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A Highly Attenuated Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Based Vaccine Platform Controls Hepatitis B Virus Replication in Mouse Models of Hepatitis B. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.01586-18. [PMID: 30541859 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01586-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccines may be an important component of a treatment regimen for curing chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We previously demonstrated that recombinant wild-type vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing the HBV middle surface glycoprotein (MHBs) elicits functional immune responses in mouse models of HBV replication. However, VSV has some undesirable pathogenic properties, and the use of this platform in humans requires further viral attenuation. We therefore generated a highly attenuated VSV that expresses MHBs and contains two attenuating mutations. This vector was evaluated for immunogenicity, pathogenesis, and anti-HBV function in mice. Compared to wild-type VSV, the highly attenuated virus displayed markedly reduced pathogenesis but induced similar MHBs-specific CD8+ T cell and antibody responses. The CD8+ T cell responses elicited by this vector in naive mice prevented HBV replication in animals that were later challenged by hydrodynamic injection or transduction with adeno-associated virus encoding the HBV genome (AAV-HBV). In mice in which persistent HBV replication was first established by AAV-HBV transduction, subsequent immunization with the attenuated VSV induced MHBs-specific CD8+ T cell responses that corresponded with reductions in serum and liver HBV antigens and nucleic acids. HBV control was associated with an increase in the frequency of intrahepatic HBV-specific CD8+ T cells and a transient elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase activity. The ability of VSV to induce a robust multispecific T cell response that controls HBV replication combined with the improved safety profile of the highly attenuated vector suggests that this platform offers a new approach for HBV therapeutic vaccination.IMPORTANCE A curative treatment for chronic hepatitis B must eliminate the virus from the liver, but current antiviral therapies typically fail to do so. Immune-mediated resolution of infection occurs in a small fraction of chronic HBV patients, which suggests the potential efficacy of therapeutic strategies that boost the patient's own immune response to the virus. We modified a safe form of VSV to express an immunogenic HBV protein and evaluated the efficacy of this vector in the prevention and treatment of HBV infection in mouse models. Our results show that this vector elicits HBV-specific immune responses that prevent the establishment of HBV infection and reduce viral proteins in the serum and viral DNA/RNA in the liver of mice with persistent HBV replication. These findings suggest that highly attenuated and safe virus-based vaccine platforms have the potential to be utilized for the development of an effective therapeutic vaccine against chronic HBV infection.
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Festag MM, Festag J, Fräßle SP, Asen T, Sacherl J, Schreiber S, Mück-Häusl MA, Busch DH, Wisskirchen K, Protzer U. Evaluation of a Fully Human, Hepatitis B Virus-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor in an Immunocompetent Mouse Model. Mol Ther 2019; 27:947-959. [PMID: 30852138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a promising novel therapeutic approach for cancer but also for chronic infection. We have developed a fully human, second-generation CAR directed against the envelope protein of hepatitis B virus on the surface of infected cells (S-CAR). The S-CAR contains a human B cell-derived single-chain antibody fragment and human immunoglobulin G (IgG) spacer, CD28- and CD3-signaling domains that may be immunogenic in mice. Because immunosuppression will worsen the clinical course of chronic hepatitis B, we aimed at developing a preclinical mouse model that is immunocompetent and mimics chronic hepatitis B but nevertheless allows evaluating efficacy and safety of a fully human CAR. The S-CAR grafted on T cells triggered antibody responses in immunocompetent animals, and a co-expressed human-derived safeguard, the truncated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRt), even induced B and T cell responses, both limiting the survival of S-CAR-grafted T cells. Total body irradiation and transfer of T cells expressing an analogous, signaling-deficient S-CAR decoy and the safeguard induced immune tolerance toward the human-derived structures. S-CAR T cells transferred after immune recovery persisted and showed long-lasting antiviral effector function. The approach we describe herein will enable preclinical studies of efficacy and safety of fully human CARs in the context of a functional immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin M Festag
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Festag
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Simon P Fräßle
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Theresa Asen
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Sacherl
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Schreiber
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Martin A Mück-Häusl
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Wisskirchen
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81675 Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, 81675 Munich, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81675 Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, 81675 Munich, Germany.
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Hu J, Lin YY, Chen PJ, Watashi K, Wakita T. Cell and Animal Models for Studying Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Drug Development. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:338-354. [PMID: 30243619 PMCID: PMC6649672 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.06.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Many cell culture and animal models have been used to study hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and its effects in the liver; these have facilitated development of strategies to control and clear chronic HBV infection. We discuss the advantages and limitations of systems for studying HBV and developing antiviral agents, along with recent advances. New and improved model systems are needed. Cell culture systems should be convenient, support efficient HBV infection, and reproduce responses of hepatocytes in the human body. We also need animals that are fully permissive to HBV infection, convenient for study, and recapitulate human immune responses to HBV and effects in the liver. High-throughput screening technologies could facilitate drug development based on findings from cell and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Hu
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
| | - You-Yu Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University.
| | | | - Takaji Wakita
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
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Manske K, Kallin N, König V, Schneider A, Kurz S, Bosch M, Welz M, Cheng R, Bengsch B, Steiger K, Protzer U, Thimme R, Knolle PA, Wohlleber D. Outcome of Antiviral Immunity in the Liver Is Shaped by the Level of Antigen Expressed in Infected Hepatocytes. Hepatology 2018; 68:2089-2105. [PMID: 29729204 PMCID: PMC6585666 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The liver bears unique immune properties that support both immune tolerance and immunity, but the mechanisms responsible for clearance versus persistence of virus-infected hepatocytes remain unclear. Here, we dissect the factors determining the outcome of antiviral immunity using recombinant adenoviruses that reflect the hepatropism and hepatrophism of hepatitis viruses. We generated replication-deficient adenoviruses with equimolar expression of ovalbumin, luciferase, and green fluorescent protein driven by a strong ubiquitous cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (Ad-CMV-GOL) or by 100-fold weaker, yet hepatocyte-specific, transthyretin (TTR) promoter (Ad-TTR-GOL). Using in vivo bioluminescence to quantitatively and dynamically image luciferase activity, we demonstrated that Ad-TTR-GOL infection always persists, whereas Ad-CMV-GOL infection is always cleared, independent of the number of infected hepatocytes. Failure to clear Ad-TTR-GOL infection involved mechanisms acting during initiation as well as execution of antigen-specific immunity. First, hepatocyte-restricted antigen expression led to delayed and curtailed T-cell expansion-10,000-fold after Ad-CMV-GOL versus 150-fold after Ad-TTR-GOL-infection. Second, CD8 T-cells primed toward antigens selectively expressed by hepatocytes showed high PD-1/Tim-3/LAG-3/CTLA-4/CD160 expression levels similar to that seen in chronic hepatitis B. Third, Ad-TTR-GOL but not Ad-CMV-GOL-infected hepatocytes escaped being killed by effector T-cells while still inducing high PD-1/Tim-3/LAG-3/CTLA-4/CD160 expression, indicating different thresholds of T-cell receptor signaling relevant for triggering effector functions compared with exhaustion. Conclusion: Our study identifies deficits in the generation of CD8 T-cell immunity toward hepatocyte-expressed antigens and escape of infected hepatocytes expressing low viral antigen levels from effector T-cell killing as independent factors promoting viral persistence. This highlights the importance of addressing both the restauration of CD8 T-cell dysfunction and overcoming local hurdles of effector T-cell function to eliminate virus-infected hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Manske
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of MunichGermany
| | - Nina Kallin
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of MunichGermany
| | - Verena König
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of MunichGermany
| | - Annika Schneider
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of MunichGermany
| | - Sandra Kurz
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of MunichGermany
| | - Miriam Bosch
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of MunichGermany
| | - Meike Welz
- Institute of Experimental ImmunologyUniversity Hospital Bonn, University of BonnGermany
| | - Ru‐Lin Cheng
- Institute of Experimental ImmunologyUniversity Hospital Bonn, University of BonnGermany
| | | | - Katja Steiger
- Institute of PathologyTechnical University of MunichGermany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology and Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center for Environment and HealthMunichGermany
- German Center for Infection ResearchMunichGermany
| | - Robert Thimme
- University Hospital FreiburgUniversity of FreiburgGermany
| | - Percy A. Knolle
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of MunichGermany
- Institute of Experimental ImmunologyUniversity Hospital Bonn, University of BonnGermany
- German Center for Infection ResearchMunichGermany
| | - Dirk Wohlleber
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der IsarTechnical University of MunichGermany
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Mouzannar K, Fusil F, Lacombe B, Ollivier A, Ménard C, Lotteau V, Cosset FL, Ramière C, André P. Farnesoid X receptor-α is a proviral host factor for hepatitis B virus that is inhibited by ligands in vitro and in vivo. FASEB J 2018; 33:2472-2483. [PMID: 30307769 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801181r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and bile acid (BA) metabolism are interdependent: infection modifies the expression of the BA nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-α, and modulation of FXRα activity by ligands alters HBV replication. Mechanisms of HBV control by FXRα remain to be unveiled. FXRα silencing in HBV-infected HepaRG cells decreased the viral covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA pool size and transcriptional activity. Treatment with the FXRα agonist GW4064 inhibited FXRα proviral effect on cccDNA similarly for wild-type and hepatitis B viral X protein (HBx)-deficient virus, whereas agonist-induced inhibition of pregenomic and precore RNA transcription and viral DNA secretion was HBx dependent. These data indicated that FXRα acts as a proviral factor by 2 different mechanisms, which are abolished by FXRα stimulation. Finally, infection of C3H/HeN mice by a recombinant adeno-associated virus-2/8-HBV vector induced a sustained HBV replication in young mice in contrast with the transient decline in adult mice. Four-week GW4064 treatment of infected C3H/HeN mice decreased secretion of HBV DNA and HB surface antigen in adult mice only. These results suggest that the physiologic balance of FXRα expression and activation by bile acid is a key host metabolic pathway in the regulation of HBV infection and that FXRα can be envisioned as a target for HBV treatment.-Mouzannar, K., Fusil, F., Lacombe, B., Ollivier, A., Ménard, C., Lotteau, V., Cosset, F.-L., Ramière, C., André, P. Farnesoid X receptor α is a proviral host factor for hepatitis B virus that is inhibited by ligands in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Mouzannar
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, Unité1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5308, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Floriane Fusil
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, Unité1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5308, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Benoît Lacombe
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, Unité1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5308, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Anaïs Ollivier
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, Unité1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5308, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Camille Ménard
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, Unité1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5308, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Vincent Lotteau
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, Unité1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5308, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - François-Loïc Cosset
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, Unité1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5308, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Christophe Ramière
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, Unité1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5308, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Patrice André
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, Unité1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5308, École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon, Lyon, France
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56
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Mouse models for hepatitis B virus research. Lab Anim Res 2018; 34:85-91. [PMID: 30310404 PMCID: PMC6170223 DOI: 10.5625/lar.2018.34.3.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health problem; indeed, there are 250 million carriers worldwide. The host range of HBV is narrow; therefore, few primates are susceptible to HBV infection. However, ethical constraints, high cost, and large size limit the use of primates as suitable animal models. Thus, in vivo testing of therapies that target HBV has been hampered by the lack of an appropriate in vivo research model. To address this, mouse model systems of HBV are being developed and several are used for studying HBV in vivo. In this review, we summarize the currently available mouse models, including HBV transgenic mice, hydrodynamic injection-mediated HBV replicon delivery systems, adeno-associated virus-mediated HBV replicon delivery systems, and human liver chimeric mouse models. These developed (or being developed) mouse model systems are promising and should be useful tools for studying HBV.
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Bray M, Andrei G, Ballana E, Carter K, Durantel D, Gentry B, Janeba Z, Moffat J, Oomen CJ, Tarbet B, Riveira-Muñoz E, Esté JA. Meeting report: 31 st International Conference on Antiviral Research. Antiviral Res 2018; 158:88-102. [PMID: 30086336 PMCID: PMC7113893 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The 31st International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) was held in Porto, Portugal from June 11–15, 2018. In this report, volunteer rapporteurs provide their summaries of scientific presentations, hoping to effectively convey the speakers' goals and the results and conclusions of their talks. This report provides an overview of the invited keynote and award lectures and highlights of short oral presentations, from the perspective of experts in antiviral research. Of note, a session on human cytomegalovirus included an update on the introduction to the clinic of letermovir for the prevention of CMV infection and disease. The 31st ICAR successfully promoted new discoveries in antiviral research and drug development. The 32nd ICAR will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, May 6–10, 2019. The 31st ICAR was held in Porto, Portugal, June 11–15, 2018. This article provides an overview of the invited keynote and award lectures and highlights of short oral presentations. ICAR provided an interdisciplinary forum to review recent developments in all areas of antiviral research. The 32nd ICAR will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, May 6–10, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Graciela Andrei
- KU Leuven, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ester Ballana
- AIDS Research Institute - Irsicaixa, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | | | - David Durantel
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM, U1052, UMR_5286 CNRS/University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Brian Gentry
- Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Des Moines, IA, USA
| | - Zlatko Janeba
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nam. 2, CZ-16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | | | - Clasien J Oomen
- Virology Division, Dept. of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Tarbet
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Eva Riveira-Muñoz
- AIDS Research Institute - Irsicaixa, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain.
| | - José A Esté
- AIDS Research Institute - Irsicaixa, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain.
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58
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Zhao W, Zhao G, Zhang S, Wang X, Yu X, Wang B. Clearance of HBeAg and HBsAg of HBV in mice model by a recombinant HBV vaccine combined with GM-CSF and IFN-α as an effective therapeutic vaccine adjuvant. Oncotarget 2018; 9:34213-34228. [PMID: 30344938 PMCID: PMC6188151 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection is a significant public threat. Current interferon-α (IFN-α) based therapies and anti-viral drugs have failed to clear the infection in the majority of CHB patients and animal models. In our previous study, we established a combined protocol that employed a 3-day pretreatment with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) prior to a standard HBV vaccine. It achieved a 90% reduction of HBsAg level in the HBsAg transgenic mouse model. This protocol, while effective, remains too complex for clinical use. In this study, we formulated a new regimen by combining GM-CSF, IFN-α and a recombinant HBV vaccine (GM-CSF/IFN-α/VACCINE) into a single preparation and tested its efficacy in a HBV infection model. After four vaccinations, both serum HBeAg and HBsAg were cleared, accompanied by a 95% reduction of HBV+ hepatocytes and the presence of a large number of infiltrating CD8+ T cells in the liver. Mechanistically these robust responses were initiated by a vaccine-induced conversion of CCR2-dependent CD11b+Ly6Chi monocytes into CD11b+CD11c+ DCs. This finding sheds light on the potential mechanism of action of the GM-CSF-based vaccine adjuvant and provides definable markers for clinical assessment during future testing of such highly potent vaccine protocols in HBV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuren Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianzheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueping Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Bourgine M, Crabe S, Lobaina Y, Guillen G, Aguilar JC, Michel ML. Nasal route favors the induction of CD4 + T cell responses in the liver of HBV-carrier mice immunized with a recombinant hepatitis B surface- and core-based therapeutic vaccine. Antiviral Res 2018; 153:23-32. [PMID: 29510155 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Immunization routes and number of doses remain largely unexplored in therapeutic vaccination. The aim of the present work is to evaluate their impact on immune responses in naïve and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-carrier mouse models following immunization with a non-adjuvanted recombinant vaccine comprising the hepatitis B surface (HBsAg) and core (HBcAg) antigens. Mice were immunized either by intranasal (i.n.), subcutaneous (s.c.) or simultaneous (i.n. + s.c.) routes. Humoral immunity was detected in all the animal models with the induction of a potent antibody (Ab) response against HBcAg, which was stronger than the anti-HBs response. In the HBV-carrier mouse model, the anti-HBs response was predominantly subtype-specific and preferentially induced by the i.n. route. However, the Ab titers were not sufficient to clear the high concentration of HBsAg present in the sera of these mice. The i.n. route was the most efficacious at inducing cellular immune responses, in particular CD4+ T cells. In naïve mice, cellular responses in spleen were strong and mainly due to CD4+ T cells whereas the CD8+ T-cell response was low. In HBV-carrier mice, high frequencies of HBs-specific CD4+ T cells secreting interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were found in liver only after i.n. immunization. Increased frequencies of CD4+ T cells expressing the integrin CD49a in liver suggest a role of nasal route in the cellular homing process. Multiple dose schedules appear to be a prerequisite for protein-based immunization in order to overcome immunotolerance in HBV-carrier mice. These findings provide new avenues for further preclinical and clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryline Bourgine
- Unité de Virologie Moléculaire et Vaccinologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
| | | | - Yadira Lobaina
- Vaccine Division, Biomedical Research Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana City, Cuba
| | - Gerardo Guillen
- Vaccine Division, Biomedical Research Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana City, Cuba
| | - Julio Cesar Aguilar
- Vaccine Division, Biomedical Research Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana City, Cuba
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Liver-Targeted Anti-HBV Single-Stranded Oligonucleotides with Locked Nucleic Acid Potently Reduce HBV Gene Expression In Vivo. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 11:441-454. [PMID: 29858079 PMCID: PMC5992345 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) is an area of high unmet medical need. Current standard-of-care therapies only rarely lead to a functional cure, defined as durable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss following treatment. The goal for next generation CHB therapies is to achieve a higher rate of functional cure with finite treatment duration. To address this urgent need, we are developing liver-targeted single-stranded oligonucleotide (SSO) therapeutics for CHB based on the locked nucleic acid (LNA) platform. These LNA-SSOs target hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcripts for RNase-H-mediated degradation. Here, we describe a HBV-specific LNA-SSO that effectively reduces intracellular viral mRNAs and viral antigens (HBsAg and HBeAg) over an extended time period in cultured human hepatoma cell lines that were infected with HBV with mean 50% effective concentration (EC50) values ranging from 1.19 to 1.66 μM. To achieve liver-specific targeting and minimize kidney exposure, this LNA-SSO was conjugated to a cluster of three N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) moieties that direct specific binding to the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) expressed specifically on the surface of hepatocytes. The GalNAc-conjugated LNA-SSO showed a strikingly higher level of potency when tested in the AAV-HBV mouse model as compared with its non-conjugated counterpart. Remarkably, higher doses of GalNAc-conjugated LNA-SSO resulted in a rapid and long-lasting reduction of HBsAg to below the detection limit for quantification, i.e., by 3 log10 (p < 0.0003). This antiviral effect depended on a close match between the sequences of the LNA-SSO and its HBV target, indicating that the antiviral effect is not due to non-specific oligonucleotide-driven immune activation. These data support the development of LNA-SSO therapeutics for the treatment of CHB infection.
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Kratzer R, Sansas B, Lélu K, Evlachev A, Schmitt D, Silvestre N, Inchauspé G, Martin P. A meta-analysis of the antiviral activity of the HBV-specific immunotherapeutic TG1050 confirms its value over a wide range of HBsAg levels in a persistent HBV pre-clinical model. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 14:1417-1422. [PMID: 29388874 PMCID: PMC6037470 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1433970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-clinical models mimicking persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) expression are seldom, do not capture all features of a human chronic infection and due to their complexity, are subject to variability. We report a meta-analysis of seven experiments performed with TG1050, an HBV-targeted immunotherapeutic,1 in an HBV-persistent mouse model based on the transduction of mice by an adeno-associated virus coding for an infectious HBV genome (AAV-HBV). To mimic the clinical diversity seen in HBV chronically infected patients, AAV-HBV transduced mice displaying variable HBsAg levels were treated with TG1050. Overall mean percentages of responder mice, displaying decrease in important clinical parameters i.e. HBV-DNA (viremia) and HBsAg levels, were 52% and 51% in TG1050 treated mice, compared with 8% and 22%, respectively, in untreated mice. No significant impact of HBsAg level at baseline on response to TG1050 treatment was found. TG1050-treated mice displayed a significant shorter Time to Response (decline in viral parameters) with an Hazard Ratio (HR) of 8.3 for viremia and 2.6 for serum HBsAg. The mean predicted decrease for TG1050-treated mice was 0.5 log for viremia and 0.8 log for HBsAg, at the end of mice follow-up, compared to no decrease for viremia and 0.3 log HBsAg decrease for untreated mice. For mice receiving TG1050, a higher decline of circulating viremia and serum HBsAg level over time was detected by interaction term meta-analysis with a significant treatment effect (p = 0.002 and p<0.001 respectively). This meta-analysis confirms the therapeutic value of TG1050, capable of exerting potent antiviral effects in an HBV-persistent model mimicking clinical situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Kratzer
- a Transgene SA, Dept. of Infectious Diseases , Lyon , France
| | - Benoît Sansas
- b Transgene SA, Smart Data Lab , Illkirch Graffenstaden, France
| | - Karine Lélu
- a Transgene SA, Dept. of Infectious Diseases , Lyon , France
| | - Alexei Evlachev
- a Transgene SA, Dept. of Infectious Diseases , Lyon , France
| | - Doris Schmitt
- c Transgene SA, Smart Virus Lab , Illkirch Graffenstaden, France
| | | | | | - Perrine Martin
- a Transgene SA, Dept. of Infectious Diseases , Lyon , France
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Li G, Zhu Y, Shao D, Chang H, Zhang X, Zhou D, Gao Y, Lan K, Deng Q. Recombinant covalently closed circular DNA of hepatitis B virus induces long-term viral persistence with chronic hepatitis in a mouse model. Hepatology 2018; 67:56-70. [PMID: 28749559 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Covalently closed circular DNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is critical for viral persistence in vivo. We recently reported a technique involving recombinant covalently closed circular DNA (rcccDNA) of HBV by site-specific DNA recombination. Using hydrodynamic injection, rcccDNA induces a temporarily prolonged HBV antigenemia in immunocompetent mice, similar to acute resolving HBV infection. In this study, we simulated the pathophysiological impact of chronic hepatitis to reproduce rcccDNA persistence in mouse models. We showed that rcccDNA achieved long-lasting persistence in the presence of a compromised immune response or when transcriptional activity was repressed. To closely mimic chronic hepatitis, we used a replication-defective recombinant adenoviral vector to deliver rcccDNA to the liver, which led to prominent HBV persistence throughout the experiment duration (>62 weeks) in transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase under the albumin promoter. A sustained necroinflammatory response and fibrosis were identified in mouse livers, with dysplastic lesions commonly seen during the late stage of viral persistence, analogous to the progressive pathology of clinical chronic hepatitis. CONCLUSION rcccDNA was intrinsically stable in vivo, enabling long-term persistence in the context of chronic hepatitis, and viral persistence, in turn, may promote progression of chronic liver disease; our study also presented a surrogate model of HBV cccDNA persistence in mice that could advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B. (Hepatology 2018;67:56-70).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaiyun Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE & MOH), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanfei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE & MOH), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Hepatopathy, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dianhui Shao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Chang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE & MOH), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongming Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqiu Gao
- Department of Hepatopathy, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiang Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE & MOH), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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63
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Hepatitis B virus persistence in mice reveals IL-21 and IL-33 as regulators of viral clearance. Nat Commun 2017; 8:2119. [PMID: 29242561 PMCID: PMC5730569 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02304-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) generally causes self-limiting infection in immunocompetent adults, but establishes chronic infection in some adults and in most maternally infected infants. Factors determining clearance versus persistence are not fully understood. Hydrodynamic injection (HDI) of HBV replicon plasmid via tail vein generally results in quick clearance in immunocompetent adult mice. Here, we report the identification of strain-specific persistence of HBV in mice: one genotype B strain, designated BPS, persisted up to 33 weeks in ~50% of HDI mice. BPS persistence requires viral replication and multiple viral features. Compared to quickly cleared strains, BPS fails to induce robust post-exposure serum IL-21/IL-33 responses. Injection of IL-21-expressing or IL-33-expressing plasmids facilitates clearance of pre-established BPS persistence and protects cured mice from BPS re-challenge. IL-21 and IL-33 also induce clearance of pre-established HBV persistence in another mouse model. These data reveal IL-21 and IL-33 as potent regulators of HBV clearance and valid drug candidates. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) establishes chronic infection in only some patients, but the mechanisms underlying clearance failure in these patients are not fully understood. Here, the authors identify and characterize an HBV strain that can persist in mice and show that IL-21 and IL-33 responses contribute to clearance.
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64
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Dewangan HK, Pandey T, Singh S. Nanovaccine for immunotherapy and reduced hepatitis-B virus in humanized model. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 46:2033-2042. [PMID: 29179600 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2017.1408118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections are severe with weak antiviral immune responses. The lack of an appropriate small animal model for chronic hepatitis, a major hurdle for studying the immunotolerance and immunopathogenesis induced by hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection. In this study, for enhancing the antibody production efficiency the prepared polymeric HBsAg-loaded nanoparticles (nanovaccine) will be tested in immune-deficit mice, which suffer from chronic Hepatitis B virus. Vaccination of Balb/c mice by this prepared nanoparticles that were engrafted with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which was already lethally irradiated and transplanted by the bone marrow of NOD (knockout mice) mice. In the present study, after the vaccination detected the high frequencies of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-secreting B cells and mitogen-responsive interferon-Y (IFN-Y) secreting T cells in serum, determined by specific ELISA technique. During the entire observation period, unvaccinated animals showed lower concentration of specific IgG secreting B cells and IFN-Y secreting T cells found in comparison to vaccinated mice group. Chronic HBV carrier PBMCs transplanted into the chimera failed to produce antigen and increased the antibodies production due to vaccination. Furthermore, another advantage was that the viral gene expression and viral DNA replication was no longer observed in vaccinated group. This prepared nanovaccine formulations is better for the cure of Hepatitis B viral infection carrier. Therefore, specific memory responses were elicited by vaccination with Hepatitis B virus surface (HBsAg) antigen of chimeric mice transplanted with PBMCs derived from HBV donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitesh Kumar Dewangan
- a Department of Pharmaceutics , Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) , Varanasi , India
| | - Tarun Pandey
- b Anaesthesia and Critical Care , Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital , New Delhi , India
| | - Sanjay Singh
- a Department of Pharmaceutics , Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) , Varanasi , India
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65
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Zhou T, Block T, Liu F, Kondratowicz AS, Sun L, Rawat S, Branson J, Guo F, Steuer HM, Liang H, Bailey L, Moore C, Wang X, Cuconatti A, Gao M, Lee ACH, Harasym T, Chiu T, Gotchev D, Dorsey B, Rijnbrand R, Sofia MJ. HBsAg mRNA degradation induced by a dihydroquinolizinone compound depends on the HBV posttranscriptional regulatory element. Antiviral Res 2017; 149:191-201. [PMID: 29133129 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In pursuit of novel therapeutics targeting the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, we evaluated a dihydroquinolizinone compound (DHQ-1) that in the nanomolar range reduced the production of virion and surface protein (HBsAg) in tissue culture. This compound also showed broad HBV genotype coverage, but was inactive against a panel of DNA and RNA viruses of other species. Oral administration of DHQ-1 in the AAV-HBV mouse model resulted in a significant reduction of serum HBsAg as soon as 4 days following the commencement of treatment. Reduction of HBV markers in both in vitro and in vivo experiments was related to the reduced amount of viral RNA including pre-genomic RNA (pgRNA) and 2.4/2.1 kb HBsAg mRNA. Nuclear run-on and subcellular fractionation experiments indicated that DHQ-1 mediated HBV RNA reduction was the result of accelerated viral RNA degradation in the nucleus, rather than the consequence of inhibition of transcription initiation. Through mutagenesis of HBsAg gene sequences, we found induction of HBsAg mRNA decay by DHQ-1 required the presence of the HBV posttranscriptional regulatory element (HPRE), with a 109 nucleotides sequence within the central region of the HPRE alpha sub-element being the most critical. Taken together, the current study shows that a small molecule can reduce the overall levels of HBV RNA, especially the HBsAg mRNA, and viral surface proteins. This may shed light on the development of a new class of HBV therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlun Zhou
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Department of Translational Medicine, Doylestown, PA 18902, United States.
| | - Timothy Block
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Department of Translational Medicine, Doylestown, PA 18902, United States
| | - Fei Liu
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | - Andrew S Kondratowicz
- Arbutus BioPharma, 100 - 8900 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia V5J 5J8, Canada
| | - Liren Sun
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Department of Translational Medicine, Doylestown, PA 18902, United States
| | - Siddhartha Rawat
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Department of Translational Medicine, Doylestown, PA 18902, United States
| | - Jeffrey Branson
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Department of Translational Medicine, Doylestown, PA 18902, United States
| | - Fang Guo
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | | | - Hongyan Liang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Department of Translational Medicine, Doylestown, PA 18902, United States
| | - Lauren Bailey
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | - Chris Moore
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | - Xiaohe Wang
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | - Andy Cuconatti
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | - Min Gao
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | - Amy C H Lee
- Arbutus BioPharma, 100 - 8900 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia V5J 5J8, Canada
| | - Troy Harasym
- Arbutus BioPharma, 100 - 8900 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia V5J 5J8, Canada
| | - Tim Chiu
- Arbutus BioPharma, 100 - 8900 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia V5J 5J8, Canada
| | - Dimitar Gotchev
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | - Bruce Dorsey
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | - Rene Rijnbrand
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States
| | - Michael J Sofia
- Arbutus BioPharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, United States.
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66
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Zeng Y, Gao T, Zhao G, Jiang Y, Yang Y, Yu H, Kou Z, Lone Y, Sun S, Zhou Y. Generation of human MHC (HLA-A11/DR1) transgenic mice for vaccine evaluation. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 12:829-36. [PMID: 26479036 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1103405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid occurrence of emerging infectious diseases demonstrates an urgent need for a new preclinical experimental model that reliably replicates human immune responses. Here, a new homozygous humanized human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A11/DR1 transgenic mouse (HLA-A11(+/+)/DR01(+/+)/H-2-β2m(-/-)/IAβ(-/-)) was generated by crossing HLA-A11 transgenic (Tg) mice with HLA-A2(+/+)/DR01(+/+)/H-2-β2m(-/-)/IAβ(-/-) mice. The HLA-A11-restricted immune response of this mouse model was then examined. HLA-A11 Tg mice expressing a chimeric major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule comprising the α1, α2, and β2m domains of human HLA-A11 and the α3 transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of murine H-2D(b) were generated. The correct integration of HLA-A11 and HLA-DR1 into the genome of the HLA-A11/DR1 Tg mice (which lacked the expression of endogenous H-2-I/II molecules) was then confirmed. Immunizing mice with a recombinant HBV vaccine or a recombinant HIV-1 protein resulted in the generation of IFN-γ-producing cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and antigen-specific antibodies. The HLA-A11-restricted CTL response was directed at HLA immunodominant epitopes. These mice represent a versatile animal model for studying the immunogenicity of HLA CTL epitopes in the absence of a murine MHC response. The established animal model will also be useful for evaluating and optimizing T cell-based vaccines and for studying differences in antigen processing between mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zeng
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China.,b INSERM U1197 (ex U1014), University of Paris-Sud, Hospital Paul Brousse , Villejuif , France
| | | | - Guangyu Zhao
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Yuting Jiang
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Yi Yang
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Hong Yu
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Zhihua Kou
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Yuchun Lone
- b INSERM U1197 (ex U1014), University of Paris-Sud, Hospital Paul Brousse , Villejuif , France
| | - Shihui Sun
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Yusen Zhou
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China.,c Wenzhou Medical University , Zhejiang , China
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67
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Bian Y, Zhang Z, Sun Z, Zhao J, Zhu D, Wang Y, Fu S, Guo J, Liu L, Su L, Wang FS, Fu YX, Peng H. Vaccines targeting preS1 domain overcome immune tolerance in hepatitis B virus carrier mice. Hepatology 2017; 66:1067-1082. [PMID: 28445927 PMCID: PMC5605403 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Strong tolerance to hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigens limits the therapeutic effect of the conventional hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) vaccination in both preclinical animal models and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. In contrast, we observed that clinical CHB patients presented less immune tolerance to the preS1 domain of HBV large surface antigen. To study whether targeting the weak tolerance of the preS1 region could improve therapy gain, we explored vaccination with the long peptide of preS1 domain for HBV virions clearance. Our study showed that this preS1-polypeptide rather than HBsAg vaccination induced robust immune responses in HBV carrier mice. The anti-preS1 rapidly cleared HBV virions in vivo and blocked HBV infection to hepatocytes in vitro. Intriguingly, vaccination of preS1-polypeptide even reduced the tolerized status of HBsAg, opening a therapeutic window for the host to respond to the HBsAg vaccine. A sequential administration of antigenically distinct preS1-polypeptide and HBsAg vaccines in HBV carrier mice could finally induce HBsAg/hepatitis B surface antibody serological conversion and clear chronic HBV infection in carrier mice. CONCLUSION These results suggest that preS1 can function as a therapeutic vaccine for the control of CHB. (Hepatology 2017;66:1067-1082).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Bian
- IBP-UT Group for Immunotherapy, CAS Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhichen Sun
- IBP-UT Group for Immunotherapy, CAS Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yang Wang
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Sherry Fu
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Jingya Guo
- IBP-UT Group for Immunotherapy, CAS Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Longchao Liu
- IBP-UT Group for Immunotherapy, CAS Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lishan Su
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, 302 Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- IBP-UT Group for Immunotherapy, CAS Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Hua Peng
- IBP-UT Group for Immunotherapy, CAS Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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68
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Kruse RL, Shum T, Legras X, Barzi M, Pankowicz FP, Gottschalk S, Bissig KD. In Situ Liver Expression of HBsAg/CD3-Bispecific Antibodies for HBV Immunotherapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2017; 7:32-41. [PMID: 29018834 PMCID: PMC5626922 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Current therapies against hepatitis B virus (HBV) do not reliably cure chronic infection, necessitating new therapeutic approaches. The T cell response can clear HBV during acute infection, and the adoptive transfer of antiviral T cells during bone marrow transplantation can cure patients of chronic HBV infection. To redirect T cells to HBV-infected hepatocytes, we delivered plasmids encoding bispecific antibodies directed against the viral surface antigen (HBsAg) and CD3, expressed on almost all T cells, directly into the liver using hydrodynamic tail vein injection. We found a significant reduction in HBV-driven reporter gene expression (184-fold) in a mouse model of acute infection, which was 30-fold lower than an antibody only recognizing HBsAg. While bispecific antibodies triggered, in part, antigen-independent T cell activation, antibody production within hepatocytes was non-cytotoxic. We next tested the bispecific antibodies in a different HBV mouse model, which closely mimics the transcriptional template for HBV, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). We found that the antiviral effect was noncytopathic, mediating a 495-fold reduction in HBsAg levels at day 4. At day 33, bispecific antibody-treated mice exhibited 35-fold higher host HBsAg immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody production versus untreated groups. Thus, gene therapy with HBsAg/CD3-bispecific antibodies represents a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Kruse
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thomas Shum
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xavier Legras
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mercedes Barzi
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Frank P Pankowicz
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Karl-Dimiter Bissig
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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69
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Tu T, Bühler S, Bartenschlager R. Chronic viral hepatitis and its association with liver cancer. Biol Chem 2017; 398:817-837. [PMID: 28455951 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2017-0118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis viruses represents the major causative factor for end-stage liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC). In this review, we highlight the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive the hepatocarcinogenesis associated with chronic hepatitis virus infections. While chronic inflammation (associated with a persistent, but impaired anti-viral immune response) plays a major role in HCC initiation and progression, hepatitis viruses can also directly drive liver cancer. The mechanisms by which hepatitis viruses induce HCC include: hepatitis B virus DNA integration into the host cell genome; metabolic reprogramming by virus infection; induction of the cellular stress response pathway by viral gene products; and interference with tumour suppressors. Finally, we summarise the limitations of hepatitis virus-associated HCC model systems and the development of new techniques to circumvent these shortcomings.
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70
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Lucifora J, Salvetti A, Marniquet X, Mailly L, Testoni B, Fusil F, Inchauspé A, Michelet M, Michel ML, Levrero M, Cortez P, Baumert TF, Cosset FL, Challier C, Zoulim F, Durantel D. Detection of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently-closed-circular DNA (cccDNA) in mice transduced with a recombinant AAV-HBV vector. Antiviral Res 2017; 145:14-19. [PMID: 28709657 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 07/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) persists in infected hepatocytes as an episomal covalently-closed-circular DNA mini-chromosome, called cccDNA. As the main nuclear transcription template, HBV cccDNA is a key replication intermediate in the viral life cycle. Little is known about the mechanisms involved in its formation, maintenance and fate under antiviral therapies. This is mainly due to the lack of small immune-competent animal models able to recapitulate the entire HBV replication cycle, including formation of HBV cccDNA. Here we report that HBV cccDNA can be detected by Southern blot analyses in the liver of C57BL6 mice transduced with AAV-HBV. HBV cccDNA persists in the liver of these animals together with the AAV-HBV episome. We also set up a PCR strategy to distinguish the HBV cccDNA from the AAV-HBV episome. These suggest that the AAV-HBV/mouse model might be relevant to test drugs targeting HBV cccDNA regulation and persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lucifora
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Anna Salvetti
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Xavier Marniquet
- Sanofi R&D, Infectious Disease Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Laurent Mailly
- INSERM U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Floriane Fusil
- INSERM, U1111, International Center for Infectiology Research (CIRI), Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Aurore Inchauspé
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; Sanofi R&D, Infectious Disease Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Maud Michelet
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Massimo Levrero
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Pierre Cortez
- Sanofi R&D, Infectious Disease Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- INSERM U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - François-Loic Cosset
- INSERM, U1111, International Center for Infectiology Research (CIRI), Team EVIR, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Cécile Challier
- Sanofi R&D, Infectious Disease Therapeutic Area, Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), Lyon, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France.
| | - David Durantel
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
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Kosinska AD, Bauer T, Protzer U. Therapeutic vaccination for chronic hepatitis B. Curr Opin Virol 2017; 23:75-81. [PMID: 28453967 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A therapeutic vaccine is meant to activate the patient's immune system to fight and finally control or ideally eliminate an already established infectious pathogen. Whereas the success of prophylactic vaccination is based on rapid antibody-mediated neutralization of an invading pathogen, control and elimination of persistent viruses such as hepatitis, herpes or papilloma viruses requires multi-specific and polyfunctional effector T cell responses. These are ideally directed against continuously expressed viral antigens to keep the pathogen in check. Activation of a humoral immune response in order to lower viral antigen load and to limit virus spread, however, confers an additional benefit. Therapeutic vaccines are under development for a number of chronic infections and require an intelligent vaccine design. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may serve as a prime example since a spontaneous, immune-mediated recovery of chronic hepatitis B and an elimination of the virus is possible even if it is observed only in very rare cases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and potential improvements of therapeutic vaccines for chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna D Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Germany
| | - Tanja Bauer
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Germany.
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73
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Single-Nucleotide Resolution Mapping of Hepatitis B Virus Promoters in Infected Human Livers and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Virol 2016; 90:10811-10822. [PMID: 27681123 PMCID: PMC5110153 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01625-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and more than 650,000 people die annually due to HBV-associated liver failure. Extensive studies of individual promoters have revealed that heterogeneous RNA 5′ ends contribute to the complexity of HBV transcriptome and proteome. Here, we provide a comprehensive map of HBV transcription start sites (TSSs) in human liver, HCC, and blood, as well as several experimental replication systems, at a single-nucleotide resolution. Using CAGE (cap analysis of gene expression) analysis of 16 HCC/nontumor liver pairs, we identify 17 robust TSSs, including a novel promoter for the X gene located in the middle of the gene body, which potentially produces a shorter X protein translated from the conserved second start codon, and two minor antisense transcripts that might represent viral noncoding RNAs. Interestingly, transcription profiles were similar in HCC and nontumor livers, although quantitative analysis revealed highly variable patterns of TSS usage among clinical samples, reflecting precise regulation of HBV transcription initiation at each promoter. Unlike the variety of TSSs found in liver and HCC, the vast majority of transcripts detected in HBV-positive blood samples are pregenomic RNA, most likely generated and released from liver. Our quantitative TSS mapping using the CAGE technology will allow better understanding of HBV transcriptional responses in further studies aimed at eradicating HBV in chronic carriers. IMPORTANCE Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, HBV infection remains a global health problem, and current antiviral protocols are not able to eliminate the virus in chronic carriers. Previous studies of the regulation of HBV transcription have described four major promoters and two enhancers, but little is known about their activity in human livers and HCC. We deeply sequenced the HBV RNA 5′ ends in clinical human samples and experimental models by using a new, sensitive and quantitative method termed cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE). Our data provide the first comprehensive map of global TSS distribution over the entire HBV genome in the human liver, validating already known promoters and identifying novel locations. Better knowledge of HBV transcriptional activity in the clinical setting has critical implications in the evaluation of therapeutic approaches that target HBV replication.
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74
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Winer BY, Ding Q, Gaska JM, Ploss A. In vivo models of hepatitis B and C virus infection. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:1987-99. [PMID: 27009462 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Globally, more than 500 million individuals are chronically infected with hepatitis B (HBV), delta (HDV), and/or C (HCV) viruses, which can result in severe liver disease. Mechanistic studies of viral persistence and pathogenesis have been hampered by the scarcity of animal models. The limited species and cellular host range of HBV, HDV, and HCV, which robustly infect only humans and chimpanzees, have posed challenges for creating such animal models. In this review, we will discuss the barriers to interspecies transmission and the progress that has been made in our understanding of the HBV, HDV, and HCV life cycles. Additionally, we will highlight a variety of approaches that overcome these barriers and thus facilitate in vivo studies of these hepatotropic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qiang Ding
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, NJ, USA
| | - Jenna M Gaska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, NJ, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, NJ, USA
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75
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Experimental in vitro and in vivo models for the study of human hepatitis B virus infection. J Hepatol 2016; 64:S17-S31. [PMID: 27084033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects an estimate of 240 million people worldwide despite the availability of a preventive vaccine. Medication to repress viral replication is available but a cure is rarely achieved. The narrow species and tissue tropism of the virus and the lack of reliable in vitro models and laboratory animals susceptible to HBV infection, have limited research progress in the past. As a result, several aspects of the HBV life cycle as well as the network of virus host interactions occurring during the infection are not yet understood. Only recently, the identification of the functional cellular receptor enabling HBV entry has opened new possibilities to establish innovative infection systems. Regarding the in vivo models of HBV infection, the classical reference was the chimpanzee. However, because of the strongly restricted use of great apes for HBV research, major efforts have focused on the development of mouse models of HBV replication and infection such as the generation of humanized mice. This review summarizes the animal and cell culture based models currently available for the study of HBV biology. We will discuss the benefits and caveats of each model and present a selection of the most important findings that have been retrieved from the respective systems.
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76
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Zhu D, Liu L, Yang D, Fu S, Bian Y, Sun Z, He J, Su L, Zhang L, Peng H, Fu YX. Clearing Persistent Extracellular Antigen of Hepatitis B Virus: An Immunomodulatory Strategy To Reverse Tolerance for an Effective Therapeutic Vaccination. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 196:3079-87. [PMID: 26936879 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1502061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Development of therapeutic vaccines/strategies to control chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been challenging because of HBV-induced tolerance. In this study, we explored strategies for breaking tolerance and restoring the immune response to the HBV surface Ag in tolerant mice. We demonstrated that immune tolerance status is attributed to the level and duration of circulating HBsAg in HBV carrier models. Removal of circulating HBsAg by a monoclonal anti-HBsAg Ab in tolerant mice could gradually reduce tolerance and reestablish B cell and CD4(+) T cell responses to subsequent Engerix-B vaccination, producing protective IgG. Furthermore, HBsAg-specific CD8(+) T cells induced by the addition of a TLR agonist resulted in clearance of HBV in both serum and liver. Thus, generation of protective immunity can be achieved by clearing extracellular viral Ag with neutralizing Abs followed by vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danming Zhu
- Institute of Biophysics-University of Texas Group for Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Longchao Liu
- Institute of Biophysics-University of Texas Group for Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Institute of Biophysics-University of Texas Group for Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Sherry Fu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75225; and
| | - Yingjie Bian
- Institute of Biophysics-University of Texas Group for Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhichen Sun
- Institute of Biophysics-University of Texas Group for Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junming He
- Institute of Biophysics-University of Texas Group for Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lishan Su
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Liguo Zhang
- Institute of Biophysics-University of Texas Group for Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hua Peng
- Institute of Biophysics-University of Texas Group for Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Institute of Biophysics-University of Texas Group for Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75225; and
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Li X, Liu G, Chen M, Yang Y, Xie Y, Kong X. A Novel Hydrodynamic Injection Mouse Model of HBV Genotype C for the Study of HBV Biology and the Anti-Viral Activity of Lamivudine. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2016; 16:e34420. [PMID: 27195013 PMCID: PMC4867405 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.34420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Absence of an immunocompetent mouse model of persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has hindered the research of HBV infection and the development of antiviral medications. OBJECTIVES In the present study, we aimed to develop a novel HBV genotype C mouse model by hydrodynamic injection (HI) and then used it to evaluate the antiviral activity of lamivudine. MATERIALS AND METHODS A quantity of 15 μg of HBV plasmid [pcDNA3.1 (+)-HBV1.3C], adeno-associated virus-HBV1.3C (pAAV-HBV1.3C) or pAAV-HBV1.2A) were injected into male C57BL/6 mice, by HI, accounting for a total of 13 mice per group. Then, lamivudine was administered to mice with sustained HBV viremia, for 4 weeks. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry methods were used to detect HBsAg, HBeAg, HBsAb, HBcAg and HBV DNA, in serum or liver of the mice, at indicated time points. RESULTS In 60% of the mice injected with pcDNA3.1 (+)-HBV1.3C, HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcAg and HBV DNA persisted for > 20 weeks in liver, post-injection, with no HBsAb appearance. Meanwhile, no significant inflammation was observed in these mice. Compared with pAAV-HBV1.2A and pAAV-HBV1.3C, pcDNA3.1 (+)-HBV1.3C administration led to higher and longer HBV viremia. Furthermore, serum HBV DNA was significantly reduced by lamivudine, after 4 weeks administration, and returned to the original level, after ceasing administration for 1 week, in the mice. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our observations indicated that pcDNA3.1 (+)-HBV1.3C was superior to AAV/HBV plasmid for establishment of persistent HBV infection by HI, in vivo, and this mouse model could be useful for studies of hepatitis virology and for the development of innovatory treatments for HBV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Li
- Liver Disease Key Lab, 458 Hospital of PLA, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangze Liu
- Liver Disease Key Lab, 458 Hospital of PLA, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meijuan Chen
- Liver Disease Key Lab, 458 Hospital of PLA, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Liver Disease Key Lab, 458 Hospital of PLA, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Xie
- Liver Disease Key Lab, 458 Hospital of PLA, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangping Kong
- Liver Disease Key Lab, 458 Hospital of PLA, Guangzhou, China
- Corresponding Author: Xiangping Kong, Liver Disease Key Lab, 458 Hospital of PLA, 801 Dongfengdong Road, 510600, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Tel: +86-2087395343, Fax: +86-2087371180, E-mail:
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78
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Martin P, Dubois C, Jacquier E, Dion S, Mancini-Bourgine M, Godon O, Kratzer R, Lelu-Santolaria K, Evlachev A, Meritet JF, Schlesinger Y, Villeval D, Strub JM, Van Dorsselaer A, Marchand JB, Geist M, Brandely R, Findeli A, Boukhebza H, Menguy T, Silvestre N, Michel ML, Inchauspé G. TG1050, an immunotherapeutic to treat chronic hepatitis B, induces robust T cells and exerts an antiviral effect in HBV-persistent mice. Gut 2015; 64:1961-71. [PMID: 25429051 PMCID: PMC4680198 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess a new adenovirus-based immunotherapy as a novel treatment approach to chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS TG1050 is a non-replicative adenovirus serotype 5 encoding a unique large fusion protein composed of a truncated HBV Core, a modified HBV Polymerase and two HBV Envelope domains. We used a recently described HBV-persistent mouse model based on a recombinant adenovirus-associated virus encoding an over length genome of HBV that induces the chronic production of HBsAg, HBeAg and infectious HBV particles to assess the ability of TG1050 to induce functional T cells in face of a chronic status. RESULTS In in vitro studies, TG1050 was shown to express the expected large polyprotein together with a dominant, smaller by-product. Following a single administration in mice, TG1050 induced robust, multispecific and long-lasting HBV-specific T cells detectable up to 1 year post-injection. These cells target all three encoded immunogens and display bifunctionality (i.e., capacity to produce both interferon γ and tumour necrosis factor α as well as cytolytic functions). In addition, control of circulating levels of HBV DNA and HBsAg was observed while alanine aminotransferase levels remain in the normal range. CONCLUSIONS Injection of TG1050 induced both splenic and intrahepatic functional T cells producing cytokines and displaying cytolytic activity in HBV-naïve and HBV-persistent mouse models together with significant reduction of circulating viral parameters. These results warrant clinical evaluation of TG1050 in the treatment of CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Martin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | - Clarisse Dubois
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | - Emilie Jacquier
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | - Sarah Dion
- Laboratoire de pathogénèse des virus de l'hépatite B Paris and INSERM U994, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Maryline Mancini-Bourgine
- Laboratoire de pathogénèse des virus de l'hépatite B Paris and INSERM U994, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Ophélie Godon
- Laboratoire de pathogénèse des virus de l'hépatite B Paris and INSERM U994, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Roland Kratzer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | | | - Alexei Evlachev
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | - Jean-Marc Strub
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, Strasbourg University, UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alain Van Dorsselaer
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, Strasbourg University, UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Michel Geist
- Department of Vectors, Transgene SA, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Annie Findeli
- Department of Vectors, Transgene SA, Strasbourg, France
| | - Houda Boukhebza
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Marie-Louise Michel
- Laboratoire de pathogénèse des virus de l'hépatite B Paris and INSERM U994, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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79
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Iannacone M, Guidotti LG. Mouse Models of Hepatitis B Virus Pathogenesis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2015; 5:cshperspect.a021477. [PMID: 26292984 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a021477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The host range of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is limited to humans and chimpanzees. As discussed in the literature, numerous studies in humans and chimpanzees have generated a great deal of information on the mechanisms that cause viral clearance, viral persistence, and disease pathogenesis during acute or chronic HBV infection. Relevant pathogenetic studies have also been performed in those few species representing natural hosts of hepadnaviruses that are related to HBV, such as the woodchuck hepatitis virus and the duck hepatitis virus. Further insight has been gained from multidisciplinary studies in transgenic or humanized chimeric mouse models expressing and/or replicating HBV to varying degrees. We provide here a concise summary of the available HBV mouse models as well as of the contributions of these models to our understanding of HBV pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Iannacone
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca G Guidotti
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy Department of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
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80
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Wang SH, Chen PJ, Yeh SH. Gender disparity in chronic hepatitis B: Mechanisms of sex hormones. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 30:1237-45. [PMID: 25708186 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a common human pathogen transmitted worldwide, and its chronic infection is a well-known risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The sex disparity of HBV-related liver diseases has been noticed for a long time, which could be attributed to sex hormone effects, other than gender behaviors or environmental impact. This difference is experimentally confirmed in HBV transgenic mice, as well as in immunocompetent mice receiving hydrodynamic delivery of HBV. Androgen and estrogen pathways were identified to play opposite regulations of HBV transcription by targeting viral enhancer I at molecular level. In addition to the direct effects on HBV life cycle, sex hormones may be also involved in the immune response to HBV infection and the progression of associated liver diseases, although the detailed mechanisms are still unclear. Besides, several unaddressed issues such as HBV entry, microRNA profiles, viral integration, and adaptability in which androgen and estrogen axes might be involved are warranted to be delineated. The comprehensive understanding of the sex disparity in HBV virology and pathogenesis will be helpful to provide newly biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and develop novel drugs to manage HBV-related HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Han Wang
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,NTU Center for Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiou-Hwei Yeh
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,NTU Center for Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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81
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Zeisel MB, Lucifora J, Mason WS, Sureau C, Beck J, Levrero M, Kann M, Knolle PA, Benkirane M, Durantel D, Michel ML, Autran B, Cosset FL, Strick-Marchand H, Trépo C, Kao JH, Carrat F, Lacombe K, Schinazi RF, Barré-Sinoussi F, Delfraissy JF, Zoulim F. Towards an HBV cure: state-of-the-art and unresolved questions--report of the ANRS workshop on HBV cure. Gut 2015; 64:1314-26. [PMID: 25670809 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
HBV infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although HBV infection can be efficiently prevented by vaccination, and treatments are available, to date there is no reliable cure for the >240 million individuals that are chronically infected worldwide. Current treatments can only achieve viral suppression, and lifelong therapy is needed in the majority of infected persons. In the framework of the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis 'HBV Cure' programme, a scientific workshop was held in Paris in June 2014 to define the state-of-the-art and unanswered questions regarding HBV pathobiology, and to develop a concerted strategy towards an HBV cure. This review summarises our current understanding of HBV host-interactions leading to viral persistence, as well as the roadblocks to be overcome to ultimately address unmet medical needs in the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam B Zeisel
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Julie Lucifora
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | | | - Camille Sureau
- INTS, Laboratoire de Virologie Moléculaire, Paris, France
| | - Jürgen Beck
- Department of Internal Medicine 2/Molecular Biology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Massimo Levrero
- Center for Life Nanosciences (CNLS)-IIT/Sapienza, Rome, Italy Laboratory of Gene Expression, Department of Internal Medicine (DMISM), Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Michael Kann
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France CNRS, Microbiologie fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Percy A Knolle
- Technische Universität München, Institut für Molekulare Immunologie, München, Germany
| | - Monsef Benkirane
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, Laboratoire de Virologie Moléculaire, CNRS UPR1142, Montpellier, France
| | - David Durantel
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | - Marie-Louise Michel
- Laboratoire de Pathogenèse des Virus de l'Hépatite B, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Brigitte Autran
- Laboratory of Immunity and Infection, Inserm U945, Paris, France Laboratory of Immunity and Infection, UPMC University Paris 06, Unité mixte de recherche-S945, Paris, France Inserm, IFR 113, Immunité-Cancer-Infection, Paris, France
| | - François-Loïc Cosset
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France. Inserm, U1111, Lyon, France Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France. CNRS, UMR5308, Lyon, France LabEx Ecofect, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Christian Trépo
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL), Lyon, France Department of Hepatology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Research, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fabrice Carrat
- Inserm, UMR_S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Karine Lacombe
- Inserm, UMR_S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Raymond F Schinazi
- Center for AIDS Research, Emory University School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Françoise Barré-Sinoussi
- Inserm and Unit of Regulation of Retroviral Infections, Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Fabien Zoulim
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL), Lyon, France Department of Hepatology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
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82
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Godon O, Evlachev A, Bourgine M, Meritet JF, Martin P, Inchauspe G, Michel ML. Recognition of core-derived epitopes from a novel HBV-targeted immunotherapeutic by T-cells from patients infected by different viral genotypes. Vaccine 2015. [PMID: 26209840 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies based on nucleos(t)ide analogs or pegylated-interferon-α lead to control of viral replication in most patients but rarely achieve cure. A potential strategy to control chronic hepatitis B is to restore or induce functional anti-HBV T-cell immune responses using HBV-specific immunotherapeutics. However, viral diversity is a challenge to the development of this class of products as HBV genotypes display a sequence diversity of up to 8%. We have developed a novel HBV-targeted immunotherapeutic, TG1050, based on a non-replicative Adenovirus vector encoding a unique and large fusion protein composed of multiple antigenic regions derived from a HBV genotype D sequence. Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 23 patients chronically infected by five distinct genotypes (gt A, B, C, D and E) and various sets of peptides encompassing conserved versus divergent regions of HBV core we have measured ability of TG1050 genotype D core-derived peptides to be recognized by T-cells from patients infected by various genotypes. Overall, PBMCs from 78% of genotype B or C- and 100% genotype A or E-infected patients lead to detection of HBV core-specific T-cells recognizing genotype D antigenic domains located both in conserved and variable regions. This proof-of-concept study supports the clinical development of TG1050 in large patient populations independently of infecting genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophelie Godon
- Laboratoire de Pathogenèse des virus de l'hépatite B, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, Paris Cedex 15 75724, France
| | - Alexei Evlachev
- Transgene SA, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lyon, France
| | - Maryline Bourgine
- Laboratoire de Pathogenèse des virus de l'hépatite B, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, Paris Cedex 15 75724, France
| | | | - Perrine Martin
- Transgene SA, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lyon, France
| | | | - Marie-Louise Michel
- Laboratoire de Pathogenèse des virus de l'hépatite B, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, Paris Cedex 15 75724, France; INSERM U994, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
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83
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Chen J, Wu M, Liu K, Zhang W, Li Y, Zhou X, Bai L, Yuan Z. New insights into hepatitis B virus biology and implications for novel antiviral strategies. Natl Sci Rev 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwv044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a small DNA virus with a unique replication mode, can cause chronic hepatitis (CHB), which is characterized by the persistence of the viral covalently closed circular DNA that serves as the template for HBV replication and the production of large amounts of secreted HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) that is present in excess of the levels of infectious virus. Despite the success of currently approved antiviral treatments for CHB patients, including interferon and nucleotide analogs, which suppress HBV replication and reduce the risk of CHB-related liver diseases, these therapies fail to eradicate the virus in most of the patients. With the development of the cell and animal models for HBV study, a better understanding of the HBV life cycle has been achieved and a series of novel antiviral strategies that target different stages of HBV replication have been designed to overcome the viral factors that contribute to HBV persistence. Such basic HBV research advancements and therapeutic developments are the subject of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Ministry of Education and Health, and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Min Wu
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Kuancheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Ministry of Education and Health, and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Institutes of Medical Microbiology and Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Ministry of Education and Health, and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Yaming Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Ministry of Education and Health, and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhou
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Lu Bai
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Ministry of Education and Health, and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Ministry of Education and Health, and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Institutes of Medical Microbiology and Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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84
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Cheng L, Li F, Bility MT, Murphy CM, Su L. Modeling hepatitis B virus infection, immunopathology and therapy in mice. Antiviral Res 2015; 121:1-8. [PMID: 26099683 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite the availability of a preventive vaccine, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection-induced liver diseases continue to be a major global public health problem. HBV naturally infects only humans and chimpanzees. This narrow host range has hindered our ability to study the characteristics of the virus and how it interacts with its host. It is thus important to establish small animal models to study HBV infection, persistence, clearance and the immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B. In this review, we briefly summarize currently available animal models for HBV research, then focus on mouse models, especially the recently developed humanized mice that can support HBV infection and immunopathogenesis in vivo. This article is part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on "From the discovery of the Australia antigen to the development of new curative therapies for hepatitis B: an unfinished story."
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Moses T Bility
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher M Murphy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lishan Su
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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85
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Ye L, Yu H, Li C, Hirsch ML, Zhang L, Samulski RJ, Li W, Liu Z. Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Mediated Delivery of the HBV Genome Induces Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Liver Fibrosis in Mice. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130052. [PMID: 26075890 PMCID: PMC4468063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas are major health problems of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. To date, rare model has reproduced liver fibrosis associated with long-term HBV infection which in turn has hindered both the understanding of HBV biology and the development of new treatment options. Here, using adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) mediated delivery of a 1.2-kb HBV genome, we successfully generated a chronic HBV infectious mouse model that presents the associated liver fibrosis observed following human infection. After AAV8/HBV1.2 vector administration, mice demonstrated effective HBV replication and transcription which resulted in HBV antigen expression and viremia over 6 months. Although no obvious acute inflammatory response was noted, these mice still developed chronic liver disease and hepatic fibrogenesis as demonstrated by increased ground glass-like hepatocytes, an increasing trend of collagen deposition and upregulated fibrosis markers, including type I collagen, type III collagen, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP), and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1). Taken together, AAV-mediated HBV gene delivery to the mouse liver, induced HBV persistent infection accompanied by liver fibrosis which can serve as a model for investigating the precise mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis following chronic HBV infection as well as for the potential development of novel therapeutics.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Blotting, Northern
- Blotting, Southern
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology
- Cells, Cultured
- Dependovirus/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Genetic Vectors/administration & dosage
- Genome, Viral
- HEK293 Cells
- Hepatitis B virus/genetics
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology
- Humans
- Liver Cirrhosis/genetics
- Liver Cirrhosis/virology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/virology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Viremia/genetics
- Viremia/virology
- Virus Replication
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ye
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Haisheng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Immunity and Infection, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Matthew L. Hirsch
- Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Liguo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Immunity and Infection, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - R. Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Wuping Li
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Zhong Liu
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China
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86
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Aldabe R, Suárez-Amarán L, Usai C, González-Aseguinolaza G. Animal models of chronic hepatitis delta virus infection host-virus immunologic interactions. Pathogens 2015; 4:46-65. [PMID: 25686091 PMCID: PMC4384072 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens4010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that has an absolute requirement for a virus belonging to the hepadnaviridae family like hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication and formation of new virions. HDV infection is usually associated with a worsening of HBV-induced liver pathogenesis, which leads to more frequent cirrhosis, increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and fulminant hepatitis. Importantly, no selective therapies are available for HDV infection. The mainstay of treatment for HDV infection is pegylated interferon alpha; however, response rates to this therapy are poor. A better knowledge of HDV–host cell interaction will help with the identification of novel therapeutic targets, which are urgently needed. Animal models like hepadnavirus-infected chimpanzees or the eastern woodchuck have been of great value for the characterization of HDV chronic infection. Recently, more practical animal models in which to perform a deeper study of host virus interactions and to evaluate new therapeutic strategies have been developed. Therefore, the main focus of this review is to discuss the current knowledge about HDV host interactions obtained from cell culture and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Aldabe
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra (UNAV), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Lester Suárez-Amarán
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra (UNAV), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Carla Usai
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra (UNAV), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Gloria González-Aseguinolaza
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra (UNAV), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
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87
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Mouse models for therapeutic vaccination against hepatitis B virus. Med Microbiol Immunol 2014; 204:95-102. [DOI: 10.1007/s00430-014-0378-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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88
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Glebe D, Geipel A. Selected phenotypic assays used to evaluate antiviral resistance and viral fitness of hepatitis B virus and its variants. Intervirology 2014; 57:225-31. [PMID: 25034492 DOI: 10.1159/000360950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently available antiviral therapies specifically target viral replication by blocking reverse transcription with orally given nucleos(t)ide analogues and are able to specifically suppress viral replication. The unique replication strategy of hepatitis B virus (HBV), however, allows long-term persistence of the viral genome within infected hepatocytes in spite of successful therapy. Thus, antiviral therapy needs to be continued for years. Therapy can result either in the emergence and selection of antiviral-resistant variants or the relapse of viral replication after the termination of antiviral therapy. Resistance is a major problem for 4 of the 5 approved HBV nucleos(t)ide analogues, but it is not the only reason for therapy failure. An accurate phenotypic in vitro assay for resistance allows the identification of a viral variant selected in vivo during antiviral therapy and helps to find therapeutic alternatives. Furthermore, these assays can be used to measure viral fitness and pathogenicity in vitro. With the help of these assays, the prediction of emerging viral variants with drug resistance or increased pathogenic potential can be realized. Phenotypic resistance tests for HBV are not trivial because the virus cannot be readily grown in cell culture. This review focuses on currently available phenotypic assays to evaluate antiviral resistance of HBV and fitness of viral variants in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B and D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Giessen, Germany
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89
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Inuzuka T, Takahashi K, Chiba T, Marusawa H. Mouse models of hepatitis B virus infection comprising host-virus immunologic interactions. Pathogens 2014; 3:377-89. [PMID: 25437805 PMCID: PMC4243451 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens3020377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases associated with various human liver diseases, including acute, fulminant and chronic hepatitis; liver cirrhosis; and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the availability of an HBV vaccine and the development of antiviral therapies, there are still more than 350 million chronically infected people worldwide, approximately 5% of the world population. To understand the virus biology and pathogenesis in HBV-infected patients, several animal models have been developed to mimic hepatic HBV infection and the immune response against HBV, but the narrow host range of HBV infection and lack of a full immune response spectrum in animal models remain significant limitations. Accumulating evidence obtained from studies using a variety of mouse models that recapitulate hepatic HBV infection provides several clues for understanding host-virus immunologic interactions during HBV infection, whereas the determinants of the immune response required for HBV clearance are poorly defined. Therefore, adequate mouse models are urgently needed to elucidate the mechanism of HBV elimination and identify novel targets for antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Inuzuka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8103, Japan.
| | - Ken Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8103, Japan.
| | - Tsutomu Chiba
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8103, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Marusawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8103, Japan.
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90
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Huang J, Li X, Coelho-dos-Reis JGA, Wilson JM, Tsuji M. An AAV vector-mediated gene delivery approach facilitates reconstitution of functional human CD8+ T cells in mice. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88205. [PMID: 24516613 PMCID: PMC3916402 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, a novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene delivery approach was taken to improve the reconstitution of functional CD8+ T cells in humanized mice, thereby mimicking the human immune system (HIS). Human genes encoding HLA-A2 and selected human cytokines (A2/hucytokines) were introduced to an immune-deficient mouse model [NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull (NSG) mice] using AAV serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors, followed by transplantation of human hematopoietic stem cells. NSG mice transduced with AAV9 encoding A2/hucytokines resulted in higher levels of reconstitution of human CD45+ cells compared to NSG mice transduced with AAV9 encoding HLA-A2 alone or HLA-A2-transgenic NSG mice. Furthermore, this group of HIS mice also mounted the highest level of antigen-specific A2-restricted human CD8+ T-cell response upon vaccination with recombinant adenoviruses expressing human malaria and HIV antigens. Finally, the human CD8+ T-cell response induced in human malaria vaccine-immunized HIS mice was shown to be functional by displaying cytotoxic activity against hepatocytes that express the human malaria antigen in the context of A2 molecules. Taken together, our data show that AAV vector-mediated gene delivery is a simple and efficient method to transfer multiple human genes to immune-deficient mice, thus facilitating successful reconstitution of HIS in mice. The HIS mice generated in this study should ultimately allow us to swiftly evaluate the T-cell immunogenicity of various human vaccine candidates in a pre-clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huang
- HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Xiangming Li
- HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jordana G. A. Coelho-dos-Reis
- HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - James M. Wilson
- Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Moriya Tsuji
- HIV and Malaria Vaccine Program, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Affiliate of The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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91
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Adenoviral delivery of recombinant hepatitis B virus expressing foreign antigenic epitopes for immunotherapy of persistent viral infection. J Virol 2013; 88:3004-15. [PMID: 24371056 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02756-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED We previously reported a proof-of-concept study for curing chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection using a foreign-antigen recombinant HBV (rHBV) as a gene therapy vector. Targeted elimination of wild-type HBV (wtHBV)-infected cells could be achieved by functionally activating an in situ T-cell response against the foreign antigen. However, as chronic HBV infection spreads to all hepatocytes, specific targeting of virus-infected cells is thought to be less critical. It is also feared that rHBV may not induce active immunization in a setting resembling natural infection. For this immunotherapeutic approach to be practically viable, in the present study, we used a recombinant adenovirus (rAd) vector for rHBV delivery. The rAd vector allowed efficient transduction of wtHBV-producing HepG2 cells, with transferred rHBV undergoing dominant viral replication. Progeny rHBV virions proved to be infectious, as demonstrated in primary tupaia hepatocytes. These results greatly expanded the antiviral capacity of the replication-defective rAd/rHBV in wtHBV-infected liver tissue. With prior priming in the periphery, transduction with rAd/rHBV attracted a substantial influx of the foreign-antigen-specific T-effector cells into the liver. Despite the fully activated T-cell response, active expression of rHBV was observed for a prolonged time, which is essential for rHBV to achieve sustained expansion. In a mouse model of HBV persistence established by infection with a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying the wtHBV genome, rAd/rHBV-based immunotherapy elicited a foreign-antigen-specific T-cell response that triggered effective viral clearance and subsequent seroconversion to HBV. It therefore represents an efficient strategy to overcome immune tolerance, thereby eliminating chronic HBV infection. IMPORTANCE Adenovirus-delivered rHBV activated a foreign-antigen-specific T-cell response that abrogated HBV persistence in a mouse model. Our study provides further evidence of the potential of foreign-antigen-based immunotherapy for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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92
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Chuai X, Wang W, Chen H, Deng Y, Wen B, Tan W. Lentiviral backbone-based hepatitis B virus replicon-mediated transfer favours the establishment of persistent hepatitis B virus infection in mice after hydrodynamic injection. Antiviral Res 2013; 101:68-74. [PMID: 24239872 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Establishment of a non-transgenic mouse model of persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is urgently needed. In this study, we constructed novel lentiviral-transfer plasmids containing HBV replicon DNA (pCS-HBV1.3, containing a 1.3-fold-overlength genome of HBV) and employed hydrodynamic injection (HDI) to develop an HBV-persistent mouse model. We explored the impact of host (different mouse strains, BALB/c and C57BL/6), gender, and the plasmid backbone on persistent HBV in mice. Our data showed that HBV antigenaemia (HBsAg, HBeAg) and HBV DNA persisted for >56days post-injection, while the appearance of anti-HBs antibody in the serum was only found among <30% of female C57BL/6 mice injected with pCS-HBV1.3. Moreover, HBcAg and HBV DNA were also detected in the liver of HDI mice. Compared with previous AAV-backbone based HBV replicon DNA transfer, we found that the HDI transfer with the lentiviral vector-based HBV replicon (pCS-HBV1.3) in this study resulted in a significantly higher level of HBV DNA transfer in the liver and longer persistence of HBV DNA and antigenaemia in the serum. Furthermore, we also showed that immunization of HBV replicon transfer mice with the novel HBSS1-based vaccines was able to overcome tolerance against HBV in mice and induces robust immunity (humoral as well as T-cell responses), followed by the clearance of the HBV viremia. We concluded that lentiviral backbone-based transfer vectors more readily establish persistent HBV infection in mouse models via HDI, providing a new tool useful for the study of HBV infection and immune-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Chuai
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, PR China; Department of Microbiology, Hebei Medical University, PR China
| | - Wen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, PR China
| | - Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, PR China
| | - Yao Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, PR China
| | - Bo Wen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, PR China
| | - Wenjie Tan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Ministry of Health, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, PR China.
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93
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A mouse model for HBV immunotolerance and immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2013; 11:71-8. [PMID: 24076617 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2013.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of an appropriate small animal model remains a major hurdle for studying the immunotolerance and immunopathogenesis induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In this study, we report a mouse model with sustained HBV viremia after infection with a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying a replicable HBV genome (AAV/HBV). Similar to the clinical HBV carriers, the mice infected with AAV/HBV were sero-negative for antibodies against HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Immunization with the conventional HBV vaccine in the presence of aluminum adjuvant failed to elicit an immune response against HBV in these mice. To identify a vaccine that can potentially circumvent this tolerance, the TLR9 agonist CpG was added to HBsAg as an adjuvant. Vaccination of mice with HBsAg/CpG induced not only clearance of viremia, but also strong antibody production and T-cell responses. Furthermore, both the DNA replication and protein expression of HBV were significantly reduced in the livers of AAV/HBV-infected mice. Accordingly, AAV/HBV-infected mice may be used as a robust model for investigating the underlying mechanism(s) of HBV immunotolerance and for developing novel immunotherapies to eradicate HBV infections.
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Mailly L, Robinet E, Meuleman P, Baumert TF, Zeisel MB. Hepatitis C virus infection and related liver disease: the quest for the best animal model. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:213. [PMID: 23898329 PMCID: PMC3724122 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) making the virus the most common cause of liver failure and transplantation. HCV is estimated to chronically affect 130 million individuals and to lead to more than 350,000 deaths per year worldwide. A vaccine is currently not available. The recently developed direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have markedly increased the efficacy of the standard of care but are not efficient enough to completely cure all chronically infected patients and their toxicity limits their use in patients with advanced liver disease, co-morbidity or transplant recipients. Because of the host restriction, which is limited to humans and non-human primates, in vivo study of HCV infection has been hampered since its discovery more than 20 years ago. The chimpanzee remains the most physiological model to study the innate and adaptive immune responses, but its use is ethically difficult and is now very restricted and regulated. The development of a small animal model that allows robust HCV infection has been achieved using chimeric liver immunodeficient mice, which are therefore not suitable for studying the adaptive immune responses. Nevertheless, these models allowed to go deeply in the comprehension of virus-host interactions and to assess different therapeutic approaches. The immunocompetent mouse models that were recently established by genetic humanization have shown an interesting improvement concerning the study of the immune responses but are still limited by the absence of the complete robust life cycle of the virus. In this review, we will focus on the relevant available animal models of HCV infection and their usefulness for deciphering the HCV life cycle and virus-induced liver disease, as well as for the development and evaluation of new therapeutics. We will also discuss the perspectives on future immunocompetent mouse models and the hurdles to their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Mailly
- Inserm U1110, Université de Strasbourg Strasbourg, France
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