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Liu T, He Q, Yang X, Li Y, Yuan D, Lu Q, Tang T, Guan G, Zheng L, Zhang H, Xia C, Yin X, Wei G, Chen X, Lu F, Wang L. An Immunocompetent Mongolian Gerbil Model for Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 1 Infection. Gastroenterology 2024:S0016-5085(24)00364-0. [PMID: 38582270 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.03.038] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis E virus (HEV), primarily genotype 1 (HEV-1), causes approximately 20.1 million infections, 44,000 deaths, and 3000 stillbirths annually. Current evidence indicates that HEV-1 is only transmitted in humans. Here, we evaluated whether Mongolian gerbils can serve as animal models for HEV-1 infection. METHODS Mongolian gerbils were used for HEV-1 and hepatitis E virus genotype 3 infection experiments. HEV infection parameters, including detection of HEV RNA and HEV antigen, liver function assessment, and histopathology, were evaluated. RESULTS We adapted a clinical isolate of HEV-1 for Mongolian gerbils by serial passaging in feces of aged male gerbils. The gerbil-adapted strain obtained at passage 3 induced a robust, acute HEV infection, characterized by stable fecal virus shedding, elevated liver enzymes, histopathologic changes in the liver, and seroconversion to anti-HEV. An infectious complementary DNA clone of the adapted virus was generated. HEV-1-infected pregnant gerbils showed a high rate of maternal mortality and vertical transmission. HEV RNA or antigens were detected in the liver, kidney, intestine, placenta, testis, and fetus liver. Liver and placental transcriptomic analyses indicated activation of host immunity. Tacrolimus prolonged HEV-1 infection, whereas ribavirin cleared infection. The protective efficacy of a licensed HEV vaccine was validated using this model. CONCLUSIONS HEV-1 efficiently infected Mongolian gerbils. This HEV-1 infection model will be valuable for investigating hepatitis E immunopathogenesis and evaluating vaccines and antivirals against HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxu Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuebao Li
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Disen Yuan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghui Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Tang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Guiwe Guan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Liwei Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - He Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Changyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Guochao Wei
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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Orozco-Cordoba J, Mazas C, Du Pont G, Lamoyi E, Cárdenas G, Fierro NA. Viral Biology and Immune Privilege in the Development of Extrahepatic Manifestations During Hepatitis E Virus Infection. Viral Immunol 2023; 36:627-641. [PMID: 38064537 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2023.0096] [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: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) exhibits tropism toward hepatocytes and thus affects the liver; however, HEV may also affect other tissues, including the heart, kidneys, intestines, testicles, and central nervous system. To date, the pathophysiological links between HEV infection and extrahepatic manifestations have not yet been established. Considering that HEV infects multiple types of cells, the direct effects of virus replication in peripheral tissues represent a plausible explanation for extrahepatic manifestations. In addition, since the immune response is crucial in the development of the disease, the immune characteristics of affected tissues should be revisited to identify commonalities explaining the effects of the virus. This review summarizes the most recent advances in understanding the virus biology and immune-privileged status of specific tissues as major elements for HEV replication in diverse organs. These discoveries may open avenues to explain the multiple extrahepatic manifestations associated with HEV infection and ultimately to design effective strategies for infection control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Orozco-Cordoba
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Camila Mazas
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gisela Du Pont
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Edmundo Lamoyi
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Graciela Cárdenas
- Departamento de Neuroinfectología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nora A Fierro
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
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