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Pondé RADA, Amorim GDSP. Elimination of the hepatitis B virus: A goal, a challenge. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:2015-2034. [PMID: 38528684 DOI: 10.1002/med.22030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
The hepatitis B elimination is a goal proposed by the WHO to be achieved by 2030 through the adoption of synergistic measures for the prevention and chronic HBV infection treatment. Complete cure is characterized by the HBV elimination from the body and is the goal of the chronic hepatitis B treatment, which once achieved, will enable the hepatitis B elimination. This, today, has been a scientific challenge. The difficulty in achieving a complete cure is due to the indefinite maintenance of a covalently closed episomal circular DNA (cccDNA) reservoir and the maintenance and persistence of an insufficient and dysfunctional immune response in chronically infected patients. Among the measures adopted to eliminate hepatitis B, two have the potential to directly interfere with the virus cycle, but with limited effect on HBV control. These are conventional vaccines-blocking transmission and antiviral therapy-inhibiting replication. Vaccines, despite their effectiveness in protecting against horizontal transmission and preventing mother-to-child vertical transmission, have no effect on chronic infection or potential to eliminate the virus. Treatment with antivirals suppresses viral replication, but has no curative effect, as it has no action against cccDNA. Therapeutic vaccines comprise an additional approach in the chronic infection treatment, however, they have only a modest effect on the immune system, enhancing it temporarily. This manuscript aims to address (1) the cccDNA persistence in the hepatocyte nucleus and the immune response dysfunction in chronically infected individuals as two primary factors that have hampered the treatment and HBV elimination from the human body; (2) the limitations of antiviral therapy and therapeutic vaccines, as strategies to control hepatitis B; and (3) the possibly promising therapeutic approaches for the complete cure and elimination of hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robério Amorim de Almeida Pondé
- Secretaria de Estado da Saúde-SES, Superintendência de Vigilância em Saúde-SUVISA/GO, Gerência de Vigilância Epidemiológica de Doenças Transmissíveis-GVEDT/Coordenação de Análises e Pesquisas-CAP, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, Laboratory of Human Virology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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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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3
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Kim SW, Yoon JS, Lee M, Cho Y. Toward a complete cure for chronic hepatitis B: Novel therapeutic targets for hepatitis B virus. Clin Mol Hepatol 2022; 28:17-30. [PMID: 34281294 PMCID: PMC8755466 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2021.0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects approximately 250 million patients worldwide, resulting in the progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which are serious public health problems. Although universal vaccination programs exist, they are only prophylactic and not curative. In the HBV life cycle, HBV forms covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which is the viral minichromosome, in the nuclei of human hepatocytes and makes it difficult to achieve a complete cure with the current nucleos(t)ide analogs and interferon therapies. Current antiviral therapies rarely eliminate cccDNA; therefore, lifelong antiviral treatment is necessary. Recent trials for antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B have been focused on establishing a functional cure, defined by either the loss of hepatitis B surface antigen, undetectable serum HBV DNA levels, and/or seroconversion to hepatitis B surface antibody. Novel therapeutic targets and molecules are in the pipeline for early clinical trials aiming to cure HBV infection. The ideal strategy for achieving a long-lasting functional or complete cure might be using combination therapies targeting different steps of the HBV life cycle and immunomodulators. This review summarizes the current knowledge about novel treatments and combination treatments for a complete HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Woong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun Sik Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Minjong Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yuri Cho
- Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
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Deep sequencing of hepatitis B virus using Ion Torrent fusion primer method. J Virol Methods 2021; 299:114315. [PMID: 34648822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2021.114315] [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: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is worldwide a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thousands of years ago, several HBV genotypes (A-I) evolved and have, as a result of human migration, become globally disseminated. Sequencing of HBV is used for genotyping, and investigation of outbreaks or of antiviral resistance. The present study describes a simplified deep sequencing of the whole HBV genome. METHODS Sequencing by Ion Torrent was evaluated and its performance compared with Sanger sequencing on clinical samples. RESULTS Amplification of overlapping segments spanning the entire HBV genome was successful at HBV DNA levels in serum as low as 100 IU/mL. The use of primers carrying adapter tags generated libraries without the need for fragmentation and ligation steps, and inclusion of barcode sequences allowed parallel analysis of multiple samples. A streamlined bioinformatic platform generated consensus sequences and superior mutation assessment as compared with Sanger sequencing, with which there was a 99.8 % average agreement. CONCLUSION Deep sequencing of the whole HBV genome by using PCR primers tagged with adapters that prepare overlapping amplicons for Ion Torrent analysis was efficient and accurate.
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Studies on the Efficacy, Potential Cardiotoxicity and Monkey Pharmacokinetics of GLP-26 as a Potent Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulator. Viruses 2021; 13:v13010114. [PMID: 33467678 PMCID: PMC7830897 DOI: 10.3390/v13010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While treatment options are available for hepatitis B virus (HBV), there is currently no cure. Anti-HBV nucleoside analogs and interferon-alpha 2b rarely clear HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), requiring lifelong treatment. Recently, we identified GLP-26, a glyoxamide derivative which modulates HBV capsid assembly. The impact of GLP-26 on viral replication and integrated DNA was assessed in an HBV nude mouse model bearing HBV transfected AD38 xenografts. At day 45 post-infection, GLP-26 reduced HBV titers by 2.3–3 log10 versus infected placebo-treated mice. Combination therapy with GLP-26 and entecavir reduced HBV log10 titers by 4.6-fold versus placebo. Next, we examined the pharmacokinetics (PK) in cynomolgus monkeys administered GLP-26 via IV (1 mg/kg) or PO (5 mg/kg). GLP-26 was found to have 34% oral bioavailability, with a mean input time of 3.17 h. The oral dose produced a mean peak plasma concentration of 380.7 ng/mL, observed 0.67 h after administration (~30-fold > in vitro EC90 corrected for protein binding), with a mean terminal elimination half-life of 2.4 h and a mean area under the plasma concentration versus time curve of 1660 ng·hr/mL. GLP-26 was 86.7% bound in monkey plasma. Lastly, GLP-26 demonstrated a favorable toxicity profile confirmed in primary human cardiomyocytes. Thus, GLP-26 warrants further preclinical development as an add on to treatment for HBV infection.
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Abreu RM, Bassit LC, Tao S, Jiang Y, Ferreira AS, Hori PC, Ganova-Raeva LM, Khudyakov Y, Schinazi RF, Carrilho FJ, Ono SK. Long-term virological and adherence outcomes to antiviral treatment in a 4-year cohort chronic HBV study. Antivir Ther 2020; 24:567-579. [PMID: 31799942 DOI: 10.3851/imp3338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment adherence has been poorly studied worldwide. We evaluated long-term virological and adherence outcomes to antiviral treatment in CHB patients. METHODS A prospective 183 Brazilian CHB patient cohort treated with monotherapy or combination adefovir dipivoxil, entecavir, lamivudine and/or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate was studied in a reference tertiary centre. Treatment adherence was evaluated by a validated questionnaire named 'Assessment of Adherence to Antiviral Therapy Questionnaire' (CEAT-HBV) within three yearly periods (2010/2011, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015). RESULTS CEAT-HBV identified 43% (79/183) patients with non-adherence to antiviral treatment and among them, 67% (53/79) were viral load positive. The main causes associated with non-response to antiviral treatment were drug resistance variants followed by non-adherence, insufficient treatment duration and other causes. Single-dose pharmacokinetics demonstrated 35% (23/65) antiviral non-adherence. 2 years after the first assessment, the CEAT-HBV indicated that 71% (101/143) of subjects adhered to treatment (per-protocol population). However, 21% (40/183) of the patients could not be evaluated and were excluded. The main reasons for exclusion were death (20/183), 11 out 20 deaths due to hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV booklet was used for medical education. The third CEAT-HBV assessment (2014/2015) showed that 83% (112/135) patients were compliant with treatment adherence (per-protocol population). Long-term evaluation showed that adherence rate based on CEAT-HBV continue to increase after 4-years (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results highlight the importance of CHB therapy adherence assessment monitoring. Long-term adherence outcomes were dynamic and it is possible to increase the migration rate to adherence/HBV-DNA-negative group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo M Abreu
- Divisão de Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia Clínica do Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Departamento de Gastroenterologia da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Divisão de Farmácia do Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leda C Bassit
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Center for AIDS Research, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sijia Tao
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Center for AIDS Research, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yong Jiang
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Center for AIDS Research, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aline S Ferreira
- Divisão de Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia Clínica do Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Departamento de Gastroenterologia da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Ca Hori
- Divisão de Farmácia do Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lilia M Ganova-Raeva
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yury Khudyakov
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Raymond F Schinazi
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Center for AIDS Research, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Flair J Carrilho
- Divisão de Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia Clínica do Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Departamento de Gastroenterologia da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Suzane K Ono
- Divisão de Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia Clínica do Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Departamento de Gastroenterologia da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Novel Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulator Induces Potent Antiviral Responses In Vitro and in Humanized Mice. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01701-19. [PMID: 31712213 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01701-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects an estimated 250 million chronic carriers worldwide. Though several vaccines exist, they are ineffective for those already infected. HBV persists due to the formation of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA)-the viral minichromosome-in the nucleus of hepatocytes. Current nucleoside analogs and interferon therapies rarely clear cccDNA, requiring lifelong treatment. Our group identified GLP-26, a novel glyoxamide derivative that alters HBV nucleocapsid assembly and prevents viral DNA replication. GLP-26 exhibited single-digit nanomolar anti-HBV activity, inhibition of HBV e antigen (HBeAg) secretion, and reduced cccDNA amplification, in addition to showing a promising preclinical profile. Strikingly, long term combination treatment with entecavir in a humanized mouse model induced a decrease in viral loads and viral antigens that was sustained for up to 12 weeks after treatment cessation.
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Parnham MJ, Geisslinger G. Pharmacological plasticity-How do you hit a moving target? Pharmacol Res Perspect 2019; 7:e00532. [PMID: 31768257 PMCID: PMC6868654 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Paul Ehrlich's concept of the magic bullet, by which a single drug induces pharmacological effects by interacting with a single receptor has been a strong driving force in pharmacology for a century. It is continually thwarted, though, by the fact that the treated organism is highly dynamic and the target molecule(s) is (are) never static. In this article, we address some of the factors that modify and cause the mobility and plasticity of drug targets and their interactions with ligands and discuss how these can lead to unexpected (lack of) effects of drugs. These factors include genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic variability, cellular plasticity, chronobiological rhythms, time, age and disease resolution, sex, drug metabolism, and distribution. We emphasize four existing approaches that can be taken, either singly or in combination, to try to minimize effects of pharmacological plasticity. These are firstly, to enhance specificity using target conditions close to those in diseases, secondly, by simultaneously or thirdly, sequentially aiming at multiple targets, and fourthly, in synchronization with concurrent dietary, psychological, training, and biorhythm-synchronizing procedures to optimize drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Parnham
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology & Applied Ecology IMEBranch for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology TMPFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology & Applied Ecology IMEBranch for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology TMPFrankfurt am MainGermany
- Institute of Clinical PharmacologyJ.W. Goethe UniversityFrankfurtGermany
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Akkina R, Garry R, Bréchot C, Ellerbrok H, Hasegawa H, Menéndez-Arias L, Mercer N, Neyts J, Romanowski V, Segalés J, Vahlne A. 2019 meeting of the global virus network. Antiviral Res 2019; 172:104645. [PMID: 31697957 PMCID: PMC7127664 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Global Virus Network (GVN) was established in 2011 to strengthen research and responses to emerging viral causes of human disease and to prepare against new viral pandemics. There are now 52 GVN Centers of Excellence and 9 Affiliate laboratories in 32 countries. The 11th International GVN meeting was held from June 9-11, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain and was jointly organized with the Spanish Society of Virology. A common theme throughout the meeting was globalization and climate change. This report highlights the recent accomplishments of GVN researchers in several important areas of medical virology, including severe virus epidemics, anticipation and preparedness for changing disease dynamics, host-pathogen interactions, zoonotic virus infections, ethical preparedness for epidemics and pandemics, one health and antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Akkina
- Colorado State University. Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, USA
| | | | | | - Heinz Ellerbrok
- Robert Koch Institute. Center for International Health Protection, Germany
| | - Hideki Hasegawa
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases. Department of Pathology, Japan
| | | | | | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Victor Romanowski
- Universidad Nacional de La Plata. IBBM, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Argentina
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Anders Vahlne
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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10
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Agyemang NB, Kukla CR, Edwards TC, Li Q, Langen MK, Schaal A, Franson AD, Casals AG, Donald KA, Yu AJ, Donlin MJ, Morrison LA, Tavis JE, Murelli RP. Divergent synthesis of a thiolate-based α-hydroxytropolone library with a dynamic bioactivity profile. RSC Adv 2019; 9:34227-34234. [PMID: 33042521 PMCID: PMC7543996 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra06383h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we describe a rapid and divergent synthetic route toward structurally novel αHTs functionalized with either one or two thioether or sulfonyl appendages. Evaluation of this library against hepatitis B and herpes simplex virus, as well as the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, and a human hepatoblastoma (HepDES19) revealed complementary biological profiles and new lead compounds with sub-micromolar activity against each pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana B Agyemang
- Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York 11210, United States.,PhD Program in Chemistry, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Cassandra R Kukla
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Tiffany C Edwards
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Qilan Li
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Madison K Langen
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, 63104, United States
| | - Alexandra Schaal
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, 63104, United States
| | - Abaigeal D Franson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Andreu Gazquez Casals
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Katherine A Donald
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Alice J Yu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Maureen J Donlin
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, 63104, United States
| | - Lynda A Morrison
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
| | - John E Tavis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, United States
| | - Ryan P Murelli
- Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York 11210, United States.,PhD Program in Chemistry, The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York 10016, United States
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11
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Sa-Ngiamsuntorn K, Thongsri P, Pewkliang Y, Wongkajornsilp A, Kongsomboonchoke P, Suthivanich P, Borwornpinyo S, Hongeng S. An Immortalized Hepatocyte-like Cell Line (imHC) Accommodated Complete Viral Lifecycle, Viral Persistence Form, cccDNA and Eventual Spreading of a Clinically-Isolated HBV. Viruses 2019; 11:E952. [PMID: 31623162 PMCID: PMC6832882 DOI: 10.3390/v11100952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 350 million people worldwide have been persistently infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Chronic HBV infection could advance toward liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The intervention with prophylactic vaccine and conventional treatment could suppress HBV, but could not completely eradicate it. The major obstacle for investigating curative antiviral drugs are the incompetence of hepatocyte models that should have closely imitated natural human infection. Here, we demonstrated that an immortalized hepatocyte-like cell line (imHC) could accommodate for over 30 days the entire life cycle of HBV prepared from either established cultured cells or clinically-derived fresh isolates. Normally, imHCs had intact interferon signaling with anti-viral action. Infected imHCs responded to treatments with direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) and interferons (IFNs) by diminishing HBV DNA, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) surface antigen of HBV (HBsAg, aka the Australia antigen) and the hepatitis B viral protein (HBeAg). Notably, we could observe and quantify HBV spreading from infected cells to naïve cells using an imHC co-culture model. In summary, this study constructed a convenient HBV culture model that allows the screening for novel anti-HBV agents with versatile targets, either HBV entry, replication or cccDNA formation. Combinations of agents aiming at different targets should achieve a complete HBV eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanit Sa-Ngiamsuntorn
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Piyanoot Thongsri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Yongyut Pewkliang
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Adisak Wongkajornsilp
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
| | | | - Phichaya Suthivanich
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Excellent Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
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12
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Prevalence and genetic diversity of HCV among HIV-1 infected individuals living in Ahvaz, Iran. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:389. [PMID: 31068133 PMCID: PMC6505195 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4052-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To explore the prevalence, transmission routes and genotypes distribution of HCV in HIV-1/HCV co-infected individuals in Ahvaz, Iran. Methods The present cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV adult voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clients, from September to November 2016. Reverse transcription (RT) nested PCR was performed to amplify the HCV core and 5′UTR regions from 90 HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. The PCR products were then sequenced for HCV subtyping. Genetic analysis was done by MEGA6 software. Results The prevalence of HCV in HIV-1-infected individuals was 58.7%. Injection drug use (IDU) was the most common route (99.1%) of transmission, and most of the patients (97.8%) had a history of imprisonment. The HCV subtypes were identified as 1a (55.2%), 3a (35.8%), 3 h (4.5%), 1b (3%) and 4a (1.5%) respectively, HCV 1a and 3a subtypes were predominant. Conclusions The diversity of HCV subtypes in HIV-1/HCV co-infected individuals in Ahvaz city was high, although two subtypes (1a and 3a) are predominant.
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13
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Tang J, Huber AD, Pineda DL, Boschert KN, Wolf JJ, Kankanala J, Xie J, Sarafianos SG, Wang Z. 5-Aminothiophene-2,4-dicarboxamide analogues as hepatitis B virus capsid assembly effectors. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 164:179-192. [PMID: 30594676 PMCID: PMC6362850 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a major health threat. Current FDA-approved drugs do not cure HBV. Targeting HBV core protein (Cp) provides an attractive approach toward HBV inhibition and possibly infection cure. We have previously identified and characterized a 5-amino-3-methylthiophene-2,4-dicarboxamide (ATDC) compound as a structurally novel hit for capsid assembly effectors (CAEs). We report herein hit validation through studies on absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties and pharmacokinetics (PK), and hit optimization via analogue synthesis aiming to probe the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and structure-property relationship (SPR). In the end, these medicinal chemistry efforts led to the identification of multiple analogues strongly binding to Cp, potently inhibiting HBV replication in nanomolar range without cytotoxicity, and exhibiting good oral bioavailability (F). Two of our analogues, 19o (EC50 = 0.11 μM, CC50 > 100 μM, F = 25%) and 19k (EC50 = 0.31 μM, CC50 > 100 μM, F = 46%), displayed overall lead profiles superior to reported CAEs 7-10 used in our studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tang
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Andrew D Huber
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Dallas L Pineda
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Kelsey N Boschert
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Jennifer J Wolf
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Jayakanth Kankanala
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jiashu Xie
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Zhengqiang Wang
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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14
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Lobaina Y, Perera Y. Implication of B23/NPM1 in Viral Infections, Potential Uses of B23/NPM1 Inhibitors as Antiviral Therapy. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2019; 19:2-16. [PMID: 29589547 DOI: 10.2174/1871526518666180327124412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND B23/nucleophosmin (B23/NPM1) is an abundant multifunctional protein mainly located in the nucleolus but constantly shuttling between the nucleus and cytosol. As a consequence of its constitutive expression, intracellular dynamics and binding capacities, B23/NPM1 interacts with multiple cellular factors in different cellular compartments, but also with viral proteins from both DNA and RNA viruses. B23/NPM1 influences overall viral replication of viruses like HIV, HBV, HCV, HDV and HPV by playing functional roles in different stages of viral replication including nuclear import, viral genome transcription and assembly, as well as final particle formation. Of note, some virus modify the subcellular localization, stability and/or increases B23/NPM1 expression levels on target cells, probably to foster B23/NPM1 functions in their own replicative cycle. RESULTS This review summarizes current knowledge concerning the interaction of B23/NPM1 with several viral proteins during relevant human infections. The opportunities and challenges of targeting this well-conserved host protein as a potentially new broad antiviral treatment are discussed in detail. Importantly, although initially conceived to treat cancer, a handful of B23/NPM1 inhibitors are currently available to test on viral infection models. CONCLUSION As B23/NPM1 partakes in key steps of viral replication and some viral infections remain as unsolved medical needs, an appealing idea may be the expedite evaluation of B23/NPM1 inhibitors in viral infections. Furthermore, worth to be addressed is if the up-regulation of B23/NPM1 protein levels that follows persistent viral infections may be instrumental to the malignant transformation induced by virus like HBV and HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadira Lobaina
- Therapeutic Hepatitis B Vaccine Group, Vaccine Division, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, CP 10600, Cuba
| | - Yasser Perera
- Molecular Oncology Group, Pharmaceuticals Division, Biomedical Research Direction, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, CP 10600, Cuba
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15
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Anikhindi SA, Kumar A, Sharma P, Singla V, Bansal N, Arora A. Ideal Cure for Hepatitis B Infection: The Target is in Sight. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2018; 8:188-194. [PMID: 29892183 PMCID: PMC5992304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite recent strides in pharmacotherapy, complete cure of HBV infection still remains an enigma. The biggest obstacle in HBV therapy is clearance of covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (cccDNA). We discuss about the role of cccDNA in HBV life cycle, efficacy and shortcomings of currently available antivirals as well as promising novel targets to achieve ideal HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrihari A. Anikhindi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Department of Pathology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Department of Pathology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Praveen Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Department of Pathology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Vikas Singla
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Department of Pathology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Naresh Bansal
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Department of Pathology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Anil Arora
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
- Department of Pathology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
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16
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Schinazi RF, Ehteshami M, Bassit L, Asselah T. Towards HBV curative therapies. Liver Int 2018; 38 Suppl 1:102-114. [PMID: 29427479 PMCID: PMC6481632 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tremendous progress has been made over the last 2 decades to discover and develop approaches to control hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and to prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma using various interferons and small molecules as antiviral agents. However, none of these agents have significant impact on eliminating HBV from infected cells. Currently the emphasis is on silencing or eliminating cccDNA, which could lead to a cure for HBV. Various approaches are being developed including the development of capsid effectors, CRISPR/Cas9, TALENS, siRNA, entry and secretion inhibitors, as well as immunological approaches. It is very likely that a combination of these modalities will need to be employed to successfully eliminate HBV or prevent virus rebound on discontinuation of therapy. In the next 5 years clinical data will emerge which will provide insight on the safety and feasibility of these approaches and if they can be applied to eradicate HBV infections globally. In this review, we summarize current treatments and we highlight and examine recent therapeutic strategies that are currently being evaluated at the preclinical and clinical stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond F. Schinazi
- Center for AIDS Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maryam Ehteshami
- Center for AIDS Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Leda Bassit
- Center for AIDS Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Department of Hepatology, Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, Viral Hepatitis INSERM UMR 1149, AP-HP Hôpital Beaujon, Université Paris Diderot, Clichy, France
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17
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Broquetas T, Garcia-Retortillo M, Hernandez JJ, Puigvehí M, Cañete N, Coll S, Cabrero B, Giménez MD, Solà R, Carrión JA. Quantification of HBsAg to predict low levels and seroclearance in HBeAg-negative patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188303. [PMID: 29190670 PMCID: PMC5708657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients require long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues(NAs) because loss of surface antigen (HBsAg) is unusual. Low quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) levels can identify patients with higher probability of seroclearance. The aim of our study was to evaluate qHBsAg in HBeAg-negative patients receiving NAs to predict a reduction of HBsAg levels and seroclearance. METHODS Retrospective analysis of qHBsAg in HBeAg-negative patients before and at years 1, 3, 5, 8 and over of NAs treatment. RESULTS From 1999 to 2015, HBsAg was quantified in 358 serum samples from 95 HBeAg-negative patients. Low qHBsAg (<120 IU/mL) was identified at baseline or during follow-up in 14% of patients and HBsAg loss in 4%. No baseline variables predicted seroclearance and only treatment duration predicted low qHBsAg. The annual decline of qHBsAg was -0.102 log IU/mL and the median time to HBsAg loss was 6.04 years. The decline was greater in patients achieving low HBsAg levels (-0.257) than in those who did not (-0.057)(p<0.001). The diagnostic accuracy (ROC curve, 95%CI) of qHBsAg delta at year 3 was 0.89 (0.81-0.97), with cut-off >0.3 log IU/mL showing a positive and negative predictive value of 42% and 100% to identify patients achieving low levels of HBsAg. CONCLUSIONS Reduction of qHBsAg is slow in HBeAg-negative patients receiving NAs, although low levels or faster qHBsAg decline may occur in 14%. A qHBsAg reduction >0.3 log IU/mL at year 3 can identify patients with a higher probability of achieving low levels and HBsAg seroclearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Broquetas
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Garcia-Retortillo
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan José Hernandez
- Laboratori de Referencia de Catalunya (LRC), El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Puigvehí
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Cañete
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Coll
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Cabrero
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Dolors Giménez
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricard Solà
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José A. Carrión
- Liver Section, Gastroenterology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament de Medicina, Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
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18
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Sari O, Boucle S, Cox BD, Ozturk T, Russell OO, Bassit L, Amblard F, Schinazi RF. Synthesis of sulfamoylbenzamide derivatives as HBV capsid assembly effector. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 138:407-421. [PMID: 28688280 PMCID: PMC5581232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.06.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis of novel series of sulfamoylbenzamides as HBV capsid assembly effector is reported. The structure was divided into five parts which were independently modified as part of our lead optimization. All synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-HBV activity and toxicity in human hepatocytes, lymphocytes and other cells. Additionally, we assessed their effect on HBV cccDNA formation in an HBeAg reporter cell-based assay. Among the 27 compounds reported, several analogs exhibited submicromolar activities and significant reduction of HBeAg secretion. Selected compounds were studied under negative-stain electron microscopy for their ability to disrupt the HBV capsid formation. Structures were modeled into a binding site recently identified in the HBV capsid protein for similar molecules to rationalize the structure-activity relationships for this family of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozkan Sari
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sebastien Boucle
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Bryan D Cox
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Tugba Ozturk
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Olivia Ollinger Russell
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Leda Bassit
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Franck Amblard
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Raymond F Schinazi
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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19
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Chen S, Wang Z, Wan S, Huang H, Liang H. Effect of modified Xiaochaihu decoction‑containing serum on HepG2.2.15 cells via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:7416-7422. [PMID: 28944901 PMCID: PMC5865873 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms underlying the effect of modified Xiaochaihu decoction (mXCHD) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Patients with CHB, in addition to liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome were randomly assigned to receive either Chinese (mXCHD) or western (entecavir) treatment, with 30 cases in each group. Serum was collected following treatment with mXCHD or entecavir for 7 days. A healthy group of 30 individuals was also included. HepG2.2.15 cells were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into four groups: Healthy; entecavir-treated; 10% mXCHD-treated; and 20% mXCHD-treated. The HepG2.2.15 cells in the four groups were treated with either serum from the healthy volunteers, entecavir-containing serum, or mXCHD-containing serum at different concentrations (10 or 20%, respectively). Following treatment with the corresponding serum, cell proliferation was examined using an MTT assay, and the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the cell supernatant was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Janus kinase (JAK)2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses, respectively. The results indicated that the most effective treatment for the promotion of HepG2.2.15 cell proliferation was a 20% concentration of mXCHD serum. The expression of HBsAg was significantly decreased in the groups treated with 10 and 20% mXCHD 48 h following intervention (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of STAT3 in the 20% mXCHD serum group were significantly increased, compared with those in the healthy group (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed in the expression of JAK2 among the four groups. These results indicated that mXCHD suppressed the hepatitis B virus, and treatment of the cells with mXCHD-containing serum promoted HepG2.2.15 cell proliferation via modulating the expression of STAT3, which may contribute to the clinical efficacy of mXCHD against CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofang Chen
- College of Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Zhanglin Wang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Shichuan Wan
- College of Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Hai Huang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
| | - Huiqing Liang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
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20
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Lobaina Y, Michel ML. Chronic hepatitis B: Immunological profile and current therapeutic vaccines in clinical trials. Vaccine 2017; 35:2308-2314. [PMID: 28351734 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.03.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
More than 250million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (CHB), and over half a million die each year due to CHB-associated liver complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The translation of immunological knowledge about CHB into therapeutic strategies aiming to a sustainable hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance has been challenging. In recent years, however, the understanding on the immune effectors required to overcome chronicity has notably increased thanks to preclinical and clinical research. Therapeutic vaccination may prove to be useful for treating CHB patients when coupled with current antiviral agents and other immunomodulatory strategies. This review summarizes current data and future perspectives on therapeutic vaccination. Other treatment alternatives that could be combined with vaccines for a complete cure from hepatitis B virus infection are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadira Lobaina
- Vaccine Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba.
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21
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Huang Y. Preclinical and Clinical Advances of GalNAc-Decorated Nucleic Acid Therapeutics. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 6:116-132. [PMID: 28325278 PMCID: PMC5363494 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A main challenge in realizing the full potential of nucleic acid therapeutics is efficient delivery of them into targeted tissues and cells. N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) is a well-defined liver-targeted moiety benefiting from its high affinity with asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). By conjugating it directly to the oligonucleotides or decorating it to a certain delivery system as a targeting moiety, GalNAc has achieved compelling successes in the development of nucleic acid therapeutics in recent years. Several oligonucleotide modalities are undergoing pivotal clinical studies, followed by a blooming pipeline in the preclinical stage. This review covers the progress of GalNAc-decorated oligonucleotide drugs, including siRNAs, anti-miRs, and ASOs, which provides a panorama for this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyu Huang
- Advanced Research Institute for Multidisciplinary Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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22
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Boucle S, Lu X, Bassit L, Ozturk T, Russell OO, Amblard F, Coats SJ, Schinazi RF. Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of novel heteroarylpyrimidines analogs as HBV capsid effectors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:904-910. [PMID: 28094179 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
New modifications to the scaffold of previously reported HBV capsid assembly effectors such as BAY 41-4109, HAP-12 and GLS4 were explored. The anti-HBV activity in the HepAD38 system, and cytotoxicity profiles of each of the new compounds has been assessed. Among them, five new iodo- and bromo-heteroarylpyrimidines analogs displayed anti-HBV activity in the low micromolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastien Boucle
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xiao Lu
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Leda Bassit
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Tugba Ozturk
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Olivia Ollinger Russell
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Franck Amblard
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Steven J Coats
- Cocrystal Pharma, Inc., 1860 Montreal Road, Tucker, GA 30084, USA
| | - Raymond F Schinazi
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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23
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Abstract
Approximately 170 million people are chronically infected with HCV and 350 million are chronically infected with HBV worldwide. It is estimated that more than one million patients die from complications related to chronic viral hepatitis, mainly HCC which is one of the most frequent cancers in many countries, especially Africa, the Middle East and Asia. HCV drug development has been impressive, and this revolution led to several direct-acting antiviral agents achieving an HCV cure after only 6-12 weeks. This progress could theorically lead to HCV global elimination making HCV and its consequences a rarity. HBV research and development programs can learn from the HCV experience, to achieve an HBV functional or sterilizing cure. This review will summarize key steps which have been realized for an HCV cure, and discuss the next steps to achieve for an HCV elimination. And also, how this HCV revolution has inspired scientists and clinicians to achieve the same for HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond F Schinazi
- Frances Winship Walters Professor of Pediatrics, Center for AIDS Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Hepatology Department, UMR1149, Physiopathology and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation and Université Denis Diderot Paris 7, Beaujon Hospital, AP-HP, Clichy, France
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