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Li Y, Ashuo A, Hao M, Li Y, Ye J, Liu J, Hua T, Fang Z, Li J, Yuan Z, Chen J. An extracellular humanized IFNAR immunocompetent mouse model for analyses of human interferon alpha and subtypes. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2287681. [PMID: 37994664 PMCID: PMC10810641 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2287681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-Is) have key roles in immune defense and treatments for various diseases, including chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. All IFN-Is signal through a shared IFN-I heterodimeric receptor complex comprising IFN-α receptor 1 (IFNAR1) and IFNAR2 subunits, but differences in antiviral and immunomodulatory responses among IFN-I subtypes remain largely unknown. Because the IFN-IFNAR interactions are species-specific, mice exhibit weak responses to human IFN-I. To more fully characterize the actions of human IFN-α and its subtypes in vivo, a gene targeting strategy was employed to generate gene knock-in mice with extracellular-humanized IFNAR1/2 (IFNAR-hEC) in the C57BL/6N strain. IFNAR-hEC mice actively responded to human IFN-I, and endogenous mouse IFN-I signalling remained active in heterozygous mice (IfnarhEC/+). Analyses of IFNAR-hEC mice and isolated cells showed that human IFN-α2 and α14 subtypes exerted differential effect on the activation of JAK-STAT signalling and immune responses. Compared with IFN-α2, IFN-α14 induced greater activation of STAT1/2 and IFN-stimulated genes, synergistically elicited IFN-α and -γ signalling, and induced higher numbers of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Moreover, IFNAR-hEC mice with HBV replication displayed long-term viral suppression upon treatment with the clinically-used PEGylated hIFN-α2. These results indicate that IFNAR-hEC mice may be useful for elucidating antiviral and immunomodulatory functions of human IFN-Is and for conducting preclinical studies. A better understanding of the distinct activities of IFN-α subtypes can provide insights concerning the development of improved IFN-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Asha Ashuo
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Menghan Hao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaming Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianyu Ye
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiangxia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Hua
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhong Fang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC), Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection (CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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Li B, Che Y, Zhu P, Xu Y, Yu H, Li D, Ding X. A novel basement membrane-related gene signature predicts prognosis and immunotherapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1388016. [PMID: 39070142 PMCID: PMC11272612 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1388016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Basement membranes (BMs) have recently emerged as significant players in cancer progression and metastasis, rendering them promising targets for potential anti-cancer therapies. Here, we aimed to develop a novel signature of basement membrane-related genes (BMRGs) for the prediction of clinical prognosis and tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The differentially expressed BMRGs were subjected to univariate Cox regression analysis to identify BMRGs with prognostic significance. A six-BMRGs risk score model was constructed using Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox regression. Furthermore, a nomogram incorporating the BMRGs score and other clinicopathological features was developed for accurate prediction of survival rate in patients with HCC. Results A total of 121 differentially expressed BMRGs were screened from the TCGA HCC cohort. The functions of these BMRGs were significantly enriched in the extracellular matrix structure and signal transduction. The six-BMRGs risk score, comprising CD151, CTSA, MMP1, ROBO3, ADAMTS5 and MEP1A, was established for the prediction of clinical prognosis, tumor microenvironment characteristics, and immunotherapy response in HCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the BMRGs score-high group showed a significantly shorter overall survival than BMRGs score-low group. A nomogram showed that the BMRGs score could be used as a new effective clinical predictor and can be combined with other clinical variables to improve the prognosis of patients with HCC. Furthermore, the high BMRGs score subgroup exhibited an immunosuppressive state characterized by infiltration of macrophages and T-regulatory cells, elevated tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score, as well as enhanced expression of immune checkpoints including PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA4, PD-L2, HAVCR2, and TIGIT. Finally, a multi-step analysis was conducted to identify two pivotal hub genes, PKM and ITGA3, in the high-scoring group of BMRGs, which exhibited significant associations with an unfavorable prognosis in HCC. Conclusion Our study suggests that the BMRGs score can serve as a robust biomarker for predicting clinical outcomes and evaluating the tumor microenvironment in patients with HCC, thereby facilitating more effective clinical implementation of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyao Li
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Provincial Key Medical Laboratory for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yingkun Che
- Henan Provincial Key Medical Laboratory for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Puhua Zhu
- Henan Provincial Key Medical Laboratory for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yuanpeng Xu
- Henan Provincial Key Medical Laboratory for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Deyu Li
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Henan Provincial Key Medical Laboratory for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiangming Ding
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Henan Key Medical Laboratory for Molecular Immunology of Digestive Diseases, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Jiang Y, Sun L, Qiao N, Wang X, Zhu C, Xing M, Liu H, Zhou P, Zhou D. A quadrivalent norovirus vaccine based on a chimpanzee adenovirus vector induces potent immunity in mice. Virol Sin 2024:S1995-820X(24)00112-3. [PMID: 38997087 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2024.07.002] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Norovirus (NoV) infection is a major cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. The virus poses great challenges in developing vaccines with broad immune protection due to its genetic and antigenic diversity. To date, there are no approved NoV vaccines for clinical use. Here, we aimed to develop a broad-acting quadrivalent NoV vaccine based on a chimpanzee adenovirus vector, AdC68, carrying the major capsid protein (VP1) of noroviral GI and GII genotypes. Compared to intramuscular (i.m.), intranasal (i.n.), or other prime-boost immunization regimens (i.m. + i.m., i.m. + i.n., i.n. + i.m.), AdC68-GI.1-GII.3 (E1)-GII.4-GII.17 (E3), administered via i.n. + i.n. induced higher titers of serum IgG antibodies and higher IgA antibodies in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and saliva against the four homologous VP1s in mice. It also significantly stimulated the production of blocking antibodies against the four genotypes. In response to re-stimulation with virus-like particles (VLP)-GI.1, VLP-GII.3, VLP-GII.4, and VLP-GII.17, the quadrivalent vaccine administered according to the i.n. + i.n. regimen effectively triggered specific cell-mediated immune responses, primarily characterized by IFN-γ secretion. Furthermore, the preparation of this novel quadrivalent NoV vaccine requires only a single recombinant adenovirus to provide broad preventive immunity against the major GI/GII epidemic strains, making it a promising vaccine candidate for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Jiang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Lingjin Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Nan Qiao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Caihong Zhu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Man Xing
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China; Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Hui Liu
- R&D Centre, Chengdu Kanghua Biological Products Co., Ltd, Chengdu, 610000, China.
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China; Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Dongming Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China; Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China.
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Yuan Z, Zhang Y, Wang X, Wang X, Ren S, He X, Su J, Zheng A, Guo S, Chen Y, Deng S, Wu X, Li M, Du F, Zhao Y, Shen J, Wang Z, Xiao Z. The investigation of oncolytic viruses in the field of cancer therapy. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1423143. [PMID: 39055561 PMCID: PMC11270537 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1423143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have emerged as a potential strategy for tumor treatment due to their ability to selectively replicate in tumor cells, induce apoptosis, and stimulate immune responses. However, the therapeutic efficacy of single OVs is limited by the complexity and immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME). To overcome these challenges, engineering OVs has become an important research direction. This review focuses on engineering methods and multi-modal combination therapies for OVs aimed at addressing delivery barriers, viral phagocytosis, and antiviral immunity in tumor therapy. The engineering approaches discussed include enhancing in vivo immune response, improving replication efficiency within the tumor cells, enhancing safety profiles, and improving targeting capabilities. In addition, this review describes the potential mechanisms of OVs combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and summarizes the data of ongoing clinical trials. By continuously optimizing engineering strategies and combination therapy programs, we can achieve improved treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Yuan
- Gulin Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Luzhou, China
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yinping Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xingyue Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Siqi Ren
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinyu He
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jiahong Su
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Anfu Zheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Sipeng Guo
- Research And Experiment Center, Sichuan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mianyang, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy & Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Shuai Deng
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy & Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Xu Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy & Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Mingxing Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy & Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Fukuan Du
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy & Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Yueshui Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy & Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy & Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Zechen Wang
- Gulin Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhangang Xiao
- Gulin Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Luzhou, China
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Cell Therapy & Cell Drugs of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, China
- South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Luzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sichuan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mianyang, China
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Liu Q, Li J, Zong Q, Duan Z, Liu F, Duan W, Ruan M, Zhang H, Liu Y, Zhou Q, Wang Q. Interferon-induced polarization of M1 macrophages mediates antiviral activity against the hepatitis B virus via the hepcidin-ferroportin axis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 134:112219. [PMID: 38733823 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS & AIMS Given its ability to inhibit HBV replication, Interferon alpha (IFN-α) treatment has been confirmed to be effective in managing Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB). However, its underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. METHODS Herein, we investigated the antiviral properties of IFN-α by introducing IFN-α expression plasmids into a well-established HBV Hydrodynamic Injection (HDI) mouse model and examined the impact of IFN-α or hepcidin treatment on macrophages derived from THP-1 cells. The cytokine profiles were analyzed using the cytometry microsphere microarray technology, and flow cytometry was used to analyze the polarization of macrophages. Additionally, the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and the hepcidin-ferroportin axis were analyzed to better understand the macrophage polarization mechanism. RESULTS As evidenced by the suppression of HBV replication, injection of an IFN-α expression plasmid and supernatants of IFN-α-treated macrophages exerted anti-HBV effects. The IFN-α treatment up-regulated IL-6 in mice with HBV replication, as well as in IFN-α-treated HepG2 cells and macrophages. Furthermore, JAK2/STAT3 signaling and hepcidin expression was promoted, inducing iron accumulation via the hepcidin-ferroportin axis, which caused the polarization of M1 macrophages. Furthermore, under the effect of IFN-α, IL-6 silencing or blockade downregulated the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and hepcidin, implying that increased hepcidin expression under IFN-α treatment was dependent on the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway. CONCLUSION The IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway is activated by IFN-α which induces hepcidin expression. The resulting iron accumulation then induces the polarization of M1 macrophages via the hepcidin-ferroportin axis, yielding an immune response which exerts antiviral effects against HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jianfei Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Qiyin Zong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Zhi Duan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Futing Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Wanlu Duan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Mengqi Ruan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China.
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Jia Y, Jiao X, Shi W, Luo Y, Xiang H, Liang J, Gao Y. Expression of 10 circulating cytokines/chemokines in HBV-related liver disease. Infect Agent Cancer 2024; 19:20. [PMID: 38693593 PMCID: PMC11064382 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-024-00580-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytokines/chemokines play essential roles in the occurrence and progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to observe the expression patterns of 10 related cytokines/chemokines in the serum of healthy individuals, self-limited patients and HBV-infected patients at different stages of disease (chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), hepatocellular dysplastic nodules (DNs) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)) and to analyze the relationships of these cytokines/chemokines with disease progression. METHODS The levels of six cytokines (FGF-2, IFN-α2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and VEGF-A) and four chemokines (GRO-α, IL-8, IP-10 and MCP-1) were quantified using Luminex multiplex technology. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the expression of the 10 cytokines/chemokines between healthy individuals and self-limited patients. The levels of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 increased significantly in the CHB and LC groups. IL-10 was highly expressed in the HCC group. The level of IP-10 was significantly greater in all liver disease groups (CHB, LC, DN and HCC) than in the HI and SL-HBV groups, while the level of GRO was significantly lower in all liver disease groups than in the HI and SL-HBV groups. The levels of the 10 cytokines/chemokines were not significantly different between the preoperative group and the two-day postoperative group. Significant increases in the levels of IL-4, VEGF-A and IL-8 and significant decreases in those of IL-10 and GRO-α were observed 3 months after surgery. Correlation analysis revealed that most of the cytokines/chemokines with significant correlation differences were positively correlated before and after HCC surgery. CONCLUSION Our results highlight the fluctuating status of specific cytokines in HBV infection-related disease progression. It is speculated that these cytokines may be used as serum markers to monitor dynamic changes during the progression of HBV-related liver disease and to predict patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Jia
- The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Xiaolei Jiao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nankai University Affiliated Third Center Hospital, Jintang Road 83#, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Wenxia Shi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nankai University Affiliated Third Center Hospital, Jintang Road 83#, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Ying Luo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nankai University Affiliated Third Center Hospital, Jintang Road 83#, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Huiling Xiang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nankai University Affiliated Third Center Hospital, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Jing Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nankai University Affiliated Third Center Hospital, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Yingtang Gao
- The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300170, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Nankai University Affiliated Third Center Hospital, Jintang Road 83#, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China.
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Karakoese Z, Ingola M, Sitek B, Dittmer U, Sutter K. IFNα Subtypes in HIV Infection and Immunity. Viruses 2024; 16:364. [PMID: 38543729 PMCID: PMC10975235 DOI: 10.3390/v16030364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN), immediately triggered following most viral infections, play a pivotal role in direct antiviral immunity and act as a bridge between innate and adaptive immune responses. However, numerous viruses have evolved evasion strategies against IFN responses, prompting the exploration of therapeutic alternatives for viral infections. Within the type I IFN family, 12 IFNα subtypes exist, all binding to the same receptor but displaying significant variations in their biological activities. Currently, clinical treatments for chronic virus infections predominantly rely on a single IFNα subtype (IFNα2a/b). However, the efficacy of this therapeutic treatment is relatively limited, particularly in the context of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Recent investigations have delved into alternative IFNα subtypes, identifying certain subtypes as highly potent, and their antiviral and immunomodulatory properties have been extensively characterized. This review consolidates recent findings on the roles of individual IFNα subtypes during HIV and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) infections. It encompasses their induction in the context of HIV/SIV infection, their antiretroviral activity, and the diverse regulation of the immune response against HIV by distinct IFNα subtypes. These insights may pave the way for innovative strategies in HIV cure or functional cure studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehra Karakoese
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (Z.K.); (U.D.)
- Institute for the Research on HIV and AIDS-Associated Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Martha Ingola
- Medical Proteome Center, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (M.I.); (B.S.)
| | - Barbara Sitek
- Medical Proteome Center, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (M.I.); (B.S.)
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, 44892 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (Z.K.); (U.D.)
- Institute for the Research on HIV and AIDS-Associated Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (Z.K.); (U.D.)
- Institute for the Research on HIV and AIDS-Associated Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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Wang Y, Zhang J, Li M, Jia M, Yang L, Wang T, Wang Y, Kang L, Li M, Kong L. Transcriptome and proteomic analysis of mpox virus F3L-expressing cells. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1354410. [PMID: 38415010 PMCID: PMC10896956 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1354410] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Monkeypox or mpox virus (mpox) is a double-stranded DNA virus that poses a significant threat to global public health security. The F3 protein, encoded by mpox, is an apoenzyme believed to possess a double-stranded RNA-binding domain (dsRBD). However, limited research has been conducted on its function. In this study, we present data on the transcriptomics and proteomics of F3L-transfected HEK293T cells, aiming to enhance our comprehension of F3L. Methods The gene expression profiles of pCAGGS-HA-F3L transfected HEK293T cells were analyzed using RNA-seq. Proteomics was used to identify and study proteins that interact with F3L. Real-time PCR was used to detect mRNA levels of several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HEK293T cells (or Vero cells) after the expression of F3 protein. Results A total of 14,822 genes were obtained in cells by RNA-Seq and 1,672 DEGs were identified, including 1,156 up-regulated genes and 516 down-regulated genes. A total of 27 cellular proteins interacting with F3 proteins were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and 19 cellular proteins with large differences in abundance ratios were considered to be candidate cellular proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in immune-related pathways, including type I interferon signaling pathway, response to virus, RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, etc. Moreover, some selected DEGs were further confirmed by real-time PCR and the results were consistent with the transcriptome data. Proteomics data show that cellular proteins interacting with F3 proteins are mainly related to RNA splicing and protein translation. Conclusions Our analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic data showed that (1) F3L up-regulates the transcript levels of key genes in the innate immune signaling pathway, such as RIGI, MDA5, IRF5, IRF7, IRF9, ISG15, IFNA14, and elicits a broad spectrum of antiviral immune responses in the host. F3L also increases the expression of the FOS and JNK genes while decreasing the expression of TNFR2, these factors may ultimately induce apoptosis. (2) F3 protein interacts with host proteins involved in RNA splicing and protein translation, such as SNRNP70, POLR2H, HNRNPA1, DDX17, etc. The findings of this study shed light on the function of the F3 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihao Wang
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Mingzhi Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Mengle Jia
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lingdi Yang
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lumei Kang
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Meifeng Li
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lingbao Kong
- Institute of Pathogenic Microorganism, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Nanchang City Key Laboratory of Animal Virus and Genetic Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- College of Bioscience and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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9
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Zhao Q, Liu H, Tang L, Wang F, Tolufashe G, Chang J, Guo JT. Mechanism of interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B and potential approaches to improve its therapeutic efficacy. Antiviral Res 2024; 221:105782. [PMID: 38110058 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects 296 million people worldwide and causes more than 820,000 deaths annually due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current standard-of-care medications for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) include nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) viral DNA polymerase inhibitors and pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-α). NAs can efficiently suppress viral replication and improve liver pathology, but not eliminate or inactivate HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). CCC DNA is the most stable HBV replication intermediate that exists as a minichromosome in the nucleus of infected hepatocyte to transcribe viral RNA and support viral protein translation and genome replication. Consequentially, a finite duration of NA therapy rarely achieves a sustained off-treatment suppression of viral replication and life-long NA treatment is most likely required. On the contrary, PEG-IFN-α has the benefit of finite treatment duration and achieves HBsAg seroclearance, the indication of durable immune control of HBV replication and functional cure of CHB, in approximately 5% of treated patients. However, the low antiviral efficacy and poor tolerability limit its use. Understanding how IFN-α suppresses HBV replication and regulates antiviral immune responses will help rational optimization of IFN therapy and development of novel immune modulators to improve the rate of functional cure. This review article highlights mechanistic insight on IFN control of HBV infection and recent progress in development of novel IFN regimens, small molecule IFN mimetics and combination therapy of PEG-IFN-α with new direct-acting antivirals and therapeutic vaccines to facilitate the functional cure of CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Zhao
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, United States
| | - Hui Liu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, United States
| | - Liudi Tang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, United States
| | - Fuxuan Wang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, United States
| | | | - Jinhong Chang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, United States
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, United States.
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10
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Karakoese Z, Le-Trilling VTK, Schuhenn J, Francois S, Lu M, Liu J, Trilling M, Hoffmann D, Dittmer U, Sutter K. Targeted mutations in IFNα2 improve its antiviral activity against various viruses. mBio 2023; 14:e0235723. [PMID: 37874130 PMCID: PMC10746204 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02357-23] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The potency of interferon (IFN)α to restrict viruses was already discovered in 1957. However, until today, only IFNα2 out of the 12 distinct human IFNα subtypes has been therapeutically used against chronic viral infections. There is convincing evidence that other IFNα subtypes are far more efficient than IFNα2 against many viruses. In order to identify critical antiviral residues within the IFNα subtype sequence, we designed hybrid molecules based on the IFNα2 backbone with individual sequence motifs from the more potent subtypes IFNα6 and IFNα14. In different antiviral assays with HIV or HBV, residues binding to IFNAR1 as well as combinations of residues in the IFNAR1 binding region, the putative tunable anchor, and residues outside these regions were identified to be crucial for the antiviral activity of IFNα. Thus, we designed artificial IFNα molecules, based on the clinically approved IFNα2 backbone, but with highly improved antiviral activity against several viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehra Karakoese
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Virology, Essen, Germany
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Translational HIV Research, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Jonas Schuhenn
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Virology, Essen, Germany
| | - Sandra Francois
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Virology, Essen, Germany
| | - Mengji Lu
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Virology, Essen, Germany
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mirko Trilling
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Virology, Essen, Germany
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Daniel Hoffmann
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Research Group Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Virology, Essen, Germany
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Translational HIV Research, Essen, Germany
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Virology, Essen, Germany
- University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Translational HIV Research, Essen, Germany
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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11
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Pujantell M, Skenteris NT, Claussen JM, Grünhagel B, Thiele RJ, Altfeld M. Sex-dependent differences in type I IFN-induced natural killer cell activation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1277967. [PMID: 38162640 PMCID: PMC10757368 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1277967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are important antiviral effector cells and also involved in tumor clearance. NK cells express IFNAR, rendering them responsive to Type I IFNs. To evaluate Type I IFN-mediated modulation of NK cell functions, individual Type I IFNs subtypes were assessed for their ability to activate NK cells. Different Type I IFN subtypes displayed a broad range in the capacity to induce and modulate NK cell activation and degranulation, measured by CD69 and CD107a expression in response to leukemia cell line K562. When including biological sex as a variable in the analysis, transwell co-cultures of NK cells with either male- or female-derived PBMCs or pDCs stimulated with the TLR7/8 agonist CL097 showed that NK cells were more activated by CL097-stimulated cells derived from females. These sex-specific differences were linked to higher CL097-induced IFNα production by pDCs derived from females, indicating an extrinsic sex-specific effect of Type I IFNs on NK cell function. Interestingly, in addition to the extrinsic effect, we also observed NK cell-intrinsic sex differences, as female NK cells displayed higher activation levels after IFNα-stimulation and after co-culture with CL097-stimulated pDCs, suggesting higher activation of IFNα-signaling transduction in female NK cells. Taken together, the results from these studies identify both extrinsic and intrinsic sex-specific differences in Type I IFN-dependent NK cell functions, contributing to a better understanding of sex-specific differences in innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pujantell
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Department Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Benjamin Grünhagel
- Department Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rebecca-Jo Thiele
- Department Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Altfeld
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- Department Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), Hamburg, Germany
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12
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Xin R, Cheng Q, Chi X, Feng X, Zhang H, Wang Y, Duan M, Xie T, Song X, Yu Q, Fan Y, Huang L, Zhou F. Computational Characterization of Undifferentially Expressed Genes with Altered Transcription Regulation in Lung Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2169. [PMID: 38136991 PMCID: PMC10742656 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122169] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A transcriptome profiles the expression levels of genes in cells and has accumulated a huge amount of public data. Most of the existing biomarker-related studies investigated the differential expression of individual transcriptomic features under the assumption of inter-feature independence. Many transcriptomic features without differential expression were ignored from the biomarker lists. This study proposed a computational analysis protocol (mqTrans) to analyze transcriptomes from the view of high-dimensional inter-feature correlations. The mqTrans protocol trained a regression model to predict the expression of an mRNA feature from those of the transcription factors (TFs). The difference between the predicted and real expression of an mRNA feature in a query sample was defined as the mqTrans feature. The new mqTrans view facilitated the detection of thirteen transcriptomic features with differentially expressed mqTrans features, but without differential expression in the original transcriptomic values in three independent datasets of lung cancer. These features were called dark biomarkers because they would have been ignored in a conventional differential analysis. The detailed discussion of one dark biomarker, GBP5, and additional validation experiments suggested that the overlapping long non-coding RNAs might have contributed to this interesting phenomenon. In summary, this study aimed to find undifferentially expressed genes with significantly changed mqTrans values in lung cancer. These genes were usually ignored in most biomarker detection studies of undifferential expression. However, their differentially expressed mqTrans values in three independent datasets suggested their strong associations with lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihao Xin
- Key Laboratory of Symbolic Computation and Knowledge Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Computer Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (R.X.); (Y.W.); (M.D.); (L.H.)
- Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, College of Information and Control Engineering, Jilin 132000, China; (Q.C.); (X.C.); (H.Z.)
| | - Qian Cheng
- Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, College of Information and Control Engineering, Jilin 132000, China; (Q.C.); (X.C.); (H.Z.)
| | - Xiaohang Chi
- Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, College of Information and Control Engineering, Jilin 132000, China; (Q.C.); (X.C.); (H.Z.)
| | - Xin Feng
- School of Science, Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, Jilin 132000, China;
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Hang Zhang
- Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, College of Information and Control Engineering, Jilin 132000, China; (Q.C.); (X.C.); (H.Z.)
| | - Yueying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Symbolic Computation and Knowledge Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Computer Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (R.X.); (Y.W.); (M.D.); (L.H.)
| | - Meiyu Duan
- Key Laboratory of Symbolic Computation and Knowledge Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Computer Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (R.X.); (Y.W.); (M.D.); (L.H.)
| | - Tunyang Xie
- Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK;
| | - Xiaonan Song
- Key Laboratory of Symbolic Computation and Knowledge Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Software, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Qiong Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Yusi Fan
- Key Laboratory of Symbolic Computation and Knowledge Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Software, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Lan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Symbolic Computation and Knowledge Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Computer Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (R.X.); (Y.W.); (M.D.); (L.H.)
| | - Fengfeng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Symbolic Computation and Knowledge Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Computer Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (R.X.); (Y.W.); (M.D.); (L.H.)
- School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
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13
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Wang Y, Guo L, Shi J, Li J, Wen Y, Gu G, Cui J, Feng C, Jiang M, Fan Q, Tang J, Chen S, Zhang J, Zheng X, Pan M, Li X, Sun Y, Zhang Z, Li X, Hu F, Zhang L, Tang X, Li F. Interferon stimulated immune profile changes in a humanized mouse model of HBV infection. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7393. [PMID: 37968364 PMCID: PMC10652013 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43078-5] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The underlying mechanism of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) functional cure by interferon (IFN), especially in patients with low HBsAg and/or young ages, is still unresolved due to the lack of surrogate models. Here, we generate a type I interferon receptor humanized mouse (huIFNAR mouse) through a CRISPR/Cas9-based knock-in strategy. Then, we demonstrate that human IFN stimulates gene expression profiles in huIFNAR peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are similar to those in human PBMCs, supporting the representativeness of this mouse model for functionally analyzing human IFN in vivo. Next, we reveal the tissue-specific gene expression atlas across multiple organs in response to human IFN treatment; this pattern has not been reported in healthy humans in vivo. Finally, by using the AAV-HBV model, we test the antiviral effects of human interferon. Fifteen weeks of human PEG-IFNα2 treatment significantly reduces HBsAg and HBeAg and even achieves HBsAg seroconversion. We observe that activation of intrahepatic monocytes and effector memory CD8 T cells by human interferon may be critical for HBsAg suppression. Our huIFNAR mouse can authentically respond to human interferon stimulation, providing a platform to study interferon function in vivo. PEG-IFNα2 treatment successfully suppresses intrahepatic HBV replication and achieves HBsAg seroconversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Wang
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Liliangzi Guo
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jingrong Shi
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jingyun Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanling Wen
- Institute for Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital; The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guoming Gu
- Guangzhou XY Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Room 2048, Building 1, No. 6, Nanjiang Second Road, Pearl River Street, Nansha District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Cui
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chengqian Feng
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Mengling Jiang
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qinghong Fan
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jingyan Tang
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sisi Chen
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaowen Zheng
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Meifang Pan
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xinnian Li
- Guangzhou Forevergen Medical Laboratory, Room 802, No. 8, Luoxuan 3rd Road, Haizhu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanxia Sun
- Cytek (Shanghai) Biosciences Co, Ltd, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Institute for Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital; The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xian Li
- Guangzhou XY Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Room 2048, Building 1, No. 6, Nanjiang Second Road, Pearl River Street, Nansha District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengyu Hu
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Liguo Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Tang
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Feng Li
- Institute of infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 8 Huaying Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
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14
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Li Y, Yang Y, Li T, Wang Z, Gao C, Deng R, Ma F, Li X, Ma L, Tian R, Li H, Zhu H, Zeng L, Gao Y, Lv G, Niu J, Crispe IN, Tu Z. Activation of AIM2 by hepatitis B virus results in antiviral immunity that suppresses hepatitis C virus during coinfection. J Virol 2023; 97:e0109023. [PMID: 37787533 PMCID: PMC10617567 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01090-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Clinical data suggest that Hepatitis C virus (HCV) levels are generally lower in Hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infected patients, but the mechanism is unknown. Here, we show that HBV, but not HCV, activated absent in melanoma-2. This in turn results in inflammasome-mediated cleavage of pro-IL-18, leading to an innate immune activation cascade that results in increased interferon-γ, suppressing both viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqi Li
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tianyang Li
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhengmin Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chunfeng Gao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Rilin Deng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Faxiang Ma
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xinyang Li
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Licong Ma
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Renyun Tian
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huiyi Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haizhen Zhu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lei Zeng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yanhang Gao
- Institute of Liver Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun , Jilin, China
| | - Guoyue Lv
- Institute of Liver Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun , Jilin, China
| | - Junqi Niu
- Institute of Liver Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun , Jilin, China
| | - Ian Nicholas Crispe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Zhengkun Tu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Institute of Liver Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun , Jilin, China
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15
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Liu A, Ying S. Aicardi-Goutières syndrome: A monogenic type I interferonopathy. Scand J Immunol 2023; 98:e13314. [PMID: 37515439 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a rare monogenic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the brains of children patients. Its main clinical features include encephalatrophy, basal ganglia calcification, leukoencephalopathy, lymphocytosis and increased interferon-α (IFN-α) levels in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. AGS may be caused by mutations in any one of nine genes (TREX1, RNASEH2A, RNASEH2B, RNASEH2C, SAMHD1, ADAR1, IFIH1, LSM11 and RNU7-1) that result in accumulation of self-nucleic acids in the cytoplasm or aberrant sensing of self-nucleic acids. This triggers overproduction of type I interferons (IFNs) and subsequently causes AGS, the prototype of type I interferonopathies. This review describes the discovery history of AGS with various genotypes and provides the latest knowledge of clinical manifestations and causative genes of AGS. The relationship between AGS and type I interferonopathy and potential therapeutic methods for AGS are also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anran Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Songcheng Ying
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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16
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McDougal MB, De Maria AM, Ohlson MB, Kumar A, Xing C, Schoggins JW. Interferon inhibits a model RNA virus via a limited set of inducible effector genes. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56901. [PMID: 37497756 PMCID: PMC10481653 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202356901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferons control viral infection by inducing the expression of antiviral effector proteins encoded by interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). The field has mostly focused on identifying individual antiviral ISG effectors and defining their mechanisms of action. However, fundamental gaps in knowledge about the interferon response remain. For example, it is not known how many ISGs are required to protect cells from a particular virus, though it is theorized that numerous ISGs act in concert to achieve viral inhibition. Here, we used CRISPR-based loss-of-function screens to identify a markedly limited set of ISGs that confer interferon-mediated suppression of a model alphavirus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). We show via combinatorial gene targeting that three antiviral effectors-ZAP, IFIT3, and IFIT1-together constitute the majority of interferon-mediated restriction of VEEV, while accounting for < 0.5% of the interferon-induced transcriptome. Together, our data suggest a refined model of the antiviral interferon response in which a small subset of "dominant" ISGs may confer the bulk of the inhibition of a given virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B McDougal
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Anthony M De Maria
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Maikke B Ohlson
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Bioinformatics Core, McDermott CenterUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Chao Xing
- Bioinformatics Core, McDermott CenterUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - John W Schoggins
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
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17
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Hillaire MLB, Lawrence P, Lagrange B. IFN-γ: A Crucial Player in the Fight Against HBV Infection? Immune Netw 2023; 23:e30. [PMID: 37670813 PMCID: PMC10475827 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e30] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
About 0.8 million people die because of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection each year. In around 5% of infected adults, the immune system is ineffective in countering HBV infection, leading to chronic hepatitis B (CHB). CHB is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, which can lead to patient death. Unfortunately, although current treatments against CHB allow control of HBV infection, they are unable to achieve complete eradication of the virus. Cytokines of the IFN family represent part of the innate immune system and are key players in virus elimination. IFN secretion induces the expression of interferon stimulated genes, producing proteins that have antiviral properties and that are essential to cell-autonomous immunity. IFN-α is commonly used as a therapeutic approach for CHB. In addition, IFN-γ has been identified as the main IFN family member responsible for HBV eradication during acute infection. In this review, we summarize the key evidence gained from cellular or animal models of HBV replication or infection concerning the potential anti-HBV roles of IFN-γ with a particular focus on some IFN-γ-inducible genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philip Lawrence
- Confluence: Sciences et Humanités (EA 1598), Université Catholique de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Brice Lagrange
- Confluence: Sciences et Humanités (EA 1598), Université Catholique de Lyon, Lyon, France
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18
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Moreau TRJ, Bondet V, Rodero MP, Duffy D. Heterogeneity and functions of the 13 IFN-α subtypes - lucky for some? Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250307. [PMID: 37367434 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250307] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Type I IFNs are critical for host responses to viral infection and are also implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases. Multiple subtypes exist within the type I IFN family, in particular 13 distinct IFN-α genes, which signal through the same heterodimer receptor that is ubiquitously expressed by mammalian cells. Both evolutionary genetic studies and functional antiviral assays strongly suggest differential functions and activity between the 13 IFN-α subtypes, yet we still lack a clear understanding of these different roles. This review summarizes the evidence from studies describing differential functions of IFN-α subtypes and highlights potential reasons for discrepancies between the reports. We examine both acute and chronic viral infection, as well as autoimmunity, and integrate a more recent awareness of the importance of anti-IFN-α autoantibodies in shaping the type I IFN responses in these different conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R J Moreau
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Paris, France
- Translational Immunology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Bondet
- Translational Immunology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu P Rodero
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie et de Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques, Paris, France
| | - Darragh Duffy
- Translational Immunology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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19
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Karnik I, Her Z, Neo SH, Liu WN, Chen Q. Emerging Preclinical Applications of Humanized Mouse Models in the Discovery and Validation of Novel Immunotherapeutics and Their Mechanisms of Action for Improved Cancer Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1600. [PMID: 37376049 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapeutics have undergone immense research over the past decade. While chemotherapies remain the mainstay treatments for many cancers, the advent of new molecular techniques has opened doors for more targeted modalities towards cancer cells. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in treating cancer, adverse side effects related to excessive inflammation are often reported. There is a lack of clinically relevant animal models to probe the human immune response towards ICI-based interventions. Humanized mouse models have emerged as valuable tools for pre-clinical research to evaluate the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy. This review focuses on the establishment of humanized mouse models, highlighting the challenges and recent advances in these models for targeted drug discovery and the validation of therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. Furthermore, the potential of these models in the process of uncovering novel disease mechanisms is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Karnik
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore
| | - Zhisheng Her
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Shu Hui Neo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Wai Nam Liu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore
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20
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Song H, Xiao Q, Xu F, Wei Q, Wang F, Tan G. TRIM25 inhibits HBV replication by promoting HBx degradation and the RIG-I-mediated pgRNA recognition. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:799-806. [PMID: 36975005 PMCID: PMC10150869 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine has been efficiently used for decades. However, hepatocellular carcinoma caused by HBV is still prevalent globally. We previously reported that interferon (IFN)-induced tripartite motif-containing 25 (TRIM25) inhibited HBV replication by increasing the IFN expression, and this study aimed to further clarify the anti-HBV mechanism of TRIM25. METHODS The TRIM25-mediated degradation of hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein was determined by detecting the expression of HBx in TRIM25-overexpressed or knocked-out HepG2 or HepG2-NTCP cells via Western blotting. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to confirm the interaction between TRIM25 and HBx, and colocalization of TRIM25 and HBx was identified via immunofluorescence; HBV e-antigen and HBV surface antigen were qualified by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit from Kehua Biotech. TRIM25 mRNA, pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), and HBV DNA were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and pgRNA interaction was verified by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assay. RESULTS We found that TRIM25 promoted HBx degradation, and confirmed that TRIM25 could enhance the K90-site ubiquitination of HBx as well as promote HBx degradation by the proteasome pathway. Interestingly, apart from the Really Interesting New Gene (RING) domain, the SPRY domain of TRIM25 was also indispensable for HBx degradation. In addition, we found that the expression of TRIM25 increased the recognition of HBV pgRNA by interacting with RIG-I, which further increased the IFN production, and SPRY, but not the RING domain is critical in this process. CONCLUSIONS The study found that TRIM25 interacted with HBx and promoted HBx-K90-site ubiquitination, which led to HBx degradation. On the other hand, TRIM25 may function as an adaptor, which enhanced the recognition of pgRNA by RIG-I, thereby further promoting IFN production. Our study can contribute to a better understanding of host-virus interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiao Song
- Department of Hepatology, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China
| | - Qingfei Xiao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China
| | - Fengchao Xu
- Department of Hepatology, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China
| | - Qi Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China
| | - Guangyun Tan
- Department of Hepatology, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130000, China
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21
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McDougal MB, De Maria AM, Ohlson MB, Kumar A, Xing C, Schoggins JW. Interferon inhibits a model RNA virus via a limited set of inducible effector genes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.21.529297. [PMID: 36865157 PMCID: PMC9980057 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.21.529297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Interferons control viral infection by inducing the expression of antiviral effector proteins encoded by interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). The field has mostly focused on identifying individual antiviral ISG effectors and defining their mechanisms of action. However, fundamental gaps in knowledge about the interferon response remain. For example, it is not known how many ISGs are required to protect cells from a particular virus, though it is theorized that numerous ISGs act in concert to achieve viral inhibition. Here, we used CRISPR-based loss-of-function screens to identify a markedly limited set of ISGs that confer interferon-mediated suppression of a model alphavirus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). We show via combinatorial gene targeting that three antiviral effectors - ZAP, IFIT3, and IFIT1 - together constitute the majority of interferon-mediated restriction of VEEV, while accounting for less than 0.5% of the interferon-induced transcriptome. Together, our data suggests a refined model of the antiviral interferon response in which a small subset of "dominant" ISGs may confer the bulk of the inhibition of a given virus.
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22
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Li Q, Sun B, Zhuo Y, Jiang Z, Li R, Lin C, Jin Y, Gao Y, Wang D. Interferon and interferon-stimulated genes in HBV treatment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1034968. [PMID: 36531993 PMCID: PMC9751411 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1034968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small enveloped DNA virus with a complex life cycle. It is the causative agent of acute and chronic hepatitis. HBV can resist immune system responses and often causes persistent chronic infections. HBV is the leading cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis. Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines with antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antitumor properties. IFNs are glycoproteins with a strong antiviral activity that plays an important role in adaptive and innate immune responses. They are classified into three categories (type I, II, and III) based on the structure of their cell-surface receptors. As an effective drug for controlling chronic viral infections, Type I IFNs are approved to be clinically used for the treatment of HBV infection. The therapeutic effect of interferon will be enhanced when combined with other drugs. IFNs play a biological function by inducing the expression of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the host cells, which are responsible for the inhibiting of HBV replication, transcription, and other important processes. Animal models of HBV, such as chimpanzees, are also important tools for studying IFN treatment and ISG regulation. In the present review, we summarized the recent progress in IFN-HBV treatment and focused on its mechanism through the interaction between HBV and ISGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qirong Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China,Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Baozhen Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Zhuo
- School of Acupuncture-Moxi bustion and Tuina, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Ziping Jiang
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Rong Li
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chao Lin
- School of Grain Science and Technology, Jilin Business and Technology College, Changchun, China
| | - Ye Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yongjian Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China,*Correspondence: Yongjian Gao, ; Dongxu Wang,
| | - Dongxu Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China,*Correspondence: Yongjian Gao, ; Dongxu Wang,
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23
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Zheng JR, Wang ZL, Feng B. Hepatitis B functional cure and immune response. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1075916. [PMID: 36466821 PMCID: PMC9714500 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1075916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus, which damage to hepatocytes is not direct, but through the immune system. HBV specific CD4+ T cells can induce HBV specific B cells and CD8+ T cells. HBV specific B cells produce antibodies to control HBV infection, while HBV specific CD8+ T cells destroy infected hepatocytes. One of the reasons for the chronicity of HBV infection is that it cannot effectively activate adoptive immunity and the function of virus specific immune cells is exhausted. Among them, virus antigens (including HBV surface antigen, e antigen, core antigen, etc.) can inhibit the function of immune cells and induce immune tolerance. Long term nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) treatment and inactive HBsAg carriers with low HBsAg level may "wake up" immune cells with abnormal function due to the decrease of viral antigen level in blood and liver, and the specific immune function of HBV will recover to a certain extent, thus becoming the "dominant population" for functional cure. In turn, the functional cure will further promote the recovery of HBV specific immune function, which is also the theoretical basis for complete cure of hepatitis B. In the future, the complete cure of chronic HBV infection must be the combination of three drugs: inhibiting virus replication, reducing surface antigen levels and specific immune regulation, among which specific immunotherapy is indispensable. Here we review the relationship, mechanism and clinical significance between the cure of hepatitis B and immune system.
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24
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Singh A, Padariya M, Faktor J, Kote S, Mikac S, Dziadosz A, Lam TW, Brydon J, Wear MA, Ball KL, Hupp T, Sznarkowska A, Vojtesek B, Kalathiya U. Identification of novel interferon responsive protein partners of human leukocyte antigen A (HLA-A) using cross-linking mass spectrometry (CLMS) approach. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19422. [PMID: 36371414 PMCID: PMC9653400 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21393-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The interferon signalling system elicits a robust cytokine response against a wide range of environmental pathogenic and internal pathological signals, leading to induction of a subset of interferon-induced proteins. We applied DSS (disuccinimidyl suberate) mediated cross-linking mass spectrometry (CLMS) to capture novel protein-protein interactions within the realm of interferon induced proteins. In addition to the expected interferon-induced proteins, we identified novel inter- and intra-molecular cross-linked adducts for the canonical interferon induced proteins, such as MX1, USP18, OAS3, and STAT1. We focused on orthogonal validation of a cohort of novel interferon-induced protein networks formed by the HLA-A protein (H2BFS-HLA-A-HMGA1) using co-immunoprecipitation assay, and further investigated them by molecular dynamics simulation. Conformational dynamics of the simulated protein complexes revealed several interaction sites that mirrored the interactions identified in the CLMS findings. Together, we showcase a proof-of-principle CLMS study to identify novel interferon-induced signaling complexes and anticipate broader use of CLMS to identify novel protein interaction dynamics within the tumour microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashita Singh
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR Scotland, UK ,grid.10267.320000 0001 2194 0956Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monikaben Padariya
- grid.8585.00000 0001 2370 4076International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jakub Faktor
- grid.8585.00000 0001 2370 4076International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sachin Kote
- grid.8585.00000 0001 2370 4076International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sara Mikac
- grid.8585.00000 0001 2370 4076International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alicja Dziadosz
- grid.8585.00000 0001 2370 4076International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Tak W. Lam
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR Scotland, UK
| | - Jack Brydon
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR Scotland, UK
| | - Martin A. Wear
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JR UK
| | - Kathryn L. Ball
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR Scotland, UK
| | - Ted Hupp
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XR Scotland, UK ,grid.8585.00000 0001 2370 4076International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Alicja Sznarkowska
- grid.8585.00000 0001 2370 4076International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Borek Vojtesek
- grid.419466.8RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zlutykopec 7, 65653 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Umesh Kalathiya
- grid.8585.00000 0001 2370 4076International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
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25
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Schmitz Y, Schwerdtfeger M, Westmeier J, Littwitz-Salomon E, Alt M, Brochhagen L, Krawczyk A, Sutter K. Superior antiviral activity of IFNβ in genital HSV-1 infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:949036. [PMID: 36325470 PMCID: PMC9618724 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.949036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) present the first line of defense against viral infections, providing antiviral, immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects. The type I IFN family contains 12 IFNα subtypes and IFNβ, and although they share the same receptor, they are classified as non-redundant, capable to induce a variety of different IFN-stimulated genes. However, the biological impact of individual subtypes remains controversial. Recent data propose a subtype-specificity of type I IFNs revealing unique effector functions for different viruses and thus expanding the implications for IFNα-based antiviral immunotherapies. Despite extensive research, drug-resistant infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is the common agent of recurrent orogenital lesions, are still lacking a protective or curing therapeutic. However, due to the risk of generalized infections in immunocompromised hosts as well as the increasing incidence of resistance to conventional antiherpetic agents, HSV infections raise major health concerns. Based on their pleiotropic effector functions, the application of type I IFNs represents a promising approach to inhibit HSV-1 replication, to improve host immunity and to further elucidate their qualitative differences. Here, selective IFNα subtypes and IFNβ were evaluated for their therapeutic potential in genital HSV-1 infections. Respective in vivo studies in mice revealed subtype-specific differences in the reduction of local viral loads. IFNβ had the strongest antiviral efficacy against genital HSV-1 infection in mice, whereas IFNα1, IFNα4, and IFNα11 had no impact on viral loads. Based on flow cytometric analyses of underlying immune responses at local and peripheral sites, these differences could be further assigned to specific modulations of the antiviral immunity early during HSV-1 infection. IFNβ led to enhanced systemic cytokine secretion and elevated cytotoxic responses, which negatively correlated with viral loads in the vaginal tract. These data provide further insights into the diversity of type I IFN effector functions and their impact on the immunological control of HSV-1 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Schmitz
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mara Schwerdtfeger
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jaana Westmeier
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Mira Alt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Kathrin Sutter,
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26
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Yang Z, Sun B, Xiang J, Wu H, Kan S, Hao M, Chang L, Liu H, Wang D, Liu W. Role of epigenetic modification in interferon treatment of hepatitis B virus infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1018053. [PMID: 36325353 PMCID: PMC9618964 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1018053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small, enveloped DNA virus that causes acute and chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis. Interferons (IFNs) have been used for the treatment of CHB for a long time, with advantages including less treatment duration and sustained virological response. Presently, various evidence suggests that epigenetic modification of the viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and the host genome is crucial for the regulation of viral activity. This modification includes histone acetylation, DNA methylation, N6-methyladenosine, and non-coding RNA modification. IFN treatment for CHB can stimulate multiple IFN-stimulated genes for inhibiting virus replication. IFNs can also affect the HBV life cycle through epigenetic modulation. In this review, we summarized the different mechanisms through which IFN-α inhibits HBV replication, including epigenetic regulation. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying IFN activity are discussed, which indicated its potential as a novel treatment for CHB. It is proposed that epigenetic changes such as histone acetylation, DNA methylation, m6A methylation could be the targets of IFN, which may offer a novel approach to HBV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijing Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Baozhen Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jingcheng Xiang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Han Wu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shaoning Kan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ming Hao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lu Chang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Huimin Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dongxu Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Dongxu Wang, ; Weiwei Liu,
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Dongxu Wang, ; Weiwei Liu,
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Xie X, Karakoese Z, Ablikim D, Ickler J, Schuhenn J, Zeng X, Feng X, Yang X, Dittmer U, Yang D, Sutter K, Liu J. IFNα subtype-specific susceptibility of HBV in the course of chronic infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1017753. [PMID: 36311794 PMCID: PMC9616162 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1017753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major health problem worldwide and remains hard to be cured. Therapy with interferon (IFN) α is an important method for the clinical treatment of chronic hepatitis B. IFNα exhibits direct antiviral effects as well as immunomodulatory activities, which can induce sustained antiviral responses in part of the treated chronic hepatitis B patients. Numerous IFNα subtypes with high sequence identity between 76-96% exist which are characterized by diverse, non-redundant biological activities. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the clinically approved IFNα2 is not the most effective subtype for the anti-HBV treatment among all IFNα subtypes. So far very little is known about the IFNα subtype expression pattern during early HBV infection and the IFNα subtype-specific susceptibility during persistent HBV infection as well as its related cellular mechanism. Here we determined the Ifna subtype mRNA expression during acute and chronic HBV infection by using the well-established hydrodynamic injection (HDI) mouse model and we revealed a transient but strong expression of a panel of Ifna subtypes in the spleen of HBV persistent replication mice compared to HDI controls. Immunotherapy with distinct IFNα subtypes controlled chronic HBV infection. IFNα subtype-mediated antiviral response and immune activation were comprehensively analyzed in an AAV-HBV persistent infection murine model and murine IFNα2 was identified as the most effective subtype in suppression of HBV replication. Further analysis of the immune response revealed a strong immunomodulatory activity of murine IFNα2 on splenic and intrahepatic NK and T cell activation during persistent HBV infection. Taken together, our data provide IFNα subtype-specific differences in the antiviral and immunomodulatory effector responses and a strong expression of all IFNα subtypes in the spleen during persistent HBV infection in mice. This knowledge will support the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies for chronic hepatitis B infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, China
| | - Zehra Karakoese
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dilhumare Ablikim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Julia Ickler
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jonas Schuhenn
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Xiaoqing Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuemei Feng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuecheng Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Kathrin Sutter, ; Jia Liu,
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Kathrin Sutter, ; Jia Liu,
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Bhat S, Kazim SN. HBV cccDNA-A Culprit and Stumbling Block for the Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Its Presence in Hepatocytes Perplexed the Possible Mission for a Functional Cure. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:24066-24081. [PMID: 35874215 PMCID: PMC9301636 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is still a big health problem across the globe. It has been linked to the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and can trigger different types of liver damage. Existing medicines are unable to disable covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which may result in HBV persistence and recurrence. The current therapeutic goal is to achieve a functional cure, which means HBV-DNA no longer exists when treatment stops and the absence of HBsAg seroclearance. However, due to the presence of integrated HBV DNA and cccDNA functional treatment is now regarded to be difficult. In order to uncover pathways for potential therapeutic targets and identify medicines that could result in large rates of functional cure, a thorough understanding of the virus' biology is required. The proteins of the virus and episomal cccDNA are thought to be critical for the management and support of the HBV replication cycle as they interact directly with the host proteome to establish the best atmosphere for the virus while evading immune detection. The breakthroughs of host dependence factors, cccDNA transcription, epigenetic regulation, and immune-mediated breakdown have all produced significant progress in our understanding of cccDNA biology during the past decade. There are some strategies where cccDNA can be targeted either in a direct or indirect way and are presently at the point of discovery or preclinical or early clinical advancement. Editing of genomes, techniques targeting host dependence factors or epigenetic gene maintenance, nucleocapsid modulators, miRNA, siRNA, virion secretory inhibitors, and immune-mediated degradation are only a few examples. Though cccDNA approaches for direct targeting are still in the early stages of development, the assembly of capsid modulators and immune-reliant treatments have made it to the clinic. Clinical trials are currently being conducted to determine their efficiency and safety in patients, as well as their effect on viral cccDNA. The influence of recent breakthroughs in the development of new treatment techniques on cccDNA biology is also summarized in this review.
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Virus Infection and Systemic Inflammation: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 and Beyond. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142198. [PMID: 35883640 PMCID: PMC9316821 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory infections with newly emerging zoonotic viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19, often lead to the perturbation of the human innate and adaptive immune responses causing severe disease with high mortality. The responsible mechanisms are commonly virus-specific and often include either over-activated or delayed local interferon responses, which facilitate efficient viral replication in the primary target organ, systemic viral spread, and rapid onset of organ-specific and harmful inflammatory responses. Despite the distinct replication strategies, human infections with SARS-CoV-2 and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses demonstrate remarkable similarities and differences regarding the mechanisms of immune induction, disease dynamics, as well as the long-term sequelae, which will be discussed in this review. In addition, we will highlight some important lessons about the effectiveness of antiviral and immunomodulatory therapeutic strategies that this pandemic has taught us.
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Karakoese Z, Schwerdtfeger M, Karsten CB, Esser S, Dittmer U, Sutter K. Distinct Type I Interferon Subtypes Differentially Stimulate T Cell Responses in HIV-1-Infected Individuals. Front Immunol 2022; 13:936918. [PMID: 35911692 PMCID: PMC9326074 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.936918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of type I interferons (IFNs) is one of the immediate host responses during most viral infections. The type I IFN family consists of numerous highly conserved IFNα subtypes, IFNβ, and some others. Although these IFNα subtypes were initially believed to act interchangeably, their discrete biological properties are nowadays widely accepted. Subtype-specific antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-proliferative activities were reported explained by differences in receptor affinity, downstream signaling events, and individual IFN-stimulated gene expression patterns. Type I IFNs and increased IFN signatures potentially linked to hyperimmune activation of T cells are critically discussed for chronic HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Here, we aimed to analyze the broad immunological effects of specific type I IFN subtypes (IFNα2, IFNα14, and IFNβ) on T and NK cell subsets during HIV-1 infection in vitro and ex vivo. Stimulation with IFNα14 and IFNβ significantly increased frequencies of degranulating (CD107a+) gut-derived CD4+ T cells and blood-derived T and NK cells. However, frequencies of IFNγ-expressing T cells were strongly reduced after stimulation with IFNα14 and IFNβ. Phosphorylation of downstream molecules was not only IFN subtype-specific; also, significant differences in STAT5 phosphorylation were observed in both healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and PBMCs of HIV-infected individuals, but this effect was less pronounced in healthy gut-derived lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs), assuming cell and tissue specific discrepancies. In conclusion, we observed distinct type I IFN subtype-specific potencies in stimulating T and NK cell responses during HIV-1-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehra Karakoese
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mara Schwerdtfeger
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christina B. Karsten
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Stefan Esser
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ulf Dittmer, ; Kathrin Sutter,
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Translational HIV Research, University Medicine Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ulf Dittmer, ; Kathrin Sutter,
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Codelivery of HBx-siRNA and Plasmid Encoding IL-12 for Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus and Reactivation of Antiviral Immunity. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071439. [PMID: 35890334 PMCID: PMC9318813 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B is a critical cause of many serious liver diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The main challenges in hepatitis B treatment include the rebound of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related antigen levels after drug withdrawal and the immunosuppression caused by the virus. Herein, we demonstrate that the HBV-related antigen can be effectively inhibited and antiviral immunity can be successfully reactivated through codelivery of the small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HBV X protein (HBx) and the plasmid encoding interleukin 12 (pIL-12) to hepatocytes and immune cells. After being treated by the siRNA/pIL-12 codelivery system, HBx mRNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are dramatically reduced in HepG2.215 cells. More importantly, the downregulated CD47 and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and the upregulated interferon-β promoter stimulator-1 (IPS-1), retinoic acid-inducible gene-1 (RIG-1), CD80, and human leukocyte antigen-1 (HLA-1) in treated HepG2.215 cells indicate that the immunosuppression is reversed by the codelivery system. Furthermore, the codelivery system results in inhibition of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathways, as well as downregulation of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and upregulation of p53, implying its potential in preventing the progression of HBV-induced HCC. In addition, J774A.1 macrophages treated by the codelivery system were successfully differentiated into the M1 phenotype and expressed enhanced cytokines with anti-hepatitis B effects such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Therefore, we believe that codelivery of siRNA and pIL-12 can effectively inhibit hepatitis B virus, reverse virus-induced immunosuppression, reactivate antiviral immunity, and hinder the progression of HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. This investigation provides a promising approach for the synergistic treatment of HBV infection.
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IFN-α inhibits HBV transcription and replication by promoting HDAC3-mediated de-2-hydroxyisobutyrylation of histone H4K8 on HBV cccDNA minichromosome in liver. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:1484-1494. [PMID: 34497374 PMCID: PMC9160025 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00765-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The epigenetic modification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) plays a crucial role in cccDNA transcription and viral persistence. Interferon-α (IFN-α) is a pivotal agent against HBV cccDNA. However, the mechanism by which IFN-α modulates the epigenetic regulation of cccDNA remains poorly understood. In this study, we report that IFN-α2b enhances the histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3)-mediated de-2-hydroxyisobutyrylation of histone H4 lysine 8 (H4K8) on HBV cccDNA minichromosome to restrict the cccDNA transcription in liver. By screening acetyltransferases and deacetylases, we identified that HDAC3 was an effective restrictor of HBV transcription and replication. Moreover, we found that HDAC3 was able to mediate the de-2-hydroxyisobutyrylation of H4K8 in HBV-expressing hepatoma cells. Then, the 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation of histone H4K8 (H4K8hib) was identified on the HBV cccDNA minichromosome, promoting the HBV transcription and replication. The H4K8hib was regulated by HDAC3 depending on its deacetylase domain in the system. The low level of HDAC3 and high level of H4K8hib were observed in the liver tissues from HBV-infected human liver-chimeric mice. The levels of H4K8hib on HBV cccDNA minichromosome were significantly elevated in the liver biopsy specimens from clinical hepatitis B patients, which was consistent with the high transcriptional activity of cccDNA. Strikingly, IFN-α2b effectively facilitated the histone H4K8 de-2-hydroxyisobutyrylation mediated by HDAC3 on the HBV cccDNA minichromosome in primary human hepatocytes and hepatoma cells, leading to the inhibition of HBV transcription and replication. Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which IFN-α modulates the epigenetic regulation of HBV cccDNA minichromosome.
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Wang Y, Li Y, Zai W, Hu K, Zhu Y, Deng Q, Wu M, Li Y, Chen J, Yuan Z. HBV covalently closed circular DNA minichromosomes in distinct epigenetic transcriptional states differ in their vulnerability to damage. Hepatology 2022; 75:1275-1288. [PMID: 34779008 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is a major obstacle for a cure of chronic hepatitis B. Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications regulate the transcriptional activity of cccDNA minichromosomes. However, it remains unclear how the epigenetic state of cccDNA affects its stability. APPROACHES AND RESULTS By using HBV infection cell models and in vitro and in vivo recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) and HBVcircle models, the reduction rate of HBV cccDNA and the efficacy of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A)-mediated and CRISPR/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9)-mediated cccDNA targeting were compared between cccDNAs with distinct transcriptional activities. Interferon-α treatment and hepatitis B x protein (HBx) deletion were applied as two strategies for cccDNA repression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and micrococcal nuclease assays were performed to determine the epigenetic pattern of cccDNA. HBV cccDNA levels remained stable in nondividing hepatocytes; however, they were significantly reduced during cell division, and the reduction rate was similar between cccDNAs in transcriptionally active and transcriptionally repressed states. Strikingly, HBV rcccDNA without HBx expression exhibited a significantly longer persistence in mice. The cccDNA with low transcriptional activity exhibited an epigenetically inactive pattern and was more difficult to access by APOBEC3A and engineered CRISPR-Cas9. The epigenetic regulator activating cccDNA increased its vulnerability to APOBEC3A. CONCLUSIONS HBV cccDNA minichromosomes in distinct epigenetic transcriptional states showed a similar reduction rate during cell division but significantly differed in their accessibility and vulnerability to targeted nucleases and antiviral agents. Epigenetic sensitization of cccDNA makes it more susceptible to damage and may potentially contribute to an HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yumeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wenjing Zai
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Kongying Hu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yuanfei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Qiang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina.,Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus InfectionChinese Academy of Medical SciencesShanghaiChina.,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and InfectionShanghaiChina
| | - Min Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical CenterFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yaming Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina.,Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus InfectionChinese Academy of Medical SciencesShanghaiChina.,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and InfectionShanghaiChina
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina.,Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus InfectionChinese Academy of Medical SciencesShanghaiChina.,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and InfectionShanghaiChina
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Shi Z, Zheng H, Han M, Hu J, Hu Y, Li X, Zhu W, He X, Deng H, Long Q, Huang A. Durability of Hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance in patients experienced nucleoside analogs or interferon monotherapy: A real-world data from Electronic Health Record. Genes Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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35
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Zai W, Hu K, Ye J, Ding J, Huang C, Li Y, Fang Z, Wu M, Wang C, Chen J, Yuan Z. Long-Term Hepatitis B Virus Infection Induces Cytopathic Effects in Primary Human Hepatocytes, and Can Be Partially Reversed by Antiviral Therapy. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0132821. [PMID: 35171034 PMCID: PMC8849052 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01328-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major health burden worldwide. While the immune response has been recognized to play crucial roles in HBV pathogenesis, the direct cytopathic effects of HBV infection and replication on host hepatocytes and the HBV-host interactions are only partially defined due to limited culture systems. Here, based on our recently developed 5 chemical-cultured primary human hepatocytes (5C-PHHs) model that supports long-term HBV infection, we performed multiplexed quantitative analysis of temporal changes of host proteome and transcriptome on PHHs infected by HBV for up to 4 weeks. We showed that metabolic-, complement-, cytoskeleton-, mitochondrial-, and oxidation-related pathways were modulated at transcriptional or posttranscriptional levels during long-term HBV infection, which led to cytopathic effects and could be partially rescued by early, rather than late, nucleot(s)ide analog (NA) administration and could be significantly relieved by blocking viral antigens with RNA interference (RNAi). Overexpression screening of the dysregulated proteins identified a series of host factors that may contribute to pro- or anti-HBV responses of the infected hepatocytes. In conclusion, our results suggest that long-term HBV infection in primary human hepatocytes leads to cytopathic effects through remodeling the proteome and transcriptome and early antiviral treatment may reduce the extent of such effects, indicating a role of virological factors in HBV pathogenesis and a potential benefit of early administration of antiviral treatment. IMPORTANCE Global temporal quantitative proteomic and transcriptomic analysis using long-term hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected primary human hepatocytes uncovered extensive remodeling of the host proteome and transcriptome and revealed cytopathic effects of long-term viral replication. Metabolic-, complement-, cytoskeleton-, mitochondrial-, and oxidation-related pathways were modulated at transcriptional or posttranscriptional levels, which could be partially rescued by early, rather than late, NA therapy and could be relieved by blocking viral antigens with RNAi. Overexpression screening identified a series of pro- or anti-HBV host factors. These data have deepened the understanding of the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and HBV-host interactions in hepatocytes, with implications for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zai
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kongying Hu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianyu Ye
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahui Ding
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaming Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong Fang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Jiang S, Wang X, Chen K, Yang P. Establishment of an inducible cell line for Hepatitis B virus genotype C2 and its pharmacological responses to interferons. Pharmacol Res 2022; 178:106142. [PMID: 35218895 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is closely associated with poor prognosis, contributing greatly to heavy chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related liver disease burden in China and worldwide. However, the mechanistic studies on genotype C of HBV remain largely limited, partially because of a long-term lack of genotype C HBV-based stable cell tools. According to a bioinformatic analysis on the sub-genotype C2 HBV that is predominantly endemic in China, we selected 17.3 strain as a representative isolate. With a Tet-off gene expression system, an inducible viral replication and virion production of genotype C2 HBV were achieved in a cell line carrying persistent rcDNA-cccDNA recycling, termed HepG2-17.3, can be useful for virological studies on genotype C2 HBV. Additionally, this cell line has been formatted into cell-based assay that permits particular pharmacological screening of drug candidates, such as interferon regimens, for evaluations of the inhibitory effects on genotype C2 HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaodong Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kaili Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Pengyuan Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Differential interferon-α subtype induced immune signatures are associated with suppression of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2111600119. [PMID: 35131898 PMCID: PMC8872780 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111600119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-I) exhibit various biological effects during viral infections, and they have been successfully used for clinical treatment of viral diseases. Humans express 12 IFNα subtypes, which strongly differ in their antiviral responses against different viruses. Here we analyzed the antiviral activity of all human IFNα subtypes against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to identify the underlying immune signatures and explore their therapeutic potential. Our data provide a systemic pattern of antiviral host effector responses mediated by high antiviral IFN-I, which could help to identify key cellular effectors targeted in novel therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Type I interferons (IFN-I) exert pleiotropic biological effects during viral infections, balancing virus control versus immune-mediated pathologies, and have been successfully employed for the treatment of viral diseases. Humans express 12 IFN-alpha (α) subtypes, which activate downstream signaling cascades and result in distinct patterns of immune responses and differential antiviral responses. Inborn errors in IFN-I immunity and the presence of anti-IFN autoantibodies account for very severe courses of COVID-19; therefore, early administration of IFN-I may be protective against life-threatening disease. Here we comprehensively analyzed the antiviral activity of all IFNα subtypes against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to identify the underlying immune signatures and explore their therapeutic potential. Prophylaxis of primary human airway epithelial cells (hAEC) with different IFNα subtypes during SARS-CoV-2 infection uncovered distinct functional classes with high, intermediate, and low antiviral IFNs. In particular, IFNα5 showed superior antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in SARS-CoV-2–infected mice in vivo. Dose dependency studies further displayed additive effects upon coadministration with the broad antiviral drug remdesivir in cell culture. Transcriptomic analysis of IFN-treated hAEC revealed different transcriptional signatures, uncovering distinct, intersecting, and prototypical genes of individual IFNα subtypes. Global proteomic analyses systematically assessed the abundance of specific antiviral key effector molecules which are involved in IFN-I signaling pathways, negative regulation of viral processes, and immune effector processes for the potent antiviral IFNα5. Taken together, our data provide a systemic, multimodular definition of antiviral host responses mediated by defined IFN-I. This knowledge will support the development of novel therapeutic approaches against SARS-CoV-2.
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Li J, Kemper T, Broering R, Chen J, Yuan Z, Wang X, Lu M. Interferon Alpha Induces Cellular Autophagy and Modulates Hepatitis B Virus Replication. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:804011. [PMID: 35186790 PMCID: PMC8847603 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.804011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes acute and chronic liver diseases, including severe hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Interferon alpha 2a (IFNα-2a) is commonly used for treating chronic HBV infection. However, its efficacy remains relatively low. Yet, the immunological and molecular mechanisms for successful IFNα-2a treatment remain elusive. One issue is whether the application of increasing IFNα doses may modulate cellular processes and HBV replication in hepatic cells. In the present study, we focused on the interaction of IFNα signaling with other cellular signaling pathways and the consequence for HBV replication. The results showed that with the concentration of 6000 U/ml IFNα-2a treatment downregulated the activity of not only the Akt/mTOR signaling but also the AMPK signaling. Additionally, IFNα-2a treatment increased the formation of the autophagosomes by blocking autophagic degradation. Furthermore, IFNα-2a treatment inhibited the Akt/mTOR signaling and initiated autophagy under low and high glucose concentrations. In reverse, inhibition of autophagy using 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and glucose concentrations influenced the expression of IFNα-2a-induced ISG15 and IFITM1. Despite of ISGs induction, HBV replication and gene expression in HepG2.2.15 cells, a cell model with continuous HBV replication, were slightly increased at high doses of IFNα-2a. In conclusion, our study indicates that IFNα-2a treatment may interfere with multiple intracellular signaling pathways, facilitate autophagy initiation, and block autophagic degradation, thereby resulting in slightly enhanced HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- Insititute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thekla Kemper
- Insititute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Broering
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyu Wang
- Insititute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnostic and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Mengji Lu, ; Xueyu Wang,
| | - Mengji Lu
- Insititute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Mengji Lu, ; Xueyu Wang,
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Nosaka T, Naito T, Murata Y, Matsuda H, Ohtani M, Hiramatsu K, Nishizawa T, Okamoto H, Nakamoto Y. Regulatory function of interferon-inducible 44-like for hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA in primary human hepatocytes. Hepatol Res 2022; 52:141-152. [PMID: 34697871 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIM Curing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection requires elimination of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). Interferon (IFN)-γ has noncytolytic antiviral potential; however, elimination of cccDNA could not be achieved. To enhance the regulatory effect, we comprehensively analyzed the host factors associated with cccDNA amplification and IFN-γ and IFN-α effects using an in vitro HBV infection system showing various transcription levels. METHODS Primary human hepatocytes were infected with HBV using genomic plasmids carrying the basic core promoter mutation A1762T/G1764A and/or the precore mutation G1896A and treated with IFN-γ and IFN-α. Comprehensive and functional studies involving microarray and small interfering RNA analysis revealed the host factors related to cccDNA regulation. RESULTS The HBV infection system reproduced the HBV life cycle and showed various propagation levels. Microarray analysis revealed 53 genes correlated with the cccDNA levels. Of the 53 genes, expression of IFN-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L) was significantly upregulated by IFN-γ and IFN-α. The anti-HBV effect of IFI44L is exerted regardless of IFN-γ or IFN-α by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 pathways. CONCLUSIONS Using the in vitro HBV infection system, an IFN-inducible molecule, IFI44L, associated with cccDNA amplification, was identified. These results suggest an innovative molecular strategy for the regulation of HBV cccDNA by controlling a novel host factor, IFI44L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuto Nosaka
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Naito
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Yosuke Murata
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Matsuda
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ohtani
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Katsushi Hiramatsu
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Nishizawa
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yasunari Nakamoto
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
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Antiviral Toll-like Receptor Signaling in Non-Parenchymal Liver Cells Is Restricted to TLR3. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020218. [PMID: 35215812 PMCID: PMC8874605 DOI: 10.3390/v14020218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of non-parenchymal liver cells as part of the hepatic, innate immune system in the defense against hepatotropic viruses is not well understood. Here, primary human Kupffer cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells were isolated from liver tissue obtained after tumor resections or liver transplantations. Cells were stimulated with Toll-like receptor 1–9 ligands for 6–24 h. Non-parenchymal liver cells expressed and secreted inflammatory cytokines (IL6, TNF and IL10). Toll-like receptor- and cell type-specific downstream signals included the phosphorylation of NF-κB, AKT, JNK, p38 and ERK1/2. However, only supernatants of TLR3-activated Kupffer cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells contained type I and type III interferons and mediated an antiviral activity in the interferon-sensitive subgenomic hepatitis C virus replicon system. The antiviral effect could not be neutralized by antibodies against IFNA, IFNB nor IFNL, but could be abrogated using an interferon alpha receptor 2-specific neutralization. Interestingly, TLR3 responsiveness was enhanced in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells isolated from hepatitis C virus-positive donors, compared to uninfected controls. In conclusion, non-parenchymal liver cells are potent activators of the hepatic immune system by mediating inflammatory responses. Furthermore, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells were identified to be hyperresponsive to viral stimuli in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
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41
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Li J, Yang Y, Li Q, Wei S, Zhou Y, Yu W, Xue L, Zhou L, Shen L, Lu G, Chen L, Tao S. STAT6 contributes to renal fibrosis by modulating PPARα-mediated tubular fatty acid oxidation. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:66. [PMID: 35046382 PMCID: PMC8770798 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04515-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism, especially fatty acid oxidation (FAO) dysfunction, is a major driver of renal fibrosis; however, the detailed regulatory mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study, we showed that there existed an association between the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) and tubular lipid metabolism in fibrotic kidneys. Specifically, STAT6 was activated along with the accumulation of lipids via the downregulation of FAO-related genes when mice were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) or high-fat diet challenge. Tubular-specific depletion, or pharmacologic inhibitor of Stat6 in mice, and Stat6 knockdown in cultured tubular cells attenuated lipid accumulation and renal fibrosis by enhancing FAO. Mechanistically, STAT6 transcriptionally inhibited the expression of PPARα and its FAO-related target genes through a sis-inducible element located in the promoter region of the protein. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the mechanistic details of STAT6-mediated FAO dysregulation in the progression of renal fibrosis and provides a preclinical rationale for efforts to improve the management of renal fibrosis brought about by FAO dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhong Li
- Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, China
| | - Youjing Yang
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Qianmin Li
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Shuhui Wei
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yujia Zhou
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Wangjianfei Yu
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Lian Xue
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ling Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, China
| | - Lei Shen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, China
| | - Guoyuan Lu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, China
| | - Ling Chen
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Shasha Tao
- Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China.
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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42
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Ye J, Chen J. Interferon and Hepatitis B: Current and Future Perspectives. Front Immunol 2021; 12:733364. [PMID: 34557195 PMCID: PMC8452902 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.733364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health burden worldwide for which there is still no effective curative treatment. Interferon (IFN) consists of a group of cytokines with antiviral activity and immunoregulatory and antitumor effects, that play crucial roles in both innate and adaptive immune responses. IFN-α and its pegylated form have been used for over thirty years to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with advantages of finite treatment duration and sustained virologic response, however, the efficacy is limited and side effects are common. Here, we summarize the status and unique advantages of IFN therapy against CHB, review the mechanisms of IFN-α action and factors affecting IFN response, and discuss the possible improvement of IFN-based therapy and the rationale of combinations with other antiviral agents in seeking an HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Ye
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
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43
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Yue L, Li C, Xu M, Wu M, Ding J, Liu J, Zhang X, Yuan Z. Probing the spatiotemporal patterns of HBV multiplication reveals novel features of its subcellular processes. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009838. [PMID: 34370796 PMCID: PMC8376071 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Through evolution, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) developed highly intricate mechanisms exploiting host resources for its multiplication within a constrained genetic coding capacity. Yet a clear picture of viral hitchhiking of cellular processes with spatial resolution is still largely unsolved. Here, by leveraging bDNA-based fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined with immunofluorescence, we developed a microscopic approach for multiplex detection of viral nucleic acids and proteins, which enabled us to probe some of the key aspects of HBV life cycle. We confirmed the slow kinetics and revealed the high variability of viral replication at single-cell level. We directly visualized HBV minichromosome in contact with acetylated histone 3 and RNA polymerase II and observed HBV-induced degradation of Smc5/6 complex only in primary hepatocytes. We quantified the frequency of HBV pregenomic RNAs occupied by translating ribosome or capsids. Statistics at molecular level suggested a rapid translation phase followed by a slow encapsidation and maturation phase. Finally, the roles of microtubules (MTs) on nucleocapsid assembly and virion morphogenesis were analyzed. Disruption of MTs resulted in the perinuclear retention of nucleocapsid. Meanwhile, large multivesicular body (MVB) formation was significantly disturbed as evidenced by the increase in number and decrease in volume of CD63+ vesicles, thus inhibiting mature virion secretion. In conclusion, these data provided spatially resolved molecular snapshots in the context of specific subcellular activities. The heterogeneity observed at single-cell level afforded valuable molecular insights which are otherwise unavailable from bulk measurements. HBV is a hepatotropic, enveloped virus with a partially double-stranded relaxed circular DNA genome. Studies on the molecular biology of HBV mainly rely on biochemical extraction and bulk quantification methods. Detailed spatiotemporal information on virus components in subcellular context is still lacking. Here, we re-evaluated the reproduction schemes of HBV by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We visualized cccDNA minichromosome formation in an epigenetic context, identified pgRNA associated with actively translating ribosomes and capsids. Moreover, the active participation of microtubules in nucleocapsid transport and MVB-mediated virion secretion was identified. These observations have broad implications for understanding the HBV replication cycle and may facilitate the identification of novel antiviral targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yue
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Li
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingzhu Xu
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Wu
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahui Ding
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiangxia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaonan Zhang
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, ACT, Australia
- * E-mail: (XZ); (ZY)
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (XZ); (ZY)
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Zhang X, Wang X, Wu M, Ghildyal R, Yuan Z. Animal Models for the Study of Hepatitis B Virus Pathobiology and Immunity: Past, Present, and Future. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:715450. [PMID: 34335553 PMCID: PMC8322840 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.715450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem that plagues approximately 240 million people. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) often leads to liver inflammation and aberrant repair which results in diseases ranging from liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, to hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its narrow species tropism, researchers have established various in vivo models for HBV or its related viruses which have provided a wealth of knowledge on viral lifecycle, pathogenesis, and immunity. Here we briefly revisit over five decades of endeavor in animal model development for HBV and summarize their advantages and limitations. We also suggest directions for further improvements that are crucial for elucidation of the viral immune-evasion strategies and for development of novel therapeutics for a functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Zhang
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomeng Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Reena Ghildyal
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) are a family of cytokines that represent a first line of defense against virus infections. The 12 different IFN-α subtypes share a receptor on target cells and trigger similar signaling cascades. Several studies have collectively shown that this apparent redundancy conceals qualitatively different responses induced by individual subtypes, which display different efficacies of inhibition of HIV replication. Some studies, however, provided evidence that the disparities are quantitative rather than qualitative. Since RNA expression analyses show a large but incomplete overlap of the genes induced, they may support both models. To explore if the IFN-α subtypes induce functionally relevant different anti-HIV activities, we have compared the efficacies of inhibition of all 12 subtypes on HIV spread and on specific steps of the viral replication cycle, including viral entry, reverse transcription, protein synthesis, and virus release. Finding different hierarchies of inhibition would validate the induction of qualitatively different responses. We found that while most subtypes similarly inhibit virus entry, they display distinctive potencies on other early steps of HIV replication. In addition, only some subtypes were able to target effectively the late steps. The extent of induction of known anti-HIV factors helps to explain some, but not all differences observed, confirming the participation of additional IFN-induced anti-HIV effectors. Our findings support the notion that different IFN-α subtypes can induce the expression of qualitatively different antiviral activities. IMPORTANCE The initial response against viruses relies in large part on type I interferons, which include 12 subtypes of IFN-α. These cytokines bind to a common receptor on the cell surface and trigger the expression of incompletely overlapping sets of genes. Whether the anti-HIV responses induced by IFN-α subtypes differ in the extent of expression or in the nature of the genes involved remains debated. Also, RNA expression profiles led to opposite conclusions, depending on the importance attributed to the induction of common or distinctive genes. To explore if relevant anti-HIV activities can be differently induced by the IFN-α subtypes, we compared their relative efficacies on specific steps of the replication cycle. We show that the hierarchy of IFN potencies depends on the step analyzed, supporting qualitatively different responses. This work will also prompt the search for novel IFN-induced anti-HIV factors acting on specific steps of the replication cycle.
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46
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Song H, Xu F, Pang X, Xiao Q, Wei Q, Lei B, Li X, Fan X, Tan G. STAT3-Dependent Gene TRIM5γ Interacts With HBx Through a Zinc Binding Site on the BBox Domain. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:663534. [PMID: 34276596 PMCID: PMC8283784 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.663534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to its broad-spectrum antivirus activities, interferon (IFN) is an important alternative agent for use in the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients; however, the mechanism involved in the inhibition of HBV infection and replication by IFN remains unclear. We previously reported that the induction of TRIM5γ is important in the IFN treatment of HBV patients as it promotes the degradation of the HBx protein, while the manner in which TRIM5γ is induced by IFN and how TRIM5γ interacts with HBx remain unestablished until date. Our present findings confirmed the TRIM5γ-HBx-DDB1 interactions in the HBV-infected Primary human hepatocytes (PHH), and we further found that STAT3, and not STAT1, was responsible for the induction of TRIM5γ upon IFN stimulation and that the zinc binding site His123 on the BBOX domain was a decisive site in the interaction between TRIM5γ BBOX and HBx. In addition, based on the BBOX domain, we detected a 7-amino acid peptide with the potential of promoting HBx degradation and inhibiting HBV replication. On the other hand, we noted that the TRIM5γ expression was inhibited by HBV in chronically HBV infected patients. Thus, our study identified the crucial role of STAT3 in the induction of TRIM5γ, as well as proposed a 7-amino acid, small peptide as a potential candidate for the development of therapeutic agents targeting HBx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiao Song
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fengchao Xu
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaoli Pang
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qingfei Xiao
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qi Wei
- Department of Anesthesia, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bingxin Lei
- Department of Anesthesia, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaolu Li
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xixi Fan
- Department of Clinical Specialty of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Guangyun Tan
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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47
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Singh P, Kairuz D, Arbuthnot P, Bloom K. Silencing hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA: The potential of an epigenetic therapy approach. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:3182-3207. [PMID: 34163105 PMCID: PMC8218364 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i23.3182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Global prophylactic vaccination programmes have helped to curb new hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. However, it is estimated that nearly 300 million people are chronically infected and have a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. As such, HBV remains a serious health priority and the development of novel curative therapeutics is urgently needed. Chronic HBV infection has been attributed to the persistence of the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) which establishes itself as a minichromosome in the nucleus of hepatocytes. As the viral transcription intermediate, the cccDNA is responsible for producing new virions and perpetuating infection. HBV is dependent on various host factors for cccDNA formation and the minichromosome is amenable to epigenetic modifications. Two HBV proteins, X (HBx) and core (HBc) promote viral replication by modulating the cccDNA epigenome and regulating host cell responses. This includes viral and host gene expression, chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, the antiviral immune response, apoptosis, and ubiquitination. Elimination of the cccDNA minichromosome would result in a sterilizing cure; however, this may be difficult to achieve. Epigenetic therapies could permanently silence the cccDNA minichromosome and promote a functional cure. This review explores the cccDNA epigenome, how host and viral factors influence transcription, and the recent epigenetic therapies and epigenome engineering approaches that have been described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashika Singh
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Dylan Kairuz
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Patrick Arbuthnot
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Kristie Bloom
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, Gauteng, South Africa
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Review of Lambda Interferons in Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Outcomes and Therapeutic Strategies. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061090. [PMID: 34207487 PMCID: PMC8230240 DOI: 10.3390/v13061090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects over 250 million people worldwide and causes nearly 1 million deaths per year due to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Approved treatments for chronic infection include injectable type-I interferons and nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors. A small minority of patients achieve seroclearance after treatment with type-I interferons, defined as sustained absence of detectable HBV DNA and surface antigen (HBsAg) antigenemia. However, type-I interferons cause significant side effects, are costly, must be administered for months, and most patients have viral rebound or non-response. Nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors reduce HBV viral load and improve liver-related outcomes, but do not lower HBsAg levels or impart seroclearance. Thus, new therapeutics are urgently needed. Lambda interferons (IFNLs) have been tested as an alternative strategy to stimulate host antiviral pathways to treat HBV infection. IFNLs comprise an evolutionarily conserved innate immune pathway and have cell-type specific activity on hepatocytes, other epithelial cells found at mucosal surfaces, and some immune cells due to restricted cellular expression of the IFNL receptor. This article will review work that examined expression of IFNLs during acute and chronic HBV infection, the impact of IFNLs on HBV replication in vitro and in vivo, the association of polymorphisms in IFNL genes with clinical outcomes, and the therapeutic evaluation of IFNLs for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Li X, Peng T. Strategy, Progress, and Challenges of Drug Repurposing for Efficient Antiviral Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:660710. [PMID: 34017257 PMCID: PMC8129523 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.660710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging or re-emerging viruses are still major threats to public health. Prophylactic vaccines represent the most effective way to prevent virus infection; however, antivirals are more promising for those viruses against which vaccines are not effective enough or contemporarily unavailable. Because of the slow pace of novel antiviral discovery, the high disuse rates, and the substantial cost, repurposing of the well-characterized therapeutics, either approved or under investigation, is becoming an attractive strategy to identify the new directions to treat virus infections. In this review, we described recent progress in identifying broad-spectrum antivirals through drug repurposing. We defined the two major categories of the repurposed antivirals, direct-acting repurposed antivirals (DARA) and host-targeting repurposed antivirals (HTRA). Under each category, we summarized repurposed antivirals with potential broad-spectrum activity against a variety of viruses and discussed the possible mechanisms of action. Finally, we proposed the potential investigative directions of drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, College of Basic Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Goh ZY, Ren EC, Ko HL. Intracellular interferon signalling pathways as potential regulators of covalently closed circular DNA in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:1369-1391. [PMID: 33911462 PMCID: PMC8047536 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i14.1369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still a major global health threat as 250 million people worldwide continue to be chronically infected with the virus. While patients may be treated with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, this only suppresses HBV titre to sub-detection levels without eliminating the persistent HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) genome. As a result, HBV infection cannot be cured, and the virus reactivates when conditions are favorable. Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines known to induce powerful antiviral mechanisms that clear viruses from infected cells. They have been shown to induce cccDNA clearance, but their use in the treatment of HBV infection is limited as HBV-targeting immune cells are exhausted and HBV has evolved multiple mechanisms to evade and suppress IFN signalling. Thus, to fully utilize IFN-mediated intracellular mechanisms to effectively eliminate HBV, instead of direct IFN administration, novel strategies to sustain IFN-mediated anti-cccDNA and antiviral mechanisms need to be developed. This review will consolidate what is known about how IFNs act to achieve its intracellular antiviral effects and highlight the critical interferon-stimulated gene targets and effector mechanisms with potent anti-cccDNA functions. These include cccDNA degradation by APOBECs and cccDNA silencing and transcription repression by epigenetic modifications. In addition, the mechanisms that HBV employs to disrupt IFN signalling will be discussed. Drugs that have been developed or are in the pipeline for components of the IFN signalling pathway and HBV targets that detract IFN signalling mechanisms will also be identified and discussed for utility in the treatment of HBV infections. Together, these will provide useful insights into design strategies that specifically target cccDNA for the eradication of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yi Goh
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore
- Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme, NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Ee Chee Ren
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
| | - Hui Ling Ko
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore
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