1
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Naully PG, Tan MI, Agustiningsih A, Sukowati C, Giri-Rachman EA. cccDNA epigenetic regulator as target for therapeutical vaccine development against hepatitis B. Ann Hepatol 2024; 30:101533. [PMID: 39147134 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2024.101533] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) remains a global health concern, with currently available antiviral therapies demonstrating limited effectiveness in preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Two primary challenges in CHB treatment include the persistence of the minichromosome, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the failure of the host immune response to eliminate cccDNA. Recent findings indicate several host and HBV proteins involved in the epigenetic regulation of cccDNA, including HBV core protein (HBc) and HBV x protein (HBx). Both proteins might contribute to the stability of the cccDNA minichromosome and interact with viral and host proteins to support transcription. One potential avenue for CHB treatment involves the utilization of therapeutic vaccines. This paper explores HBV antigens suitable for epigenetic manipulation of cccDNA, elucidates their mechanisms of action, and evaluates their potential as key components of epigenetically-driven vaccines for CHB therapy. Molecular targeted agents with therapeutic vaccines offer a promising strategy for addressing CHB by targeting the virus and enhancing the host's immunological response. Despite challenges, the development of these vaccines provides new hope for CHB patients by emphasizing the need for HBV antigens that induce effective immune responses without causing T cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gita Naully
- School of Life Science and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung 40132, Indonesia; Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Jenderal Achmad Yani University, Cimahi 40525, Indonesia
| | - Marselina Irasonia Tan
- School of Life Science and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - Agustiningsih Agustiningsih
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, Research Organization for Health, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Jakarta Pusat 10340, Indonesia
| | - Caecilia Sukowati
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, Research Organization for Health, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Jakarta Pusat 10340, Indonesia; Liver Cancer Unit, Fondazione Italiana Fegato ONLUS, AREA Science Park, Basovizza 34049, Trieste, Italy
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2
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Prescott NA, Mansisidor A, Bram Y, Biaco T, Rendleman J, Faulkner SC, Lemmon AA, Lim C, Hamard PJ, Koche RP, Risca VI, Schwartz RE, David Y. A nucleosome switch primes Hepatitis B Virus infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.03.03.531011. [PMID: 38915612 PMCID: PMC11195122 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.03.531011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an incurable global health threat responsible for causing liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. During the genesis of infection, HBV establishes an independent minichromosome consisting of the viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) genome and host histones. The viral X gene must be expressed immediately upon infection to induce degradation of the host silencing factor, Smc5/6. However, the relationship between cccDNA chromatinization and X gene transcription remains poorly understood. Establishing a reconstituted viral minichromosome platform, we found that nucleosome occupancy in cccDNA drives X transcription. We corroborated these findings in cells and further showed that the chromatin destabilizing molecule CBL137 inhibits X transcription and HBV infection in hepatocytes. Our results shed light on a long-standing paradox and represent a potential new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Prescott
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andrés Mansisidor
- Laboratory of Genome Architecture and Dynamics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Yaron Bram
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Tracy Biaco
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Justin Rendleman
- Laboratory of Genome Architecture and Dynamics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah C. Faulkner
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Abigail A. Lemmon
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Christine Lim
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Pierre-Jacques Hamard
- Epigenetics Research Innovation Lab, Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Richard P. Koche
- Epigenetics Research Innovation Lab, Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Viviana I. Risca
- Laboratory of Genome Architecture and Dynamics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Robert E. Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yael David
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Lead Contact
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3
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Meewan I, Panmanee J, Petchyam N, Lertvilai P. HBCVTr: an end-to-end transformer with a deep neural network hybrid model for anti-HBV and HCV activity predictor from SMILES. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9262. [PMID: 38649402 PMCID: PMC11035669 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59933-4] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) are significant causes of chronic liver diseases, with approximately 350 million infections globally. To accelerate the finding of effective treatment options, we introduce HBCVTr, a novel ligand-based drug design (LBDD) method for predicting the inhibitory activity of small molecules against HBV and HCV. HBCVTr employs a hybrid model consisting of double encoders of transformers and a deep neural network to learn the relationship between small molecules' simplified molecular-input line-entry system (SMILES) and their antiviral activity against HBV or HCV. The prediction accuracy of HBCVTr has surpassed baseline machine learning models and existing methods, with R-squared values of 0.641 and 0.721 for the HBV and HCV test sets, respectively. The trained models were successfully applied to virtual screening against 10 million compounds within 240 h, leading to the discovery of the top novel inhibitor candidates, including IJN04 for HBV and IJN12 and IJN19 for HCV. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations identified IJN04, IJN12, and IJN19 target proteins as the HBV core antigen, HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and HCV NS3/4A serine protease, respectively. Overall, HBCVTr offers a new and rapid drug discovery and development screening method targeting HBV and HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ittipat Meewan
- Center for Advanced Therapeutics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
| | - Jiraporn Panmanee
- Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Nopphon Petchyam
- Center for Advanced Therapeutics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Pichaya Lertvilai
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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4
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Gómez-Moreno A, Ploss A. Mechanisms of Hepatitis B Virus cccDNA and Minichromosome Formation and HBV Gene Transcription. Viruses 2024; 16:609. [PMID: 38675950 PMCID: PMC11054251 DOI: 10.3390/v16040609] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the etiologic agent of chronic hepatitis B, which puts at least 300 million patients at risk of developing fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV is a partially double-stranded DNA virus of the Hepadnaviridae family. While HBV was discovered more than 50 years ago, many aspects of its replicative cycle remain incompletely understood. Central to HBV persistence is the formation of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) from the incoming relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) genome. cccDNA persists as a chromatinized minichromosome and is the major template for HBV gene transcription. Here, we review how cccDNA and the viral minichromosome are formed and how viral gene transcription is regulated and highlight open questions in this area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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5
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Zhang Y, Yuan X, Wang J, Han M, Lu H, Wang Y, Liu S, Yang S, Xing HC, Cheng J. TRPV4 promotes HBV replication and capsid assembly via methylation modification of H3K4 and HBc ubiquitin. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29510. [PMID: 38573018 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29510] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant burden on global public health. Unfortunately, current treatments cannot fully alleviate this burden as they have limited effect on the transcriptional activity of the tenacious covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) responsible for viral persistence. Consequently, the HBV life cycle should be further investigated to develop new anti-HBV pharmaceutical targets. Our previous study discovered that the host gene TMEM203 hinders HBV replication by participating in calcium ion regulation. The involvement of intracellular calcium in HBV replication has also been confirmed. In this study, we found that transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) notably enhances HBV reproduction by investigating the effects of several calcium ion-related molecules on HBV replication. The in-depth study showed that TRPV4 promotes hepatitis B core/capsid protein (HBc) protein stability through the ubiquitination pathway and then promotes the nucleocapsid assembly. HBc binds to cccDNA and reduces the nucleosome spacing of the cccDNA-histones complex, which may regulate HBV transcription by altering the nucleosome arrangement of the HBV genome. Moreover, our results showed that TRPV4 promotes cccDNA-dependent transcription by accelerating the methylation modification of H3K4. In conclusion, TRPV4 could interact with HBV core protein and regulate HBV during transcription and replication. These data suggest that TRPV4 exerts multifaceted HBV-related synergistic factors and may serve as a therapeutic target for CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing Ditan Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxue Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Han
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongping Lu
- Beijing Pan-Asia Tongze Institute of Biomedicine Co, Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing Ditan Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The First Section of Liver Disease, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shunai Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Song Yang
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing Ditan Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Chun Xing
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing Ditan Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Cheng
- Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing Ditan Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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6
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Mouzannar K, Schauer A, Liang TJ. The Post-Transcriptional Regulatory Element of Hepatitis B Virus: From Discovery to Therapy. Viruses 2024; 16:528. [PMID: 38675871 PMCID: PMC11055085 DOI: 10.3390/v16040528] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The post-transcriptional regulatory element (PRE) is present in all HBV mRNAs and plays a major role in their stability, nuclear export, and enhancement of viral gene expression. Understanding PRE's structure, function, and mode of action is essential to leverage its potential as a therapeutic target. A wide range of PRE-based reagents and tools have been developed and assessed in preclinical and clinical settings for therapeutic and biotechnology applications. This manuscript aims to provide a systematic review of the characteristics and mechanism of action of PRE, as well as elucidating its current applications in basic and clinical research. Finally, we discuss the promising opportunities that PRE may provide to antiviral development, viral biology, and potentially beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Mouzannar
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetics and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | | | - T. Jake Liang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetics and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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7
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Wang Z, Liu N, Yang Y, Tu Z. The novel mechanism facilitating chronic hepatitis B infection: immunometabolism and epigenetic modification reprogramming. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1349867. [PMID: 38288308 PMCID: PMC10822934 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1349867] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections pose a global public health challenge. Despite extensive research on this disease, the intricate mechanisms underlying persistent HBV infection require further in-depth elucidation. Recent studies have revealed the pivotal roles of immunometabolism and epigenetic reprogramming in chronic HBV infection. Immunometabolism have identified as the process, which link cell metabolic status with innate immunity functions in response to HBV infection, ultimately contributing to the immune system's inability to resolve Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB). Within hepatocytes, HBV replication leads to a stable viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) minichromosome located in the nucleus, and epigenetic modifications in cccDNA enable persistence of infection. Additionally, the accumulation or depletion of metabolites not only directly affects the function and homeostasis of immune cells but also serves as a substrate for regulating epigenetic modifications, subsequently influencing the expression of antiviral immune genes and facilitating the occurrence of sustained HBV infection. The interaction between immunometabolism and epigenetic modifications has led to a new research field, known as metabolic epigenomics, which may form a mutually reinforcing relationship with CHB. Herein, we review the recent studies on immunometabolism and epigenetic reprogramming in CHB infection and discuss the potential mechanisms of persistent HBV infection. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms will offer novel insights and targets for intervention strategies against chronic HBV infection, thereby providing new hope for the treatment of related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengmin Wang
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhengkun Tu
- Department of Hepatology, 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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8
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Hu K, Zai W, Wang Y, Ye J, Yuan Z, Chen J. Analysis of HBV cccDNA Minichromosome Accessibility by MNase-qPCR and High-Throughput Sequencing. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2837:33-43. [PMID: 39044073 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4027-2_4] [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] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is organized as a minichromosome structure in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes and considered the major obstacle to the discovery of a cure for HBV. Until now, no strategies directly targeting cccDNA have been advanced to clinical stages as much is unknown about the accessibility and activity regulation of the cccDNA minichromosome. We have described the method for evaluation of the cccDNA minichromosome accessibility using micrococcal nuclease-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing, which could be useful tools for cccDNA research and HBV cure studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kongying Hu
- 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 Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjing Zai
- 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 Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Wang
- 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 Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 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 Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 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 Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 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 Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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9
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Kim ES, Guo H. Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2837:23-32. [PMID: 39044072 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4027-2_3] [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] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an obligate human hepatotropic DNA virus causing both transient and chronic infection. The livers of chronic hepatitis B patients have a high risk of developing liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The nuclear episomal viral DNA intermediate, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), forms a highly stable complex with host and viral proteins to serve as a transcription template and support HBV infection chronicity. Thus, characterization of the composition and dynamics of cccDNA nucleoprotein complexes providing cccDNA stability and gene regulation is of high importance for both basic and medical research. The presented method for chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with qPCR (ChIP-qPCR) allows to assess provisional physical interaction of the protein of interest (POI) with cccDNA using POI-specific antibody, the level of enrichment of a POI on cccDNA versus control/background is characterized quantitatively using qPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena S Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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10
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Xia Y, Cheng X, Nilsson T, Zhang M, Zhao G, Inuzuka T, Teng Y, Li Y, Anderson DE, Holdorf M, Liang TJ. Nucleolin binds to and regulates transcription of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA minichromosome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306390120. [PMID: 38015841 PMCID: PMC10710063 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306390120] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major public health threat with nearly 300 million people chronically infected worldwide who are at a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies are effective in suppressing HBV replication but rarely lead to cure. Current therapies do not affect the HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which serves as the template for viral transcription and replication and is highly stable in infected cells to ensure viral persistence. In this study, we aim to identify and elucidate the functional role of cccDNA-associated host factors using affinity purification and protein mass spectrometry in HBV-infected cells. Nucleolin was identified as a key cccDNA-binding protein and shown to play an important role in HBV cccDNA transcription, likely via epigenetic regulation. Targeting nucleolin to silence cccDNA transcription in infected hepatocytes may be a promising therapeutic strategy for a functional cure of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Xia
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan430071, China
| | - Xiaoming Cheng
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan430071, China
| | - Tobias Nilsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, CA94608
| | - Min Zhang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Gaihong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan430071, China
| | - Tadashi Inuzuka
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Yan Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan430071, China
| | - Yao Li
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - D. Eric Anderson
- Advanced Mass Spectrometry Core, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Meghan Holdorf
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, CA94608
| | - T. Jake Liang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
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11
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Zhang H, Tu T. Targeting Hepatitis B Virus DNA Using Designer Gene Editors. Clin Liver Dis 2023; 27:895-916. [PMID: 37778776 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.05.006] [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] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious disease that currently has no cure. Key forms of HBV include covalently closed circular DNA, which mediates chronic persistence, and integrated DNA, which contributes to immune evasion and carcinogenesis. These forms are not targeted by current therapies; however, gene editing technologies have emerged as promising tools for disrupting HBV DNA. Gene editor-induced double-stranded breaks at precise locations within the HBV genome can induce effects ranging from inactivation of target genes to complete degradation of the target genome. Although promising, several challenges remain in efficacy and safety that require solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Zhang
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney School of Medicine and Health, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Thomas Tu
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney School of Medicine and Health, 176 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
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12
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Lok J, Guerra Veloz MF, Agarwal K. Overview of New Targets for Hepatitis B Virus: Immune Modulators, Interferons, Bifunctional Peptides, Therapeutic Vaccines and Beyond. Clin Liver Dis 2023; 27:857-876. [PMID: 37778774 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.05.003] [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] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Nucleos(t)ide analogs are the cornerstone of treatment against hepatitis B virus; however, they have no direct effect on its transcriptional template (ie, covalently closed circular DNA) and so functional cure is rarely achieved. Over recent years, there has been a significant improvement in our understanding of the viral life cycle and its mechanisms of immune evasion. In this review article, we will explore novel therapeutic targets, discuss the latest data from clinical trials, and highlight future research priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Lok
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, SE5 9RS, UK
| | | | - Kosh Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, SE5 9RS, UK.
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13
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He P, Zhang P, Fang Y, Han N, Yang W, Xia Z, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Shen J. The role of HBV cccDNA in occult hepatitis B virus infection. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:2297-2307. [PMID: 36735210 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04660-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) refers to the presence of replication-competent HBV DNA in the liver, with or without HBV DNA in the blood, in individuals who tested negative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). In this peculiar phase of HBV infection, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is in a low state of replication. Several advances have been made toward clarifying the mechanisms involved in such a suppression of viral activity, which seems to be mainly related to the host's immune control and epigenetic factors. Although the underlying mechanisms describing the genesis of OBI are not completely known, the presence of viral cccDNA, which remains in a low state of replication due to the host's strong immune suppression of HBV replication and gene expression, appears to be the causative factor. Through this review, we have provided an updated account on the role of HBV cccDNA in regulating OBI. We have comprehensively described the HBV cell cycle, cccDNA kinetics, current regulatory mechanisms, and the therapeutic methods of cccDNA in OBI-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Peixin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yaping Fang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ning Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wensu Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoxin Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Jilu Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China.
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China.
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14
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McFadden WM, Sarafianos SG. Biology of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core and capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cure. Glob Health Med 2023; 5:199-207. [PMID: 37655181 PMCID: PMC10461335 DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2023.01065] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepadnavirus, a small DNA virus that infects liver tissue, with some unusual replication steps that share similarities to retroviruses. HBV infection can lead to chronic hepatitis B (CHB), a life-long infection associated with significant risks of liver disease, especially if untreated. HBV is a significant global health problem, with hundreds of millions currently living with CHB. Currently approved strategies to prevent or inhibit HBV are highly effective, however, a cure for CHB has remained elusive. To achieve a cure, elimination of the functionally integrated HBV covalently closed chromosomal DNA (cccDNA) genome is required. The capsid core is an essential component of HBV replication, serving roles when establishing infection and in creating new virions. Over the last two and a half decades, significant efforts have been made to find and characterize antivirals that target the capsid, specifically the HBV core protein (Cp). The antivirals that interfere with the kinetics and morphology of the capsid, termed capsid assembly modulators (CAMs), are extremely potent, and clinical investigations indicate they are well tolerated and highly effective. Several CAMs offer the potential to cure CHB by decreasing the cccDNA pools. Here, we review the biology of the HBV capsid, focused on Cp, and the development of inhibitors that target it.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M. McFadden
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stefan G. Sarafianos
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
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15
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Yang D, Tian R, Deng R, Xue B, Liu S, Wang L, Li H, Liu Q, Wan M, Tang S, Wang X, Zhu H. The dual functions of KDM7A in HBV replication and immune microenvironment. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0164123. [PMID: 37623314 PMCID: PMC10581003 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01641-23] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
KDM7A (lysine demethylase 7A, also known as JHDM1D) is a histone demethylase, it is mainly involved in the intracellular post-translational modifications process. Recently, it has been proved that the histone demethylase members can regulate the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the expression of key molecules in the Janus-activated kinase-signal transducer and activator of the transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway by chromatin modifying mechanisms. In our study, we identify novel roles of KDM7A in HBV replication and immune microenvironment through two subjects: pathogen and host. On the one hand, KDM7A is highly expressed in HBV-infected cells and promotes HBV replication in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, KDM7A interacts with HBV covalently closed circular DNA and augments the activity of the HBV core promoter. On the other hand, KDM7A can remodel the immune microenvironment. It inhibits the expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) through the IFN-γ/JAK2/STAT1 signaling pathway in both hepatocytes and macrophages. Further study shows that KDM7A interacts with JAK2 and STAT1 and affects their methylation. In general, we demonstrate the dual functions of KDM7A in HBV replication and immune microenvironment, and then we propose a new therapeutic target for HBV infection and immunotherapy. IMPORTANCE Histone lysine demethylase KDM7A can interact with covalently closed circular DNA and promote the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The IFN-γ/JAK2/STAT1 signaling pathway in macrophages and hepatocytes is also downregulated by KDM7A. This study provides new insights into the mechanism of HBV infection and the remodeling of the immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Yang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Renyun Tian
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Rilin Deng
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Binbin Xue
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital and The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China
| | - Shun Liu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Luoling Wang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huiyi Li
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mengyu Wan
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Songqing Tang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haizhen Zhu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital and The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China
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16
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Liu W, Yao Q, Su X, Deng Y, Yang M, Peng B, Zhao F, Du C, Zhang X, Zhu J, Wang D, Li W, Li H. Molecular insights into Spindlin1-HBx interplay and its impact on HBV transcription from cccDNA minichromosome. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4663. [PMID: 37537164 PMCID: PMC10400593 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40225-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular interplay between host epigenetic factors and viral proteins constitutes an intriguing mechanism for sustaining hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle and its chronic infection. HBV encodes a regulatory protein, HBx, which activates transcription and replication of HBV genome organized as covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA minichromosome. Here we illustrate how HBx accomplishes its task by hijacking Spindlin1, an epigenetic reader comprising three consecutive Tudor domains. Our biochemical and structural studies have revealed that the highly conserved N-terminal 2-21 segment of HBx (HBx2-21) associates intimately with Tudor 3 of Spindlin1, enhancing histone H3 "K4me3-K9me3" readout by Tudors 2 and 1. Functionally, Spindlin1-HBx engagement promotes gene expression from the chromatinized cccDNA, accompanied by an epigenetic switch from an H3K9me3-enriched repressive state to an H3K4me3-marked active state, as well as a conformational switch of HBx that may occur in coordination with other HBx-binding factors, such as DDB1. Despite a proposed transrepression activity of HBx2-21, our study reveals a key role of Spindlin1 in derepressing this conserved motif, thereby promoting HBV transcription from its chromatinized genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, SXMU-Tsinghua Collaborative Innovation Center for Frontier Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qiyan Yao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaonan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, SXMU-Tsinghua Collaborative Innovation Center for Frontier Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yafang Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, SXMU-Tsinghua Collaborative Innovation Center for Frontier Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Mo Yang
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, 1050 Boyles Str., Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Bo Peng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Fan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, SXMU-Tsinghua Collaborative Innovation Center for Frontier Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chao Du
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, SXMU-Tsinghua Collaborative Innovation Center for Frontier Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiulan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, SXMU-Tsinghua Collaborative Innovation Center for Frontier Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jinsong Zhu
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- Suzhou Puxin Life Science Technology, Ltd, Suzhou, 215124, China
| | - Daliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, SXMU-Tsinghua Collaborative Innovation Center for Frontier Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China.
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Haitao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, SXMU-Tsinghua Collaborative Innovation Center for Frontier Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China.
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17
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Villanueva RA, Loyola A. Pre- and Post-Transcriptional Control of HBV Gene Expression: The Road Traveled towards the New Paradigm of HBx, Its Isoforms, and Their Diverse Functions. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1674. [PMID: 37371770 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061674] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA human virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family. Perhaps its main distinguishable characteristic is the replication of its genome through a reverse transcription process. The HBV circular genome encodes only four overlapping reading frames, encoding for the main canonical proteins named core, P, surface, and X (or HBx protein). However, pre- and post-transcriptional gene regulation diversifies the full HBV proteome into diverse isoform proteins. In line with this, hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a viral multifunctional and regulatory protein of 16.5 kDa, whose canonical reading frame presents two phylogenetically conserved internal in-frame translational initiation codons, and which results as well in the expression of two divergent N-terminal smaller isoforms of 8.6 and 5.8 kDa, during translation. The canonical HBx, as well as the smaller isoform proteins, displays different roles during viral replication and subcellular localizations. In this article, we reviewed the different mechanisms of pre- and post-transcriptional regulation of protein expression that take place during viral replication. We also investigated all the past and recent evidence about HBV HBx gene regulation and its divergent N-terminal isoform proteins. Evidence has been collected for over 30 years. The accumulated evidence simply strengthens the concept of a new paradigm of the canonical HBx, and its smaller divergent N-terminal isoform proteins, not only during viral replication, but also throughout cell pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alejandra Loyola
- Centro Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 8580702, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 7510602, Chile
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18
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Doan PTB, Nio K, Shimakami T, Kuroki K, Li YY, Sugimoto S, Takayama H, Okada H, Kaneko S, Honda M, Yamashita T. Super-Resolution Microscopy Analysis of Hepatitis B Viral cccDNA and Host Factors. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051178. [PMID: 37243264 DOI: 10.3390/v15051178] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cannot be cured completely because of the persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). We previously found that the host gene dedicator of cytokinesis 11 (DOCK11) was required for HBV persistence. In this study, we further investigated the mechanism that links DOCK11 to other host genes in the regulation of cccDNA transcription. cccDNA levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in stable HBV-producing cell lines and HBV-infected PXB-cells®. Interactions between DOCK11 and other host genes were identified by super-resolution microscopy, immunoblotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. FISH facilitated the subcellular localization of key HBV nucleic acids. Interestingly, although DOCK11 partially colocalized with histone proteins, such as H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, and nonhistone proteins, such as RNA Pol II, it played limited roles in histone modification and RNA transcription. DOCK11 was functionally involved in regulating the subnuclear distribution of host factors and/or cccDNA, resulting in an increase in cccDNA closely located to H3K4me3 and RNA Pol II for activating cccDNA transcription. Thus, it was suggested that the association of cccDNA-bound Pol II and H3K4me3 required the assistance of DOCK11. DOCK11 facilitated the association of cccDNA with H3K4me3 and RNA Pol II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Thi Bich Doan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Kouki Nio
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Shimakami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Kuroki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Ying-Yi Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Saiho Sugimoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hideo Takayama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hikari Okada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Masao Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Taro Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
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19
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Wang L, Zhu Q, Zhang JD, Zhang Y, Ni X, Xiang K, Jiang J, Li B, Yu Y, Hu H, Zhang M, Wu W, Zeng J, Yan Z, Dai J, Sun K, Zhang X, Chen D, Feng S, Sach-Peltason L, Young JAT, Gao L. Discovery of a first-in-class orally available HBV cccDNA inhibitor. J Hepatol 2023; 78:742-753. [PMID: 36587899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in infected hepatocytes is the major barrier preventing viral eradication with existing therapies in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Therapeutic agents that can eliminate cccDNA are urgently needed to achieve viral eradication and thus HBV cure. METHODS A phenotypic assay with HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) was employed to screen for novel cccDNA inhibitors. A HBVcircle mouse model and a uPA-SCID (urokinase-type plasminogen activator-severe combined immunodeficiency) humanized liver mouse model were used to evaluate the anti-HBV efficacy of the discovered cccDNA inhibitors. RESULTS Potent and dose-dependent reductions in extracellular HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg levels were achieved upon the initiation of ccc_R08 treatment two days after the HBV infection of PHHs. More importantly, the level of cccDNA was specifically reduced by ccc_R08, while it did not obviously affect mitochondrial DNA. Additionally, ccc_R08 showed no significant cytotoxicity in PHHs or in multiple proliferating cell lines. The twice daily oral administration of ccc_R08 to HBVcircle model mice, which contained surrogate cccDNA molecules, significantly decreased the serum levels of HBV DNA and antigens, and these effects were sustained during the off-treatment follow-up period. Moreover, at the end of follow-up, the levels of surrogate cccDNA molecules in the livers of ccc_R08-treated HBVcircle mice were reduced to below the lower limit of quantification. CONCLUSIONS We have discovered a small-molecule cccDNA inhibitor that reduces HBV cccDNA levels. cccDNA inhibitors potentially represent a new approach to completely cure patients chronically infected with HBV. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) persistence in HBV-infected hepatocytes is the root cause of chronic hepatitis B. We discovered a novel small-molecule cccDNA inhibitor that can specifically reduce cccDNA levels in HBV-infected hepatocytes. This type of molecule could offer a new approach to completely cure patients chronically infected with HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Infectious Disease Discovery
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hui Hu
- Infectious Disease Discovery
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xin Zhang
- Preclinical Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls
| | | | | | - Lisa Sach-Peltason
- Data & Analytics, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Innovation Center Basel
| | | | - Lu Gao
- Infectious Disease Discovery.
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20
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Yu X, Long Q, Shen S, Liu Z, Chandran J, Zhang J, Ding H, Zhang H, Cai D, Kim ES, Huang Y, Guo H. Screening of an epigenetic compound library identifies BRD4 as a potential antiviral target for hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA transcription. Antiviral Res 2023; 211:105552. [PMID: 36737008 PMCID: PMC10036215 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105552] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
HBV cccDNA is the persistent form of viral genome, which exists in host cell nucleus as an episomal minichromosome decorated with histone and non-histone proteins. cccDNA is the authentic viral transcription template and resistant to current antivirals. Growing evidence shows that the transcriptional activity of cccDNA minichromosome undergoes epigenetic regulations, suggesting a new perspective for anti-cccDNA drug development through targeting histone modifications. In this study, we screened an epigenetic compound library in the cccDNA reporter cell line HepBHAe82, which produces the HA-tagged HBeAg in a cccDNA-dependent manner. Among the obtained hits, a bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor MS436 exhibited marked inhibition of cccDNA transcription in both HBV stable cell line HepAD38 and HepG2-NTCP or primary human hepatocyte infection system under noncytotoxic concentrations. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay demonstrated that MS436 dramatically reduced the enrichment of H3K27ac, an activating histone modification pattern, on cccDNA minichromosome. RNAseq differential analysis showed that MS436 does not drastically change host transcriptome or induce any known anti-HBV factors/pathways, indicating a direct antiviral effect of MS436 on cccDNA minichromosome. Interestingly, the MS436-mediated inhibition of cccDNA transcription is accompanied by cccDNA destabilization in HBV infection and a recombinant cccDNA system, indicating that BRD4 activity may also play a role in cccDNA maintenance. Furthermore, depletion of BRD4 by siRNA knockdown or PROTAC degrader resulted in cccDNA inhibition in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells, further validating BRD4 as an antiviral target. Taken together, our study has demonstrated the practicability of HepBHAe82-based anti-HBV drug screening system and provided a proof-of-concept for targeting HBV cccDNA with epigenetic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Quanxin Long
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sheng Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Zhentao Liu
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jithin Chandran
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hao Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Dawei Cai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Elena S Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yufei Huang
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Illuminating the Live-Cell Dynamics of Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA Using the CRISPR-Tag System. mBio 2023; 14:e0355022. [PMID: 36840581 PMCID: PMC10128046 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03550-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major obstacle to curing chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Current cccDNA detection methods are mostly based on biochemical extraction and bulk measurements. They nevertheless generated a general sketch of its biological features. However, an understanding of the spatiotemporal features of cccDNA is still lacking. To achieve this, we established a system combining CRISPR-Tag and recombinant HBV minicircle technology to visualize cccDNA at single-cell level in real time. Using this system, we found that the observed recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) correlated quantitatively with its active transcripts when a low to medium number of foci (<20) are present, but this correlation was lost in cells harboring high copy numbers (≥20) of rcccDNA. The disruption of HBx expression seems to displace cccDNA from the dCas9-accessible region, while HBx complementation restored the number of observable cccDNA foci. This indicated regulation of cccDNA accessibility by HBx. Second, observable HBV and duck HBV (DHBV) cccDNA molecules are substantially lost during cell division, and the remaining ones were distributed randomly to daughter cells. In contrast, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-derived episomes can be retained in a LANA (latency-associated nuclear antigen)-dependent manner. Last, the dynamics of rcccDNA episomes in nuclei displayed confined diffusion at short time scales, with directional transport over longer time scales. In conclusion, this system enables the study of physiological kinetics of cccDNA at the single-cell level. The differential accessibility of rcccDNA to dCas9 under various physiological conditions may be exploited to elucidate the complex transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of the HBV minichromosome. IMPORTANCE Understanding the formation and maintenance of HBV cccDNA has always been a central issue in the study of HBV pathobiology. However, little progress has been made due to the lack of robust assay systems and its resistance to genetic modification. Here, a live-cell imaging system by grafting CRISPR-Tag into the recombinant cccDNA was established to visualize its molecular behavior in real time. We found that the accessibility of rcccDNA to dCas9-based imaging is related to HBx-regulated mechanisms. We also confirmed the substantial loss of observable rcccDNA in one-round cell division and random distribution of the remaining molecules. Molecular dynamics analysis revealed the confined movement of the rcccDNA episome, suggesting its juxtaposition to chromatin domains. Overall, this novel system offers a unique platform to investigate the intranuclear dynamics of cccDNA within live cells.
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PPIases Par14/Par17 Affect HBV Replication in Multiple Ways. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020457. [PMID: 36851672 PMCID: PMC9962505 DOI: 10.3390/v15020457] [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: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Human parvulin 14 (Par14) and parvulin 17 (Par17) are peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases that upregulate hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by binding to the conserved 133Arg-Pro134 (RP) motif of HBc and core particles, and 19RP20-28RP29 motifs of HBx. In the absence of HBx, Par14/Par17 have no effect on HBV replication. Interaction with Par14/Par17 enhances the stability of HBx, core particles, and HBc. Par14/Par17 binds outside and inside core particles and is involved in HBc dimer-dimer interaction to facilitate core particle assembly. Although HBc RP motif is important for HBV replication, R133 residue is solely important for its interaction with Par14/Par17. Interaction of Par14 and Par17 with HBx involves two substrate-binding residues, Glu46/Asp74 (E46/D74) and E71/D99, respectively, and promotes HBx translocation to the nucleus and mitochondria. In the presence of HBx, Par14/Par17 are efficiently recruited to cccDNA and promote transcriptional activation via specific DNA-binding residues Ser19/44 (S19/44). S19 and E46/D74 of Par14, and S44 and E71/D99 of Par17, are also involved in the recruitment of HBc onto cccDNA. Par14/Par17 upregulate HBV replication via various effects that are mediated in part through the HBx-Par14/Par17-cccDNA complex and triple HBc, Par14/Par17, and cccDNA interactions in the nucleus, as well as via core particle-Par14/Par17 interactions in the cytoplasm.
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Etienne S, Vosbeck J, Bernsmeier C, Osthoff M. Prevention of Hepatitis B Reactivation in Patients Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy: a Case Series and Appraisal of Society Guidelines. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:490-501. [PMID: 36138278 PMCID: PMC9905451 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07806-9] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B (HBV) reactivation (HBVr) is a potentially fatal complication in patients with past HBV exposure receiving immunosuppressive therapy. HBVr can occur in patients with chronic HBV infection as well as in patients with resolved HBV infection. In this article, we present the cases of four patients with resolved hepatitis B who presented with HBVr during or after immunosuppressive treatment, of whom two died as a consequence of HBVr. We then reflect on and summarize the recommendations of four major societies for the screening and management of previously HBV-exposed patients planned to receive immunosuppressive treatment. Current guidelines recommend screening for HBV in all patients planned to receive immunosuppressive therapy. Risk of HBVr is assessed based on the serological status of the patient and the planned immunosuppressive drug regimen. For patients considered to be at low risk of HBVr, management consists of serological monitoring for HBVr and immediate preemptive antiviral therapy in the case of HBVr. For patients considered to be at intermediate or high risk for HBVr, antiviral prophylaxis should be initiated concordantly with the immunosuppressive therapy and continued for up to 18 months after cessation of the immunosuppressive regimen. Areas of uncertainty include the risk of novel and emerging immunosuppressive and immune modulatory drugs and the exact duration of antiviral prophylaxis. Greater awareness is needed among clinicians regarding the risk of HBVr in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, especially in low-endemicity settings. Implementation of screening and management programs and decision support tools based on the presented guidelines may improve the management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Etienne
- Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Vosbeck
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Michael Osthoff
- Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Saeed U, Piracha ZZ. PIN1 and PIN4 inhibition via parvulin impeders Juglone, PiB, ATRA, 6,7,4'-THIF, KPT6566, and EGCG thwarted hepatitis B virus replication. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:921653. [PMID: 36760500 PMCID: PMC9905731 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.921653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human parvulin peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerases PIN1 and PIN4 play important roles in cell cycle progression, DNA binding, protein folding and chromatin remodeling, ribosome biogenesis, and tubulin polymerization. In this article, we found that endogenous PIN1 and PIN4 were upregulated in selected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Methods In this study, we inhibited PIN1 and PIN4 via parvulin inhibitors (Juglone, PiB, ATRA, 6,7,4'-THIF, KPT6566, and EGCG). The native agarose gel electrophoresis (NAGE) immunoblotting analysis revealed that upon PIN1 and/ or PIN4 inhibition, the HBc protein expression and core particle or capsid synthesis reduced remarkably. The effects of PIN4 inhibition on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication were more pronounced as compared to that of PIN1. The Northern and Southern blotting revealed reduced HBV RNA and DNA levels. Results During the HBV course of infection, Juglone, PiB, ATRA, 6,7,4'-THIF, KPT6566, and EGCG-mediated inhibition of PIN1 and PIN4 significantly lowered HBV transcriptional activities without affecting total levels of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). Similar to the inhibitory effects of PIN1 and PIN4 on HBV replication, the knockdown of PIN1 and PIN4 in HBV infection cells revealed significantly reduced amounts of intracellular HBc, HBs, HBV pgRNA, SmRNAs, core particles, and HBV DNA synthesis. Similarly, PIN1 and PIN4 KD abrogated extracellular virion release, naked capsid levels, and HBV DNA levels. In comparison with PIN1 KD, the PIN4 KD showed reduced HBc and/or core particle stabilities, indicating that PIN4 is more critically involved in HBV replication. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that in contrast to DNA binding PIN4 proteins, the PIN1 did not show binding to cccDNA. Similarly, upon PIN1 KD, the HBc recruitment to cccDNA remained unaffected. However, PIN4 KD significantly abrogated PIN4 binding to cccDNA, followed by HBc recruitment to cccDNA and restricted HBV transcriptional activities. These effects were more pronounced in PIN4 KD cells upon drug treatment in HBV-infected cells. Conclusion The comparative analysis revealed that in contrast to PIN1, PIN4 is more critically involved in enhancing HBV replication. Thus, PIN1 and PIN4 inhibition or knockdown might be novel therapeutic targets to suppress HBV infection. targets to suppress HBV infection.
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Lucifora J, Alfaiate D, Pons C, Michelet M, Ramirez R, Fusil F, Amirache F, Rossi A, Legrand AF, Charles E, Vegna S, Farhat R, Rivoire M, Passot G, Gadot N, Testoni B, Bach C, Baumert TF, Hyrina A, Beran RK, Zoulim F, Boonstra A, Büning H, Verrier ER, Cosset FL, Fletcher SP, Salvetti A, Durantel D. Hepatitis D virus interferes with hepatitis B virus RNA production via interferon-dependent and -independent mechanisms. J Hepatol 2023; 78:958-970. [PMID: 36702177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.01.005] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Chronic coinfection with HBV and HDV leads to the most aggressive form of chronic viral hepatitis. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the widely reported observation that HDV interferes with HBV in most coinfected patients. METHODS Patient liver tissues, primary human hepatocytes, HepaRG cells and human liver chimeric mice were used to analyze the effect of HDV on HBV using virological and RNA-sequencing analyses, as well as RNA synthesis, stability and association assays. RESULTS Transcriptomic analyses in cell culture and mouse models of coinfection enabled us to define an HDV-induced signature, mainly composed of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs). We also provide evidence that ISGs are upregulated in chronically HDV/HBV-coinfected patients but not in cells that only express HDV antigen (HDAg). Inhibition of the hepatocyte IFN response partially rescued the levels of HBV parameters. We observed less HBV RNA synthesis upon HDV infection or HDV protein expression. Additionally, HDV infection or expression of HDAg alone specifically accelerated the decay of HBV RNA, and HDAg was associated with HBV RNAs. On the contrary, HDAg expression did not affect other viruses such as HCV or SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that HDV interferes with HBV through both IFN-dependent and IFN-independent mechanisms. Specifically, we uncover a new viral interference mechanism in which proteins of a satellite virus affect the RNA production of its helper virus. Exploiting these findings could pave the way to the development of new therapeutic strategies against HBV. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Although the molecular mechanisms remained unexplored, it has long been known that despite its dependency, HDV decreases HBV viremia in patients. Herein, using in vitro and in vivo models, we showed that HDV interferes with HBV through both IFN-dependent and IFN-independent mechanisms affecting HBV RNA metabolism, and we defined the HDV-induced modulation signature. The mechanisms we uncovered could pave the way for the development of new therapeutic strategies against HBV by mimicking and/or increasing the effect of HDAg on HBV RNA. Additionally, the HDV-induced modulation signature could potentially be correlated with responsiveness to IFN-α treatment, thereby helping to guide management of HBV/HDV-coinfected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lucifora
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | - Dulce Alfaiate
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Caroline Pons
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Maud Michelet
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Floriane Fusil
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Fouzia Amirache
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Axel Rossi
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anne-Flore Legrand
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Emilie Charles
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Serena Vegna
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Rayan Farhat
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Guillaume Passot
- Service de chirurgie générale et Oncologique, Hôpital Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon Et CICLY, EA3738, Université Lyon 1, France
| | - Nicolas Gadot
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Charlotte Bach
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | | | | | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; Department of Hepatology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Andre Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eloi R Verrier
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - François-Loïc Cosset
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | | | - Anna Salvetti
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - David Durantel
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
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Identification of the Interaction between Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins and the Core Protein of Hepatitis B Virus. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:752-764. [PMID: 36661536 PMCID: PMC9857746 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45010050] [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: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic HBV infection is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Finding host factors involved in the viral life cycle and elucidating their mechanisms is essential for developing innovative strategies for treating HBV. The HBV core protein has pleiotropic roles in HBV replication; thus, finding the interactions between the core protein and host factors is important in clarifying the mechanism of viral infection and proliferation. Recent studies have revealed that core proteins are involved in cccDNA formation, transcriptional regulation, and RNA metabolism, in addition to their primary functions of capsid formation and pgRNA packaging. Here, we report the interaction of the core protein with MCMs, which have an essential role in host DNA replication. The knockdown of MCM2 led to increased viral replication during infection, suggesting that MCM2 serves as a restriction factor for HBV proliferation. This study opens the possibility of elucidating the relationship between core proteins and host factors and their function in viral proliferation.
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The scientific basis of combination therapy for chronic hepatitis B functional cure. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:238-253. [PMID: 36631717 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00724-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) - or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss after 24 weeks off therapy - is now the goal of treatment, but is rarely achieved with current therapy. Understanding the hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle and immunological defects that lead to persistence can identify targets for novel therapy. Broadly, treatments fall into three categories: those that reduce viral replication, those that reduce antigen load and immunotherapies. Profound viral suppression alone does not achieve quantitative (q)HBsAg reduction or HBsAg loss. Combining nucleos(t)ide analogues and immunotherapy reduces qHBsAg levels and induces HBsAg loss in some patients, particularly those with low baseline qHBsAg levels. Even agents that are specifically designed to reduce viral antigen load might not be able to achieve sustained HBsAg loss when used alone. Thus, rationale exists for the use of combinations of all three therapy types. Monitoring during therapy is important not just to predict HBsAg loss but also to understand mechanisms of HBsAg loss using viral and immunological biomarkers, and in selected cases intrahepatic sampling. We consider various paths to functional cure of CHB and the need to individualize treatment of this heterogeneous infection until a therapeutic avenue for all patients with CHB is available.
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Ciliatoside A, isolated from Peristrophe japonica, inhibits HBsAg expression and cccDNA transcription by inducing autophagy. Antiviral Res 2023; 209:105482. [PMID: 36496141 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105482] [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: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and seroconversion are considered as an end point of a functional cure. Therefore, it is crucial to find new agents which could efficiently decrease HBsAg. Traditional herbal plants have been considered as an important source of new hepatitis B drugs development for their extensive use in antimicrobial and anti-inflammation. In this study, Peristrophe japonica, which could remarkably reduce HBsAg in the supernatant of HepG2.2.15 cells, was screened out for further extraction. Here, an active ethyl acetate fraction of Peristrophe japonica containing 34 sub-fractions was extracted. Subsequently, the monomeric compound Ciliatoside A was isolated and identified as a potential antiviral reagent with low cytotoxicity from Fraction 30. Ciliatoside A exhibited strong inhibition on intracellular and circulating HBsAg and HBV RNAs in HBV-infected cells and an HBV recombinant-cccDNA mouse model. The mechanistic study revealed that Ciliatoside A exhibited a potent anti-HBV effect through inducing autophagy-lysosomal pathway to autophagic degradation of HBc by activating AMPK-ULK1 axis and inhibiting mTOR activation. In summary, we have identified a novel antiviral compound Ciliatoside A isolated from Peristrophe japonica. This study may provide important direction and new ideas for the discovery of hepatitis B cure drugs.
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Giordano C, Picardi M, Pugliese N, Vincenzi A, Abagnale DP, De Fazio L, Giannattasio ML, Fatigati C, Ciriello M, Salemme A, Muccioli Casadei G, Vigliar E, Mascolo M, Troncone G, Pane F. Lamivudine 24-month-long prophylaxis is a safe and efficient choice for the prevention of hepatitis B virus reactivation in HBsAg-negative/HBcAb-positive patients with advanced DLBCL undergoing upfront R-CHOP-21. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1130899. [PMID: 36890828 PMCID: PMC9986962 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1130899] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a condition where replication-competent hepatitis B virus-DNA (HBV-DNA) is present in the liver, with or without HBV-DNA in the blood [<200 international units (IU)/ml or absent] in HB surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative/HB core antibody (HBcAb)-positive individuals. In patients with advanced stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) undergoing 6 cycles of R-CHOP-21+2 additional R, OBI reactivation is a frequent and severe complication. There is no consensus among recent guidelines on whether a pre-emptive approach or primary antiviral prophylaxis is the best solution in this setting of patients. In addition, questions still unresolved are the type of prophylactic drug against HBV and adequate prophylaxis duration. Methods In this case-cohort study, we compared a prospective series of 31 HBsAg-/HBcAb+ patients with newly diagnosed high-risk DLBCL receiving lamivudine (LAM) prophylaxis 1 week before R-CHOP-21+2R until 18 months after (24-month LAM series) versus 96 HBsAg-/HBcAb+ patients (from January 2005 to December 2011) undergoing a pre-emptive approach (pre-emptive cohort) and versus 60 HBsAg-/HBcAb+ patients, from January 2012 to December 2017, receiving LAM prophylaxis [1 week before immunochemotherapy (ICHT) start until 6 months after] (12-month LAM cohort). Efficacy analysis focused primarily on ICHT disruption and secondarily on OBI reactivation and/or acute hepatitis. Results In the 24-month LAM series and in the 12-month LAM cohort, there were no episodes of ICHT disruption versus 7% in the pre-emptive cohort (P = 0.05). OBI reactivation did not occur in any of the 31 patients in the 24-month LAM series versus 7 out of 60 patients (10%) in the 12-month LAM cohort or 12 out of 96 (12%) patients in the pre-emptive cohort (P = 0.04, by χ 2 test). No patients in the 24-month LAM series developed acute hepatitis compared with three in the 12-month LAM cohort and six in the pre-emptive cohort. Discussion This is the first study collecting data regarding a consistent and homogeneous large sample of 187 HBsAg-/HBcAb+ patients undergoing standard R-CHOP-21 for aggressive lymphoma. In our study, 24-month-long prophylaxis with LAM appears to be the most effective approach with a null risk of OBI reactivation, hepatitis flare-up, and ICHT disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Giordano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Picardi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Novella Pugliese
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Vincenzi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Pio Abagnale
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura De Fazio
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Giannattasio
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmina Fatigati
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Ciriello
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Salemme
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Giada Muccioli Casadei
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Vigliar
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University Medical School Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Mascolo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Troncone
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University Medical School Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Pane
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy
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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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Rittiner J, Cumaran M, Malhotra S, Kantor B. Therapeutic modulation of gene expression in the disease state: Treatment strategies and approaches for the development of next-generation of the epigenetic drugs. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1035543. [PMID: 36324900 PMCID: PMC9620476 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1035543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation is an important determinant of many pathological conditions and diseases. Designer molecules that can specifically target endogenous DNA sequences provide a means to therapeutically modulate gene function. The prokaryote-derived CRISPR/Cas editing systems have transformed our ability to manipulate the expression program of genes through specific DNA and RNA targeting in living cells and tissues. The simplicity, utility, and robustness of this technology have revolutionized epigenome editing for research and translational medicine. Initial success has inspired efforts to discover new systems for targeting and manipulating nucleic acids on the epigenetic level. The evolution of nuclease-inactive and RNA-targeting Cas proteins fused to a plethora of effector proteins to regulate gene expression, epigenetic modifications and chromatin interactions opened up an unprecedented level of possibilities for the development of “next-generation” gene therapy therapeutics. The rational design and construction of different types of designer molecules paired with viral-mediated gene-to-cell transfers, specifically using lentiviral vectors (LVs) and adeno-associated vectors (AAVs) are reviewed in this paper. Furthermore, we explore and discuss the potential of these molecules as therapeutic modulators of endogenous gene function, focusing on modulation by stable gene modification and by regulation of gene transcription. Notwithstanding the speedy progress of CRISPR/Cas-based gene therapy products, multiple challenges outlined by undesirable off-target effects, oncogenicity and other virus-induced toxicities could derail the successful translation of these new modalities. Here, we review how CRISPR/Cas—based gene therapy is translated from research-grade technological system to therapeutic modality, paying particular attention to the therapeutic flow from engineering sophisticated genome and epigenome-editing transgenes to delivery vehicles throughout efficient and safe manufacturing and administration of the gene therapy regimens. In addition, the potential solutions to some of the obstacles facing successful CRISPR/Cas utility in the clinical research are discussed in this review. We believe, that circumventing these challenges will be essential for advancing CRISPR/Cas-based tools towards clinical use in gene and cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Rittiner
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Viral Vector Core, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Mohanapriya Cumaran
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Viral Vector Core, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sahil Malhotra
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Viral Vector Core, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Boris Kantor
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Viral Vector Core, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Durham, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Boris Kantor,
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Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Is Not Required for Covalently Closed Circular DNA Transcriptional Regulation. J Virol 2022; 96:e0136222. [PMID: 36226986 PMCID: PMC9645219 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01362-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health burden worldwide, and currently there is no cure. The persistence of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the major obstacle for antiviral trement. HBV core protein (HBc) has emerged as a promising antiviral target, as it plays important roles in critical steps of the viral life cycle. However, whether HBc could regulate HBV cccDNA transcription remains under debate. In this study, different approaches were used to address this question. In synthesized HBV cccDNA and HBVcircle transfection assays, lack of HBc showed no effect on transcription of HBV RNA as well as HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) production in a hepatoma cell line and primary human hepatocytes. Reconstitution of HBc did not alter the expression of cccDNA-derived HBV markers. Similar results were obtained from an in vivo mouse model harboring cccDNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) or ChIP sequencing assays revealed transcription regulation of HBc-deficient cccDNA chromatin similar to that of wild-type cccDNA. Furthermore, treatment with capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) dramatically reduced extracellular HBV DNA but could not alter viral RNA and HBsAg. Our results demonstrate that HBc neither affects histone modifications and transcription factor binding of cccDNA nor directly influences cccDNA transcription. Although CAMs could reduce HBc binding to cccDNA, they do not suppress cccDNA transcriptional activity. Thus, therapeutics targeting capsid or HBc should not be expected to sufficiently reduce cccDNA transcription. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) has emerged as a promising antiviral target. However, whether HBc can regulate HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcription remains elusive. This study illustrated that HBc has no effect on epigenetic regulation of cccDNA, and it does not participate in cccDNA transcription. Given that HBc is dispensable for cccDNA transcription, novel cccDNA-targeting therapeutics are needed for an HBV cure.
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Lok J, Dusheiko G, Carey I, Agarwal K. Review article: novel biomarkers in hepatitis B infection. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56:760-776. [PMID: 35770458 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B remains a global health problem with an estimated 296 million people affected worldwide. Individuals are at risk of serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and accurately predicting these clinical endpoints has proven difficult. However, several viral biomarkers have recently been developed, including quantitative HBV surface antigen (qHBsAg), hepatitis B RNA (HBV RNA) and core-related antigen (HBcrAg), and shown promise in a range of clinical settings. AIMS To critically appraise these novel biomarkers, exploring their potential uses, availability of assays and areas for future development. METHODS We performed a literature search of PubMed, identifying articles published in the field of hepatitis B biomarkers between 2010 and 2022. RESULTS Novel biomarkers such as HBcrAg, HBV RNA and qHBsAg may be useful in predicting treatment outcomes, stratifying the risk of future complications and estimating off-treatment viral reactivation. Furthermore, HBV RNA and HBcrAg titres may accurately reflect cccDNA transcriptional activity, and this is particularly informative in the context of nucleoside analogue therapy. On a cautionary note, most studies have been performed in Caucasian or Asian populations, and methods for detecting HBV RNA lack standardisation. CONCLUSION Novel viral biomarkers have the potential to provide additional insights into the natural history of infection and allow a more bespoke, cost-effective framework of care. However, access remains limited, and further efforts are needed to validate their use in ethnically diverse populations, confirm predictive cut-off values, and establish their role in the era of novel antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Lok
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Ivana Carey
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kosh Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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Wu Z, Wang L, Wang X, Sun Y, Li H, Zhang Z, Ren C, Zhang X, Li S, Lu J, Xu L, Yue X, Hong Y, Li Q, Zhu H, Gong Y, Gao C, Hu H, Gao L, Liang X, Ma C. cccDNA Surrogate MC-HBV-Based Screen Identifies Cohesin Complex as a Novel HBV Restriction Factor. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:1177-1198. [PMID: 35987451 PMCID: PMC9579331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of hepatitis B virus (HBV), existing as a stable minichromosome in the hepatocyte, is responsible for persistent HBV infection. Maintenance and sustained replication of cccDNA require its interaction with both viral and host proteins. However, the cccDNA-interacting host factors that limit HBV replication remain elusive. METHODS Minicircle HBV (MC-HBV), a recombinant cccDNA, was constructed based on chimeric intron and minicircle DNA technology. By mass spectrometry based on pull-down with biotinylated MC-HBV, the cccDNA-hepatocyte interaction profile was mapped. HBV replication was assessed in different cell models that support cccDNA formation. RESULTS MC-HBV supports persistent HBV replication and mimics the cccDNA minichromosome. The MC-HBV-based screen identified cohesin complex as a cccDNA binding host factor, leading to reduced HBV replication. Mechanistically, with the help of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), which has specific binding sites on cccDNA, cohesin loads on cccDNA and reshapes cccDNA confirmation to prevent RNA polymerase II enrichment. Interestingly, HBV X protein transcriptionally reduces structural maintenance of chromosomes complex expression to partially relieve the inhibitory role of the cohesin complex on HBV replication. CONCLUSIONS Our data not only provide a feasible approach to explore cccDNA-binding factors, but also identify cohesin/CTCF complex as a critical host restriction factor for cccDNA-driven HBV replication. These findings provide a novel insight into cccDNA-host interaction and targeted therapeutic intervention for HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuanchang Wu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Wang
- College of Agriculture and Forestry, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Haoran Li
- College of Agriculture and Forestry, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaoying Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Caiyue Ren
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shuangjie Li
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinghui Lu
- Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Leiqi Xu
- Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xuetian Yue
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yue Hong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qiang Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Haizhen Zhu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yaoqin Gong
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chengjiang Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Huili Hu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lifen Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohong Liang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chunhong Ma
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Dept. Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Chunhong Ma, PhD, Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo Medical College, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012 China.
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Conserved Lysine Residues of Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Are Not Required for Covalently Closed Circular DNA Formation. J Virol 2022; 96:e0071822. [PMID: 35867543 PMCID: PMC9364803 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00718-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc), the building block of the viral capsid, plays a critical role throughout the HBV life cycle. There are two highly conserved lysine residues, namely, K7 and K96, on HBc, which have been proposed to function at various stages of viral replication, potentially through lysine-specific posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Here, we substituted K7 and K96 with alanine or arginine, which would also block potential PTMs on these two lysine residues, and tested the effects of these substitutions on HBV replication and infection. We found that the two lysine residues were dispensable for all intracellular steps of HBV replication. In particular, all mutants were competent to form the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) via the intracellular amplification pathway, indicating that K7 and K96, or any PTMs of these residues, were not essential for nucleocapsid uncoating, a prerequisite for cccDNA formation. Furthermore, we found that K7A and K7R mutations did not affect de novo cccDNA formation and RNA transcription during infection, indicating that K7 or any PTMs of this residue were dispensable for HBV infection. In addition, we demonstrated that the HBc K7 coding sequence (AAA), as part of the HBV polyadenylation signal UAUAAA, was indispensable for viral RNA production, implicating this cis requirement at the RNA level, instead of any function of HBc-K7, likely constrains the identity of the 7th residue of HBc. In conclusion, our results provided novel insights regarding the roles of lysine residues on HBc, and their coding sequences, in the HBV life cycle. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a public health burden that affects 296 million individuals worldwide. HBV core protein (HBc) is involved in almost all steps in the HBV life cycle. There are two conserved lysine residues on HBc. Here, we found that neither of them is essential for HBV intracellular replication, including the formation of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the molecular basis for establishing and sustaining the HBV infection. However, K96 is critical for virion morphogenesis, while the K7 coding sequence, but not HBc-K7 itself, is indispensable, as part of the RNA polyadenylation signal, for HBV RNA production from cccDNA. Our results provide novel insights regarding the role of the conserved lysine residues on HBc, and their coding sequences, in viral replication, and should facilitate the development of antiviral drugs against the HBV capsid protein.
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Qu B, Nebioglu F, Leuthold MM, Ni Y, Mutz P, Beneke J, Erfle H, Vondran FW, Bartenschlager R, Urban S. Dual role of neddylation in transcription of hepatitis B virus RNAs from cccDNA and production of viral surface antigen. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100551. [PMID: 36124123 PMCID: PMC9482114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims HBV persistence is maintained by both an episomal covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA reservoir and genomic integration of HBV DNA fragments. While cccDNA transcription is regulated by Cullin4A-DDB1-HBx-mediated degradation of the SMC5/6 complex, HBsAg expression from integrants is largely SMC5/6 independent. Inhibiting neddylation of Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases impairs degradation of substrates. Herein, we show that targeting neddylation pathway components by small-interfering (si)RNAs or the drug MLN4924 (pevonedistat) suppresses expression of HBV proteins from both cccDNA and integrants. Methods An siRNA screen targeting secretory pathway regulators and neddylation genes was performed. Activity of MLN4924 was assessed in infection and integration models. Trans-complementation assays were used to study HBx function in cccDNA-driven expression. Results siRNA screening uncovered neddylation pathway components (Nedd8, Ube2m) that promote HBsAg production post-transcriptionally. Likewise, MLN4924 inhibited production of HBsAg encoded by integrants and reduced intracellular HBsAg levels, independent of HBx. MLN4924 also profoundly inhibited cccDNA transcription in three infection models. Using the HBV inducible cell line HepAD38 as a model, we verified the dual action of MLN4924 on both cccDNA and integrants with sustained suppression of HBV markers during 42 days of treatment. Conclusions Neddylation is required both for transcription of a cccDNA reservoir and for the genomic integration of viral DNA. Therefore, blocking neddylation might offer an attractive approach towards functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Lay summary Current treatments for chronic hepatitis B are rarely able to induce a functional cure. This is partly because of the presence of a pool of circular viral DNA in the host nucleus, as well as viral DNA fragments that are integrated into the host genome. Herein, we show that a host biological pathway called neddylation could play a key role in infection and viral DNA integration. Inhibiting this pathway could hold therapeutic promise for patients with chronic hepatitis B. Neddylation plays a dual role in HBV expression from viral integrants and episomal cccDNA. Impaired neddylation suppresses production of HBsAg expressed from viral integrants. Neddylation promotes HBsAg generation from viral integrants in an HBx-independent manner. MLN4924 also inhibits the synthesis of viral transcripts from episomal cccDNA.
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Surrogate Markers for Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA. Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42:327-340. [PMID: 35445388 DOI: 10.1055/a-1830-2741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide. Chronic HBV infection is currently incurable because of the persistence of the viral template for the viral transcripts, covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (cccDNA). Detecting changes in cccDNA transcriptional activity is key to understanding fundamental virology, determining the efficacy of new therapies, and deciding the optimal clinical management of HBV patients. In this review, we summarize surrogate circulating biomarkers that have been used to infer cccDNA levels and activity in people with chronic hepatitis B. Moreover, we outline the current shortcomings of the current biomarkers and highlight the clinical importance in improving them and expanding their use.
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The RNA-Binding Protein ELAVL1 Regulates Hepatitis B Virus Replication and Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147878. [PMID: 35887229 PMCID: PMC9316910 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous RNA immunoprecipitation followed by proteomic approaches successfully demonstrated that Embryonic Lethal, Abnormal Vision, Drosophila-Like 1 (ELAVL1) interacts with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-derived RNAs. Although ELAVL family proteins stabilize AU-rich element (ARE)-containing mRNAs, their role in HBV transcription remains unclear. This study conducted loss-of-function assays of ELAVL1 for inducible HBV-replicating HepAD38 cells and HBx-overexpressed HepG2 cells. In addition, clinicopathological analyses in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surgical samples were also conducted. Lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA knockdown of ELAVL1 resulted in a decrease in both viral RNA transcription and production of viral proteins, including HBs and HBx, probably due to RNA stabilization by ELAVL1. Cell growth of HepAD38 cells was more significantly impaired in ELAVL1-knockdown than those in the control group, with or without HBV replication, indicating that ELAVL1 is involved in proliferation by factors other than HBV-derived RNAs. Immunohistochemical analyses of 77 paired HCC surgical specimens demonstrated that diffuse ELAVL1 expression was detected more frequently in HCC tissues (61.0%) than in non-tumor tissues (27.3%). In addition, the abundant expression of ELAVL1 tended to affect postoperative recurrence in HBV-related HCC patients. In conclusion, ELAVL1 contributes not only to HBV replication but also to HCC cell growth. It may be a potent therapeutic target for HBV-related HCC treatment.
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Saitta C, Pollicino T, Raimondo G. Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection: An Update. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071504. [PMID: 35891484 PMCID: PMC9318873 DOI: 10.3390/v14071504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) refers to a condition in which replication-competent viral DNA is present in the liver (with detectable or undetectable HBV DNA in the serum) of individuals testing negative for the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). In this peculiar phase of HBV infection, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is in a low state of replication. Many advances have been made in clarifying the mechanisms involved in such a suppression of viral activity, which seems to be mainly related to the host's immune control and epigenetic factors. OBI is diffused worldwide, but its prevalence is highly variable among patient populations. This depends on different geographic areas, risk factors for parenteral infections, and assays used for HBsAg and HBV DNA detection. OBI has an impact in several clinical contexts: (a) it can be transmitted, causing a classic form of hepatitis B, through blood transfusion or liver transplantation; (b) it may reactivate in the case of immunosuppression, leading to the possible development of even fulminant hepatitis; (c) it may accelerate the progression of chronic liver disease due to different causes toward cirrhosis; (d) it maintains the pro-oncogenic properties of the "overt" infection, favoring the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Saitta
- Division of Medicine and Hepatology, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Teresa Pollicino
- Department of Human Pathology, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Division of Medicine and Hepatology, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(0)-902212392
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Gherlan GS. Occult hepatitis B — the result of the host immune response interaction with different genomic expressions of the virus. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:5518-5530. [PMID: 35979101 PMCID: PMC9258381 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i17.5518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With over 40 years of history, occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) continues to remain an important and challenging public health problem. Defined as the presence of replication-competent hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA (i.e., episomal HBV covalently closed circular DNA) in the liver and/or HBV DNA in the blood of people who test negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in currently available assays, OBI is currently diagnosed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR assays. However, all efforts should be made to exclude a false negative HBsAg in order to completely follow the definition of OBI. In recent years, significant advances have been made in understanding the HBV lifecycle and the molecular mechanisms that lead to the persistence of the virus in the occult form. These factors are mainly related to the host immune system and, to a smaller proportion, to the virus. Both innate and adaptive immune responses are important in HBV infection management, and epigenetic changes driven by host mechanisms (acetylation, methylation, and microRNA implication) are added to such actions. Although greater genetic variability in the S gene of HBV isolated from OBIs was found compared with overt infection, the mechanisms of OBI are not mainly viral mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Sebastian Gherlan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 030303, Romania
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Dr. Victor Babes” Hospital of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest 030303, Romania
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Cheng X, Xia Y. HIRA in Hepatitis B Virus Minichromosome Regulation: Another Piece of the Puzzle. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:718-719. [PMID: 35691338 PMCID: PMC9421579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Wuhan University Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases Wuhan, China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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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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HIRA Supports Hepatitis B Virus Minichromosome Establishment and Transcriptional Activity in Infected Hepatocytes. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:527-551. [PMID: 35643233 PMCID: PMC9304598 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Upon hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, partially double-stranded viral DNA converts into a covalently closed circular chromatinized episomal structure (cccDNA). This form represents the long-lived genomic reservoir responsible for viral persistence in the infected liver. Although the involvement of host cell DNA damage response in cccDNA formation has been established, this work investigated the yet-to-be-identified histone dynamics on cccDNA during early phases of infection in human hepatocytes. METHODS Detailed studies of host chromatin-associated factors were performed in cell culture models of natural infection (ie, Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP)-overexpressing HepG2 cells, HepG2hNTCP) and primary human hepatocytes infected with HBV, by cccDNA-specific chromatin immunoprecipitation and loss-of-function experiments during early kinetics of viral minichromosome establishment and onset of viral transcription. RESULTS Our results show that cccDNA formation requires the deposition of the histone variant H3.3 via the histone regulator A (HIRA)-dependent pathway. This occurs simultaneously with repair of the cccDNA precursor and independently from de novo viral protein expression. Moreover, H3.3 in its S31 phosphorylated form appears to be the preferential H3 variant found on transcriptionally active cccDNA in infected cultured cells and human livers. HIRA depletion after cccDNA pool establishment showed that HIRA recruitment is required for viral transcription and RNA production. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, we show a crucial role for HIRA in the interplay between HBV genome and host cellular machinery to ensure the formation and active transcription of the viral minichromosome in infected hepatocytes.
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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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Sun Y, Teng Y, Wang L, Zhang Z, Chen C, Wang Y, Zhang X, Xiang P, Song X, Lu J, Li N, Gao L, Liang X, Xia Y, Wu Z, Ma C. LINC01431 Promotes Histone H4R3 Methylation to Impede HBV Covalently Closed Circular DNA Transcription by Stabilizing PRMT1. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2103135. [PMID: 35398991 PMCID: PMC9165498 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202103135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the transcriptional template of hepatitis B virus (HBV), which interacts with both host and viral proteins to form minichromosome in the nucleus and is resistant to antiviral agents. Identification of host factors involved in cccDNA transcriptional regulation is expected to prove a new venue for HBV therapy. Recent evidence suggests the involvement of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in mediating the interaction of host factors with various viruses, however, lncRNAs that HBV targets and represses cccDNA transcription have not been fully elucidated. Here, the authors identified LINC01431 as a novel host restriction factor for HBV transcription. Mechanically, LINC01431 competitively bound with type I protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT1) to block the HBx-mediated PRMT1 ubiquitination and degradation. Consequently, LINC01431 increased the occupancy of PRMT1 on cccDNA, leading to enhanced H4R3me2a modification and reduced acetylation of cccDNA-bound histones, thereby repressing cccDNA transcription. In turn, to facilitate viral replication, HBV transcriptionally repressed LINC01431 expression by HBx-mediated repression of transcription factor Zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 (ZHX2). Collectively, the study demonstrates LINC01431 as a novel epigenetic regulator of cccDNA minichromosome and highlights a feedback loop of HBx-LINC01431-PRMT1 in HBV replication, which provides potential therapeutic targets for HBV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sun
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Yan Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and ImmunologyInstitute of Medical VirologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhanHubei430072China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Zhaoying Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - ChaoJia Chen
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Yingchun Wang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Peng Xiang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Xiaojia Song
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Jinghui Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong University, JinanShandong250012China
| | - Nailin Li
- Karolinska InstituteDepartment of Medicine‐SolnaClinical Pharmacology GroupStockholm17176Sweden
| | - Lifen Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Xiaohong Liang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and ImmunologyInstitute of Medical VirologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhanHubei430072China
| | - Zhuanchang Wu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Chunhong Ma
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of ImmunologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesCheeloo Medical CollegeShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
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Proulx J, Ghaly M, Park IW, Borgmann K. HIV-1-Mediated Acceleration of Oncovirus-Related Non-AIDS-Defining Cancers. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040768. [PMID: 35453518 PMCID: PMC9024568 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), overall survival has been improved, and the incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining cancers has also been remarkably reduced. However, non-AIDS-defining cancers among human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-associated malignancies have increased significantly so that cancer is the leading cause of death in people living with HIV in certain highly developed countries, such as France. However, it is currently unknown how HIV-1 infection raises oncogenic virus-mediated cancer risks in the HIV-1 and oncogenic virus co-infected patients, and thus elucidation of the molecular mechanisms for how HIV-1 expedites the oncogenic viruses-triggered tumorigenesis in the co-infected hosts is imperative for developing therapeutics to cure or impede the carcinogenesis. Hence, this review is focused on HIV-1 and oncogenic virus co-infection-mediated molecular processes in the acceleration of non-AIDS-defining cancers.
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Huérfano S, Šroller V, Bruštíková K, Horníková L, Forstová J. The Interplay between Viruses and Host DNA Sensors. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040666. [PMID: 35458396 PMCID: PMC9027975 DOI: 10.3390/v14040666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA virus infections are often lifelong and can cause serious diseases in their hosts. Their recognition by the sensors of the innate immune system represents the front line of host defence. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity responses is an important prerequisite for the design of effective antivirotics. This review focuses on the present state of knowledge surrounding the mechanisms of viral DNA genome sensing and the main induced pathways of innate immunity responses. The studies that have been performed to date indicate that herpesviruses, adenoviruses, and polyomaviruses are sensed by various DNA sensors. In non-immune cells, STING pathways have been shown to be activated by cGAS, IFI16, DDX41, or DNA-PK. The activation of TLR9 has mainly been described in pDCs and in other immune cells. Importantly, studies on herpesviruses have unveiled novel participants (BRCA1, H2B, or DNA-PK) in the IFI16 sensing pathway. Polyomavirus studies have revealed that, in addition to viral DNA, micronuclei are released into the cytosol due to genotoxic stress. Papillomaviruses, HBV, and HIV have been shown to evade DNA sensing by sophisticated intracellular trafficking, unique cell tropism, and viral or cellular protein actions that prevent or block DNA sensing. Further research is required to fully understand the interplay between viruses and DNA sensors.
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Anti-rheumatic drug-induced hepatitis B virus reactivation and preventive strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma. Pharmacol Res 2022; 178:106181. [PMID: 35301112 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To date, an estimated 3 million people worldwide have been infected with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). Although anti-HBV therapies have improved the long-term survival profile of chronic carriers, viral reactivation still poses a significant challenge for preventing HBV-related hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death. Immuno-modulating drugs, which are widely applied in managing rheumatic conditions, are commonly associated with HBV reactivation (HBVr) as a result of drug-induced immune suppression. However, there are few reports on the risk of HBVr and the medication management plan for HBV carriers, especially rheumatic patients. In this review, we summarize immuno-modulating drug-induced HBVr during rheumatoid therapy and its preventive strategies for HBVr-induced liver diseases, especially cirrhosis and HCC. These findings will assist with developing treatments for rheumatic patients, and prevent HBV-related cirrhosis and HCC.
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Bustamante-Jaramillo LF, Fingal J, Blondot ML, Rydell GE, Kann M. Imaging of Hepatitis B Virus Nucleic Acids: Current Advances and Challenges. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030557. [PMID: 35336964 PMCID: PMC8950347 DOI: 10.3390/v14030557] [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: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus infections are the main reason for hepatocellular carcinoma development. Current treatment reduces the viral load but rarely leads to virus elimination. Despite its medical importance, little is known about infection dynamics on the cellular level not at least due to technical obstacles. Regardless of infections leading to extreme viral loads, which may reach 1010 virions per mL serum, hepatitis B viruses are of low abundance and productivity in individual cells. Imaging of the infections in cells is thus a particular challenge especially for cccDNA that exists only in a few copies. The review describes the significance of microscopical approaches on genome and transcript detection for understanding hepatitis B virus infections, implications for understanding treatment outcomes, and recent microscopical approaches, which have not been applied in HBV research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa F. Bustamante-Jaramillo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; (L.F.B.-J.); (J.F.); (G.E.R.)
| | - Joshua Fingal
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; (L.F.B.-J.); (J.F.); (G.E.R.)
| | - Marie-Lise Blondot
- Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité (MFP), CNRS UMR 5234, University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Gustaf E. Rydell
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; (L.F.B.-J.); (J.F.); (G.E.R.)
| | - Michael Kann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; (L.F.B.-J.); (J.F.); (G.E.R.)
- Region Västra Götaland, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Correspondence:
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50
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Taverniti V, Ligat G, Debing Y, Kum DB, Baumert TF, Verrier ER. Capsid Assembly Modulators as Antiviral Agents against HBV: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Perspectives. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051349. [PMID: 35268440 PMCID: PMC8911156 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite a preventive vaccine being available, more than 250 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a major cause of liver disease and HCC. HBV infects human hepatocytes where it establishes its genome, the cccDNA with chromosomal features. Therapies controlling HBV replication exist; however, they are not sufficient to eradicate HBV cccDNA, the main cause for HBV persistence in patients. Core protein is the building block of HBV nucleocapsid. This viral protein modulates almost every step of the HBV life cycle; hence, it represents an attractive target for the development of new antiviral therapies. Capsid assembly modulators (CAM) bind to core dimers and perturb the proper nucleocapsid assembly. The potent antiviral activity of CAM has been demonstrated in cell-based and in vivo models. Moreover, several CAMs have entered clinical development. The aim of this review is to summarize the mechanism of action (MoA) and the advancements in the clinical development of CAMs and in the characterization of their mod of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Taverniti
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (V.T.); (G.L.); (T.F.B.)
| | - Gaëtan Ligat
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (V.T.); (G.L.); (T.F.B.)
| | - Yannick Debing
- Aligos Belgium BV, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (Y.D.); (D.B.K.)
| | | | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (V.T.); (G.L.); (T.F.B.)
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-Digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Eloi R. Verrier
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (V.T.); (G.L.); (T.F.B.)
- Correspondence:
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