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Xu ZM, Gnouamozi GE, Rüeger S, Shea PR, Buti M, Chan HL, Marcellin P, Lawless D, Naret O, Zeller M, Schneuing A, Scheck A, Junier T, Moradpour D, Podlaha O, Suri V, Gaggar A, Subramanian M, Correia B, Gfeller D, Urban S, Fellay J. Joint host-pathogen genomic analysis identifies hepatitis B virus mutations associated with human NTCP and HLA class I variation. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:1018-1034. [PMID: 38749427 PMCID: PMC11179264 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary changes in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome could reflect its adaptation to host-induced selective pressure. Leveraging paired human exome and ultra-deep HBV genome-sequencing data from 567 affected individuals with chronic hepatitis B, we comprehensively searched for the signatures of this evolutionary process by conducting "genome-to-genome" association tests between all human genetic variants and viral mutations. We identified significant associations between an East Asian-specific missense variant in the gene encoding the HBV entry receptor NTCP (rs2296651, NTCP S267F) and mutations within the receptor-binding region of HBV preS1. Through in silico modeling and in vitro preS1-NTCP binding assays, we observed that the associated HBV mutations are in proximity to the NTCP variant when bound and together partially increase binding affinity to NTCP S267F. Furthermore, we identified significant associations between HLA-A variation and viral mutations in HLA-A-restricted T cell epitopes. We used in silico binding prediction tools to evaluate the impact of the associated HBV mutations on HLA presentation and observed that mutations that result in weaker binding affinities to their cognate HLA alleles were enriched. Overall, our results suggest the emergence of HBV escape mutations that might alter the interaction between HBV PreS1 and its cellular receptor NTCP during viral entry into hepatocytes and confirm the role of HLA class I restriction in inducing HBV epitope variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Ming Xu
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gnimah Eva Gnouamozi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sina Rüeger
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrick R Shea
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron and CIBEREHD del Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Henry Ly Chan
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Dylan Lawless
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Naret
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Zeller
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Arne Schneuing
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Scheck
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Junier
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Darius Moradpour
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Bruno Correia
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Gfeller
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jacques Fellay
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland; Precision Medicine Unit, Biomedical Data Science Center, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Caraballo Cortés K, Osuch S, Perlejewski K, Radkowski M, Janiak M, Berak H, Rauch A, Fehr JS, Hoffmann M, Günthard HF, Metzner KJ. T-Cell Exhaustion in HIV-1/Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection Is Reduced After Successful Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad514. [PMID: 37953817 PMCID: PMC10633785 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background T-cell responses during chronic viral infections become exhausted, which is reflected by upregulation of inhibitory receptors (iRs) and increased interleukin 10 (IL-10). We assessed 2 iRs-PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) and Tim-3 (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3)-and IL-10 mRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and their soluble analogs (sPD-1, sTim-3, and IL-10) in plasma in chronic HIV-1/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection and explored the effect of HCV treatment on these markers. We also aimed to establish whether iR expression may be determined by the HCV CD8+ T-cell immunodominant epitope sequence. Methods Plasma and PBMCs from 31 persons with chronic HIV-1/HCV coinfection from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study were collected before and after HCV treatment. As controls, 45 persons who were HIV-1 negative with chronic HCV infection were recruited. Exhaustion markers were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in plasma and by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in PBMCs. Analysis of an HCV epitope sequence was conducted by next-generation sequencing: HLA-A*02-restricted NS31073-1081 and NS31406-1415 and HLA-A*01-restricted NS31436-1444. Results The study revealed higher plasma sPD-1 (P = .0235) and IL-10 (P = .002) levels and higher IL-10 mRNA in PBMCs (P = .0149) in HIV-1/HCV coinfection. A decrease in plasma sPD-1 (P = .0006), sTim-3 (P = .0136), and IL-10 (P = .0003) and Tim-3 mRNA in PBMCs (P = .0210) was observed following successful HCV treatment. Infection with the HLA-A*01-restricted NS31436-1444 ATDALMTGY prototype variant was related to higher sTim-3 levels than infection with the ATDALMTGF escape variant (P = .0326). Conclusions The results underscore the synergistic effect of coinfection on expression of exhaustion markers, their reduction following successful HCV treatment and imply that iR levels may operate on an epitope-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Caraballo Cortés
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sylwia Osuch
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karol Perlejewski
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Radkowski
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Janiak
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hanna Berak
- Outpatient Clinic, Warsaw Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andri Rauch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jan S Fehr
- Department of Public and Global Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Hoffmann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cantonal Hospital Olten, Olten, Switzerland
| | - Huldrych F Günthard
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karin J Metzner
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Warger J, Gaudieri S. On the Evolutionary Trajectory of SARS-CoV-2: Host Immunity as a Driver of Adaptation in RNA Viruses. Viruses 2022; 15:70. [PMID: 36680110 PMCID: PMC9866609 DOI: 10.3390/v15010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Host immunity can exert a complex array of selective pressures on a pathogen, which can drive highly mutable RNA viruses towards viral escape. The plasticity of a virus depends on its rate of mutation, as well as the balance of fitness cost and benefit of mutations, including viral adaptations to the host's immune response. Since its emergence, SARS-CoV-2 has diversified into genetically distinct variants, which are characterised often by clusters of mutations that bolster its capacity to escape human innate and adaptive immunity. Such viral escape is well documented in the context of other pandemic RNA viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and influenza virus. This review describes the selection pressures the host's antiviral immunity exerts on SARS-CoV-2 and other RNA viruses, resulting in divergence of viral strains into more adapted forms. As RNA viruses obscure themselves from host immunity, they uncover weak points in their own armoury that can inform more comprehensive, long-lasting, and potentially cross-protective vaccine coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Warger
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Mandurah, WA 6150, Australia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Kartashov MY, Svirin KA, Krivosheina EI, Chub EV, Ternovoi VA, Kochneva GV. [Prevalence and molecular genetic characteristics of parenteral hepatitis B, C and D viruses in HIV positive persons in the Novosibirsk region]. Vopr Virusol 2022; 67:423-438. [PMID: 36515288 DOI: 10.36233/0507-4088-133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parenteral viral hepatitis (B, C, D) and HIV share modes of transmission and risk groups, in which the probability of infection with two or more of these viruses simultaneously is increased. Mutual worsening of the course of viral infections is important issue that occurs when HIV positive patients are coinfected with parenteral viral hepatitis. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HCV, HBV and HDV in HIV positive patients in the Novosibirsk region and to give molecular genetic characteristics of their isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Total 185 blood samples were tested for the presence of total antibodies to HCV, HCV RNA, HBV DNA and HDV RNA. The identified isolates were genotyped by amplification of the NS5B gene fragment for HCV, the polymerase gene for HBV and whole genome for HDV. RESULTS The total antibodies to HCV were detected in 51.9% (95% CI: 44.758.9), HCV RNA was detected in 32.9% (95% CI: 26.639.5) of 185 studied samples. The distribution of HCV RNA positive cases completely repeated the distribution of HCV serological markers in different sex and age groups. The number of HCV infected among HIV positive patients increases with age. HCV subgenotypes distribution was as follows: 1b (52.5%), 3а (34.5%), 1а (11.5%), 2а (1.5%). 84.3% of detected HCV 1b isolates had C316N mutation associated with resistance to sofosbuvir and dasabuvir. The prevalence of HBV DNA in the studied samples was 15.2% (95% CI: 10.721.0). M204I mutation associated with resistance to lamivudine and telbivudine was identified in one HBV isolate. Two HDV isolates that belonged to genotype 1 were detected in HIV/HBV coinfected patients. CONCLUSION The data obtained confirm the higher prevalence of infection with parenteral viral hepatitis among people living with HIV in the Novosibirsk region compared to the general population of that region. The genetic diversity of these viruses among HIV infected individuals is similar to that observed in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Y Kartashov
- State Scientific Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor).,Novosibirsk National Research State University
| | - K A Svirin
- State Scientific Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor)
| | - E I Krivosheina
- State Scientific Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor)
| | - E V Chub
- State Scientific Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor)
| | - V A Ternovoi
- State Scientific Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor)
| | - G V Kochneva
- State Scientific Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor)
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Osuch S, Laskus T, Perlejewski K, Berak H, Bukowska-Ośko I, Pollak A, Zielenkiewicz M, Radkowski M, Caraballo Cortés K. CD8 + T-Cell Exhaustion Phenotype in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Is Associated With Epitope Sequence Variation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:832206. [PMID: 35386708 PMCID: PMC8977521 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.832206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims During chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, CD8+ T-cells become functionally exhausted, undergoing progressive phenotypic changes, i.e., overexpression of “inhibitory” molecules such as PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) and/or Tim-3 (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule-3). The extreme intrahost genetic diversity of HCV is a major mechanism of immune system evasion, facilitating epitope escape. The aim of the present study was to determine whether T-cell exhaustion phenotype in chronic HCV infection is related to the sequence repertoire of NS3 viral immunodominant epitopes. Methods The study population was ninety prospective patients with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection. Populations of peripheral blood CD8+ T-cells expressing PD-1/Tim-3 were assessed by multiparametric flow cytometry, including HCV-specific T-cells after magnetic-based enrichment using MHC-pentamer. Autologous epitope sequences were inferred from next-generation sequencing. The correction of sequencing errors and genetic variants reconstruction was performed using Quasirecomb. Results There was an interplay between the analyzed epitopes sequences and exhaustion phenotype of CD8+ T-cells. A predominance of NS31406 epitope sequence, representing neither prototype KLSGLGLNAV nor cross-reactive variants (KLSSLGLNAV, KLSGLGINAV or KLSALGLNAV), was associated with higher percentage of HCV-specific CD8+PD-1+Tim-3+ T-cells, P=0.0102. Variability (at least two variants) of NS31406 epitope sequence was associated with increased frequencies of global CD8+PD-1+Tim-3+ T-cells (P=0.0197) and lower frequencies of CD8+PD-1−Tim-3− T-cells (P=0.0079). In contrast, infection with NS31073 dominant variant epitope (other than prototype CVNGVCWTV) was associated with lower frequency of global CD8+PD-1+Tim-3+ T-cells (P=0.0054). Conclusions Our results indicate that PD-1/Tim-3 receptor expression is largely determined by viral epitope sequence and is evident for both HCV-specific and global CD8+ T-cells, pointing to the importance of evaluating autologous viral epitope sequences in the investigation of CD8+ T-cell exhaustion in HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Osuch
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Laskus
- Department of Adult Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karol Perlejewski
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hanna Berak
- Outpatient Clinic, Warsaw Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Bukowska-Ośko
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Pollak
- Department of Human Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Marek Radkowski
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamila Caraballo Cortés
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Quer J, Colomer-Castell S, Campos C, Andrés C, Piñana M, Cortese MF, González-Sánchez A, Garcia-Cehic D, Ibáñez M, Pumarola T, Rodríguez-Frías F, Antón A, Tabernero D. Next-Generation Sequencing for Confronting Virus Pandemics. Viruses 2022; 14:600. [PMID: 35337007 PMCID: PMC8950049 DOI: 10.3390/v14030600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus pandemics have happened, are happening and will happen again. In recent decades, the rate of zoonotic viral spillover into humans has accelerated, mirroring the expansion of our global footprint and travel network, including the expansion of viral vectors and the destruction of natural spaces, bringing humans closer to wild animals. Once viral cross-species transmission to humans occurs, transmission cannot be stopped by cement walls but by developing barriers based on knowledge that can prevent or reduce the effects of any pandemic. Controlling a local transmission affecting few individuals is more efficient that confronting a community outbreak in which infections cannot be traced. Genetic detection, identification, and characterization of infectious agents using next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been proven to be a powerful tool allowing for the development of fast PCR-based molecular assays, the rapid development of vaccines based on mRNA and DNA, the identification of outbreaks, transmission dynamics and spill-over events, the detection of new variants and treatment of vaccine resistance mutations, the development of direct-acting antiviral drugs, the discovery of relevant minority variants to improve knowledge of the viral life cycle, strengths and weaknesses, the potential for becoming dominant to take appropriate preventive measures, and the discovery of new routes of viral transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Quer
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), UAB Campus, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sergi Colomer-Castell
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
| | - Carolina Campos
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
| | - Cristina Andrés
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
| | - Maria Piñana
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
| | - Maria Francesca Cortese
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
- Clinical Biochemistry Research Group, Biochemistry Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandra González-Sánchez
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
| | - Damir Garcia-Cehic
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
| | - Marta Ibáñez
- Liver Diseases-Viral Hepatitis, Liver Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (S.C.-C.); (C.C.); (D.G.-C.); (M.I.)
| | - Tomàs Pumarola
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
- Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), UAB Campus, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Francisco Rodríguez-Frías
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), UAB Campus, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Clinical Biochemistry Research Group, Biochemistry Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrés Antón
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (C.A.); (M.P.); (A.G.-S.); (T.P.)
- Microbiology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), UAB Campus, Plaça Cívica, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - David Tabernero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.F.C.); (F.R.-F.); (D.T.)
- Microbiology Departments, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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Mutational escape from cellular immunity in viral hepatitis: variations on a theme. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 50:110-118. [PMID: 34454351 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Approx. 320 million individuals worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis viruses, contributing to viral hepatitis being one of the 10 leading causes of death. Cellular adaptive immunity, namely CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, plays an important role in viral clearance and control. Two main mechanisms, however, may lead to failure of the virus-specific T-cell response: T-cell exhaustion and mutational viral escape. Viral escape has been studied in detail in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, where it is thought to affect approx. 50% of virus-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in persistent infection, to influence natural infection outcome and to contribute to failure of preventive vaccination strategies. In hepatitis B virus (HBV) as well as HBV/hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-infection, the impact of viral escape has been studied in detail only recently.
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Kemming J, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C. Adaptive Immune Response against Hepatitis C Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165644. [PMID: 32781731 PMCID: PMC7460648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A functional adaptive immune response is the major determinant for clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, in the majority of patients, this response fails and persistent infection evolves. Here, we dissect the HCV-specific key players of adaptive immunity, namely B cells and T cells, and describe factors that affect infection outcome. Once chronic infection is established, continuous exposure to HCV antigens affects functionality, phenotype, transcriptional program, metabolism, and the epigenetics of the adaptive immune cells. In addition, viral escape mutations contribute to the failure of adaptive antiviral immunity. Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) can mediate HCV clearance in almost all patients with chronic HCV infection, however, defects in adaptive immune cell populations remain, only limited functional memory is obtained and reinfection of cured individuals is possible. Thus, to avoid potential reinfection and achieve global elimination of HCV infections, a prophylactic vaccine is needed. Recent vaccine trials could induce HCV-specific immunity but failed to protect from persistent infection. Thus, lessons from natural protection from persistent infection, DAA-mediated cure, and non-protective vaccination trials might lead the way to successful vaccination strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Kemming
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
| | - Christoph Neumann-Haefelin
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-761-270-32800
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9
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Deshpande P, Bundell C, McKinnon E, Hellard M, Ffrench R, Wilkinson AL, Drummer H, Gaudieri S, Lucas M. Frequent occurrence of low-level positive autoantibodies in chronic hepatitis C. Pathology 2020; 52:576-583. [PMID: 32580891 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Evidence of autoimmune disease associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infection has important clinical implications. A systematic profile of these autoantibodies in relevant clinical cohorts relative to healthy controls is needed to better inform current standard of care for chronic hepatitis C. Samples from an Australian cohort of chronic HCV-infected subjects (n=127) were tested for the presence of 19 diagnostic autoantibodies and compared with data available from a control cohort representing a general Caucasian population (n=198). Chronic HCV-infected individuals had a greater number of autoantibodies than controls (p<0.0001). Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) followed by anti-smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) were the most frequently detected autoantibodies within the HCV cohort and significantly more than in the control cohort (p<0.0001 and p=0.006, respectively). However, for most autoantibody assays the 95th percentile approximated the reference value for positivity. None of the autoantibodies were significantly associated with age or sex for the HCV cohort, except SMA positivity that was significantly higher in chronic HCV-infected male subjects (p<0.0001). Autoantibodies found in chronic HCV-infected subjects were commonly low positive and not disease-specific. Accordingly, general screening for autoimmunity in HCV-infected subjects should not be performed unless there is high clinical suspicion of an underlying autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Deshpande
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
| | - Christine Bundell
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
| | - Elizabeth McKinnon
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, WA, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Vic, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Vic, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Vic, Australia; Centre for Research Excellence in Injecting Drug Use, Burnet Institute, Vic, Australia
| | - Rosemary Ffrench
- Centre for Biomedicine, Biomedical Research, Vic, Australia; Department of Immunology, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Anna L Wilkinson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Vic, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Vic, Australia
| | - Heidi Drummer
- Centre for Biomedicine, Biomedical Research, Vic, Australia; Department of Immunology, Monash University, Vic, Australia; Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Vic, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Vic, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, WA, Australia; Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, WA, Australia; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tennessee, USA.
| | - Michaela Lucas
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, WA, Australia; Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, WA, Australia; Department of Clinical Immunology, PathWest, Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, WA, Australia; School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, WA, Australia
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10
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Sharafi H, Ghalamkari S, Hassanshahi A, Alavian SM. Pooled Prevalence of NS5A Resistance-Associated Substitutions in Chronic HCV Genotype 3 Infection: A Study Based on Deposited Sequences in GenBank. Microb Drug Resist 2019; 25:1072-1079. [PMID: 31021305 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2018.0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Using direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in a high treatment response rate. However, several factors can significantly alter this outcome such as resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in HCV NS5A gene. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of naturally occurring RASs of NS5A in HCV genotype 3 (HCV-3) sequences isolated from individuals with chronic HCV-3 infection. All the registered sequences in the GenBank under "NS5A" AND "Hepacivirus C" query were evaluated and screened, those which followed our inclusion criteria were enrolled in our pooled analysis. The retrieved sequences of included studies were evaluated for substitutions, RASs, and RASs conferring >100 resistance fold change (RASs >100 × ) in NS5A amino acid positions 24, 28, 30, 31, 62, 92, and 93. From 7 enrolled studies, a total of 370 HCV-3a isolates were retrieved and investigated. Forty-eight (13.0%, 95% CI = 9.9-16.8%) isolates harbored NS5A RASs. Moreover, Y93H was the only NS5A RAS >100 × observed in 13 (3.5%, 95% CI = 2.0-5.9%) retrieved sequences. The low frequency of naturally occurring NS5A RASs, especially those with clinical relevance (RASs >100 × ), among individuals with HCV-3 infection and the high rate of treatment response to DAAs suggest not to investigate every individual with HCV-3 infection for NS5A RASs before treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidar Sharafi
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.,Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Saman Ghalamkari
- Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan Branch, Arsanjan, Iran
| | - Alireza Hassanshahi
- Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Seyed Moayed Alavian
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.,Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
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11
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Sharafi H, Maleki S, Alavian SM. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus NS5A resistance-associated substitutions in chronic infection with genotype 1: A pooled analysis based on deposited sequences in GenBank. Virus Res 2018; 259:54-61. [PMID: 30401643 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in the NS5A gene of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been studied as one of the predictors of response to NS5A inhibitor-containing regimens. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pre-treatment naturally-occurring NS5A RASs in HCV isolates from patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 (HCV-1) infection retrieved from GenBank. METHODS In the search procedure, the studies with published HCV-1 NS5A sequence in GenBank were screened and evaluated for inclusion in the pooled analysis. The sequences of the included studies were retrieved from GenBank and evaluated for substitutions in amino acid positions24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 38, 58, 62, 92 and 93 of HCV NS5A including RASs and RASs conferring >100 resistance fold change (RASs >100X). RESULTS In the pooled analysis, 2409 isolates from patients with HCV-1 infection were included, consisting 1305 (54.2%) HCV-1a and 1104 (45.8%) HCV-1b isolates. The prevalence of NS5A RASs and RASs >100X were 16.0% (95%CI = 14.6%-17.5%) and 4.7% (95%CI = 3.9%-5.6%), respectively. The NS5A RASs were more frequently observed in HCV-1b isolates than in HCV-1a isolates (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The naturally-occurring HCV NS5A RASs especially those with clinical relevance (RASs >100X) are observed in a small (4.7%) number of patients with HCV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidar Sharafi
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Moayed Alavian
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, Iran.
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12
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Lucas M, Deshpande P, James I, Rauch A, Pfafferott K, Gaylard E, Merani S, Plauzolles A, Lucas A, McDonnell W, Kalams S, Pilkinton M, Chastain C, Barnett L, Prosser A, Mallal S, Fitzmaurice K, Drummer H, Ansari MA, Pedergnana V, Barnes E, John M, Kelleher D, Klenerman P, Gaudieri S. Evidence of CD4 + T cell-mediated immune pressure on the Hepatitis C virus genome. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7224. [PMID: 29740042 PMCID: PMC5940905 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25559-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell responses are critical for immune control of infection. Viral adaptation to these responses, via mutations within regions of the virus targeted by CD8+ T cells, is associated with viral persistence. However, identifying viral adaptation to HCV-specific CD4+ T cell responses has been difficult although key to understanding anti-HCV immunity. In this context, HCV sequence and host genotype from a single source HCV genotype 1B cohort (n = 63) were analyzed to identify viral changes associated with specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles, as these variable host molecules determine the set of viral peptides presented to CD4+ T cells. Eight sites across the HCV genome were associated with HLA class II alleles implicated in infection outcome in this cohort (p ≤ 0.01; Fisher’s exact test). We extended this analysis to chronic HCV infection (n = 351) for the common genotypes 1A and 3A. Variation at 38 sites across the HCV genome were associated with specific HLA class II alleles with no overlap between genotypes, suggestive of genotype-specific T cell targets, which has important implications for vaccine design. Here we show evidence of HCV adaptation to HLA class II-restricted CD4+ T cell pressure across the HCV genome in chronic HCV infection without a priori knowledge of CD4+ T cell epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Lucas
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute and School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Immunology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Pathwest, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Pooja Deshpande
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ian James
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andri Rauch
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Bern and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katja Pfafferott
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Elouise Gaylard
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Shahzma Merani
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anne Plauzolles
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Lucas
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Wyatt McDonnell
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Spyros Kalams
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mark Pilkinton
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Cody Chastain
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Louise Barnett
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Amy Prosser
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Simon Mallal
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Karen Fitzmaurice
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Heidi Drummer
- Department of Immunology and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Azim Ansari
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Ellie Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mina John
- Department of Immunology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Pathwest, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Royal Perth Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dermot Kelleher
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia. .,School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia. .,Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
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13
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Harms D, Wang B, Papp CP, Bock CT. Capturing virus evolution by proteomic bioinformatics: Hunting for characteristic mutations in the hepatitis E virus genome. Virulence 2017; 9:13-16. [PMID: 28945510 PMCID: PMC5955182 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2017.1384526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Harms
- a Division of Viral Gastroenteritis , Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute , Berlin , Germany
| | - Bo Wang
- a Division of Viral Gastroenteritis , Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute , Berlin , Germany
| | - C Patrick Papp
- a Division of Viral Gastroenteritis , Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute , Berlin , Germany
| | - C-Thomas Bock
- a Division of Viral Gastroenteritis , Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute , Berlin , Germany.,b Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tuebingen , Tuebingen , Germany
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14
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Quer J, Rodríguez-Frias F, Gregori J, Tabernero D, Soria ME, García-Cehic D, Homs M, Bosch A, Pintó RM, Esteban JI, Domingo E, Perales C. Deep sequencing in the management of hepatitis virus infections. Virus Res 2017; 239:115-125. [PMID: 28040474 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2016.12.020] [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: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis viruses represent a major public health problem worldwide. Procedures for characterization of the genomic composition of their populations, accurate diagnosis, identification of multiple infections, and information on inhibitor-escape mutants for treatment decisions are needed. Deep sequencing methodologies are extremely useful for these viruses since they replicate as complex and dynamic quasispecies swarms whose complexity and mutant composition are biologically relevant traits. Population complexity is a major challenge for disease prevention and control, but also an opportunity to distinguish among related but phenotypically distinct variants that might anticipate disease progression and treatment outcome. Detailed characterization of mutant spectra should permit choosing better treatment options, given the increasing number of new antiviral inhibitors available. In the present review we briefly summarize our experience on the use of deep sequencing for the management of hepatitis virus infections, particularly for hepatitis B and C viruses, and outline some possible new applications of deep sequencing for these important human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Quer
- Liver Unit, Liver Disease Laboratory-Viral Hepatitis, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron Institut Research-Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (VHIR-HUVH), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Francisco Rodríguez-Frias
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Liver Pathology Unit, Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Gregori
- Liver Unit, Liver Disease Laboratory-Viral Hepatitis, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron Institut Research-Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (VHIR-HUVH), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Roche Diagnostics, S.L., Sant Cugat del Vallés, Spain
| | - David Tabernero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Liver Pathology Unit, Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Eugenia Soria
- Liver Unit, Liver Disease Laboratory-Viral Hepatitis, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron Institut Research-Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (VHIR-HUVH), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Damir García-Cehic
- Liver Unit, Liver Disease Laboratory-Viral Hepatitis, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron Institut Research-Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (VHIR-HUVH), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Homs
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Liver Pathology Unit, Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Bosch
- Department of Microbiology, Enteric Virus Laboratory, University of Barcelona, Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa María Pintó
- Department of Microbiology, Enteric Virus Laboratory, University of Barcelona, Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Ignacio Esteban
- Liver Unit, Liver Disease Laboratory-Viral Hepatitis, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron Institut Research-Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (VHIR-HUVH), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esteban Domingo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Perales
- Liver Unit, Liver Disease Laboratory-Viral Hepatitis, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron Institut Research-Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (VHIR-HUVH), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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15
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Merani S, Lucas M, Deshpande P, Pfafferott K, Chopra A, Cooper D, Leary S, Luciani F, Gaudieri S. Influence of Transmitted Virus on the Host's Immune Response: A Case Study. Viral Immunol 2017; 30:533-541. [PMID: 28530508 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2017.0001] [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: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Host hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell responses and the ability of the virus to escape this response are important correlates of infection outcome. Understanding this host-viral interplay has been difficult given the often asymptomatic nature of acute HCV infection. We studied a recent transmission case to determine whether adapted viral strains can be transmitted and influence the recipient's anti-HCV T cell response. The diversity of viral populations was examined using next-generation sequencing, and HCV-specific T cell interferon (IFN)-γ responses were assessed using a peptide panel representing the autologous viruses. HCV-specific T cell responses in the source were directed against peptides that did not match the dominant autologous virus but rather low-frequency variants, implying existing viral adaptation in the source strain. Most HCV T cell epitopes that elicited an IFN-γ response in the source did not in the recipient, despite the pair sharing human leukocyte antigen alleles that govern antigen presentation and similar autologous viruses. Intrahost HCV variation in the recipient fell within predicted T cell epitopes, suggesting alternative targets of the immune response. These data suggest that transmission of adapted viral species can direct the host's HCV-specific immune response profile during acute infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahzma Merani
- 1 School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia , Crawley, Australia
| | - Michaela Lucas
- 2 Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University , Murdoch, Australia .,3 School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute, University of Western Australia , Crawley, Australia .,4 School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia , Crawley, Australia
| | - Pooja Deshpande
- 1 School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia , Crawley, Australia
| | - Katja Pfafferott
- 2 Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University , Murdoch, Australia
| | - Abha Chopra
- 2 Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University , Murdoch, Australia
| | - Don Cooper
- 2 Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University , Murdoch, Australia
| | - Shay Leary
- 2 Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University , Murdoch, Australia
| | - Fabio Luciani
- 5 Systems Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- 1 School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia , Crawley, Australia .,2 Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University , Murdoch, Australia .,6 Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Centre , Nashville, Tennessee
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16
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Ansari MA, Pedergnana V, L C Ip C, Magri A, Von Delft A, Bonsall D, Chaturvedi N, Bartha I, Smith D, Nicholson G, McVean G, Trebes A, Piazza P, Fellay J, Cooke G, Foster GR, Hudson E, McLauchlan J, Simmonds P, Bowden R, Klenerman P, Barnes E, Spencer CCA. Genome-to-genome analysis highlights the effect of the human innate and adaptive immune systems on the hepatitis C virus. Nat Genet 2017; 49:666-673. [PMID: 28394351 PMCID: PMC5873514 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment depend on viral and host genetic factors. We use human genome-wide genotyping arrays and new whole-genome HCV viral sequencing technologies to perform a systematic genome-to-genome study of 542 individuals chronically infected with HCV, predominately genotype 3. We show that both HLA alleles and interferon lambda innate immune system genes drive viral genome polymorphism, and that IFNL4 genotypes determine HCV viral load through a mechanism that is dependent on a specific polymorphism in the HCV polyprotein. We highlight the interplay between innate immune responses and the viral genome in HCV control.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Azim Ansari
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Vincent Pedergnana
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Camilla L C Ip
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrea Magri
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Annette Von Delft
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David Bonsall
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nimisha Chaturvedi
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Istvan Bartha
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Smith
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Gilean McVean
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Amy Trebes
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paolo Piazza
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacques Fellay
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Graham Cooke
- Wright-Fleming Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Emma Hudson
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - John McLauchlan
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rory Bowden
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the NIHR Oxford BRC, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chris C A Spencer
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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17
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von Delft A, Humphreys IS, Brown A, Pfafferott K, Lucas M, Klenerman P, Lauer GM, Cox AL, Gaudieri S, Barnes E. The broad assessment of HCV genotypes 1 and 3 antigenic targets reveals limited cross-reactivity with implications for vaccine design. Gut 2016; 65:112-23. [PMID: 26092843 PMCID: PMC4717358 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Developing a vaccine that is cross-reactive between HCV genotypes requires data on T cell antigenic targets that extends beyond genotype-1. We characterised T cell immune responses against HCV genotype-3, the most common infecting genotype in the UK and Asia, and assessed within genotype and between genotype cross-reactivity. DESIGN T cell targets were identified in 140 subjects with either acute, chronic or spontaneously resolved HCV genotype-3 infection using (1) overlapping peptides and (2) putative human leucocyte antigens (HLA)-class-I wild type and variant epitopes through the prior assessment of polymorphic HCV genomic sites associated with host HLA, in IFNγ-ELISpot assays. CD4+/CD8+ T cell subsets were defined and viral variability at T cell targets was determined through population analysis and viral sequencing. T cell cross-reactivity between genotype-1 and genotype-3 variants was assessed. RESULTS In resolved genotype-3 infection, T cells preferentially targeted non-structural proteins at a high magnitude, whereas in chronic disease T cells were absent or skewed to target structural proteins. Additional responses to wild type but not variant HLA predicted peptides were defined. Major sequence viral variability was observed within genotype-3 and between genotypes 1 and 3 HCV at T cell targets in resolved infection and at dominant epitopes, with limited T cell cross-reactivity between viral variants. Overall 41 CD4/CD8+ genotype-3 T cell targets were identified with minimal overlap with those described for HCV genotype-1. CONCLUSIONS HCV T cell specificity is distinct between genotypes with limited T cell cross-reactivity in resolved and chronic disease. Therefore, viral regions targeted in natural HCV infection may not serve as attractive targets for a vaccine that aims to protect against multiple HCV genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Michaela Lucas
- Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia,School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia,School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | | | - Andrea L Cox
- John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia,School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Pfafferott K, Deshpande P, McKinnon E, Merani S, Lucas A, Heckerman D, Mallal S, John M, Gaudieri S, Lucas M. Anti-hepatitis C virus T-cell immunity in the context of multiple exposures to the virus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130420. [PMID: 26107956 PMCID: PMC4480353 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterisation of Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in the context of multiple HCV exposures is critical to identify broadly protective immune responses necessary for an effective HCV vaccine against the different HCV genotypes. However, host and viral genetic diversity complicates vaccine development. To compensate for the observed variation in circulating autologous viruses and host molecules that restrict antigen presentation (human leucocyte antigens; HLA), this study used a reverse genomics approach that identified sites of viral adaptation to HLA-restricted T-cell immune pressure to predict genotype-specific HCV CD8+ T-cell targets. Peptides representing these putative HCV CD8+ T-cell targets, and their adapted form, were used in individualised IFN-γ ELISpot assays to screen for HCV-specific T-cell responses in 133 HCV-seropositive subjects with high-risk of multiple HCV exposures. The data obtained from this study i) confirmed that genetic studies of viral evolution is an effective approach to detect novel in vivo HCV T-cell targets, ii) showed that HCV-specific T-cell epitopes can be recognised in their adapted form and would not have been detected using wild-type peptides and iii) showed that HCV-specific T-cell (but not antibody) responses against alternate genotypes in chronic HCV-infected subjects are readily found, implying clearance of previous alternate genotype infection. In summary, HCV adaptation to HLA Class I-restricted T-cell responses plays a central role in anti-HCV immunity and multiple HCV genotype exposure is highly prevalent in at-risk exposure populations, which are important considerations for future vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Pfafferott
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Pooja Deshpande
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elizabeth McKinnon
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Shahzma Merani
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Lucas
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David Heckerman
- Microsoft Research, Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, United States of America
| | - Simon Mallal
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Mina John
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Michaela Lucas
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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A Multiantigenic DNA Vaccine That Induces Broad Hepatitis C Virus-Specific T-Cell Responses in Mice. J Virol 2015; 89:7991-8002. [PMID: 26018154 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00803-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED There are 3 to 4 million new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections annually around the world, but no vaccine is available. Robust T-cell mediated responses are necessary for effective clearance of the virus, and DNA vaccines result in a cell-mediated bias. Adjuvants are often required for effective vaccination, but during natural lytic viral infections damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are released, which act as natural adjuvants. Hence, a vaccine that induces cell necrosis and releases DAMPs will result in cell-mediated immunity (CMI), similar to that resulting from natural lytic viral infection. We have generated a DNA vaccine with the ability to elicit strong CMI against the HCV nonstructural (NS) proteins (3, 4A, 4B, and 5B) by encoding a cytolytic protein, perforin (PRF), and the antigens on a single plasmid. We examined the efficacy of the vaccines in C57BL/6 mice, as determined by gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay, cell proliferation studies, and intracellular cytokine production. Initially, we showed that encoding the NS4A protein in a vaccine which encoded only NS3 reduced the immunogenicity of NS3, whereas including PRF increased NS3 immunogenicity. In contrast, the inclusion of NS4A increased the immunogenicity of the NS3, NS4B, andNS5B proteins, when encoded in a DNA vaccine that also encoded PRF. Finally, vaccines that also encoded PRF elicited similar levels of CMI against each protein after vaccination with DNA encoding NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5B compared to mice vaccinated with DNA encoding only NS3 or NS4B/5B. Thus, we have developed a promising "multiantigen" vaccine that elicits robust CMI. IMPORTANCE Since their development, vaccines have reduced the global burden of disease. One strategy for vaccine development is to use commercially viable DNA technology, which has the potential to generate robust immune responses. Hepatitis C virus causes chronic liver infection and is a leading cause of liver cancer. To date, no vaccine is currently available, and treatment is costly and often results in side effects, limiting the number of patients who are treated. Despite recent advances in treatment, prevention remains the key to efficient control and elimination of this virus. Here, we describe a novel DNA vaccine against hepatitis C virus that is capable of inducing robust cell-mediated immune responses in mice and is a promising vaccine candidate for humans.
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Plauzolles A, Lucas M, Gaudieri S. Influence of host resistance on viral adaptation: hepatitis C virus as a case study. Infect Drug Resist 2015; 8:63-74. [PMID: 25897250 PMCID: PMC4396509 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s49891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic and cellular studies have shown that the host’s innate and adaptive immune responses are an important correlate of viral infection outcome. The features of the host’s immune response (host resistance) reflect the coevolution between hosts and pathogens that has occurred over millennia, and that has also resulted in a number of strategies developed by viruses to improve fitness and survival within the host (viral adaptation). In this review, we discuss viral adaptation to host immune pressure via protein–protein interactions and sequence-specific mutations. Specifically, we will present the “state of play” on viral escape mutations to host T-cell responses in the context of the hepatitis C virus, and their influence on infection outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Plauzolles
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Michaela Lucas
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia ; School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Xiong H, Huang J, Rong X, Zhang M, Huang K, Xu R, Wang M, Li C, Liao Q, Xia W, Luo G, Ye X, Lu L, Fu Y, Guo T, Nelson K. HLA-B alleles B*15:01 and B*15:02: opposite association with hepatitis C virus infection in Chinese voluntary blood donors. Intervirology 2015; 58:80-7. [PMID: 25677350 DOI: 10.1159/000369209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although human leukocyte antigens (HLA) have been shown in association with the outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among different ethnic groups, such studies remain absent in China, where the HCV prevalence is higher than the global average. METHODS In this study, 426 HCV-infected and 709 uninfected blood donors were analyzed, among whom the HLA alleles were sequenced using a high-resolution genotyping method. RESULTS At the 2-digit level, none of the alleles showed a statistical difference between the HCV-infected and uninfected groups. However, at the 4-digit level, the HLA-B alleles B*15:01 and B*15:02 showed an opposite association with HCV infection, i.e. B*15:01 was significantly higher in the HCV-infected group (odds ratio, OR = 1.561, p = 0.010), while B*15:02 was significantly higher in the uninfected group (OR = 0.778, p = 0.016). We also identified a higher frequency of B*13:02 in the HCV-infected group (OR = 1.515, p = 0.009) and a higher frequency of B*07:05 in the uninfected group (OR = 0.299, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The frequencies of four HLA alleles, B*07:05, B*13:02, B*15:01, and B*15:02, were found to be significantly different between the HCV-infected and uninfected blood donors in China, revealing an inverse relation of B*15:01 and B*15:02 with HCV infection. This finding suggests that the ethnic genetic variations of HLA may greatly affect the host immune responses against HCV.
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Mutational escape of CD8+ T cell epitopes: implications for prevention and therapy of persistent hepatitis virus infections. Med Microbiol Immunol 2014; 204:29-38. [PMID: 25537849 PMCID: PMC4305108 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-014-0372-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, much has been learned about how human viruses evade T cell immunity to establish persistent infection. The lessons are particularly relevant to two hepatotropic viruses, HBV and HCV, that are very significant global public health problems. Although HCV and HBV are very different, the natural history of persistent infections with these viruses in humans shares some common features including failure of T cell immunity. During recent years, large sequence studies of HCV have characterized intra-host evolution as well as sequence diversity between hosts in great detail. Combined with studies of CD8+ T cell phenotype and function, it is now apparent that the T cell response shapes viral evolution. In turn, HCV sequence diversity influences the quality of the CD8+ T cell response and thus infection outcome. Here, we review published studies of CD8+ T cell selection pressure and mutational escape of the virus. Potential consequences for therapeutic strategies to restore T cell immunity against persistent human viruses, most notably HBV, are discussed.
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23
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John M, Gaudieri S. Influence of HIV and HCV on T cell antigen presentation and challenges in the development of vaccines. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:514. [PMID: 25352836 PMCID: PMC4195390 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Some of the central challenges for developing effective vaccines against HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are similar. Both infections are caused by small, highly mutable, rapidly replicating RNA viruses with the ability to establish long-term chronic pathogenic infection in human hosts. HIV has caused 60 million infections globally and HCV 180 million and both viruses may co-exist among certain populations by virtue of common blood-borne, sexual, or vertical transmission. Persistence of both pathogens is achieved by evasion of intrinsic, innate, and adaptive immune defenses but with some distinct mechanisms reflecting their differences in evolutionary history, replication characteristics, cell tropism, and visibility to mucosal versus systemic and hepatic immune responses. A potent and durable antibody and T cell response is a likely requirement of future HIV and HCV vaccines. Perhaps the single biggest difference between the two vaccine design challenges is that in HCV, a natural model of protective immunity can be found in those who resolve acute infection spontaneously. Such spontaneous resolvers exhibit durable and functional CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses (Diepolder et al., 1995; Cooper et al., 1999; Thimme et al., 2001; Grakoui et al., 2003; Lauer et al., 2004; Schulze Zur Wiesch et al., 2012). However, frequent re-infection suggests partial or lack of protective immunity against heterologous HCV strains, possibly indicative of the degree of genetic diversity of circulating HCV genotypes and subtypes. There is no natural model of protective immunity in HIV, however, studies of “elite controllers,” or individuals who have durably suppressed levels of plasma HIV RNA without antiretroviral therapy, has provided the strongest evidence for CD8+ T cell responses in controlling viremia and limiting reservoir burden in established infection. Here we compare and contrast the specific mechanisms of immune evasion used by HIV and HCV, which subvert adaptive human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-restricted T cell immunity in natural infection, and the challenges these pose for designing effective preventative or therapeutic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina John
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University Murdoch, WA, Australia ; Department of Clinical Immunology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, Royal Perth Hospital Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University Murdoch, WA, Australia ; School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, University of Western Australia Crawley, WA, Australia
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Linking pig-tailed macaque major histocompatibility complex class I haplotypes and cytotoxic T lymphocyte escape mutations in simian immunodeficiency virus infection. J Virol 2014; 88:14310-25. [PMID: 25275134 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02428-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The influence of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) alleles on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diversity in humans has been well characterized at the population level. MHC-I alleles likely affect viral diversity in the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) model, but this is poorly characterized. We studied the evolution of SIV in pig-tailed macaques with a range of MHC-I haplotypes. SIV(mac251) genomes were amplified from the plasma of 44 pig-tailed macaques infected with SIV(mac251) at 4 to 10 months after infection and characterized by Illumina deep sequencing. MHC-I typing was performed on cellular RNA using Roche/454 pyrosequencing. MHC-I haplotypes and viral sequence polymorphisms at both individual mutations and groups of mutations spanning 10-amino-acid segments were linked using in-house bioinformatics pipelines, since cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) escape can occur at different amino acids within the same epitope in different animals. The approach successfully identified 6 known CTL escape mutations within 3 Mane-A1*084-restricted epitopes. The approach also identified over 70 new SIV polymorphisms linked to a variety of MHC-I haplotypes. Using functional CD8 T cell assays, we confirmed that one of these associations, a Mane-B028 haplotype-linked mutation in Nef, corresponded to a CTL epitope. We also identified mutations associated with the Mane-B017 haplotype that were previously described to be CTL epitopes restricted by Mamu-B*017:01 in rhesus macaques. This detailed study of pig-tailed macaque MHC-I genetics and SIV polymorphisms will enable a refined level of analysis for future vaccine design and strategies for treatment of HIV infection. IMPORTANCE Cytotoxic T lymphocytes select for virus escape mutants of HIV and SIV, and this limits the effectiveness of vaccines and immunotherapies against these viruses. Patterns of immune escape variants are similar in HIV type 1-infected human subjects that share the same MHC-I genes, but this has not been studied for SIV infection of macaques. By studying SIV sequence diversity in 44 MHC-typed SIV-infected pigtail macaques, we defined over 70 sites within SIV where mutations were common in macaques sharing particular MHC-I genes. Further, pigtail macaques sharing nearly identical MHC-I genes with rhesus macaques responded to the same CTL epitope and forced immune escape. This allows many reagents developed to study rhesus macaques to also be used to study pigtail macaques. Overall, our study defines sites of immune escape in SIV in pigtailed macaques, and this enables a more refined level of analysis of future vaccine design and strategies for treatment of HIV infection.
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Applegate TL, Gaudieri S, Plauzolles A, Chopra A, Grebely J, Lucas M, Hellard M, Luciani F, Dore GJ, Matthews GV. Naturally occurring dominant drug resistance mutations occur infrequently in the setting of recently acquired hepatitis C. Antivir Ther 2014; 20:199-208. [PMID: 25105742 DOI: 10.3851/imp2821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are predicted to transform hepatitis C therapy, yet little is known about the prevalence of naturally occurring resistance mutations in recently acquired HCV. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and frequency of drug resistance mutations in the viral quasispecies among HIV-positive and -negative individuals with recent HCV. METHODS The NS3 protease, NS5A and NS5B polymerase genes were amplified from 50 genotype 1a participants of the Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C. Amino acid variations at sites known to be associated with possible drug resistance were analysed by ultra-deep pyrosequencing. RESULTS A total of 12% of individuals harboured dominant resistance mutations, while 36% demonstrated non-dominant resistant variants below that detectable by bulk sequencing (that is, <20%) but above a threshold of 1%. Resistance variants (<1%) were observed at most sites associated with DAA resistance from all classes, with the exception of sofosbuvir. CONCLUSIONS Dominant resistant mutations were uncommonly observed in the setting of recent HCV. However, low-level mutations to all DAA classes were observed by deep sequencing at the majority of sites and in most individuals. The significance of these variants and impact on future treatment options remains to be determined. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00192569.
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Statistical linkage analysis of substitutions in patient-derived sequences of genotype 1a hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 3 exposes targets for immunogen design. J Virol 2014; 88:7628-44. [PMID: 24760894 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03812-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of liver failure and liver cancer, affecting around 3% of the world's population. The extreme sequence variability of the virus resulting from error-prone replication has thwarted the discovery of a universal prophylactic vaccine. It is known that vigorous and multispecific cellular immune responses, involving both helper CD4(+) and cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells, are associated with the spontaneous clearance of acute HCV infection. Escape mutations in viral epitopes can, however, abrogate protective T-cell responses, leading to viral persistence and associated pathologies. Despite the propensity of the virus to mutate, there might still exist substitutions that incur a fitness cost. In this paper, we identify groups of coevolving residues within HCV nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) by analyzing diverse sequences of this protein using ideas from random matrix theory and associated methods. Our analyses indicate that one of these groups comprises a large percentage of residues for which HCV appears to resist multiple simultaneous substitutions. Targeting multiple residues in this group through vaccine-induced immune responses should either lead to viral recognition or elicit escape substitutions that compromise viral fitness. Our predictions are supported by published clinical data, which suggested that immune genotypes associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV preferentially recognized and targeted this vulnerable group of residues. Moreover, mapping the sites of this group onto the available protein structure provided insight into its functional significance. An epitope-based immunogen is proposed as an alternative to the NS3 epitopes in the peptide-based vaccine IC41. IMPORTANCE Despite much experimental work on HCV, a thorough statistical study of the HCV sequences for the purpose of immunogen design was missing in the literature. Such a study is vital to identify epistatic couplings among residues that can provide useful insights for designing a potent vaccine. In this work, ideas from random matrix theory were applied to characterize the statistics of substitutions within the diverse publicly available sequences of the genotype 1a HCV NS3 protein, leading to a group of sites for which HCV appears to resist simultaneous substitutions possibly due to deleterious effect on viral fitness. Our analysis leads to completely novel immunogen designs for HCV. In addition, the NS3 epitopes used in the recently proposed peptide-based vaccine IC41 were analyzed in the context of our framework. Our analysis predicts that alternative NS3 epitopes may be worth exploring as they might be more efficacious.
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Capone S, Naddeo M, D'Alise AM, Abbate A, Grazioli F, Del Gaudio A, Del Sorbo M, Esposito ML, Ammendola V, Perretta G, Taglioni A, Colloca S, Nicosia A, Cortese R, Folgori A. Fusion of HCV nonstructural antigen to MHC class II-associated invariant chain enhances T-cell responses induced by vectored vaccines in nonhuman primates. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1039-47. [PMID: 24476798 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite viral vectors being potent inducers of antigen-specific T cells, strategies to further improve their immunogenicity are actively pursued. Of the numerous approaches investigated, fusion of the encoded antigen to major histocompatibility complex class II-associated invariant chain (Ii) has been reported to enhance CD8(+) T-cell responses. We have previously shown that adenovirus vaccine encoding nonstructural (NS) hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins induces potent T-cell responses in humans. However, even higher T-cell responses might be required to achieve efficacy against different HCV genotypes or therapeutic effect in chronically infected HCV patients. In this study, we assessed fusion of the HCV NS antigen to murine and human Ii expressed by the chimpanzee adenovirus vector ChAd3 or recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara in mice and nonhuman primates (NHPs). A dramatic increase was observed in outbred mice in which vaccination with ChAd3 expressing the fusion antigen resulted in a 10-fold increase in interferon-γ(+) CD8(+) T cells. In NHPs, CD8(+) T-cell responses were enhanced and accelerated with vectors encoding the Ii-fused antigen. These data show for the first time that the enhancement induced by vector vaccines encoding li-fused antigen was not species specific and can be translated from mice to NHPs, opening the way for testing in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gemma Perretta
- Cellular Biology and Neurobiology Institute (IBCN) National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Taglioni
- Cellular Biology and Neurobiology Institute (IBCN) National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alfredo Nicosia
- 1] Okairos, Rome, Italy [2] CEINGE, Naples, Italy [3] Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cortese
- 1] Okairos, Rome, Italy [2] Okairos AG, c/o OBC Suisse AG, Basel, Switzerland
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Honegger JR, Kim S, Price AA, Kohout JA, McKnight KL, Prasad MR, Lemon SM, Grakoui A, Walker CM. Loss of immune escape mutations during persistent HCV infection in pregnancy enhances replication of vertically transmitted viruses. Nat Med 2013; 19:1529-33. [PMID: 24162814 PMCID: PMC3823809 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Globally, about 1% of pregnant women are persistently infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Mother-to-child transmission of HCV occurs in 3-5% of pregnancies and accounts for most new childhood infections. HCV-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are vital in the clearance of acute HCV infections, but in the 60-80% of infections that persist, these cells become functionally exhausted or select for mutant viruses that escape T cell recognition. Increased HCV replication during pregnancy suggests that maternofetal immune tolerance mechanisms may further impair HCV-specific CTLs, limiting their selective pressure on persistent viruses. To assess this possibility, we characterized circulating viral quasispecies during and after consecutive pregnancies in two women. This revealed a loss of some escape mutations in HLA class I epitopes during pregnancy that was associated with emergence of more fit viruses. CTL selective pressure was reimposed after childbirth, at which point escape mutations in these epitopes again predominated in the quasispecies and viral load dropped sharply. Importantly, the viruses transmitted perinatally were those with enhanced fitness due to reversion of escape mutations. Our findings indicate that the immunoregulatory changes of pregnancy reduce CTL selective pressure on HCV class I epitopes, thereby facilitating vertical transmission of viruses with optimized replicative fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Honegger
- 1] The Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA. [2] Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Impact of genetic heterogeneity in polymerase of hepatitis B virus on dynamics of viral load and hepatitis B progression. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70169. [PMID: 23936156 PMCID: PMC3728348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The hepatitis B virus (HBV)-polymerase region overlaps pre-S/S genes with high epitope density and plays an essential role in viral replication. We investigated whether genetic variation in the polymerase region determined long-term dynamics of viral load and the risk of hepatitis B progression in a population-based cohort study. Methods We sequenced the HBV-polymerase region using baseline plasma from treatment-naïve individuals with HBV-DNA levels≥1000 copies/mL in a longitudinal viral-load study of participants with chronic HBV infection followed-up for 17 years, and obtained sequences from 575 participants (80% with HBV genotype Ba and 17% with Ce). Results Patterns of viral sequence diversity across phases (i.e., immune-tolerant, immune-clearance, non/low replicative, and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative hepatitis phases) of HBV-infection, which were associated with viral and clinical features at baseline and during follow-up, were similar between HBV genotypes, despite greater diversity for genotype Ce vs. Ba. Irrespective of genotypes, however, HBeAg-negative participants had 1.5-to-2-fold higher levels of sequence diversity than HBeAg-positive participants (P<0.0001). Furthermore, levels of viral genetic divergence from the population consensus sequence, estimated by numbers of nucleotide substitutions, were inversely associated with long-term viral load even in HBeAg-negative participants. A mixed model developed through analysis of the entire HBV-polymerase region identified 153 viral load-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms in overall and 136 in HBeAg-negative participants, with distinct profiles between HBV genotypes. These polymorphisms were most evident at sites within or flanking T-cell epitopes. Seven polymorphisms revealed associations with both enhanced viral load and a more than 4-fold increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and/or liver cirrhosis. Conclusions The data highlight a role of viral genetic divergence in the natural course of HBV-infection. Interindividual differences in the long-term dynamics of viral load is not only associated with accumulation of mutations in HBV-polymerase region, but differences in specific viral polymorphisms which differ between genotypes.
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Sanjuán R, Nebot MR, Peris JB, Alcamí J. Immune activation promotes evolutionary conservation of T-cell epitopes in HIV-1. PLoS Biol 2013; 11:e1001523. [PMID: 23565057 PMCID: PMC3614509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV, unlike other viruses, may benefit from immune recognition by preserving the sequence of its T cell epitopes, thereby enhancing transmission between cells. The immune system should constitute a strong selective pressure promoting viral genetic diversity and evolution. However, HIV shows lower sequence variability at T-cell epitopes than elsewhere in the genome, in contrast with other human RNA viruses. Here, we propose that epitope conservation is a consequence of the particular interactions established between HIV and the immune system. On one hand, epitope recognition triggers an anti-HIV response mediated by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), but on the other hand, activation of CD4+ helper T lymphocytes (TH cells) promotes HIV replication. Mathematical modeling of these opposite selective forces revealed that selection at the intrapatient level can promote either T-cell epitope conservation or escape. We predict greater conservation for epitopes contributing significantly to total immune activation levels (immunodominance), and when TH cell infection is concomitant to epitope recognition (trans-infection). We suggest that HIV-driven immune activation in the lymph nodes during the chronic stage of the disease may offer a favorable scenario for epitope conservation. Our results also support the view that some pathogens draw benefits from the immune response and suggest that vaccination strategies based on conserved TH epitopes may be counterproductive. A key component of the immune response against viruses and other pathogens is the recognition of short foreign protein sequences called epitopes. However, viruses can escape the immune system by mutating, so epitopes should accumulate high levels of genetic variability. This has been documented in several human viruses, but in HIV, unexpectedly, epitopes tend to be relatively conserved. Here, we propose that this is a consequence of the peculiar interactions that occur between HIV and the immune system. As with other viruses, recognition of HIV epitopes promotes the activation of cytotoxic and helper T lymphocytes, which then orchestrate a cellular immune response. However, HIV infects helper T lymphocytes as their target cell in the body and does so more efficiently when these cells have been activated to participate in an immune response. Mathematical modeling showed that, in some cases, HIV may take advantage of immune activation, thus favoring epitope conservation. This should be more likely to occur with epitopes that trigger more vigorous T-cell responses, and during the process known as “trans-infection,” in which helper T lymphocytes are infected while being activated. Our results highlight the potential advantages of an HIV vaccination strategy based on epitopes that stimulate cytotoxic T lymphocytes without specifically stimulating helper T lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Sanjuán
- Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, València, Spain.
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31
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Hepatitis C virus adaptation to T-cell immune pressure. ScientificWorldJournal 2013; 2013:673240. [PMID: 23554569 PMCID: PMC3608127 DOI: 10.1155/2013/673240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Replication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an error-prone process. This high error rate results in the emergence of viral populations (quasispecies) within hosts and contributes to interhost variability. Numerous studies have demonstrated that both viral and host factors contribute to this viral diversity, which can ultimately affect disease outcome. As the host's immune response is an important correlate of infection outcome for HCV, many of these viral variations are strongly influenced by T-cell immune pressure and accordingly constitute an efficient strategy to subvert such pressures (viral adaptations). This paper will review the data on viral diversity observed between and within hosts infected with HCV from the acute to the chronic stage of infection and will focus on viral adaptation to the host's T-cell immune response.
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32
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Neumann-Haefelin C, Thimme R. Adaptive immune responses in hepatitis C virus infection. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2013; 369:243-62. [PMID: 23463204 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-27340-7_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The adaptive immune response plays a central role in the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Indeed, spontaneous viral clearance is associated with an early neutralizing antibody response as well as vigorous and sustained HCV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. In persistent HCV infection, however, all three components of the antiviral adaptive immune response fail due to different viral evasion strategies. In this chapter, we will describe the components of a successful immune response against HCV and summarize the mechanisms of immune failure. We will also highlight characteristics of protective CD8+ T cell responses which is the key factor to the design of an efficacious vaccine.
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Prabdial-Sing N, Puren AJ, Bowyer SM. Sequence-based in silico analysis of well studied hepatitis C virus epitopes and their variants in other genotypes (particularly genotype 5a) against South African human leukocyte antigen backgrounds. BMC Immunol 2012; 13:67. [PMID: 23227878 PMCID: PMC3552980 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-13-67] [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: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Host genetics influence the outcome of HCV disease. HCV is also highly mutable and escapes host immunity. HCV genotypes are geographically distributed and HCV subtypes have been shown to have distinct repertoires of HLA-restricted viral epitopes which explains the lack of cross protection across genotypes observed in some studies. Despite this, immune databases and putative epitope vaccines concentrate almost exclusively on HCV genotype 1 class I-epitopes restricted by the HLA-A*02 allele. While both genotype and allele predominate in developed countries, we hypothesise that HCV variation and population genetics will affect the efficacy of proposed epitope vaccines in South Africa. This in silico study investigates HCV viral variability within well-studied epitopes identified in genotype 1 and uses algorithms to predict the immunogenicity of their variants from other less studied genotypes and thus rate the most promising vaccine candidates for the South African population. Six class I- and seven class II- restricted epitope sequences within the core, NS3, NS4B and NS5B regions were compared across the six HCV genotypes using local genotype 5a sequence data together with global data. Common HLA alleles in the South African population are A30:01, A02:01, B58:02, B07:02; DRB1*13:01 and DRB1*03:01. Epitope binding to 13 class I- and 8 class –II alleles were described using web-based prediction servers, Immune Epitope Database, (IEDB) and Propred. Online population coverage tools were used to assess vaccine efficacy. Results Despite the homogeneity of genotype 1 and genotype 5 over the epitopes, there was limited promiscuity to local HLA-alleles.Host differences will make a putative vaccine less effective in South Africa. Of the 6 well-characterized class I- epitopes, only 2 class I- epitopes were promiscuous and 3 of the 7 class-II epitopes were better conserved and promiscuous. By fine tuning the putative vaccine using an optimal cocktail of genotype 1 and 5a epitopes and local HLA data, the coverage was raised from 65.85% to 91.87% in South African Blacks. Conclusion While in vivo and in vitro studies are needed to confirm immunogenic epitopes, in silico HCV epitope vaccine design which takes into account HCV variation and host allele frequency will maximize population coverage in different ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishi Prabdial-Sing
- Specialized Molecular Diagnostics, Hepatitis Unit, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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34
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Carlson JM, Brumme CJ, Martin E, Listgarten J, Brockman MA, Le AQ, Chui CKS, Cotton LA, Knapp DJHF, Riddler SA, Haubrich R, Nelson G, Pfeifer N, DeZiel CE, Heckerman D, Apps R, Carrington M, Mallal S, Harrigan PR, John M, Brumme ZL. Correlates of protective cellular immunity revealed by analysis of population-level immune escape pathways in HIV-1. J Virol 2012; 86:13202-16. [PMID: 23055555 PMCID: PMC3503140 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01998-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA class I-associated polymorphisms identified at the population level mark viral sites under immune pressure by individual HLA alleles. As such, analysis of their distribution, frequency, location, statistical strength, sequence conservation, and other properties offers a unique perspective from which to identify correlates of protective cellular immunity. We analyzed HLA-associated HIV-1 subtype B polymorphisms in 1,888 treatment-naïve, chronically infected individuals using phylogenetically informed methods and identified characteristics of HLA-associated immune pressures that differentiate protective and nonprotective alleles. Over 2,100 HLA-associated HIV-1 polymorphisms were identified, approximately one-third of which occurred inside or within 3 residues of an optimally defined cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitope. Differential CTL escape patterns between closely related HLA alleles were common and increased with greater evolutionary distance between allele group members. Among 9-mer epitopes, mutations at HLA-specific anchor residues represented the most frequently detected escape type: these occurred nearly 2-fold more frequently than expected by chance and were computationally predicted to reduce peptide-HLA binding nearly 10-fold on average. Characteristics associated with protective HLA alleles (defined using hazard ratios for progression to AIDS from natural history cohorts) included the potential to mount broad immune selection pressures across all HIV-1 proteins except Nef, the tendency to drive multisite and/or anchor residue escape mutations within known CTL epitopes, and the ability to strongly select mutations in conserved regions within HIV's structural and functional proteins. Thus, the factors defining protective cellular immune responses may be more complex than simply targeting conserved viral regions. The results provide new information to guide vaccine design and immunogenicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chanson J. Brumme
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Eric Martin
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Mark A. Brockman
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anh Q. Le
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Celia K. S. Chui
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Laura A. Cotton
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Sharon A. Riddler
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Richard Haubrich
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - George Nelson
- Basic Research Program, Center for Cancer Research Genetics Core, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Nico Pfeifer
- Microsoft Research, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | - Richard Apps
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA, and Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mary Carrington
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA, and Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Simon Mallal
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Mina John
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Zabrina L. Brumme
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - the International HIV Adaptation Collaborative
- Microsoft Research, Los Angeles, California, USA
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Basic Research Program, Center for Cancer Research Genetics Core, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA, and Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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35
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Ahlén G, Chen A, Roe B, Falkeborn T, Frelin L, Hall WW, Sällberg M, Söderholm J. Limited effect on NS3-NS4A protein cleavage after alanine substitutions within the immunodominant HLA-A2-restricted epitope of the hepatitis C virus genotype 3a non-structural 3/4A protease. J Gen Virol 2012; 93:1680-1686. [PMID: 22592266 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.043745-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been well established that immunological escape mutations within the hepatitis C virus genotype (gt) 1a non-structural (NS) 3/4A protease are partly prevented by a reduction in viral protease fitness. Surprisingly little is known about whether similar mutations affect proteases from other genotypes. In the present study, we assessed both the HLA-A2-restricted CTL response and gt3a NS3/4A protease fitness. Similar to gt1, the 1073-1081 epitope was immunodominant within the gt3a-specific HLA-A2-restricted CTL response, despite sequence similarity of only 56 % between the gt1a and gt3a genes. However, unlike the gt1a NS3/4A protease, all residues within the gt3a 1073-1081 epitope could be replaced sequentially by alanine while retaining protease activity, at least in part.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustaf Ahlén
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antony Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Barbara Roe
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Tina Falkeborn
- Division of Molecular Virology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, S-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lars Frelin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - William W Hall
- Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Matti Sällberg
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Söderholm
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, S-413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, F68, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
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36
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Barnes E, Folgori A, Capone S, Swadling L, Aston S, Kurioka A, Meyer J, Huddart R, Smith K, Townsend R, Brown A, Antrobus R, Ammendola V, Naddeo M, O'Hara G, Willberg C, Harrison A, Grazioli F, Esposito ML, Siani L, Traboni C, Oo Y, Adams D, Hill A, Colloca S, Nicosia A, Cortese R, Klenerman P. Novel adenovirus-based vaccines induce broad and sustained T cell responses to HCV in man. Sci Transl Med 2012. [PMID: 22218690 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.300315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Currently, no vaccine exists for hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major pathogen thought to infect 170 million people globally. Many studies suggest that host T cell responses are critical for spontaneous resolution of disease, and preclinical studies have indicated a requirement for T cells in protection against challenge. We aimed to elicit HCV-specific T cells with the potential for protection using a recombinant adenoviral vector strategy in a phase 1 study of healthy human volunteers. Two adenoviral vectors expressing NS proteins from HCV genotype 1B were constructed based on rare serotypes [human adenovirus 6 (Ad6) and chimpanzee adenovirus 3 (ChAd3)]. Both vectors primed T cell responses against HCV proteins; these T cell responses targeted multiple proteins and were capable of recognizing heterologous strains (genotypes 1A and 3A). HCV-specific T cells consisted of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets; secreted interleukin-2, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α; and could be sustained for at least a year after boosting with the heterologous adenoviral vector. Studies using major histocompatibility complex peptide tetramers revealed long-lived central and effector memory pools that retained polyfunctionality and proliferative capacity. These data indicate that an adenoviral vector strategy can induce sustained T cell responses of a magnitude and quality associated with protective immunity and open the way for studies of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Barnes
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
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37
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Thimme R, Binder M, Bartenschlager R. Failure of innate and adaptive immune responses in controlling hepatitis C virus infection. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2012; 36:663-83. [PMID: 22142141 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2011.00319.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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38
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Blais ME, Zhang Y, Rostron T, Griffin H, Taylor S, Xu K, Yan H, Wu H, James I, John M, Dong T, Rowland-Jones SL. High frequency of HIV mutations associated with HLA-C suggests enhanced HLA-C-restricted CTL selective pressure associated with an AIDS-protective polymorphism. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 188:4663-70. [PMID: 22474021 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Delayed HIV-1 disease progression is associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism upstream of the HLA-C gene that correlates with differential expression of the HLA-C Ag. This polymorphism was recently shown to be a marker for a protective variant in the 3'UTR of HLA-C that disrupts a microRNA binding site, resulting in enhanced HLA-C expression at the cell surface. Whether individuals with "high" HLA-C expression show a stronger HLA-C-restricted immune response exerting better viral control than that of their counterparts has not been established. We hypothesized that the magnitude of the HLA-C-restricted immune pressure on HIV would be greater in subjects with highly expressed HLA-C alleles. Using a cohort derived from a unique narrow source epidemic in China, we identified mutations in HIV proviral DNA exclusively associated with HLA-C, which were used as markers for the intensity of the immune pressure exerted on the virus. We found an increased frequency of mutations in individuals with highly expressed HLA-C alleles, which also correlated with IFN-γ production by HLA-C-restricted CD8(+) T cells. These findings show that immune pressure on HIV is stronger in subjects with the protective genotype and highlight the potential role of HLA-C-restricted responses in HIV control. This is, to our knowledge, the first in vivo evidence supporting the protective role of HLA-C-restricted responses in nonwhites during HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Eve Blais
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
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39
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Barnes E, Folgori A, Capone S, Swadling L, Aston S, Kurioka A, Meyer J, Huddart R, Smith K, Townsend R, Brown A, Antrobus R, Ammendola V, Naddeo M, O’Hara G, Willberg C, Harrison A, Grazioli F, Esposito ML, Siani L, Traboni C, Oo Y, Adams D, Hill A, Colloca S, Nicosia A, Cortese R, Klenerman P. Novel adenovirus-based vaccines induce broad and sustained T cell responses to HCV in man. Sci Transl Med 2012; 4:115ra1. [PMID: 22218690 PMCID: PMC3627207 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3003155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 319] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Currently, no vaccine exists for hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major pathogen thought to infect 170 million people globally. Many studies suggest that host T cell responses are critical for spontaneous resolution of disease, and preclinical studies have indicated a requirement for T cells in protection against challenge. We aimed to elicit HCV-specific T cells with the potential for protection using a recombinant adenoviral vector strategy in a phase 1 study of healthy human volunteers. Two adenoviral vectors expressing NS proteins from HCV genotype 1B were constructed based on rare serotypes [human adenovirus 6 (Ad6) and chimpanzee adenovirus 3 (ChAd3)]. Both vectors primed T cell responses against HCV proteins; these T cell responses targeted multiple proteins and were capable of recognizing heterologous strains (genotypes 1A and 3A). HCV-specific T cells consisted of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets; secreted interleukin-2, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α; and could be sustained for at least a year after boosting with the heterologous adenoviral vector. Studies using major histocompatibility complex peptide tetramers revealed long-lived central and effector memory pools that retained polyfunctionality and proliferative capacity. These data indicate that an adenoviral vector strategy can induce sustained T cell responses of a magnitude and quality associated with protective immunity and open the way for studies of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Barnes
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford UK
| | | | - Stefania Capone
- Okairos, via dei Castelli Romani 22, 00040, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Leo Swadling
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen Aston
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ayako Kurioka
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Joel Meyer
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rachel Huddart
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kira Smith
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rachel Townsend
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony Brown
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard Antrobus
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Geraldine O’Hara
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chris Willberg
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Abby Harrison
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Loredana Siani
- Okairos, via dei Castelli Romani 22, 00040, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Traboni
- Okairos, via dei Castelli Romani 22, 00040, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Ye Oo
- NIHR Liver BRU, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - David Adams
- NIHR Liver BRU, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Adrian Hill
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford UK
| | - Stefano Colloca
- Okairos, via dei Castelli Romani 22, 00040, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Nicosia
- Okairos, via dei Castelli Romani 22, 00040, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cortese
- Okairos, via dei Castelli Romani 22, 00040, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford UK
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40
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Viral adaptation to host immune responses occurs in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and adaptation is greatest in HBV e antigen-negative disease. J Virol 2011; 86:1181-92. [PMID: 22072755 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.05308-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T-cell responses are important in the natural history of HBV infection. The number of known HBV-specific T-cell epitopes is limited, and it is not clear whether viral evolution occurs in chronic HBV infection. We aimed to identify novel HBV T-cell epitopes by examining the relationship between HBV sequence variation and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type in a large prospective clinic-based cohort of Asian patients with chronic HBV infection recruited in Australia and China (n = 119). High-resolution 4-digit HLA class I and II typing and full-length HBV sequencing were undertaken for treatment-naïve individuals (52% with genotype B, 48% with genotype C, 63% HBV e antigen [HBeAg] positive). Statistically significant associations between HLA types and HBV sequence variation were identified (n = 49) at 41 sites in the HBV genome. Using prediction programs, we determined scores for binding between peptides containing these polymorphisms and associated HLA types. Among the regions that could be tested, HLA binding was predicted for 14/18 (78%). We identified several HLA-associated polymorphisms involving likely known anchor residues that resulted in altered predicted binding scores. Some HLA-associated polymorphisms fell within known T-cell epitopes with matching HLA restriction. Enhanced viral adaptation (defined as the presence of the relevant HLA and the escaped amino acid) was independently associated with HBeAg-negative disease (P = 0.003). Thus, HBV appears to be under immune pressure in chronic HBV infection, particularly in HBeAg-negative disease.
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41
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Compensatory mutations restore the replication defects caused by cytotoxic T lymphocyte escape mutations in hepatitis C virus polymerase. J Virol 2011; 85:11883-90. [PMID: 21880756 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00779-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
While human leukocyte antigen B57 (HLA-B57) is associated with the spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV), the mechanisms behind this control remain unclear. Immunodominant CD8(+) T cell responses against the B57-restricted epitopes comprised of residues 2629 to 2637 of nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B(2629-2637)) (KSKKTPMGF) and E2(541-549) (NTRPPLGNW) were recently shown to be crucial in the control of HCV infection. Here, we investigated whether the selection of deleterious cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) escape mutations in the NS5B KSKKTPMGF epitope might impair viral replication and contribute to the B57-mediated control of HCV. Common CTL escape mutations in this epitope were identified from a cohort of 374 HCV genotype 1a-infected subjects, and their impact on HCV replication assessed using a transient HCV replicon system. We demonstrate that while escape mutations at residue 2633 (position 5) of the epitope had little or no impact on HCV replication in vitro, mutations at residue 2629 (position 1) substantially impaired replication. Notably, the deleterious mutations at position 2629 were tightly linked in vivo to upstream mutations at residue 2626, which functioned to restore the replicative defects imparted by the deleterious escape mutations. These data suggest that the selection of costly escape mutations within the immunodominant NS5B KSKKTPMGF epitope may contribute in part to the control of HCV replication in B57-positive individuals and that persistence of HCV in B57-positive individuals may involve the development of specific secondary compensatory mutations. These findings are reminiscent of the selection of deleterious CTL escape and compensatory mutations by HLA-B57 in HIV-1 infection and, thus, may suggest a common mechanism by which alleles like HLA-B57 mediate protection against these highly variable pathogens.
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42
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Schmidt J, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C. Host genetics in immune-mediated hepatitis C virus clearance. Biomark Med 2011; 5:155-69. [PMID: 21473719 DOI: 10.2217/bmm.11.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), only few patients spontaneously clear the virus, while most patients develop chronic HCV infection. The host innate and adaptive immune response is believed to be the key determinant of viral clearance or persistence. Several host factors have been demonstrated to influence the efficiency of the antiviral immune response, including IL-28B polymorphisms, inhibitory natural killer cell receptors, as well as HLA class I and II alleles presenting viral antigens to CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells. The understanding of the respective mechanisms is essential for the development of successful vaccination strategies against HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schmidt
- Department of Medicine II, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Ruiz-Mateos E, Machmach K, Romero-Sanchez MC, Ferrando-Martinez S, Viciana P, Del Val M, Muñoz-Fernandez MA, Genebat M, Leal M. Hepatitis C virus replication in Caucasian HIV controllers. J Viral Hepat 2011; 18:e350-7. [PMID: 21692947 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01431.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Whether HIV controllers, patients who spontaneously control HIV viraemia, are able to control hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, in terms of spontaneous clearance or lower HCV replication, is not well understood. To assess to what extent Caucasian HIV controllers are able to control HCV replication and potential associated factors, plasma HIV-1 and HCV RNA levels, anti-HCV antibodies, HCV genotype and human leucocyte antigens (HLA) typing were determined in samples from 75 HIV controllers (33 viraemic controllers, <1000 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL, and 42 elite controllers, <40 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) and compared with 261 HIV-infected noncontrollers. We did not find differences in the HCV spontaneous clearance rates between groups. However, we interestingly found a lower HCV viral load in HIV controllers, alongside a different distribution of HCV genotypes in relation to the comparison group. In addition, HLA-B57 was associated with a lower HCV viral load in the control group and HIV controllers, and conversely, HLA-B35 with higher HCV viral load in HIV controllers. The subrepresentation of HCV genotype 1 and the overrepresentation of HLA-B57 only partly explained the lower HCV viral load found in HIV controllers. In fact, HIV controller status was independently associated with lower HCV viral load, together with HCV genotype non-1, the presence of HLA-B57 and absence of HLA-B35. Caucasian HIV controllers are able to better control HCV replication, in terms of lower HCV viral load levels. These findings support the idea that some common host mechanisms are involved in the defence against these two persistent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ruiz-Mateos
- Immunovirology Laboratory and Biochemistry Department, Infectious Diseases Service, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/Biomedicine Institute of Seville (IBIS), Avd. Manuel Siurot s/n, Seville Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
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Ruhl M, Knuschke T, Schewior K, Glavinic L, Neumann-Haefelin C, Chang DI, Klein M, Heinemann FM, Tenckhoff H, Wiese M, Horn PA, Viazov S, Spengler U, Roggendorf M, Scherbaum N, Nattermann J, Hoffmann D, Timm J. CD8+ T-cell response promotes evolution of hepatitis C virus nonstructural proteins. Gastroenterology 2011; 140:2064-73. [PMID: 21376049 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2011.02.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2010] [Revised: 01/21/2011] [Accepted: 02/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquires mutations that allow it to escape the CD8+ T-cell response, although the extent to which this process contributes to viral evolution at the population level is not clear. We studied viral adaptation using data from a large outbreak of HCV genotype 1b infection that occurred among women immunized with contaminated immunoglobulin from 1977 to 1978. METHODS The HCV nonstructural protein coding regions NS3-NS5B were sequenced from 78 patients, and mutations were mapped according to their location inside or outside previously described CD8+ T-cell epitopes. A statistical approach was developed to identify sites/regions under reproducible selection pressure associated with HLA class I. RESULTS The frequency of nonsynonymous mutations was significantly higher inside previously described CD8+ T-cell epitopes than outside-particularly in NS3/4A and NS5B. We identified new regions that are under selection pressure, indicating that not all CD8+ T-cell epitopes have been identified; 6 new epitopes that interact with CD8+ T cells were identified and confirmed in vitro. In some CD8+ T-cell epitopes mutations were reproducibly identified in patients that shared the relevant HLA allele, indicating immune pressure at the population level. There was statistical support for selection of mutations in 18 individual epitopes. Interestingly, 14 of these were restricted by HLA-B allele. CONCLUSIONS HLA class I-associated selection pressure on the nonstructural proteins and here predominantly on NS3/4A and NS5B promotes evolution of HCV. HLA-B alleles have a dominant effect in this selection process. Adaptation of HCV to the CD8+ T-cell response at the population level creates challenges for vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Ruhl
- Institute of Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, and Addiction Research Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LVR-Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
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Extensive HLA-driven viral diversity following a narrow-source HIV-1 outbreak in rural China. Blood 2011; 118:98-106. [PMID: 21562042 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-06-291963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Obstacles to developing an HIV-1 vaccine include extensive viral diversity and lack of correlates of protective immunity. High mutation rates allow HIV-1 to adapt rapidly to selective forces such as antiretroviral therapy and immune pressure, including HIV-1-specific CTLs that select viral variants which escape T-cell recognition. Multiple factors contribute to HIV-1 diversity, making it difficult to disentangle the contribution of CTL selection without using complex analytical approaches. We describe an HIV-1 outbreak in 231 former plasma donors in China, where a narrow-source virus that had contaminated the donation system was apparently transmitted to many persons contemporaneously. The genetic divergence now evident in these subjects should uniquely reveal how much viral diversity at the population level is solely attributable to host factors. We found significant correlations between pair-wise divergence of viral sequences and HLA class I genotypes across epitope-length windows in HIV-1 Gag, reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Nef, corresponding to sites of 140 HLA class I allele-associated viral polymorphisms. Of all polymorphic sites across these 4 proteins, 24%-56% were sites of HLA-associated selection. These data confirm that CTL pressure has a major effect on inter-host HIV-1 viral diversity and probably represents a key element of viral control.
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di Iulio J, Ciuffi A, Fitzmaurice K, Kelleher D, Rotger M, Fellay J, Martinez R, Pulit S, Furrer H, Günthard HF, Battegay M, Bernasconi E, Schmid P, Hirschel B, Barnes E, Klenerman P, Telenti A, Rauch A. Estimating the net contribution of interleukin-28B variation to spontaneous hepatitis C virus clearance. Hepatology 2011; 53:1446-54. [PMID: 21360716 PMCID: PMC3128709 DOI: 10.1002/hep.24263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2010] [Accepted: 02/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The identification of associations between interleukin-28B (IL-28B) variants and the spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) raises the issues of causality and the net contribution of host genetics to the trait. To estimate more precisely the net effect of IL-28B genetic variation on HCV clearance, we optimized genotyping and compared the host contributions in multiple- and single-source cohorts to control for viral and demographic effects. The analysis included individuals with chronic or spontaneously cleared HCV infections from a multiple-source cohort (n = 389) and a single-source cohort (n = 71). We performed detailed genotyping in the coding region of IL-28B and searched for copy number variations to identify the genetic variant or haplotype carrying the strongest association with viral clearance. This analysis was used to compare the effects of IL-28B variation in the two cohorts. Haplotypes characterized by carriage of the major alleles at IL-28B single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were highly overrepresented in individuals with spontaneous clearance versus those with chronic HCV infections (66.1% versus 38.6%, P = 6 × 10(-9) ). The odds ratios for clearance were 2.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6-3.0] and 3.9 (95% CI = 1.5-10.2) in the multiple- and single-source cohorts, respectively. Protective haplotypes were in perfect linkage (r(2) = 1.0) with a nonsynonymous coding variant (rs8103142). Copy number variants were not detected. CONCLUSION We identified IL-28B haplotypes highly predictive of spontaneous HCV clearance. The high linkage disequilibrium between IL-28B SNPs indicates that association studies need to be complemented by functional experiments to identify single causal variants. The point estimate for the genetic effect was higher in the single-source cohort, which was used to effectively control for viral diversity, sex, and coinfections and, therefore, offered a precise estimate of the net host genetic contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia di Iulio
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Pfafferott K, Gaudieri S, Ulsenheimer A, James I, Heeg M, Nolan D, John M, Rauch A, Mallal S, Lucas A, Klenerman P, Diepolder HM, Lucas M. Constrained pattern of viral evolution in acute and early HCV infection limits viral plasticity. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16797. [PMID: 21347433 PMCID: PMC3035653 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 01/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immune responses during acute Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infection are a known correlate of infection outcome. Viral adaptation to these responses via mutation(s) within CD8+ T-cell epitopes allows these viruses to subvert host immune control. This study examined HCV evolution in 21 HCV genotype 1-infected subjects to characterise the level of viral adaptation during acute and early HCV infection. Of the total mutations observed 25% were within described CD8+ T-cell epitopes or at viral adaptation sites. Most mutations were maintained into the chronic phase of HCV infection (75%). The lack of reversion of adaptations and high proportion of silent substitutions suggests that HCV has structural and functional limitations that constrain evolution. These results were compared to the pattern of viral evolution observed in 98 subjects during a similar phase in HIV infection from a previous study. In contrast to HCV, evolution during acute HIV infection is marked by high levels of amino acid change relative to silent substitutions, including a higher proportion of adaptations, likely reflecting strong and continued CD8+ T-cell pressure combined with greater plasticity of the virus. Understanding viral escape dynamics for these two viruses is important for effective T cell vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Pfafferott
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
- School of Anatomy and Human Biology and Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Axel Ulsenheimer
- Medical Department II and Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ian James
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Malte Heeg
- Medical Department II and Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - David Nolan
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Mina John
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Andri Rauch
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
- University Hospital Berne and University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Simon Mallal
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Andrew Lucas
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Helmut M. Diepolder
- Medical Department II and Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michaela Lucas
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute for Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Merani S, Petrovic D, James I, Chopra A, Cooper D, Freitas E, Rauch A, di Iulio J, John M, Lucas M, Fitzmaurice K, McKiernan S, Norris S, Kelleher D, Klenerman P, Gaudieri S. Effect of immune pressure on hepatitis C virus evolution: insights from a single-source outbreak. Hepatology 2011; 53:396-405. [PMID: 21246583 PMCID: PMC3044208 DOI: 10.1002/hep.24076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2010] [Accepted: 11/05/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The host's immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) can result in the selection of characteristic mutations (adaptations) that enable the virus to escape this response. The ability of the virus to mutate at these sites is dependent on the incoming virus, the fitness cost incurred by the mutation, and the benefit to the virus in escaping the response. Studies examining viral adaptation in chronic HCV infection have shown that these characteristic immune escape mutations can be observed at the population level as human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-specific viral polymorphisms. We examined 63 individuals with chronic HCV infection who were infected from a single HCV genotype 1b source. Our aim was to determine the extent to which the host's immune pressure affects HCV diversity and the ways in which the sequence of the incoming virus, including preexisting escape mutations, can influence subsequent mutations in recipients and infection outcomes. CONCLUSION HCV sequences from these individuals revealed 29 significant associations between specific HLA types within the new hosts and variations within their viruses, which likely represent new viral adaptations. These associations did not overlap with previously reported adaptations for genotypes 1a and 3a and possibly reflected a combination of constraint due to the incoming virus and genetic distance between the strains. However, these sites accounted for only a portion of the sites in which viral diversity was observed in the new hosts. Furthermore, preexisting viral adaptations in the incoming (source) virus likely influenced the outcomes in the new hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahzma Merani
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western AustraliaWestern Australia, Australia
| | - Danijela Petrovic
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland
| | - Ian James
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Murdoch UniversityWestern Australia, Australia
| | - Abha Chopra
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Murdoch UniversityWestern Australia, Australia
| | - Don Cooper
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Murdoch UniversityWestern Australia, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Freitas
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Murdoch UniversityWestern Australia, Australia
| | - Andri Rauch
- University Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Bern and University of BernBern, Switzerland
| | - Julia di Iulio
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mina John
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Murdoch UniversityWestern Australia, Australia
| | - Michaela Lucas
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Murdoch UniversityWestern Australia, Australia
| | - Karen Fitzmaurice
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland,Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxford, United Kingdom
| | - Susan McKiernan
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland
| | - Suzanne Norris
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland
| | - Dermot Kelleher
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College DublinDublin, Ireland
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxford, United Kingdom,Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe HospitalOxford, United Kingdom
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Western AustraliaWestern Australia, Australia,Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Murdoch UniversityWestern Australia, Australia,School of Anatomy and Human Biology, University of Western AustraliaWestern Australia, Australia
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Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global public health problem affecting approximately 2% of the human population. The majority of HCV infections (more than 70%) result in life-long persistence of the virus that substantially increases the risk of serious liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The remainder (less than 30%) resolves spontaneously, often resulting in long-lived protection from persistence upon reexposure to the virus. To persist, the virus must replicate and this requires effective evasion of adaptive immune responses. In this review, the role of humoral and cellular immunity in preventing HCV persistence, and the mechanisms used by the virus to subvert protective host responses, are considered.
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50
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Lange CM, Roomp K, Dragan A, Nattermann J, Michalk M, Spengler U, Weich V, Lengauer T, Zeuzem S, Berg T, Sarrazin C. HLA class I allele associations with HCV genetic variants in patients with chronic HCV genotypes 1a or 1b infection. J Hepatol 2010; 53:1022-8. [PMID: 20800922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2010.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2010] [Revised: 06/02/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The adaptive immune response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is significantly shaped by the host's composition of HLA-alleles with the consequence that the HLA phenotype is a critical determinant of viral evolution during adaptive immune pressure. In the present study, we aimed to identify associations of HLA class I alleles with HCV subtypes 1a and 1b genetic variants. METHODS The association between HCV genetic variants and specific HLA-alleles was investigated in a cohort of 159 patients with chronic HCV genotypes 1a- and 1b-infection who were treated with pegylated interferon-alfa 2b and ribavirin in a prospective controlled trial for 48 weeks by direct sequencing of the genes encoding the HCV proteins E2, NS3, and NS5B and by HLA class I-genotyping of patients. HCV genetic variants were associated with specific HLA-alleles and the binding strength of accordant amino acid sequences to the corresponding HLA-allele was assessed by using the SYFPEITHI-algorithm. RESULTS Overall, associations between HLA class I alleles and HCV sequence variation were rare. Five unknown HLA class I-associated viral genetic variations were identified, which in part affected the binding of predicted HCV CD8+ T cell epitopes to the respective HLA-allele. In addition, different patterns of HLA class I-allele/HCV sequence associations between the two subtypes were observed. CONCLUSIONS We identified several unknown HLA class I-restricted HCV variants which in part impair binding to predicted HCV CD8+ T cell epitopes with remarkable differences between HCV subtypes 1a and 1b quasispecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Markus Lange
- Klinikum der J.W. Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Medizinische Klinik 1, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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