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Ning G, Liao X, Jiang H. Integrated analyses reveal CST7 and DUSP5 regulate Th2 cells differentiation to promote chronic HBV infection. Genes Immun 2024:10.1038/s41435-024-00296-1. [PMID: 39237681 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-024-00296-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Chronicity of HBV infection is a complex process influenced by both viral and host factors. Understanding the complex interplay between HBV and cellular immunity is critical. In this study, we used bulk expression datasets for CHB liver tissue from GSE83148 and GSE84044, and scRNA-seq data of CHB liver samples from GSE182159 to find critical genes and immune cells accounted for CHB. We first identified DEGs closely associated with CHB by WGCNA and these genes were intricately linked to differentiation of Th2 cells, which were significantly higher in CHB and positively associated with ALT, AST, HBV-DNA, Scheuer grade and Scheuer stage. Among these DEGs, CST7 and DUSP5 highly expressed in CHB and positively associated with ALT, AST, HBV-DNA, Scheuer grade and Scheuer stage. Moreover, through scRNA-seq, we also found that CST7 and DUSP5 upregulated in Th2 cells and regulated differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells to Th2 cells. Finally, in-vitro studies also showed that HBV infection could significantly up-regulate DUSP5 and CST7 expression. This research strongly revealed that HBV could up-regulate CST7 and DUSP5 to drive differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into Th2 cells and contribute to CHB, which may pave the way for immunotherapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Ning
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xianxiang Liao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongye Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, Guangdong, China.
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2
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Yang D, Duan Z, Yuan P, Ding C, Dai X, Chen G, Wu D. How does TCR-T cell therapy exhibit a superior anti-tumor efficacy. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 687:149209. [PMID: 37944471 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
TCR-engineered T cells have achieved great progress in solid tumor therapy, some of which have been applicated in clinical trials. Deep knowledge about the current progress of TCR-T in tumor therapy would be beneficial to understand the direction. Here, we classify tumor antigens into tumor-associated antigens, tumor-specific antigens, tumor antigens expressed by oncogenic viruses, and tumor antigens caused by abnormal protein modification; Then we detail the TCR-T cell therapy effects targeting those tumor antigens in clinical or preclinical trials, and propose that neoantigen specific TCR-T cell therapy is expected to be a promising approach for solid tumors; Furthermore, we summarize the optimization strategies, such as tumor microenvironment, TCR pairing and affinity, to improve the therapeutic effect of TCR-T. Overall, this review provides inspiration for the antigen selection and therapy strategies of TCR-T in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Yang
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Zhihui Duan
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Ping Yuan
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Chengming Ding
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Xiaoming Dai
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Guodong Chen
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Daichao Wu
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
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Guo G, He W, Zhou Z, Diao Y, Sui J, Li W. PreS1- targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cells diminish HBV infection in liver humanized FRG mice. Virology 2023; 586:23-34. [PMID: 37478771 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.06.015] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Current therapies control but rarely achieve a cure for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Restoration of the HBV-specific immunity by cell-based therapy represents a potential approach for a cure. In this study, we generated HBV specific CAR T cells based on an antibody 2H5-A14 targeting a preS1 region of the HBV large envelope protein. We show that the A14 CAR T cell is capable of killing hepatocytes infected by HBV with high specificity; adoptive transfer of A14 CAR T cells to HBV infected humanized FRG mice resulted in reductions of all serum and intrahepatic virological markers to levels below the detection limit. A14 CAR T cells treatment increased the levels of human IFN-γ, GM-CSF, and IL-8/CXCL-8 in the mice. These results show that A14 CAR T cells may be further developed for curative therapy against HBV infection by eliminating HBV-infected hepatocytes and inducing production of pro-inflammatory and antiviral cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilan Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongmin Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Diao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yet-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Sui
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China.
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Corkum CP, Wiede LL, Ruble CLA, Qiu J, Mulrooney-Cousins PM, Steeves MA, Watson DE, Michalak TI. Identification of antibodies cross-reactive with woodchuck immune cells and activation of virus-specific and global cytotoxic T cell responses by anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 in experimental chronic hepatitis B and persistent occult hepadnaviral infection. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1011070. [PMID: 36560951 PMCID: PMC9764628 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1011070] [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: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Woodchuck (Marmota monax) infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) is the most pathogenically compatible naturally occurring model of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, chronic hepatitis B, and HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. This system plays a crucial role in discovery and preclinical evaluation of anti-HBV therapies. Its utilization remains tempered by the relatively narrow range of validated immunologic and molecular tools. We evaluated commercial antibodies against immune cell phenotypic markers and T cell molecules for cross-reactivity with woodchuck antigenic equivalents. The confirmed antibodies against programed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) were examined for ex vivo ability to activate WHV-specific, global and bystander cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) in chronic hepatitis and asymptomatic infection persisting after self-resolved acute hepatitis. Examination of 65 antibodies led to identification or confirmation of 23 recognizing woodchuck T, regulatory T, B and natural killer cells, T cell-associated PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4 and TIM-3 molecules, CD25 and CD69 markers of T cell activation, and interferon gamma (IFNγ). Antibodies against woodchuck PD-1 and PD-L1 triggered in vitro highly individualized WHV-specific and global activation of CTLs in both chronic hepatitis and persistent occult infection. WHV-specific CTLs were more robustly augmented by anti-PD-1 than by anti-PD-L1 in chronic hepatitis, while global IFNγ-positive CTL response was significantly suppressed in chronic hepatitis compared to persistent occult infection. Anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 also occasionally activated CTLs to specificities other than those tested suggesting their potency to trigger side effects. This was particularly apparent when T cells from chronic hepatitis were treated with anti-PD-L1. The current findings indicate that inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway could reactivate virus-specific and global T cell responses in both chronic hepatitis and asymptomatic persistent infection. They suggest a mechanism of potential reactivation of clinically silent infection during anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment and indicate that this therapy may also subdue occult HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P. Corkum
- Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research Group, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Louisa L. Wiede
- Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research Group, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Cara L.-A. Ruble
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Elli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jiabin Qiu
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Elli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Patricia M. Mulrooney-Cousins
- Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research Group, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Meredith A. Steeves
- Non-Clinical Safety Assessment, Toxicology, Elli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - David E. Watson
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Elli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Tomasz I. Michalak
- Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research Group, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada,*Correspondence: Tomasz I. Michalak,
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Baidya A, Khatun M, Mondal RK, Ghosh S, Chakraborty BC, Mallik S, Ahammed SKM, Chowdhury A, Banerjee S, Datta S. Hepatitis B virus suppresses complement C9 synthesis by limiting the availability of transcription factor USF-1 and inhibits formation of membrane attack complex: implications in disease pathogenesis. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:97. [PMID: 36376872 PMCID: PMC9664717 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00876-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The complement system functions primarily as a first-line host defense against invading microbes, including viruses. However, the interaction of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) with the complement-components during chronic HBV infection remains largely unknown. We investigated the mechanism by which HBV inhibits the formation of cytolytic complement membrane-attack complex (MAC) and studied its impact on MAC-mediated microbicidal activity and disease pathogenesis. Methods Blood/liver tissues were collected from chronically HBV-infected patients and controls. HepG2hNTCP cells were infected with HBV particles and Huh7 cells were transfected with full-length linear HBV-monomer or plasmids containing different HBV-ORFs and expression of complement components or other host genes were evaluated. Additionally, ELISA, Real-time PCR, Western blot, bioinformatics analysis, gene overexpression/knock-down, mutagenesis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, epigenetic studies, immunofluorescence, and quantification of serum HBV-DNA, bacterial-DNA and endotoxin were performed. Results Among the MAC components (C5b-C9), significant reduction was noted in the expression of C9, the major constituent of MAC, in HBV-infected HepG2hNTCP cells and in Huh7 cells transfected with full-length HBV as well as HBX. C9 level was also marked low in sera/liver of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and Immune-tolerant (IT) patients than inactive carriers and healthy controls. HBX strongly repressed C9-promoter activity in Huh7 cells but CpG-island was not detected in C9-promoter. We identified USF-1 as the key transcription factor that drives C9 expression and demonstrated that HBX-induced hypermethylation of USF-1-promoter is the leading cause of USF-1 downregulation that in turn diminished C9 transcription. Reduced MAC formation and impaired lysis of HBV-transfected Huh7 and bacterial cells were observed following incubation of these cells with C9-deficient CHB sera but was reversed upon C9 supplementation. Significant inverse correlation was noted between C9 concentration and HBV-DNA, bacterial-DNA and endotoxin content in HBV-infected patients. One-year Tenofovir therapy resulted in improvement in C9 level and decline in viral/bacterial/endotoxin load in CHB patients. Conclusion Collectively, HBX suppressed C9 transcription by restricting the availability of USF-1 through hypermethylation of USF-1-promoter and consequently hinder the formation and lytic functions of MAC. Early therapy is needed for both CHB and IT to normalize the aberrant complement profile and contain viral and bacterial infection and limit disease progression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12929-022-00876-1.
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Tsiakos K, Gavrielatou N, Vathiotis IA, Chatzis L, Chatzis S, Poulakou G, Kotteas E, Syrigos NK. Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Axis Inhibition in Viral Infections: Clinical Data and Therapeutic Opportunities. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10101673. [PMID: 36298538 PMCID: PMC9611078 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A vital function of the immune system is the modulation of an evolving immune response. It is responsible for guarding against a wide variety of pathogens as well as the establishment of memory responses to some future hostile encounters. Simultaneously, it maintains self-tolerance and minimizes collateral tissue damage at sites of inflammation. In recent years, the regulation of T-cell responses to foreign or self-protein antigens and maintenance of balance between T-cell subsets have been linked to a distinct class of cell surface and extracellular components, the immune checkpoint molecules. The fact that both cancer and viral infections exploit similar, if not the same, immune checkpoint molecules to escape the host immune response highlights the need to study the impact of immune checkpoint blockade on viral infections. More importantly, the process through which immune checkpoint blockade completely changed the way we approach cancer could be the key to decipher the potential role of immunotherapy in the therapeutic algorithm of viral infections. This review focuses on the effect of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 blockade on the outcome of viral infections in cancer patients as well as the potential benefit from the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treatment of viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Tsiakos
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Niki Gavrielatou
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ioannis A. Vathiotis
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Loukas Chatzis
- Pathophysiology Department, Athens School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Chatzis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Hippokration” Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Garyfallia Poulakou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Kotteas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos K. Syrigos
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
- Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Li Y, You Z, Tang R, Ma X. Tissue-resident memory T cells in chronic liver diseases: Phenotype, development and function. Front Immunol 2022; 13:967055. [PMID: 36172356 PMCID: PMC9511135 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.967055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue-resident memory (TRM) T cells are a unique subset of memory T cells that are critical for the first line of defense against pathogens or antigens in peripheral non-lymphoid tissues such as liver, gut, and skin. Generally, TRM cells are well adapted to the local environment in a tissue-specific manner and typically do not circulate but persist in tissues, distinguishing them from other memory T cell lineages. There is strong evidence that liver TRM cells provide a robust adaptive immune response to potential threats. Indeed, the potent effector function of hepatic TRM cells makes it essential for chronic liver diseases, including viral and parasite infection, autoimmune liver diseases (AILD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver transplantation. Manipulation of hepatic TRM cells might provide novel promising strategies for precision immunotherapy of chronic liver diseases. Here, we provide insights into the phenotype of hepatic TRM cells through surface markers, transcriptional profiles and effector functions, discuss the development of hepatic TRM cells in terms of cellular origin and factors affecting their development, analyze the role of hepatic TRM cells in chronic liver diseases, as well as share our perspectives on the current status of hepatic TRM cell research.
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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus and an important human pathogen. There are an estimated 296 million people in the world that are chronically infected by this virus, and many of them will develop severe liver diseases including hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV is a small DNA virus that replicates via the reverse transcription pathway. In this review, we summarize the molecular pathways that govern the replication of HBV and its interactions with host cells. We also discuss viral and non-viral factors that are associated with HBV-induced carcinogenesis and pathogenesis, as well as the role of host immune responses in HBV persistence and liver pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chen Chuang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kuen-Nan Tsai
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jing-Hsiung James Ou
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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Hu Y, Zhang H, Wu M, Liu J, Li X, Zhu X, Li C, Chen H, Liu C, Niu J, Ding Y. Safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of TQ-A3334, an oral toll-like receptor 7 agonist in healthy individuals. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:263-269. [PMID: 33405993 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1873275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS TQ-A3334, a selective, oral toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist, is being developed to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of TQ-A3334 in healthy participants. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The effects of a single-ascending dose of TQ-A3334 (0.2-1.8 mg) combined with food (1.2 mg) were evaluated in 48 healthy participants. RESULTS No serious adverse events or discontinuations occurred in the study. The most common adverse reactions were lymphocyte count decreased and headache, which were generally consistent with IFN-α exposure and the mechanism of action of a TLR7 agonist. TQ-A3334 was rapidly absorbed, with a time to maximum plasma concentration of 0.42-0.5 h. Systemic exposure (Cmax and AUC) to TQ-A3334 increased with a slight saturation proportion to dose. Food reduced the exposure of TQ-A3334. The concentrations of MCP-1, ISG-15, MX-1, and OAS-1 were observed to be slightly dose-dependent, ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 mg TQ-A3334. CONCLUSIONS Oral doses of 0.2-1.8 mg appeared to be safe and tolerated. PD activity was seen at doses ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 mg, indicating its possible future use to treat CHB. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial website (http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/index.html # CTR20182248).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hu
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Min Wu
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Jingrui Liu
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaojiao Li
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoxue Zhu
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Cuiyun Li
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Chengjiao Liu
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Junqi Niu
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Yanhua Ding
- Phase I Clinical Research Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
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Bertoletti A, Tan AT. HBV as a target for CAR or TCR-T cell therapy. Curr Opin Immunol 2020; 66:35-41. [PMID: 32361634 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Engineering HBV-specific T cells utilizing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or a classical T cell receptor (TCR) provides a well characterized, sizeable and functionally intact population of HBV-specific T cells with identical in vitro functionality to the T cells isolated in patients who resolved acute HBV infection. In this review we present evidences of the virological and immunological features of chronic HBV infection, alone or in combination with Hepatitis Delta that might make it amenable for CAR/TCR-T cells therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Bertoletti
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Singapore Immunology Network (SigN), Agency of Science Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore.
| | - Anthony Tanoto Tan
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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Ma A, Motyka B, Gutfreund K, Shi YE, George R. A dendritic cell receptor-targeted chimeric immunotherapeutic protein (C-HBV) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 16:756-778. [PMID: 31687879 PMCID: PMC7227630 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1689080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections HBV-specific T cells are functionally impaired. Immunotherapy may restore HBV-specific T cell responses essential for sustained disease remission off-treatment and induction of a functional cure. Chimigen® Molecules are fusion proteins of antigen(s) with the Fc fragment of a xenotypic antibody designed to target specific receptors on dendritic cells (DCs). Here we describe the production and pre-clinical evaluation of Chimigen® HBV (C-HBV), containing HBV PreS1 and PreS2 peptide fragments, HBV core and murine Fc, produced in insect cells. C-HBV binding to immature DCs and internalization by endocytosis was FcγRII (CD32) and mannose receptor (CD206) dependent and led to increased MHC I and MHC II surface expression. Upon exposure of human T cells isolated from HBV un-infected healthy and chronically HBV-infected donors to C-HBV-pulsed mature DCs ex vivo, C-HBV induced vigorous T cell proliferation and enhanced expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, perforin and granzyme B in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Re-stimulation of C-HBV-activated T cells from chronically infected donors with HBV PreS1/PreS2 and core overlapping peptides induced IFN-γ production in both CD4+ and CD8+ populations. C-HBV-activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from chronically HBV-infected patients stimulated granzyme B production by CD4+CD25- T responder (Tresp) cells, accompanied by an increase in Annexin V staining on CD4+CD25+ T regulatory (Treg) cell phenotype, consistent with apoptosis. The observed HBV-specific cellular responses induced by C-HBV ex vivo suggest that C-HBV is a promising immunotherapeutic candidate for the treatment of chronic HBV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Ma
- Akshaya Bio Inc., Edmonton, Canada
| | - Bruce Motyka
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Klaus Gutfreund
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Yuenian Eric Shi
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Al-Kanaan BM, Al-Ouqaili MT, Al-Rawi KF. Detection of cytokines (IL-1α and IL-2) and oxidative stress markers in hepatitis B envelope antigen-positive and -negative chronic hepatitis B patients: Molecular and biochemical study. GENE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2019.100504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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14
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George R, Ma A, Motyka B, Shi YE, Liu Q, Griebel P. A dendritic cell-targeted chimeric hepatitis B virus immunotherapeutic vaccine induces both cellular and humoral immune responses in vivo. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 16:779-792. [PMID: 31687875 PMCID: PMC7227651 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1689081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimigen® HBV Immunotherapeutic Vaccine (C-HBV), a recombinant chimeric fusion protein comprising hepatitis B virus (HBV) S1 and S2 surface antigen fragments, Core antigen and a murine monoclonal antibody heavy chain fragment (Fc), was designed and produced in Sf9 insect cells. C-HBV targets the host immune system through specific receptors present on dendritic cells (DCs) which facilitates antigen internalization, processing, and presentation on MHC class I and II to induce both cellular and humoral immune responses against HBV antigens. T cell responses, previously assessed by ex vivo antigen presentation assays using human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived DCs and T cells from uninfected and HBV chronic-infected donors, demonstrated that C-HBV was highly immunogenic. A vaccine dose response study was performed in sheep to analyze the immunogenicity of C-HBV in vivo. Sheep (n = 8/group) received three consecutive subcutaneous injections of each dose of C-HBV at four-week intervals. Analysis of serum antibody levels confirmed C-HBV induced a dose-dependent antibody response to C-HBV and S1/S2-Core. Kinetics of the S1/S2-Core specific antibody response was similar to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific antibody responses induced by ENGERIX-B. Analysis of cell-mediated immune responses (CMI) confirmed C-HBV induced both dose-dependent S1/S2-Core-specific lymphocyte proliferative responses and IFN-γ secretion. These responses were stronger with blood lymphocytes than with cells isolated from the lymph node draining the vaccination site. No correlation was seen between antibody titers and CMI. The results confirm C-HBV is an effective delivery vehicle for the induction of T cell responses and may be an appropriate candidate for immunotherapy for chronic HBV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allan Ma
- Akshaya Bio Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bruce Motyka
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Yuenian Eric Shi
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Philip Griebel
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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15
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Li X, Wang R, Fan P, Yao X, Qin L, Peng Y, Ma M, Asley N, Chang X, Feng Y, Hu Y, Zhang Y, Li C, Fanning G, Jones S, Verrill C, Maldonado-Perez D, Sopp P, Waugh C, Taylor S, Mcgowan S, Cerundolo V, Conlon C, McMichael A, Lu S, Wang X, Li N, Dong T. A Comprehensive Analysis of Key Immune Checkpoint Receptors on Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells From Multiple Types of Cancer. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1066. [PMID: 31709176 PMCID: PMC6823747 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cancer patients often display dysfunctional antitumor T-cell responses. Because noteworthy benefits of immune checkpoint pathway blockade, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, have been achieved in multiple advanced cancers, the next critical question is which mono-blockade or combinatorial blockade regimens may reinvigorate antitumor T-cell immunity in those cancer patients while limiting immune-related adverse effects. Method: This study recruited, in total, 172 primary cancer patients (131 were blood-tumor-matched patients) who were treatment-naïve prior to the surgeries or biopsies covering the eight most prevalent types of cancer. With access to fresh surgical samples, this study simultaneously investigated the ex vivo expression level of eight known immune checkpoint receptors [PD-1, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 [CTLA-4], T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 [Tim-3], 2B4, killer cell lectin like receptor G1 [KLRG-1], TIGIT, B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator [BTLA], and CD160] on tumor-infiltrating T cells (TILs) and paired circulating T cells in blood from a 131-patient cohort. Results: We found increased an expression of PD-1 and Tim-3 but a decreased expression of BTLA on TILs when compared with peripheral blood from multiple types of cancer. Moreover, our co-expression analysis of key immune checkpoint receptors delineates "shared" subsets as PD-1+Tim-3+TIGIT+2B4+KLRG-1-CTLA-4- and PD-1+TIGIT+2B4+Tim-3-KLRG-1-CTLA-4- from bulk CD8 TILs. Furthermore, we found that a higher frequency of advanced differentiation stage T cells (CD27-CCR7-CD45RA-) among the "shared" subset (PD-1+Tim-3+TIGIT+2B4+KLRG-1-CTLA-4-) in bulk CD8 TILs was associated with poorly differentiated cancer type in cervical cancer patients. Conclusions: To our knowledge, our study is the first comprehensive analysis of key immune checkpoint receptors on T cells in treatment-naïve, primary cancer patients from the eight most prevalent types of cancer. These findings might provide useful information for future design of mono-blockade/combinatorial blockades and/or genetically modified T-cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Li
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Radiation Therapy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS Oxford Institute), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rouzheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Radiation Therapy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS Oxford Institute), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Peiwen Fan
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Radiation Therapy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Xuan Yao
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS Oxford Institute), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ling Qin
- Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanchun Peng
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS Oxford Institute), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Miaomiao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Radiation Therapy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Neil Asley
- Single Cell Genomics Facility, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Xuimei Chang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Radiation Therapy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Yaning Feng
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Radiation Therapy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Yunhui Hu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Radiation Therapy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Yonghong Zhang
- Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chris Li
- China R&D, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Stephanie Jones
- Oxford Radcliffe Biobank, Department of Cellular Pathology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Verrill
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Maldonado-Perez
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Sopp
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Waugh
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Taylor
- Bioinformatics Team, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Mcgowan
- Bioinformatics Team, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Cerundolo
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS Oxford Institute), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Conlon
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS Oxford Institute), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew McMichael
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS Oxford Institute), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Shichun Lu
- China Military General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Radiation Therapy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
- Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Tumor Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Ning Li
- Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Dong
- Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS Oxford Institute), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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16
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Zoulim F, Fournier C, Habersetzer F, Sprinzl M, Pol S, Coffin CS, Leroy V, Ma M, Wedemeyer H, Lohse AW, Thimme R, Lugardon K, Martin P, Bastien B, Sansas B, Adda N, Halluard C, Bendjama K, Brandely M, Inchauspé G. Safety and immunogenicity of the therapeutic vaccine TG1050 in chronic hepatitis B patients: a phase 1b placebo-controlled trial. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 16:388-399. [PMID: 31373537 PMCID: PMC7158919 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1651141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) typically requires life-long administration of drugs. Cohort and pre-clinical studies have established the link between a functional T-cell-mounted immunity and resolution of infection. TG1050 is an adenovirus 5-based vaccine that expresses HBV polymerase and domains of core and surface antigen and has shown immunogenicity and antiviral effects in mice. We performed a phase 1 clinical trial to assess safety and explore immunogenicity and early efficacy of TG1050 in CHB patients. This randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study included two sequential phases: one single dose cohort (SD, n = 12) and one multiple (3) doses cohort (MD, n = 36). Patients, virally suppressed under nucleoside(d)tide analog NUC therapy, were randomized 1:1:1 across 3 dose levels (DL) and assigned to receive 109, 1010, 1011 virus particles (vp) of TG1050 and then randomized within each DL to placebo (3:1 and 9:3 vaccines/placebo in each DL, respectively, for the SD and MD cohorts). Cellular (ELISPOT) and antibody responses (anti-Adenovirus), as well as evolution of circulating HBsAg and HBcrAg, were monitored. All doses were well tolerated in both cohorts, without severe adverse event. TG1050 was capable to induce IFN-γ producing T-cells targeting 1 to 3 encoded antigens, in particular at the 1010vp dose. Overall, minor decreases of HBsAg were observed while a number of vaccinees reached unquantifiable HBcrAg by end of the study. In CHB patients under NUC, TG1050 exhibited a good safety profile and was capable to induce HBV-specific cellular immune response. These data support further clinical evaluation, especially in combination studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Zoulim
- Service d'hépato-Gastroentérologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Martin Sprinzl
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stanislas Pol
- Service Gastroentérologie et Hépatologie, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Carla S Coffin
- Liver Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Vincent Leroy
- Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, CHU, Grenoble, France
| | - Mang Ma
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research Centre, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Uniklinik, Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Karine Lugardon
- Deptartment Affaires Médicales, Reseach, Project, Transgene SA, Illkirch, France
| | - Perrine Martin
- Deptartment Maladies Infectieuses, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | - Bérangère Bastien
- Deptartment Affaires Médicales, Reseach, Project, Transgene SA, Illkirch, France
| | - Benoit Sansas
- Deptartment Affaires Médicales, Reseach, Project, Transgene SA, Illkirch, France
| | - Nathalie Adda
- Deptartment Affaires Médicales, Reseach, Project, Transgene SA, Illkirch, France
| | - Celine Halluard
- Deptartment Affaires Médicales, Reseach, Project, Transgene SA, Illkirch, France
| | - Kaïdre Bendjama
- Deptartment Affaires Médicales, Reseach, Project, Transgene SA, Illkirch, France
| | - Maud Brandely
- Deptartment Affaires Médicales, Reseach, Project, Transgene SA, Illkirch, France
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17
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Magalhaes I, Yogev O, Mattsson J, Schurich A. The Metabolic Profile of Tumor and Virally Infected Cells Shapes Their Microenvironment Counteracting T Cell Immunity. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2309. [PMID: 31636636 PMCID: PMC6788393 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon activation naïve T cells undergo metabolic changes to support the differentiation into subsets of effector or regulatory cells, and enable subsequent metabolic adaptations to form memory. Interfering with these metabolic alterations leads to abrogation or reprogramming of T cell differentiation, demonstrating the importance of these pathways in T cell development. It has long been appreciated that the conversion of a healthy cell to a cancerous cell is accompanied by metabolic changes, which support uncontrolled proliferation. Especially in solid tumors these metabolic changes significantly influence the tumor microenvironment (TME) and affect tumor infiltrating immune cells. The TME is often hypoxic and nutrient depleted, additionally tumor cells produce co-inhibitory signals, together suppressing the immune response. Interestingly, viruses can stimulate a metabolism akin to that seen in tumor cells in their host cells and even in neighboring cells (e.g., via transfer of virally modified extracellular vesicles). Thus, viruses create their own niche which favors viral persistence and propagation, while again keeping the immune response at bay. In this review we will focus on the mechanisms employed by tumor cells and viruses influencing T cell metabolic regulation and the impact they have on shaping T cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Magalhaes
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ohad Yogev
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonas Mattsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Gloria and Seymour Epstein Chair in Cell Therapy and Transplantation, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Schurich
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Kranidioti H, Manolakopoulos S, Kontos G, Breen MS, Kourikou A, Deutsch M, Quesada-Del-Bosque ME, Martinez-Nunez RT, Naiyer MM, Woelk CH, Sanchez-Elsner T, Hadziyannis E, Papatheodoridis G, Khakoo SI. Immunological biomarkers as indicators for outcome after discontinuation of nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:697-709. [PMID: 30702196 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The optimal duration of treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) for patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify an immune signature associated with off-treatment remission to NA therapy. We performed microarray analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) from six patients with chronic hepatitis B who stopped NA therapy (three with off-treatment remission, three with relapse) and five patients with chronic HBV infection (previously termed 'inactive carriers') served as controls. Results were validated using qRT-PCR on a second group of 21 individuals (17 patients who stopped treatment and four controls). PBMCs from 38 patients on long-term NA treatment were analysed for potential to stop treatment. Microarray analysis indicated that patients with off-treatment remission segregated as a distinct out-group. Twenty-one genes were selected for subsequent validation. Ten of these were expressed at significantly lower levels in the patients with off-treatment remission compared to the patients with relapse and predicted remission with AUC of 0.78-0.92. IFNγ, IL-8, FASLG and CCL4 were the most significant by logistic regression. Twelve (31.6%) of 38 patients on long-term NA therapy had expression levels of all these four genes below cut-off values and hence were candidates for stopping treatment. Our data suggest that patients with HBeAg-negative CHB who remain in off-treatment remission 3 years after NA cessation have a distinct immune signature and that PBMC RNA levels of IFNγ, IL-8, FASLG and CCL4 may serve as potential biomarkers for stopping NA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hariklia Kranidioti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spilios Manolakopoulos
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laiko General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Kontos
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Michael S Breen
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Anastasia Kourikou
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Melanie Deutsch
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Rocio T Martinez-Nunez
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Mohammed M Naiyer
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Christopher H Woelk
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Tilman Sanchez-Elsner
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Emilia Hadziyannis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laiko General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Papatheodoridis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Laiko General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Salim I Khakoo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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19
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Zheng J, Ou Z, Xu Y, Xia Z, Lin X, Jin S, Liu Y, Wu J. Hepatitis B virus-specific effector CD8 + T cells are an important determinant of disease prognosis: A meta-analysis. Vaccine 2019; 37:2439-2446. [PMID: 30935741 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific effector CD8+ T cells are critical for viral clearance. To determine the effects of HBV-specific effector CD8+ T cells on HBV infection, we performed a meta-analysis of the available literature. METHODS Electronic database searches identified appropriately designed studies that detected specific CD8+ T cells in HBV-infected patients. Our main endpoints were the course of infection, seroconversion of HBV "e" antigen (HBeAg), the level of HBVDNA, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. We used a fixed/random model for analysis, according to the results of a heterogeneity test (P value of Q-squared, I2). RESULTS Our searches found five eligible articles. Pooled estimation of the reported results showed that levels of specific CD8+ T cells were significantly higher in patients with acute hepatitis B than in patients with chronic hepatitis B (odds ratio [OR] = 76.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.37-378.70). With respect to chronic hepatitis B, patients with <107 copies/ml HBVDNA had higher levels of specific CD8+ T cells relative to patients with >107 copies/ml HBVDNA, but the difference had no statistics significance (OR: 3.89, 95% CI: 0.71-21.33). Patients with negative HBeAg or positive anti-HBeAg antibody (anti-HBe) results had significantly higher levels of specific CD8+ T cells versus patients with positive HBeAg results (OR: 5.82, 95% CI: 1.41-24.13). There were no significant associations between the levels of specific CD8+ T cells and serum ALT activity (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.01-74.15). CONCLUSION HBV-specific effector CD8+ T cells influence the disease activity in HBV-infected patients in various ways and determine prognosis by eliminating the virus. Therefore, efforts of studying HBV-specific effector CD8+ T cells focused vaccine are potentially needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juzeng Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhanfan Ou
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yilun Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ziqiang Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xianfan Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Sisi Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jinming Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
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20
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A Highly Attenuated Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Based Vaccine Platform Controls Hepatitis B Virus Replication in Mouse Models of Hepatitis B. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.01586-18. [PMID: 30541859 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01586-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccines may be an important component of a treatment regimen for curing chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We previously demonstrated that recombinant wild-type vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing the HBV middle surface glycoprotein (MHBs) elicits functional immune responses in mouse models of HBV replication. However, VSV has some undesirable pathogenic properties, and the use of this platform in humans requires further viral attenuation. We therefore generated a highly attenuated VSV that expresses MHBs and contains two attenuating mutations. This vector was evaluated for immunogenicity, pathogenesis, and anti-HBV function in mice. Compared to wild-type VSV, the highly attenuated virus displayed markedly reduced pathogenesis but induced similar MHBs-specific CD8+ T cell and antibody responses. The CD8+ T cell responses elicited by this vector in naive mice prevented HBV replication in animals that were later challenged by hydrodynamic injection or transduction with adeno-associated virus encoding the HBV genome (AAV-HBV). In mice in which persistent HBV replication was first established by AAV-HBV transduction, subsequent immunization with the attenuated VSV induced MHBs-specific CD8+ T cell responses that corresponded with reductions in serum and liver HBV antigens and nucleic acids. HBV control was associated with an increase in the frequency of intrahepatic HBV-specific CD8+ T cells and a transient elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase activity. The ability of VSV to induce a robust multispecific T cell response that controls HBV replication combined with the improved safety profile of the highly attenuated vector suggests that this platform offers a new approach for HBV therapeutic vaccination.IMPORTANCE A curative treatment for chronic hepatitis B must eliminate the virus from the liver, but current antiviral therapies typically fail to do so. Immune-mediated resolution of infection occurs in a small fraction of chronic HBV patients, which suggests the potential efficacy of therapeutic strategies that boost the patient's own immune response to the virus. We modified a safe form of VSV to express an immunogenic HBV protein and evaluated the efficacy of this vector in the prevention and treatment of HBV infection in mouse models. Our results show that this vector elicits HBV-specific immune responses that prevent the establishment of HBV infection and reduce viral proteins in the serum and viral DNA/RNA in the liver of mice with persistent HBV replication. These findings suggest that highly attenuated and safe virus-based vaccine platforms have the potential to be utilized for the development of an effective therapeutic vaccine against chronic HBV infection.
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21
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Chuai X, Xie B, Deng Y, Zhao Y, Wang W, Gao Z, Wang W, Qiu X, Tan W. HBV antigen and DNA loss from mouse serum is associated with novel vaccine-induced HBV surface antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity and cytokine production. Antiviral Res 2018; 161:20-27. [PMID: 30423362 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccination is a promising strategy for controlling chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). Here, we tested whether several novel vaccination strategies could be used to induce HBV-specific adaptive immune responses and control/eradicate HBV in a mouse model. Robust HBV antigen-specific antibody responses were elicited by several vaccination strategies using a novel particle vaccine (HBSS1), which expresses a fusion of the S (amino acids [aa] 1-223) and preS1 (aa 21-47) antigens, and/or a recombinant adenovirus rAdSS1 vaccine. However, antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity and high levels of production of multiple cytokines were elicited only by heterologous prime-boost immunization; i.e., priming with the HBSS1 vaccine followed by a rAdSS1 boost. Furthermore, the most rapid loss of serum HBsAg, HBeAg and DNA was achieved by the novel vaccination regimen (priming with HBSS1 formulated with adjuvants [alum plus PolyI:C]), which was strongly associated with more potent and functional HBsAg-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses and increased production of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-12, and IFN-γ-induced protein (IP)-10. Thus, our novel heterogeneous prime-boost vaccine regimen shows promise as a therapeutic strategy against HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Chuai
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China; Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Bangxiang Xie
- Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing You'an Hospital, Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Deng
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen Wang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyun Gao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenling Wang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangguo Qiu
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
| | - Wenjie Tan
- MOH Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China.
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22
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Agarwal K, Ahn SH, Elkhashab M, Lau AH, Gaggar A, Bulusu A, Tian X, Cathcart AL, Woo J, Subramanian GM, Andreone P, Kim HJ, Chuang WL, Nguyen MH. Safety and efficacy of vesatolimod (GS-9620) in patients with chronic hepatitis B who are not currently on antiviral treatment. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:1331-1340. [PMID: 29851204 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vesatolimod is an oral agonist of toll-like receptor 7 designed to minimize systemic exposure and side effects. We assessed the safety and efficacy of vesatolimod in viremic chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients not currently on oral antiviral treatment (OAV) in a phase 2, multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. A total of 192 patients stratified by HBeAg status and alanine aminotransferase level were randomized 2:2:2:1 to receive oral vesatolimod (1-, 2- or 4-mg) or placebo once weekly for 12 weeks; tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300-mg daily) was administered daily for 48 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by quantitative serum HBsAg decline at Week 24 from baseline. In addition to safety assessments, changes in whole-blood interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) transcripts and serum cytokines were explored. Most patients were male (64.1%) and HBeAg-negative (60.9%) at baseline. Among vesatolimod-treated patients, most (60.4%-69.1%) experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event; the majority were mild or moderate in severity. No clinically meaningful differences in HBsAg changes from baseline were observed between treatment groups. No patients experienced HBsAg loss, while 3 patients experienced HBeAg loss and hepatitis B e-antibody seroconversion at week 48. HBV DNA suppression rates were similar across all treatment arms at Week 24. ISG15 induction was dose-dependent and did not correlate with HBsAg changes. A small proportion of patients exhibited dose-dependent interferon-α induction that correlated with grade of influenza-like adverse events. Overall, vesatolimod is safe and well tolerated in CHB patients. Although consistent dose-dependent pharmacodynamic induction of ISGs was demonstrated, it did not result in clinically significant HBsAg decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital, London, UK
| | - S H Ahn
- Brain Korea 21 Project of Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - A H Lau
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | - A Gaggar
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | - A Bulusu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | - X Tian
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | - J Woo
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | - P Andreone
- Center for the Study and Research on Hepatitis, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - H J Kim
- Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - W L Chuang
- Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - M H Nguyen
- Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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23
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Wong D, Littlejohn M, Edwards R, Jackson K, Revill P, Gaggar A, Kitrinos K, Subramanian M, Marcellin P, Buti-Ferret M, Janssen H, Gane E, Locarnini S, Thompson A. ALT flares during nucleotide analogue therapy are associated with HBsAg loss in genotype A HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. Liver Int 2018; 38:1760-1769. [PMID: 29427368 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flares during NA therapy are uncommon but occur. Evaluation of ALT flares during nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy is important as new immunomodulatory therapies for hepatitis B virus (HBV) are developed. We evaluated the association between ALT flares and HBsAg loss during long-term therapy for genotype A CHB. METHODS This analysis included genotype A subjects from a phase III study of tenofovir vs adefovir in HBeAg-positive HBV. ALT flare was defined as (i) a rise in ALT >2x ULN from normal ALT levels; or (ii) a rise in ALT >2x baseline ALT level. HBsAg response at week 384 was recorded as one of HBsAg loss vs HBsAg decline (≥1 log10 IU/mL decline) vs non-response. The primary analysis evaluated the association between ALT flare and HBsAg response. RESULTS 54 subjects were included. 23/54 (43%) subjects experienced an on-treatment ALT flare. 45% achieved an HBsAg reduction ≥1 log10 IU/mL, and of these 67% achieved HBsAg loss at a median of 102 weeks [IQR: 64-156]. Flare was associated with HBsAg decline vs non-response (67% vs 23%, P = .002), and were more common in subjects who achieved HBsAg loss vs non-response (56% vs 23%), P = .049). There was a median delay of 56 weeks [IQR: 40-80] between a flare and HBsAg loss. CONCLUSION In genotype A subjects undergoing long-term NA therapy, ALT flares predict for HBsAg response. The delay between ALT flare and HBsAg loss has implications for clinical trial design for early phase development of immunomodulatory strategies aiming for HBsAg loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Wong
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Vic., Australia
| | - Margaret Littlejohn
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Rosalind Edwards
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Kathy Jackson
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Peter Revill
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria Buti-Ferret
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron (Ciberehd) University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Harry Janssen
- Toronto Center for Liver Diseases, Toronto Western and General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ed Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stephen Locarnini
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alexander Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Vic., Australia
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24
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Dai S, Chen X, Yu Y, Zang G, Tang Z. Immunization with lentiviral vector‑modified dendritic cells encoding ubiquitinated hepatitis B core antigen promotes Th1 differentiation and antiviral immunity by enhancing p38 MAPK and JNK activation in HBV transgenic mice. Mol Med Rep 2018; 18:4691-4699. [PMID: 30221736 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem. T helper (Th)1‑associated cytokines are involved in HBV clearance during acute and persistent infection. In our previous study, it was demonstrated that lentiviral vectors encoding ubiquitinated hepatitis B core antigen (LV‑Ub‑HBcAg) effectively transduced dendritic cells (DCs) to induce maturation, which promoted T cell polarization to Th1 and generated HBcAg‑specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) ex vivo. In the present study, HBV transgenic mice were immunized with LV‑Ub‑HBcAg‑transduced DCs and HBcAg‑specific immune responses were evaluated. Cytokine expression was analyzed by ELISA. T lymphocyte proliferation was detected with a Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay and HBcAg‑specific CTL activity was determined using a lactate dehydrogenase release assay. The expression levels of p38‑mitogen‑activated protein kinase (p38‑MAPK), phosphorylated (p)‑p38MAPK, c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK) and p‑JNK were detected by western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that LV‑Ub‑HBcAg‑transduced DCs significantly increased the Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio, and effectively reduced the levels of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBV DNA, and liver HBsAg and HBcAg. Furthermore, the LV‑Ub‑HBcAg‑transduced DCs upregulated the expression of p‑P38‑MAPK and p‑JNK in T lymphocytes. In conclusion, the present study indicated that LV‑Ub‑HBcAg‑transduced DCs generated predominant Th1 responses and enhanced CTL activity in HBV transgenic mice. Activation of the P38‑MAPK/JNK signaling pathway may be involved in this induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenglan Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Renmin Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohua Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Yongsheng Yu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Guoqing Zang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Zhenghao Tang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
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25
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Chihab H, Jadid FZ, Foka P, Zaidane I, El Fihry R, Georgopoulou U, Marchio A, Elhabazi A, Chair M, Pineau P, Ezzikouri S, Benjelloun S. Programmed cell death-1 3'-untranslated region polymorphism is associated with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis B virus infection. J Med Virol 2018; 90:1730-1738. [PMID: 30016557 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8+ T cells play an important role in the clearance of HBV infection. Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), an immunosuppressive molecule that regulates T-cell activation and peripheral immune tolerance, is increasingly shown to influence the outcome of HBV infection. rs10204525, a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of PD-1, has been associated with susceptibility and disease progression of chronic HBV infection in far-eastern patients. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of rs10204525 variation on HBV infection in Moroccan patients. A total of 236 patients with chronic HBV infection and 134 individuals with spontaneous HBV resolution were genotyped using a Taqman assay. In addition, PD-1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood nuclear cells was determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. We found that the AA genotype is protective (odds ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.19 to 0.97; P = 0.038) against HBV infection. Interestingly, PD-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression analysis has revealed that chronic HBV carriers with GG and GA displayed higher levels of PD-1 mRNA compared with corresponding genotypes in resolved subjects (P = 0.031 and 0.014, respectively). Our data suggest that Mediterranean HBV-infected patients carrying PD-1 GG and GA genotypes at rs10204525 have high PD-1 mRNA expression and may be more prone to installation of chronicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Chihab
- Virology Unit, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco.,Laboratoire de Biotechnologie, Biochimie et Nutrition, Faculté des Sciences d'El Jadida, Université Chouaib Doukkali, El Jadida, Morocco
| | - Fatima-Zahra Jadid
- Virology Unit, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Pelagia Foka
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Imane Zaidane
- Virology Unit, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Raouia El Fihry
- Virology Unit, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | | | - Agnes Marchio
- Unité Organisation Nucléaire et Oncogenèse, INSERM U2993, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Abdellah Elhabazi
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie, Biochimie et Nutrition, Faculté des Sciences d'El Jadida, Université Chouaib Doukkali, El Jadida, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Chair
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie, Biochimie et Nutrition, Faculté des Sciences d'El Jadida, Université Chouaib Doukkali, El Jadida, Morocco
| | - Pascal Pineau
- Unité Organisation Nucléaire et Oncogenèse, INSERM U2993, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Sayeh Ezzikouri
- Virology Unit, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Soumaya Benjelloun
- Virology Unit, Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
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26
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Tan X, Ding Y, Zhu P, Dou R, Liang Z, Yang D, Huang Z, Wang W, Wu X, Weng X. Elevated Hepatic CD1d Levels Coincide with Invariant NKT Cell Defects in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 200:3530-3538. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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27
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Janssen HLA, Brunetto MR, Kim YJ, Ferrari C, Massetto B, Nguyen AH, Joshi A, Woo J, Lau AH, Gaggar A, Subramanian GM, Yoshida EM, Ahn SH, Tsai NCS, Fung S, Gane EJ. Safety, efficacy and pharmacodynamics of vesatolimod (GS-9620) in virally suppressed patients with chronic hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2018; 68:431-440. [PMID: 29104121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Vesatolimod (GS-9620) is an oral agonist of toll-like receptor 7, an activator of innate and adaptive immune responses. Herein the safety and efficacy of vesatolimod is assessed after once-weekly treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection suppressed on oral antiviral treatment. METHODS In a phase II, double-blind, randomized, placebo (PBO)-controlled study, 162 patients stratified by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels and serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status were randomized 1:3:3:3 to once-weekly oral PBO or vesatolimod (1-, 2-, or 4-mg doses) for 4, 8 or 12 weeks per cohort. Efficacy was assessed by change in baseline HBsAg (log10 IU/ml) at the primary endpoint (Week 24). Safety assessments included adverse events (AE) and laboratory abnormality monitoring. Pharmacodynamic assessments included peripheral cytokine level quantification and interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) mRNA expression evaluation. RESULTS The majority of patients were male (76%) and HBeAg-negative (79%) at baseline. Most (41-80%) experienced ≥1 AE during the study with the majority of AEs mild or moderate in severity. No significant declines in HBsAg were observed at the primary (Week 24) or secondary endpoints (Weeks 4, 8, 12, and 48). ISG15 induction was dose-dependent and consistent after repeat dosing, returning closer to baseline by one week after treatment at all dose levels; no patient demonstrated significant serum interferon alpha (IFNα) expression at any timepoint evaluated. Multivariate analyses showed that ≥2-fold ISG15 induction is associated with 2- or 4-mg vesatolimod dose and female sex. CONCLUSIONS Vesatolimod was safe and well-tolerated in patients with CHB, demonstrating consistent dose-dependent pharmacodynamic induction of ISG15 without significant systemic induction of IFNα expression or related symptoms. However, no significant HBsAg declines were observed. LAY SUMMARY In a phase II study, vesatolimod, an oral, once-weekly, experimental immune-activating drug for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV), is safe and well-tolerated in chronic HBV patients who are virally suppressed on oral antiviral treatment. Despite demonstrating on-target biomarker responses in patients, no significant declines in hepatitis B surface antigen were observed. Clinical Trial Number: GS-US-283-1059; NCT 02166047.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Maurizia R Brunetto
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Yoon Jun Kim
- Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | - Adarsh Joshi
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
| | - Jacky Woo
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
| | - Audrey H Lau
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
| | - Anuj Gaggar
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Naoky C S Tsai
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Manoa, United States
| | - Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edward J Gane
- Auckland Clinical Studies Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
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28
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Arends JE, Lieveld FI, Ahmad S, Ustianowski A. New Viral and Immunological Targets for Hepatitis B Treatment and Cure: A Review. Infect Dis Ther 2017; 6:461-476. [PMID: 29071665 PMCID: PMC5700893 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-017-0173-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although current therapies can be successful at suppressing hepatitis B viral load, long-term viral cure is not within reach. Subsequent strategies combining pegylated interferon alfa with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues have not resulted in any major paradigm shift. An improved understanding of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) lifec ycle and virus-induced immune dysregulation has, however, revealed many potential therapeutic targets, and there are hopes that treatment of hepatitis B could soon be revolutionized. This review summarizes the current developments in HBV therapeutics-both virus directed and host directed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joop E Arends
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Faydra I Lieveld
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Shazaad Ahmad
- Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew Ustianowski
- Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester, UK
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29
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Wu D, Ning Q. Toward a Cure for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Combination Therapy Involving Viral Suppression and Immune Modulation and Long-term Outcome. J Infect Dis 2017; 216:S771-S777. [PMID: 29156046 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health burden. Currently, the approved therapeutic regimens include nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and either interferon or pegylated interferon. NA therapy is generally safe and well tolerated, but the rate of posttreatment virologic relapse is high, making NA treatment a lifetime commitment. The benefits of pegylated interferon treatment include a finite duration, more-durable response and absence of viral resistance. However, sustained response to interferon alone is achieved only in a minority of patients, and side effects are common, which limit its clinical use. Given that HBV covalently closed circular DNA and the integrated HBV genome persist stably in the nuclei of infected hepatocytes, elimination (complete cure) of HBV is rarely achieved. After completion of treatment, sustained HBV surface antigen loss, with or without seroconversion to HBV surface antibody positivity (ie, functional cure), is therefore recommended as the ideal end point for anti-HBV treatment, despite the lack of complete eradication of HBV. Theoretically, combination of antiviral agents with differential mechanisms of actions on HBV, including viral suppression combined with immune modulation (as occurs during treatment with NA plus pegylated interferon), is an encouraging strategy to treat chronic hepatitis B. Recent studies have confirmed certain virological and serological advantages of simultaneous administration of NA and pegylated interferon (de novo combination therapy) or addition of pegylated interferon to ongoing NA therapy (sequential combination therapy) over monotherapy. Few data exist, however, on the long-term outcomes of patients receiving combination therapy. This review summarizes current combination therapy developed to cure chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qin Ning
- Department and Institute of Infectious Disease, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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30
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Huang D, Sansas B, Jiang JH, Gong QM, Jin GD, Calais V, Yu DM, Zhu MY, Wei D, Zhang DH, Inchauspé G, Zhang XX, Zhu R. Recognition of Core- and Polymerase-derived immunogenic peptides included in novel therapeutic vaccine by T cells from Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24 Suppl 1:66-74. [PMID: 29082648 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12791] [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: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is one of the major public health challenges in the world. Due to a strong interplay between specific T-cell immunity and elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV), efforts to develop novel immunotherapeutics are gaining attention. TG1050, a novel immunotherapy, has shown efficacy in an animal study. To support the clinical development of TG1050 in China, specific immunity to the fusion antigens of TG1050 was assessed in Chinese patients. One hundred and thirty subjects were divided into three groups as CHB patients, HBV spontaneous resolvers, and CHB patients with HBsAg loss after antiviral treatment. HBV-specific T-cell responses to pools of HBV Core or Polymerase genotype D peptides included in TG1050 were evaluated. HBV Core- or Polymerase-specific cells were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the different cohorts. The frequencies and intensities of HBV Core-specific immune responses were significantly lower in CHB patients than in HBsAg loss subjects. In CHB patients, a dominant pool derived from Polymerase (Pol1) was the most immunogenic. CHB patients with low viral loads (<106 IU/mL) were more likely to have a positive response specific to the Core peptide pool. Overall, genotype D-derived peptides included in TG1050 could raise broad and functional T-cell responses in PBMCs from Chinese CHB patients infected with genotype B/C isolates. Core-specific immunogenic domains appeared as "hot spots" with the capacity to differentiate between CHB vs HBsAg loss subjects. These observations support the extended application and associated immune monitoring of TG1050 in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - B Sansas
- Transgene S.A. Smart Data Lab, Illkirch Graffenstaden, France
| | - J H Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Q M Gong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - G D Jin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - V Calais
- Transgene S.A. Smart Data Lab, Illkirch Graffenstaden, France
| | - D M Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - M Y Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - D Wei
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - D H Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - G Inchauspé
- Transgene S.A. Department of Infectious Diseases, Lyon, France
| | - X X Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Translational Medicine Research Center, Ruijin Hospital North, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - R Zhu
- Transgene Biopharmaceutical Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
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31
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Abstract
A hallmark of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the functional impairment and depletion of antiviral T cells. In this issue of JEM, Pallett et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20162115) identify a reservoir of functional HBV-specific T cells among liver-resident T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian J Bolte
- National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Barbara Rehermann
- National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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32
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HMGB1-induced autophagy: a new pathway to maintain Treg function during chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 131:381-394. [PMID: 28082516 DOI: 10.1042/cs20160704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein, as one of the well-known damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs), is enriched in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and has a context-dependent role in autophagy, a highly conserved self-digestive process in response to environmental stress. Recent mouse studies indicate that autophagy is highly active in regulatory T (Treg)-cells. In the present study, we evaluated spontaneous and induced autophagy of peripheral Treg cells from 98 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), by measuring levels of lipidated form of microtubule-associated light chain 3 (LC3-II, marker for closed autophagosomes) and observing autophagic vacuoles (AV) with transmission electron microscope. No significant difference was found in spontaneous autophagy of either Treg or CD4+ naive cells when comparing CHB patients with healthy subjects, apart from CHB-Treg showed significantly higher autophagic activity after activation by anti-CD3–CD28 beads. Besides, incubation of CHB-Treg cells with CHB-serum greatly maintained their autophagic behaviour, which could be significantly diminished by blocking HMGB1 with the neutralizing antibody. Further, we characterized time- and dose-dependent effects by recombinant HMGB1 protein on autophagy of CHB-Treg cells. We also documented a significant up-regulation of HMGB1 and its receptors [toll-like receptor (TLR4), receptor for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE)] in both peripheral and intra-hepatic microenvironments of CHB patients. Moreover, the RAGE–extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) axis and rapamycin-sensitive components of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways were demonstrated in vitro to be involved in HMGB1-induced autophagy of Treg cells. Additionally, HMGB1-induced autophagy could maintain cell survival and functional stability of CHB-Treg cells. Our findings could open new perspectives in developing therapeutic strategies to activate specific anti-HBV immunity by diminishing Treg autophagy.
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33
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Liu Y, Wang J, Wang L, Wang B, Yang S, Wang Q, Luo J, Feng X, Yang X, Lu Y, Roggendorf M, Lu M, Yang D, Liu J. Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of Tim-3 and Galectin-9 in the woodchuck model. Mol Immunol 2017; 83:127-136. [PMID: 28152393 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, a critical role for T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) and its ligand Galectin-9 (Gal-9) has emerged in infectious disease, autoimmunity and cancer. Manipulating this immune checkpoint may have immunotherapeutic potential and could represent an alternative approach for improving immune responses to viral infections and cancer. The woodchuck (Marmot monax) infected by woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) represents an informative animal model to study HBV infection and HCC. In the current study, the cDNA sequences of woodchuck Tim-3 and Gal-9 were cloned, sequenced and characterized. The extracellular domain of Tim-3 cDNA sequence consisted of 576bp coding sequence (CDS) that encoded 192 amino acids. The 1076bp full-length Gal-9 cDNA sequence consisted of 1059bp coding sequence (CDS) that encoded 352 amino acids with a molecular weight of 39.7kDa. The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the woodchuck Tim-3 and Gal-9 had the closest genetic relationship with Ictidomys tridecemlineatus. The result of quantification PCR analysis showed that ubiquitous expression of Gal-9 but not Tim-3 in different tissues of naive woodchucks. Elevated liver Gal-9 expression was observed in woodchucks with chronic WHV infection. Moreover, a polyclonal antibody against the extracellular domain of woodchuck Tim-3 were generated and identified by flow cytometry. Our results serve as a foundation for further insight into the role of Tim-3/Galectin-9 signaling pathway in viral hepatitis and HCC in the woodchuck model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junzhong Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Baoju Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shangqing Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinzhuo Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuemei Feng
- Institute of Infection and Immunology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuecheng Yang
- Institute of Infection and Immunology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yinping Lu
- Institute of Infection and Immunology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Michael Roggendorf
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Institute of Infection and Immunology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Institute of Infection and Immunology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Li J, Bao M, Ge J, Ren S, Zhou T, Qi F, Pu X, Dou J. Research progress of therapeutic vaccines for treating chronic hepatitis B. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:986-997. [PMID: 28118084 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1276125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a member of Hepadnavirus family, which leads to chronic infection in around 5% of patients with a high risk of developing liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. 1 Despite the availability of prophylactic vaccines against hepatitis B for over 3 decades, there are still more than 2 billion people have been infected and 240 million of them were chronic. Antiviral therapies currently used in the treatment of CHB (chronic hepatitis B) infection include peg-interferon, standard α-interferon and nucleos/tide analogs (NAs), but none of them can provide sustained control of viral replication. As an alternative strategy, therapeutic vaccines for CHB patients have been widely studied and showed some promising efficacies in dozens of preclinical and clinical trials. In this article, we review current research progress in several types of therapeutic vaccines for CHB treatment, including protein-based vaccines, DNA-based vaccines, live vector-based vaccines, peptide-based vaccines and cell-based therapies. These researches may provide some clues for developing new treatments in CHB infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Li
- a Jiangsu Theravac Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , Nanjing , China
| | - Mengru Bao
- a Jiangsu Theravac Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , Nanjing , China
| | - Jun Ge
- a Jiangsu Theravac Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , Nanjing , China
| | - Sulin Ren
- a Jiangsu Theravac Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , Nanjing , China
| | - Tong Zhou
- a Jiangsu Theravac Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , Nanjing , China
| | - Fengchun Qi
- a Jiangsu Theravac Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. , Nanjing , China
| | - Xiuying Pu
- b School of Life Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology , Lanzhou , China
| | - Jia Dou
- c Dalian Institute for Drug Control , Dalian , China
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Matsumoto T, Takahashi K, Inuzuka T, Kim SK, Kurosaki T, Kawakami S, Chiba T, Seno H, Marusawa H. Activation of TNF-α-AID axis and co-inhibitory signals in coordination with Th1-type immunity in a mouse model recapitulating hepatitis B. Antiviral Res 2017; 139:138-145. [PMID: 28063995 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection evokes host immune responses that primarily determine the outcome of HBV infection and the clinical features of HBV-associated liver disease. The precise mechanisms by which host factors restrict HBV replication, however, are poorly understood due to the lack of useful animal models that recapitulate immune responses to HBV. Here, we performed comprehensive immunologic gene expression profiling of the liver of a mouse model recapitulating anti-HBV immune response using a high sensitivity direct digital counting system. Anti-HBV cellular immunity with liver inflammation was elicited in mice hydrodynamically injected with a CpG-depleted plasmid encoding hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) gene after preimmunization with HBsAg vaccine. Comprehensive expression analyses revealed the upregulation of Th1-associated genes including tumor necrosis factor (Tnf) and negative regulators of T cell function in the inflamed liver. Interestingly, activation-induced cytidine deaminase (Aicda, termed AID in humans), which reportedly suppresses HBV infection in vitro, was upregulated in hepatocytes in the course of anti-HBV immunity. Hepatocytic expression of Aicda in a Tnf-dependent manner was confirmed by the administration of Tnf antagonist into Aicda-tdTomato mice with anti-HBV immunity. Our findings suggest that activation of Tnf-Aicda axis and co-inhibitory signals to T cells in coordination with Th1-type immunity has critical roles in the immune response against HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Matsumoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Ken Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tadashi Inuzuka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Soo Ki Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kobe Asahi Hospital, Kobe, 653-0801, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Kurosaki
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, 852-8501, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kawakami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Informatics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8501, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Chiba
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (Shishu-Kan), Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8306, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Seno
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Marusawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
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Hofmann M, Thimme R. Kill, control, or escape: Immune responses in viral hepatitis. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2016; 8:79-82. [PMID: 31041069 PMCID: PMC6490199 DOI: 10.1002/cld.576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maike Hofmann
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Clinic for Internal Medicine II (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Infectious diseases)University Hospital FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Clinic for Internal Medicine II (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Infectious diseases)University Hospital FreiburgFreiburgGermany
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Chang KM, Liu M. Chronic hepatitis B: immune pathogenesis and emerging immunotherapeutics. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2016; 30:93-105. [PMID: 27570126 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) evades, subverts, activates and regulates host immune components, thereby impacting its natural history and disease pathogenesis. Recent advances in our understanding of immune interactions in chronic viral infection and tumor therapy are applicable to chronic hepatitis B (CHB). With recent successes of tumor immunotherapy, there is a renewed interest in exploring immunotherapeutics in achieving sustained and functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. In this review, we discuss aspects of host innate and adaptive immune regulatory and pathogenic responses relevant for HBV infection. We also highlight several immune modulatory approaches in clinical development to treat CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyong-Mi Chang
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, USA; Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, USA.
| | - Mengfei Liu
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, USA
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Lin CL, Kao JH. Review article: novel therapies for hepatitis B virus cure - advances and perspectives. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016; 44:213-22. [PMID: 27302653 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 03/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current anti-viral therapies, interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogues, have been proven to reduce the progression of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) persists, resulting in viral relapse after the discontinuation of treatment. AIM To discuss and review novel therapies for chronic hepatitis B infection. METHODS Recent published studies which searched from PubMed were comprehensive reviewed. The key words include chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B virus cure, covalently closed circular DNA, direct acting anti-virals and host targeting agents. RESULTS Several novel agents through viral and host targets approaches are under investigations towards functional cure of HBV. On the one hand, direct acting anti-virals targeting virus itself, such as HBV new polymerase inhibitor, entry inhibitor, engineered site-specific nucleases and RNA interference, could inhibit amplification of cccDNA as well as intrahepatic HBV infection and eliminate or silence cccDNA transcription. Inhibitors of HBV nucleocapsid assembly suppress capsid formation and prevent synthesis of HBV DNA. On the other hand, host targeting agents (HTA) include lymphotoxin-β receptor agonist, toll-like receptor agonist, immune checkpoint inhibitors and adenovirus-based therapeutic vaccine. Through enhancing innate and adaptive immune responses, these agents could induce noncytolytic destruction of cccDNA or attack HBV-infected hepatocytes. CONCLUSION With these promising approaches, we hope to reach global hepatitis B virus control in the middle of this century.
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Affiliation(s)
- C-L Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renai branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - J-H Kao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Tang ZS, Hao YH, Zhang EJ, Xu CL, Zhou Y, Zheng X, Yang DL. CD28 family of receptors on T cells in chronic HBV infection: Expression characteristics, clinical significance and correlations with PD-1 blockade. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:1107-16. [PMID: 27314219 PMCID: PMC4940091 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the overall clinical expression characteristics of the cluster of differentiation (CD)28 family receptors [CD28, inducible T-cell co-stimulator, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 and B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator] on T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), analyze the correlations among these receptors and the clinical parameters, and to investigate the effects of PD-1 blockade on the receptor expression profiles, T-cell function and other biological effects. The expression characteristics of the CD28 family of receptors, the effects of PD-1 blockade on the receptor expression profiles and the levels of interferon (IFN)-γ were investigated in the T cells of patients with CHB. In addition, the transcription factor, T-box 21 (T-bet) and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3) mRNA expression levels were investigated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with CHB. The expression levels of the CD28 family receptors in the T cells of patients with CHB demonstrated distinct characteristics, for example levels of PD-1 and CTLA-4 on CD4 T cells and ICOS, PD-1, and BTLA on CD8 T cells were increased in cells from patients with CHB compared with those from the healthy individuals. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated among the serum HBV DNA titers and the levels of PD-1 on CD8+ T cells with the highest expression of PD-1 corresponding to viral levels >106 IU/ml. A significant positive correlation was observed between the serum HBV DNA titers and the expression levels of BTLA on CD8+ T cells with the highest expression of BTLA corresponding to viral levels >106 IU/ml. PD-1 blockade altered the expression profiles of CD28 family receptors in the T cells of patients with CHB, partly enhanced T cell function and increased the ratio of T-bet/GATA-3 mRNA in PBMCs. Thus, CD28 family receptors are potential clinical indicators for the rapid monitoring of changes in T cell function during CHB treatment. Furthermore, PD-1 blockade has a therapeutic potential that may be enhanced by modulating the expression of co-stimulatory and -inhibitory receptors of the CD28 family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Sheng Tang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - You-Hua Hao
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - E-Juan Zhang
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Li Xu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Yun Zhou
- Department of Infectious Disease, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of Infectious Disease, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Liang Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
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Maternal-Derived Hepatitis B Virus e Antigen Alters Macrophage Function in Offspring to Drive Viral Persistence after Vertical Transmission. Immunity 2016; 44:1204-14. [PMID: 27156385 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) between adults, which often leads to self-limited acute infection, vertical transmission of HBV from mother to child often leads to chronic infection. However, the mechanisms linking vertical transmission with chronic infection are not known. We developed a mouse model to study the effect of maternal HBV infection on HBV persistence in offspring and found that HBV carried by the mother impaired CD8(+) T cell responses to HBV in her offspring, resulting in HBV persistence. This impairment of CD8(+) T cell responses was mediated by hepatic macrophages, which were predisposed by maternal HBV e antigen (HBeAg) to support HBV persistence by upregulation of inhibitory ligand PD-L1 and altered polarization upon restimulation with HBeAg. Depletion of hepatic macrophages led to CD8(+) T cell activation and HBV clearance in the offspring, raising the possibility of targeting macrophages to treat chronic HBV patients.
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Zeng Z, Li L, Chen Y, Wei H, Sun R, Tian Z. Interferon-γ facilitates hepatic antiviral T cell retention for the maintenance of liver-induced systemic tolerance. J Exp Med 2016; 213:1079-93. [PMID: 27139489 PMCID: PMC4886358 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20151218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
IFN-γ mediates hepatic T cell retention and the maintenance of systemic tolerance during hepatitis B virus persistence in the liver. Persistent exposure to liver pathogens leads to systemic antigen-specific tolerance, a major cause of chronicity during hepatotropic infection. The mechanism regarding how this systemic tolerance is maintained remains poorly elucidated. In a well established mouse model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence–induced systemic tolerance, we observed that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) deficiency led to complete loss of tolerance, resulting in robust anti-HBV responses upon peripheral vaccination. The recovery of vaccine-induced anti-HBV responses was mainly caused by the retained antigen-specific CD4+ T cells rather than decreased functional inhibitory cells in the periphery. Mechanistically, HBV persistence induced sustained hepatic CD4+ T cell–derived IFN-γ production. IFN-γ was found to promote CXCL9 secretion from liver-resident macrophages. This T cell chemokine facilitated the retention of antiviral CD4+ T cells in the liver in a CXCR3-dependent manner. Hepatic sequestrated antiviral CD4+ T cells subsequently underwent local apoptotic elimination partially via cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated protein 4 ligation. These findings reveal an unexpected tolerogenic role for IFN-γ during viral persistence in the liver, providing new mechanistic insights regarding the maintenance of systemic antigen-specific tolerance during HBV persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhutian Zeng
- Institute of Immunology and the Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Lu Li
- Institute of Immunology and the Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Yongyan Chen
- Institute of Immunology and the Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Institute of Immunology and the Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Institute of Immunology and the Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Institute of Immunology and the Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Chinese Academy of Science, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Hefei 230027, China Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
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Abstract
Chronic HBV infection results in >1 million deaths per year from cirrhosis and liver cancer. No known cure for chronic HBV exists, due in part to the continued presence of transcriptionally active DNA in the nucleus that is not directly targeted by current antiviral therapies. A coordinated approach is urgently needed to advance an HBV cure worldwide, such as those established in the HIV field. We propose the establishment of an International Coalition to Eliminate Hepatitis B Virus (ICE-HBV) to facilitate the formation of international working groups on HBV virology, immunology, innovative tools and clinical trials: to promote awareness and education as well as to drive changes in government policy and ensure funds are channelled to HBV cure research and drug development. With the ICE-HBV in place, it should be possible to enable a HBV cure within the next decade.
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Park JJ, Wong DK, Wahed AS, Lee WM, Feld JJ, Terrault N, Khalili M, Sterling RK, Kowdley KV, Bzowej N, Lau DT, Kim WR, Smith C, Carithers RL, Torrey KW, Keith JW, Levine DL, Traum D, Ho S, Valiga ME, Johnson GS, Doo E, Lok ASF, Chang KM. Hepatitis B Virus--Specific and Global T-Cell Dysfunction in Chronic Hepatitis B. Gastroenterology 2016; 150:684-695.e5. [PMID: 26684441 PMCID: PMC4766024 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS T cells play a critical role in viral infection. We examined whether T-cell effector and regulatory responses can define clinical stages of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS We enrolled 200 adults with CHB who participated in the National Institutes of Health-supported Hepatitis B Research Network from 2011 through 2013 and 20 uninfected individuals (controls). Peripheral blood lymphocytes from these subjects were analyzed for T-cell responses (proliferation and production of interferon gamma and interleukin 10) to overlapping hepatitis B virus (HBV) peptides (preS, S, preC, core, and reverse transcriptase), influenza matrix peptides, and lipopolysaccharide. T-cell expression of regulatory markers FOXP3, programmed death-1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 was examined by flow cytometry. Immune measures were compared with clinical parameters, including physician-defined immune-active, immune-tolerant, or inactive CHB phenotypes, in a blinded fashion. RESULTS Compared with controls, patients with CHB had weak T-cell proliferative, interferon gamma, and interleukin 10 responses to HBV, with increased frequency of circulating FOXP3(+)CD127(-) regulatory T cells and CD4(+) T-cell expression of programmed death-1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4. T-cell measures did not clearly distinguish between clinical CHB phenotypes, although the HBV core-specific T-cell response was weaker in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)(+) than HBeAg(-) patients (percent responders: 3% vs 23%; P = .00008). Although in vitro blockade of programmed death-1 or cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 increased T-cell responses to HBV, the effect was weaker in HBeAg(+) than HBeAg(-) patients. Furthermore, T-cell responses to influenza and lipopolysaccharide were weaker in CHB patients than controls. CONCLUSIONS HBV persists with virus-specific and global T-cell dysfunction mediated by multiple regulatory mechanisms, including circulating HBeAg, but without distinct T-cell-based immune signatures for clinical phenotypes. These findings suggest additional T-cell-independent or regulatory mechanisms of CHB pathogenesis that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jang-June Park
- Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Abdus S Wahed
- University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Norah Terrault
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Mandana Khalili
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | | | - Natalie Bzowej
- California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Daryl T Lau
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Keith W Torrey
- Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - James W Keith
- Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Danielle L Levine
- Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Daniel Traum
- Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Suzanne Ho
- Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mary E Valiga
- Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Geoffrey S Johnson
- University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Edward Doo
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Kyong-Mi Chang
- Philadelphia Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Immune-surveillance through exhausted effector T-cells. Curr Opin Virol 2016; 16:49-54. [PMID: 26826950 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pathogens such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the hepatitis B and C virus (HBV, HCV) and certain strains of the rodent lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) establish a state of persisting viral replication. This occurs besides strong adoptive immune responses and the induction of large numbers of activated pathogen-specific T-cells. The failure of the immune system to clear these viruses is typically attributed to a loss of effector T-cell function-a phenomenon referred to as T-cell exhaustion. Though largely accepted, this loss of function concept is being more and more challenged by comprehensive clinical and experimental observations which highlight that T-cells in chronic infections are more functional than previously considered. Here, we highlight examples that demonstrate that such T-cells mediate a profound form of immune-surveillance. We also briefly discuss the opportunities and limitations of employing 'exhausted' T-cells for therapeutic purposes.
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Lin CL, Yang HC, Kao JH. Hepatitis B virus: new therapeutic perspectives. Liver Int 2016; 36 Suppl 1:85-92. [PMID: 26725903 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Current antiviral therapies have dramatically improved the long-term outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Both interferon (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatments have been shown to reduce the progression of liver disease in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, persistent covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) can result in a viral relapse after discontinuation of antiviral treatment. On the basis of extensive research on the HBV lifecycle and virus-host interactions, several new agents focusing on viral and host targets are under development to cure HBV. New polymerase inhibitors, tenofovir alafenamide and besifovir provide effective and safer treatment for CHB patients. Agents targeting cccDNA, such as engineered site-specific nucleases and RNA interference therapeutics could eliminate cccDNA or silence cccDNA transcription. Inhibitors of HBV nucleocapsid assembly suppress capsid formation and prevent synthesis of HBV DNA. The HBV entry inhibitor, Myrcludex-B, has been shown to effectively inhibit amplification of cccDNA as well as the spread of intrahepatic infection. Agents targeting host factors that enhance innate and adaptive immune responses, including the lymphotoxin-β receptor agonist, toll-like receptor agonist, immune checkpoint inhibitors and adenovirus-based therapeutic vaccine, could play a critical role in the elimination of HBV-infected cells. With all of these promising approaches, we hope to reach the ultimate goal of a cure to HBV in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Lin Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ren-Ai branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Yang
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Sarin SK, Kumar M, Lau GK, Abbas Z, Chan HLY, Chen CJ, Chen DS, Chen HL, Chen PJ, Chien RN, Dokmeci AK, Gane E, Hou JL, Jafri W, Jia J, Kim JH, Lai CL, Lee HC, Lim SG, Liu CJ, Locarnini S, Al Mahtab M, Mohamed R, Omata M, Park J, Piratvisuth T, Sharma BC, Sollano J, Wang FS, Wei L, Yuen MF, Zheng SS, Kao JH. Asian-Pacific clinical practice guidelines on the management of hepatitis B: a 2015 update. Hepatol Int 2016; 10:1-98. [PMID: 26563120 PMCID: PMC4722087 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-015-9675-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1747] [Impact Index Per Article: 218.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, some 240 million people have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), with the highest rates of infection in Africa and Asia. Our understanding of the natural history of HBV infection and the potential for therapy of the resultant disease is continuously improving. New data have become available since the previous APASL guidelines for management of HBV infection were published in 2012. The objective of this manuscript is to update the recommendations for the optimal management of chronic HBV infection. The 2015 guidelines were developed by a panel of Asian experts chosen by the APASL. The clinical practice guidelines are based on evidence from existing publications or, if evidence was unavailable, on the experts' personal experience and opinion after deliberations. Manuscripts and abstracts of important meetings published through January 2015 have been evaluated. This guideline covers the full spectrum of care of patients infected with hepatitis B, including new terminology, natural history, screening, vaccination, counseling, diagnosis, assessment of the stage of liver disease, the indications, timing, choice and duration of single or combination of antiviral drugs, screening for HCC, management in special situations like childhood, pregnancy, coinfections, renal impairment and pre- and post-liver transplant, and policy guidelines. However, areas of uncertainty still exist, and clinicians, patients, and public health authorities must therefore continue to make choices on the basis of the evolving evidence. The final clinical practice guidelines and recommendations are presented here, along with the relevant background information.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Sarin
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - M Kumar
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - G K Lau
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Humanity and Health Medical Centre, Hong Kong SAR, China
- The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing, China
| | - Z Abbas
- Department of Hepatogastroenterlogy, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - H L Y Chan
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - C J Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - D S Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - H L Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - P J Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - R N Chien
- Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and University, Chilung, Taiwan
| | - A K Dokmeci
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ed Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - J L Hou
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - W Jafri
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - J Jia
- Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | - C L Lai
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - H C Lee
- Internal Medicine Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - S G Lim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - C J Liu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - S Locarnini
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M Al Mahtab
- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - R Mohamed
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - M Omata
- Yamanashi Hospitals (Central and Kita) Organization, 1-1-1 Fujimi, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi, 400-8506, Japan
| | - J Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - T Piratvisuth
- NKC Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - B C Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology, G.B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - J Sollano
- Department of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - F S Wang
- Treatment and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - L Wei
- Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing, China
| | - M F Yuen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Pofulam, Hong Kong
| | - S S Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - J H Kao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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48
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Yang N, Bertoletti A. Advances in therapeutics for chronic hepatitis B. Hepatol Int 2015; 10:277-85. [PMID: 26363922 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-015-9661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B infection remains a major disease burden globally, and leads to high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development. Current therapies of nucleot(s)ide analogues and interferon alpha treatment remain limited in their efficacy. Several key findings in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle have led to the development of novel antiviral drugs to inhibit viral replication and persistence. In addition, recent studies on HBV-specific innate and adaptive immune responses have advanced development of immunotherapy to restore immune mediated virus control in chronic hepatitis B patients. In this review, we discuss potential new therapeutic strategies targeting HBV or the host immune system that might lead to a sustained cure for chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninghan Yang
- Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Singapore Institute of Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Singapore Institute of Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore. .,Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
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The oral toll-like receptor-7 agonist GS-9620 in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. J Hepatol 2015; 63:320-8. [PMID: 25733157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS GS-9620 is an oral agonist of toll-like receptor 7, a pattern-recognition receptor whose activation results in innate and adaptive immune stimulation. We evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of GS-9620 in patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS In two double-blind, phase 1b trials of identical design, 49 treatment-naïve and 51 virologically suppressed patients were randomized 5:1 to receive GS-9620 (at doses of 0.3mg, 1mg, 2mg, 4mg) or placebo as a single dose or as two doses seven days apart. Pharmacodynamic assessment included evaluation of peripheral mRNA expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), serum interferon gamma-induced protein 10 and serum interferon (IFN)-alpha. RESULTS Overall, 74% of patients were male and 75% were HBeAg negative at baseline. No subject discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Fifty-eight percent experienced ⩾1 adverse event, all of which were mild to moderate in severity. The most common adverse event was headache. No clinically significant changes in HBsAg or HBV DNA levels were observed. Overall, a transient dose-dependent induction of peripheral ISG15 gene expression was observed peaking within 48 hours of dosing followed by return to baseline levels within seven days. Higher GS-9620 dose, HBeAg positive status, and low HBsAg level at baseline were independently associated with greater probability of ISG15 response. Most patients (88%) did not show detectable levels of serum IFN-alpha at any time point. CONCLUSIONS Oral GS-9620 was safe, well tolerated, and associated with induction of peripheral ISG15 production in the absence of significant systemic IFN-alpha levels or related symptoms.
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50
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Godon O, Evlachev A, Bourgine M, Meritet JF, Martin P, Inchauspe G, Michel ML. Recognition of core-derived epitopes from a novel HBV-targeted immunotherapeutic by T-cells from patients infected by different viral genotypes. Vaccine 2015. [PMID: 26209840 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies based on nucleos(t)ide analogs or pegylated-interferon-α lead to control of viral replication in most patients but rarely achieve cure. A potential strategy to control chronic hepatitis B is to restore or induce functional anti-HBV T-cell immune responses using HBV-specific immunotherapeutics. However, viral diversity is a challenge to the development of this class of products as HBV genotypes display a sequence diversity of up to 8%. We have developed a novel HBV-targeted immunotherapeutic, TG1050, based on a non-replicative Adenovirus vector encoding a unique and large fusion protein composed of multiple antigenic regions derived from a HBV genotype D sequence. Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 23 patients chronically infected by five distinct genotypes (gt A, B, C, D and E) and various sets of peptides encompassing conserved versus divergent regions of HBV core we have measured ability of TG1050 genotype D core-derived peptides to be recognized by T-cells from patients infected by various genotypes. Overall, PBMCs from 78% of genotype B or C- and 100% genotype A or E-infected patients lead to detection of HBV core-specific T-cells recognizing genotype D antigenic domains located both in conserved and variable regions. This proof-of-concept study supports the clinical development of TG1050 in large patient populations independently of infecting genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophelie Godon
- Laboratoire de Pathogenèse des virus de l'hépatite B, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, Paris Cedex 15 75724, France
| | - Alexei Evlachev
- Transgene SA, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lyon, France
| | - Maryline Bourgine
- Laboratoire de Pathogenèse des virus de l'hépatite B, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, Paris Cedex 15 75724, France
| | | | - Perrine Martin
- Transgene SA, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lyon, France
| | | | - Marie-Louise Michel
- Laboratoire de Pathogenèse des virus de l'hépatite B, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, Paris Cedex 15 75724, France; INSERM U994, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
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