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Heterogeneity and coexistence of oncogenic mechanisms involved in HCV-associated B-cell lymphomas. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2019; 138:156-171. [PMID: 31092372 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The association of HCV-infection with B-lymphomas is supported by the regression of most indolent/low-grade lymphomas following anti-viral therapy. Studies on direct and indirect oncogenic mechanisms have elucidated the pathogenesis of HCV-associated B-lymphoma subtypes. These include B-lymphocyte proliferation and sustained clonal expansion by HCV-envelope protein stimulation of B-cell receptors, and prolonged HCV-infected B-cell growth by overexpression of an anti-apoptotic BCL-2 oncogene caused by the increased frequency of t(14;18) chromosomal translocations in follicular lymphomas. HCV has been implicated in lymphomagenesis by a "hit-and-run" mechanism, inducing enhanced mutation rate in immunoglobulins and anti-oncogenes favoring immune escape, due to permanent genetic damage by double-strand DNA-breaks. More direct oncogenic mechanisms have been identified in cytokines and chemokines in relation to NS3 and Core expression, particularly in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. By reviewing genetic alterations and disrupted signaling pathways, we intend to highlight how mutually non-contrasting mechanisms cooperate with environmental factors toward progression of HCV-lymphoma.
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Russi S, Dammacco F, Sansonno S, Pavone F, Sansonno D. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase in B cells of hepatits C virus-related cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis. Clin Exp Immunol 2015. [PMID: 26219420 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin variable region heavy chain (IgVH ) somatic gene diversification is instrumental in the transformation process that characterizes hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related B cell lymphoproliferative disorders. However, the extent to which activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), an enzyme essential for IgV gene somatic hypermutation (SHM), is active in cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis (CV) remains unclear. AID mRNA expression in the peripheral blood of 102 chronically hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients (58 with and 44 without CV) and 26 healthy subjects was investigated using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The features of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) protein and mRNA transcripts were explored in liver tissue biopsies and portal tracts isolated using laser capture microdissection. In chronically HCV-infected patients, AID mRNA expression was almost threefold higher in those with than in those without CV and sevenfold higher than in healthy subjects (median-fold: 6.68 versus 2.54, P = 0.03 and versus 0.95, P = 0.0003). AID transcript levels were significantly higher in polyclonal than in clonally restricted B cell preparations in either CV or non-CV patients (median-fold, 15.0 versus 2.70, P = 0.009 and 3.46 versus 1.58, P = 0.02, respectively). AID gene expression was found to be related negatively to age and virological parameters. AID protein was found in portal tracts containing inflammatory cells that, in several instances, expressed AID mRNA transcripts. Our data indicate that the aberrant expression of AID may reflect continuous B cell activation and sustained survival signals in HCV-related CV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Russi
- Liver Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - F Dammacco
- Liver Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - S Sansonno
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia Medical School, Foggia, Italy
| | - F Pavone
- Liver Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - D Sansonno
- Liver Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Zignego AL, Giannini C, Gragnani L, Piluso A, Fognani E. Hepatitis C virus infection in the immunocompromised host: a complex scenario with variable clinical impact. J Transl Med 2012; 10:158. [PMID: 22863056 PMCID: PMC3441205 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-10-158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection and immunosuppression is complex and multifaceted. Although HCV-related hepatocytolysis is classically interpreted as secondary to the attack by cytotoxic T lymphocytes against infected cells, the liver disease is usually exacerbated and more rapidly evolutive in immunosuppressed patients. This generally occurs during the immunosuppression state, and not at the reconstitution of the host response after immunosuppressive therapy discontinuation. The field of immunosuppression and HCV infection is complicated both by the different outcome observed in different situations and/or by contrasting data obtained in the same conditions, with several still unanswered questions, such as the opportunity to modify treatment schedules in the setting of post-transplant follow-up. The complexity of this field is further complicated by the intrinsic tendency of HCV infection in itself to lead to disorders of the immune system. This review will briefly outline the current knowledge about the pathogenesis of both hepatic and extrahepatic HCV-related disorders and the principal available data concerning HCV infection in a condition of impairment of the immune system. Attention will be especially focused on some conditions - liver or kidney transplantation, the use of biologic drugs and cancer chemotherapy - for which more abundant and interesting data exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Linda Zignego
- Center for Systemic Manifestations of Hepatitis Viruses (MASVE), Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
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Ohtsubo K, Sata M, Kawaguchi T, Morishige S, Takata Y, Oku E, Imamura R, Seki R, Hashiguchi M, Osaki K, Yakushiji K, Kanaji T, Yoshimoto K, Ueno T, Okamura T. Characterization of the light chain-restricted clonal B cells in peripheral blood of HCV-positive patients. Int J Hematol 2009; 89:452-459. [PMID: 19353237 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-009-0301-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2008] [Revised: 02/26/2009] [Accepted: 03/03/2009] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and B cell proliferation, we searched for the clonal B cells by flow cytometric analysis of the surface immunoglobulin kappa (kappa):lambda (lambda) light chain ratios of the circulating B (CD19+) cells in 240 HCV-positive patients and 150 negative controls with liver diseases. Clonal B cells with light chain restriction (kappa:lambda ratio >3:1 or <1:2) were analyzed for CD5 expression and the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IGH) gene rearrangements and the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation. Clonal B cells were detected in 7 cases with HCV (2.9%), but was never detected in the controls (p < 0.05). Of the 7 cases, all had monoclonal IGH gene rearrangements and one had the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation. These HCV-related clonal B cells are not uniform in the intensity of CD5 expression and showed no increase in the frequencies of CD5+ population compared with non-clonal B cells. No "chronic lymphocytic leukemia-phenotype" cells were found. The loss of clonality was observed in 2 cases treated with interferon and in one case treated with splenectomy. The longitudinal study is required to determine whether these circulating clonal B cells progress to lymphoproliferative disorders in future or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korenori Ohtsubo
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.
| | - Michio Sata
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan.,Department of Digestive Disease Information and Research, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan.,Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
| | - Takumi Kawaguchi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan.,Department of Digestive Disease Information and Research, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Satoshi Morishige
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Yuka Takata
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Eijiro Oku
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Rie Imamura
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Seki
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.,Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
| | - Michitoshi Hashiguchi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Koichi Osaki
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Yakushiji
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Taisuke Kanaji
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Kohji Yoshimoto
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Takato Ueno
- Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
| | - Takashi Okamura
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.,Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
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Abstract
Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), type II and type III, refers to the presence of circulating cryoprecipitable immune complexes in the serum and manifests clinically by a classical triad of purpura, weakness and arthralgias. It is considered to be a rare disorder, but its true prevalence remains unknown. The disease is more common in Southern Europe than in Northern Europe or Northern America. The prevalence of 'essential' MC is reported as approximately 1:100,000 (with a female-to-male ratio 3:1), but this term is now used to refer to a minority of MC patients only. MC is characterized by variable organ involvement including skin lesions (orthostatic purpura, ulcers), chronic hepatitis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, peripheral neuropathy, diffuse vasculitis, and, less frequently, interstitial lung involvement and endocrine disorders. Some patients may develop lymphatic and hepatic malignancies, usually as a late complication. MC may be associated with numerous infectious or immunological diseases. When isolated, MC may represent a distinct disease, the so-called 'essential' MC. The etiopathogenesis of MC is not completely understood. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is suggested to play a causative role, with the contribution of genetic and/or environmental factors. Moreover, MC may be associated with other infectious agents or immunological disorders, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or primary Sjögren's syndrome. Diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory findings. Circulating mixed cryoglobulins, low C4 levels and orthostatic skin purpura are the hallmarks of the disease. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis involving medium- and, more often, small-sized blood vessels is the typical pathological finding, easily detectable by means of skin biopsy of recent vasculitic lesions. Differential diagnoses include a wide range of systemic, infectious and neoplastic disorders, mainly autoimmune hepatitis, Sjögren's syndrome, polyarthritis, and B-cell lymphomas. The first-line treatment of MC should focus on eradication of HCV by combined interferon-ribavirin treatment. Pathogenetic treatments (immunosuppressors, corticosteroids, and/or plasmapheresis) should be tailored to each patient according to the progression and severity of the clinical manifestations. Long-term monitoring is recommended in all MC patients to assure timely diagnosis and treatment of the life-threatening complications. The overall prognosis is poorer in patients with renal disease, liver failure, lymphoproliferative disease and malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clodoveo Ferri
- Dipartimento Medicine e Specialità Mediche, Cattedra ed U,O,C, di Reumatologia, Università di Modena & Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Increased serum levels of the chemokine CXCL13 and up-regulation of its gene expression are distinctive features of HCV-related cryoglobulinemia and correlate with active cutaneous vasculitis. Blood 2008; 112:1620-7. [PMID: 18550853 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-02-137455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine CXCL13, also known as BCA-1 (B cell-attracting chemokine-1) or BLC (B-lymphocyte chemoattractant), is a major regulator of B-cell trafficking. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be associated with B-cell dysfunction and lymphoproliferative disorders, including mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). This study evaluates circulating levels of CXCL13 protein and specific mRNA expression in chronically HCV-infected patients with and without MC. Compared with healthy controls and HCV-infected patients without MC, CXCL13 serum levels were significantly higher in MC patients. The highest CXCL13 levels strongly correlated with active cutaneous vasculitis. CXCL13 gene expression in portal tracts, isolated from liver biopsy tissues with laser capture microdissection, showed enhanced levels of specific mRNA in MC patients with active cutaneous vasculitis. Specific CXCL13 gene mRNA expression was also up-regulated in skin tissue of these patients. These findings paralleled specific deposits of CXCL13 protein both in the liver and in the skin. Our results indicate that up-regulation of CXCL13 gene expression is a distinctive feature of HCV-infected patients. Higher levels of this chemokine in the liver as well as in the skin of patients with active MC vasculitis suggest a possible interrelation between these biologic compartments.
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Sansonno D, Tucci FA, Lauletta G, De Re V, Montrone M, Troiani L, Sansonno L, Dammacco F. Hepatitis C virus productive infection in mononuclear cells from patients with cryoglobulinaemia. Clin Exp Immunol 2007; 147:241-8. [PMID: 17223964 PMCID: PMC1810461 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2006.03272.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2006] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between the occurrence of cryoglobulins and hepatitis C virus (HCV) productive infection in peripheral blood and bone marrow-derived lymphocytes was explored. HCV minus strand RNA, the viral replicative intermediate, was searched for by a polyA(+) tract strand-specific Tth-based reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in lymphoid cells of 46 patients with acute and chronic infection. The HCV minus strand was demonstrated in RNA extracted from six (13%) and five (11%) peripheral blood and bone marrow-derived lymphocytes, respectively. The HCV replicating form in lymphoid cells was associated strictly with mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MCG), in that it was found in six of 13 (46%) MCG patients, including two with B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). No traces of HCV-negative strand RNA were found in four patients with acute hepatitis C, in 15 with chronic active hepatitis without extrahepatic disorders, in seven with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and in seven with B-NHL without MCG. These results emphasize the direct role of the virus in the pathogenesis of MCG and support the contention that HCV is not specifically lymphotropic, its entry and replication in lymphoid cells being determined largely by selective interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Sansonno
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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