1
|
Sharma S, Rawal P, Kaur S, Puria R. Liver organoids as a primary human model to study HBV-mediated Hepatocellular carcinoma. A review. Exp Cell Res 2023; 428:113618. [PMID: 37142202 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113618] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is the prevailing cause of chronic liver disease, which progresses to Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 75% of cases. It represents a serious health concern being the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Treatments available to date fail to provide a complete cure with high chances of recurrence and related side effects. The lack of reliable, reproducible, and scalable in vitro modeling systems that could recapitulate the viral life cycle and represent virus-host interactions has hindered the development of effective treatments so far. The present review provides insights into the current in-vivo and in-vitro models used for studying HBV and their major limitations. We highlight the use of three-dimensional liver organoids as a novel and suitable platform for modeling HBV infection and HBV-mediated HCC. HBV organoids can be expanded, genetically altered, patient-derived, tested for drug discovery, and biobanked. This review also provides the general guidelines for culturing HBV organoids and highlights their several prospects for HBV drug discovery and screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simran Sharma
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Preety Rawal
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India.
| | - Rekha Puria
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu R, Hu P, Li Y, Tian A, Li J, Zhu C. Advances in HBV infection and replication systems in vitro. Virol J 2021; 18:105. [PMID: 34051803 PMCID: PMC8164799 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01580-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family that has limited tissue and species specificity. Due to the persistence of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in host cells after HBV infection, current antiviral drugs cannot eradicate HBV. Therefore, the development of an active cell culture system supporting HBV infection has become the key to studying HBV and developing effective therapeutic drugs. Main body This review summarizes the significant research achievements in HBV cell culture systems in vitro, including embryonic hepatocytes and primary hepatocytes, which support the virus infection process most similar to that in the body and various liver tumor cells. The discovery of the bile-acid pump sodium-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as the receptor of HBV has advanced our understanding of HBV biology. Subsequently, various liver cancer cells overexpressing NTCP that support HBV infection have been established, opening a new door for studying HBV infection. The fact that induced pluripotent stem cells that differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells support HBV infection provides a novel idea for the establishment of an HBV cell culture system. Conclusion Because of the host and tissue specificity of HBV, a suitable in vitro HBV infection system is critical for the study of HBV pathogenesis. Nevertheless, recent advances regarding HBV infection in vitro offer hope for better studying the biological characteristics of HBV, the pathogenesis of hepatitis B, the screening of anti-HBV drugs and the mechanism of carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Xu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pingping Hu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuwen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Anran Tian
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chuanlong Zhu
- Department of Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lai F, Wee CYY, Chen Q. Establishment of Humanized Mice for the Study of HBV. Front Immunol 2021; 12:638447. [PMID: 33679796 PMCID: PMC7933441 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.638447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis particularly Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is still an ongoing health issue worldwide. Despite the vast technological advancements in research and development, only HBV vaccines, typically given during early years, are currently available as a preventive measure against acquiring the disease from a secondary source. In general, HBV can be cleared naturally by the human immune system if detected at low levels early. However, long term circulation of HBV in the peripheral blood may be detrimental to the human liver, specifically targeting human hepatocytes for cccDNA integration which inevitably supports HBV life cycle for the purpose of reinfection in healthy cells. Although there is some success in using nucleoside analogs or polyclonal antibodies targeting HBV surface antigens (HBsAg) in patients with acute or chronic HBV+ (CHB), majority of them would either respond only partially or succumb to the disease entirely unless they undergo liver transplants from a fully matched healthy donor and even so may not necessarily guarantee a 100% chance of survival. Indeed, in vitro/ex vivo cultures and various transgenic animal models have already provided us with a good understanding of HBV but they primarily lack human specificity or virus-host interactions in the presence of human immune surveillance. Therefore, the demand of utilizing humanized mice has increased over the last decade as a pre-clinical platform for investigating human-specific immune responses against HBV as well as identifying potential immunotherapeutic strategies in eradicating the virus. Basically, this review covers some of the recent developments and key advantages of humanized mouse models over other conventional transgenic mice platforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fritz Lai
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cherry Yong Yi Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li F, Wang Z, Hu F, Su L. Cell Culture Models and Animal Models for HBV Study. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1179:109-135. [PMID: 31741335 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9151-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Highly representative and relevant cell and mouse models are required for HBV study, including uncovering its lifecycle, investigation of the viral-host interaction, and development and evaluation of the novel antiviral therapy. During the past 40 years, both HBV cell culture models and animal models have evolved over several generations, each with significant improvement for specific purposes. In one aspect, HBV cell culture models experienced the original noninfection model including HBV plasmid DNA transfection and HBV genome integrated stable cells such as HepG2.2.15 which constitutively produces HBV virus and HepAD38 cells and its derivatives which drug-regulated HBV production. As for HBV infection models, HepaRG cells once dominated the HBV infection field for over a decade, but its complicated and labor-extensive cell differentiation procedures discouraged primary researchers from stepping in the field. The identification of human NTCP as HBV receptor evoked great enthusiasm of the whole HBV field, and its readily adaptive characteristic makes it popular in many HBV laboratories. Recombinant cccDNA (rc-cccDNA) emerged recently aiming to tackle the very basic question of how to eventually eradicate cccDNA without HBV real virus infection. In the other aspect, HBV transgenic mouse was firstly generated in the 1990s, which was helpful to decipher HBV production in vivo. However, the HBV transgenic mice were naturally immune tolerant to HBV viral products. Subsequently, a series of nonintegrated HBV mouse models were generated through plasmid hydrodynamic tail vein injection and viral vector-mediated delivery approaches, and HBV full life cycle was incomplete as cccDNA was not formed from HBV relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA). Human NTCP transgenic mouse still could not support productive HBV infection, and humanized mouse liver with human hepatocytes which supported whole HBV life cycle still dominates HBV infection in vivo, a value but expensive model until now. Other methods to empower mouse to carry HBV cccDNA were also exploited. In this chapter, we summarized the advantages and disadvantages of each model historically and provided protocols for HBV infection in HepG2-NTCP cells, HBV rc-cccDNA transfection in HepG2 cells, and HBV infection in NRG-Fah-/- liver humanized mouse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Fengyu Hu
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lishan Su
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sa-Ngiamsuntorn K, Thongsri P, Pewkliang Y, Wongkajornsilp A, Kongsomboonchoke P, Suthivanich P, Borwornpinyo S, Hongeng S. An Immortalized Hepatocyte-like Cell Line (imHC) Accommodated Complete Viral Lifecycle, Viral Persistence Form, cccDNA and Eventual Spreading of a Clinically-Isolated HBV. Viruses 2019; 11:E952. [PMID: 31623162 PMCID: PMC6832882 DOI: 10.3390/v11100952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 350 million people worldwide have been persistently infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Chronic HBV infection could advance toward liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The intervention with prophylactic vaccine and conventional treatment could suppress HBV, but could not completely eradicate it. The major obstacle for investigating curative antiviral drugs are the incompetence of hepatocyte models that should have closely imitated natural human infection. Here, we demonstrated that an immortalized hepatocyte-like cell line (imHC) could accommodate for over 30 days the entire life cycle of HBV prepared from either established cultured cells or clinically-derived fresh isolates. Normally, imHCs had intact interferon signaling with anti-viral action. Infected imHCs responded to treatments with direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) and interferons (IFNs) by diminishing HBV DNA, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) surface antigen of HBV (HBsAg, aka the Australia antigen) and the hepatitis B viral protein (HBeAg). Notably, we could observe and quantify HBV spreading from infected cells to naïve cells using an imHC co-culture model. In summary, this study constructed a convenient HBV culture model that allows the screening for novel anti-HBV agents with versatile targets, either HBV entry, replication or cccDNA formation. Combinations of agents aiming at different targets should achieve a complete HBV eradication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khanit Sa-Ngiamsuntorn
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Piyanoot Thongsri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Yongyut Pewkliang
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Adisak Wongkajornsilp
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | | | - Phichaya Suthivanich
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
A Single Adaptive Mutation in Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide Induced by Hepadnaviruses Determines Virus Species Specificity. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.01432-18. [PMID: 30541857 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01432-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its hepadnavirus relatives infect a wide range of vertebrates, from fish to human. Hepadnaviruses and their hosts have a long history of acquiring adaptive mutations. However, there are no reports providing direct molecular evidence for such a coevolutionary "arms race" between hepadnaviruses and their hosts. Here, we present evidence suggesting that the adaptive evolution of the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), an HBV receptor, has been influenced by virus infection. Evolutionary analysis of the NTCP-encoding genes from 20 mammals showed that most NTCP residues are highly conserved among species, exhibiting evolution under negative selection (dN/dS ratio [ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous evolutionary changes] of <1); this observation implies that the evolution of NTCP is restricted by maintaining its original protein function. However, 0.7% of NTCP amino acid residues exhibit rapid evolution under positive selection (dN/dS ratio of >1). Notably, a substitution at amino acid (aa) 158, a positively selected residue, converting the human NTCP to a monkey-type sequence abrogated the capacity to support HBV infection; conversely, a substitution at this residue converting the monkey Ntcp to the human sequence was sufficient to confer HBV susceptibility. Together, these observations suggested a close association of the aa 158 positive selection with the pressure by virus infection. Moreover, the aa 158 sequence determined attachment of the HBV envelope protein to the host cell, demonstrating the mechanism whereby HBV infection would create positive selection at this NTCP residue. In summary, we provide the first evidence in agreement with the function of hepadnavirus as a driver for inducing adaptive mutation in host receptor.IMPORTANCE HBV and its hepadnavirus relatives infect a wide range of vertebrates, with a long infectious history (hundreds of millions of years). Such a long history generally allows adaptive mutations in hosts to escape from infection while simultaneously allowing adaptive mutations in viruses to overcome host barriers. However, there is no published molecular evidence for such a coevolutionary arms race between hepadnaviruses and hosts. In the present study, we performed coevolutionary phylogenetic analysis between hepadnaviruses and the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), an HBV receptor, combined with virological experimental assays for investigating the biological significance of NTCP sequence variation. Our data provide the first molecular evidence supporting that HBV-related hepadnaviruses drive adaptive evolution in the NTCP sequence, including a mechanistic explanation of how NTCP mutations determine host viral susceptibility. Our novel insights enhance our understanding of how hepadnaviruses evolved with their hosts, permitting the acquisition of strong species specificity.
Collapse
|
7
|
Manickam C, Shah SV, Lucar O, Ram DR, Reeves RK. Cytokine-Mediated Tissue Injury in Non-human Primate Models of Viral Infections. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2862. [PMID: 30568659 PMCID: PMC6290327 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections trigger robust secretion of interferons and other antiviral cytokines by infected and bystander cells, which in turn can tune the immune response and may lead to viral clearance or immune suppression. However, aberrant or unrestricted cytokine responses can damage host tissues, leading to organ dysfunction, and even death. To understand the cytokine milieu and immune responses in infected host tissues, non-human primate (NHP) models have emerged as important tools. NHP have been used for decades to study human infections and have played significant roles in the development of vaccines, drug therapies and other immune treatment modalities, aided by an ability to control disease parameters, and unrestricted tissue access. In addition to the genetic and physiological similarities with humans, NHP have conserved immunologic properties with over 90% amino acid similarity for most cytokines. For example, human-like symptomology and acute respiratory syndrome is found in cynomolgus macaques infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, antibody enhanced dengue disease is common in neotropical primates, and in NHP models of viral hepatitis cytokine-induced inflammation induces severe liver damage, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma recapitulates human disease. To regulate inflammation, anti-cytokine therapy studies in NHP are underway and will provide important insights for future human interventions. This review will provide a comprehensive outline of the cytokine-mediated exacerbation of disease and tissue damage in NHP models of viral infections and therapeutic strategies that can aid in prevention/treatment of the disease syndromes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cordelia Manickam
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Spandan V. Shah
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Olivier Lucar
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Daniel R. Ram
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - R. Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lempp FA, Wiedtke E, Qu B, Roques P, Chemin I, Vondran FWR, Le Grand R, Grimm D, Urban S. Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide is the limiting host factor of hepatitis B virus infection in macaque and pig hepatocytes. Hepatology 2017; 66:703-716. [PMID: 28195359 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Infections with the human hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) depend on species-specific host factors like the receptor human sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (hNTCP). Complementation of mouse hepatocytes with hNTCP confers susceptibility to HDV but not HBV, indicating the requirement of additional HBV-specific factors. As an essential premise toward the establishment of an HBV-susceptible animal model, we investigated the role of hNTCP as a limiting factor of hepatocytes in commonly used laboratory animals. Primary hepatocytes from mice, rats, dogs, pigs, rhesus macaques, and cynomolgus macaques were transduced with adeno-associated viral vectors encoding hNTCP and subsequently infected with HBV. Cells were analyzed for Myrcludex B binding, taurocholate uptake, HBV covalently closed circular DNA formation, and expression of all HBV markers. Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp) from the respective species was cloned and analyzed for HBV and HDV receptor activity in a permissive hepatoma cell line. Expression of hNTCP in mouse, rat, and dog hepatocytes permits HDV infection but does not allow establishment of HBV infection. Contrarily, hepatocytes from cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, and pigs became fully susceptible to HBV upon hNTCP expression with efficiencies comparable to human hepatocytes. Analysis of cloned Ntcp from all species revealed a pronounced role of the human homologue to support HBV and HDV infection. CONCLUSION Ntcp is the key host factor limiting HBV infection in cynomolgus and rhesus macaques and in pigs. In rodents (mouse, rat) and dogs, transfer of hNTCP supports viral entry but additional host factors are required for the establishment of HBV infection. This finding paves the way for the development of macaques and pigs as immunocompetent animal models to study HBV infection in vivo, immunological responses against the virus and viral pathogenesis. (Hepatology 2017;66:703-716).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian A Lempp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ellen Wiedtke
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, BioQuant, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bingqian Qu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pierre Roques
- Division of ImmunoVirology, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Centre d'Energie Atomique, Fontenay aux Roses, Paris, France.,UMRE01, UMR1184, Université Paris Sud, Orsay, France
| | - Isabelle Chemin
- Université de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- Regenerative Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Roger Le Grand
- Division of ImmunoVirology, Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Centre d'Energie Atomique, Fontenay aux Roses, Paris, France.,UMRE01, UMR1184, Université Paris Sud, Orsay, France
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, BioQuant, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lucifora J, Protzer U. Attacking hepatitis B virus cccDNA--The holy grail to hepatitis B cure. J Hepatol 2016; 64:S41-S48. [PMID: 27084036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
HBV deposits a covalently closed circular DNA form, called cccDNA, in the nucleus of infected cells. As the central transcription template, the cccDNA minichromosome is a key intermediate in the HBV life cycle. Its location in the nucleus makes cccDNA a difficult target for antivirals and immune response, and therefore it is responsible for chronicity of HBV infection. While little is known about the mechanisms involved in cccDNA formation, current research is accumulating data on the mechanisms regulating transcription from cccDNA, and the first potential targeting approaches have been reported. This review will summarize our knowledge about cccDNA biology and the latest advances in cccDNA targeting strategies in order to finally achieve an HBV cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lucifora
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstrasse 30, 81675 Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Site, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li W, Urban S. Entry of hepatitis B and hepatitis D virus into hepatocytes: Basic insights and clinical implications. J Hepatol 2016; 64:S32-S40. [PMID: 27084034 PMCID: PMC7114860 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
For almost three decades following the discovery of the human Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) the early events of virus infection (attachment to hepatocytes, specific binding to a receptor on hepatocytes) remained enigmatic. The gradual improvement of tissue culture systems for HBV has enabled the identification of viral determinants for viral infectivity and facilitated the discovery of the human sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (hNTCP) as a liver specific receptor of HBV and its satellite, the human Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV). These findings are currently leading basic and clinical research activities in new directions. (1) Stable hNTCP-expressing cell lines have become a valuable platform to study the full HBV replication cycle from its native template, the cccDNA. (2) The suitability of NTCP complemented cell culture systems for high throughput screening approaches will facilitate identification of novel host factors involved in HBV replication (including those that determine the peculiar host specificity of HBV infection) and will enable identification and development of novel drug candidates for improved therapeutics. (3) Since NTCP is a major host-specific restriction factor for HBV and HDV, hNTCP-expressing animals provide the basis for future susceptible in vivo models. (4) The concept obtained with the entry inhibitor Myrcludex B demonstrates that NTCP is a suitable target for clinical interference with viral entry. This will foster further clinical approaches aiming at curative combination therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Center of Infectious Diseases (DZIF), Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Experimental in vitro and in vivo models for the study of human hepatitis B virus infection. J Hepatol 2016; 64:S17-S31. [PMID: 27084033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects an estimate of 240 million people worldwide despite the availability of a preventive vaccine. Medication to repress viral replication is available but a cure is rarely achieved. The narrow species and tissue tropism of the virus and the lack of reliable in vitro models and laboratory animals susceptible to HBV infection, have limited research progress in the past. As a result, several aspects of the HBV life cycle as well as the network of virus host interactions occurring during the infection are not yet understood. Only recently, the identification of the functional cellular receptor enabling HBV entry has opened new possibilities to establish innovative infection systems. Regarding the in vivo models of HBV infection, the classical reference was the chimpanzee. However, because of the strongly restricted use of great apes for HBV research, major efforts have focused on the development of mouse models of HBV replication and infection such as the generation of humanized mice. This review summarizes the animal and cell culture based models currently available for the study of HBV biology. We will discuss the benefits and caveats of each model and present a selection of the most important findings that have been retrieved from the respective systems.
Collapse
|
12
|
Determinants of hepatitis B and delta virus host tropism. Curr Opin Virol 2015; 13:109-16. [PMID: 26164658 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are a global health problem afflicting approximately 360 million patients. Of these individuals, 15-20 million are co-infected with hepatitis delta virus (HDV). Progress toward curative therapies has been impeded by the highly restricted host tropism of HBV, which is limited to productive infections in humans and chimpanzees. Here, we will discuss different approaches that have been taken to study HBV and HDV infections in vivo. The development of transgenic and humanized mice has lead to deeper insights into HBV pathogenesis. An improved understanding of the determinants governing HBV and HDV species tropism will aid in the construction of a small animal model with inheritable susceptible to HBV/HDV.
Collapse
|
13
|
Shahrakyvahed A, Sanchooli J, Sanadgol N, Arababadi MK, Kennedy D. TLR9: an important molecule in the fight against hepatitis B virus. Postgrad Med J 2015; 90:396-401. [PMID: 24942353 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2013-132309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most prevalent infectious agent that can induce severe liver disease. Patients infected with long-term HBV, including chronic, asymptomatic and occult forms, cannot clear HBV from infected hepatocytes completely. It is not clear why some people can clear the infection while others cannot. Furthermore, the main mechanisms responsible for progression of the infections are not fully understood. It has been hypothesised that differences in genetic and immunological parameters between patients and subjects who successfully clear HBV infections are responsible for inducing the long-term forms of the infection. Previous investigations showed that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play important roles in immune responses, especially innate immunity, against viral infections, including hepatitis B. TLR9 detects intracellular viral dsDNA, which results in the activation of an immune response against HBV. However, defects in this system may result in an attenuated response ultimately leading to long-term HBV infections. Targeting the defects in TLR9 or reactivating the downstream pathways that are normally switched on by TLR9 in response to HBV infection is a new approach to the treatment of long-term HBV infection. However, the pathways and defects seen in patients with long-term HBV need to be thoroughly explored before therapeutics can be applied in the clinical setting. Furthermore, the apparently multigenic nature of long-term HBV infection suggests that treatment of patients may need to be personalised.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Shahrakyvahed
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Javad Sanchooli
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Nima Sanadgol
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Research Center (PSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kazemi Arababadi
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Derek Kennedy
- School of Natural Sciences, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Dupinay T, Gheit T, Roques P, Cova L, Chevallier-Queyron P, Tasahsu SI, Le Grand R, Simon F, Cordier G, Wakrim L, Benjelloun S, Trépo C, Chemin I. Discovery of naturally occurring transmissible chronic hepatitis B virus infection among Macaca fascicularis from Mauritius Island. Hepatology 2013; 58:1610-20. [PMID: 23536484 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Despite a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in endangered apes, no HBV infection has been reported in small, old-world monkeys. In search for a small, nonhuman primate model, we investigated the prevalence of HBV infection in 260 macaque (Cercopithecidae) sera of various geographical origins (i.e., Morocco, Mauritius Island, and Asia). HBV-positive markers were detected in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) from Mauritius Island only, and, remarkably, HBV DNA was positive in 25.8% (31 of 120) and 42% (21 of 50) of serum and liver samples, respectively. Strong liver expression of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antigen was detected in approximately 20%-30% of hepatocytes. Furthermore, chronic infection with persisting HBV DNA was documented in all 6 infected macaques during an 8-month follow-up period. Whole HBV genome-sequencing data revealed that it was genotype D subtype ayw3 carrying substitution in position 67 of preS1. To confirm infectivity of this isolate, 3 Macaca sylvanus were inoculated with a pool of M. fascicularis serum and developed an acute HBV infection with 100% sequence homology, compared with HBV inoculum. We demonstrated the presence of a chronic HBV infection in M. fascicularis from Mauritius Island. This closely human-related HBV might have been transmitted from humans, because the initial breeding colony originated from very few ancestors 300 years ago when it was implemented by Portuguese who imported a handful of macaques from Java to Mauritius Island. CONCLUSION This report on natural, persisting HBV infection among cynomolgus macaques provides the first evidence for the existence of a novel, small simian model of chronic HBV infection, immunologically close to humans, that should be most valuable for the study of immunotherapeutic approaches against chronic hepatitis B.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Dupinay
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France; INSERM U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France; CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France; Ecole pratique des hautes études, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Schieck A, Schulze A, Gähler C, Müller T, Haberkorn U, Alexandrov A, Urban S, Mier W. Hepatitis B virus hepatotropism is mediated by specific receptor recognition in the liver and not restricted to susceptible hosts. Hepatology 2013; 58:43-53. [PMID: 23292963 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 11/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic infections in humans and chimpanzees. HBV infects its hosts at minimal inoculation doses and replicates exclusively in hepatocytes. The viral determinants for the pronounced species specificity and the high efficacy to address hepatocytes in vivo are unknown. Previous findings showed that N-terminally myristoylated peptides constituting a receptor binding domain of the HBV large envelope (L)-protein block HBV entry in vitro and in vivo. Here we investigate the ability of such peptidic receptor ligands to target the liver. Injection of radioactively labeled HBVpreS-lipopeptides resulted in rapid accumulation in livers of mice, rats, and dogs but not cynomolgus monkeys. Without lipid moiety the peptide was excreted by renal filtration, indicating its possible retention through the lipid by serum factors. Organ distribution studies of 26 HBVpreS peptide variants revealed a correlation of HBV infection inhibition activity and the ability to target mouse livers. Together with complementary studies using primary hepatocytes of different species, we hypothesize that HBV hepatotropism is mediated through specific binding of the myristoylated N-terminal preS1-domain of the HBV L-protein to a hepatocyte specific receptor. Moreover, the restricted infectivity of HBV to human primates is not generally determined by the absence of this binding receptor in nonsusceptible hosts (e.g., mice) but related to postbinding step(s) (e.g., membrane fusion). CONCLUSION HBVpreS-lipopeptides target to the liver. This observation has important clinical implications regarding the pharmacokinetic properties of Myrcludex B, the first entry inhibitor for HBV/HDV. In addition, this provides the basis for the application of the peptides as vehicles for hepatocyte-specific drug targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Schieck
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Molecular determinants of hepatitis B and D virus entry restriction in mouse sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide. J Virol 2013; 87:7977-91. [PMID: 23678176 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03540-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its satellite virus, hepatitis D virus (HDV), primarily infect humans, chimpanzees, or tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri). Viral infections in other species are known to be mainly restricted at the entry level since viral replication can be achieved in the cells by transfection of the viral genome. Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a functional receptor for HBV and HDV, and amino acids 157 to 165 of NTCP are critical for viral entry and likely limit viral infection of macaques. However, the molecular determinants for viral entry restriction in mouse NTCP (mNTCP) remain unclear. In this study, mNTCP was found to be unable to support either HBV or HDV infection, although it can bind to pre-S1 of HBV L protein and is functional in transporting substrate taurocholate; comprehensive swapping and point mutations of human NTCP (hNTCP) and mNTCP revealed molecular determinants restricting mNTCP for viral entry of HBV and HDV. Remarkably, when mNTCP residues 84 to 87 were substituted by human counterparts, mNTCP can effectively support viral infections. In addition, a number of cell lines, regardless of their species or tissue origin, supported HDV infection when transfected with hNTCP or mNTCP with residues 84 to 87 replaced by human counterparts, highlighting the central role of NTCP for viral infections mediated by HBV envelope proteins. These studies advance our understanding of NTCP-mediated viral entry of HBV and HDV and have important implications for developing the mouse model for their infections.
Collapse
|
17
|
Perret F, Marminon C, Zeinyeh W, Nebois P, Bollacke A, Jose J, Parrot-Lopez H, Le Borgne M. Preparation and characterization of CK2 inhibitor-loaded cyclodextrin nanoparticles for drug delivery. Int J Pharm 2013; 441:491-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Revised: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 11/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
18
|
Abstract
As the threat of exposure to emerging and reemerging viruses within a naive population increases, it is vital that the basic mechanisms of pathogenesis and immune response be thoroughly investigated. By using animal models in this endeavor, the response to viruses can be studied in a more natural context to identify novel drug targets, and assess the efficacy and safety of new products. This is especially true in the advent of the Food and Drug Administration's animal rule. Although no one animal model is able to recapitulate all the aspects of human disease, understanding the current limitations allows for a more targeted experimental design. Important facets to be considered before an animal study are the route of challenge, species of animals, biomarkers of disease, and a humane endpoint. This chapter covers the current animal models for medically important human viruses, and demonstrates where the gaps in knowledge exist.
Collapse
|