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Cagliani R, Forni D, Sironi M. Mode and tempo of human hepatitis virus evolution. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:1384-1395. [PMID: 31768229 PMCID: PMC6872792 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human viral hepatitis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, is caused by highly diverse viruses with different genetic, ecological, and pathogenetic features. Technological advances that allow throughput sequencing of viral genomes, as well as the development of computational tools to analyze such genome data, have largely expanded our knowledge on the host range and evolutionary history of human hepatitis viruses. Thus, with the exclusion of hepatitis D virus, close or distant relatives of these human pathogens were identified in a number of domestic and wild mammals. Also, sequences of human viral strains isolated from different geographic locations and over different time-spans have allowed the application of phylogeographic and molecular dating approaches to large viral phylogenies. In this review, we summarize the most recent insights into our understanding of the evolutionary events and ecological contexts that determined the origin and spread of human hepatitis viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachele Cagliani
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. MEDEA, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Diego Forni
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. MEDEA, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Manuela Sironi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. MEDEA, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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52
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Replicons of a Rodent Hepatitis C Model Virus Permit Selection of Highly Permissive Cells. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00733-19. [PMID: 31292246 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00733-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal hepaciviruses represent promising surrogate models for hepatitis C virus (HCV), for which there are no efficient immunocompetent animal models. Experimental infection of laboratory rats with rodent hepacivirus isolated from feral Rattus norvegicus (RHV-rn1) mirrors key aspects of HCV infection in humans, including chronicity, hepatitis, and steatosis. Moreover, RHV has been adapted to infect immunocompetent laboratory mice. RHV in vitro systems have not been developed but would enable detailed studies of the virus life cycle crucial for designing animal experiments to model HCV infection. Here, we established efficient RHV-rn1 selectable subgenomic replicons with and without reporter genes. Rat and mouse liver-derived cells did not readily support the complete RHV life cycle, but replicon-containing cell clones could be selected with and without acquired mutations. Replication was significantly enhanced by mutations in NS4B and NS5A and in cell clones cured of replicon RNA. These mutations increased RHV replication of both mono- and bicistronic constructs, and CpG/UpA-dinucleotide optimization of reporter genes allowed replication. Using the replicon system, we show that the RHV-rn1 NS3-4A protease cleaves a human mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein reporter, providing a sensitive readout for virus replication. RHV-rn1 replication was inhibited by the HCV polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and high concentrations of HCV NS5A antivirals but not by NS3 protease inhibitors. The microRNA-122 antagonist miravirsen inhibited RHV-rn1 replication, demonstrating the importance of this HCV host factor for RHV. These novel RHV in vitro systems will be useful for studies of tropism, molecular virology, and characterization of virus-host interactions, thereby providing important complements to in vivo systems.IMPORTANCE A vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is crucial for global control of this important pathogen, which induces fatal human liver diseases. Vaccine development has been hampered by the lack of immunocompetent animal models. Discovery of rodent hepacivirus (RHV) enabled establishment of novel surrogate animal models. These allow robust infection and reverse genetic and immunization studies of laboratory animals, which develop HCV-like chronicity. Currently, there are no RHV in vitro systems available to study tropism and molecular virology. Here, we established the first culture systems for RHV, recapitulating the intracellular phase of the virus life cycle in vitro These replicon systems enabled identification of replication-enhancing mutations and selection of cells highly permissive to RHV replication, which allow study of virus-host interactions. HCV antivirals targeting NS5A, NS5B, and microRNA-122 efficiently inhibited RHV replication. Hence, several important aspects of HCV replication are shared by the rodent virus system, reinforcing its utility as an HCV model.
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53
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Presence of a Novel Subtype of Bovine Hepacivirus in China and Expanded Classification of Bovine Hepacivirus Strains Worldwide into 7 Subtypes. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090843. [PMID: 31514278 PMCID: PMC6784114 DOI: 10.3390/v11090843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The newest member of the Hepacivirus genus, bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV), was first identified in cattle in 2015 and is a novel hepacivirus C virus (HCV)-like virus. This virus has been detected in five countries so far and is classified into four subtypes. Bovine serum is commonly used for cell cultures and is considered the major source of viral contamination of pharmaceutical products. In this study, bovine serum samples were collected from seven countries located in Asia, America, Oceania, and Europe and were tested for BovHepV RNA using nested PCR, in order to: (i) obtain more knowledge on the geographical distribution and subtypes of BovHepV; and (ii) detect the potential contamination of BovHepV in commercial bovine serum samples used for cell culture propagation. The results demonstrated that bovine serum samples from individual donor cattle in China contained BovHepV RNA. After PCR, sequencing, and assembly, the genomes of the Chinese BovHepV strains were obtained. Genetic analysis of the polyprotein gene revealed a protein identity of <77% and a nucleotide identity of <85% between the Chinese BovHepV strains and all other previously reported BovHepV strains. Using cut-off values for determination of HCV genotypes and subtypes, BovHepV strains worldwide were classified into one unique genotype and seven subtypes. The BovHepV strains identified in the present study were classified into a novel subtype, which was provisionally designated subtype G. The genetic relationships among the different BovHepV subtypes were further confirmed through phylogenetic analysis. The present study provides critical insights into BovHepV’s geographical distribution and genetic variability.
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54
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Paim WP, Weber MN, Cibulski SP, da Silva MS, Puhl DE, Budaszewski RF, Varela APM, Mayer FQ, Canal CW. Characterization of the viral genomes present in commercial batches of horse serum obtained by high-throughput sequencing. Biologicals 2019; 61:1-7. [PMID: 31447377 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2019.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Horses are often used as blood donors for commercial horse serum (HS) production and to manufacture biologicals. HS is an alternative for fetal bovine serum (FBS) used as a supplement for cell culture and vaccine production. Furthermore, HS is also frequently obtained in order to produce antisera toxins and pathogens. The advent of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has promoted changes in virus detection, since previous knowledge of targets is not required. Thus, the present study aimed to describe the virome of five different batches of commercial HS from New Zealand (three batches) and Brazil and the United States (one batch each) using HTS. Each HS pool were processed and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequences-related to viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae, Herpesviridae, and Parvoviridae families were detected. Particularly, equine hepacivirus (EqHV), equine pegivirus (EPgV), and Theiler's disease-associated virus (TDAV) were more frequent found in the batches analyzed. The presence of viral genomes in cell culture sera illustrates that these commercial sera can contain a mixture of different viruses and, therefore, can be regarded as potentially infectious for susceptible hosts. Moreover, the innocuity of commercial HS is important for the efficiency and security of diagnostics and the production of biological products.
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Affiliation(s)
- W P Paim
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil
| | - M N Weber
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil
| | - S P Cibulski
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Cellular e Molecular, Centro de Biotecnologia-CBiotec, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - M S da Silva
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil
| | - D E Puhl
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil
| | - R F Budaszewski
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil
| | - A P M Varela
- Equipe de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - F Q Mayer
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Fundação Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária (FEPAGRO), Eldorado Do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - C W Canal
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil.
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55
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Ryll R, Heckel G, Corman VM, Drexler JF, Ulrich RG. Genomic and spatial variability of a European common vole hepevirus. Arch Virol 2019; 164:2671-2682. [PMID: 31399875 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rodents host different orthohepeviruses, namely orthohepevirus C genotype HEV-C1 (rat hepatitis E virus, HEV) and the additional putative genotypes HEV-C3 and HEV-C4. Here, we screened 2,961 rodents from Central Europe by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and identified HEV RNA in 13 common voles (Microtus arvalis) and one bank vole (Myodes glareolus) with detection rates of 2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1-3.4) and 0.08% (95% CI: 0.002-0.46), respectively. Sequencing of a 279-nucleotide RT-PCR amplicon corresponding to a region within open reading frame (ORF) 1 showed a high degree of similarity to recently described common vole-associated HEV (cvHEV) sequences from Hungary. Five novel complete cvHEV genome sequences from Central Europe showed the typical HEV genome organization with ORF1, ORF2 and ORF3 and RNA secondary structure. Uncommon features included a noncanonical start codon in ORF3, multiple insertions and deletions within ORF1 and ORF2/ORF3, and the absence of a putative ORF4. Phylogenetic analysis showed all of the novel cvHEV sequences to be monophyletic, clustering most closely with an unassigned bird-derived sequence and other sequences of the species Orthohepevirus C. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence divergence of the common vole-derived sequences was significantly correlated with the spatial distance between the trapping sites, indicating mostly local evolutionary processes. Detection of closely related HEV sequences in common voles in multiple localities over a distance of 800 kilometers suggested that common voles are infected by cvHEV across broad geographic distances. The common vole-associated HEV strain is clearly divergent from HEV sequences recently found in narrow-headed voles (Microtus gregalis) and other cricetid rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Ryll
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Gerald Heckel
- University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Batiment Genopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Victor M Corman
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10098, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10098, Berlin, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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56
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Chu L, Jin M, Feng C, Wang X, Zhang D. A highly divergent hepacivirus-like flavivirus in domestic ducks. J Gen Virol 2019; 100:1234-1240. [PMID: 31282853 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Using random amplification and reverse transcription-PCR, a novel RNA virus was detected in sera of domestic ducks. The full genome of the virus was determined for three strains, identifying the first hepacivirus-like flavivirus in birds. The virus, that we tentatively named duck hepacivirus-like virus (DuHV), possesses several unique molecular features, such as possession of the largest hepacivirus-like polyprotein gene and a Pegivirus A-like internal ribosome entry site. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic and sliding-window analyses indicated that DuHV is most closely related to, but highly divergent from, the known hepaciviruses. DuHV was detected in 69.7 % of 185 serum samples from four duck species and in 31 of 33 flocks from five provinces of China, reflecting a high prevalence in duck populations and a wide geographical distribution. The detection of DuHV in the same flock in November 2018 and April 2019 suggested that persistent infection can be established in the infected ducks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Chu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Meiling Jin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Chonglun Feng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Dabing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, PR China
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57
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Feng H, Sander AL, Moreira-Soto A, Yamane D, Drexler JF, Lemon SM. Hepatovirus 3ABC proteases and evolution of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS). J Hepatol 2019; 71:25-34. [PMID: 30876947 PMCID: PMC6581616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Unlike other hepatitis viruses that have infected primates for millions of years, hepatitis A virus (HAV) likely entered human populations only 10-12 thousand years ago after jumping from a rodent host. The phylogeny of modern hepatoviruses that infect rodents and bats suggest that multiple similar host shifts have occurred in the past. The factors determining such shifts are unknown, but the capacity to overcome innate antiviral responses in a foreign species is likely key. METHODS We assessed the capacity of diverse hepatovirus 3ABC proteases to cleave mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) and disrupt antiviral signaling in HEK293 and human hepatocyte-derived cell lines. We also applied maximum-likelihood and Bayesian algorithms to identify sites of diversifying selection in MAVS orthologs from 75 chiropteran, rodent and primate species. RESULTS 3ABC proteases from bat, but not rodent hepatoviruses efficiently cleaved human MAVS at Glu463/Gly464, disrupting virus activation of the interferon-β promoter, whereas human HAV 3ABC cleaved at Gln427/Val428. In contrast, MAVS orthologs from rodents and bats were resistant to cleavage by 3ABC proteases of cognate hepatoviruses and in several cases human HAV. A search for diversifying selection among MAVS orthologs from all 3 orders revealed 90 of ∼540 residues to be under positive selection, including residues in chiropteran MAVS that align with the site of cleavage of human MAVS by bat 3ABC proteases. CONCLUSIONS 3ABC protease cleavage of MAVS is a conserved attribute of hepatoviruses, acting broadly across different mammalian species and associated with evidence of diversifying selection at cleavage sites in rodent and bat MAVS orthologs. The capacity of hepatoviruses to disrupt MAVS-mediated innate immune responses has shaped evolution of both hepatoviruses and their hosts, and facilitates cross-species transmission of hepatitis A. LAY SUMMARY Hepatitis A virus, a common cause of acute hepatitis globally, is likely to have evolved from a virus that jumped from a rodent species to humans within the last 10-12 thousand years. Here we show that distantly related hepatoviruses, that infect bats and rodents today, express proteases that disrupt innate antiviral responses in human cells. This conserved attribute of hepatoviruses may have contributed to that ancient host species shift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Feng
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Anna-Lena Sander
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrés Moreira-Soto
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daisuke Yamane
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung), Berlin, Germany
| | - Stanley M Lemon
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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58
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Detection and characterization of a novel hepacivirus in long-tailed ground squirrels (Spermophilus undulatus) in China. Arch Virol 2019; 164:2401-2410. [PMID: 31243554 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04303-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Rodent populations are known to be reservoirs of viruses with the potential to infect humans. However, a large number of such viruses remain undiscovered. In this study, we investigated the shedding of unknown viruses in long-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus undulatus) feces by high-throughput sequencing. A novel and highly divergent virus related to members of the genus Hepacivirus was identified in ground squirrel liver. This virus, tentatively named RHV-GS2015, was found to have a genome organization that is typical of hepaciviruses, including a long open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 2763 aa. Sequence alignment of RHV-GS2015 with the most closely related hepaciviruses yielded p-distances of the NS3 and NS5B regions of 0.546 and 0.476, respectively, supporting the conclusion that RHV-GS2015 is a member of a new hepacivirus species, which we propose to be named "Hepacivirus P". Phylogenetic analysis of the NS3 and NS5B regions indicated that RHV-GS2015 shares common ancestry with other rodent hepaciviruses (species Hepacivirus E, and species Hepacivirus F), Norway rat hepacivirus 1 (species Hepacivirus G), and Norway rat hepacivirus 2 (species Hepacivirus H). A phylogenetic tree including the seven previously identified rodent hepaciviruses revealed extreme genetic heterogeneity among these viruses. RHV-GS2015 was detected in 7 out of 12 ground squirrel pools and was present in liver, lung, and spleen tissues. Furthermore, livers showed extremely high viral loads of RHV-GS2015, ranging from 2.5 × 106 to 2.0 × 108 copies/g. It is reasonable to assume that this novel virus is hepatotropic, like hepatitis C virus. The discovery of RHV-GS2015 extends our knowledge of the genetic diversity and host range of hepaciviruses, helping to elucidate their origins and evolution.
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Abstract
Although viruses comprise the most abundant genetic material in the biosphere, to date only several thousand virus species have been formally defined. Such a limited perspective on virus diversity has in part arisen because viruses were traditionally considered only as etiologic agents of overt disease in humans or economically important species and were often difficult to identify using cell culture. This view has dramatically changed with the rise of metagenomics, which is transforming virus discovery and revealing a remarkable diversity of viruses sampled from diverse cellular organisms. These newly discovered viruses help fill major gaps in the evolutionary history of viruses, revealing a near continuum of diversity among genera, families, and even orders of RNA viruses. Herein, we review some of the recent advances in our understanding of the RNA virosphere that have stemmed from metagenomics, note future directions, and highlight some of the remaining challenges to this rapidly developing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Zhen Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; .,Department of Zoonosis, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yan-Mei Chen
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; .,Department of Zoonosis, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Department of Zoonosis, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xin-Chen Qin
- Department of Zoonosis, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; .,Department of Zoonosis, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing 102206, China.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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60
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Figueiredo AS, de Moraes MVDS, Soares CC, Chalhoub FLL, de Filippis AMB, Dos Santos DRL, de Almeida FQ, Godoi TLOS, de Souza AM, Burdman TR, de Lemos ERS, Dos Reis JKP, Cruz OG, Pinto MA. First description of Theiler's disease-associated virus infection and epidemiological investigation of equine pegivirus and equine hepacivirus coinfection in Brazil. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:1737-1751. [PMID: 31017727 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in the study of equine pegivirus (EPgV), Theiler's disease-associated virus (TDAV) and equine hepacivirus (EqHV) highlight their importance to veterinary and human health. To gain some insight into virus distribution, possible risk factors, presence of liver damage and genetic variability of these viruses in Brazil, we performed a cross-sectional study of EPgV and TDAV infections using a simultaneous detection assay, and assessed EqHV coinfection in different horse cohorts. Of the 500 serum samples screened, TDAV, EPgV and EPgV-EqHV were present in 1.6%, 14.2% and 18.3%, respectively. EPgV-positive horses were present in four Brazilian states: Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. Serum biochemical alterations were present in 40.4% of EPgV-infected horses, two of them presenting current liver injury. Chance of infection was 2.7 times higher in horses ≤5 years old (p = 0.0008) and 4.9 times higher in horses raised under intensive production systems (p = 0.0009). EPgV-EqHV coinfection was 75% less likely in horses older than 5 years comparatively to those with ≤5 years old (p = 0.047). TDAV-positive animals were detected in different horse categories without biochemical alteration. Nucleotide sequences were highly conserved among isolates from this study and previous field and commercial product isolates (≥88% identity). Tree topology revealed the formation of two clades (pp = 1) for both EPgV and TDAV NS3 partial sequences. In conclusion, the widespread presence of EPgV-RNA suggests an enzootic infection with subclinical viremia in Brazil. Horse management can influence virus spread. This first report of TDAV-infected horses outside the USA reveals the existence of subclinical viremic horses in distant geographical regions. EPgV and TDAV have similar circulating isolates worldwide. These findings contribute to global efforts to understand the epidemiology and pathogenesis of these equine viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreza Soriano Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tatianne Leme Oliveira Santos Godoi
- Coordenação de Produção Integrada ao Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão, Reitoria, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aline Moreira de Souza
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica e Diagnóstico Molecular Professor Marcílio Dias do Nascimento, Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Rozental Burdman
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Marcelo Alves Pinto
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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61
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A Novel Hepacivirus in Wild Rodents from South America. Viruses 2019; 11:v11030297. [PMID: 30909631 PMCID: PMC6466192 DOI: 10.3390/v11030297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hepacivirus genus comprises single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses within the family Flaviviridae. Several hepaciviruses have been identified in different mammals, including multiple rodent species in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. To date, no rodent hepacivirus has been identified in the South American continent. Here, we describe an unknown hepacivirus discovered during a metagenomic screen in Akodon montensis, Calomys tener, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Necromys lasiurus, and Mus musculus from São Paulo State, Brazil. Molecular detection of this novel hepacivirus by RT-PCR showed a frequency of 11.11% (2/18) in Oligoryzomys nigripes. This is the first identification of hepavivirus in sigmondonine rodents and in rodents from South America. In sum, our results expand the host range, viral diversity, and geographical distribution of the Hepacivirus genus.
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Rasche A, Sander AL, Corman VM, Drexler JF. Evolutionary biology of human hepatitis viruses. J Hepatol 2019; 70:501-520. [PMID: 30472320 PMCID: PMC7114834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis viruses are major threats to human health. During the last decade, highly diverse viruses related to human hepatitis viruses were found in animals other than primates. Herein, we describe both surprising conservation and striking differences of the unique biological properties and infection patterns of human hepatitis viruses and their animal homologues, including transmission routes, liver tropism, oncogenesis, chronicity, pathogenesis and envelopment. We discuss the potential for translation of newly discovered hepatitis viruses into preclinical animal models for drug testing, studies on pathogenesis and vaccine development. Finally, we re-evaluate the evolutionary origins of human hepatitis viruses and discuss the past and present zoonotic potential of their animal homologues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rasche
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Sander
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Max Corman
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany.
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63
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Guo H, Cai C, Wang B, Zhuo F, Jiang R, Wang N, Li B, Zhang W, Zhu Y, Fan Y, Chen W, Chen W, Yang X, Shi Z. Novel hepacivirus in Asian house shrew, China. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2019; 62:701-704. [PMID: 30701456 PMCID: PMC7088713 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-018-9435-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hua Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Chunlin Cai
- Luohu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Bo Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fei Zhuo
- Luohu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Rendi Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Ning Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Bei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yi Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Wushen Chen
- Luohu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Weihong Chen
- Luohu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Xinglou Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Zhengli Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
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Abstract
In spite of the immense progress in hepatitis C virus (HCV) research, efforts to prevent infection, such as generating a vaccine, have not yet been successful. The high price tag associated with current treatment options for chronic infection and the spike in new infections concurrent with growing opioid abuse are strong motivators for developing effective immunization and understanding neutralizing antibodies' role in preventing infection. Humanized mice-both human liver chimeras as well as genetically humanized models-are important platforms for testing both possible vaccine candidates as well as antibody-based therapies. This chapter details the variety of ways humanized mouse technology can be employed in pursuit of learning how HCV infection can be prevented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Gaska
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Qiang Ding
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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Schlottau K, Fereidouni S, Beer M, Hoffmann B. Molecular identification and characterization of nonprimate hepaciviruses in equines. Arch Virol 2018; 164:391-400. [PMID: 30361815 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-018-4077-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the genus Hepacivirus, family Flaviviridae. Its genome has a length of 9.6 kb and encodes a single polyprotein flanked by two untranslated regions. HCV can cause liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and approximately 2% of the world's population is chronically infected. The investigation of pathogenesis is complicated due to the lack of an animal model. The origin of this virus remains unclear, but in the last few years, relatives of HCV were initially identified in dogs and later in horses, rodents, bats and Old World monkeys. Non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV), which infects dogs and horses, is the closest relative to HCV. We established a pan-reactive "panHepaci"-RT-qPCR assay, which is able to detect human HCV as well as equine NPHV, and additionally, an equine-specific "equHepaci"-RT-qPCR for confirmation of positive results. Serum samples from 1158 clinically inconspicuous horses from Germany and several samples from other mammalian species were screened. We found 2.4% of the horses positive for hepacivirus RNA, and furthermore, the "panHepaci"-RT-qPCR assay also detected a hepacivirus in a donkey from Egypt. This virus had only 78% sequence identity in the E2 gene when compared to other known NPHVs. The established method could be useful for screening purposes, since it is likely that related hepaciviruses also occur in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kore Schlottau
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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Wu Z, Lu L, Du J, Yang L, Ren X, Liu B, Jiang J, Yang J, Dong J, Sun L, Zhu Y, Li Y, Zheng D, Zhang C, Su H, Zheng Y, Zhou H, Zhu G, Li H, Chmura A, Yang F, Daszak P, Wang J, Liu Q, Jin Q. Comparative analysis of rodent and small mammal viromes to better understand the wildlife origin of emerging infectious diseases. MICROBIOME 2018; 6:178. [PMID: 30285857 PMCID: PMC6171170 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-018-0554-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodents represent around 43% of all mammalian species, are widely distributed, and are the natural reservoirs of a diverse group of zoonotic viruses, including hantaviruses, Lassa viruses, and tick-borne encephalitis viruses. Thus, analyzing the viral diversity harbored by rodents could assist efforts to predict and reduce the risk of future emergence of zoonotic viral diseases. RESULTS We used next-generation sequencing metagenomic analysis to survey for a range of mammalian viral families in rodents and other small animals of the orders Rodentia, Lagomorpha, and Soricomorpha in China. We sampled 3,055 small animals from 20 provinces and then outlined the spectra of mammalian viruses within these individuals and the basic ecological and genetic characteristics of novel rodent and shrew viruses among the viral spectra. Further analysis revealed that host taxonomy plays a primary role and geographical location plays a secondary role in determining viral diversity. Many viruses were reported for the first time with distinct evolutionary lineages, and viruses related to known human or animal pathogens were identified. Phylogram comparison between viruses and hosts indicated that host shifts commonly happened in many different species during viral evolutionary history. CONCLUSIONS These results expand our understanding of the viromes of rodents and insectivores in China and suggest that there is high diversity of viruses awaiting discovery in these species in Asia. These findings, combined with our previous bat virome data, greatly increase our knowledge of the viral community in wildlife in a densely populated country in an emerging disease hotspot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang Du
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Yang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianwen Ren
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Liu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyong Jiang
- Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Puer, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Yang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Dong
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lilian Sun
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yafang Zhu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhui Li
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Zheng
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Zhang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoxiang Su
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting Zheng
- Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Puer, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongning Zhou
- Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Puer, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | - Fan Yang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Jianwei Wang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qi Jin
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Hepacivirus A Infection in Horses Defines Distinct Envelope Hypervariable Regions and Elucidates Potential Roles of Viral Strain and Adaptive Immune Status in Determining Envelope Diversity and Infection Outcome. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.00314-18. [PMID: 29976666 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00314-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepacivirus A (also known as nonprimate hepacivirus and equine hepacivirus) is a hepatotropic virus that can cause both transient and persistent infections in horses. The evolution of intrahost viral populations (quasispecies) has not been studied in detail for hepacivirus A, and its roles in immune evasion and persistence are unknown. To address these knowledge gaps, we first evaluated the envelope gene (E1 and E2) diversity of two different hepacivirus A strains (WSU and CU) in longitudinal blood samples from experimentally infected adult horses, juvenile horses (foals), and foals with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Persistent infection with the WSU strain was associated with significantly greater quasispecies diversity than that observed in horses who spontaneously cleared infection (P = 0.0002) or in SCID foals (P < 0.0001). In contrast, the CU strain was able to persist despite significantly lower (P < 0.0001) and relatively static envelope diversity. These findings indicate that envelope diversity is a poor predictor of hepacivirus A infection outcomes and could be dependent on strain-specific factors. Next, entropy analysis was performed on all E1/E2 genes entered into GenBank. This analysis defined three novel hypervariable regions (HVRs) in E2, at residues 391 to 402 (HVR1), 450 to 461 (HVR2), and 550 to 562 (HVR3). For the experimentally infected horses, entropy analysis focusing on the HVRs demonstrated that these regions were under increased selective pressure during persistent infection. Increased diversity in the HVRs was also temporally associated with seroconversion in some horses, suggesting that these regions may be targets of neutralizing antibody and may play a role in immune evasion.IMPORTANCE Hepacivirus C (hepatitis C virus) is estimated to infect 150 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In contrast, its closest relative, hepacivirus A, causes relatively mild disease in horses and is frequently cleared. The relationship between quasispecies evolution and infection outcome has not been explored for hepacivirus A. To address this knowledge gap, we examined envelope gene diversity in horses with resolving and persistent infections. Interestingly, two strain-specific patterns of quasispecies diversity emerged. Persistence of the WSU strain was associated with increased quasispecies diversity and the accumulation of amino acid changes within three novel hypervariable regions following seroconversion. These findings provided evidence that envelope gene mutation is influenced by adaptive immune pressure and may contribute to hepacivirus persistence. However, the CU strain persisted despite relative evolutionary stasis, suggesting that some hepacivirus strains may use alternative mechanisms to persist in the host.
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Trivedi S, Murthy S, Sharma H, Hartlage AS, Kumar A, Gadi S, Simmonds P, Chauhan LV, Scheel TKH, Billerbeck E, Burbelo PD, Rice CM, Lipkin WI, Vandergrift K, Cullen JM, Kapoor A. Viral persistence, liver disease, and host response in a hepatitis C-like virus rat model. Hepatology 2018; 68:435-448. [PMID: 28859226 PMCID: PMC5832584 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The lack of a relevant, tractable, and immunocompetent animal model for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has severely impeded investigations of viral persistence, immunity, and pathogenesis. In the absence of immunocompetent models with robust HCV infection, homolog hepaciviruses in their natural host could potentially provide useful surrogate models. We isolated a rodent hepacivirus from wild rats (Rattus norvegicus), RHV-rn1; acquired the complete viral genome sequence; and developed an infectious reverse genetics system. RHV-rn1 resembles HCV in genomic features including the pattern of polyprotein cleavage sites and secondary structures in the viral 5' and 3' untranslated regions. We used site-directed and random mutagenesis to determine that only the first of the two microRNA-122 seed sites in the viral 5' untranslated region is required for viral replication and persistence in rats. Next, we used the clone-derived virus progeny to infect several inbred and outbred rat strains. Our results determined that RHV-rn1 possesses several HCV-defining hallmarks: hepatotropism, propensity to persist, and the ability to induce gradual liver damage. Histological examination of liver samples revealed the presence of lymphoid aggregates, parenchymal inflammation, and macrovesicular and microvesicular steatosis in chronically infected rats. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that the intrahepatic response during RHV-rn1 infection in rats mirrors that of HCV infection, including persistent activation of interferon signaling pathways. Finally, we determined that the backbone drug of HCV direct-acting antiviral therapy, sofosbuvir, effectively suppresses chronic RHV-rn1 infection in rats. CONCLUSION We developed RHV-rn1-infected rats as a fully immunocompetent and informative surrogate model to delineate the mechanisms of HCV-related viral persistence, immunity, and pathogenesis. (Hepatology 2018).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheetal Trivedi
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Satyapramod Murthy
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Himanshu Sharma
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Alex S. Hartlage
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA,Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Sashi Gadi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Lokendra V. Chauhan
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Troels K. H. Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark,Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065
| | - Eva Billerbeck
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065
| | | | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065
| | - W. Ian Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kurt Vandergrift
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - John M. Cullen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210,Corresponding author. , Amit Kapoor, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
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69
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Badenhorst M, Tegtmeyer B, Todt D, Guthrie A, Feige K, Campe A, Steinmann E, Cavalleri JMV. First detection and frequent occurrence of Equine Hepacivirus in horses on the African continent. Vet Microbiol 2018; 223:51-58. [PMID: 30173752 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of equine hepacivirus (EqHV) in 2011, the virus has been detected in horse populations from more than twelve countries across five continents. EqHV seroprevalence has been reported to be as high as 61.8% and EqHV ribonucleic acid (RNA) prevalence to range between 0.9% and 34.1%. Molecular and serological indications of EqHV infection have never been reported in equids on the African continent. Therefore, investigation of EqHV prevalence in South African horses and subsequent viral genetic characterization contribute to a better understanding of the global epidemiology of this virus. In a cross-sectional study, serum samples from 454 Thoroughbred foals (aged 58-183 days) were analysed for anti-EqHV non-structural protein 3 (NS3)-specific antibodies (abs) with a luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) and for EqHV RNA by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Farms of origin (n = 26) were situated in South Africa's Western Cape Province. The associations between EqHV infection state and farm of origin, foal gender and foal age were subsequently described. Furthermore, nested PCRs were performed on parts of the 5'UTR, NS3 and NS5B genes of 17 samples. Samples were sequenced and phylogenetic analyses were conducted. The population's seroprevalence was 83.70% and RNA was detected in 7.93% of samples. Increasing foal age was associated with decreasing ab prevalence and increasing prevalence of EqHV RNA. Sequences from South African EqHV strains did not show in-depth clustering with published sequences of EqHV isolates from particular continents. In conclusion, EqHV is present in the South African Thoroughbred population and appears more prevalent than reported in other horse populations worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcha Badenhorst
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, Pretoria, South Africa; Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birthe Tegtmeyer
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Medical School Hannover (MHH) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Medical School Hannover (MHH) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Alan Guthrie
- Equine Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Karsten Feige
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Amely Campe
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Medical School Hannover (MHH) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Jessika M V Cavalleri
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, Pretoria, South Africa; Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria; Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
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70
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Schlottau K, Wernike K, Forth L, Holsteg M, Höper D, Beer M, Hoffmann B. Presence of two different bovine hepacivirus clusters in Germany. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65:1705-1711. [PMID: 29971937 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
During the last years, genetic information of hepaciviruses (family Flaviviridae), whose type species is the human hepatitis C virus, was detected in a wide range of primates and non-primate vertebrates. Here, samples collected from 263 German cattle kept in 22 different holdings were analysed for the presence of hepacivirus N (syn. bovine hepacivirus; BovHepV). One hundred eighty-six cattle that suffered from unspecific clinical signs such as fever and a reduced milk yield as well as 77 apparently healthy animals were included. A total of 39 cattle (14.8%) tested positive for BovHepV by real-time RT-PCR, but a correlation between clinical signs and virus infection could not be found. From 31 of the virus-positive samples, sequences of the NS3 coding region were generated and from two samples, viral sequences of the complete coding region were produced and compared to further European and African BovHepV sequences. Based on the NS3 genomic region, two distinct German BovHepV clusters were identified which differed between each other up to 20% at the nucleotide level, the diversity within the individual clusters reached up to 10%. Based on the full-length sequences, the newly detected virus variants group together with further German and African viruses in a sister relationship to other hepaciviruses from primates and further mammalians, but form distinct clusters within the BovHepV branch. In conclusion, highly diverse hepaciviruses were detected in German cattle further expanding the known phylogenetic diversity of the genus Hepacivirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kore Schlottau
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Leonie Forth
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Mark Holsteg
- Chamber of Agriculture for North Rhine-Westphalia, Bovine Health Service, Bad Sassendorf, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
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da Silva MS, Junqueira DM, Baumbach LF, Cibulski SP, Mósena ACS, Weber MN, Silveira S, de Moraes GM, Maia RD, Coimbra VCS, Canal CW. Comprehensive evolutionary and phylogenetic analysis of Hepacivirus N (HNV). J Gen Virol 2018; 99:890-896. [DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. S. da Silva
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090 - Agronomia, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - D. M. Junqueira
- Centro Universitário Ritter dos Reis – UniRitter, Rua Orfanotrófio, 555 - Santa Tereza, Porto Alegre – RS, CEP 90840-440. Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - L. F. Baumbach
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090 - Agronomia, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - S. P. Cibulski
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090 - Agronomia, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - A. C. S. Mósena
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090 - Agronomia, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - M. N. Weber
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090 - Agronomia, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - S. Silveira
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090 - Agronomia, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - G. M. de Moraes
- Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - R. D. Maia
- Instituto de Defesa e Inspeção Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte (IDIARN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - V. C. S. Coimbra
- Agência Estadual de Defesa Agropecuária do Maranhão (AGED-MA), São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - C. W. Canal
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090 - Agronomia, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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72
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Ecological drivers of Hepacivirus infection in a neotropical rodent inhabiting landscapes with various degrees of human environmental change. Oecologia 2018; 188:289-302. [PMID: 29936542 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4210-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic environmental change can impact community and population traits such as species diversity and population densities, which have been shown to influence the prevalence of viruses in wildlife reservoirs. In particular, host species resilient to changes in their natural habitat may increase in numbers, which in turn can affect the prevalence of directly transmitted viruses. We have carried out a survey of small mammal communities in three tropical landscapes differing in their degree of environmental change in Central Panama and investigated the effects of community changes on Hepacivirus prevalence. The modification of continuous habitat into partly connected or isolated habitat patches during the past century was linked to changes in species diversity and species assemblages, which was further associated with shifts in the abundance of generalist marsupial (Didelphis marsupialis, Philander opossum) and rodent (Proechimys semispinosus) species. The latter has become dominant in isolated habitat patches and was the only identified Hepacivirus host in our study system. Our analyses suggest that, in addition to the effects of host age and sex, host population density in interaction with sex ratio is a crucial predictor of infection probability. Although we found no significant relationships between species diversity per se and infection probability, the lowest prevalence detected in the landscape with the highest species diversity indicates that shifts in species assemblages (e.g. changes in the presence and abundance of marsupial predators) impact the host's intraspecific contact rates, the probability of virus transmission and, thus, the virus prevalence. Our study additionally provides important data on the influence of human-induced landscape changes on infection probability and, therefore, on virus prevalence in wildlife and emphasizes the importance of a landscape-scale approach with concomitant consideration of the complex interactions between ecological factors.
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73
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The Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Bovine Hepacivirus in China. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:6216853. [PMID: 29955606 PMCID: PMC6000834 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6216853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepacivirus has been identified in cattle in Africa, Europe, and South America. In this survey of bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) in 131 serum samples from Chinese cattle herds using RT-PCR, five of 131 sera were BovHepV positive, with the infection rate of 3.82%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial NS3 coding sequence showed that the BovHepV of the five positive samples clustered with other BovHepV but formed a separate branch. The results indicated that these new BovHepV represent emerging and novel strains. Further investigations are necessary to determine the epidemiology and viral pathogenesis of these BovHepV strains, as well as the potential threat to ruminant and livestock workers in China.
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74
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Burm R, Collignon L, Mesalam AA, Meuleman P. Animal Models to Study Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1032. [PMID: 29867998 PMCID: PMC5960670 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
With more than 71 million chronically infected people, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major global health concern. Although new direct acting antivirals have significantly improved the rate of HCV cure, high therapy cost, potential emergence of drug-resistant viral variants, and unavailability of a protective vaccine represent challenges for complete HCV eradication. Relevant animal models are required, and additional development remains necessary, to effectively study HCV biology, virus–host interactions and for the evaluation of new antiviral approaches and prophylactic vaccines. The chimpanzee, the only non-human primate susceptible to experimental HCV infection, has been used extensively to study HCV infection, particularly to analyze the innate and adaptive immune response upon infection. However, financial, practical, and especially ethical constraints have urged the exploration of alternative small animal models. These include different types of transgenic mice, immunodeficient mice of which the liver is engrafted with human hepatocytes (humanized mice) and, more recently, immunocompetent rodents that are susceptible to infection with viruses that are closely related to HCV. In this review, we provide an overview of the currently available animal models that have proven valuable for the study of HCV, and discuss their main benefits and weaknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani Burm
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Laura Collignon
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Ahmed Atef Mesalam
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.,Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre (NRC), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
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75
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Forni D, Cagliani R, Pontremoli C, Pozzoli U, Vertemara J, De Gioia L, Clerici M, Sironi M. Evolutionary Analysis Provides Insight Into the Origin and Adaptation of HCV. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:854. [PMID: 29765366 PMCID: PMC5938362 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) belongs to the Hepacivirus genus and is genetically heterogeneous, with seven major genotypes further divided into several recognized subtypes. HCV origin was previously dated in a range between ∼200 and 1000 years ago. Hepaciviruses have been identified in several domestic and wild mammals, the largest viral diversity being observed in bats and rodents. The closest relatives of HCV were found in horses/donkeys (equine hepaciviruses, EHV). However, the origin of HCV as a human pathogen is still an unsolved puzzle. Using a selection-informed evolutionary model, we show that the common ancestor of extant HCV genotypes existed at least 3000 years ago (CI: 3192–5221 years ago), with the oldest genotypes being endemic to Asia. EHV originated around 1100 CE (CI: 291–1640 CE). These time estimates exclude that EHV transmission was mainly sustained by widespread veterinary practices and suggest that HCV originated from a single zoonotic event with subsequent diversification in human populations. We also describe a number of biologically important sites in the major HCV genotypes that have been positively selected and indicate that drug resistance-associated variants are significantly enriched at positively selected sites. HCV exploits several cell-surface molecules for cell entry, but only two of these (CD81 and OCLN) determine the species-specificity of infection. Herein evolutionary analyses do not support a long-standing association between primates and hepaciviruses, and signals of positive selection at CD81 were only observed in Chiroptera. No evidence of selection was detected for OCLN in any mammalian order. These results shed light on the origin of HCV and provide a catalog of candidate genetic modulators of HCV phenotypic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Forni
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Rachele Cagliani
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Chiara Pontremoli
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Uberto Pozzoli
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Jacopo Vertemara
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca De Gioia
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Clerici
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Don C. Gnocchi Foundation Onlus, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Sironi
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.Medea, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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76
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Roles of the 5' Untranslated Region of Nonprimate Hepacivirus in Translation Initiation and Viral Replication. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01997-17. [PMID: 29343570 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01997-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The 5' untranslated region (UTR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is composed of four domains (I, II, III, and IV) and a pseudoknot, is essential for translation and viral replication. Equine nonprimate hepacivirus (EHcV) harbors a 5' UTR consisting of a large 5'-terminal domain (I); three additional domains (I', II, and III), which are homologous to domains I, II, and III, respectively, of HCV; and a pseudoknot, in the order listed. In this study, we investigated the roles of the EHcV 5' UTR in translation and viral replication. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity of the EHcV 5' UTR was lower than that of the HCV 5' UTR in several cell lines due to structural differences in domain III. Domains I and III of EHcV were functional in the HCV 5' UTR in terms of IRES activity and the replication of the subgenomic replicon (SGR), although domain II was not exchangeable between EHcV and HCV for SGR replication. Furthermore, the region spanning domains I and I' of EHcV (the 5'-proximal EHcV-specific region) improved RNA stability and provided the HCV SGR with microRNA 122 (miR-122)-independent replication capability, while EHcV domain I alone improved SGR replication and RNA stability irrespective of miR-122. These data suggest that the region spanning EHcV domains I and I' improves RNA stability and viral replication regardless of miR-122 expression. The 5'-proximal EHcV-specific region may represent an inherent mechanism to facilitate viral replication in nonhepatic tissues.IMPORTANCE EHcV is the closest viral homolog to HCV among other hepaciviruses. HCV exhibits a narrow host range and liver-specific tropism, while epidemiological reports suggest that EHcV infects the liver and respiratory organs in horses, donkeys, and dogs. However, the mechanism explaining the differences in host or organ tropism between HCV and EHcV is unknown. In this study, our data suggest that the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of EHcV is composed of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that is functionally exchangeable with HCV IRES elements. Furthermore, the 5'-proximal EHcV-specific region enhances viral replication and RNA stability in a miR-122-independent manner. Our data suggest that the region upstream of domain II in the EHcV 5' UTR contributes to the differences in tissue tropism observed between these hepaciviruses.
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77
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Van Nguyen D, Van Nguyen C, Bonsall D, Ngo TT, Carrique-Mas J, Pham AH, Bryant JE, Thwaites G, Baker S, Woolhouse M, Simmonds P. Detection and Characterization of Homologues of Human Hepatitis Viruses and Pegiviruses in Rodents and Bats in Vietnam. Viruses 2018; 10:v10030102. [PMID: 29495551 PMCID: PMC5869495 DOI: 10.3390/v10030102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents and bats are now widely recognised as important sources of zoonotic virus infections in other mammals, including humans. Numerous surveys have expanded our knowledge of diverse viruses in a range of rodent and bat species, including their origins, evolution, and range of hosts. In this study of pegivirus and human hepatitis-related viruses, liver and serum samples from Vietnamese rodents and bats were examined by PCR and sequencing. Nucleic acids homologous to human hepatitis B, C, E viruses were detected in liver samples of 2 (1.3%) of 157 bats, 38 (8.1%), and 14 (3%) of 470 rodents, respectively. Hepacivirus-like viruses were frequently detected (42.7%) in the bamboo rat, Rhizomys pruinosus, while pegivirus RNA was only evident in 2 (0.3%) of 638 rodent serum samples. Complete or near-complete genome sequences of HBV, HEV and pegivirus homologues closely resembled those previously reported from rodents and bats. However, complete coding region sequences of the rodent hepacivirus-like viruses substantially diverged from all of the currently classified variants and potentially represent a new species in the Hepacivirus genus. Of the viruses identified, their routes of transmission and potential to establish zoonoses remain to be determined.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Chiroptera/virology
- Genome, Viral
- Hepatitis Viruses/classification
- Hepatitis Viruses/genetics
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal/diagnosis
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal/epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal/virology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/diagnosis
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/virology
- Humans
- Phylogeny
- Public Health Surveillance
- RNA, Viral
- Rodentia/virology
- Vietnam/epidemiology
- Zoonoses/epidemiology
- Zoonoses/virology
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Affiliation(s)
- Dung Van Nguyen
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK.
| | - Cuong Van Nguyen
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
| | - David Bonsall
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK.
| | - Tue Tri Ngo
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
| | - Juan Carrique-Mas
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK.
| | - Anh Hong Pham
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
| | - Juliet E Bryant
- Fondation Mérieux, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), 69365 Lyon CEDEX 07, France.
| | - Guy Thwaites
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK.
| | - Stephen Baker
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK.
- The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Mark Woolhouse
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK.
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK.
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78
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Boukadida C, Fritz M, Blumen B, Fogeron ML, Penin F, Martin A. NS2 proteases from hepatitis C virus and related hepaciviruses share composite active sites and previously unrecognized intrinsic proteolytic activities. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1006863. [PMID: 29415072 PMCID: PMC5819835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the recent years, several homologues with varying degrees of genetic relatedness to hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified in a wide range of mammalian species. HCV infectious life cycle relies on a first critical proteolytic event of its single polyprotein, which is carried out by nonstructural protein 2 (NS2) and allows replicase assembly and genome replication. In this study, we characterized and evaluated the conservation of the proteolytic mode of action and regulatory mechanisms of NS2 across HCV and animal hepaciviruses. We first demonstrated that NS2 from equine, bat, rodent, New and Old World primate hepaciviruses also are cysteine proteases. Using tagged viral protein precursors and catalytic triad mutants, NS2 of equine NPHV and simian GBV-B, which are the most closely and distantly related viruses to HCV, respectively, were shown to function, like HCV NS2 as dimeric proteases with two composite active sites. Consistent with the reported essential role for NS3 N-terminal domain (NS3N) as HCV NS2 protease cofactor via NS3N key hydrophobic surface patch, we showed by gain/loss of function mutagenesis studies that some heterologous hepacivirus NS3N may act as cofactors for HCV NS2 provided that HCV-like hydrophobic residues are conserved. Unprecedently, however, we also observed efficient intrinsic proteolytic activity of NS2 protease in the absence of NS3 moiety in the context of C-terminal tag fusions via flexible linkers both in transiently transfected cells for all hepaciviruses studied and in the context of HCV dicistronic full-length genomes. These findings suggest that NS3N acts as a regulatory rather than essential cofactor for hepacivirus NS2 protease. Overall, unique features of NS2 including enzymatic function as dimers with two composite active sites and additional NS3-independent proteolytic activity are conserved across hepaciviruses regardless of their genetic distances, highlighting their functional significance in hepacivirus life cycle. Despite remarkable progress in the development of therapeutic options, more than 70 million individuals are chronically infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide and major challenges in basic and translational research remain. Phylogenetically-related HCV homologues have recently been identified in the wild in several mammalian species, whose host restriction and potential for zoonosis remain largely unknown. We comparatively characterized the functions and properties of nonstructural proteins 2 (NS2) from several animal hepaciviruses and HCV. We demonstrated that NS2 from animal hepaciviruses, like HCV NS2, are cysteine proteases, which function as dimers with two composite active sites to ensure a key proteolytic event of the single viral polyprotein at the NS2/NS3 junction. In addition to the activation of HCV NS2 protease by NS3 N-terminal domain, our data revealed a novel NS3-independent substrate specificity and efficient intrinsic proteolytic activity of NS2. The conservation of its properties and peculiar mode of action among distantly related hepaciviruses supports an important regulatory role for NS2 protein in the life cycle of these viruses. It also strengthens the value of animal, notably rodent hepaciviruses for the development of surrogate, immunocompetent models of HCV infection to address HCV-associated pathogenesis and vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Boukadida
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot–Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Fritz
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot–Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Brigitte Blumen
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot–Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Laure Fogeron
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Labex Ecofect, UMR 5086 CNRS, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - François Penin
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Labex Ecofect, UMR 5086 CNRS, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Annette Martin
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot–Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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79
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Figueiredo AS, Lampe E, de Albuquerque PPLF, Chalhoub FLL, de Filippis AMB, Villar LM, Cruz OG, Pinto MA, de Oliveira JM. Epidemiological investigation and analysis of the NS5B gene and protein variability of non-primate hepacivirus in several horse cohorts in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 59:38-47. [PMID: 29413884 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Among the hepacivirus species recently described, the non-primate hepacivirus/hepacivirus A found in horses and donkeys is closely related to the human hepatitis C virus (HCV). Therefore, the equine is an attractive surrogate large animal model for the study of HCV therapy, pathogenesis and prophylaxis. Despite global efforts, epidemiological and genetic studies have not elucidated the risk factors, virus distribution or genetic variability of the hepacivirus A, which are also important issues for the equine welfare. Little information about this background scenery is available in Brazil. The aims of this study were to investigate potential risk factors associated with hepacivirus A infection among different horse cohorts throughout the state of Rio de Janeiro and to evaluate the diversity of the viral NS5B gene and protein. Hepacivirus A RNA was detected in horse cohorts from all geographical mesoregions, independent of horse activity or breed investigated. Statewide prevalence ranged from 4.0% to 27.5%. Potential risk factors such as geographical location and age of female horses were significantly associated with the presence of virus RNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of subtype 2 in all mesoregions. NS5B gene sequences clustered according to geographical origin, while the NS5B fragments did not allow discriminant analysis. The predicted NS5B protein showed marked conservation, especially in the thumb domain. In conclusion, the higher frequency of hepacivirus A RNA detection in horses bred for reproduction purposes as well as in young females suggests a direct link between reproduction practices and the virus's spread. Additional studies are necessary to understand the distribution of this genetically conserved hepacivirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreza Soriano Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil.
| | - Elisabeth Lampe
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Pedro Pereira Lira Furtado de Albuquerque
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Flávia Löwen Levy Chalhoub
- Flavivirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Bispo de Filippis
- Flavivirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Livia Melo Villar
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Oswaldo Gonçalves Cruz
- Programme of Scientific Computation, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Alves Pinto
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Mendes de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
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80
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Hayashi S, Tanaka T, Moriishi K, Hirayama K, Yamada A, Hotta K. Seroepidemiology of non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV) in Japanese native horses. J Vet Med Sci 2017; 80:186-189. [PMID: 29187712 PMCID: PMC5797880 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.17-0527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV) is recently identified as a closely related homologue of hepatitis C virus. The previous studies showed a high prevalence of NPHV infection among Japanese domestic horses originated from
abroad. The historical distribution of NPHV among horses in Japan, therefore, is still unknown. In this study, seroepidemiological study of NPHV was conducted using 335 sera from five breeds of Japanese native horses.
These horses are maintained as the pedigree and are reared apart from other horse breeds. The detection of antibodies against NPHV were conducted by western blot analysis using the recombinant protein of the NPHV core
protein. The antibodies against NPHV were detected in all five breeds, 83 out of 335 (23.4%) horses. These results suggested that NPHV was circulating among Japanese native horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizuka Hayashi
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Tanaka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Kohji Moriishi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Hirayama
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Akio Yamada
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kozue Hotta
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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81
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Abstract
Hepaciviruses and pegiviruses constitute two closely related sister genera of the family Flaviviridae. In the past five years, the known phylogenetic diversity of the hepacivirus genera has absolutely exploded. What was once an isolated infection in humans (and possibly other primates) has now expanded to include horses, rodents, bats, colobus monkeys, cows, and, most recently, catsharks, shedding new light on the genetic diversity and host range of hepaciviruses. Interestingly, despite the identification of these many animal and primate hepaciviruses, the equine hepaciviruses remain the closest genetic relatives of the human hepaciviruses, providing an intriguing clue to the zoonotic source of hepatitis C virus. This review summarizes the significance of these studies and discusses current thinking about the origin and evolution of the animal hepaciviruses as well as their potential usage as surrogate models for the study of hepatitis C virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S Hartlage
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205;
| | - John M Cullen
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205; .,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
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82
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Shi M, Zhang YZ, Holmes EC. Meta-transcriptomics and the evolutionary biology of RNA viruses. Virus Res 2017; 243:83-90. [PMID: 29111455 PMCID: PMC7127328 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Meta-transcriptomics (bulk RNA-Seq) is a powerful new way to characterise viromes. Meta-transcriptomic data are changing our understanding of virus evolution. Invertebrates harbor an enormous phylogenetic and genomic diversity of RNA viruses. Present sampling schemes have only revealed a miniscule fraction of the virosphere. The new wealth of virus genomic data presents a major challenge to classification.
Metagenomics is transforming the study of virus evolution, allowing the full assemblage of virus genomes within a host sample to be determined rapidly and cheaply. The genomic analysis of complete transcriptomes, so-called meta-transcriptomics, is providing a particularly rich source of data on the global diversity of RNA viruses and their evolutionary history. Herein we review some of the insights that meta-transcriptomics has provided on the fundamental patterns and processes of virus evolution, with a focus on the recent discovery of a multitude of novel invertebrate viruses. In particular, meta-transcriptomics shows that the RNA virus world is more fluid than previously realized, with relatively frequent changes in genome length and structure. As well as having a transformative impact on studies of virus evolution, meta-transcriptomics presents major new challenges for virus classification, with the greater sampling of host taxa now filling many of the gaps on virus phylogenies that were previously used to define taxonomic groups. Given that most viruses in the future will likely be characterized using metagenomics approaches, and that we have evidently only sampled a tiny fraction of the total virosphere, we suggest that proposals for virus classification pay careful attention to the wonders unearthed in this new age of virus discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mang Shi
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Zoonoses, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Zhen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Zoonoses, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, China
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Department of Zoonoses, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, China.
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83
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Drewes S, Straková P, Drexler JF, Jacob J, Ulrich RG. Assessing the Diversity of Rodent-Borne Viruses: Exploring of High-Throughput Sequencing and Classical Amplification/Sequencing Approaches. Adv Virus Res 2017; 99:61-108. [PMID: 29029730 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Rodents are distributed throughout the world and interact with humans in many ways. They provide vital ecosystem services, some species are useful models in biomedical research and some are held as pet animals. However, many rodent species can have adverse effects such as damage to crops and stored produce, and they are of health concern because of the transmission of pathogens to humans and livestock. The first rodent viruses were discovered by isolation approaches and resulted in break-through knowledge in immunology, molecular and cell biology, and cancer research. In addition to rodent-specific viruses, rodent-borne viruses are causing a large number of zoonotic diseases. Most prominent examples are reemerging outbreaks of human hemorrhagic fever disease cases caused by arena- and hantaviruses. In addition, rodents are reservoirs for vector-borne pathogens, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus and Borrelia spp., and may carry human pathogenic agents, but likely are not involved in their transmission to human. In our days, next-generation sequencing or high-throughput sequencing (HTS) is revolutionizing the speed of the discovery of novel viruses, but other molecular approaches, such as generic RT-PCR/PCR and rolling circle amplification techniques, contribute significantly to the rapidly ongoing process. However, the current knowledge still represents only the tip of the iceberg, when comparing the known human viruses to those known for rodents, the mammalian taxon with the largest species number. The diagnostic potential of HTS-based metagenomic approaches is illustrated by their use in the discovery and complete genome determination of novel borna- and adenoviruses as causative disease agents in squirrels. In conclusion, HTS, in combination with conventional RT-PCR/PCR-based approaches, resulted in a drastically increased knowledge of the diversity of rodent viruses. Future improvements of the used workflows, including bioinformatics analysis, will further enhance our knowledge and preparedness in case of the emergence of novel viruses. Classical virological and additional molecular approaches are needed for genome annotation and functional characterization of novel viruses, discovered by these technologies, and evaluation of their zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Drewes
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Petra Straková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology v.v.i., Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan F Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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84
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Abstract
A new world of possibilities for “virus discovery” was opened up with high-throughput sequencing becoming available in the last decade. While scientifically metagenomic analysis was established before the start of the era of high-throughput sequencing, the availability of the first second-generation sequencers was the kick-off for diagnosticians to use sequencing for the detection of novel pathogens. Today, diagnostic metagenomics is becoming the standard procedure for the detection and genetic characterization of new viruses or novel virus variants. Here, we provide an overview about technical considerations of high-throughput sequencing-based diagnostic metagenomics together with selected examples of “virus discovery” for animal diseases or zoonoses and metagenomics for food safety or basic veterinary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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85
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A Novel Genetic Group of Bovine Hepacivirus in Archival Serum Samples from Brazilian Cattle. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:4732520. [PMID: 28904959 PMCID: PMC5585675 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4732520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (genus Hepacivirus; family Flaviviridae) is a major human pathogen causing persistent infection and hepatic injury. Recently, emerging HCV-like viruses were described infecting wild animals, such as bats and rodents, and domestic animals, including dogs, horses, and cattle. Using degenerate primers for detecting bovine pestiviruses in a 1996 survey three bovine serum samples showed a low identity with the genus Pestivirus of the Flaviviridae family. A virus could not be isolated in cell culture. The description of bovine hepaciviruses (BovHepV) in 2015 allowed us to retrospectively identify the sequences as BovHepV, with a 88.9% nucleotide identity. In a reconstructed phylogenetic tree, the Brazilian BovHepV samples grouped within the bovine HCV-like cluster in a separated terminal node that was more closely related to the putative bovine Hepacivirus common ancestor than to bovine hepaciviruses detected in Europe and Africa.
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86
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Detection and characterization of three zoonotic viruses in wild rodents and shrews from Shenzhen city, China. Virol Sin 2017; 32:290-297. [PMID: 28721632 PMCID: PMC6598888 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-017-3973-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse species of rodents and shrews, which are abundant worldwide, harbor a variety of viruses; some of these are closely related to human viruses and possess zoonotic potential. Previously studies have demonstrated that the mammarenavirus and hantavirus carried by rodents or shrews could cause diseases in human population. To determine the distribution of zoonotic viruses in Shenzhen city, the major city in southern China with a high population density, we analyzed 225 rodents (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus flavipectus) and 196 shrews (Suncus murinus) from urban and rural districts for the presence of mammarenavirus, hantavirus, and hepatitis E virus (HEV) by RT-PCR targeting the conserved regions. The infection rates for mammarenavirus, hantaviruses, and HEV in rodents and shrews were 3.56%, 6.89%, and 1.66%, respectively. Partial genome fragment analysis indicated that mammarenavirus and hantavirus strains had more than 90% and 99% nucleic acid identity with Cardamones virus and Seoul virus, respectively, which cause diseases in humans. Although the present HEV strains identified are typically found worldwide, phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a divergence of 16%. To our knowledge, the present work is the first report of the prevalence of mammarenavirus, hantaviruses, and rat HEV strains in rodents and shrews from Shenzhen city, China. Our findings highlight the zoonotic potential of rodent- and shrew-borne mammarenavirus and hantavirus, and the biodiversity of rat HEV isolates in Shenzhen city. The present work suggests that utilization of good hygiene habits is important to minimize the risk of zoonosis.
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87
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Elia G, Lanave G, Lorusso E, Parisi A, Cavaliere N, Patruno G, Terregino C, Decaro N, Martella V, Buonavoglia C. Identification and genetic characterization of equine hepaciviruses in Italy. Vet Microbiol 2017; 207:239-247. [PMID: 28757030 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.07.004] [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] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Viruses similar to human hepatitis C virus, hepaciviruses, have been identified in various animal species. Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) is the closest relative of human hepaciviruses. Although detected worldwide, information on EqHV epidemiology, genetic diversity and pathogenicity is still limited. In this study we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of EqHV in Italian equids. The RNA of EqHV was detected in 91/1932 sera (4.7%) whilst it was not detectable in 134 donkey sera screened by a TaqMan-based quantitative assay. Upon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of genomic portions located in the NS5B, 5'UTR and NS3 genes, the Italian EqHV strains segregated into two distinct clades that are also co-circulating globally, without apparent geographic restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Elia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lorusso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | - Nicola Cavaliere
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Calogero Terregino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Canio Buonavoglia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
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88
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Reichert C, Campe A, Walter S, Pfaender S, Welsch K, Ruddat I, Sieme H, Feige K, Steinmann E, Cavalleri JMV. Frequent occurrence of nonprimate hepacivirus infections in Thoroughbred breeding horses - A cross-sectional study for the occurrence of infections and potential risk factors. Vet Microbiol 2017; 203:315-322. [PMID: 28619163 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recently, several new hepaciviruses have been identified of which the nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV) - the closest relative to hepatitis C virus (HCV) discovered to date - is highly prevalent in horses. However, potential risk factors for the transmission of NPHV among horses remain still unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of NPHV infections in Thoroughbreds in northern and western Germany and to identify potential risk factors associated with NPHV infections. Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 733 serum samples from Thoroughbred broodmares and stallions from northern and western Germany were analyzed for the presence of anti-NPHV nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) antibodies and NPHV RNA using the luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) and a quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. Information regarding signalment, stud farm, breeding history and international transportation history of each horse were collected and evaluated. A frequent occurrence of NPHV was found in the study population with 453 seropositive horses (61.8%) and 134 horses (18.3%) carrying NPHV RNA. Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed that the probability of being infected decreased for horses with a transportation history with increasing age by 20% each year. For horses that stayed in Germany no association between age and infection could be observed. In conclusion, the high occurrence of NPHV infections in breeding Thoroughbreds suggests circulating NPHV infections, endemic herds or persistent shedding in these animals and revealed the association of age and international transportation as risk factor for NPHV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Reichert
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Amely Campe
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, WHO-Collaborating Center for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Stephanie Walter
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Stephanie Pfaender
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Welsch
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Inga Ruddat
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, WHO-Collaborating Center for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Harald Sieme
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Karsten Feige
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Jessika M V Cavalleri
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
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89
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Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) displays a restricted host species tropism and only humans and chimpanzees are susceptible to infection. A robust immunocompetent animal model is still lacking, hampering mechanistic analysis of virus pathogenesis, immune control, and prophylactic vaccine development. The closest homolog of HCV is the equine nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV), which shares similar features with HCV and thus represents an animal model to study hepacivirus infections in their natural hosts. We aimed to dissect equine immune responses after experimental NPHV infection and conducted challenge experiments to investigate immune protection against secondary NPHV infections. Horses were i.v. injected with NPHV containing plasma. Flow cytometric analysis was used to monitor immune cell frequencies and activation status. All infected horses became viremic after 1 or 2 wk and viremia could be detected in two horses for several weeks followed by a delayed seroconversion and viral clearance. Histopathological examinations of liver biopsies revealed mild, periportally accentuated infiltrations of lymphocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells with some horses displaying subclinical signs of hepatitis. Following viral challenge, an activation of equine immune responses was observed. Importantly, after a primary NPHV infection, horses were protected against rechallenge with the homologous as well as a distinct isolate with only minute amounts of circulating virus being detectable.
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90
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The Role of Type III Interferons in Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Therapy. J Immunol Res 2017; 2017:7232361. [PMID: 28255563 PMCID: PMC5309426 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7232361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The human interferon (IFN) response is a key innate immune mechanism to fight virus infection. IFNs are host-encoded secreted proteins, which induce IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) with antiviral properties. Among the three classes of IFNs, type III IFNs, also called IFN lambdas (IFNLs), are an essential component of the innate immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV). In particular, human polymorphisms in IFNL gene loci correlate with hepatitis C disease progression and with treatment response. To date, the underlying mechanisms remain mostly elusive; however it seems clear that viral infection of the liver induces IFNL responses. As IFNL receptors show a more restricted tissue expression than receptors for other classes of IFNs, IFNL treatment has reduced side effects compared to the classical type I IFN treatment. In HCV therapy, however, IFNL will likely not play an important role as highly effective direct acting antivirals (DAA) exist. Here, we will review our current knowledge on IFNL gene expression, protein properties, signaling, ISG induction, and its implications on HCV infection and treatment. Finally, we will discuss the lessons learnt from the HCV and IFNL field for virus infections beyond hepatitis C.
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91
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Kim HS, Moon HW, Sung HW, Kwon HM. First identification and phylogenetic analysis of equine hepacivirus in Korea. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 49:268-272. [PMID: 28161473 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV) corresponds a group of isolates recently characterized in horses and dogs that present similar genomic organization and are closely related to hepatitis C virus. Since canine hapacivirus, NPHV identified in dogs, was first discovered in dogs in the United States, equine hepacivirus (EqHV, NPHV identified in horses) has been identified in horses in several countries. However, no epidemiological studies have investigated EqHV in horses in Korea. In this study, a total of 74 (n=74) serum samples collected from horses in four regions of Korea were tested for EqHV RNA using nested RT-PCR. Overall, 14 samples were identified as positive (18.9%) and further analyzed according to gender, age, breed, and region. There were high positive rates in males, young horses, and Thoroughbreds; however, these rates differed regionally. Sequencing of the partial NS3 region of 12 samples and the polyprotein encoding regions of two samples positive for EqHV RNA revealed that the Korean EqHV isolates shared approximately 85.3-99.6% and 97.7-100% homology at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid level, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the partial NS3 genes clustered with sequences previously reported as NPHV. Notably, sequences of EqHV detected in horses in the same region showed sequence divergence. The sequences of the polyprotein encoding region of two representative EqHVs shared 83.9% and 95.7% homology with each other at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid level, respectively. Comparison of the sequences of polyprotein encoding regions of Korean EqHV isolates and hepaciviruses from different hosts revealed that the NS3 and NS5B regions were most conserved among hepaciviruses. The results of the present study demonstrate that there is a high positive rate of EqHV in Korea and provide significant information regarding the geographical distribution and genetic variability of Korean EqHV isolates that will help improve global epidemiology of EqHV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Seong Kim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Woo Moon
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Haan Woo Sung
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Moo Kwon
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
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92
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Differential Infection Patterns and Recent Evolutionary Origins of Equine Hepaciviruses in Donkeys. J Virol 2016; 91:JVI.01711-16. [PMID: 27795428 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01711-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen. Genetically related viruses in animals suggest a zoonotic origin of HCV. The closest relative of HCV is found in horses (termed equine hepacivirus [EqHV]). However, low EqHV genetic diversity implies relatively recent acquisition of EqHV by horses, making a derivation of HCV from EqHV unlikely. To unravel the EqHV evolutionary history within equid sister species, we analyzed 829 donkeys and 53 mules sampled in nine European, Asian, African, and American countries by molecular and serologic tools for EqHV infection. Antibodies were found in 278 animals (31.5%), and viral RNA was found in 3 animals (0.3%), all of which were simultaneously seropositive. A low RNA prevalence in spite of high seroprevalence suggests a predominance of acute infection, a possible difference from the mostly chronic hepacivirus infection pattern seen in horses and humans. Limitation of transmission due to short courses of infection may explain the existence of entirely seronegative groups of animals. Donkey and horse EqHV strains were paraphyletic and 97.5 to 98.2% identical in their translated polyprotein sequences, making virus/host cospeciation unlikely. Evolutionary reconstructions supported host switches of EqHV between horses and donkeys without the involvement of adaptive evolution. Global admixture of donkey and horse hepaciviruses was compatible with anthropogenic alterations of EqHV ecology. In summary, our findings do not support EqHV as the origin of the significantly more diversified HCV. Identification of a host system with predominantly acute hepacivirus infection may enable new insights into the chronic infection pattern associated with HCV. IMPORTANCE The evolutionary origins of the human hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unclear. The closest animal-associated relative of HCV occurs in horses (equine hepacivirus [EqHV]). The low EqHV genetic diversity implies a relatively recent acquisition of EqHV by horses, limiting the time span for potential horse-to-human infections in the past. Horses are genetically related to donkeys, and EqHV may have cospeciated with these host species. Here, we investigated a large panel of donkeys from various countries using serologic and molecular tools. We found EqHV to be globally widespread in donkeys and identify potential differences in EqHV infection patterns, with donkeys potentially showing enhanced EqHV clearance compared to horses. We provide strong evidence against EqHV cospeciation and for its capability to switch hosts among equines. Differential hepacivirus infection patterns in horses and donkeys may enable new insights into the chronic infection pattern associated with HCV.
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93
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Drewes S, Turni H, Rosenfeld UM, Obiegala A, Straková P, Imholt C, Glatthaar E, Dressel K, Pfeffer M, Jacob J, Wagner-Wiening C, Ulrich RG. Reservoir-Driven Heterogeneous Distribution of Recorded Human Puumala virus Cases in South-West Germany. Zoonoses Public Health 2016; 64:381-390. [PMID: 27918151 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Endemic regions for Puumala virus (PUUV) are located in the most affected federal state Baden-Wuerttemberg, South-West Germany, where high numbers of notified human hantavirus disease cases have been occurring for a long time. The distribution of human cases in Baden-Wuerttemberg is, however, heterogeneous, with a high number of cases recorded during 2012 in four districts (H districts) but a low number or even no cases recorded in four other districts (L districts). Bank vole monitoring during 2012, following a beech (Fagus sylvatica) mast year, resulted in the trapping of 499 bank voles, the host of PUUV. Analyses indicated PUUV prevalences of 7-50% (serological) and 1.8-27.5% (molecular) in seven of eight districts, but an absence of PUUV in one L district. The PUUV prevalence differed significantly between bank voles in H and L districts. In the following year 2013, 161 bank voles were trapped, with reduced bank vole abundance in almost all investigated districts except one. In 2013, no PUUV infections were detected in voles from seven of eight districts. In conclusion, the linear modelling approach indicated that the heterogeneous distribution of human PUUV cases in South-West Germany was caused by different factors including the abundance of PUUV RNA-positive bank voles, as well as by the interaction of beech mast and the proportional coverage of beech and oak (Quercus spec.) forest per district. These results can aid developing local public health risk management measures and early warning models.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Drewes
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - H Turni
- Stauss & Turni Gutachterbüro, Tübingen, Germany
| | - U M Rosenfeld
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - A Obiegala
- Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät, Institut für Tierhygiene und Öffentliches Veterinärwesen, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - P Straková
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.,Institute of Vertebrate Biology v.v.i., Academy of Sciences, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - C Imholt
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - E Glatthaar
- Forstzoologisches Institut, Arbeitsbereich Wildtierökologie und Wildtiermanagement, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - K Dressel
- sine-Institut gGmbH, Munich, Germany
| | - M Pfeffer
- Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät, Institut für Tierhygiene und Öffentliches Veterinärwesen, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - J Jacob
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - C Wagner-Wiening
- Landesgesundheitsamt Baden-Württemberg, Referat 95 - Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsberichterstattung, Sachgebietsleitung: Infektionsepidemiologische Meldesysteme (SG4), Stuttgart, Germany
| | - R G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
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94
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Pronost S, Hue E, Fortier C, Foursin M, Fortier G, Desbrosse F, Rey FA, Pitel PH, Richard E, Saunier B. Prevalence of Equine Hepacivirus Infections in France and Evidence for Two Viral Subtypes Circulating Worldwide. Transbound Emerg Dis 2016; 64:1884-1897. [PMID: 27882682 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Like hepatitis C virus (HCV) in humans, the newly identified equine hepacivirus (NPHV) displays a predominating liver tropism that may evolve into chronic infections. The genomes of the two viruses share several organizational and functional features and are phylogenetically closest amongst the Hepacivirus genus. A limited amount of data is available regarding the spread of hepacivirus infections in horses. In this study, we asked whether in a more representative sample the prevalence and distribution of NPHV infections in France would resemble that reported so far in other countries. A total of 1033 horses sera from stud farms throughout France were analysed by qRT-PCR to determine the prevalence of ongoing NPHV infections and viral loads; in positive samples, partial sequences of NPHV's genome (5'UTR, NS3 and NS5B genes) were determined. Serum concentrations of biliary acids, glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and L-gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) were measured for most horses. We detected NPHV infections in 6.2% of the horses, a prevalence that reached 8.3% in thoroughbreds and was significantly higher than in other breeds. The presence of circulating virus was neither significantly associated with biological disturbances nor with clinical hepatic impairment. Our phylogenetic analysis was based on both neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood approaches. Its result shows that, like almost everywhere else in the world so far, two major groups of NPHV strains infect French domestic horses. Based on genetic distances, we propose a classification into two separate NPHV subtypes. Viral loads in the serum of horses infected by the main subtype were, in average, four times higher than in those infected by the second subtype. We hypothesize that amino acid substitutions in the palm domain of NS5B between NPHV subtypes could underlie viral phenotypes that explain this result.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pronost
- Unité de Recherche Risques Microbiens (U2RM), EA 4655, Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Caen, France.,LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.,Hippolia Fondation, Caen, France
| | - E Hue
- Unité de Recherche Risques Microbiens (U2RM), EA 4655, Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Caen, France.,LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.,Hippolia Fondation, Caen, France
| | - C Fortier
- LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.,Hippolia Fondation, Caen, France
| | - M Foursin
- Clinique Equine de la Boisrie, Chailloué, France
| | - G Fortier
- Unité de Recherche Risques Microbiens (U2RM), EA 4655, Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Caen, France.,LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.,Hippolia Fondation, Caen, France
| | - F Desbrosse
- Clinique Equine Desbrosse, Saint Lambert, France
| | - F A Rey
- Structural Virology Unit - CNRS UMR 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - P-H Pitel
- LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.,Hippolia Fondation, Caen, France
| | - E Richard
- LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.,Hippolia Fondation, Caen, France
| | - B Saunier
- Structural Virology Unit - CNRS UMR 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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95
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Hepacivirus NS3/4A Proteases Interfere with MAVS Signaling in both Their Cognate Animal Hosts and Humans: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission. J Virol 2016; 90:10670-10681. [PMID: 27654291 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01634-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple novel members of the genus Hepacivirus have recently been discovered in diverse mammalian species. However, to date, their replication mechanisms and zoonotic potential have not been explored in detail. The NS3/4A serine protease of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is critical for cleavage of the viral polyprotein. It also cleaves the cellular innate immune adaptor MAVS, thus decreasing interferon (IFN) production and contributing to HCV persistence in the human host. To investigate the conservation of fundamental aspects of the hepaciviral life cycle, we explored if MAVS cleavage and suppression of innate immune signaling represent a common mechanism employed across different clades of the genus Hepacivirus to enhance viral replication. To estimate the zoonotic potential of these nonhuman hepaciviruses, we assessed if their NS3/4A proteases were capable of cleaving human MAVS. NS3/4A proteases of viruses infecting colobus monkeys, rodents, horses, and cows cleaved the MAVS proteins of their cognate hosts and interfered with the ability of MAVS to induce the IFN-β promoter. All NS3/4A proteases from nonhuman viruses readily cleaved human MAVS. Thus, NS3/4A-dependent cleavage of MAVS is a conserved replication strategy across multiple clades within the genus Hepacivirus Human MAVS is susceptible to cleavage by these nonhuman viral proteases, indicating that it does not pose a barrier for zoonotic transmission of these viruses to humans. IMPORTANCE Virus infection is recognized by cellular sensor proteins triggering innate immune signaling and antiviral defenses. While viruses have evolved strategies to thwart these antiviral programs in their cognate host species, these evasion mechanisms are often ineffective in a novel host, thus limiting viral transmission across species. HCV, the best-characterized member of the genus Hepacivirus within the family Flaviviridae, uses its NS3/4A protease to disrupt innate immune signaling by cleaving the cellular adaptor protein MAVS. Recently, a large number of HCV-related viruses have been discovered in various animal species, including wild, livestock, and companion animals. We show that the NS3/4A proteases of these hepaciviruses from different animals and representing various clades of the genus cleave their cognate host MAVS proteins in addition to human MAVS. Therefore, cleavage of MAVS is a common strategy of hepaciviruses, and human MAVS is likely unable to limit replication of these nonhuman viruses upon zoonotic exposure.
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96
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Smith DB, Becher P, Bukh J, Gould EA, Meyers G, Monath T, Muerhoff AS, Pletnev A, Rico-Hesse R, Stapleton JT, Simmonds P. Proposed update to the taxonomy of the genera Hepacivirus and Pegivirus within the Flaviviridae family. J Gen Virol 2016; 97:2894-2907. [PMID: 27692039 PMCID: PMC5770844 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proposals are described for the assignment of recently reported viruses, infecting rodents, bats and other mammalian species, to new species within the Hepacivirus and Pegivirus genera (family Flaviviridae). Assignments into 14 Hepacivirus species (Hepacivirus A–N) and 11 Pegivirus species (Pegivirus A–K) are based on phylogenetic relationships and sequence distances between conserved regions extracted from complete coding sequences for members of each proposed taxon. We propose that the species Hepatitis C virus is renamed Hepacivirus C in order to acknowledge its unique historical position and so as to minimize confusion. Despite the newly documented genetic diversity of hepaciviruses and pegiviruses, members of these genera remain phylogenetically distinct, and differ in hepatotropism and the possession of a basic core protein; pegiviruses in general lack these features. However, other characteristics that were originally used to support their division into separate genera are no longer definitive; there is overlap between the two genera in the type of internal ribosomal entry site and the presence of miR-122 sites in the 5′ UTR, the predicted number of N-linked glycosylation sites in the envelope E1 and E2 proteins, the presence of poly U tracts in the 3′ UTR and the propensity of viruses to establish a persistent infection. While all classified hepaciviruses and pegiviruses have mammalian hosts, the recent description of a hepaci-/pegi-like virus from a shark and the likely existence of further homologues in other non-mammalian species indicate that further species or genera remain to be defined in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald B Smith
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Paul Becher
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ernest A Gould
- EHESP French School of Public Health, French Institute of Research for Development (IRD), Aix Marseille Université, EPV UMR_D 190 Emergence des Pathologies Virales, Marseille, France
| | - Gregor Meyers
- Institut für Immunologie, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Monath
- Hookipa Biotech AG, Vienna, Austria.,PaxVax Inc., Menlo Park and Redwood City, CA, USA
| | - A Scott Muerhoff
- Abbott Diagnostics Research and Development, Abbott Park, IL, USA
| | - Alexander Pletnev
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca Rico-Hesse
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jack T Stapleton
- Medical Service, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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97
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Gather T, Walter S, Pfaender S, Todt D, Feige K, Steinmann E, Cavalleri JMV. Acute and chronic infections with nonprimate hepacivirus in young horses. Vet Res 2016; 47:97. [PMID: 27659317 PMCID: PMC5034468 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-016-0381-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The recently discovered nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV) naturally infects horses and is the closest known homolog of hepatitis C virus to date. Within a follow-up study acute field infections were monitored in four young Thoroughbred horses until the ages of 12-13 months. Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of NPHV RNA and anti-NPHV NS3 antibodies and liver specific parameters were evaluated. The four young horses were not able to clear infection, but remained chronically infected for the entire monitored time period despite the presence of NPHV specific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Gather
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephanie Walter
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephanie Pfaender
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karsten Feige
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Jessika M V Cavalleri
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
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98
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Houldsworth A. Exploring the possibility of arthropod transmission of HCV. J Med Virol 2016; 89:187-194. [PMID: 27447819 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer occurring in up to 3% of the world's population. Parenteral exposure to HCV is the major mode of transmission of infection. Once established, infection will persist in up to 85% of individuals with only a minority of patients clearing viremia. Egypt has possibly the highest HCV prevalence in the world where 10-20% of the general population are infected with HCV. Endemic HCV appears to be concentrated in the tropics and sub-tropics where there are higher biting rates from insects. The question as to whether a bridge vector transmission is possible, via arthropods, both between humans and/or from an animal reservoir to humans is explored. Mechanical transmission, as opposed to biological transmission, is considered. Mechanical transmission can be an efficient way of transmitting an infection, as effective as biological transmission. Probability of transmission can increase as to the immediate circumstances and conditions at the time. Several factors may enhance mechanical transmission, including high levels of microbes in the vector, frequent biting, the close proximity, and contact between vectors and recipients as well as high density of insects. HCV has been isolated from bodies or heads of mosquitoes collected from the houses of HCV-infected individuals. The possibility of enzootic cycles of HCV tangential transmission via bridging vectors, such as, arthropods needs to be further investigated and possible animal reservoirs, including domestic rural epizootic cycles for HCV infection, requires further research with particular initial emphasis on equine infections. J. Med. Virol. 89:187-194, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annwyne Houldsworth
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom
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99
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Infection of Common Marmosets with GB Virus B Chimeric Virus Encoding the Major Nonstructural Proteins NS2 to NS4A of Hepatitis C Virus. J Virol 2016; 90:8198-211. [PMID: 27384651 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02653-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED A lack of immunocompetent-small-primate models has been an obstacle for developing hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccines and affordable antiviral drugs. In this study, HCV/GB virus B (GBV-B) chimeric virus carrying the major nonstructural proteins NS2 to NS4A (HCV NS2 to -4A chimera) was produced and used to infect common marmosets, since HCV NS2 to NS4A proteins are critical proteases and major antigens. Seven marmosets were inoculated intrahepatically with HCV NS2 to -4A chimera RNA for primary infection or intravenously injected with chimera-containing serum for passage infection. Three animals used as controls were injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or GBV-B, respectively. Six of seven HCV NS2 to -4A chimera-infected marmosets exhibited consistent viremia and one showed transient viremia during the course of follow-up detection. All six infected animals with persistent circulating viremia presented characteristics typical of viral hepatitis, including viral RNA and proteins in hepatocytes and histopathological changes in liver tissue. Viremia was consistently detected for 5 to 54 weeks of follow-up. FK506 immunosuppression facilitated the establishment of persistent chimera infection in marmosets. An animal with chimera infection spontaneously cleared the virus in blood 7 weeks following the first inoculation, but viral-RNA persistence, low-level viral protein, and mild necroinflammation remained in liver tissue. The specific antibody and T-cell response to HCV NS3 in this viremia-resolved marmoset was boosted by rechallenging, but no viremia was detected during 57 weeks of follow-up. The chimera-infected marmosets described can be used as a suitable small-primate animal model for studying novel antiviral drugs and T-cell-based vaccines against HCV infection. IMPORTANCE HCV infection causes approximately 70% of chronic hepatitis and is frequently associated with primary liver cancer globally. Chimpanzees have been used as a reliable primate model for HCV infection, but ethical considerations have restricted their utility in biomedical research. GB virus B (GBV-B) is a flavivirus related to HCV. It can infect common marmosets, a New World small primate, and induces viral hepatitis similar to HCV infection in humans. To minimize differences between GBV-B and HCV, we generated HCV NS2 to -4A/GBV-B chimeric viruses and established a chimera-infected marmoset model. HCV NS2 to -4A chimera-infected marmosets provide a small-animal model for evaluating novel antiviral drugs targeting HCV NS3-NS4A protease and T-cell-based HCV vaccines.
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100
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Sarnow P, Sagan SM. Unraveling the Mysterious Interactions Between Hepatitis C Virus RNA and Liver-Specific MicroRNA-122. Annu Rev Virol 2016; 3:309-332. [PMID: 27578438 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-110615-042409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Many viruses encode or subvert cellular microRNAs (miRNAs) to aid in their gene expression, amplification strategies, or pathogenic signatures. miRNAs typically downregulate gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated region of their mRNA targets. As a result, target mRNAs are translationally repressed and subsequently deadenylated and degraded. Curiously, hepatitis C virus (HCV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, recruits two molecules of liver-specific microRNA-122 (miR-122) to the 5' end of its genome. In contrast to the canonical activity of miRNAs, the interactions of miR-122 with the viral genome promote viral RNA accumulation in cultured cells and in animal models of HCV infection. Sequestration of miR-122 results in loss of viral RNA both in cell culture and in the livers of chronic HCV-infected patients. This review discusses the mechanisms by which miR-122 is thought to enhance viral RNA abundance and the consequences of miR-122-HCV interactions. We also describe preliminary findings from phase II clinical trials in patients treated with miR-122 antisense oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Sarnow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Selena M Sagan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada;
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