture model to monitor the effects of HBV and HCV coinfection on fibrogenesis in both sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide-transfected Huh7.5.1 hepatoma cells and LX2 hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out OCT4 and Nanog to evaluate their effects on HBV-, HCV-, or TGF-β1-induced liver fibrogenesis. HBV/HCV coinfection and HBx, HBV preS2, HCV Core, and HCV NS2/3 overexpression increased TGF-β1 mRNA levels in sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide-Huh7.5.1 cells compared with controls. HBV/HCV coinfection further enhanced profibrogenic gene expression relative to HBV or HCV monoinfection. Coculture of HBV and HCV monoinfected or HBV/HCV coinfected hepatocytes with LX2 cells significantly increased profibrotic gene expression and LX2 cell invasion and migration. OCT4 and Nanog guide RNA independently suppressed HBV-, HCV-, HBV/HCV-, and TGF-β1-induced α-SMA, TIMP-1, and Col1A1 expression and reduced Huh7.5.1, LX2, primary hepatocyte, and primary human HSC migratory capacity. OCT4/Nanog protein expression also correlated positively with fibrosis stage in liver biopsies from patients with chronic HBV or HCV infection. In conclusion, HBV and HCV independently and cooperatively promote liver fibrogenesis through a TGF-β1-induced OCT4/Nanog-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Li
- Department of Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570100, Hainan Province, China,Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, Anhui Province, China,Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Xiaoqiong Duan
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu 610052, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Chuanlong Zhu
- Department of Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570100, Hainan Province, China,Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Department of Infectious Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Southwest University, College of Animal Science and Technology, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Andre J. Jeyarajan
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Min Xu
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zeng Tu
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Qiuju Sheng
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Department of Infectious Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Dong Chen
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Chuanwu Zhu
- Department of Hepatology, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tuo Shao
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zhimeng Cheng
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Shadi Salloum
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Esperance A. Schaefer
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Annie J. Kruger
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Department of Gastroenterology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 20007 USA
| | - Jacinta A. Holmes
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Raymond T. Chung
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Corresponding authors (Wenyu Lin and Raymond T. Chung), Correspondence address: Gastrointestinal Unit, Warren 1007, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Tel.: +1 617 726 2061; 617 724 7562; fax: +1 617 643 0446. (W. Lin),
| | - Wenyu Lin
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Corresponding authors (Wenyu Lin and Raymond T. Chung), Correspondence address: Gastrointestinal Unit, Warren 1007, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Tel.: +1 617 726 2061; 617 724 7562; fax: +1 617 643 0446. (W. Lin),
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98
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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects 240 million people worldwide. Current therapy profoundly suppresses HBV replication but requires long-term maintenance therapy. Therefore, there is still a medical need for an efficient HBV cure. HBV enters host cells by binding via the preS1 domain of the viral L protein to the Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). Thus, NTCP should be a key target for the development of anti-HBV therapeutics. Indeed, myrcludex B, a synthetic form of the myristoylated preS1 peptide, effectively reduces HBV/hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and has been approved as Hepcludex in Europe for the treatment of patients with chronic HDV infection. We established a monoclonal antibody (MAb), N6HB426-20, that recognizes the extracellular domain of human NTCP and blocks HBV entry in vitro into human liver cells but has much less of an inhibitory effect on bile acid uptake. In vivo, administration of the N6HB426-20 MAb prevented HBV viremia for an extended period of time after HBV inoculation in a mouse model system without strongly inhibiting bile acid absorption. Among the extracellular loops (ECLs) of NTCP, regions of amino acids (aa) 84 to 87 in ECL1 and aa 157 to 165 near ECL2 of transmembrane domain 5 are critically important for HBV/HDV infection. Epitope mapping and the three-dimensional (3D) model of the NTCP structure suggested that the N6HB426-20 MAb may recognize aa 276/277 at the tip of ECL4 and interfere with binding of HBV to the region from aa 84 to 87. In summary, we identified an in vivo neutralizing NTCP-targeting antibody capable of preventing HBV infection. Further improvements in efficacy of this drug will pave the way for its clinical applications. IMPORTANCE A number of entry inhibitors are being developed to enhance the treatment of HBV patients with oral nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NA). To amplify the effectiveness of NA therapy, several efforts have been made to develop therapeutic MAbs with neutralizing activity against HBs antigens. However, the neutralizing effect of these MAbs may be muted by a large excess of HBsAg-positive noninfectious particles in the blood of infected patients. The advantage of NTCP-targeted HBV entry inhibitors is that they remain effective regardless of viral genotype, viral mutations, and the presence of subviral particles. Although N6HB426-20 requires a higher dose than myrcludex to obtain equivalent suppression of HBV in a model mouse system, it maintained the inhibitory effect for a long time postadministration in proportion to the half-life of an IgG MAb. We believe that further improvements will make this antibody a promising treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis B.
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99
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Rahman N, Sun J, Li Z, Pattnaik A, Mohallem R, Wang M, Kazemian M, Aryal UK, Andrisani O. The cytoplasmic LSm1-7 and nuclear LSm2-8 complexes exert opposite effects on Hepatitis B virus biosynthesis and interferon responses. Front Immunol 2022; 13:970130. [PMID: 36016928 PMCID: PMC9396650 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.970130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite many studies on host or viral gene expression, how the cellular proteome responds to internal or external cues during the infection process remains unclear. In this study, we used a Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) replication model and performed proteomic analyses to understand how HBV evades innate immunity as a function of cell cycle progression. Specifically, we performed proteomic analyses of HBV-replicating cells in G1/S and G2/M phases, as a function of IFN-α treatment. We identified that the conserved LSm (Like-Sm1-8) proteins were differentially regulated in HBV replicating cells treated with IFN-α. Specifically, in G2/M phase, IFN-α increased protein level of LSm1, the unique subunit of cytoplasmic LSm1-7 complex involved in mRNA decay. By contrast, IFN-α decreased LSm8, the unique subunit of nuclear LSm2-8 complex, a chaperone of U6 spliceosomal RNA, suggesting the cytoplasmic LSm1-7 complex is antiviral, whereas the nuclear LSm2-8 complex is pro-viral. In HBV replication and infection models, siRNA-mediated knockdown of LSm1 increased all viral RNAs. Conversely, LSm8 knockdown reduced viral RNA levels, dependent on N6-adenosine methylation (m6A) of the epsilon stem-loop at the 5' end of pre-Core/pregenomic (preC/pg) RNA. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assays demonstrated reduced viral RNA methylation by LSm8 knockdown, dependent on the 5' m6A modification, suggesting the LSm2-8 complex has a role in mediating this modification. Interestingly, splicing inhibitor Cp028 acting upstream of the LSm2-8 complex suppressed viral RNA levels without reducing the 5' m6A modification. This observation suggests Cp028 has novel antiviral effects, likely potentiating IFN-α-mediated suppression of HBV biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naimur Rahman
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jiazeng Sun
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Zhili Li
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Aryamav Pattnaik
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Rodrigo Mohallem
- Purdue Proteomics Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Mengbo Wang
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Majid Kazemian
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Uma K Aryal
- Purdue Proteomics Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Ourania Andrisani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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100
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Macrophages activated by hepatitis B virus have distinct metabolic profiles and suppress the virus via IL-1β to downregulate PPARα and FOXO3. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110284. [PMID: 35081341 PMCID: PMC8830375 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages display phenotypic plasticity and can be induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) to undergo either M1-like pro-inflammatory or M2-like anti-inflammatory polarization. Here, we report that M1-like macrophages stimulated by HBV exhibit a strong HBV-suppressive effect, which is diminished in M2-like macrophages. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that HBV induces the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in M1-like macrophages, which display a high oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) activity distinct from that of conventional M1-like macrophages. Further analysis indicates that OXPHOS attenuates the expression of IL-1β, which suppresses the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) in hepatocytes to suppress HBV gene expression and replication. Moreover, multiple HBV proteins can induce the expression of IL-1β in macrophages. Our results thus indicate that macrophages can respond to HBV by producing IL-1β to suppress HBV replication. However, HBV can also metabolically reprogram macrophages to enhance OXPHOS to minimize this host antiviral response.
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