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Maria Redeker KE, Brockmöller J. Several orphan solute carriers functionally identified as organic cation transporters: substrates specificity compared with known cation transporters. J Biol Chem 2024:107629. [PMID: 39098524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Organic cations comprise a significant part of medically relevant drugs and endogenous substances. Such substances need organic cation transporters (OCT) for efficient transfer via cell membranes. However, the membrane transporters of most natural or synthetic organic cations the membrane transporters are still unknown. To identify these transporters, genes of 10 known OCTs and 18 orphan solute carriers (SLC) were overexpressed in HEK293 cells and characterized concerning their transport activities with a broad spectrum of low molecular weight substances emphasizing organic cations. Several SLC35 transporters and SLC38A10 significantly enhanced the transport of numerous relatively hydrophobic organic cations. Significant organic cation transport activities have been found in gene families classified as transporters of other substance classes. For instance, SLC35G3 and SLC38A10 significantly accelerated the uptake of several cations, such as clonidine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and nicotine, which are known as substrates of a thus far genetically unidentified proton/organic cation antiporter. The transporters SLC35G4 and SLC35F5 stood out by their significantly increased choline uptake, and several other SLC transported choline together with a broader spectrum of organic cations. Overall, there are many more polyspecific organic cation transporters than previously estimated. Several transporters had one predominant substrate but accepted some other cationic substrates, and others showed no particular preference for one substrate but transported several organic cations. The role of these transporters in biology and drug therapy remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra-Elisa Maria Redeker
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August-University Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Brockmöller
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August-University Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
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2
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Wang J, Xu H, Liu Z, Cao Y, Chen S, Hou R, Zhou Y, Wang Y. Bile acid-microbiota crosstalk in hepatitis B virus infection. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 39:1509-1516. [PMID: 38721685 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic non-cytopathic virus characterized by liver-specific gene expression. HBV infection highjacks bile acid metabolism, notably impairing bile acid uptake via sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), which is a functional receptor for HBV entry. Concurrently, HBV infection induces changes in bile acid synthesis and the size of the bile acid pool. Conversely, bile acid facilitates HBV replication and expression through the signaling molecule farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor activated by bile acid. However, in HepaRG cells and primary hepatocytes, FXR agonists suppress HBV RNA expression and the synthesis and secretion of DNA. In the gut, the size and composition of the bile acid pool significantly influence the gut microbiota. In turn, the gut microbiota impacts bile acid metabolism and innate immunity, potentially promoting HBV clearance. Thus, the bile acid-gut microbiota axis represents a complex and evolving relationship in the context of HBV infection. This review explores the interplay between bile acid and gut microbiota in HBV infection and discusses the development of HBV entry inhibitors targeting NTCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Huimin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zixin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yutong Cao
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Ruifang Hou
- Hebi Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, Department of Infectious Diseases, People's Hospital of Hebi, Henan University, Hebi, China
| | - Yun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yandong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
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3
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Xu M, Warner C, Duan X, Cheng Z, Jeyarajan AJ, Li W, Wang Y, Shao T, Salloum S, Chen PJ, Yu X, Chung RT, Lin W. HIV coinfection exacerbates HBV-induced liver fibrogenesis through a HIF-1α- and TGF-β1-dependent pathway. J Hepatol 2024; 80:868-881. [PMID: 38311121 PMCID: PMC11102332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Persons with chronic HBV infection coinfected with HIV experience accelerated progression of liver fibrosis compared to those with HBV monoinfection. We aimed to determine whether HIV and its proteins promote HBV-induced liver fibrosis in HIV/HBV-coinfected cell culture models through HIF-1α and TGF-β1 signaling. METHODS The HBV-positive supernatant, purified HBV viral particles, HIV-positive supernatant, or HIV viral particles were directly incubated with cell lines or primary hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and macrophages in mono or 3D spheroid coculture models. Cells were incubated with recombinant cytokines and HIV proteins including gp120. HBV sub-genomic constructs were transfected into NTCP-HepG2 cells. We also evaluated the effects of inhibitor of HIF-1α and HIV gp120 in a HBV carrier mouse model that was generated via hydrodynamic injection of the pAAV/HBV1.2 plasmid into the tail vein of wild-type C57BL/6 mice. RESULTS We found that HIV and HIV gp120, through engagement with CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors, activate AKT and ERK signaling and subsequently upregulate hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) to increase HBV-induced transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and profibrogenic gene expression in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. HIV gp120 exacerbates HBV X protein-mediated HIF-1α expression and liver fibrogenesis, which can be alleviated by inhibiting HIF-1α. Conversely, TGF-β1 upregulates HIF-1α expression and HBV-induced liver fibrogenesis through the SMAD signaling pathway. HIF-1α small-interfering RNA transfection or the HIF-1α inhibitor (acriflavine) blocked HIV-, HBV-, and TGF-β1-induced fibrogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that HIV coinfection exacerbates HBV-induced liver fibrogenesis through enhancement of the positive feedback between HIF-1α and TGF-β1 via CCR5/CXCR4. HIF-1α represents a novel target for antifibrotic therapeutic development in HBV/HIV coinfection. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS HIV coinfection accelerates the progression of liver fibrosis compared to HBV monoinfection, even among patients with successful suppression of viral load, and there is no sufficient treatment for this disease process. In this study, we found that HIV viral particles and specifically HIV gp120 promote HBV-induced hepatic fibrogenesis via enhancement of the positive feedback between HIF-1α and TGF-β1, which can be ameliorated by inhibition of HIF-1α. These findings suggest that targeting the HIF-1α pathway can reduce liver fibrogenesis in patients with HIV and HBV coinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Xu
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Charlotte Warner
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Xiaoqiong Duan
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610052, China; Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zhimeng Cheng
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andre J Jeyarajan
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Wenting Li
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Tropical Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 570311, China
| | - Yongtao Wang
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Tuo Shao
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Shadi Salloum
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
| | - Xu Yu
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Wenyu Lin
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Yu X, Gao Y, Zhang X, Ji L, Fang M, Li M, Gao Y. Hepatitis B: Model Systems and Therapeutic Approaches. J Immunol Res 2024; 2024:4722047. [PMID: 38745751 PMCID: PMC11093688 DOI: 10.1155/2024/4722047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health issue and ranks among the top causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although current antiviral medications, including nucleot(s)ide analogs and interferons, could inhibit the replication of HBV and alleviate the disease, HBV cannot be fully eradicated. The development of cellular and animal models for HBV infection plays an important role in exploring effective anti-HBV medicine. During the past decades, advancements in several cell culture systems, such as HepG2.2.15, HepAD38, HepaRG, hepatocyte-like cells, and primary human hepatocytes, have propelled the research in inhibiting HBV replication and expression and thus enriched our comprehension of the viral life cycle and enhancing antiviral drug evaluation efficacy. Mouse models, in particular, have emerged as the most extensively studied HBV animal models. Additionally, the present landscape of HBV therapeutics research now encompasses a comprehensive assessment of the virus's life cycle, targeting numerous facets and employing a variety of immunomodulatory approaches, including entry inhibitors, strategies aimed at cccDNA, RNA interference technologies, toll-like receptor agonists, and, notably, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This review describes the attributes and limitations of existing HBV model systems and surveys novel advancements in HBV treatment modalities, which will offer deeper insights toward discovering potentially efficacious pharmaceutical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Yu
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yating Gao
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Longshan Ji
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao Fang
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Li
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqiu Gao
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Hepatopathy, Shuguang Hospital, Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Infectious Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Zhang S, Chau HT, Tun HM, Huang FY, Wong DKH, Mak LY, Yuen MF, Seto WK. Virological response to nucleos(t)ide analogues treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients is associated with Bacteroides-dominant gut microbiome. EBioMedicine 2024; 103:105101. [PMID: 38583259 PMCID: PMC11002572 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gut dysbiosis is present in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In this study, we integrated microbiome and metabolome analysis to investigate the role of gut microbiome in virological response to nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) treatment. METHODS Chronic HBV patients were prospectively recruited for steatosis and fibrosis assessments via liver elastography, with full-length 16S sequencing performed to identify the compositional gut microbiota differences. Fasting plasma bile acids were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. FINDINGS All patients (n = 110) were characterized into three distinct microbial clusters by their dominant genus: c-Bacteroides, c-Blautia, and c-Prevotella. Patients with c-Bacteroides had a higher plasma ursodeoxycholic acids (UDCA) level and an increase in 7-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (secondary bile acid biotransformation) than other clusters. In NAs-treated patients (n = 84), c-Bacteroides was associated with higher odds of plasma HBV-DNA undetectability when compared with non-c-Bacteroides clusters (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.43-8.96, p = 0.01). c-Blautia was positively associated with advanced fibrosis (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.09-7.31, p = 0.04). No such associations were found in treatment-naïve patients. Increased Escherichia coli relative abundance (0.21% vs. 0.03%, p = 0.035) was found in on-treatment patients (median treatment duration 98.1 months) with advanced fibrosis despite HBV DNA undetectability. An enrichment in l-tryptophan biosynthesis was observed in patients with advanced fibrosis, which exhibited a positive correlation with Escherichia coli. INTERPRETATION Collectively, unique bacterial signatures, including c-Bacteroides and c-Blautia, were associated with virological undetectability and fibrosis evolution during NAs therapy in chronic HBV, setting up intriguing possibilities in optimizing HBV treatment. FUNDING This study was supported by the Guangdong Natural Science Fund (2019A1515012003).
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Affiliation(s)
- Saisai Zhang
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hau-Tak Chau
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hein Min Tun
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; System Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance (SMART) Lab, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fung-Yu Huang
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Danny Ka-Ho Wong
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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6
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Liu H, Zakrzewicz D, Nosol K, Irobalieva RN, Mukherjee S, Bang-Sørensen R, Goldmann N, Kunz S, Rossi L, Kossiakoff AA, Urban S, Glebe D, Geyer J, Locher KP. Structure of antiviral drug bulevirtide bound to hepatitis B and D virus receptor protein NTCP. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2476. [PMID: 38509088 PMCID: PMC10954734 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46706-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular entry of the hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV) requires binding of the viral surface polypeptide preS1 to the hepatobiliary transporter Na+-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP). This interaction can be blocked by bulevirtide (BLV, formerly Myrcludex B), a preS1 derivative and approved drug for treating HDV infection. Here, to elucidate the basis of this inhibitory function, we determined a cryo-EM structure of BLV-bound human NTCP. BLV forms two domains, a plug lodged in the bile salt transport tunnel of NTCP and a string that covers the receptor's extracellular surface. The N-terminally attached myristoyl group of BLV interacts with the lipid-exposed surface of NTCP. Our structure reveals how BLV inhibits bile salt transport, rationalizes NTCP mutations that decrease the risk of HBV/HDV infection, and provides a basis for understanding the host specificity of HBV/HDV. Our results provide opportunities for structure-guided development of inhibitors that target HBV/HDV docking to NTCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Liu
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dariusz Zakrzewicz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kamil Nosol
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Somnath Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rose Bang-Sørensen
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - Giessen-Marburg-Langen Partner Site, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kunz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Rossi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anthony A Kossiakoff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - Giessen-Marburg-Langen Partner Site, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Kaspar P Locher
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Zhang Z, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Lou Y, Ge L, Zhang W, Zhang W, Song F, Huang P. Role of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) in HBV-induced hepatitis: Opportunities for developing novel therapeutics. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 219:115956. [PMID: 38049009 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115956] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the HBV virus. It presents a significant challenge for treatment due to its chronic nature and the potential for developing severe complications, including hepatocirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These complications not only cause physical and psychological distress to patients but also impose substantial economic and social burdens on both individuals and society as a whole. The internalization of HBV relies on endocytosis and necessitates the involvement of various proteins, including heparin sulfate proteoglycans, epidermal growth factor receptors, and NTCP. Among these proteins, NTCP is pivotal in HBV internalization and is primarily located in the liver's basement membrane. As a transporter of bile acids, NTCP also serves as a receptor facilitating HBV entry into cells. Numerous molecules have been identified to thwart HBV infection by stifling NTCP activity, although only a handful exhibit low IC50 values. In this systematic review, our primary focus dwells on the structure and regulation of NTCP, as well as the mechanism involved in HBV internalization. We underscore recent drug breakthroughs that specifically target NTCP to combat HBV infection. By shedding light on these advances, this review contributes novel insights into developing effective anti-HBV medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yutao Lou
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luqi Ge
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wanli Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feifeng Song
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ping Huang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
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8
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Lee GS, Purdy MA, Choi Y. Cell Culture Systems for Studying Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D Virus Infections. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1527. [PMID: 37511902 PMCID: PMC10381383 DOI: 10.3390/life13071527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections cause liver disease, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV infection remains a major global health problem. In 2019, 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B and about 5% of them were co-infected with HDV. In vitro cell culture systems are instrumental in the development of therapeutic targets. Cell culture systems contribute to identifying molecular mechanisms for HBV and HDV propagation, finding drug targets for antiviral therapies, and testing antiviral agents. Current HBV therapeutics, such as nucleoside analogs, effectively suppress viral replication but are not curative. Additionally, no effective treatment for HDV infection is currently available. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop therapies to treat both viral infections. A robust in vitro cell culture system supporting HBV and HDV infections (HBV/HDV) is a critical prerequisite to studying HBV/HDV pathogenesis, the complete life cycle of HBV/HDV infections, and consequently identifying new therapeutics. However, the lack of an efficient cell culture system hampers the development of novel antiviral strategies for HBV/HDV infections. In vitro cell culture models have evolved with significant improvements over several decades. Recently, the development of the HepG2-NTCP sec+ cell line, expressing the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide receptor (NTCP) and self-assembling co-cultured primary human hepatocytes (SACC-PHHs) has opened new perspectives for a better understanding of HBV and HDV lifecycles and the development of specific antiviral drug targets against HBV/HDV infections. We address various cell culture systems along with different cell lines and how these cell culture systems can be used to provide better tools for HBV and HDV studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Sanghee Lee
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Michael A Purdy
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Youkyung Choi
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
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9
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Seong MS, Jang JA, Jeong YR, Kim YB, Kyaw YY, Kong HJ, Lee JH, Cheong J. Fibroblast Growth Factor 11 Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Gene Expression Through FXRα Suppression. J Microbiol 2023; 61:693-702. [PMID: 37646922 PMCID: PMC10477102 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-023-00065-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 11 (FGF11) is a member of the intracellular FGF family, which shows different signal transmission compared with other FGF superfamily members. The molecular function of FGF11 is not clearly understood. In this study, we identified the inhibitory effect of FGF11 on hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression through transcriptional suppression. FGF11 decreased the mRNA and protein expression of HBV genes in liver cells. While the nuclear receptor FXRα1 increased HBV promoter transactivation, FGF11 decreased the FXRα-mediated gene induction of the HBV promoter by the FXRα agonist. Reduced endogenous levels of FXRα by siRNA and the dominant negative mutant protein (aa 1-187 without ligand binding domain) of FXRα expression indicated that HBV gene suppression by FGF11 is dependent on FXRα inhibition. In addition, FGF11 interacts with FXRα protein and reduces FXRα protein stability. These results indicate that FGF11 inhibits HBV replicative expression through the liver cell-specific transcription factor, FXRα, and suppresses HBV promoter activity. Our findings may contribute to the establishment of better regimens for the treatment of chronic HBV infections by including FGF11 to alter the bile acid mediated FXR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi So Seong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Ah Jang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Rim Jeong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Bin Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi Yi Kyaw
- Advanced Molecular Research Centre, Department of Medical Research, Republic of Union of Myanmar, Yangon, 11191, Myanmar
| | - Hee Jeong Kong
- Biotechnology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan, 46083, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Lee
- Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Busan, 49111, Republic of Korea
| | - JaeHun Cheong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Han J, Jang KL. All- trans Retinoic Acid Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Replication by Downregulating HBx Levels via Siah-1-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation. Viruses 2023; 15:1456. [PMID: 37515144 PMCID: PMC10386411 DOI: 10.3390/v15071456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the most biologically active metabolite of vitamin A, is known to abolish the potential of HBx to downregulate the levels of p14, p16, and p21 and to stimulate cell growth during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, contributing to its chemopreventive and therapeutic effects against HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we demonstrated that ATRA antagonizes HBx to inhibit HBV replication. For this effect, ATRA individually or in combination with HBx upregulated p53 levels, resulting in upregulation of seven in absentia homolog 1 (Siah-1) levels. Siah-1, an E3 ligase, induces ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of HBx in the presence of ATRA. The ability of ATRA to induce Siah-1-mediated HBx degradation and the subsequent inhibition of HBV replication was proven in an in vitro HBV replication model. The effects of ATRA became invalid when either p53 or Siah-1 was knocked down by a specific shRNA, providing direct evidence for the role of p53 and Siah-1 in the negative regulation of HBV replication by ATRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwoo Han
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, The Graduate School, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Lib Jang
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, The Graduate School, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Microbiological Resource Research Institute, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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11
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Orozco CC, Neuvonen M, Bi YA, Cerny MA, Mathialagan S, Tylaska L, Rago B, Costales C, King-Ahmad A, Niemi M, Rodrigues AD. Characterization of Bile Acid Sulfate Conjugates as Substrates of Human Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides. Mol Pharm 2023. [PMID: 37134201 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Drug interactions involving the inhibition of hepatic organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) 1B1 and OATP1B3 are considered important. Therefore, we sought to study various sulfated bile acids (BA-S) as potential clinical OATP1B1/3 biomarkers. It was determined that BA-S [e.g., glycochenodeoxycholic acid 3-O-sulfate (GCDCA-S) and glycodeoxycholic acid 3-O-sulfate (GDCA-S)] are substrates of OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and sodium-dependent taurocholic acid cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells, with minimal uptake evident for other solute carriers (SLCs) like OATP2B1, organic anion transporter 2, and organic cation transporter 1. It was also shown that BA-S uptake by plated human hepatocytes (PHH) was inhibited (≥96%) by a pan-SLC inhibitor (rifamycin SV), and there was greater inhibition (≥77% versus ≤12%) with rifampicin (OATP1B1/3-selective inhibitor) than a hepatitis B virus myristoylated-preS1 peptide (NTCP-selective inhibitor). Estrone 3-sulfate was also used as an OATP1B1-selective inhibitor. In this instance, greater inhibition was observed with GDCA-S (76%) than GCDCA-S (52%). The study was expanded to encompass the measurement of GCDCA-S and GDCA-S in plasma of SLCO1B1 genotyped subjects. The geometric mean GDCA-S concentration was 2.6-fold (90% confidence interval 1.6, 4.3; P = 2.1 × 10-4) and 1.3-fold (1.1, 1.7; P = 0.001) higher in individuals homozygous and heterozygous for the SLCO1B1 c.521T > C loss-of-function allele, respectively. For GCDCA-S, no significant difference was noted [1.2-fold (0.8, 1.7; P = 0.384) and 0.9-fold (0.8, 1.1; P = 0.190), respectively]. This supported the in vitro data indicating that GDCA-S is a more OATP1B1-selective substrate (versus GCDCA-S). It is concluded that GCDCA-S and GDCA-S are viable plasma-based OATP1B1/3 biomarkers, but they are both less OATP1B1-selective when compared to their corresponding 3-O-glucuronides (GCDCA-3G and GDCA-3G). Additional studies are needed to determine their utility versus more established biomarkers, such as coproporphyrin I, for assessing inhibitors with different OATP1B1 (versus OATP1B3) inhibition signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine C Orozco
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Mikko Neuvonen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
- Individualized Drug Therapy Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Yi-An Bi
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Matthew A Cerny
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Sumathy Mathialagan
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Laurie Tylaska
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Brian Rago
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Chester Costales
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Amanda King-Ahmad
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Mikko Niemi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
- Individualized Drug Therapy Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki FI-00029, Finland
| | - A David Rodrigues
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
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12
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Yan H, Wang C. Key Factors for "Fishing" NTCP as a Functional Receptor for HBV and HDV. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020512. [PMID: 36851726 PMCID: PMC9959848 DOI: 10.3390/v15020512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
About ten years ago, Wenhui Li's research group in China identified the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a bile acid transporter predominantly expressed in the liver, as a functional receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its satellite hepatitis delta virus (HDV) through biochemical and genetic studies. This finding unraveled a longtime mystery in the HBV field and led to the establishment of efficient and easy-to-use HBV infection models, which paved the way for the in-depth study of the HBV entry mechanism and facilitated the development of therapeutics against HBV and HDV. The whole picture of the complex HBV entry process became clear upon the follow-up studies over the years, including the recent resolution found for the NTCP structure. As one of the first authors of the 2012 eLife paper on NTCP identification, here, I (H. Y.) share our experience on the bumpy and exciting journey of receptor hunting, particularly on the photo-cross-linking study and some detailed descriptions of the "fishing" process and summarize the key factors for our successful receptor identification. This review may also provide helpful insights for identifying a protein target by peptide or protein baits through cross-linking and immunoprecipitation.
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13
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Blaney H, Khalid M, Heller T, Koh C. Epidemiology, presentation, and therapeutic approaches for hepatitis D infections. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2023; 21:127-142. [PMID: 36519386 PMCID: PMC9905306 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2159379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection remains an important global public health problem, with a changing epidemiological landscape over the past decade along with widespread implementation of hepatitis B vaccination and human migration. The landscape of HDV treatments has been changing, with therapies that have been under development for the last decade now in late stage clinical trials. The anticipated availability of these new therapies will hopefully replace the current therapies which are minimally effective. AREAS COVERED This narrative review discusses the clinical course, screening and diagnosis, transmission risk factors, epidemiology, current and investigational therapies, and liver transplantation in HDV. Literature review was performed using PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov and includes relevant articles from 1977 to 2022. EXPERT OPINION HDV infection is an important global public health issue with a true prevalence that is still unknown. The distribution of HDV infection has changed globally with the availability of HBV vaccination and patterns of human migration. As HDV infection is associated with accelerated disease courses and poor outcomes, the global community needs to agree upon a uniform HDV screening strategy to understand the truth of global prevalence such that new therapies can target appropriate individuals as they become available in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Blaney
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mian Khalid
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Theo Heller
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher Koh
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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14
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Many Ways to Communicate-Crosstalk between the HBV-Infected Cell and Its Environment. Pathogens 2022; 12:pathogens12010029. [PMID: 36678377 PMCID: PMC9866324 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects an estimated 257 million people worldwide and can lead to liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Viral replication is generally considered not to be cytopathic, and although some HBV proteins may have direct carcinogenic effects, the majority of HBV infection-related disease is related to chronic inflammation resulting from disrupted antiviral responses and aberrant innate immune reactions. Like all cells, healthy and HBV-infected cells communicate with each other, as well as with other cell types, such as innate and adaptive immune cells. They do so by both interacting directly and by secreting factors into their environment. Such factors may be small molecules, such as metabolites, single viral proteins or host proteins, but can also be more complex, such as virions, protein complexes, and extracellular vesicles. The latter are small, membrane-enclosed vesicles that are exchanged between cells, and have recently gained a lot of attention for their potential to mediate complex communication and their potential for therapeutic repurposing. Here, we review how HBV infection affects the communication between HBV-infected cells and cells in their environment. We discuss the impact of these interactions on viral persistence in chronic infection, as well as their relation to HBV infection-related pathology.
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15
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Chen S, Zhang L, Chen Y, Fu L. Inhibiting Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide in HBV-Related Diseases: From Biological Function to Therapeutic Potential. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12546-12561. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Chen
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Leilei Fu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
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16
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Qin T, Wang Y, Nie J, Yu L, Zeng S. Oligomerization of the HBV/HDV functional receptor NTCP expressed in Sf9 insect cell. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130224. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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17
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Weng Y, Fonseca KR, Bi YA, Mathialagan S, Riccardi K, Tseng E, Bessire AJ, Cerny MA, Tess DA, Rodrigues AD, Kalgutkar AS, Litchfield JE, Di L, Varma MVS. Transporter-Enzyme Interplay in the Pharmacokinetics of PF-06835919, A First-in-class Ketohexokinase Inhibitor for Metabolic Disorders and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Drug Metab Dispos 2022; 50:DMD-AR-2022-000953. [PMID: 35779864 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.122.000953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Excess dietary fructose consumption promotes metabolic dysfunction thereby increasing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and related comorbidities. PF-06835919, a first-in-class ketohexokinase (KHK) inhibitor, showed reversal of such metabolic disorders in preclinical models and clinical studies, and is under clinical development for the potential treatment of NASH. In this study, we evaluated the transport and metabolic pathways of PF-06835919 disposition and assessed pharmacokinetics in preclinical models. PF-06835919 showed active uptake in cultured primary human hepatocytes, and substrate activity to organic anion transporter (OAT)2 and organic anion transporting-polypeptide (OATP)1B1 in transfected cells. "SLC-phenotyping" studies in human hepatocytes suggested contribution of passive uptake, OAT2- and OATP1B-mediated transport to the overall uptake to be about 15%, 60% and 25%, respectively. PF-06835919 showed low intrinsic metabolic clearance in vitro, and was found to be metabolized via both oxidative pathways (58%) and acyl glucuronidation (42%) by CYP3A, CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and UGT2B7. Following intravenous dosing, PF-06835919 showed low clearance (0.4-1.3 mL/min/kg) and volume of distribution (0.17-0.38 L/kg) in rat, dog and monkey. Human oral pharmacokinetics are predicted within 20% error when considering transporter-enzyme interplay in a PBPK model. Finally, unbound liver-to-plasma ratio (Kpuu) measured in vitro using rat, NHP and human hepatocytes was found to be approximately 4, 25 and 10, respectively. Similarly, liver Kpuu in rat and monkey following intravenous dosing of PF-06835919 was found to be 2.5 and 15, respectively, and notably higher than the muscle and brain Kpuu, consistent with the active uptake mechanisms observed in vitro. Significance Statement This work characterizes the transport/metabolic pathways in the hepatic disposition of PF-06835919, a first-in-class KHK inhibitor for the treatment of metabolic disorders and NASH. Phenotyping studies using transfected systems, human hepatocytes and liver microsomes signifies the role of OAT2 and OATP1B1 in the hepatic uptake and multiple enzymes in the metabolism of PF-06835919. Data presented suggest hepatic transporter-enzyme interplay in determining its systemic concentrations and potential enrichment in liver, a target site for KHK inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Weng
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Pfizer Inc., United States
| | | | | | - Sumathy Mathialagan
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Metabolism, Medicine Design, Pfizer Inc, United States
| | | | - Elaine Tseng
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics, and Metabolism, Pfizer Global Research and Development, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Amit S Kalgutkar
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, United States
| | | | - Li Di
- Pharmacokintics Dynamics and Metabolism, Pfizer Inc., United States
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18
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Zakrzewicz D, Leidolf R, Kunz S, Müller SF, Neubauer A, Leiting S, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Glebe D, Geyer J. Tyrosine 146 of the Human Na +/Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide (NTCP) Is Essential for Its Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Receptor Function and HBV Entry into Hepatocytes. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061259. [PMID: 35746730 PMCID: PMC9230856 DOI: 10.3390/v14061259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP, gene symbol SLC10A1) is a hepatic bile acid uptake carrier participating in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Apart from its transporter function, NTCP acts as the high-affinity liver-specific receptor for the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which attaches via its preS1-peptide domain of the large surface protein to NTCP, subsequently leading to endocytosis of the virus/NTCP-receptor complex. Although the process of NTCP-dependent HBV infection of hepatocytes has received much attention over the last decade, the precise molecular sites of the virus/NTCP interaction have not been fully identified. Inspection of the primary protein sequence of human NTCP revealed 139YIYSRGIY146 as a highly conserved tyrosine-rich motif. To study the role of Y139, Y141 and Y146 amino acids in NTCP biology, the aforementioned residues were substituted with alanine, phenylalanine or glutamate (mimicking phosphorylation) using site-directed mutagenesis. Similar to wt NTCP, the Y139A, Y141A, Y146A, Y141F, Y146F, and Y146E mutants were expressed at the plasma membrane of HEK293 cells and exhibited intact bile acid transport function. Y146A, Y146E, and Y146F demonstrated transport kinetics comparable to wild-type NTCP with Km values of 57.3–112.4 µM and Vmax values of 6683–7579 pmol/mg protein/min. Only Y141E was transport deficient, most likely due to an intracellular accumulation of the mutant protein. Most importantly, Y146A and Y146E mutation completely abrogated binding of the viral preS1-peptide to NTCP, while the Y146F mutant of NTCP showed some residual binding competence for preS1. Consequently, the NTCP mutants Y146A and Y146E, when expressed in HepG2 hepatoma cells, showed complete loss of susceptibility for in vitro HBV infection. In conclusion, tyrosine 146, and to some extent tyrosine 141, both belonging to the tyrosine-rich motif 139YIYSRGIY146 of human NTCP, are newly identified amino acid residues that play an essential role in the interaction of HBV with its receptor NTCP and, thus, in the process of virus entry into hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Zakrzewicz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-99-38412
| | - Regina Leidolf
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Sebastian Kunz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Anita Neubauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Silke Leiting
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen), Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Felix Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen), Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen), Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
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19
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Asami J, Kimura KT, Fujita-Fujiharu Y, Ishida H, Zhang Z, Nomura Y, Liu K, Uemura T, Sato Y, Ono M, Yamamoto M, Noda T, Shigematsu H, Drew D, Iwata S, Shimizu T, Nomura N, Ohto U. Structure of the bile acid transporter and HBV receptor NTCP. Nature 2022; 606:1021-1026. [PMID: 35580629 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04845-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 290 million people worldwide, is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and results in an estimated 820,000 deaths annually1,2. For HBV infection to be established, a molecular interaction is required between the large glycoproteins of the virus envelope (known as LHBs) and the host entry receptor sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a sodium-dependent bile acid transporter from the blood to hepatocytes3. However, the molecular basis for the virus-transporter interaction is poorly understood. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of human, bovine and rat NTCPs in the apo state, which reveal the presence of a tunnel across the membrane and a possible transport route for the substrate. Moreover, the cryo-electron microscopy structure of human NTCP in the presence of the myristoylated preS1 domain of LHBs, together with mutation and transport assays, suggest a binding mode in which preS1 and the substrate compete for the extracellular opening of the tunnel in NTCP. Our preS1 domain interaction analysis enables a mechanistic interpretation of naturally occurring HBV-insusceptible mutations in human NTCP. Together, our findings provide a structural framework for HBV recognition and a mechanistic understanding of sodium-dependent bile acid translocation by mammalian NTCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinta Asami
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yoko Fujita-Fujiharu
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Hanako Ishida
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Zhikuan Zhang
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yayoi Nomura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kehong Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoko Uemura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yumi Sato
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Ono
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Takeshi Noda
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | | | - David Drew
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - So Iwata
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Sayo-gun, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Shimizu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norimichi Nomura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Umeharu Ohto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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20
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Song Y, Shou S, Guo H, Gao Z, Liu N, Yang Y, Wang F, Deng Q, Liu J, Xie Y. Establishment and Characterization of a New Cell Culture System for Hepatitis B Virus Replication and Infection. Virol Sin 2022; 37:558-568. [PMID: 35568375 PMCID: PMC9437612 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a primary cause of chronic liver diseases in humans. HBV infection exhibits strict host and tissue tropism. HBV core promoter (Cp) drives transcription of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and plays a key role in the viral life cycle. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) acts as a major transcriptional factor that stimulates Cp. In this work, we reported that BEL7404 cell line displayed a high efficiency of DNA transfection and high levels of HBV antigen expression after transfection of HBV replicons without prominent viral replication. The introduction of exogenous HNF4α and human sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (hNTCP) expression into BEL7404 made it permissive for HBV replication and susceptible to HBV infection. BEL7404-derived cell lines with induced HBV permissiveness and susceptibility were constructed by stable co-transfection of hNTCP and Tet-inducible HNF4α followed by limiting dilution cloning. HBV replication in such cells was sensitive to inhibition by nucleotide analog tenofovir, while the infection was inhibited by HBV entry inhibitors. This cell culture system provides a new and additional tool for the study of HBV replication and infection as well as the characterization of antiviral agents. BEL7404 cells are characterized by a high transfection efficiency, but do not support canonical HBV replication. BEL7404 cells lack endogenous HNF4α expression, and exogenous HNF4α rescues canonical HBV replication. BEL7404 cells with stable hNTCP and inducible HNF4α expression support HBV infection and inducible replication. BEL7404-derived cell lines supporting HBV infection retain high transfection efficiencies and allow testing of antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Song
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shuyu Shou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huimin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute for Hepatology, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518112, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518112, China
| | - Zixiang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Nannan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Youhua Xie
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS) and Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
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Li Y, Zhou J, Li T. Regulation of the HBV Entry Receptor NTCP and its Potential in Hepatitis B Treatment. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:879817. [PMID: 35495620 PMCID: PMC9039015 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.879817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a globally prevalent human DNA virus responsible for more than 250 million cases of chronic liver infection, a condition that can lead to liver inflammation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a transmembrane protein highly expressed in human hepatocytes and a mediator of bile acid transport, has been identified as the receptor responsible for the cellular entry of both HBV and its satellite, hepatitis delta virus (HDV). This has led to significant advances in our understanding of the HBV life cycle, especially the early steps of infection. HepG2-NTCP cells and human NTCP-expressing transgenic mice have been employed as the primary cell culture and animal models, respectively, for the study of HBV, and represent valuable approaches for investigating its basic biology and developing treatments for infection. However, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of NTCP transcription, translation, post-translational modification, and transport are still largely elusive. Improvements in our understanding of NTCP biology would likely facilitate the design of new therapeutic drugs for the prevention of the de novo infection of naïve hepatocytes. In this review, we provide critical findings regarding NTCP biology and discuss important questions that remain unanswered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- *Correspondence: Yan Li, ; Tianliang Li,
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22
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HepG2-Based Designer Cells with Heat-Inducible Enhanced Liver Functions. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071194. [PMID: 35406758 PMCID: PMC8997820 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional human hepatocytes have been a pivotal tool in pharmacological studies such as those investigating drug metabolism and hepatotoxicity. However, primary human hepatocytes are difficult to obtain in large quantities and may cause ethical problems, necessitating the development of a new cell source to replace human primary hepatocytes. We previously developed genetically modified murine hepatoma cell lines with inducible enhanced liver functions, in which eight liver-enriched transcription factor (LETF) genes were introduced into hepatoma cells as inducible transgene expression cassettes. Here, we establish a human hepatoma cell line with heat-inducible liver functions using HepG2 cells. The genetically modified hepatoma cells, designated HepG2/8F_HS, actively proliferated under normal culture conditions and, therefore, can be easily prepared in large quantities. When the expression of LETFs was induced by heat treatment at 43 °C for 30 min, cells ceased proliferation and demonstrated enhanced liver functions. Furthermore, three-dimensional spheroid cultures of HepG2/8F_HS cells showed a further increase in liver functions upon heat treatment. Comprehensive transcriptome analysis using DNA microarrays revealed that HepG2/8F_HS cells had enhanced overall expression of many liver function-related genes following heat treatment. HepG2/8F_HS cells could be useful as a new cell source for pharmacological studies and for constructing bioartificial liver systems.
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IFITM3 Interacts with the HBV/HDV Receptor NTCP and Modulates Virus Entry and Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040727. [PMID: 35458456 PMCID: PMC9027621 DOI: 10.3390/v14040727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Na+/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP, gene symbol SLC10A1) is both a physiological bile acid transporter and the high-affinity hepatic receptor for the hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV). Virus entry via endocytosis of the virus/NTCP complex involves co-factors, but this process is not fully understood. As part of the innate immunity, interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITM) 1–3 have been characterized as virus entry-restricting factors for many viruses. The present study identified IFITM3 as a novel protein–protein interaction (PPI) partner of NTCP based on membrane yeast-two hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Surprisingly, IFITM3 knockdown significantly reduced in vitro HBV infection rates of NTCP-expressing HuH7 cells and primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). In addition, HuH7-NTCP cells showed significantly lower HDV infection rates, whereas infection with influenza A virus was increased. HBV-derived myr-preS1 peptide binding to HuH7-NTCP cells was intact even under IFITM3 knockdown, suggesting that IFITM3-mediated HBV/HDV infection enhancement occurs in a step subsequent to the viral attachment to NTCP. In conclusion, IFITM3 was identified as a novel NTCP co-factor that significantly affects in vitro infection with HBV and HDV in NTCP-expressing hepatoma cells and PHHs. While there is clear evidence for a direct PPI between IFITM3 and NTCP, the specific mechanism by which this PPI facilitates the infection process remains to be identified in future studies.
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Proulx J, Ghaly M, Park IW, Borgmann K. HIV-1-Mediated Acceleration of Oncovirus-Related Non-AIDS-Defining Cancers. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040768. [PMID: 35453518 PMCID: PMC9024568 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), overall survival has been improved, and the incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining cancers has also been remarkably reduced. However, non-AIDS-defining cancers among human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-associated malignancies have increased significantly so that cancer is the leading cause of death in people living with HIV in certain highly developed countries, such as France. However, it is currently unknown how HIV-1 infection raises oncogenic virus-mediated cancer risks in the HIV-1 and oncogenic virus co-infected patients, and thus elucidation of the molecular mechanisms for how HIV-1 expedites the oncogenic viruses-triggered tumorigenesis in the co-infected hosts is imperative for developing therapeutics to cure or impede the carcinogenesis. Hence, this review is focused on HIV-1 and oncogenic virus co-infection-mediated molecular processes in the acceleration of non-AIDS-defining cancers.
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Guo WL, Cao YJ, You SZ, Wu Q, Zhang F, Han JZ, Lv XC, Rao PF, Ai LZ, Ni L. Ganoderic acids-rich ethanol extract from Ganoderma lucidum protects against alcoholic liver injury and modulates intestinal microbiota in mice with excessive alcohol intake. Curr Res Food Sci 2022; 5:515-530. [PMID: 35281335 PMCID: PMC8913248 DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.2022.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver injury is mainly caused by excessive alcohol consumption and has become a global public health problem threatening human health. It is well known that Ganoderma lucidum possesses various excellent beneficial effects on liver function and lipid metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the underlying protective effect and action mechanism of ganoderic acids-rich G. lucidum ethanol extract (GLE) on alcohol-induced liver injury in mice with excessive alcohol intake. Results showed that oral administration of GLE could obviously inhibit the abnormal increases of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and also significantly protect the liver against alcohol-induced excessive hepatic lipid accumulation and pathological changes. In addition, alcohol-induced oxidative stress in liver was significantly ameliorated by the dietary intervention of GLE through reducing the hepatic levels of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and increasing the hepatic levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Compared with the model group, GLE intervention significantly ameliorated the intestinal microbial disorder by elevating the relative abundance of Ruminiclostridium_9, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, Oscillibacter, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group, norank_f_Clostridiates_vadinBB60_group, GCA-900066225, Bilophila, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-009, norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae and Hydrogenoanaerobacterium, but decreasing the proportion of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1. Furthermore, liver metabolomic profiling suggested that GLE intervention had a significant regulatory effect on the composition of liver metabolites in mice with excessive alcohol intake, especially the levels of some biomarkers involved in primary bile acid biosynthesis, riboflavin metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, fructose and mannose metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. Additionally, dietary supplementation with GLE significantly regulated the mRNA levels of key genes related to fatty acids metabolism, ethanol catabolism and inflammatory response in liver. Conclusively, these findings indicate that GLE has a potentially beneficial effect on alleviating alcohol-induced liver injury and may be developed as a promising functional food ingredient. Phytochemical analysis revealed that ethanol extract of Gaoderma lucidum (GLE) is rich in ganoderic acids. GLE ameliorated lipid metabolism, antioxidant function and inflammatory response in mice with excessive alcohol intake. Liver metabolomics based on UPLC-QTOF/MS was performed to reveal the underlying hepatoprotective effect of GLE. GLE intervention alleviated alcoholic liver injury partly through regulating the “gut-liver-metabolite”axis. Hepatic gene transcriptions related to lipid metabolism and inflammation were remarkablyinfluenced by GLE intervention.
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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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Tricot T, Thibaut HJ, Abbasi K, Boon R, Helsen N, Kumar M, Neyts J, Verfaillie C. Metabolically Improved Stem Cell Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cells Support HBV Life Cycle and Are a Promising Tool for HBV Studies and Antiviral Drug Screenings. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020268. [PMID: 35203482 PMCID: PMC8869365 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 300 million people worldwide are diagnosed with a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Nucleos(t)ide viral polymerase inhibitors are available on the market and can efficiently treat patients with chronic HBV. However, life-long treatment is needed as covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) persists in the hepatocyte nucleus. Hence, there is a high demand for novel therapeutics that can eliminate cccDNA from the hepatocyte nucleus and cure chronically infected HBV patients. The gold standard for in vitro HBV studies is primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). However, alternatives are needed due to donor organ shortage and high batch-to-batch variability. Therefore, human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) are being explored as an in vitro HBV infection model. We recently generated hPSC lines that overexpress three transcription factors (HC3x) and that, upon differentiation in a high amino-acid supplemented maturation medium, generate a more mature hepatocyte progeny (HC3x-AA-HLCs). Here, we demonstrate that HBV can efficiently infect these HC3x-AA-HLCs, as was shown by the presence of HBV core (HBc) and surface antigens. A clear increasing release of HBV surface and e antigens was detected, indicating the formation of functional cccDNA. Moreover, back-titration of culture supernatant of HBV-infected HC3x-AA-HLCs on HepG2-NTCP cells revealed the production of novel infectious HBV particles. Additionally, an increasing number of HBc-positive HC3x-AA-HLCs over time suggests viral spreading is occurring. Finally, the HC3x-AA-HLC model was validated for use in antiviral drug studies using the nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor, lamivudine, and the HBV entry inhibitor, Myrcludex B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tine Tricot
- Stem Cell Institute, Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (R.B.); (N.H.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: (T.T.); (H.J.T.); (C.V.); Tel.: +32-16-37-71-09 (T.T.); +32-16-32-16-82 (H.J.T.); +32-16-37-26-54 (C.V.)
| | - Hendrik Jan Thibaut
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.A.); (J.N.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy (TPVC), Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: (T.T.); (H.J.T.); (C.V.); Tel.: +32-16-37-71-09 (T.T.); +32-16-32-16-82 (H.J.T.); +32-16-37-26-54 (C.V.)
| | - Kayvan Abbasi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.A.); (J.N.)
| | - Ruben Boon
- Stem Cell Institute, Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (R.B.); (N.H.); (M.K.)
- Laboratory for Functional Epigenetics, Department of Human Genetics, Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicky Helsen
- Stem Cell Institute, Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (R.B.); (N.H.); (M.K.)
- Ismar Healthcare NV, 2500 Lier, Belgium
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Stem Cell Institute, Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (R.B.); (N.H.); (M.K.)
| | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (K.A.); (J.N.)
| | - Catherine Verfaillie
- Stem Cell Institute, Rega Institute KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (R.B.); (N.H.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: (T.T.); (H.J.T.); (C.V.); Tel.: +32-16-37-71-09 (T.T.); +32-16-32-16-82 (H.J.T.); +32-16-37-26-54 (C.V.)
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Multitasking Na+/Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide (NTCP) as a Drug Target for HBV Infection: From Protein Engineering to Drug Discovery. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10010196. [PMID: 35052874 PMCID: PMC8773476 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are among the major public health concerns worldwide with more than 250 million of chronically ill individuals. Many of them are additionally infected with the Hepatitis D virus, a satellite virus to HBV. Chronic infection frequently leads to serious liver diseases including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer. Although current antiviral therapies can control HBV replication and slow down disease progress, there is an unmet medical need to identify therapies to cure this chronic infectious disease. Lately, a noteworthy progress in fighting against HBV has been made by identification of the high-affinity hepatic host receptor for HBV and HDV, namely Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP, gene symbol SLC10A1). Next to its primary function as hepatic uptake transporter for bile acids, NTCP is essential for the cellular entry of HBV and HDV into hepatocytes. Due to this high-ranking discovery, NTCP has become a valuable target for drug development strategies for HBV/HDV-infected patients. In this review, we will focus on a newly predicted three-dimensional NTCP model that was generated using computational approaches and discuss its value in understanding the NTCP’s membrane topology, substrate and virus binding taking place in plasma membranes. We will review existing data on structural, functional, and biological consequences of amino acid residue changes and mutations that lead to loss of NTCP’s transport and virus receptor functions. Finally, we will discuss new directions for future investigations aiming at development of new NTCP-based HBV entry blockers that inhibit HBV tropism in human hepatocytes.
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Nkongolo S, Hollnberger J, Urban S. [Bulevirtide as the first specific agent against hepatitis D virus infections-mechanism and clinical effect]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2022; 65:254-263. [PMID: 35028672 PMCID: PMC8813823 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-022-03486-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Die Blockade des Zelleintritts von Krankheitserregern ist ein geeigneter Ansatz, um Neuinfektionen zu verhindern. Der therapeutische Einsatz von Eintrittsinhibitoren bei chronisch infizierten Patienten war jedoch bisher nur begrenzt erfolgreich. Zur Behandlung von chronischen Hepatitis-D-Virus-(HDV-)Infektionen wurde im Juli 2020 mit Bulevirtide (BLV) ein vielversprechender Wirkstoff bedingt zugelassen, der auf diesem Wirkprinzip beruht. Zuvor hatten für HDV keine gezielte Medikation zur Verfügung gestanden und die Behandlung beruhte auf dem Off-Label-Einsatz von Interferon-Alpha/Peginterferon-Alpha (IFNα/Peg-IFNα). In diesem Beitrag wird ein Überblick über die Grundlagen des Wirkmechanismus von BLV gegeben und bisher vorliegende klinische Daten werden zusammengefasst. Eine HDV-Infektion manifestiert sich als Ko- oder Superinfektion bei Hepatitis-B-Virus-(HBV-)Infektionen und betrifft 4,5–15 % der HBV-Patienten weltweit. HDV nutzt die Hüllproteine von HBV zur Verbreitung. BLV wirkt, indem es den HBV/HDV-Rezeptor natriumtaurocholat-co-transportierendes Polypeptid (NTCP) blockiert und so den Eintritt von HBV/HDV in Hepatozyten verhindert. BLV senkt die HDV-Serum-RNA-Spiegel und führt bei HBV/HDV-infizierten Personen zur Normalisierung der Alanin-Aminotransferase-(ALT-)Werte. Es hat ein ausgezeichnetes Sicherheitsprofil, selbst wenn es über 48 Wochen in hohen Dosen (10 mg täglich) verabreicht wird. In Kombination mit Peg-IFNα zeigt BLV synergistische Effekte auf die Senkung der HDV-RNA im Serum, aber auch auf die Hepatitis-B-Oberflächenantigen-(HBsAg‑)Spiegel. Dies führte bei einer Untergruppe von Patienten zu einer funktionellen Heilung, wenn 2 mg BLV plus Peg-IFNα verabreicht wurden. Der Mechanismus dieser wahrscheinlich immunvermittelten Eliminierung wird in Folgestudien untersucht.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Nkongolo
- Molekulare Virologie, Translationale Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partnerstandort Heidelberg, Deutschland.,Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Kanada
| | - Julius Hollnberger
- Molekulare Virologie, Translationale Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partnerstandort Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - Stephan Urban
- Molekulare Virologie, Translationale Virologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland. .,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partnerstandort Heidelberg, Deutschland.
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30
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[Ten years of the National Reference Center for hepatitis B viruses and hepatitis D viruses in Giessen, Germany: activities and experiences]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2022; 65:220-227. [PMID: 35015105 PMCID: PMC8813679 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-021-03479-7] [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: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The National Reference Center (NRC) for hepatitis B viruses (HBV) and hepatitis D viruses (HDV) has been located at the Institute of Medical Virology of the Justus Liebig University (JLU) in Giessen, Germany, since its establishment in 2011. This paper describes the NRC's areas of activity and related experience.The NRC offers comprehensive consulting services on all diagnostic and clinical aspects of acute and chronic HBV and HDV infections for the Public Health Service (ÖGD), diagnostic laboratories, clinics, research institutes, and physicians in private practice. Uncertain diagnostic findings can be analyzed and interpreted and epidemiological correlations clarified with the HBV/HDV special diagnostics established at the NRC using state-of-the-art molecular, biochemical, and genetic laboratory tools. The NRC has access to a strain collection of many well-characterized and cloned HBV/HDV isolates, allowing comparative analysis and evaluation of antiviral resistance mutations and immune escape variants. Together with its national and international partner institutions, the NRC initiates and supervises, among other things, interlaboratory studies for the diagnosis of HBV resistance and immune escape for the establishment and validation of international World Health Organization (WHO) standards and for the improvement of quantitative HDV genome determination. The NRC actively participates in current recommendations and guidelines on HBV and HDV and the recommendations of medical societies. It also highlights current HBV/HDV-relevant aspects with contributions in the form of national and international lectures as well as original articles and comments in national and international journals.
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NTCP Oligomerization Occurs Downstream of the NTCP-EGFR Interaction during Hepatitis B Virus Internalization. J Virol 2021; 95:e0093821. [PMID: 34613794 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00938-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a receptor that is essential for hepatitis B virus (HBV) entry into the host cell. A number of HBV entry inhibitors targeting NTCP have been reported to date; these inhibitors have facilitated a mechanistic analysis of the viral entry process. However, the mechanism of HBV internalization into host cells after interaction of virus with NTCP remains largely unknown. Recently, we reported that troglitazone, a thiazolidinedione derivative, specifically inhibits both HBV internalization and NTCP oligomerization, resulting in inhibition of HBV infection. Here, using troglitazone as a chemical probe to investigate entry process, the contribution of NTCP oligomerization to HBV internalization was evaluated. Using surface plasmon resonance and transporter kinetics, we found that troglitazone directly interacts with NTCP and noncompetitively interferes with NTCP-mediated bile acid uptake, suggesting that troglitazone allosterically binds to NTCP, rather than to the bile acid-binding pocket. Additionally, alanine scanning mutagenesis showed that a mutation at phenylalanine 274 of NTCP (F274A) caused a loss of HBV susceptibility and disrupted both the oligomerization of NTCP and HBV internalization without affecting viral attachment to the cell surface. An inhibitor of the interaction between NTCP and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), another host cofactor essential for HBV internalization, impeded NTCP oligomerization. Meanwhile, coimmunoprecipitation analysis revealed that neither troglitazone nor the F274A mutation in NTCP affects the NTCP-EGFR interaction. These findings suggest that NTCP oligomerization is initiated downstream of the NTCP-EGFR interaction and then triggers HBV internalization. This study provides significant insight into the HBV entry mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is mediated by a specific interaction with sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), a viral entry receptor. Although the virus-receptor interactions are believed to trigger viral internalization into host cells, the exact molecular mechanisms of HBV internalization are not understood. In this study, we revealed the mode of action whereby troglitazone, a specific inhibitor of HBV internalization, impedes NTCP oligomerization and identified NTCP phenylalanine 274 as a residue essential for this oligomerization. We further analyzed the association between NTCP oligomerization and HBV internalization, a process that is mediated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), another essential host cofactor for HBV internalization. Our study provides critical information on the mechanism of HBV entry and suggests that oligomerization of the viral receptor serves as an attractive target for drug discovery.
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Abbas Z, Saad M, Asim M, Abbas M, Samejo SA. The effect of twelve weeks of treatment with ezetimibe on HDV RNA level in patients with chronic hepatitis D. TURKISH JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2021; 31:136-141. [PMID: 32141822 DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2020.18846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) is the receptor for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) entry into hepatocytes. Ezetimibe is a cholesterol-lowering drug that possesses the pharmacophore features to inhibit NTCP. This study evaluates the efficacy of ezetimibe in patients with chronic HDV infection in a nonrandomized trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS This proof of concept phase 2 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe 10 mg daily in (interferon treatment-experienced or interferon ineligible) patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD). Forty-four patients with CHD were recruited, 38 male and 6 female patients, mean age 35.2±8.7 (range 19-64). Fifteen (34%) patients were on concomitant nucleoside therapy, and cirrhosis was present in 14 subjects. The primary therapeutic endpoint was a decline in HDV RNA at one log or more from the baseline at week 12. RESULTS The mean HDV RNA level was 5.4±1.3 log10 IU/mL. HBeAg was non-reactive in 43 (98%). HBV DNA was undetectable in 28 (64%). One patient stopped treatment at week 4, and one patient did not follow-up. One log or more reduction in the HDV RNA levels was observed in 18/44 (41%) patients. No log reduction occurred in 16 patients, and 8 experienced a log increase. No adverse effects from the concomitant nucleoside analogue use or clinical cirrhosis were observed. The drug exhibited a positive safety profile. CONCLUSION Treatment of CHD patients with ezetimibe resulted in a one log reduction of viral load in 43% (18/42) of the patients who completed the 12 weeks of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaigham Abbas
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saad
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asim
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Minaam Abbas
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shoukat Ali Samejo
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
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Oswald A, Chakraborty A, Ni Y, Wettengel JM, Urban S, Protzer U. Concentration of Na +-taurocholate-cotransporting polypeptide expressed after in vitro-transcribed mRNA transfection determines susceptibility of hepatoma cells for hepatitis B virus. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19799. [PMID: 34611272 PMCID: PMC8492621 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99263-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection of hepatocytes by hepatitis B virus (HBV) depends on surface expression of its receptor Na+-taurocholate-cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), but sufficient NTCP expression is lacking in most cell lines. NTCP can be introduced by plasmid transfection or transduction by viral vectors to render cells permissive for HBV. However, transient transfection of hepatocyte-derived cell lines is inefficient, resulting in inhomogeneous protein expression and does not allow to adapt the level of NTCP expression. We therefore utilized in vitro transcribed mRNA to introduce NTCP into cells. Optimization using alternative cap structures and nucleotide modifications rendered mRNA transfection into different non-hepatic and hepatic cell lines very efficient. After transfection of mRNA, surface expression and functionality of NTCP was demonstrated by staining with an N-terminal HBV-preS peptide and bile acid uptake. Introduction of NTCP by mRNA transfection increased susceptibility of hepatoma cells to HBV in a dose-dependent manner. Transfection of NTCP mRNA into non-liver cells, in contrast, supported bile acid uptake but did still not render the cells permissive for HBV, demonstrating the requirement for additional host factors. Introduction of candidate host factors by mRNA transfection will allow for fast and convenient analysis of the viral life cycle using a transient, but reliable expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Oswald
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anindita Chakraborty
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Yi Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen M Wettengel
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.
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Effect of microbiota metabolites on the progression of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatol Int 2021; 15:1053-1067. [PMID: 34596865 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10230-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence shows that the intestinal microbiota is closely related to the pathophysiology and the disease progression of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The intestinal microbiota acts on the host through its metabolites. This review aimed to discuss the effects of gut microbiota metabolites on the disease progression of chronic HBV infection. A literature search on PubMed database and Wiley Online Library with pre-specified criteria yielded 96 unique results. After consensus by all authors, the contents from 86 original publications were extracted and included in this review. In liver disease with HBV infection, the intestinal microbiota changed in different stages and affected the production of bacterial metabolites. The abundance of bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate reduced, which was associated with bacterial translocation and the progression of liver disease. The intestinal microbiota-bile acid-host axis was destroyed, affecting the progression of the disease. Under the control of intestinal microbiota, tryptophan affected the gut-liver axis through three main metabolic pathways, among which the kynurenine pathway was closely related to the immune response of hepatitis B. The level of trimethylamine-N-oxide decreased in liver cancer with HBV infection and were used as a potential biomarker of liver cancer. Vitamin deficiencies, including those of vitamin D and vitamin A related to microbiota, were common and associated with survival. Hydrogen sulfide regulated by the intestinal microbiota was also closely related to the gut-liver axis. In liver disease with hepatitis B infection, the intestinal microbiota is imbalanced, and a variety of intestinal microbiota metabolites participate in the occurrence and development of the disease.
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Inhibitory effect of a novel thiazolidinedione derivative on hepatitis B virus entry. Antiviral Res 2021; 194:105165. [PMID: 34419484 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The development of novel antivirals to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still needed because currently available drugs do not completely eradicate chronic HBV in some patients. Recently, troglitazone and ciglitazone, classified among the compounds including the thiazolidinedione (TZD) moiety, were found to inhibit HBV infection, but these compounds are not clinically available. In this study, we synthesized 11 TZD derivatives, compounds 1-11, and examined the effect of each compound on HBV infection in HepG2 cells expressing NTCP (HepG2/NTCP cells). Among the derivatives, (Z)-5-((4'-(naphthalen-1-yl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)methylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione (compound 6) showed the highest antiviral activity, with an IC50 value of 0.3 μM and a selectivity index (SI) of 85, but compound 6 did not affect HCV infection. Treatment with compound 6 inhibited HBV infection in primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) but did not inhibit viral replication in HepG2.2.15 cells or HBV DNA-transfected Huh7 cells. Moreover, treatment with compound 6 significantly impaired hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection and inhibited a step in HBV particle internalization but did not inhibit attachment of the preS1 lipopeptide or viral particles to the cell surface. These findings suggest that compound 6 interferes with HBV infection via inhibition of the internalization process.
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Wang W, Lempp FA, Schlund F, Walter L, Decker CC, Zhang Z, Ni Y, Urban S. Assembly and infection efficacy of hepatitis B virus surface protein exchanges in 8 hepatitis D virus genotype isolates. J Hepatol 2021; 75:311-323. [PMID: 33845061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Chronic HDV infections cause the most severe form of viral hepatitis. HDV requires HBV envelope proteins for hepatocyte entry, particle assembly and release. Eight HDV and 8 HBV genotypes have been identified. However, there are limited data on the replication competence of different genotypes and the effect that different HBV envelopes have on virion assembly and infectivity. METHODS We subcloned complementary DNAs (cDNAs) of all HDV and HBV genotypes and systematically studied HDV replication, assembly and infectivity using northern blot, western blot, reverse-transcription quantitative PCR, and in-cell ELISA. RESULTS The 8 HDV cDNA clones initiated HDV replication with noticeable differences regarding replication efficacy. The 8 HBV-HBsAg-encoding constructs all supported secretion of subviral particles, however variations in envelope protein stoichiometry and secretion efficacy were observed. Co-transfection of all HDV/HBV combinations supported particle assembly, however, the respective pseudo-typed HDVs differed with respect to assembly kinetics. The most productive combinations did not correlate with the natural geographic distribution, arguing against an evolutionary adaptation of HDV ribonucleoprotein complexes to HBV envelopes. All HDVs elicited robust and comparable innate immune responses. HBV envelope-dependent differences in the activity of the EMA-approved entry inhibitor bulevirtide were observed, however efficient inhibition could be achieved at therapeutically applied doses. Lonafarnib also showed pan-genotypic activity. CONCLUSIONS HDVs from different genotypes replicate with variable efficacies. Variations in HDV genomes and HBV envelope proteins are both major determinants of HDV egress and entry efficacy, and consequently assembly inhibition by lonafarnib or entry inhibition by bulevirtide. These differences possibly influence HDV pathogenicity, immune responses and the efficacy of novel drug regimens. LAY SUMMARY HDV requires the envelope protein of HBV for assembly and to infect human cells. We investigated the ability of different HDV genotypes to infect cells and replicate. We also assessed the effect that envelope proteins from different HBV genotypes had on HDV infectivity and replication. Herein, we confirmed that genotypic differences in HDV and HBV envelope proteins are major determinants of HDV assembly, de novo cell entry and consequently the efficacy of novel antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshi Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Florian A Lempp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Franziska Schlund
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lisa Walter
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte C Decker
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Zhenfeng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yi Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Appelman MD, Wettengel JM, Protzer U, Oude Elferink RPJ, van de Graaf SFJ. Molecular regulation of the hepatic bile acid uptake transporter and HBV entry receptor NTCP. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:158960. [PMID: 33932583 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Transporters expressed by hepatocytes and enterocytes play a critical role in maintaining the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. The sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), exclusively expressed at the basolateral side of hepatocytes, mediates the uptake of conjugated bile acids. In conditions where bile flow is impaired (cholestasis), pharmacological inhibition of NTCP-mediated bile acid influx is suggested to reduce hepatocellular damage due to bile acid overload. Furthermore, NTCP has been shown to play an important role in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection by functioning as receptor for viral entry into hepatocytes. This review provides a summary of current molecular insight into the regulation of NTCP expression at the plasma membrane, hepatic bile acid transport, and NTCP-mediated viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique D Appelman
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jochen M Wettengel
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Ronald P J Oude Elferink
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stan F J van de Graaf
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Kirstgen M, Müller SF, Lowjaga KAAT, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Alakurtti S, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Baringhaus KH, Krieg R, Glebe D, Geyer J. Identification of Novel HBV/HDV Entry Inhibitors by Pharmacophore- and QSAR-Guided Virtual Screening. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081489. [PMID: 34452354 PMCID: PMC8402622 DOI: 10.3390/v13081489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatic bile acid transporter Na+/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) was identified in 2012 as the high-affinity hepatic receptor for the hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV). Since then, this carrier has emerged as promising drug target for HBV/HDV virus entry inhibitors, but the synthetic peptide Hepcludex® of high molecular weight is the only approved HDV entry inhibitor so far. The present study aimed to identify small molecules as novel NTCP inhibitors with anti-viral activity. A ligand-based bioinformatic approach was used to generate and validate appropriate pharmacophore and QSAR (quantitative structure–activity relationship) models. Half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for binding inhibition of the HBV/HDV-derived preS1 peptide (as surrogate parameter for virus binding to NTCP) were determined in NTCP-expressing HEK293 cells for 150 compounds of different chemical classes. IC50 values ranged from 2 µM up to >1000 µM. The generated pharmacophore and QSAR models were used for virtual screening of drug-like chemicals from the ZINC15 database (~11 million compounds). The 20 best-performing compounds were then experimentally tested for preS1-peptide binding inhibition in NTCP-HEK293 cells. Among them, four compounds were active and revealed experimental IC50 values for preS1-peptide binding inhibition of 9, 19, 20, and 35 µM, which were comparable to the QSAR-based predictions. All these compounds also significantly inhibited in vitro HDV infection of NTCP-HepG2 cells, without showing any cytotoxicity. The best-performing compound in all assays was ZINC000253533654. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that virtual compound screening based on NTCP-specific pharmacophore and QSAR models can predict novel active hit compounds for the development of HBV/HDV entry inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kirstgen
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (S.F.M.); (K.A.A.T.L.)
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (S.F.M.); (K.A.A.T.L.)
| | - Kira Alessandra Alicia Theresa Lowjaga
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (S.F.M.); (K.A.A.T.L.)
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Felix Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Sami Alakurtti
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (S.A.); (J.Y.-K.)
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Biologinkuja 7, FI-02044 Espoo, Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (S.A.); (J.Y.-K.)
| | | | - Reimar Krieg
- Institute of Anatomy II, University Hospital Jena, Teichgraben 7, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (S.F.M.); (K.A.A.T.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-99-38404; Fax: +49-641-99-38409
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Palatini M, Müller SF, Lowjaga KAAT, Noppes S, Alber J, Lehmann F, Goldmann N, Glebe D, Geyer J. Mutational Analysis of the GXXXG/A Motifs in the Human Na +/Taurocholate Co-Transporting Polypeptide NTCP on Its Bile Acid Transport Function and Hepatitis B/D Virus Receptor Function. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:699443. [PMID: 34239896 PMCID: PMC8257933 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.699443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Homodimerization is essential for plasma membrane sorting of the liver bile acid transporter NTCP and its function as Hepatitis B/D Virus (HBV/HDV) receptor. However, the protein domains involved in NTCP dimerization are unknown. NTCP bears two potential GXXXG/A dimerization motifs in its transmembrane domains (TMDs) 2 and 7. The present study aimed to analyze the role of these GXXXG/A motifs for the sorting, function, and dimerization of NTCP. The NTCP mutants G60LXXXA64L (TMD2), G233LXXXG237L (TMD7) and a double mutant were generated and analyzed for their interaction with wild-type NTCP using a membrane-based yeast-two hybrid system (MYTH) and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP). In the MYTH system, the TMD2 and TMD7 mutants showed significantly lower interaction with the wild-type NTCP. In transfected HEK293 cells, membrane expression and bile acid transport activity were slightly reduced for the TMD2 mutant but were completely abolished for the TMD7 and the TMD2/7 mutants, while co-IP experiments still showed intact protein-protein interactions. Susceptibility for in vitro HBV infection in transfected HepG2 cells was reduced to 50% for the TMD2 mutant, while the TMD7 mutant was not susceptible for HBV infection at all. We conclude that the GXXXG/A motifs in TMD2 and even more pronounced in TMD7 are important for proper folding and sorting of NTCP, and so indirectly affect glycosylation, homodimerization, and bile acid transport of NTCP, as well as its HBV/HDV receptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Palatini
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Saskia Noppes
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jörg Alber
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Felix Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B and D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B and D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B and D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Grosser G, Müller SF, Kirstgen M, Döring B, Geyer J. Substrate Specificities and Inhibition Pattern of the Solute Carrier Family 10 Members NTCP, ASBT and SOAT. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:689757. [PMID: 34079822 PMCID: PMC8165160 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.689757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Three carriers of the solute carrier family SLC10 have been functionally characterized so far. Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide NTCP is a hepatic bile acid transporter and the cellular entry receptor for the hepatitis B and D viruses. Its intestinal counterpart, apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter ASBT, is responsible for the reabsorption of bile acids from the intestinal lumen. In addition, sodium-dependent organic anion transporter SOAT specifically transports sulfated steroid hormones, but not bile acids. All three carriers show high sequence homology, but significant differences in substrate recognition that makes a systematic structure-activity comparison attractive in order to define the protein domains involved in substrate binding and transport. By using stably transfected NTCP-, ASBT-, and SOAT-HEK293 cells, systematic comparative transport and inhibition experiments were performed with more than 20 bile acid and steroid substrates as well as different inhibitors. Taurolithocholic acid (TLC) was identified as the first common substrate of NTCP, ASBT and SOAT with K m values of 18.4, 5.9, and 19.3 µM, respectively. In contrast, lithocholic acid was the only bile acid that was not transported by any of these carriers. Troglitazone, BSP and erythrosine B were identified as pan-SLC10 inhibitors, whereas cyclosporine A, irbesartan, ginkgolic acid 17:1, and betulinic acid only inhibited NTCP and SOAT, but not ASBT. The HBV/HDV-derived myr-preS1 peptide showed equipotent inhibition of the NTCP-mediated substrate transport of taurocholic acid (TC), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and TLC with IC50 values of 182 nM, 167 nM, and 316 nM, respectively. In contrast, TLC was more potent to inhibit myr-preS1 peptide binding to NTCP with IC50 of 4.3 µM compared to TC (IC50 = 70.4 µM) and DHEAS (IC50 = 52.0 µM). Based on the data of the present study, we propose several overlapping, but differently active binding sites for substrates and inhibitors in the carriers NTCP, ASBT, SOAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Grosser
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Giessen, Germany
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Kirstgen
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Giessen, Germany
| | - Barbara Döring
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Giessen, Germany
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Yang J, König A, Park S, Jo E, Sung PS, Yoon SK, Zusinaite E, Kainov D, Shum D, Windisch MP. A new high-content screening assay of the entire hepatitis B virus life cycle identifies novel antivirals. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100296. [PMID: 34222850 PMCID: PMC8243515 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Chronic hepatitis B is an incurable disease. Addressing the unmet medical need for therapies has been hampered by a lack of suitable cell culture models to investigate the HBV life cycle in a single experimental setup. We sought to develop a platform suitable to investigate all aspects of the entire HBV life cycle. Methods HepG2-NTCPsec+ cells were inoculated with HBV. Supernatants of infected cells were transferred to naïve cells. Inhibition of infection was determined in primary and secondary infected cells by high-content imaging of viral and cellular factors. Novel antivirals were triaged in cells infected with cell culture- or patient-derived HBV and in stably virus replicating cells. HBV internalisation and target-based receptor binding assays were conducted. Results We developed an HBV platform, screened 2,102 drugs and bioactives, and identified 3 early and 38 late novel HBV life cycle inhibitors using infectious HBV genotype D. Two early inhibitors, pranlukast (EC50 4.3 μM; 50% cytotoxic concentration [CC50] >50 μM) and cytochalasin D (EC50 0.07 μM; CC50 >50 μM), and 2 late inhibitors, fludarabine (EC50 0.1 μM; CC50 13.4 μM) and dexmedetomidine (EC50 6.2 μM; CC50 >50 μM), were further investigated. Pranlukast inhibited HBV preS1 binding, whereas cytochalasin D prevented the internalisation of HBV. Fludarabine inhibited the secretion of HBV progeny DNA, whereas dexmedetomidine interfered with the infectivity of HBV progeny. Patient-derived HBV genotype C was efficiently inhibited by fludarabine (EC50 0.08 μM) and dexmedetomidine (EC50 8.7 μM). Conclusions The newly developed high-content assay is suitable to screen large-scale drug libraries, enables monitoring of the entire HBV life cycle, and discriminates between inhibition of early and late viral life cycle events. Lay summary HBV infection is an incurable, chronic disease with few available treatments. Addressing this unmet medical need has been hampered by a lack of suitable cell culture models to study the entire viral life cycle in a single experimental setup. We developed an image-based approach suitable to screen large numbers of drugs, using a cell line that can be infected by HBV and produces large amounts of virus particles. By transferring viral supernatants from these infected cells to uninfected target cells, we could monitor the entire viral life cycle. We used this system to screen drug libraries and identified novel anti-HBV inhibitors that potently inhibit HBV in various phases of its life cycle. This assay will be an important new tool to study the HBV life cycle and accelerate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. We developed a high-content screening assay suitable to monitor the entire HBV life cycle and eligible to discriminate between early and late viral life cycle inhibition. We screened FDA-approved drugs and bioactives. We confirmed antiviral activity in primary and secondary assays, using stably virus replicating cells and cell culture- and patient-derived HBV. Novel HBV inhibitors prevent receptor binding, virus internalisation, replication, or egress of viral progeny.
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Key Words
- %CV, percent coefficient of variation
- %Imax, percent maximum inhibition
- CC50, 50% cytotoxic concentration
- CHB, chronic hepatitis B
- CpAM, core protein allosteric modifiers
- DRC, dose–response curve
- Entry
- FDA, Food and Drug Administration
- FDA-approved drugs
- GEq, genome equivalents
- HBV
- HBVpt, patient-derived HBV
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HCS, high content screening
- HID, N-hydroxyisoquinolinedione
- HLCs, hepatocyte-like cells
- HTS, high-throughput screening
- HepG2-NTCP
- High-throughput screening
- IFA, immunofluorescence analysis
- IFNα, interferon alpha
- IFNλ, interferon lambda
- LHB, HBV large surface protein
- LMV, lamivudine
- MoA, mechanism of action
- MyrB, myrcludex B
- NTCP, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide
- PEG, polyethylene glycol
- PF-rcDNA, protein-free relaxed circular DNA
- Patient-derived HBV
- Replication
- SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- SOP, standard operation procedure
- Small-molecule inhibitors
- Supernatant transfer
- TDF, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- TI, therapeutic index
- Virion secretion
- cccDNA, covalently closed circular DNA
- dpi, days post-infection
- iPSCs, induced pluripotent stem cells
- p1, passage 1
- p2, passage 2
- pgRNA, pregenomic RNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewon Yang
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Alexander König
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Soonju Park
- Screening Discovery Platform, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Eunji Jo
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Pil Soo Sung
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Catholic University Liver Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Kew Yoon
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Catholic University Liver Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eva Zusinaite
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Denis Kainov
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - David Shum
- Screening Discovery Platform, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - Marc Peter Windisch
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, Seongnam-si, South Korea.,Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
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42
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Liu Y, Zhang L, Yan H, Wang Z, Sun G, Song X, Zhou Z, Peng B, Yan L, Wu Q, Li W, Qi X. Design of Dimeric Bile Acid Derivatives as Potent and Selective Human NTCP Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5973-6007. [PMID: 33906348 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Dimeric bile acid derivatives (DBADs) were developed and tested for their anti-HBV and anti-HDV activities as sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) inhibitors. DBADs exhibited strong and persistent potency of NTCP inhibition, whereas diverse linkers and constitutions showed distinct inhibition features. Motif aa157-165 on NTCP was shown to be a possible binding site of DBADs; therefore, we determined DBADs' selectivity among NTCPs from different species. A cyclized DBAD scaffold DBA-41 exhibited a high affinity to human NTCP (hNTCP). Intraperitoneal administration of DBA-41 to hNTCP-tg mice induced serum total bile acid elevation. DBA-41 may serve as a biological tool to study NTCP physiological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Huan Yan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Guoliang Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Xiao Song
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhongmin Zhou
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Bo Peng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Liwei Yan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Qingcui Wu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiangbing Qi
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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43
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Kirstgen M, Lowjaga KAAT, Müller SF, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Glebe D, Baringhaus KH, Geyer J. Hepatitis D Virus Entry Inhibitors Based on Repurposing Intestinal Bile Acid Reabsorption Inhibitors. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040666. [PMID: 33921515 PMCID: PMC8068820 DOI: 10.3390/v13040666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of Na+/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as high-affinity hepatic entry receptor for the Hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV) opened the field for target-based development of cell-entry inhibitors. However, most of the HBV/HDV entry inhibitors identified so far also interfere with the physiological bile acid transporter function of NTCP. The present study aimed to identify more virus-selective inhibitors of NTCP by screening of 87 propanolamine derivatives from the former development of intestinal bile acid reabsorption inhibitors (BARIs), which interact with the NTCP-homologous intestinal apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT). In NTCP-HEK293 cells, the ability of these compounds to block the HBV/HDV-derived preS1-peptide binding to NTCP (virus receptor function) as well as the taurocholic acid transport via NTCP (bile acid transporter function) were analyzed in parallel. Hits were subsequently validated by performing in vitro HDV infection experiments in NTCP-HepG2 cells. The most potent compounds S985852, A000295231, and S973509 showed in vitro anti-HDV activities with IC50 values of 15, 40, and 70 µM, respectively, while the taurocholic acid uptake inhibition occurred at much higher IC50 values of 24, 780, and 490 µM, respectively. In conclusion, repurposing of compounds from the BARI class as novel HBV/HDV entry inhibitors seems possible and even enables certain virus selectivity based on structure-activity relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kirstgen
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (K.A.A.T.L.); (S.F.M.)
| | - Kira Alessandra Alicia Theresa Lowjaga
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (K.A.A.T.L.); (S.F.M.)
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (K.A.A.T.L.); (S.F.M.)
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Felix Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Giessen-Marburg-Langen Partner Site, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (K.A.A.T.L.); (S.F.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-99-38404; Fax: +49-641-99-38409
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44
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Wu MR, Huang YY, Hsiao JK. Role of Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a New Reporter and Drug-Screening Platform: Implications for Preventing Hepatitis B Virus Infections. Mol Imaging Biol 2021; 22:313-323. [PMID: 31140111 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-019-01373-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a transmembrane protein responsible for delivering indocyanine green (ICG), an ideal infrared fluorescent dye, from extracellular space into the cytoplasm. Additionally, NTCP located in the hepatocyte membrane is the portal for hepatitis B and D virus (HBV/HDV) infections. This study verified the feasibility of NTCP as a reporter and further established a drug-screening platform for HBV/HDV infections. PROCEDURES NTCP was transduced into HT-29, a colorectal cancer cell line. To examine the use of NTCP as a reporter, NTCP-expressing cells were treated with ICG and examined through flow cytometry, an in vivo imaging system (IVIS), and confocal microscopy. Furthermore, ICG was administrated to NTCP-expressing tumor-bearing nude mice and examined using the IVIS. To study the drug-screening platform, NTCP-expressing cells were treated with cyclosporin A, an NTCP inhibitor, and ICG, and examined using a multimode detection platform. Moreover, nude mice were injected with NTCP inhibitors and ICG, and subsequently, their ICG signal was examined in vivo and in the blood. RESULTS In the reporter study, the ICG signal was higher in NTCP-expressing cells/tumors than in control cells/tumors after ICG treatment. In the drug-screening platform study, NTCP-expressing cells had decreased ICG intensity after treatment with NTCP inhibitors and ICG. Nude mice that were administered cyclosporin A had lower ICG intensity in the liver and higher intensity in the peripheral tissue and blood. CONCLUSIONS NTCP and ICG form an ideal reporter system with extensive applications in cancer biology, robust drug-drug interactions, and drug screening in HBV/HDV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menq-Rong Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Imaging, Taipei Tzuchi General Hospital, Buddhist Tzu-Chi Medical Foundation, No.289, Jianguo Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City, 23142, Taiwan
| | - Yi-You Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Jong-Kai Hsiao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Taipei Tzuchi General Hospital, Buddhist Tzu-Chi Medical Foundation, No.289, Jianguo Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City, 23142, Taiwan. .,School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, No.701, Sec. 3, Zhongyang Rd., Hualien, 97004, Taiwan.
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45
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Müller JP, Keufgens L, Gründemann D. Hyperosmolarity stimulates transporter-mediated insertion of estrone sulfate into the plasma membrane, but inhibits the uptake by SLC10A1 (NTCP). Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 186:114484. [PMID: 33617845 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many drugs are largely hydrophobic molecules; a transporter might conceivably insert these into the plasma membrane. At least 18 transporters from diverse families have been reported to transport the model compound estrone sulfate alias estrone-3-sulfate (E3S). Out of these, we recently examined SLC22A11 (OAT4). We concluded from a comparison of E3S and uric acid transport that SLC22A11 does not translocate E3S into the cytosol, but into the plasma membrane. Here we present a hyperosmolarity alias hypertonicity assay to differentiate transport mechanisms. Human transporters were expressed heterologously in 293 cells. Solute uptake into intact cells was measured by LC-MS. Addition of mannitol or sucrose led to rapid cell shrinkage, but cell viability after 60 min in hyperosmolar buffer was not impaired. A decrease in substrate accumulation with increasing osmolarity as observed here for several substrates and the transporters SLC22A11, ETT (SLC22A4), OCT2 (SLC22A2), OAT3 (SLC22A8), and MATE1 (SLC47A1) suggests regular substrate translocation into the cytosol. An increase as observed for E3S transport by SLC22A11, OAT3, MATE1, SLC22A9, and SLC10A6 implies insertion into the membrane. In marked contrast to the other E3S transporters, the bile acid transporter SLC10A1 (NTCP, Na+ taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide) showed a decrease in the accumulation of E3S in hyperosmolar buffer; the same was observed with taurocholic acid. Indeed, our data from several functional assays strongly suggest that the transport mechanism is identical for both substrates. Apparently, a unique transport mechanism has been established for SLC10A1 by evolution that ensures the transport of amphipathic, detergent-like molecules into the cytosol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Peter Müller
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Gleueler Straße 24, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Lena Keufgens
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Gleueler Straße 24, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Dirk Gründemann
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Gleueler Straße 24, Cologne 50931, Germany.
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46
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Chothe PP, Pemberton R, Hariparsad N. Function and Expression of Bile Salt Export Pump in Suspension Human Hepatocytes. Drug Metab Dispos 2021; 49:314-321. [PMID: 33472814 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.120.000057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic understanding of bile salt disposition is not well established in suspension human hepatocytes (SHH) because of the limited information on the expression and function of bile salt export protein (BSEP) in this system. We investigated the transport function of BSEP in SHH using a method involving in situ biosynthesis of bile salts from their precursor bile acids, cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). Our data indicated that glycine- and taurine-conjugated CA and CDCA were generated efficiently and transported out of hepatocytes in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. We also observed that the membrane protein abundance of BSEP was similar between SHH and sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes. Furthermore, known cholestatic agents significantly inhibited G-CA and G-CDCA efflux in SHH. Interestingly, cyclosporine A, troglitazone, itraconazole, loratadine, and lovastatin inhibited G-CA efflux more potently than G-CDCA efflux (3- to 5-fold). Because of these significant differential effects on G-CA and G-CDCA efflux inhibition, we determined the IC50 values of troglitazone for G-CA (9.9 µM) and for G-CDCA (43.1 µM) efflux. The observed discrepancy in the IC50 was attributed to the fact that troglitazone also inhibits organic anion transporting polypeptides and Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide in addition to BSEP. The hepatocyte uptake study suggested that both active uptake and passive diffusion contribute to the liver uptake of CA, whereas CDCA primarily undergoes passive diffusion into the liver. In summary, these data demonstrated the expression and function of BSEP and its major role in transport of bile salts in cryopreserved SHH. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: BSEP transport function and protein abundance was evident in SHH in the present study. The membrane abundance of BSEP protein was similar between SHH and sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes. The study also illustrated the major role of BSEP relative to basolateral MRP3 and MRP4 in transport of bile salts in SHH. Understanding of BSEP function in SHH may bolster the utility of this platform in mechanistic understanding of bile salt disposition and potentially in the assessment of drugs for BSEP inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paresh P Chothe
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rachel Pemberton
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Niresh Hariparsad
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Boston, Massachusetts
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47
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Lowjaga KAAT, Kirstgen M, Müller SF, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Glebe D, Geyer J. Long-term trans-inhibition of the hepatitis B and D virus receptor NTCP by taurolithocholic acid. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G66-G80. [PMID: 33174454 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00263.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human hepatic bile acid transporter Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) represents the liver-specific entry receptor for the hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV). Chronic hepatitis B and D affect several million people worldwide, but treatment options are limited. Recently, HBV/HDV entry inhibitors targeting NTCP have emerged as promising novel drug candidates. Nevertheless, the exact molecular mechanism that NTCP uses to mediate virus binding and entry into hepatocytes is still not completely understood. It is already known that human NTCP mRNA expression is downregulated under cholestasis. Furthermore, incubation of rat hepatocytes with the secondary bile acid taurolithocholic acid (TLC) triggers internalization of the rat Ntcp protein from the plasma membrane. In the present study, the long-term inhibitory effect of TLC on transport function, HBV/HDV receptor function, and membrane expression of human NTCP were analyzed in HepG2 and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells stably overexpressing NTCP. Even after short-pulse preincubation, TLC had a significant long-lasting inhibitory effect on the transport function of NTCP, but the NTCP protein was still present at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, binding of the HBV/HDV myr-preS1 peptide and susceptibility for in vitro HDV infection were significantly reduced by TLC preincubation. We hypothesize that TLC rapidly accumulates in hepatocytes and mediates long-lasting trans-inhibition of the transport and receptor function of NTCP via a particular TLC-binding site at an intracellularly accessible domain of NTCP. Physiologically, this trans-inhibition might protect hepatocytes from toxic overload of bile acids. Pharmacologically, it provides an interesting novel NTCP target site for potential long-acting HBV/HDV entry inhibitors.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The hepatic bile acid transporter NTCP is a high-affinity receptor for hepatitis B and D viruses. This study shows that TLC rapidly accumulates in NTCP-expressing hepatoma cells and mediates long-lasting trans-inhibition of NTCP's transporter and receptor function via an intracellularly accessible domain, without substantially affecting its membrane expression. This domain is a promising novel NTCP target site for pharmacological long-acting HBV/HDV entry inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira A A T Lowjaga
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Kirstgen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simon F Müller
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Felix Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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48
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Liu Y, Ruan H, Li Y, Sun G, Liu X, He W, Mao F, He M, Yan L, Zhong G, Yan H, Li W, Zhang Z. Potent and Specific Inhibition of NTCP-Mediated HBV/HDV Infection and Substrate Transporting by a Novel, Oral-Available Cyclosporine A Analogue. J Med Chem 2020; 64:543-565. [PMID: 33369415 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Analogues of the natural product cyclosporine A (CsA) were developed and assessed as antivirals against infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its satellite hepatitis D virus (HDV). An analogue termed 27A exhibits potent inhibition of HBV/HDV infection by specifically blocking viral engagement to its cellular receptor NTCP, while it lacks immunosuppressive activity found in natural CsA. Intraperitoneal injection or oral intake of 27A protects HDV-susceptible mouse model from HDV infection. 27A serves as a promising lead for the development of novel anti-HDV/HBV agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hanying Ruan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ying Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Guoliang Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenhui He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Fengfeng Mao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Miaomiao He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Liwei Yan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Guocai Zhong
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Huan Yan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
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49
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Kirstgen M, Lowjaga KAAT, Müller SF, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Alakurtti S, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Glebe D, Geyer J. Selective hepatitis B and D virus entry inhibitors from the group of pentacyclic lupane-type betulin-derived triterpenoids. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21772. [PMID: 33303817 PMCID: PMC7729925 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78618-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Current treatment options against hepatitis B and D virus (HBV/HDV) infections have only limited curative effects. Identification of Na+/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as the high-affinity hepatic receptor for both viruses in 2012 enables target-based development of HBV/HDV cell-entry inhibitors. Many studies already identified appropriate NTCP inhibitors. However, most of them interfere with NTCP’s physiological function as a hepatic bile acid transporter. To overcome this drawback, the present study aimed to find compounds that specifically block HBV/HDV binding to NTCP without affecting its transporter function. A novel assay was conceptualized to screen for both in parallel; virus binding to NTCP (measured via binding of a preS1-derived peptide of the large HBV/HDV envelope protein) and bile acid transport via NTCP. Hits were subsequently validated by in vitro HDV infection studies using NTCP-HepG2 cells. Derivatives of the birch-derived pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid betulin revealed clear NTCP inhibitory potency and selectivity for the virus receptor function of NTCP. Best performing compounds in both aspects were 2, 6, 19, and 25. In conclusion, betulin derivatives show clear structure–activity relationships for potent and selective inhibition of the HBV/HDV virus receptor function of NTCP without tackling its physiological bile acid transport function and therefore are promising drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kirstgen
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kira Alessandra Alicia Theresa Lowjaga
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nora Goldmann
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Felix Lehmann
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sami Alakurtti
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Biologinkuja 7, P.O. Box 1000, 02044, Espoo, Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dieter Glebe
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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Association of the Hepatitis B Virus Large Surface Protein with Viral Infectivity and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-mediated Liver Carcinogenesis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092052. [PMID: 32911838 PMCID: PMC7563867 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B is the most prevalent viral hepatitis worldwide, affecting approximately one-third of the world’s population. Among HBV factors, the surface protein is the most sensitive biomarker for viral infection, given that it is expressed at high levels in all viral infection phases. The large HBV surface protein (LHBs) contains the integral pre-S1 domain, which binds to the HBV receptor sodium taurocholate co transporting polypeptide on the hepatocyte to facilitate viral entry. The accumulation of viral LHBs and its prevalent pre-S mutants in chronic HBV carriers triggers a sustained endoplasmic reticulum (ER) overload response, leading to ER stress-mediated cell proliferation, metabolic switching and genomic instability, which are associated with pro-oncogenic effects. Ground glass hepatocytes identified in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients harbor pre-S deletion variants that largely accumulate in the ER lumen due to mutation-induced protein misfolding and are associated with increased risks of cancer recurrence and metastasis. Moreover, in contrast to the major HBs, which is decreased in tumors to a greater extent than it is in peritumorous regions, LHBs is continuously expressed during tumorigenesis, indicating that LHBs serves as a promising biomarker for HCC in people with CHB. Continuing efforts to delineate the molecular mechanisms by which LHBs regulates pathological changes in CHB patients are important for establishing a correlation between LHBs biomarkers and HCC development.
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