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Kennedy MJ, Fernbach S, Scheel TKH. Animal hepacivirus models for hepatitis C virus immune responses and pathology. J Hepatol 2024; 81:184-186. [PMID: 38664157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Kennedy
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Sonja Fernbach
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Troels K H Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
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2
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Lanave G, Pellegrini F, Triggiano F, De Giglio O, Lucente MS, Diakoudi G, Catella C, Gentile A, Tardugno R, Fracchiolla G, Martella V, Camero M. In Vitro Virucidal Activity of Different Essential Oils against Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Used as Surrogate of Human Hepatitis C Virus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:514. [PMID: 38927181 PMCID: PMC11201044 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060514] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major hepatotropic virus that affects humans with increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes abortion, calf mortality and poor reproductive performance in cattle. Due the difficulties of in vitro cultivation for HCV, BVDV has been used as surrogate for in vitro assessment of the efficacy of antivirals. Essential oils (EOs) display antiviral and virucidal activity on several viral pathogens. In this study, the virucidal activity of five EOs, Salvia officinalis L. EO (SEO), Melissa officinalis L. EO (MEO), Citrus lemon EO (LEO), Rosmarinus officinalis L. EO (REO) and Thymus vulgaris L. EO (TEO) against BVDV was evaluated in vitro at different concentrations for several time contacts. MEO and LEO were able to considerably inactivate BVDV with a time- and dose-dependent fashion. MEO and LEO at the highest concentrations decreased viral titer by 2.00 and 2.25 log10 TCID50/50 μL at 8 h contact time, respectively. SEO, REO and TEO displayed mild virucidal activity at the highest concentrations for 8 h contact times. In this study, the virucidal efficacies of MEO and LEO against BVDV were observed regardless of compound concentration and contact time. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential use of MEO and LEO as surface disinfectants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Francesco Pellegrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Francesco Triggiano
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.T.); (O.D.G.)
| | - Osvalda De Giglio
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.T.); (O.D.G.)
| | - Maria Stella Lucente
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Georgia Diakoudi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Cristiana Catella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Arturo Gentile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Roberta Tardugno
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.T.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Fracchiolla
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.T.); (G.F.)
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
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3
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Niu B, Ma L, Yao L, Zhang Y, Su H. HCV affects K ATP channels through GnT-IVa-mediated N-glycosylation of GLUT2 on the surface of pancreatic β-cells leading to impaired insulin secretion. Endocrine 2024; 84:427-440. [PMID: 37962815 PMCID: PMC11076383 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the mechanism of insulin secretion dysfunction in pancreatic beta cells induced by N-glycosylation mediated by an infection from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS Min6 cell models infected with HCV and stimulated with glucose were constructed. Meanwhile, an HCV-infected animal model and a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model were constructed. Glucose uptake in the Min6 cells was detected, and insulin secretion was detected by ELISA. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and lectin blotting were used to detect the expression levels of related proteins and mRNA, as well as the level of N-glycosylation. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the pancreatic tissue, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to evaluate the glucose tolerance of the rats. RESULTS Compared with the NC group, the expression levels of GnT-IVa, GLUT2, galectin-9, and voltage-dependent calcium channel 1.2 (Cav1.2) were significantly downregulated in the HCV-infected group. The ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) component proteins SUR1 and Kir6.2 were significantly upregulated, while intracellular glucose intake and insulin secretion decreased, N-glycosylation levels and ATP levels significantly decreased, and the overexpression of GnT-IVa reversed the effect of the HCV infection. However, treatment with the glycosylation inhibitor kifunensine (KIF) or the KATP channel activator diazine (Dia) reversed the effects of the overexpression of GnT-IVa. In the animal experiments, HE staining revealed serious pathological injuries in the pancreatic tissue of the HCV-infected rats, with decreased glucose tolerance and glycosylation levels, decreased insulin secretion, downregulated expression of GnT-IVa, GLUT2, and Cav1.2, and upregulated expression of SUR1 and Kir6.2. The overexpression treatment of GnT-IVa or the KATP channel antagonist miglinide reversed the effects of HCV. CONCLUSION HCV infection inhibits GLUT2 N-glycosylation on the pancreatic β cell surface by downregulating the expression of GnT-IVa and then activates the KATP pathway, which ultimately leads to disturbances in insulin secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Niu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Lijing Ma
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Lixuan Yao
- Department of Nephrology, Bao Ji People's Hospital, Baoji, 721000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yating Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Heng Su
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, Yunnan, China.
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Brown AJ, Won JJ, Wolfisberg R, Fahnøe U, Catanzaro N, West A, Moreira FR, Nogueira Batista M, Ferris MT, Linnertz CL, Leist SR, Nguyen C, De la Cruz G, Midkiff BR, Xia Y, Evangelista MD, Montgomery SA, Billerbeck E, Bukh J, Scheel TK, Rice CM, Sheahan TP. Host genetic variation guides hepacivirus clearance, chronicity, and liver fibrosis in mice. Hepatology 2024; 79:183-197. [PMID: 37540195 PMCID: PMC10718216 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Human genetic variation is thought to guide the outcome of HCV infection, but model systems within which to dissect these host genetic mechanisms are limited. Norway rat hepacivirus, closely related to HCV, causes chronic liver infection in rats but causes acute self-limiting hepatitis in typical strains of laboratory mice, which resolves in 2 weeks. The Collaborative Cross (CC) is a robust mouse genetics resource comprised of a panel of recombinant inbred strains, which model the complexity of the human genome and provide a system within which to understand diseases driven by complex allelic variation. APPROACH RESULTS We infected a panel of CC strains with Norway rat hepacivirus and identified several that failed to clear the virus after 4 weeks. Strains displayed an array of virologic phenotypes ranging from delayed clearance (CC046) to chronicity (CC071, CC080) with viremia for at least 10 months. Body weight loss, hepatocyte infection frequency, viral evolution, T-cell recruitment to the liver, liver inflammation, and the capacity to develop liver fibrosis varied among infected CC strains. CONCLUSIONS These models recapitulate many aspects of HCV infection in humans and demonstrate that host genetic variation affects a multitude of viruses and host phenotypes. These models can be used to better understand the molecular mechanisms that drive hepacivirus clearance and chronicity, the virus and host interactions that promote chronic disease manifestations like liver fibrosis, therapeutic and vaccine performance, and how these factors are affected by host genetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane J. Brown
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - John J. Won
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Raphael Wolfisberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicholas Catanzaro
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ande West
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Fernando R. Moreira
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mariana Nogueira Batista
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Martin T. Ferris
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Colton L. Linnertz
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah R. Leist
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cameron Nguyen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gabriela De la Cruz
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bentley R. Midkiff
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yongjuan Xia
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mia D. Evangelista
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephanie A. Montgomery
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eva Billerbeck
- Department of Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Hepatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Troels K.H. Scheel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Timothy P. Sheahan
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Mirzaei R, Karampoor S, Korotkova NL. The emerging role of miRNA-122 in infectious diseases: Mechanisms and potential biomarkers. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 249:154725. [PMID: 37544130 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that play crucial regulatory roles in numerous cellular processes. Recent investigations have highlighted the significant involvement of miRNA-122 (miR-122) in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases caused by diverse pathogens, encompassing viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. In the context of viral infections, miR-122 exerts regulatory control over viral replication by binding to the viral genome and modulating the host's antiviral response. For instance, in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, miR-122 restricts viral replication, while HBV, in turn, suppresses miR-122 expression. Conversely, miR-122 interacts with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, facilitating viral replication. Regarding bacterial infections, miR-122 has been found to regulate host immune responses by influencing inflammatory cytokine production and phagocytosis. In Vibrio anguillarum infections, there is a significant reduction in miR-122 expression, contributing to the pathophysiology of bacterial infections. Toll-like receptor 14 (TLR14) has been identified as a novel target gene of miR-122, affecting inflammatory and immune responses. In the context of parasitic infections, miR-122 plays a crucial role in regulating host lipid metabolism and immune responses. For example, during Leishmania infection, miR-122-containing extracellular vesicles from liver cells are unable to enter infected macrophages, leading to a suppression of the inflammatory response. Furthermore, miR-122 exhibits promise as a potential biomarker for various infectious diseases. Its expression level in body fluids, particularly in serum and plasma, correlates with disease severity and treatment response in patients affected by HCV, HBV, and tuberculosis. This paper also discusses the potential of miR-122 as a biomarker in infectious diseases. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive and insightful overview of the emerging role of miR-122 in infectious diseases, detailing its mechanism of action and potential implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasoul Mirzaei
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Karampoor
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nadezhda Lenoktovna Korotkova
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Russia; Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Privolzhsky Research Medical University" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (FSBEI HE PRMU MOH Russia), Russia
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6
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Sherwood AV, Rivera-Rangel LR, Ryberg LA, Larsen HS, Anker KM, Costa R, Vågbø CB, Jakljevič E, Pham LV, Fernandez-Antunez C, Indrisiunaite G, Podolska-Charlery A, Grothen JER, Langvad NW, Fossat N, Offersgaard A, Al-Chaer A, Nielsen L, Kuśnierczyk A, Sølund C, Weis N, Gottwein JM, Holmbeck K, Bottaro S, Ramirez S, Bukh J, Scheel TKH, Vinther J. Hepatitis C virus RNA is 5'-capped with flavin adenine dinucleotide. Nature 2023:10.1038/s41586-023-06301-3. [PMID: 37407817 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06301-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA viruses have evolved elaborate strategies to protect their genomes, including 5' capping. However, until now no RNA 5' cap has been identified for hepatitis C virus1,2 (HCV), which causes chronic infection, liver cirrhosis and cancer3. Here we demonstrate that the cellular metabolite flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is used as a non-canonical initiating nucleotide by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, resulting in a 5'-FAD cap on the HCV RNA. The HCV FAD-capping frequency is around 75%, which is the highest observed for any RNA metabolite cap across all kingdoms of life4-8. FAD capping is conserved among HCV isolates for the replication-intermediate negative strand and partially for the positive strand. It is also observed in vivo on HCV RNA isolated from patient samples and from the liver and serum of a human liver chimeric mouse model. Furthermore, we show that 5'-FAD capping protects RNA from RIG-I mediated innate immune recognition but does not stabilize the HCV RNA. These results establish capping with cellular metabolites as a novel viral RNA-capping strategy, which could be used by other viruses and affect anti-viral treatment outcomes and persistence of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna V Sherwood
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Lizandro R Rivera-Rangel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Line A Ryberg
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Helena S Larsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Klara M Anker
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Rui Costa
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Cathrine B Vågbø
- Proteomics and Modomics Experimental Core (PROMEC), Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the Central Norway Regional Health Authority, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Eva Jakljevič
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Long V Pham
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Carlota Fernandez-Antunez
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Gabriele Indrisiunaite
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Agnieszka Podolska-Charlery
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Julius E R Grothen
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Nicklas W Langvad
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Nicolas Fossat
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Anna Offersgaard
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Amal Al-Chaer
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Anna Kuśnierczyk
- Proteomics and Modomics Experimental Core (PROMEC), Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the Central Norway Regional Health Authority, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christina Sølund
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Nina Weis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Judith M Gottwein
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kenn Holmbeck
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Sandro Bottaro
- Section for Biomolecular Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Santseharay Ramirez
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
| | - Troels K H Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jeppe Vinther
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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7
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Li YQ, Ghafari M, Holbrook AJ, Boonen I, Amor N, Catalano S, Webster JP, Li YY, Li HT, Vergote V, Maes P, Chong YL, Laudisoit A, Baelo P, Ngoy S, Mbalitini SG, Gembu GC, Musaba AP, Goüy de Bellocq J, Leirs H, Verheyen E, Pybus OG, Katzourakis A, Alagaili AN, Gryseels S, Li YC, Suchard MA, Bletsa M, Lemey P. The evolutionary history of hepaciviruses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.30.547218. [PMID: 37425679 PMCID: PMC10327235 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.30.547218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
In the search for natural reservoirs of hepatitis C virus (HCV), a broad diversity of non-human viruses within the Hepacivirus genus has been uncovered. However, the evolutionary dynamics that shaped the diversity and timescale of hepaciviruses evolution remain elusive. To gain further insights into the origins and evolution of this genus, we screened a large dataset of wild mammal samples (n = 1,672) from Africa and Asia, and generated 34 full-length hepacivirus genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of these data together with publicly available genomes emphasizes the importance of rodents as hepacivirus hosts and we identify 13 rodent species and 3 rodent genera (in Cricetidae and Muridae families) as novel hosts of hepaciviruses. Through co-phylogenetic analyses, we demonstrate that hepacivirus diversity has been affected by cross-species transmission events against the backdrop of detectable signal of virus-host co-divergence in the deep evolutionary history. Using a Bayesian phylogenetic multidimensional scaling approach, we explore the extent to which host relatedness and geographic distances have structured present-day hepacivirus diversity. Our results provide evidence for a substantial structuring of mammalian hepacivirus diversity by host as well as geography, with a somewhat more irregular diffusion process in geographic space. Finally, using a mechanistic model that accounts for substitution saturation, we provide the first formal estimates of the timescale of hepacivirus evolution and estimate the origin of the genus to be about 22 million years ago. Our results offer a comprehensive overview of the micro- and macroevolutionary processes that have shaped hepacivirus diversity and enhance our understanding of the long-term evolution of the Hepacivirus genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- YQ Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - M Ghafari
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1, UK
| | - AJ Holbrook
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - I Boonen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - N Amor
- Laboratory of Biodiversity, Parasitology, and Ecology of Aquatic Ecosystems, Department of Biology - Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, 2092, Tunisia
| | - S Catalano
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - JP Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - YY Li
- College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China
- Marine College, Shandong University (Weihai), Weihai, 264209, China
| | - HT Li
- College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252000, China
- Marine College, Shandong University (Weihai), Weihai, 264209, China
| | - V Vergote
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - P Maes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - YL Chong
- Animal Resource Science and Management Group, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300, Malaysia
- Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - A Laudisoit
- EcoHealth Alliance, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Evolutionary Ecology group (EVECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2020, Belgium
| | - P Baelo
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - S Ngoy
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - SG Mbalitini
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - GC Gembu
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Akawa P Musaba
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - J Goüy de Bellocq
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - H Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology group (EVECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2020, Belgium
| | - E Verheyen
- Evolutionary Ecology group (EVECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2020, Belgium
| | - OG Pybus
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1, UK
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - A Katzourakis
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1, UK
| | - AN Alagaili
- Laboratory of Biodiversity, Parasitology, and Ecology of Aquatic Ecosystems, Department of Biology - Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, 2092, Tunisia
| | - S Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology group (EVECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2020, Belgium
| | - YC Li
- Marine College, Shandong University (Weihai), Weihai, 264209, China
| | - MA Suchard
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - M Bletsa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - P Lemey
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
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8
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Wolfisberg R, Holmbeck K, Billerbeck E, Thorselius CE, Batista MN, Fahnøe U, Lundsgaard EA, Kennedy MJ, Nielsen L, Rice CM, Bukh J, Scheel TKH. Molecular Determinants of Mouse Adaptation of Rat Hepacivirus. J Virol 2023; 97:e0181222. [PMID: 36971565 PMCID: PMC10134885 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01812-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of robust immunocompetent animal models for hepatitis C virus (HCV) impedes vaccine development and studies of immune responses. Norway rat hepacivirus (NrHV) infection in rats shares HCV-defining characteristics, including hepatotropism, chronicity, immune responses, and aspects of liver pathology. To exploit genetic variants and research tools, we previously adapted NrHV to prolonged infection in laboratory mice. Through intrahepatic RNA inoculation of molecular clones of the identified variants, we here characterized four mutations in the envelope proteins responsible for mouse adaptation, including one disrupting a glycosylation site. These mutations led to high-titer viremia, similar to that observed in rats. In 4-week-old mice, infection was cleared after around 5 weeks compared to 2 to 3 weeks for nonadapted virus. In contrast, the mutations led to persistent but attenuated infection in rats, and they partially reverted, accompanied by an increase in viremia. Attenuated infection in rat but not mouse hepatoma cells demonstrated that the characterized mutations were indeed mouse adaptive rather than generally adaptive across species and that species determinants and not immune interactions were responsible for attenuation in rats. Unlike persistent NrHV infection in rats, acute resolving infection in mice was not associated with the development of neutralizing antibodies. Finally, infection of scavenger receptor B-I (SR-BI) knockout mice suggested that adaptation to mouse SR-BI was not a primary function of the identified mutations. Rather, the virus may have adapted to lower dependency on SR-BI, thereby potentially surpassing species-specific differences. In conclusion, we identified specific determinants of NrHV mouse adaptation, suggesting species-specific interactions during entry. IMPORTANCE A prophylactic vaccine is required to achieve the World Health Organization's objective for hepatitis C virus elimination as a serious public health threat. However, the lack of robust immunocompetent animal models supporting hepatitis C virus infection impedes vaccine development as well as studies of immune responses and viral evasion. Hepatitis C virus-related hepaciviruses were discovered in a number of animal species and provide useful surrogate infection models. Norway rat hepacivirus is of particular interest, as it enables studies in rats, an immunocompetent and widely used small laboratory animal model. Its adaptation to robust infection also in laboratory mice provides access to a broader set of mouse genetic lines and comprehensive research tools. The presented mouse-adapted infectious clones will be of utility for reverse genetic studies, and the Norway rat hepacivirus mouse model will facilitate studies of hepacivirus infection for in-depth characterization of virus-host interactions, immune responses, and liver pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Wolfisberg
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Kenn Holmbeck
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Eva Billerbeck
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Caroline E. Thorselius
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Mariana N. Batista
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Emma A. Lundsgaard
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Matthew J. Kennedy
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Troels K. H. Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
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9
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Vieyres G, Pietschmann T. The role of human lipoproteins for hepatitis C virus persistence. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 60:101327. [PMID: 37031484 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic virus that establishes a chronic infection in most individuals. Effective treatments are available; however, many patients are not aware of their infection. Consequently, they do not receive treatment and HCV transmission remains high, particularly among groups at high risk of exposure such as people who inject intravenous drugs. A prophylactic vaccine may reduce HCV transmission, but is currently not available. HCV has evolved immune evasion strategies, which facilitate persistence and complicate development of a protective vaccine. The peculiar association of HCV particles with human lipoproteins is thought to facilitate evasion from humoral immune response and viral homing to liver cells. A better understanding of these aspects provides the basis for development of protective vaccination strategies. Here, we review key information about the composition of HCV particles, the mechanisms mediating lipoprotein incorporation, and the functional consequences of this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Vieyres
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany; Integrative Analysis of Pathogen-Induced Compartments, Leibniz ScienceCampus InterACt, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hanover, Germany.
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10
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Lopez-Scarim J, Nambiar SM, Billerbeck E. Studying T Cell Responses to Hepatotropic Viruses in the Liver Microenvironment. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:681. [PMID: 36992265 PMCID: PMC10056334 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells play an important role in the clearance of hepatotropic viruses but may also cause liver injury and contribute to disease progression in chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections which affect millions of people worldwide. The liver provides a unique microenvironment of immunological tolerance and hepatic immune regulation can modulate the functional properties of T cell subsets and influence the outcome of a virus infection. Extensive research over the last years has advanced our understanding of hepatic conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and unconventional T cell subsets and their functions in the liver environment during acute and chronic viral infections. The recent development of new small animal models and technological advances should further increase our knowledge of hepatic immunological mechanisms. Here we provide an overview of the existing models to study hepatic T cells and review the current knowledge about the distinct roles of heterogeneous T cell populations during acute and chronic viral hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eva Billerbeck
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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11
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Ren X, Wang D, Zhang G, Zhou T, Wei Z, Yang Y, Zheng Y, Lei X, Tao W, Wang A, Li M, Flavell RA, Zhu S. Nucleic DHX9 cooperates with STAT1 to transcribe interferon-stimulated genes. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd5005. [PMID: 36735791 PMCID: PMC9897671 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add5005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
RNA helicase DHX9 has been extensively characterized as a transcriptional regulator, which is consistent with its mostly nucleic localization. It is also involved in recognizing RNA viruses in the cytoplasm. However, there is no in vivo data to support the antiviral role of DHX9; meanwhile, as a nuclear protein, if and how nucleic DHX9 promotes antiviral immunity remains largely unknown. Here, we generated myeloid-specific and hepatocyte-specific DHX9 knockout mice and confirmed that DHX9 is crucial for host resistance to RNA virus infections in vivo. By additional knockout MAVS or STAT1 in DHX9-deficient mice, we demonstrated that nucleic DHX9 plays a positive role in regulating interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression downstream of type I interferon. Mechanistically, upon interferon stimulation, DHX9 is directly bound to STAT1 and recruits Pol II to the ISG promoter region to participate in STAT1-mediated transcription of ISGs. Collectively, these findings uncover an important role for nucleic DHX9 in antiviral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxing Ren
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510145 Guangzhou, China
| | - Decai Wang
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Guorong Zhang
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Tingyue Zhou
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Zheng Wei
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yunjiang Zheng
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Xuqiu Lei
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Wanyin Tao
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Anmin Wang
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Mingsong Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510145 Guangzhou, China
| | - Richard A. Flavell
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shu Zhu
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
- School of Data Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
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12
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Wolfisberg R, Thorselius CE, Salinas E, Elrod E, Trivedi S, Nielsen L, Fahnøe U, Kapoor A, Grakoui A, Rice CM, Bukh J, Holmbeck K, Scheel TKH. Neutralization and receptor use of infectious culture-derived rat hepacivirus as a model for HCV. Hepatology 2022; 76:1506-1519. [PMID: 35445423 PMCID: PMC9585093 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Lack of tractable immunocompetent animal models amenable to robust experimental challenge impedes vaccine efforts for HCV. Infection with rodent hepacivirus from Rattus norvegicus (RHV-rn1) in rats shares HCV-defining characteristics, including liver tropism, chronicity, and pathology. RHV in vitro cultivation would facilitate genetic studies on particle production, host factor interactions, and evaluation of antibody neutralization guiding HCV vaccine approaches. APPROACH AND RESULTS We report an infectious reverse genetic cell culture system for RHV-rn1 using highly permissive rat hepatoma cells and adaptive mutations in the E2, NS4B, and NS5A viral proteins. Cell culture-derived RHV-rn1 particles (RHVcc) share hallmark biophysical characteristics of HCV and are infectious in mice and rats. Culture adaptive mutations attenuated RHVcc in immunocompetent rats, and the mutations reverted following prolonged infection, but not in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, suggesting that adaptive immune pressure is a primary driver of reversion. Accordingly, sera from RHVcc-infected SCID mice or the early acute phase of immunocompetent mice and rats were infectious in culture. We further established an in vitro RHVcc neutralization assay, and observed neutralizing activity of rat sera specifically from the chronic phase of infection. Finally, we found that scavenger receptor class B type I promoted RHV-rn1 entry in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS The RHV-rn1 infectious cell culture system enables studies of humoral immune responses against hepacivirus infection. Moreover, recapitulation of the entire RHV-rn1 infectious cycle in cell culture will facilitate reverse genetic studies and the exploration of tropism and virus-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Wolfisberg
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Caroline E. Thorselius
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Eduardo Salinas
- Emory Vaccine CenterDivision of Microbiology and ImmunologyYerkes Research Primate CenterEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA,Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Elizabeth Elrod
- Emory Vaccine CenterDivision of Microbiology and ImmunologyYerkes Research Primate CenterEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA,Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Sheetal Trivedi
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Arash Grakoui
- Emory Vaccine CenterDivision of Microbiology and ImmunologyYerkes Research Primate CenterEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA,Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious DiseaseThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Kenn Holmbeck
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Troels K. H. Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark,Laboratory of Virology and Infectious DiseaseThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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13
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Schwoerer MP, Ploss A. Barriers to hepatitis C virus infection in mice. Curr Opin Virol 2022; 56:101273. [PMID: 36244239 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2022.101273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is unable to infect mice, a fact that has severely limited their use as small-animal models for HCV pathogenesis and as tools for HCV vaccine development. HCV is blocked at various stages of its life cycle in mouse cells, due to incompatibility with host factors, the presence of dominant restriction factors, and effective immune responses. Molecular mechanisms for several such blocks have been characterized. The stepwise understanding of these limitations in mice will enable the development of an immunocompetent mouse that can fully support HCV infection and exhibit disease similar to that of infected humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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14
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Severe Acute Hepatitis Outbreaks Associated with a Novel Hepacivirus in Rhizomys pruinosus in Hainan, China. J Virol 2022; 96:e0078222. [PMID: 36005760 PMCID: PMC9472637 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00782-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Hepacivirus have a broad range of hosts, with at least 14 species identified. To date, a highly pathogenic hepacivirus causing severe disease in animals has not been found. Here, by using high-throughput sequencing, a new hepacivirus was identified as the dominant and highly pathogenic virus in severe acute hepatitis outbreaks in bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus), with ≈80% mortality; this virus emerged in February 2020 in two bamboo rat farms in China. Hepaciviral genome copies in bamboo rat liver were significantly higher than in other organs. Genomic sequences of hepacivirus strains from 12 sick bamboo rats were found to share 85.3 to 100% nucleotide (nt) identity and 94.9 to 100% amino acid (aa) identity and to share 79.7 to 87.8% nt and 90.4 to 97.8% aa identities with previously reported bamboo rat hepaciviruses of Vietnam and China. Sequence analysis further revealed the simultaneous circulation of genetically divergent hepacivirus variants within the two outbreaks. Phylogenetic analysis showed that hepacivirus strains from the present and previous studies formed an independent clade comprised of at least two genotypes, clearly different from all other known species, suggesting a novel species within the genus Hepacivirus. This is the first report of a non-human-infecting hepacivirus causing potentially fatal infection of bamboo rats, and the associated hepatitis in the animals potentially can be used to develop a surrogate model for the study of hepatitis C virus infection in humans and for the development of therapeutic strategies. IMPORTANCE Members of the genus Hepacivirus have a broad host range, with at least 14 species identified, but none is highly pathogenic to its host except for hepatitis C virus, which causes severe liver diseases in humans. In this study, a new liver-tropic hepacivirus species was identified by high-throughput sequencing as the pathogen associated with two outbreaks of severely acute hepatitis in hoary bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus) on two farms in Hainan Province, China; this is the first reported highly pathogenic animal hepacivirus to our knowledge. Further phylogenetic analysis suggested that the hepaciviruses derived from hoary bamboo rats in either the current or previous studies represent a novel species within the genus Hepacivirus. This finding is a breakthrough that has significantly updated our understanding about the pathogenicity of animal hepaciviruses, and the hepacivirus-associated hepatitis in bamboo rats may have a use as an animal infection model to understand HCV infection and develop therapeutic strategies.
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15
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English K, Tan SY, Kwan R, Holz LE, Sierro F, McGuffog C, Kaisho T, Heath WR, MacDonald KPA, McCaughan GW, Bowen DG, Bertolino P. The liver contains distinct interconnected networks of
CX3CR1
+
macrophages,
XCR1
+
type 1 and
CD301a
+
type 2 conventional dendritic cells embedded within portal tracts. Immunol Cell Biol 2022; 100:394-408. [PMID: 35718354 PMCID: PMC9541163 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Portal tracts are key intrahepatic structures where leukocytes accumulate during immune responses. They contain the blood inflow, which includes portal blood from the gut, and lymphatic and biliary outflow of the liver, and as such represent a key interface for potential pathogen entry to the liver. Myeloid cells residing in the interstitium of the portal tract might play an important role in the surveillance or prevention of pathogen dissemination; however, the exact composition and localization of this population has not been explored fully. Our in‐depth characterization of portal tract myeloid cells revealed that in addition to T lymphocytes, portal tracts contain a heterogeneous population of MHCIIhigh myeloid cells with potential antigen presenting cell (APC) function. These include a previously unreported subset of CSF1R‐dependent CX3CR1+ macrophages that phenotypically and morphologically resemble liver capsular macrophages, as well as the two main dendritic cell subsets (cDC1 and cDC2). These cells are not randomly distributed, but each subset forms interconnected networks intertwined with specific components of the portal tract. The CX3CR1+ cells were preferentially detected along the outer border of the portal tracts, and also in the portal interstitium adjacent to the portal vein, bile duct, lymphatic vessels and hepatic artery. cDC1s abounded along the lymphatic vessels, while cDC2s mostly surrounded the biliary tree. The specific distributions of these discrete subsets predict that they may serve distinct functions in this compartment. Overall, our findings suggest that portal tracts and their embedded cellular networks of myeloid cells form a distinctive lymphoid compartment in the liver that has the potential to orchestrate immune responses in this organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran English
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Sioh Yang Tan
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Rain Kwan
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Lauren E Holz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Frederic Sierro
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Claire McGuffog
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Tsuneyasu Kaisho
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medicine Wakayama Medical University Wakayama Japan
| | - William R Heath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Kelli PA MacDonald
- Antigen Presentation and Immunoregulation Laboratory QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Geoffrey W McCaughan
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - David G Bowen
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Patrick Bertolino
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
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Bankwitz D, Krey T, Pietschmann T. [Development approaches for vaccines against hepatitis C virus infections]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2022; 65:183-191. [PMID: 35015104 PMCID: PMC8749110 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-021-03477-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Mehr als 10 Jahre nach der Zulassung der ersten direkt wirkenden antiviralen Wirkstoffe zur Behandlung der Hepatitis C bleibt die Inzidenz der Hepatitis-C-Virus-(HCV-)Infektion ungebrochen hoch. In manchen Ländern stecken sich mehr Menschen neu mit dem Virus an, als Patienten durch eine erfolgreiche Therapie geheilt werden. Die Entwicklung eines prophylaktischen Impfstoffes könnte die Transmission des Virus unterbinden und dadurch einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Kontrolle dieser weltweit verbreiteten Infektion leisten. In diesem Artikel werden die besonderen Herausforderungen und die aktuellen Ansätze der HCV-Impfstoffentwicklung dargestellt. HCV ist ein hochgradig diverses und wandlungsfähiges Virus, das zumeist dem Immunsystem entkommt und chronische Infektionen etabliert. Andererseits heilt die HCV-Infektion bei bis zu einem Drittel der exponierten Individuen aus, sodass eine schützende Immunität erreichbar ist. Zahlreiche Untersuchungen zu den Determinanten einer schützenden Immunität gegen HCV zeichnen ein immer kompletteres Bild davon, welche Ziele ein Impfstoff erreichen muss. Sehr wahrscheinlich werden sowohl starke neutralisierende Antikörper als auch wirkungsvolle zytotoxische T‑Zellen gebraucht, um sicher vor einer chronischen Infektion zu schützen. Die Schlüsselfrage ist, welche Ansätze besonders breit wirksame Antikörper und T‑Zellen heranreifen lassen. Dies wird erforderlich sein, um vor der großen Fülle unterschiedlicher HCV-Varianten zu schützen. Die jüngsten Erfolge von mRNA-Impfstoffen öffnen neue Türen auch für die HCV-Impfstoffforschung. Kombiniert mit einem tieferen Verständnis der Struktur und Funktion der viralen Hüllproteine, der Identifizierung kreuzprotektiver Antikörper- und T‑Zellepitope sowie der Nutzung standardisierter Verfahren zur Quantifizierung der Wirksamkeit von Impfkandidaten ergeben sich neue Perspektiven für die Entwicklung eines Impfstoffes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Bankwitz
- Twincore Zentrum für Experimentelle und Klinische Infektionsforschung, Institut für Experimentelle Virologie, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Thomas Krey
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, RESIST Exzellenzcluster EXC2155, Hannover, Deutschland.,Zentrum für Strukturbiologie und Zellbiologie in der Medizin, Institut für Biochemie, Universität Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland.,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partnerstandort Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Braunschweig, Deutschland.,Institut für Virologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Twincore Zentrum für Experimentelle und Klinische Infektionsforschung, Institut für Experimentelle Virologie, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland. .,Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, RESIST Exzellenzcluster EXC2155, Hannover, Deutschland. .,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partnerstandort Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Deutschland.
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17
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The Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)—Small Animal Model for Hepacivirus Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122421. [PMID: 34960690 PMCID: PMC8708279 DOI: 10.3390/v13122421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which is frequently persistent. The lack of efficient vaccines against HCV and the unavailability of or limited compliance with existing antiviral therapies is problematic for health care systems worldwide. Improved small animal models would support further hepacivirus research, including development of vaccines and novel antivirals. The recent discovery of several mammalian hepaciviruses may facilitate such research. In this study, we demonstrated that bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) were susceptible to bank vole-associated Hepacivirus F and Hepacivirus J strains, based on the detection of hepaciviral RNA in 52 of 55 experimentally inoculated voles. In contrast, interferon α/β receptor deficient C57/Bl6 mice were resistant to infection with both bank vole hepaciviruses (BvHVs). The highest viral genome loads in infected voles were detected in the liver, and viral RNA was visualized by in situ hybridization in hepatocytes, confirming a marked hepatotropism. Furthermore, liver lesions in infected voles resembled those of HCV infection in humans. In conclusion, infection with both BvHVs in their natural hosts shares striking similarities to HCV infection in humans and may represent promising small animal models for this important human disease.
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18
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Nicolay W, Moeller R, Kahl S, Vondran FWR, Pietschmann T, Kunz S, Gerold G. Characterization of RNA Sensing Pathways in Hepatoma Cell Lines and Primary Human Hepatocytes. Cells 2021; 10:3019. [PMID: 34831243 PMCID: PMC8616302 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is targeted by several human pathogenic RNA viruses for viral replication and dissemination; despite this, the extent of innate immune sensing of RNA viruses by human hepatocytes is insufficiently understood to date. In particular, for highly human tropic viruses such as hepatitis C virus, cell culture models are needed to study immune sensing. However, several human hepatoma cell lines have impaired RNA sensing pathways and fail to mimic innate immune responses in the human liver. Here we compare the RNA sensing properties of six human hepatoma cell lines, namely Huh-6, Huh-7, HepG2, HepG2-HFL, Hep3B, and HepaRG, with primary human hepatocytes. We show that primary liver cells sense RNA through retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) like receptor (RLR) and Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) pathways. Of the tested cell lines, Hep3B cells most closely mimicked the RLR and TLR3 mediated sensing in primary hepatocytes. This was shown by the expression of RLRs and TLR3 as well as the expression and release of bioactive interferon in primary hepatocytes and Hep3B cells. Our work shows that Hep3B cells partially mimic RNA sensing in primary hepatocytes and thus can serve as in vitro model to study innate immunity to RNA viruses in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Nicolay
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Rebecca Moeller
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
- Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), Institute of Biochemistry & Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sina Kahl
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Florian W. R. Vondran
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), 30100 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Stefan Kunz
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Gisa Gerold
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
- Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), Institute of Biochemistry & Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, SE-90185 Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, SE-90185 Umeå, Sweden
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19
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Shoukry NH. Towards a Systems Immunology Approach to Understanding Correlates of Protective Immunity against HCV. Viruses 2021; 13:1871. [PMID: 34578451 PMCID: PMC8473057 DOI: 10.3390/v13091871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, tremendous progress has been made in systems biology-based approaches to studying immunity to viral infections and responses to vaccines. These approaches that integrate multiple facets of the immune response, including transcriptomics, serology and immune functions, are now being applied to understand correlates of protective immunity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to inform vaccine development. This review focuses on recent progress in understanding immunity to HCV using systems biology, specifically transcriptomic and epigenetic studies. It also examines proposed strategies moving forward towards an integrated systems immunology approach for predicting and evaluating the efficacy of the next generation of HCV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naglaa H. Shoukry
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Tour Viger, Local R09.414, 900 Rue St-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada;
- Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
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20
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Tomlinson JE, Wolfisberg R, Fahnøe U, Patel RS, Trivedi S, Kumar A, Sharma H, Nielsen L, McDonough SP, Bukh J, Tennant BC, Kapoor A, Rosenberg BR, Rice CM, Divers TJ, Van de Walle GR, Scheel TK. Pathogenesis, MicroRNA-122 Gene-Regulation, and Protective Immune Responses After Acute Equine Hepacivirus Infection. Hepatology 2021; 74:1148-1163. [PMID: 33713356 PMCID: PMC8435542 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) is phylogenetically the closest relative of HCV and shares genome organization, hepatotropism, transient or persistent infection outcome, and the ability to cause hepatitis. Thus, EqHV studies are important to understand equine liver disease and further as an outbred surrogate animal model for HCV pathogenesis and protective immune responses. Here, we aimed to characterize the course of EqHV infection and associated protective immune responses. APPROACH AND RESULTS Seven horses were experimentally inoculated with EqHV, monitored for 6 months, and rechallenged with the same and, subsequently, a heterologous EqHV. Clearance was the primary outcome (6 of 7) and was associated with subclinical hepatitis characterized by lymphocytic infiltrate and individual hepatocyte necrosis. Seroconversion was delayed and antibody titers waned slowly. Clearance of primary infection conferred nonsterilizing immunity, resulting in shortened duration of viremia after rechallenge. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell responses in horses were minimal, although EqHV-specific T cells were identified. Additionally, an interferon-stimulated gene signature was detected in the liver during EqHV infection, similar to acute HCV in humans. EqHV, as HCV, is stimulated by direct binding of the liver-specific microRNA (miR), miR-122. Interestingly, we found that EqHV infection sequesters enough miR-122 to functionally affect gene regulation in the liver. This RNA-based mechanism thus could have consequences for pathology. CONCLUSIONS EqHV infection in horses typically has an acute resolving course, and the protective immune response lasts for at least a year and broadly attenuates subsequent infections. This could have important implications to achieve the primary goal of an HCV vaccine; to prevent chronicity while accepting acute resolving infection after virus exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy E. Tomlinson
- Baker Institute for Animal HealthCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY
| | - Raphael Wolfisberg
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Roosheel S. Patel
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Sheetal Trivedi
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | - Himanshu Sharma
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Sean P. McDonough
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Bud C. Tennant
- Department of Clinical SciencesCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | - Brad R. Rosenberg
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious DiseaseThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNY
| | - Thomas J. Divers
- Department of Clinical SciencesCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY
| | | | - Troels K.H. Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark,Laboratory of Virology and Infectious DiseaseThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNY
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21
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In Vitro Comparison of the Internal Ribosomal Entry Site Activity from Rodent Hepacivirus and Pegivirus and Construction of Pseudoparticles. Adv Virol 2021; 2021:5569844. [PMID: 34422054 PMCID: PMC8376455 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5569844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) of rodent hepacivirus (RHV) and pegivirus (RPgV) contains sequence homology to the HCV type III internal ribosome entry sites (IRES). Utilizing a monocistronic expression vector with an RNA polymerase I promoter to drive transcription, we show cell-specific IRES translation and regions within the IRES required for full functionality. Focusing on RHV, we further pseudotyped lentivirus with RHV and showed cell surface expression of the envelope proteins and transduction of murine hepatocytes and we then constructed full-length RHV and RPgV replicons with reporter genes. Using the replicon system, we show that the RHV NS3-4A protease cleaves a mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein reporter. However, liver-derived cells did not readily support the complete viral life cycle.
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22
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Hartlage AS, Kapoor A. Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine Research: Time to Put Up or Shut Up. Viruses 2021; 13:1596. [PMID: 34452460 PMCID: PMC8402855 DOI: 10.3390/v13081596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Unless urgently needed to prevent a pandemic, the development of a viral vaccine should follow a rigorous scientific approach. Each vaccine candidate should be designed considering the in-depth knowledge of protective immunity, followed by preclinical studies to assess immunogenicity and safety, and lastly, the evaluation of selected vaccines in human clinical trials. The recently concluded first phase II clinical trial of a human hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine followed this approach. Still, despite promising preclinical results, it failed to protect against chronic infection, raising grave concerns about our understanding of protective immunity. This setback, combined with the lack of HCV animal models and availability of new highly effective antivirals, has fueled ongoing discussions of using a controlled human infection model (CHIM) to test new HCV vaccine candidates. Before taking on such an approach, however, we must carefully weigh all the ethical and health consequences of human infection in the absence of a complete understanding of HCV immunity and pathogenesis. We know that there are significant gaps in our knowledge of adaptive immunity necessary to prevent chronic HCV infection. This review discusses our current understanding of HCV immunity and the critical gaps that should be filled before embarking upon new HCV vaccine trials. We discuss the importance of T cells, neutralizing antibodies, and HCV genetic diversity. We address if and how the animal HCV-like viruses can be used for conceptualizing effective HCV vaccines and what we have learned so far from these HCV surrogates. Finally, we propose a logical but narrow path forward for HCV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S. Hartlage
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
- Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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23
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Where to Next? Research Directions after the First Hepatitis C Vaccine Efficacy Trial. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071351. [PMID: 34372558 PMCID: PMC8310243 DOI: 10.3390/v13071351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Thirty years after its discovery, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Given that many countries continue to experience high rates of transmission despite the availability of potent antiviral therapies, an effective vaccine is seen as critical for the elimination of HCV. The recent failure of the first vaccine efficacy trial for the prevention of chronic HCV confirmed suspicions that this virus will be a challenging vaccine target. Here, we examine the published data from this first efficacy trial along with the earlier clinical and pre-clinical studies of the vaccine candidate and then discuss three key research directions expected to be important in ongoing and future HCV vaccine development. These include the following: 1. design of novel immunogens that generate immune responses to genetically diverse HCV genotypes and subtypes, 2. strategies to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against envelope glycoproteins in addition to cytotoxic and helper T cell responses, and 3. consideration of the unique immunological status of individuals most at risk for HCV infection, including those who inject drugs, in vaccine platform development and early immunogenicity trials.
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24
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Reungoat E, Grigorov B, Zoulim F, Pécheur EI. Molecular Crosstalk between the Hepatitis C Virus and the Extracellular Matrix in Liver Fibrogenesis and Early Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092270. [PMID: 34065048 PMCID: PMC8125929 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In the era of direct-acting antivirals against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), curing chronic hepatitis C has become a reality. However, while replicating chronically, HCV creates a peculiar state of inflammation and oxidative stress in the infected liver, which fuels DNA damage at the onset of HCV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This cancer, the second leading cause of death by cancer, remains of bad prognosis when diagnosed. This review aims to decipher how HCV durably alters elements of the extracellular matrix that compose the liver microenvironment, directly through its viral proteins or indirectly through the induction of cytokine secretion, thereby leading to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and, ultimately, HCC. Abstract Chronic infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver diseases, predisposing to fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver fibrosis is characterized by an overly abundant accumulation of components of the hepatic extracellular matrix, such as collagen and elastin, with consequences on the properties of this microenvironment and cancer initiation and growth. This review will provide an update on mechanistic concepts of HCV-related liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and early stages of carcinogenesis, with a dissection of the molecular details of the crosstalk during disease progression between hepatocytes, the extracellular matrix, and hepatic stellate cells.
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25
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Hartlage AS, Dravid P, Walker CM, Kapoor A. Adenovirus-vectored T cell vaccine for hepacivirus shows reduced effectiveness against a CD8 T cell escape variant in rats. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009391. [PMID: 33735321 PMCID: PMC8009437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for a vaccine to prevent chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its many genetic variants. The first human vaccine trial, using recombinant viral vectors that stimulate pan-genotypic T cell responses against HCV non-structural proteins, failed to demonstrate efficacy despite significant preclinical promise. Understanding the factors that govern HCV T cell vaccine success is necessary for design of improved immunization strategies. Using a rat model of chronic rodent hepacivirus (RHV) infection, we assessed the impact of antigenic variation and immune escape upon success of a conceptually analogous RHV T cell vaccine. Naïve Lewis rats were vaccinated with a recombinant human adenovirus expressing RHV non-structural proteins (NS)3-5B and later challenged with a viral variant containing immune escape mutations within major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted epitopes (escape virus). Whereas 7 of 11 (64%) rats cleared infection caused by wild-type RHV, only 3 of 12 (25%) were protected against heterologous challenge with escape virus. Uncontrolled replication of escape virus was associated with durable CD8 T cell responses targeting escaped epitopes alone. In contrast, clearance of escape virus correlated with CD4 T cell helper immunity and maintenance of CD8 T cell responses against intact viral epitopes. Interestingly, clearance of wild-type RHV infection after vaccination conferred enhanced protection against secondary challenge with escape virus. These results demonstrate that the efficacy of an RHV T cell vaccine is reduced when challenge virus contains escape mutations within MHC class I-restricted epitopes and that failure to sustain CD8 T cell responses against intact epitopes likely underlies immune failure in this setting. Further investigation of the immune responses that yield protection against diverse RHV challenges in this model may facilitate design of broadly effective HCV vaccines. The hepatitis C virus is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease and cancer worldwide. A vaccine is not yet available and the first phase II clinical trial in humans using a T cell-based immunization strategy recently failed to prevent chronic infection in high risk individuals for unclear reasons. In this study we evaluated how immune escape mutations at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted viral epitopes influence the effectiveness of an adenoviral-vectored T cell vaccine in a rat model of chronic HCV-related rodent hepacivirus infection, currently the only animal model available for evaluation of HCV vaccine strategies. We show that vaccine efficacy is markedly diminished when challenge virus contains naturally-acquired escape mutations at dominant MHC class I-restricted viral epitopes that render a subset of vaccine-generated CD8 T cell responses ineffective. We also identify CD4 T cell help as a critical correlate of vaccine success against heterologous virus challenge. Our results have important implications for human vaccination programs that aim to induce broad protective immunity against heterogeneous HCV strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S. Hartlage
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Piyush Dravid
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Walker
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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26
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Abstract
Preclinical testing of novel therapeutics for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) requires suitable animal models. Equids host homologs of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Because coinfections of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV occur in humans, we screened 2,917 specimens from equids from five continents for HBV. We discovered a distinct HBV species (Equid HBV, EqHBV) in 3.2% of donkeys and zebras by PCR and antibodies against EqHBV in 5.4% of donkeys and zebras. Molecular, histopathological, and biochemical analyses revealed that infection patterns of EqHBV resembled those of HBV in humans, including hepatotropism, moderate liver damage, evolutionary stasis, and potential horizontal virus transmission. Naturally infected donkeys showed chronic infections resembling CHB with high viral loads of up to 2.6 × 109 mean copies per milliliter serum for >6 mo and weak antibody responses. Antibodies against Equid HCV were codetected in 26.5% of donkeys seropositive for EqHBV, corroborating susceptibility to both hepatitis viruses. Deltavirus pseudotypes carrying EqHBV surface proteins were unable to infect human cells via the HBV receptor NTCP (Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide), suggesting alternative viral entry mechanisms. Both HBV and EqHBV deltavirus pseudotypes infected primary horse hepatocytes in vitro, supporting a broad host range for EqHBV among equids and suggesting that horses might be suitable for EqHBV and HBV infections in vivo. Evolutionary analyses suggested that EqHBV originated in Africa several thousand years ago, commensurate with the domestication of donkeys. In sum, EqHBV naturally infects diverse equids and mimics HBV infection patterns. Equids provide a unique opportunity for preclinical testing of novel therapeutics for CHB and to investigate HBV/HCV interplay upon coinfection.
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27
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Brown RJP, Tegtmeyer B, Sheldon J, Khera T, Anggakusuma, Todt D, Vieyres G, Weller R, Joecks S, Zhang Y, Sake S, Bankwitz D, Welsch K, Ginkel C, Engelmann M, Gerold G, Steinmann E, Yuan Q, Ott M, Vondran FWR, Krey T, Ströh LJ, Miskey C, Ivics Z, Herder V, Baumgärtner W, Lauber C, Seifert M, Tarr AW, McClure CP, Randall G, Baktash Y, Ploss A, Thi VLD, Michailidis E, Saeed M, Verhoye L, Meuleman P, Goedecke N, Wirth D, Rice CM, Pietschmann T. Liver-expressed Cd302 and Cr1l limit hepatitis C virus cross-species transmission to mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabd3233. [PMID: 33148654 PMCID: PMC7673688 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd3233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has no animal reservoir, infecting only humans. To investigate species barrier determinants limiting infection of rodents, murine liver complementary DNA library screening was performed, identifying transmembrane proteins Cd302 and Cr1l as potent restrictors of HCV propagation. Combined ectopic expression in human hepatoma cells impeded HCV uptake and cooperatively mediated transcriptional dysregulation of a noncanonical program of immunity genes. Murine hepatocyte expression of both factors was constitutive and not interferon inducible, while differences in liver expression and the ability to restrict HCV were observed between the murine orthologs and their human counterparts. Genetic ablation of endogenous Cd302 expression in human HCV entry factor transgenic mice increased hepatocyte permissiveness for an adapted HCV strain and dysregulated expression of metabolic process and host defense genes. These findings highlight human-mouse differences in liver-intrinsic antiviral immunity and facilitate the development of next-generation murine models for preclinical testing of HCV vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J P Brown
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul Ehrlich Institute, 63225 Langen, Germany.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Birthe Tegtmeyer
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Julie Sheldon
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Tanvi Khera
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Anggakusuma
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Research and Development, uniQure Biopharma, BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Daniel Todt
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Bochum, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gabrielle Vieyres
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Romy Weller
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Joecks
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Yudi Zhang
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Svenja Sake
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dorothea Bankwitz
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathrin Welsch
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Corinne Ginkel
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Engelmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gisa Gerold
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Qinggong Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas Krey
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Center of Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luisa J Ströh
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Csaba Miskey
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Herder
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Chris Lauber
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Seifert
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander W Tarr
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Life Sciences and NIHR Nottingham BRC, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - C Patrick McClure
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Life Sciences and NIHR Nottingham BRC, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Glenn Randall
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60439, USA
| | - Yasmine Baktash
- Instituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas (I2SysBio), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Carrer del Catedràtic Agustín Escardino 9, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Viet Loan Dao Thi
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Schaller Research Group at Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eleftherios Michailidis
- Schaller Research Group at Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mohsan Saeed
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Lieven Verhoye
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Natascha Goedecke
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Division Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wirth
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Division Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Charles M Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Braunschweig, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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28
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Simmonds P, Cuypers L, Irving WL, McLauchlan J, Cooke GS, Barnes E, Ansari MA. Impact of virus subtype and host IFNL4 genotype on large-scale RNA structure formation in the genome of hepatitis C virus. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 26:1541-1556. [PMID: 32747607 PMCID: PMC7566573 DOI: 10.1261/rna.075465.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying the ability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to establish persistent infections and induce progressive liver disease remain poorly understood. HCV is one of several positive-stranded RNA viruses capable of establishing persistence in their immunocompetent vertebrate hosts, an attribute previously associated with formation of large-scale RNA structure in their genomic RNA. We developed novel methods to analyze and visualize genome-scale ordered RNA structure (GORS) predicted from the increasingly large data sets of complete genome sequences of HCV. Structurally conserved RNA secondary structure in coding regions of HCV localized exclusively to polyprotein ends (core, NS5B). Coding regions elsewhere were also intensely structured based on elevated minimum folding energy difference (MFED) values, but the actual stem-loop elements involved in genome folding were structurally poorly conserved, even between subtypes 1a and 1b. Dynamic remodeling was further evident from comparison of HCV strains in different host genetic backgrounds. Significantly higher MFED values, greater suppression of UpA dinucleotide frequencies, and restricted diversification were found in subjects with the TT genotype of the rs12979860 SNP in the IFNL4 gene compared to the CC (nonexpressing) allele. These structural and compositional associations with expression of interferon-λ4 were recapitulated on a larger scale by higher MFED values and greater UpA suppression of genotype 1 compared to genotype 3a, associated with previously reported HCV genotype-associated differences in hepatic interferon-stimulated gene induction. Associations between innate cellular responses with HCV structure and further evolutionary constraints represent an important new element in RNA virus evolution and the adaptive interplay between virus and host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Simmonds
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, OX1 3SY, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lize Cuypers
- University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and Epidemiological Research, BE 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Will L Irving
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - John McLauchlan
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, G61 1QH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ellie Barnes
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, OX1 3SY, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - M Azim Ansari
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, OX1 3SY, Oxford, United Kingdom
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29
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Kokkonos KG, Fossat N, Nielsen L, Holm C, Hepkema WM, Bukh J, Scheel TKH. Evolutionary selection of pestivirus variants with altered or no microRNA dependency. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:5555-5571. [PMID: 32374844 PMCID: PMC7261151 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Host microRNA (miRNA) dependency is a hallmark of the human pathogen hepatitis C virus (HCV) and was also described for the related pestiviruses, which are important livestock pathogens. The liver-specific miR-122 binds within the HCV 5′ untranslated region (UTR), whereas the broadly expressed let-7 and miR-17 families bind two sites (S1 and S2, respectively) in the pestiviral 3′ UTR. Here, we dissected the mechanism of miRNA dependency of the pestivirus bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Argonaute 2 (AGO2) and miR-17 binding were essential for viral replication, whereas let-7 binding was mainly required for full translational efficiency. Furthermore, using seed site randomized genomes and evolutionary selection experiments, we found that tropism could be redirected to different miRNAs. AGO cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) experiments and miRNA antagonism demonstrated that these alternative variants bound and depended on the corresponding miRNAs. Interestingly, we also identified miRNA-independent variants that were obtained through acquisition of compensatory mutations near the genomic 3′ terminus. Rescue experiments demonstrated that miRNA binding and 3′ mutagenesis contribute to replication through mutually exclusive mechanisms. Altogether, our findings suggest that pestiviruses, although capable of miRNA-independent replication, took advantage of miRNAs as essential host factors, suggesting a favorable path during evolutionary adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos G Kokkonos
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Nicolas Fossat
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Christina Holm
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Wytske M Hepkema
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Troels K H Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.,Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
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30
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The Role of the Liver-Specific microRNA, miRNA-122 in the HCV Replication Cycle. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165677. [PMID: 32784807 PMCID: PMC7460827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication requires annealing of a liver specific microRNA, miR-122 to 2 sites on 5' untranslated region (UTR). While, microRNAs downregulate gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated region of the target mRNA, in this case, the microRNA anneals to the 5'UTR of the viral genomes and upregulates the viral lifecycle. In this review, we explore the current understandings of the mechanisms by which miR-122 promotes the HCV lifecycle, and its contributions to pathogenesis. Annealing of miR-122 has been reported to (a) stimulate virus translation by promoting the formation of translationally active internal ribosome entry site (IRES) RNA structure, (b) stabilize the genome, and (c) induce viral genomic RNA replication. MiR-122 modulates lipid metabolism and suppresses tumor formation, and sequestration by HCV may influence virus pathogenesis. We also discuss the possible use of miR-122 as a biomarker for chronic hepatitis and as a therapeutic target. Finally, we discuss roles for miR-122 and other microRNAs in promoting other viruses.
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31
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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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32
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Tomlinson JE, Wolfisberg R, Fahnøe U, Sharma H, Renshaw RW, Nielsen L, Nishiuchi E, Holm C, Dubovi E, Rosenberg BR, Tennant BC, Bukh J, Kapoor A, Divers TJ, Rice CM, Van de Walle GR, Scheel TKH. Equine pegiviruses cause persistent infection of bone marrow and are not associated with hepatitis. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008677. [PMID: 32649726 PMCID: PMC7375656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pegiviruses frequently cause persistent infection (as defined by >6 months), but unlike most other Flaviviridae members, no apparent clinical disease. Human pegivirus (HPgV, previously GBV-C) is detectable in 1–4% of healthy individuals and another 5–13% are seropositive. Some evidence for infection of bone marrow and spleen exists. Equine pegivirus 1 (EPgV-1) is not linked to disease, whereas another pegivirus, Theiler’s disease-associated virus (TDAV), was identified in an outbreak of acute serum hepatitis (Theiler’s disease) in horses. Although no subsequent reports link TDAV to disease, any association with hepatitis has not been formally examined. Here, we characterized EPgV-1 and TDAV tropism, sequence diversity, persistence and association with liver disease in horses. Among more than 20 tissue types, we consistently detected high viral loads only in serum, bone marrow and spleen, and viral RNA replication was consistently identified in bone marrow. PBMCs and lymph nodes, but not liver, were sporadically positive. To exclude potential effects of co-infecting agents in experimental infections, we constructed full-length consensus cDNA clones; this was enabled by determination of the complete viral genomes, including a novel TDAV 3’ terminus. Clone derived RNA transcripts were used for direct intrasplenic inoculation of healthy horses. This led to productive infection detectable from week 2–3 and persisting beyond the 28 weeks of study. We did not observe any clinical signs of illness or elevation of circulating liver enzymes. The polyprotein consensus sequences did not change, suggesting that both clones were fully functional. To our knowledge, this is the first successful extrahepatic viral RNA launch and the first robust reverse genetics system for a pegivirus. In conclusion, equine pegiviruses are bone marrow tropic, cause persistent infection in horses, and are not associated with hepatitis. Based on these findings, it may be appropriate to rename the group of TDAV and related viruses as EPgV-2. Transmissible hepatitis in horses (Theiler’s disease) has been known for 100 years without knowledge of causative infectious agents. Recently, two novel equine pegiviruses (EPgV) were discovered. Whereas EPgV-1 was not associated to disease, the other was identified in an outbreak of acute serum hepatitis and therefore named Theiler’s disease-associated virus (TDAV). This finding was surprising since human and monkey pegiviruses typically cause long-term infection without associated clinical disease. Whereas no subsequent reports link TDAV to disease, the original association to hepatitis has not been formally examined. Here, we studied EPgV-1 and TDAV and found that their natural history of infection in horses were remarkably similar. Examination of various tissues identified the bone marrow as the primary site of replication for both viruses with no evidence of replication in the liver. To exclude potential effects of other infectious agents, we developed molecular full-length clones for EPgV-1 and TDAV and were able to initiate infection in horses using derived synthetic viral genetic material. This demonstrated long-term infection, but no association with hepatitis. These findings call into question the connection between TDAV, liver infection, and hepatitis in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy E. Tomlinson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Raphael Wolfisberg
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Himanshu Sharma
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Randall W. Renshaw
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eiko Nishiuchi
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Christina Holm
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Edward Dubovi
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Brad R. Rosenberg
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Bud C. Tennant
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Divers
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Gerlinde R. Van de Walle
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Troels K. H. Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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33
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Novel HCV-Like Virus Detected in Avian Livers in Southern China and Its Implications for Natural Recombination Events. Virol Sin 2020; 36:149-151. [PMID: 32617899 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-020-00256-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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34
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Animal Models Used in Hepatitis C Virus Research. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113869. [PMID: 32485887 PMCID: PMC7312079 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The narrow range of species permissive to infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) presents a unique challenge to the development of useful animal models for studying HCV, as well as host immune responses and development of chronic infection and disease. Following earlier studies in chimpanzees, several unique approaches have been pursued to develop useful animal models for research while avoiding the important ethical concerns and costs inherent in research with chimpanzees. Genetically related hepatotropic viruses that infect animals are being used as surrogates for HCV in research studies; chimeras of these surrogate viruses harboring specific regions of the HCV genome are being developed to improve their utility for vaccine testing. Concurrently, genetically humanized mice are being developed and continually advanced using human factors known to be involved in virus entry and replication. Further, xenotransplantation of human hepatocytes into mice allows for the direct study of HCV infection in human liver tissue in a small animal model. The current advances in each of these approaches are discussed in the present review.
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35
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Priming of Antiviral CD8 T Cells without Effector Function by a Persistently Replicating Hepatitis C-Like Virus. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00035-20. [PMID: 32102885 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00035-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-competent animal models for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are nonexistent, impeding studies of host-virus interactions and vaccine development. Experimental infection of laboratory rats with a rodent hepacivirus isolated from Rattus norvegicus (RHV) is a promising surrogate model due to its recapitulation of HCV-like chronicity. However, several aspects of rat RHV infection remain unclear, for instance, how RHV evades host adaptive immunity to establish persistent infection. Here, we analyzed the induction, differentiation, and functionality of RHV-specific CD8 T cell responses that are essential for protection against viral persistence. Virus-specific CD8 T cells targeting dominant and subdominant major histocompatibility complex class I epitopes proliferated considerably in liver after RHV infection. These populations endured long term yet never acquired antiviral effector functions or selected for viral escape mutations. This was accompanied by the persistent upregulation of programmed cell death-1 and absent memory cell formation, consistent with a dysfunctional phenotype. Remarkably, transient suppression of RHV viremia with a direct-acting antiviral led to the priming of CD8 T cells with partial effector function, driving the selection of a viral escape variant. These data demonstrate an intrinsic abnormality within CD8 T cells primed by rat RHV infection, an effect that is governed at least partially by the magnitude of early virus replication. Thus, this model could be useful in investigating mechanisms of CD8 T cell subversion, leading to the persistence of hepatotropic pathogens such as HCV.IMPORTANCE Development of vaccines against hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major cause of cirrhosis and cancer, has been stymied by a lack of animal models. The recent discovery of an HCV-like rodent hepacivirus (RHV) enabled the development of such a model in rats. This platform recapitulates HCV hepatotropism and viral chronicity necessary for vaccine testing. Currently, there are few descriptions of RHV-specific responses and why they fail to prevent persistent infection in this model. Here, we show that RHV-specific CD8 T cells, while induced early at high magnitude, do not develop into functional effectors capable of controlling virus. This defect was partially alleviated by short-term treatment with an HCV antiviral. Thus, like HCV, RHV triggers dysfunction of virus-specific CD8 T cells that are vital for infection resolution. Additional study of this evasion strategy and how to mitigate it could enhance our understanding of hepatotropic viral infections and lead to improved vaccines and therapeutics.
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Ploss A, Kapoor A. Animal Models of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:cshperspect.a036970. [PMID: 31843875 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important and underreported infectious disease, causing chronic infection in ∼71 million people worldwide. The limited host range of HCV, which robustly infects only humans and chimpanzees, has made studying this virus in vivo challenging and hampered the development of a desperately needed vaccine. The restrictions and ethical concerns surrounding biomedical research in chimpanzees has made the search for an animal model all the more important. In this review, we discuss different approaches that are being pursued toward creating small animal models for HCV infection. Although efforts to use a nonhuman primate species besides chimpanzees have proven challenging, important advances have been achieved in a variety of humanized mouse models. However, such models still fall short of the overarching goal to have an immunocompetent, inheritably susceptible in vivo platform in which the immunopathology of HCV could be studied and putative vaccines development. Alternatives to overcome this include virus adaptation, such as murine-tropic HCV strains, or the use of related hepaciviruses, of which many have been recently identified. Of the latter, the rodent/rat hepacivirus from Rattus norvegicus species-1 (RHV-rn1) holds promise as a surrogate virus in fully immunocompetent rats that can inform our understanding of the interaction between the immune response and viral outcomes (i.e., clearance vs. persistence). However, further characterization of these animal models is necessary before their use for gaining new insights into the immunopathogenesis of HCV and for conceptualizing HCV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA
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Moreira-Soto A, Arroyo-Murillo F, Sander AL, Rasche A, Corman V, Tegtmeyer B, Steinmann E, Corrales-Aguilar E, Wieseke N, Avey-Arroyo J, Drexler JF. Cross-order host switches of hepatitis C-related viruses illustrated by a novel hepacivirus from sloths. Virus Evol 2020; 6:veaa033. [PMID: 32704383 PMCID: PMC7368370 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veaa033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The genealogy of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the genus Hepacivirus remains elusive despite numerous recently discovered animal hepaciviruses (HVs). Viruses from evolutionarily ancient mammals might elucidate the HV macro-evolutionary patterns. Here, we investigated sixty-seven two-toed and nine three-toed sloths from Costa Rica for HVs using molecular and serological tools. A novel sloth HV was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in three-toed sloths (2/9, 22.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5.3-55.7). Genomic characterization revealed typical HV features including overall polyprotein gene structure, a type 4 internal ribosomal entry site in the viral 5'-genome terminus, an A-U-rich region and X-tail structure in the viral 3'-genome terminus. Different from other animal HVs, HV seropositivity in two-toed sloths was low at 4.5 per cent (3/67; CI, 1.0-12.9), whereas the RT-PCR-positive three-toed sloths were seronegative. Limited cross-reactivity of the serological assay implied exposure of seropositive two-toed sloths to HVs of unknown origin and recent infections in RT-PCR-positive animals preceding seroconversion. Recent infections were consistent with only 9 nucleotide exchanges between the two sloth HVs, located predominantly within the E1/E2 encoding regions. Translated sequence distances of NS3 and NS5 proteins and host comparisons suggested that the sloth HV represents a novel HV species. Event- and sequence distance-based reconciliations of phylogenies of HVs and of their hosts revealed complex macro-evolutionary patterns, including both long-term evolutionary associations and host switches, most strikingly from rodents into sloths. Ancestral state reconstructions corroborated rodents as predominant sources of HV host switches during the genealogy of extant HVs. Sequence distance comparisons, partial conservation of critical amino acid residues associated with HV entry and selection pressure signatures of host genes encoding entry and antiviral protein orthologs were consistent with HV host switches between genetically divergent mammals, including the projected host switch from rodents into sloths. Structural comparison of HCV and sloth HV E2 proteins suggested conserved modes of hepaciviral entry. Our data corroborate complex macro-evolutionary patterns shaping the genus Hepacivirus, highlight that host switches are possible across highly diverse host taxa, and elucidate a prominent role of rodent hosts during the Hepacivirus genealogy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Moreira-Soto
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany.,Virology-CIET, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Anna-Lena Sander
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Andrea Rasche
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Victor Corman
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Birthe Tegtmeyer
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | | | - Nicolas Wieseke
- Swarm Intelligence and Complex Systems Group, Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
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Atcheson E, Li W, Bliss CM, Chinnakannan S, Heim K, Sharpe H, Hutchings C, Dietrich I, Nguyen D, Kapoor A, Jarvis MA, Klenerman P, Barnes E, Simmonds P. Use of an Outbred Rat Hepacivirus Challenge Model for Design and Evaluation of Efficacy of Different Immunization Strategies for Hepatitis C Virus. Hepatology 2020; 71:794-807. [PMID: 31400152 PMCID: PMC7154631 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The lack of immunocompetent small animal models for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has greatly hindered the development of effective vaccines. Using rodent hepacivirus (RHV), a homolog of HCV that shares many characteristics of HCV infection, we report the development and application of an RHV outbred rat model for HCV vaccine development. APPROACH AND RESULTS Simian adenovirus (ChAdOx1) encoding a genetic immune enhancer (truncated shark class II invariant chain) fused to the nonstructural (NS) proteins NS3-NS5B from RHV (ChAd-NS) was used to vaccinate Sprague-Dawley rats, resulting in high levels of cluster of differentiation 8-positive (CD8+ ) T-cell responses. Following RHV challenge (using 10 or 100 times the minimum infectious dose), 42% of vaccinated rats cleared infection within 6-8 weeks, while all mock vaccinated controls became infected with high-level viremia postchallenge. A single, 7-fold higher dose of ChAd-NS increased efficacy to 67%. Boosting with ChAd-NS or with a plasmid encoding the same NS3-NS5B antigens increased efficacy to 100% and 83%, respectively. A ChAdOx1 vector encoding structural antigens (ChAd-S) was also constructed. ChAd-S alone showed no efficacy. Strikingly, when combined with ChAd-NS, ChAD-S produced 83% efficacy. Protection was associated with a strong CD8+ interferon gamma-positive recall response against NS4. Next-generation sequencing of a putative RHV escape mutant in a vaccinated rat identified mutations in both identified immunodominant CD8+ T-cell epitopes. CONCLUSIONS A simian adenovirus vector vaccine strategy is effective at inducing complete protective immunity in the rat RHV model. The RHV Sprague-Dawley rat challenge model enables comparative testing of vaccine platforms and antigens and identification of correlates of protection and thereby provides a small animal experimental framework to guide the development of an effective vaccine for HCV in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwan Atcheson
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Wenqin Li
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Carly M. Bliss
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | - Kathrin Heim
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Hannah Sharpe
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Claire Hutchings
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Isabelle Dietrich
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Dung Nguyen
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Centre for Vaccines and ImmunityThe Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | | | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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Duncan JD, Urbanowicz RA, Tarr AW, Ball JK. Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine: Challenges and Prospects. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010090. [PMID: 32079254 PMCID: PMC7157504 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes both acute and chronic infection and continues to be a global problem despite advances in antiviral therapeutics. Current treatments fail to prevent reinfection and remain expensive, limiting their use to developed countries, and the asymptomatic nature of acute infection can result in individuals not receiving treatment and unknowingly spreading HCV. A prophylactic vaccine is therefore needed to control this virus. Thirty years since the discovery of HCV, there have been major gains in understanding the molecular biology and elucidating the immunological mechanisms that underpin spontaneous viral clearance, aiding rational vaccine design. This review discusses the challenges facing HCV vaccine design and the most recent and promising candidates being investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Duncan
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Richard A. Urbanowicz
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Alexander W. Tarr
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Jonathan K. Ball
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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Abstract
This chapter discusses infections of rats with viruses in the following 14 virus families: Adenoviridae, Arenaviridae, Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Hepeviridae, Herpesviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Parvoviridae, Picornaviridae, Pneumoviridae, Polyomaviridae, Poxviridae, and Reoviridae . Serological surveys indicate that parvoviruses, coronaviruses, cardioviruses, and pneumoviruses are the most prevalent in laboratory rats. A new polyomavirus and a new cardiovirus that cause disease in laboratory rats are described. Metagenomic analyses of feces or intestinal contents from wild rats have detected viruses from an additional nine virus families that could potentially cause infections in laboratory rats.
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HCV p7 as a novel vaccine-target inducing multifunctional CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells targeting liver cells expressing the viral antigen. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14085. [PMID: 31575882 PMCID: PMC6773770 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent treatment advances for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a vaccine is urgently needed for global control of this important liver pathogen. The lack of robust immunocompetent HCV infection models makes it challenging to identify correlates of protection and test vaccine efficacy. However, vigorous CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses are detected in patients that spontaneously resolve acute infection, whereas dysfunctional T-cell responses are a hallmark of chronic infection. The HCV p7 protein, forming ion-channels essential for viral assembly and release, has not previously been pursued as a vaccine antigen. Herein, we demonstrated that HCV p7 derived from genotype 1a and 1b sequences are highly immunogenic in mice when employed as overlapping peptides formulated as nanoparticles with the cross-priming adjuvant, CAF09. This approach induced multifunctional cytokine producing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells targeting regions of p7 that are subject to immune pressure during HCV infection in chimpanzees and humans. Employing a surrogate in vivo challenge model of liver cells co-expressing HCV-p7 and GFP, we found that vaccinated mice cleared transgene expressing cells. This study affirms the potential of a T-cell inducing nanoparticle vaccine platform to target the liver and introduces HCV p7 as a potential target for HCV vaccine explorations.
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42
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Replicons of a Rodent Hepatitis C Model Virus Permit Selection of Highly Permissive Cells. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00733-19. [PMID: 31292246 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00733-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal hepaciviruses represent promising surrogate models for hepatitis C virus (HCV), for which there are no efficient immunocompetent animal models. Experimental infection of laboratory rats with rodent hepacivirus isolated from feral Rattus norvegicus (RHV-rn1) mirrors key aspects of HCV infection in humans, including chronicity, hepatitis, and steatosis. Moreover, RHV has been adapted to infect immunocompetent laboratory mice. RHV in vitro systems have not been developed but would enable detailed studies of the virus life cycle crucial for designing animal experiments to model HCV infection. Here, we established efficient RHV-rn1 selectable subgenomic replicons with and without reporter genes. Rat and mouse liver-derived cells did not readily support the complete RHV life cycle, but replicon-containing cell clones could be selected with and without acquired mutations. Replication was significantly enhanced by mutations in NS4B and NS5A and in cell clones cured of replicon RNA. These mutations increased RHV replication of both mono- and bicistronic constructs, and CpG/UpA-dinucleotide optimization of reporter genes allowed replication. Using the replicon system, we show that the RHV-rn1 NS3-4A protease cleaves a human mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein reporter, providing a sensitive readout for virus replication. RHV-rn1 replication was inhibited by the HCV polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and high concentrations of HCV NS5A antivirals but not by NS3 protease inhibitors. The microRNA-122 antagonist miravirsen inhibited RHV-rn1 replication, demonstrating the importance of this HCV host factor for RHV. These novel RHV in vitro systems will be useful for studies of tropism, molecular virology, and characterization of virus-host interactions, thereby providing important complements to in vivo systems.IMPORTANCE A vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is crucial for global control of this important pathogen, which induces fatal human liver diseases. Vaccine development has been hampered by the lack of immunocompetent animal models. Discovery of rodent hepacivirus (RHV) enabled establishment of novel surrogate animal models. These allow robust infection and reverse genetic and immunization studies of laboratory animals, which develop HCV-like chronicity. Currently, there are no RHV in vitro systems available to study tropism and molecular virology. Here, we established the first culture systems for RHV, recapitulating the intracellular phase of the virus life cycle in vitro These replicon systems enabled identification of replication-enhancing mutations and selection of cells highly permissive to RHV replication, which allow study of virus-host interactions. HCV antivirals targeting NS5A, NS5B, and microRNA-122 efficiently inhibited RHV replication. Hence, several important aspects of HCV replication are shared by the rodent virus system, reinforcing its utility as an HCV model.
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43
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Lu G, Ou J, Sun Y, Wu L, Xu H, Zhang G, Li S. Natural recombination of equine hepacivirus subtype 1 within the NS5A and NS5B genes. Virology 2019; 533:93-98. [PMID: 31136896 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) was first reported in 2012 and is the closest known homolog of hepatitis C virus (HCV). A number of studies have reported HCV recombination events. The aim of this study was to determine whether recombination events occur in EqHV strains. Considering that no information on the Chinese EqHV genome sequence is available, we first sequenced the near-complete genomes of three field EqHV strains. Through systemic analysis, we obtained strong evidence supporting a recombination event within the NS5A and NS5B genes in the American EqHV strains, but not in the strains from China or other countries. Finally, using cut-off values for determination of HCV genotypes and subtypes, we classified the EqHV strains from around the world into one unique genotype and three subtypes. The recombination event occurred in subtype 1 EqHV strains. This study provides critical insights into the genetic variability and evolution of EqHV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajun Ou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yankuo Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyan Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Guihong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shoujun Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
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Hartlage AS, Murthy S, Kumar A, Trivedi S, Dravid P, Sharma H, Walker CM, Kapoor A. Vaccination to prevent T cell subversion can protect against persistent hepacivirus infection. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1113. [PMID: 30846697 PMCID: PMC6405742 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to develop an effective vaccine against the hepatitis C virus (HCV; human hepacivirus) have been stymied by a lack of small animal models. Here, we describe an experimental rat model of chronic HCV-related hepacivirus infection and its response to T cell immunization. Immune-competent rats challenged with a rodent hepacivirus (RHV) develop chronic viremia characterized by expansion of non-functional CD8+ T cells. Single-dose vaccination with a recombinant adenovirus vector expressing hepacivirus non-structural proteins induces effective immunity in majority of rats. Resolution of infection coincides with a vigorous recall of intrahepatic cellular responses. Host selection of viral CD8 escape variants can subvert vaccine-conferred immunity. Transient depletion of CD8+ cells from vaccinated rats prolongs infection, while CD4+ cell depletion results in chronic viremia. These results provide direct evidence that co-operation between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is important for hepacivirus immunity, and that subversion of responses can be prevented by prophylactic vaccination. Development of a HCV vaccine is hampered by a lack of appropriate small animal models. Here, Hartlage et al. describe a rat model of hepacivirus persistence and show that persistence can be prevented by vaccination with viral non-structural proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S Hartlage
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Satyapramod Murthy
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Sheetal Trivedi
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Piyush Dravid
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Himanshu Sharma
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Christopher M Walker
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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45
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Rasche A, Sander AL, Corman VM, Drexler JF. Evolutionary biology of human hepatitis viruses. J Hepatol 2019; 70:501-520. [PMID: 30472320 PMCID: PMC7114834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis viruses are major threats to human health. During the last decade, highly diverse viruses related to human hepatitis viruses were found in animals other than primates. Herein, we describe both surprising conservation and striking differences of the unique biological properties and infection patterns of human hepatitis viruses and their animal homologues, including transmission routes, liver tropism, oncogenesis, chronicity, pathogenesis and envelopment. We discuss the potential for translation of newly discovered hepatitis viruses into preclinical animal models for drug testing, studies on pathogenesis and vaccine development. Finally, we re-evaluate the evolutionary origins of human hepatitis viruses and discuss the past and present zoonotic potential of their animal homologues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rasche
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Sander
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Max Corman
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany.
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46
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Damas ND, Fossat N, Scheel TKH. Functional Interplay between RNA Viruses and Non-Coding RNA in Mammals. Noncoding RNA 2019; 5:ncrna5010007. [PMID: 30646609 PMCID: PMC6468702 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna5010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Exploring virus–host interactions is key to understand mechanisms regulating the viral replicative cycle and any pathological outcomes associated with infection. Whereas interactions at the protein level are well explored, RNA interactions are less so. Novel sequencing methodologies have helped uncover the importance of RNA–protein and RNA–RNA interactions during infection. In addition to messenger RNAs (mRNAs), mammalian cells express a great number of regulatory non-coding RNAs, some of which are crucial for regulation of the immune system whereas others are utilized by viruses. It is thus becoming increasingly clear that RNA interactions play important roles for both sides in the arms race between virus and host. With the emerging field of RNA therapeutics, such interactions are promising antiviral targets. In this review, we discuss direct and indirect RNA interactions occurring between RNA viruses or retroviruses and host non-coding transcripts upon infection. In addition, we review RNA virus derived non-coding RNAs affecting immunological and metabolic pathways of the host cell typically to provide an advantage to the virus. The relatively few known examples of virus–host RNA interactions suggest that many more await discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nkerorema Djodji Damas
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark.
| | - Nicolas Fossat
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark.
| | - Troels K H Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark.
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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47
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Bailey JR, Barnes E, Cox AL. Approaches, Progress, and Challenges to Hepatitis C Vaccine Development. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:418-430. [PMID: 30268785 PMCID: PMC6340767 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.08.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection vary, and there were an estimated 1.75 million new cases worldwide in 2015. The World Health Organization aims for a 90% reduction in new HCV infections by 2030. An HCV vaccine would prevent transmission, regardless of risk factors, and significantly reduce the global burden of HCV-associated disease. Barriers to development include virus diversity, limited models for testing vaccines, and our incomplete understanding of protective immune responses. Although highly effective vaccines could prevent infection altogether, immune responses that increase the rate of HCV clearance and prevent chronic infection may be sufficient to reduce disease burden. Adjuvant envelope or core protein and virus-vectored nonstructural antigen vaccines have been tested in healthy volunteers who are not at risk for HCV infection; viral vectors encoding nonstructural proteins are the only vaccine strategy to be tested in at-risk individuals. Despite development challenges, a prophylactic vaccine is necessary for global control of HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R. Bailey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University, UK
| | - Andrea L. Cox
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland,Reprint requests Address requests for reprints to: Andrea L. Cox, MD, PhD, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 551 Rangos Building, 855 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205. fax: (443)769-1221.
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48
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Burbelo PD, Iadarola MJ, Chaturvedi A. Emerging technologies for the detection of viral infections. Future Virol 2018; 14:39-49. [PMID: 31933674 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2018-0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Viruses represent one of the major environmental agents that cause human illness and disease. However, the ability to diagnose viral infections is limited by detection capability and scope. Here we describe several emerging technologies that provide rapid and/or high-quality viral diagnostic information. Two technologies, novel CRISPR-based diagnostics and a portable DNA sequencing instrument, are uniquely suited to increase the number of viral agents analyzed, even in point of care settings. We also discuss a phage-based method for generating comprehensive viral profiles of previous exposure/infection and a fluid-phase immunoassay that yields highly quantitative viral antibody analyses. Future applications of these approaches will accelerate on-site clinical diagnosis of viral infections and provide insights into the role viruses play in complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Burbelo
- Dental Clinical Research Core, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael J Iadarola
- Department of Perioperative Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Adrija Chaturvedi
- Dental Clinical Research Core, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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49
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Baechlein C, Baron AL, Meyer D, Gorriz-Martin L, Pfankuche VM, Baumgärtner W, Polywka S, Peine S, Fischer N, Rehage J, Becher P. Further characterization of bovine hepacivirus: Antibody response, course of infection, and host tropism. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 66:195-206. [PMID: 30126081 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) is a recently added member to the growing genus Hepacivirus within the family Flaviviridae. Animal hepaciviruses are rarely characterized so far. Apart from norway rat hepacivirus which represents a promising HCV surrogate model, only equine hepaciviruses have been studied to some extent. BovHepV has been initially identified in bovine samples and was shown to establish persistent infections in cattle. However, consequences of those chronic infections, humoral immune response and the possibility of an extended host spectrum have not been explored so far. Therefore, we here investigated (a) the presence of anti-NS3-antibodies and viral RNA in cattle herds in Germany, (b) the course of infection in cattle, and (c) the host tropism including zoonotic potential of bovine hepaciviruses. Our results show that 19.9% of investigated bovine serum samples had antibodies against BovHepV. In 8.2% of investigated samples, viral RNA was detected. Subsequent genetic analysis revealed a novel genetic cluster of BovHepV variants. For 25 selected cattle in a BovHepV positive herd the presence of viral genomic RNA was monitored over one year in two to three months intervals by RT-PCR in order to discriminate acute versus persistent infection. In persistently infected animals, no serum antibodies were detected. Biochemical analyses could not establish a link between BovHepV infection and liver injury. Apart from a single sample of a pig providing a positive reaction in the antibody test, neither BovHepV-specific antibodies nor viral RNA were detected in porcine, equine or human samples implying a strict host specificity of BovHepV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Baechlein
- Institute of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anna Lena Baron
- Institute of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Denise Meyer
- Institute of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lara Gorriz-Martin
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susanne Polywka
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Peine
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Fischer
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Rehage
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Paul Becher
- Institute of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany
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50
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Manickam C, Reeves RK. A mouse model for hepatitis C virus infection: are we there yet? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 1. [PMID: 30123888 DOI: 10.21037/aoi.2017.11.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cordelia Manickam
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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