Therapeutic strategies for hepatitis B virus infection: towards a cure

Ultrasmall Copper (I) Sulfide Nanoparticles Prevent Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a severe threat to public health and social development. Here, we synthesized 4±0.5 nm copper (I) sulfide (Cu₂ S) nanoparticles (NPs) with 46 mdeg chiroptical property at 530 nm to selectively cleavage HBV core antigen (HBcAg) and effectively blocked HBV assembly and prevented HBV infection both in vitro and in vivo under light at 808 nm. Experimental analysis showed that the chiral Cu₂ S NPs specific bound with the functional domain from phenylalanine₂₃ (F₂₃ ) to leucine₃₀ (L₃₀ ) from HBcAg primary sequence and the cutting site was between amino acid residues F₂₄ and proline₂₅ (P₂₅ ). Under excitation at 808 nm, the intracellular HBcAg concentration was reduced by 95 %, and in HBV transgenic mice, the levels of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA were decreased by 93 % and 86 %, respectively. Together, these results reveal the potential nanomedicine for HBV control and provide fresh tools for viral infection.

Innate immunity in hepatitis B and D virus infection: consequences for viral persistence, inflammation, and T cell recognition

Chronic infections with human hepatitis viruses continue to be a major health burden worldwide. Despite the availability of an effective prophylactic vaccine against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and of antiviral agents efficiently suppressing HBV replication, more than 250 million people are currently chronically infected with this hepatotropic DNA virus, and resolution of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is rarely achieved. Moreover, coinfection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV), a human RNA satellite virus requiring the envelope proteins of HBV for productive viral spreading, substantially aggravates the disease course of CHB. The molecular mechanisms by which these viruses interact with each other and with the intrinsic innate responses of the hepatocytes are not fully understood. While HBV appears to avoid innate immune recognition, HDV elicits a strong enhancement of innate responses. Notwithstanding, such induction does not hamper HDV replication but contributes to liver inflammation and pathogenesis. Intriguingly, HDV appears to influence the ability of T cells to recognize infected hepatocytes by boosting antigen presentation. This review focuses on current knowledge regarding how these viruses can shape and counteract the intrinsic innate responses of the hepatocytes, thus affecting the immune system and pathogenesis. Understanding the distinct strategies of persistence that HBV and HDV have evolved is central for advancing the development of curative therapies.

Novel Biomarkers of Hepatitis B Virus and Their Use in Chronic Hepatitis B Patient Management

Even though an approved vaccine for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is available and widely used, over 257 million individuals worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who require monitoring of treatment response, viral activity, and disease progression to reduce their risk of HBV-related liver disease. There is currently a lack of predictive markers to guide clinical management and to allow treatment cessation with reduced risk of viral reactivation. Novel HBV biomarkers are in development in an effort to improve the management of people living with CHB, to predict disease outcomes of CHB, and further understand the natural history of HBV. This review focuses on novel HBV biomarkers and their use in the clinical setting, including the description of and methodology for quantification of serum HBV RNA, hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg), including ultrasensitive HBsAg detection, quantitative anti-hepatitis B core antigen (qAHBc), and detection of HBV nucleic acid-related antigen (HBV-NRAg). The utility of these biomarkers in treatment-naïve and treated CHB patients in several clinical situations is further discussed. Novel HBV biomarkers have been observed to provide critical clinical information and show promise for improving patient management and our understanding of the natural history of HBV.

Identification of novel hepatitis B virus therapeutic vaccine candidates derived from polymerase protein

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide health problem with high morbidity and mortality rates. The therapeutic vaccine is a promising method of treatment, and HBV polymerase plays a vital role in viral replication. Therefore, a therapeutic vaccine that binds to HBV DNA polymerase may control HBV infection. We predicted and selected epitopes of polymerase using online databases and analysis software. We then performed molecular docking and peptide binding assays to evaluate the binding energies and affinities between polymerase epitopes and the HLA-A0201 molecule. Finally, we induced T cells from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy donors using each epitope and quantified the functions of epitope-specific T cells by IFN-γELISPOT assay, T2 cell cytotoxicity assay, HepG2.2.15 cell cytotoxicity assay and HBV gene expression assays. Four epitopes (RVTGGVFLV, GLLGFAAPF, LLDDEAGPL and YMDDVVLGA) had low binding energy and two epitopes (RVTGGVFLV and GLLGFAAPF) had a high binding affinity. The T cells stimulated by two epitopes (GLLGFAAPF and HLYSHPIIL) had a greater ability to induce immune response and suppress HBV. The HBV DNA polymerase epitopes identified in this study are promising targets for designing an epitope-based therapeutic vaccine against HBV.

Novel capsid binder and PI4KIIIbeta inhibitors for EV-A71 replication inhibition

The Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral illness generally manifests as a mild disease in young children and immunocompromised adults. It has however emerged as a significant public health threat in recent years as outbreaks have been occurring regularly, especially in the Asia–Pacific. The disease can result from infections by a wide variety of human enteroviruses, particularly, Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) has garnered more attention due to its association with severe disease in infected patients. Despite the potential to result severe neurological complications or even fatality, there is currently no effective antiviral for treatment of EV-A71 infections and the only vaccines available are restricted to distribution in China. In this study, we report the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of two candidate antiviral compounds active against EV-A71, a viral capsid inhibitor (G197) and a novel host-targeting phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase III beta inhibitor (N373) which, especially when used in combination, can significantly improve the survival and pathology of infected mice.

Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Haplotype Diversity Detects Striking Sequence Conservation Across Genotypes and Chronic Disease Phase

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We conducted haplotype analysis of complete hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes following deep sequencing from 368 patients across multiple phases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection from four major genotypes (A-D), analyzing 4,110 haplotypes to identify viral variants associated with treatment outcome and disease progression.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

Between 18.2% and 41.8% of nucleotides and between 5.9% and 34.3% of amino acids were 100% conserved in all genotypes and phases examined, depending on the region analyzed. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) loss by week 192 was associated with different haplotype populations at baseline. Haplotype populations differed across the HBV genome and CHB history, this being most pronounced in the precore/core gene. Mean number of haplotypes (frequency) per patient was higher in immune-active, HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis phase 2 (11.8) and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis phase 4 (16.2) compared to subjects in the "immune-tolerant," HBeAg-positive chronic infection phase 1 (4.3, P< 0.0001). Haplotype frequency was lowest in genotype B (6.2, P< 0.0001) compared to the other genotypes (A = 11.8, C = 11.8, D = 13.6). Haplotype genetic diversity increased over the course of CHB history, being lowest in phase 1, increasing in phase 2, and highest in phase 4 in all genotypes except genotype C. HBeAg loss by week 192 of tenofovir therapy was associated with different haplotype populations at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a degree of HBV haplotype diversity and heterogeneity across the phases of CHB natural history, highly conserved sequences in key genes and regulatory regions were identified in multiple HBV genotypes that should be further investigated as targets for antiviral therapies and predictors of treatment response.

Recent Advances in Hepatitis B Treatment

Hepatitis B virus infection affects over 250 million chronic carriers, causing more than 800,000 deaths annually, although a safe and effective vaccine is available. Currently used antiviral agents, pegylated interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogues, have major drawbacks and fail to completely eradicate the virus from infected cells. Thus, achieving a "functional cure" of the infection remains a real challenge. Recent findings concerning the viral replication cycle have led to development of novel therapeutic approaches including viral entry inhibitors, epigenetic control of cccDNA, immune modulators, RNA interference techniques, ribonuclease H inhibitors, and capsid assembly modulators. Promising preclinical results have been obtained, and the leading molecules under development have entered clinical evaluation. This review summarizes the key steps of the HBV life cycle, examines the currently approved anti-HBV drugs, and analyzes novel HBV treatment regimens.

Discovery of New Small Molecule Hits as Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulators: Structure and Pharmacophore-Based Approaches

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly modulators (CpAMs) have shown promise as potent anti-HBV agents in both preclinical and clinical studies. Herein, we report our efforts in identifying novel CpAM hits via a structure-based virtual screening against a small molecule protein-protein interaction (PPI) library, and pharmacophore-guided compound design and synthesis. Curated compounds were first assessed in a thermal shift assay (TSA), and the TSA hits were further evaluated in an antiviral assay. These efforts led to the discovery of two structurally distinct scaffolds, ZW-1841 and ZW-1847, as novel HBV CpAM hits, both inhibiting HBV in single-digit µM concentrations without cytotoxicity at 100 µM. In ADME assays, both hits displayed extraordinary plasma and microsomal stability. Molecular modeling suggests that these hits bind to the Cp dimer interfaces in a mode well aligned with known CpAMs.

Early Steps of Hepatitis B Life Cycle: From Capsid Nuclear Import to cccDNA Formation

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major public health concern, with more than 250 million chronically infected people who are at high risk of developing liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although antiviral treatments efficiently control virus replication and improve liver function, they cannot cure HBV infection. Viral persistence is due to the maintenance of the viral circular episomal DNA, called covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), in the nuclei of infected cells. cccDNA not only resists antiviral therapies, but also escapes innate antiviral surveillance. This viral DNA intermediate plays a central role in HBV replication, as cccDNA is the template for the transcription of all viral RNAs, including pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), which in turn feeds the formation of cccDNA through a step of reverse transcription. The establishment and/or expression of cccDNA is thus a prime target for the eradication of HBV. In this review, we provide an update on the current knowledge on the initial steps of HBV infection, from the nuclear import of the nucleocapsid to the formation of the cccDNA.

Targeting Enclysis in Liver Autoimmunity, Transplantation, Viral Infection and Cancer

Persistent liver inflammation can lead to cirrhosis, which associates with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. There are no curative treatments beyond transplantation, followed by long-term immunosuppression. The global burden of end stage liver disease has been increasing and there is a shortage of donor organs, therefore new therapies are desperately needed. Harnessing the power of the immune system has shown promise in certain autoimmunity and cancer settings. In the context of the liver, regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies are in development. The hypothesis is that these specialized lymphocytes that dampen inflammation may reduce liver injury in patients with chronic, progressive diseases, and promote transplant tolerance. Various strategies including intrinsic and extracorporeal expansion of Treg cells, aim to increase their abundance to suppress immune responses. We recently discovered that hepatocytes engulf and delete Treg cells by enclysis. Herein, we propose that inhibition of enclysis may potentiate existing regulatory T cell therapeutic approaches in patients with autoimmune liver diseases and in patients receiving a transplant. Moreover, in settings where the abundance of Treg cells could hinder beneficial immunity, such us in chronic viral infection or liver cancer, enhancement of enclysis could result in transient, localized reduction of Treg cell numbers and tip the balance towards antiviral and anti-tumor immunity. We describe enclysis as is a natural process of liver immune regulation that lends itself to therapeutic targeting, particularly in combination with current Treg cell approaches.

Discovery of novel HBV capsid assembly modulators by structure-based virtual screening and bioassays

HBV capsid assembly has been regarded as an attractive potential target for anti-HBV therapy. In this study, we discovery the Novel HBV capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) through structure-based virtual screening and bioassays. A total of 16 structurally diverse compounds were purchased and assayed, including three compounds with inhibition rate > 50% at 20 μM. Further lead optimization based on the most potent compound II-1-7 (EC₅₀ = 5.6 ± 0.1 µM) were performed by using substructure searching strategy, resulting in compound II-2-9 with an EC₅₀ value of 1.8 ± 0.6 μM. In bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, compound II-2-9 inhibited the HBV by disrupting the HBV capsid interactions. In summary, this study provides a highly efficient way to discover novel CAMs, and 2-aryl-4-quinolyl amide derivatives could serve as the starting point for development of novel anti-HBV drugs.

Bayesian analysis of cytokines and chemokine identifies immune pathways of HBsAg loss during chronic hepatitis B treatment

Our objective was to examine differences in cytokine/chemokine response in chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients to understand the immune mechanism of HBsAg loss (functional cure) during antiviral therapy. We used an unbiased machine learning strategy to unravel the immune pathways in CHB nucleo(t)side analogue-treated patients who achieved HBsAg loss with peg-interferon-α(peg-IFN-α) add-on or switch treatment in a randomised clinical trial. Cytokines/chemokines from plasma were compared between those with/without HBsAg loss, at baseline, before and after HBsAg loss. Peg-IFN-α treatment resulted in higher levels of IL-27, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-13, IL-4, IL-22 and GM-CSF prior to HBsAg loss. Probabilistic network analysis of cytokines, chemokines and soluble factors suggested a dynamic dendritic cell driven NK and T cell immune response associated with HBsAg loss. Bayesian network analysis showed a dominant myeloid-driven type 1 inflammatory response with a MIG and I-TAC central module contributing to HBsAg loss in the add-on arm. In the switch arm, HBsAg loss was associated with a T cell activation module exemplified by high levels of CD40L suggesting T cell activation. Our findings show that more than one immune pathway to HBsAg loss was found with peg-IFN-α therapy; by myeloid-driven Type 1 response in one instance, and T cell activation in the other.

Recent Progress on Biomaterials Fighting against Viruses

Viruses not only pose severe threats to public health, but also influence the development of society. Over the past decade, rapid advances have been seen in the application of nanomaterials to virus research. As an interdisciplinary field, nanotechnology offers powerful functions because the structures of nanomaterials are unique, with remarkable physicochemical properties and excellent biocompatibility. Nanomaterials have been developed for virus detection and tracking and for antiviral strategies, to better understand viruses and reduce viral infections, implying a bright future for this field. Herein, the recent advances are systematically summarized regarding the nanomaterials used in viral studies. Representative applications of nanomaterials to viral detection and tracking are described. The antiviral effects achieved with nanomaterials based on different mechanisms are also described, including entry inhibition, inhibition of viral replication, and immunological enhancement. The current challenges and future opportunities in this promising field are also discussed.

Emerging role and therapeutic application of exosome in hepatitis virus infection and associated diseases

Hepatitis viruses are chief pathogens of hepatitis and end-stage liver diseases. Their replication and related pathogenic process highly rely on the host micro-environment and multiple cellular elements, including exosomes. Representing with a sort of cell-derived vesicle structure, exosomes were considered to be dispensable cellular components, even wastes. Along with advancing investigation, a specific profile of exosome in driving hepatitis viruses' infection and hepatic disease progression is revealed. Exosomes greatly affect the pathogenesis of hepatitis viruses by mediating their replication and modulating the host immune responses. The characteristics of host exosomes are markedly changed after infection with hepatitis viruses. Exosomes released from hepatitis virus-infected cells can carry viral nucleic or protein components, thereby acting as an effective subterfuge for hepatitis viruses by participating in viral transportation and immune escape. On the contrary, immune cell-derived exosomes contribute toward the innate antiviral immune defense and virus eradication. There is growing evidence supporting the application of exosomal biomarkers for predicting disease progress or therapeutic outcome, while exosomal nanoshuttles are regarded as promising therapeutic options based on their delivery properties and immune compatibility. In this review, we summarize the biogenesis and secretion mechanism of exosomes, review the recent findings pertaining to the role of exosomes in the interplay between hepatitis viruses and innate immune responses, and conclude their potential in further therapeutic application.

A mid-throughput HBV replication inhibition assay capable of detecting ribonuclease H inhibitors

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) ribonuclease H (RNaseH) is a promising but unexploited drug target. Inhibiting the RNaseH blocks viral reverse transcription by truncating the minus-polarity DNA strand, causing accumulation of RNA:DNA heteroduplexes, and abrogating plus-polarity DNA synthesis. Screening for RNaseH inhibitors is complicated by the presence of the minus-polarity DNA strand even when replication is fully inhibited because this residual DNA can be detected by standard screening assays that measure reduction in total HBV DNA accumulation. We previously developed a strand-preferential qPCR assay that detects RNaseH replication inhibitors by measuring preferential suppression of the viral plus-polarity DNA strand. However, this assay employed cells grown in 6- or 12-well plates and hence was of very low throughput. Here, we adapted the assay to a 96-well format and conducted a proof-of-principle screen of 727 compounds. The newly developed assay is a valuable tool for anti-HBV drug discovery, particularly when screening for RNaseH inhibitors.

Recent trends in the development of Toll-like receptor 7/8-targeting therapeutics

Introduction: Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR8 are functionally localized to endosomes and recognize specific RNA sequences. They play crucial roles in initiating innate and adaptive immune responses. TLR7/8 activation protects the host against invading pathogens and enhances immune responses. In contrast, sustained TLR7/8 signaling leads to immune overreaction. Therefore, agonists or antagonists targeting TLR7/8 signaling are favorable drug candidates for the treatment of immune disorders.Areas covered: Basic knowledge about TLR7 and TLR8 and their signaling pathways are briefly reviewed. Various therapeutic agents have been designed to activate or antagonize TLR7/8 signaling pathways, and their safety and efficacy for the treatment of multiple diseases have been investigated in preclinical animal models and clinical trials. TLR7/8 agonists exhibit potent antiviral activity and regulate anti-tumor immune responses. TLR7 agonists have also been used as adjuvants to improve vaccine immunogenicity and generate greater seroprotection. TLR7/8 antagonists are promising candidates for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Expert opinion: TLR7/8 pathways are favorable targets for immunological therapies. Future research should concentrate on the optimization of drug safety, efficiency, and specificity. Detailed mechanistic studies will contribute to the development of TLR7/8 immunomodulators and novel therapeutic strategies.

Potent human broadly neutralizing antibodies to hepatitis B virus from natural controllers

Rare individuals can naturally clear chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and acquire protection from reinfection as conferred by vaccination. To examine the protective humoral response against HBV, we cloned and characterized human antibodies specific to the viral surface glycoproteins (HBsAg) from memory B cells of HBV vaccinees and controllers. We found that human HBV antibodies are encoded by a diverse set of immunoglobulin genes and recognize various conformational HBsAg epitopes. Strikingly, HBsAg-specific memory B cells from natural controllers mainly produced neutralizing antibodies able to cross-react with several viral genotypes. Furthermore, monotherapy with the potent broadly neutralizing antibody Bc1.187 suppressed viremia in vivo in HBV mouse models and led to post-therapy control of the infection in a fraction of animals. Thus, human neutralizing HBsAg antibodies appear to play a key role in the spontaneous control of HBV and represent promising immunotherapeutic tools for achieving HBV functional cure in chronically infected humans.

Serum HBsAg clearance has minimal impact on CD8+ T cell responses in mouse models of HBV infection

Antibody-mediated clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from the circulation of chronically infected patients (i.e., seroconversion) is usually associated with increased HBV-specific T cell responsiveness. However, a causative link between serum HBsAg levels and impairment of intrahepatic CD8⁺ T cells has not been established. Here we addressed this issue by using HBV replication-competent transgenic mice that are depleted of circulating HBsAg, via either spontaneous seroconversion or therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, as recipients of HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells. Surprisingly, we found that serum HBsAg clearance has only a minimal effect on the expansion of HBV-specific naive CD8⁺ T cells undergoing intrahepatic priming. It does not alter their propensity to become dysfunctional, nor does it enhance the capacity of IL-2–based immunotherapeutic strategies to increase their antiviral function. In summary, our results reveal that circulating HBsAg clearance does not improve HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cell responses in vivo and may have important implications for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.

Elevated soluble 4-1BB is associated with serum markers of hepatitis B virus in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have suggested that the costimulatory molecule 4-1BB plays pivotal roles in regulating immunity during chronic viral infection. However, up to now, there are few studies about 4-1BB in chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

AIM

To clarify this issue, we report our comprehensive study results on the expression levels of 4-1BB in patients with CHB.

METHODS

From September 2018 to June 2019, a total of 64 patients with CHB were recruited from the Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 52 treatment-naïve and 12 entecavir-treated patients with CHB as well as 37 healthy donors (including 24 healthy adults and 13 healthy children). The levels of soluble 4-1BB (s4-1BB) in plasma were measured by ELISA. 4-1BB mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

The s4-1BB levels in the plasma of patients with CHB were significantly higher than those in healthy adults (94.390 ± 7.393 ng/mL vs 8.875 ± 0.914 ng/mL, P < 0.001). In addition, the s4-1BB level in plasma was significantly increased in patients with a higher viral load and a disease flare up. However, there were no significant differences between treatment-naïve and entecavir-treated patients. Interestingly, among treatment-naïve patients with CHB, the levels of s4-1BB in plasma had a significant positive correlation with hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B virus DNA, hepatitis B e antigen, and triglyceride levels (r = 0.748, P < 0.001; r = 0.406, P = 0.004; r = 0.356, P = 0.019 and r = -0.469, P = 0.007, respectively). The 4-1BB mRNA expression was higher in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with CHB than in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy adults, but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the levels of s4-1BB may be associated with pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus and therefore may be a promising biomarker for disease progression.

Profibrotic Signaling and HCC Risk during Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Biomarker Development

Despite breakthroughs in antiviral therapies, chronic viral hepatitis B and C are still the major causes of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Importantly, even in patients with controlled infection or viral cure, the cancer risk cannot be fully eliminated, highlighting a persisting oncogenic pressure imposed by epigenetic imprinting and advanced liver disease. Reliable and minimally invasive biomarkers for early fibrosis and for residual HCC risk in HCV-cured patients are urgently needed. Chronic infection with HBV and/or HCV dysregulates oncogenic and profibrogenic signaling within the host, also displayed in the secretion of soluble factors to the blood. The study of virus-dysregulated signaling pathways may, therefore, contribute to the identification of reliable minimally invasive biomarkers for the detection of patients at early-stage liver disease potentially complementing existing noninvasive methods in clinics. With a focus on virus-induced signaling events, this review provides an overview of candidate blood biomarkers for liver disease and HCC risk associated with chronic viral hepatitis and epigenetic viral footprints.

Dicoumarol, an NQO1 inhibitor, blocks cccDNA transcription by promoting degradation of HBx

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Current antiviral therapies help keep HBV under control, but they are not curative, as they are unable to eliminate the intracellular viral replication intermediate termed covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). Therefore, there remains an urgent need to develop strategies to cure CHB. Functional silencing of cccDNA is a crucial curative strategy that may be achieved by targeting the viral protein HBx.

METHODS

We screened 2,000 small-molecule compounds for their ability to inhibit HiBiT-tagged HBx (HiBiT-HBx) expression by using a HiBiT lytic detection system. The antiviral activity of a candidate compound and underlying mechanism of its effect on cccDNA transcription were evaluated in HBV-infected cells and a humanised liver mouse model.

RESULTS

Dicoumarol, an inhibitor of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), significantly reduced HBx expression. Moreover, dicoumarol showed potent antiviral activity against HBV RNAs, HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBc protein in HBV-infected cells and a humanised liver mouse model. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that endogenous NQO1 binds to and protects HBx protein from 20S proteasome-mediated degradation. NQO1 knockdown or dicoumarol treatment significantly reduced the recruitment of HBx to cccDNA and inhibited the transcriptional activity of cccDNA, which was associated with the establishment of a repressive chromatin state. The absence of HBx markedly blocked the antiviral effect induced by NQO1 knockdown or dicoumarol treatment in HBV-infected cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Herein, we report on a novel small molecule that targets HBx to combat chronic HBV infection; we also reveal that NQO1 has a role in HBV replication through the regulation of HBx protein stability.

LAY SUMMARY

Current antiviral therapies for hepatitis B are not curative because of their inability to eliminate covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which persists in the nuclei of infected cells. HBV X (HBx) protein has an important role in regulating cccDNA transcription. Thus, targeting HBx to silence cccDNA transcription could be an important curative strategy. We identified that the small molecule dicoumarol could block cccDNA transcription by promoting HBx degradation; this is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

The relationship between the clearance of HBsAg and the remodeling of B cell subsets in CHB patients treated with Peg-IFN-α

Background

The seroconversion of the hepatitis B antigen is the ideal outcome for long-acting interferon-pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFN-α) treatment among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). B-cell response plays an important role in the process of hepatitis B antigen clearance, but the specific mechanism by which B-cell improve hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still unclear.

Methods

A total of 103 CHB patients participated in this study. The patients received 24 weeks of Peg-IFN-α treatment. Flow cytometry was used to detect B-cell surface markers’ cluster of differentiation cluster of differentiation CD19, CD24, and CD27 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of CHB patients before and after 24 weeks of Peg-IFN-α treatment.

Results

After 24 weeks of Peg-IFN-α treatment, the content of memory B cells (CD19⁺CD27⁺) and effector B cells (CD19⁺CD38⁺) increased significantly. Further analysis showed that the clearance of the hepatitis B antigen was correlated with the change value, ΔT, of plasma cells before and after treatment. The B-cell subsets (CD19⁺CD24⁺; CD19⁺CD40⁺; CD19⁺CD40⁺; CD19⁺CD80⁺), was also tested and the results showed that CD19⁺CD24⁺ and CD19⁺CD80⁺ content also increased significantly after treatment.

Conclusions

After Peg-IFN-α treatment, the B-cell subsets of CHB patients are remodeled. Thus, Peg-IFN-α treatment appears to play an important role in the remodeling of B cell subsets and the clearance of HBV antigens. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the clinical treatment of CHB.

HBV-Integration Studies in the Clinic: Role in the Natural History of Infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health problem causing acute and chronic liver disease that can lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is essential for viral replication and the establishment of a persistent infection. Integrated HBV DNA represents another stable form of viral DNA regularly observed in the livers of infected patients. HBV DNA integration into the host genome occurs early after HBV infection. It is a common occurrence during the HBV life cycle, and it has been detected in all the phases of chronic infection. HBV DNA integration has long been considered to be the main contributor to liver tumorigenesis. The recent development of highly sensitive detection methods and research models has led to the clarification of some molecular and pathogenic aspects of HBV integration. Though HBV integration does not lead to replication-competent transcripts, it can act as a stable source of viral RNA and proteins, which may contribute in determining HBV-specific T-cell exhaustion and favoring virus persistence. The relationship between HBV DNA integration and the immune response in the liver microenvironment might be closely related to the development and progression of HBV-related diseases. While many new antiviral agents aimed at cccDNA elimination or silencing have been developed, integrated HBV DNA remains a difficult therapeutic challenge.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Suppresses the Activation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B Pathway via Interaction With the TAK1-TAB2 Complex

Chronic hepatitis B is a major health problem worldwide, with more than 250 million chronic carriers. Hepatitis B virus interferes with the host innate immune system so as to evade elimination via almost all of its constituent proteins; nevertheless, the function of HBsAg with respect to immune escape remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the role HBsAg plays in assisting HBV to escape from immune responses. We found that HBsAg suppressed the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-кB) pathway, leading to downregulation of innate immune responses. HBsAg interacted with TAK1 and TAB2 specifically, inhibiting the phosphorylation and polyubiquitination of TAK1 and the K63-linked polyubiquitination of TAB2. Autophagy is a major catabolic process participating in many cellular processes, including the life cycle of HBV. We found that HBsAg promoted the autophagic degradation of TAK1 and TAB2 via the formation of complexes with TAK1 and TAB2, resulting in suppression of the NF-κB pathway. The expression of TAK1, TAB2, and the translocation of NF-κB inversely correlated with HBsAg levels in clinical liver tissues. Taken together, our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which HBsAg interacts with TAK1-TAB2 complex and suppresses the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway via reduction of the post-translational modifications and autophagic degradation.

Medicinal chemistry strategies for discovering antivirals effective against drug-resistant viruses

During the last forty years we have witnessed impressive advances in the field of antiviral drug discovery culminating with the introduction of therapies able to stop human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, or cure hepatitis C virus infections in people suffering from liver disease. However, there are important viral diseases without effective treatments, and the emergence of drug resistance threatens the efficacy of successful therapies used today. In this review, we discuss strategies to discover antiviral compounds specifically designed to combat drug resistance. Currently, efforts in this field are focused on targeted proteins (e.g. multi-target drug design strategies), but also on drug conformation (either improving drug positioning in the binding pocket or introducing conformational constraints), in the introduction or exploitation of new binding sites, or in strengthening interaction forces through the introduction of multiple hydrogen bonds, covalent binding, halogen bonds, additional van der Waals forces or multivalent binding. Among the new developments, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as a valid approach taking advantage of intracellular mechanisms involving protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Finally, several molecules targeting host factors (e.g. human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and DEAD-box polypeptide 3) have been identified as broad-spectrum antiviral compounds. Implementation of herein described medicinal chemistry strategies are expected to contribute to the discovery of new drugs effective against current and future threats due to emerging and re-emerging viral pandemics.

TMEM2 binds to CSNK2A3 to inhibit HBV infection via activation of the JAK/STAT pathway

To investigate mechanisms that TMEM2 activation inhibits hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in hepatocarcinoma (HCC) cells, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and mass spectrometry were used in screening interacting proteins for TMEM2. Levels of casein kinase 2 subunit α3 (CSNK2A3) in HCC cells were found to be inhibited or overexpressed using siRNAs and pcDNA3.1-CSNK2A3, respectively. Effect of CSNK2A3 expression on cell proliferation was analyzed using MTS, while its effect on HBV infection was measured using ddPCR and IHC. Western blotting and JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib were also used to determine whether TMEM2-regulated CSNK2A3 expression and HBV infection were affected by JAK-STAT signaling. Co-IP and mass spectrometry results showed that CSNK2A3 interacts with TMEM2. Moreover, overexpression of CSNK2A3 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, while inhibition of CSNK2A3 promoted proliferation of HCC cells. In addition, overexpression of CSNK2A3 was observed to significantly enhance HBV infection, while siRNA knockdown of CSNK2A3 inhibited HBV infection. Notably, effect of CSNK2A3 overexpression on HBV infection was suppressed by TMEM2 overexpression. Further mechanistic analyses have revealed that TMEM2 could antagonize the effects of CSNK2A3 on cell proliferation and HBV infection via JAK-STAT pathway activation. In conclusion, TMEM2 has been determined to bind to CSNK2A3 to inhibit HBV infection via activation of the JAK-STAT pathway.

[Viral hepatitis A-E]

Hepatitis viruses A-E cause acute and chronic liver inflammation and thus lead to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. They differ significantly in their biology, course of disease and therapy options. While hepatitis A virus only causes acute infection, hepatitis B can become chronic, even reactivate or occur as coinfection with hepatitis D virus. Whereas these infections are preventable through vaccination, a vaccine does not exist against HCV. However, new direct antiviral agents reliably lead to cure of chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis E virus frequently causes acute or-in case of immunosuppression-even chronic hepatitis. Continual screening of patients with elevated liver enzymes or risk groups using simple serological markers can enable virus-specific therapy of mostly asymptomatic chronic virus hepatitis, preventing the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Engineered therapeutic nanovaccine against chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB), caused by persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, significantly increases the risk of leading to liver diseases. Despite the successful development and implementation of HBV prophylactic vaccines for several decades, the development of therapeutic vaccine, a substantially potential strategy to eradicate HBV and achieve CHB cure, remains a great challenge. Herein, we applied flash nanocomplexation (FNC) technology to prepare nanovaccines with narrow size distribution and high encapsulation via the charge complexation between chitosan and heparin to encapsulate recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen (rHBsAg) or core antigen (rHBcAg), with CpG as adjuvant. The two nanovaccines enhanced the uptake of antigen and adjuvant into Raw264.7 cells and their co-administration further promoted maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Meanwhile, they exhibited excellent lymph nodes (LNs) targeting ability, draining to proximal and distal LNs with prolonged retention time, following subcutaneous injection. Co-administered nanovaccines could break immune tolerance and restore HBV-specific immune responses. In a mouse model of CHB, 90% and 80% of mice achieved hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance and hepatitis B virus surface antibody (HBsAb) seroconversion, respectively. Moreover, the vaccines induced long-term immune memory in HBV-cured mice to protect them from HBV reinfection. Thus, this work offers a promising and translational alternative for therapeutic CHB vaccine.

Safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of TQ-A3334, an oral toll-like receptor 7 agonist in healthy individuals

BACKGROUND & AIMS

TQ-A3334, a selective, oral toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist, is being developed to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of TQ-A3334 in healthy participants.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The effects of a single-ascending dose of TQ-A3334 (0.2-1.8 mg) combined with food (1.2 mg) were evaluated in 48 healthy participants.

RESULTS

No serious adverse events or discontinuations occurred in the study. The most common adverse reactions were lymphocyte count decreased and headache, which were generally consistent with IFN-α exposure and the mechanism of action of a TLR7 agonist. TQ-A3334 was rapidly absorbed, with a time to maximum plasma concentration of 0.42-0.5 h. Systemic exposure (C_max and AUC) to TQ-A3334 increased with a slight saturation proportion to dose. Food reduced the exposure of TQ-A3334. The concentrations of MCP-1, ISG-15, MX-1, and OAS-1 were observed to be slightly dose-dependent, ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 mg TQ-A3334.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral doses of 0.2-1.8 mg appeared to be safe and tolerated. PD activity was seen at doses ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 mg, indicating its possible future use to treat CHB.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial website (http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/index.html # CTR20182248).

Characterization of Hepatitis B Precore/Core-Related Antigens

Current therapies rarely cure chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection due to the persistence of the viral episome, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), in hepatocytes. The hepatitis B virus core-related antigen (HBcrAg), a mixture of the viral precore/core gene products, has emerged as one potential marker to monitor the levels and activities of intrahepatic cccDNA. In this study, a comprehensive characterization of precore/core gene products revealed that HBcrAg components included the classical hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBc) and e antigen (HBeAg) and, additionally, the precore-related antigen, PreC, retaining the N-terminal signal peptide. Both HBeAg and PreC antigens displayed heterogeneous proteolytic processing at their C termini resulting in multiple species, which varied with viral genotypes. HBeAg was the predominant form of HBcrAg in HBeAg-positive patients. Positive correlations were found between HBcrAg and PreC, between HBcrAg and HBeAg, and between PreC and HBeAg but not between HBcrAg and HBc. Serum HBeAg and PreC shared similar buoyant density and size distributions, and both displayed density and size heterogeneity. HBc, but not HBeAg or PreC antigen, was found as the main component of capsids in DNA-containing or empty virions. Neither HBeAg nor PreC protein was able to form capsids in cells or in vitro under physiological conditions. In conclusion, our study provides important new quantitative information on levels of each component of precore/core gene products as well as their biochemical and biophysical characteristics, implying that each component may have distinct functions and applications in reflecting intrahepatic viral activities.IMPORTANCE Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection afflicts approximately 257 million people, who are at high risk of progressing to chronic liver diseases, including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies rarely achieve cure of HBV infection due to the persistence of the HBV episome, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), in the nuclei of infected hepatocytes. Peripheral markers of cccDNA levels and transcriptional activities are urgently required to guide antiviral therapy and drug development. Serum hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is one such emerging peripheral marker. We have characterized the components of HBcrAg in HBV-infected patients as well as in cell cultures. Our results provide important new quantitative information on levels of each HBcrAg component, as well as their biochemical and biophysical characteristics. Our findings suggest that each HBcrAg component may have distinct functions and applications in reflecting intrahepatic viral activities.

Humoral Immune Responses and Hepatitis B Infection

BACKGROUND

Chronicity or seroclearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens is determined by the host immune responses. Current approaches to treat HBV patients are based on inhibition of replication using different antivirals (nucleoside or nucleotide analogs) as monotherapy, or along with immune modulators as combination therapy is being used worldwide for reducing the viral load. Understanding the role of immune cellular therapies with currently available treatments for persistent viral-mediated responses in HBV patients is unexplored. However, the generation of antibodies against a surface (HBs) and envelop (HBe) antigen of hepatitis B remains an issue for future studies and needs to be explored.

SUMMARY

Humoral immunity, specifically T follicular helper (TFh) cells, may serve as a target for therapy for HBsAg seroconversion. In this review, we have been engrossed in the importance and role of the humoral immune responses in CHBV infection and vertical transmission. Key Message: TFh cells have been suggested as the potential target of immunotherapy which lead to seroconversion of HBe and HBs antigens of HBV. HBsAg seroconversion and eradication of covalently closed circular DNA are the main challenges for existing and forthcoming therapies in HBV infection.

The Dihydroquinolizinone Compound RG7834 Inhibits the Polyadenylase Function of PAPD5 and PAPD7 and Accelerates the Degradation of Matured Hepatitis B Virus Surface Protein mRNA

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) mRNA metabolism is dependent upon host proteins PAPD5 and PAPD7 (PAPD5/7). PAPD5/7 are cellular, noncanonical, poly(A) polymerases (PAPs) whose main function is to oligoadenylate the 3' end of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) for exosome degradation. HBV seems to exploit these two ncRNA quality-control factors for viral mRNA stabilization, rather than degradation. RG7834 is a small-molecule compound that binds PAPD5/7 and inhibits HBV gene production in both tissue culture and animal study. We reported that RG7834 was able to destabilize multiple HBV mRNA species, ranging from the 3.5-kb pregenomic/precore mRNAs to the 2.4/2.1-kb hepatitis B virus surface protein (HBs) mRNAs, except for the smallest 0.7-kb X protein (HBx) mRNA. Compound-induced HBV mRNA destabilization was initiated by a shortening of the poly(A) tail, followed by an accelerated degradation process in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. In cells expressing HBV mRNA, both PAPD5/7 were found to be physically associated with the viral RNA, and the polyadenylating activities of PAPD5/7 were susceptible to RG7834 repression in a biochemical assay. Moreover, in PAPD5/7 double-knockout cells, viral transcripts with a regular length of the poly(A) sequence could be initially synthesized but became shortened in hours, suggesting that participation of PAPD5/7 in RNA 3' end processing, either during adenosine oligomerization or afterward, is crucial for RNA stabilization.

HBV upregulated triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) expression on monocytes participated in disease progression through NF-Kb pathway

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) signal is related to the continuous amplification of inflammatory pathway. However, it is not clear whether and how HBV can regulated the expression of TREM-1 on monocyte participated in the progression of liver disease. Here, we showed that the expression of TREM-1 on monocyte subsets were increased significantly in HBV related liver cirrhosis group compared with chronic infected group and healthy control group. HBsAg and HBeAg could up-regulated TREM-1 on monocyte by NF-KB pathway, and at least last for 72 h. Increased TREM-1 on monocyte might associated with high level of inflammatory cytokine (TNF-a, IL-1β and IL-6) and the activation of LX-2 cells. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the high expression of TREM-1 was related to the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The level of TREM-1 might help to predict the progression of HBV infected liver disease and treat target to prevent fibrosis progression.

Hepatitis B virus core-related antigen is useful for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in a patient with occult hepatitis B virus infection: Case report

Serum HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is useful for detecting HCC in patients with occult HBV infection. Surveillance for HCC is needed in patients who are positive for HBcrAg, even if they are negative for HBsAg and HBV DNA.

Metabolic regulation of the HBV-specific T cell function

Chronically HBV infected subjects are more than 260 million worldwide; cirrhosis and liver cancer represent possible outcomes which affect around 700,000 patients per year. Both innate and adaptive immune responses are necessary for viral control and both have been shown to be defective in chronic patients. Metabolic remodeling is an essential process in T cell biology, particularly for T cell activation, differentiation and survival. Cellular metabolism relies on the conversion of nutrients into energy to support intracellular processes, and to generate fundamental intermediate components for cell proliferation and growth. Adaptive immune responses are the central mechanisms for the resolution of primary human infections leading to the activation of pathogen-specific B and T cell functions. In chronic HBV infection the anti-viral immune response fails to contain the virus and leads to persistent hepatic tissue damage which may finally result in liver cirrhosis and cancer. This T cell failure is associated with metabolic alterations suggesting that control of nutrient uptake and intracellular utilization as well as correct regulation of intracellular metabolic pathways are strategic for T cell differentiation during persistent chronic infections. This review will discuss some of the main features of the T cell metabolic processes which are relevant to the generation of an efficient antiviral response, with specific focus on their clinical relevance in chronic HBV infection in the perspective of possible strategies to correct deregulated metabolic pathways underlying T cell dysfunction of chronic HBV patients.

Host RNA quality control as a hepatitis B antiviral target

Inhibition of the host RNA polyadenylating polymerases, PAPD5 and PAPD7 (PAPD5/7), with dihydroquinolizinone, a small orally available, molecule, results in a rapid and selective degradation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA, and hence reduction in the amounts of viral gene products. DHQ, is a first in class investigational agent and could represent an entirely new category of HBV antivirals. PAPD5 and PAPD7 are non-canonical, cell specified, polyadenylating polymerases, also called terminal nucleotidyl transferases 4B and 4A (TENT4B/A), respectively. They are involved in the degradation of poor-quality cell transcripts, mostly non-coding RNAs and in the maturation of a sub-set of transcripts. They also appear to play a role in shielding some mRNA from degradation. The results of studies with DHQ, along with other recent findings, provide evidence that repression of the PAPD5/7 arm of the cell "RNA quality control" pathway, causes a profound (multi-fold) reduction rather than increase, in the amount of HBV pre-genomic, pre-core and HBsAg mRNA levels in tissue culture and animal models, as well. In this review we will briefly discuss the need for new HBV therapeutics and provide background about HBV transcription. We also discuss cellular degradation of host transcripts, as it relates to a new family of anti-HBV drugs that interfere with these processes. Finally, since HBV mRNA maturation appears to be selectively sensitive to PAPD5/7 inhibition in hepatocytes, we discuss the possibility of targeting host RNA "quality control" as an antiviral strategy.

Hepatitis B virus Core protein nuclear interactome identifies SRSF10 as a host RNA-binding protein restricting HBV RNA production

Despite the existence of a preventive vaccine, chronic infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 250 million people and represents a major global cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Current clinical treatments, in most of cases, do not eliminate viral genome that persists as a DNA episome in the nucleus of hepatocytes and constitutes a stable template for the continuous expression of viral genes. Several studies suggest that, among viral factors, the HBV core protein (HBc), well-known for its structural role in the cytoplasm, could have critical regulatory functions in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. To elucidate these functions, we performed a proteomic analysis of HBc-interacting host-factors in the nucleus of differentiated HepaRG, a surrogate model of human hepatocytes. The HBc interactome was found to consist primarily of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which are involved in various aspects of mRNA metabolism. Among them, we focused our studies on SRSF10, a RBP that was previously shown to regulate alternative splicing (AS) in a phosphorylation-dependent manner and to control stress and DNA damage responses, as well as viral replication. Functional studies combining SRSF10 knockdown and a pharmacological inhibitor of SRSF10 phosphorylation (1C8) showed that SRSF10 behaves as a restriction factor that regulates HBV RNAs levels and that its dephosphorylated form is likely responsible for the anti-viral effect. Surprisingly, neither SRSF10 knock-down nor 1C8 treatment modified the splicing of HBV RNAs but rather modulated the level of nascent HBV RNA. Altogether, our work suggests that in the nucleus of infected cells HBc interacts with multiple RBPs that regulate viral RNA metabolism. Our identification of SRSF10 as a new anti-HBV restriction factor offers new perspectives for the development of new host-targeted antiviral strategies.

Chronic infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 250 million of people world-wide and is a major global cause of liver cancer. Current treatments lead to a significant reduction of viremia in patients. However, viral clearance is rarely obtained and the persistence of the HBV genome in the hepatocyte’s nucleus generates a stable source of viral RNAs and subsequently proteins which play important roles in immune escape mechanisms and liver disease progression. Therapies aiming at efficiently and durably eliminating viral gene expression are still required. In this study, we identified the nuclear partners of the HBV Core protein (HBc) to understand how this structural protein, responsible for capsid assembly in the cytoplasm, could also regulate viral gene expression. The HBc interactome was found to consist primarily of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). One of these RBPs, SRSF10, was demonstrated to restrict HBV RNA levels and a drug, able to alter its phosphorylation, behaved as an antiviral compound capable of reducing viral gene expression. Altogether, this study sheds new light on novel regulatory functions of HBc and provides information relevant for the development of antiviral strategies aiming at preventing viral gene expression.

Circ-ATP5H Induces Hepatitis B Virus Replication and Expression by Regulating miR-138-5p/TNFAIP3 Axis

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important regulatory role in various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the function of hsa_circ_0006942 (circ-ATP5H) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated HCC and its underlying mechanism.

Methods

The levels of circ-ATP5H, miR-138-5p and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3) were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or Western blot assay. The copies of HBV DNA were examined using qRT-PCR. The levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the interactions among circ-ATP5H, miR-138-5p and TNFAIP3.

Results

Circ-ATP5H and TNFAIP3 levels were increased, while miR-138-5p level was reduced in HBV-positive HCC tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ-ATP5H hindered HBV DNA replication and decreased HBsAg and HBeAg levels in HBV-infected cells. Circ-ATP5H silencing suppressed HBV replication and expression by regulating miR-138-5p. Moreover, miR-138-5p blocked HBV replication and expression via targeting TNFAIP3. Furthermore, circ-ATP5H up-regulated TNFAIP3 via absorbing miR-138-5p.

Conclusion

Circ-ATP5H promoted HBV replication and expression through modulating miR-138-5p/TNFAIP3 axis, suggesting a new biomarker for HBV-related HCC treatment.

cccDNA Maintenance in Chronic Hepatitis B - Targeting the Matrix of Viral Replication

Chronic hepatitis B is a numerically important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, despite an effective prophylactic vaccine and well-tolerated and effective oral antivirals. Both the incapacity of the immune system to clear hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the unique replication strategies adopted by HBV are considered key determinants of HBV chronicity. In this regard, the formation of the HBV DNA minichromosome, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes, is essential not only for the production of all viral proteins but also for HBV persistence even after long-term antiviral therapy. Licensed polymerase inhibitors target the HBV reverse transcriptase activity, control the disease with long-term therapy but fail to eliminate the cccDNA. Consequently, the production of viral RNAs and proteins, including the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), is not abolished. Novel therapeutic efforts that are in the pipeline for early clinical trials explore novel targets and molecules. Such therapeutic efforts focus on achieving a functional cure, which is defined by the loss of HBsAg and undetectable HBV DNA levels in serum. Since a true cure of HBV infection requires the elimination of the cccDNA from infected cells, comprehension of the mechanisms implicated in cccDNA biogenesis, regulation and stability appears necessary to achieve HBV eradication. In this review, we will summarize the state of knowledge on cccDNA metabolism, focusing on insights suggesting potential weak points of the cccDNA that may be key for the development of therapeutic approaches and design of clinical trials aiming at lowering cccDNA loads and activity.

Functional long non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent human malignancy with high morbidity worldwide. Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complex multistep process, and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of newly discovered molecules, have been revealed as essential regulators in the development of HCC. HCC-associated lncRNAs affect multiple malignant phenotypes by modulating gene expression or protein activity. Moreover, the dysregulation of lncRNAs in the liver is also associated with diseases predisposing to HCC, such as chronic viral infection, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. A deeper understanding of the lncRNA regulatory network in the multistep processes of HCC development will provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. In this review, we introduce the biogenesis and function of lncRNAs and summarize recent knowledge on how lncRNAs regulate the malignant hallmarks of HCC, such as uncontrolled cell proliferation, resistance to cell death, metabolic reprogramming, immune escape, angiogenesis, and metastasis. We also review emerging insights into the role of lncRNAs in HCC-associated liver diseases. Finally, we discuss the potential applications of lncRNAs as early diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Understanding Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Replication to Design Efficient Drug Combination Therapies

BACKGROUND

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its disease CO-VID-19 has strongly encouraged the search for antiviral compounds. Most of the evaluated drugs against SARS-CoV-2 derive from drug repurposing of Food and Drug Administration-approved molecules. These drugs have as target three major processes: (1) early stages of virus-cell interaction, (2) viral proteases, and (3) the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

SUMMARY

This review focused on the basic principles of virology and pharmacology to understand the importance of early stages of virus-cell interaction as therapeutic targets and other main processes vital for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Furthermore, we focused on describing the main targets associated with SARS-CoV-2 antiviral therapy and the rationale of drug combinations for efficiently suppressing viral replication. Key Messages: We hypothesized that blocking of both entry mechanisms could allow a more effective antiviral effect compared to the partial results obtained with chloroquine or its derivatives alone. This approach, already used to achieve an antiviral effect higher than that offered by every single drug administered separately, has been successfully applied in several viral infections such as HIV and HCV. This review will contribute to expanding the perception of the possible therapeutic targets in SARS-CoV-2 infection and highlight the benefits of using combination therapies.

Biogenesis and molecular characteristics of serum hepatitis B virus RNA

HBV is an enveloped DNA virus that replicates its DNA genome via reverse transcription of a pregenomic (pg) RNA intermediate in hepatocytes. Interestingly, HBV RNA can be detected in virus-like particles in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patient serum and has been utilized as a biomarker for intrahepatic cccDNA activity in treated patients. However, the biogenesis and molecular characteristics of serum HBV RNA remain to be fully defined. In this study, we found that the encapsidated serum HBV RNA predominately consists of pgRNA, which are detergent- and ribonuclease-resistant. Through blocking HBV DNA replication without affecting pgRNA encapsidation by using the priming-defective HBV mutant Y63D or 3TC treatment, we demonstrated that the cell culture supernatant contains a large amount of pgRNA-containing nonenveloped capsids and a minor population of pgRNA-containing virions. The formation of pgRNA-virion requires both capsid assembly and viral envelope proteins, which can be inhibited by capsid assembly modulators and an envelope-knockout mutant, respectively. Furthermore, the pgRNA-virion utilizes the multivesicular body pathway for egress, in a similar way as DNA-virion morphogenesis. Northern blotting, RT-PCR, and 3' RACE assays revealed that serum/supernatant HBV pgRNA are mainly spliced and devoid of the 3'-terminal sequences. Furthermore, pgRNA-virion collected from cells treated with a reversible HBV priming inhibitor L-FMAU was unable to establish infection in HepG2-NTCP cells. In summary, serum HBV RNA is secreted in noninfectious virion-like particle as spliced and poly(A)-free pgRNA. Our study will shed light on the molecular biology of serum HBV RNA in HBV life cycle, and aid the development of serum HBV RNA as a novel biomarker for CHB diagnosis and treatment prognosis.

[Immunotherapies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infections-an overview with a focus on CAR T cells]

Derzeit leiden weltweit mehr als 250 Mio. Menschen an einer chronischen Infektion mit Hepatitis-B-Virus (CHB). Eine chronische Infektion geht mit einem erhöhten Risiko der Entwicklung einer Leberfibrose/-zirrhose und der Entwicklung eines hepatozellulären Karzinoms einher. Derzeit versterben jährlich ca. 0,8–1 Mio. Menschen an den Folgen einer chronischen Infektion. Eine Schwierigkeit bei der Therapie der CHB besteht darin, dass das virale Genom in Form eines Minichroms sehr lange Zeit persistieren kann bzw. dass virale Sequenzen in das Wirtsgenom inserieren können. Chronische Infektionen sind häufig durch funktionale Defekte der zellulären Immunantwort, insbesondere der T‑Zell-Antwort charakterisiert, was einer Eliminierung HBV-infizierter Zellen entgegensteht.

Immuntherapien zur Heilung der CHB zielen daher darauf ab, die antivirale Funktion der zellulären Immunantwort wiederherzustellen. Im Rahmen dieser Übersicht sollen verschiedene aktuelle Ansätze zur Immuntherapie der CHB beschrieben werden, insbesondere gentechnisch veränderte autologe T‑Zellen als mögliches Werkzeug zur Therapie der CHB. Weiterhin werden die Modulation von Checkpointinhibitoren der Immunantwort, metabolische T‑Zelltherapien und die therapeutische Impfung zur Stimulation der T‑Zellantwort als immuntherapeutische Strategien zur Therapie der chronischen HBV-Infektion zusammenfassend dargestellt.

Impact of Hepatitis B Virus Genetic Variation, Integration, and Lymphotropism in Antiviral Treatment and Oncogenesis

Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection poses a significant global health burden. Although, effective treatment and vaccinations against HBV are available, challenges still exist, particularly in the development of curative therapies. The dynamic nature and unique features of HBV such as viral variants, integration of HBV DNA into host chromosomes, and extrahepatic reservoirs are considerations towards understanding the virus biology and developing improved anti-HBV treatments. In this review, we highlight the importance of these viral characteristics in the context of treatment and oncogenesis. Viral genotype and genetic variants can serve as important predictive factors for therapeutic response and outcomes in addition to oncogenic risk. HBV integration, particularly in coding genes, is implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, we will discuss emerging research that has identified various HBV nucleic acids and infection markers within extrahepatic sites (lymphoid cells). Intriguingly, the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-associated HBV variants and viral integration within the lymphoid cells may contribute towards the development of extrahepatic malignancies. Improved understanding of these HBV characteristics will enhance the development of a cure for chronic HBV infection.

Icaritin-induced immunomodulatory efficacy in advanced hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: Immunodynamic biomarkers and overall survival

Advanced hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma HCC with poor prognosis is often associated with chronic inflammation, immune tolerance, and marked heterogeneity. The interleukin-6 (IL-6)/JAK/STAT3 signal pathways play multiple regulatory roles in modulating inflammation and immunity in cancers. Polarization of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) is involved in HBV-related immunosuppression and CD8⁺ T-cell activation through ERK/IL-6/STAT3. Icaritin is a small molecule that has displayed anticancer activities through IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathways in tumor cells and immune cells including CD8⁺ T cells, MDSCs, neutrophils, and macrophages. This study aimed to confirm icaritin immunomodulation in advanced HBV-related HCC patients with poor prognosis. Immunomodulation of MDSCs was evaluated in BALB/c mice in vivo. Immunomodulation of serum cytokines and a panel of immune checkpoint proteins were assessed in HBV-related, histologically confirmed HCC patients. Poor prognostic characteristics included HBV infection, bulky tumors, Child-Pugh B classification, and metastasis. Clinical end-points included safety, tumor response, and overall survival (OS). Icaritin treatment-induced dynamics of serum cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and soluble immune checkpoint proteins TIM3, LAG3, CD28, CD80, and CTLA-4 were assessed. No grade III/IV treatment-related adverse events were observed. Time-to-progression was significantly associated with the prognostic factors. Improved survival was observed in the advanced HCC patients with dynamic changes of cytokines, immune checkpoint proteins, and immune cells. Median OS (329-565 days) was significantly correlated with baseline hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, cytokines, tumor neoantigens, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection. Composite biomarker scores of high-level α-fetoprotein and T helper type I (Th1)/Th2 cytokines associated with favorable survival warrant further clinical development of icaritin as an alternative immune-modulatory regimen to treat advanced HCC patients with poor prognosis.