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Chida T, Watanabe S, Ohta K, Noritake H, Ito M, Suzuki T, Suda T, Kawata K. Impact of amino acid substitutions in hepatitis C virus core region on the severe oxidative stress. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 212:199-206. [PMID: 38103659 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease, leading to liver steatosis, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the accumulation of clinical data showing the impact of amino acid substitutions at positions 70 (R70Q/H) and/or 91 (L91M) in the HCV core protein in progressive liver diseases, including HCC, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. We analyzed 72 liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic HCV genotype 1b (HCV-1b) infection prior to antiviral treatment. Levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) in the nucleus were quantified using liver tissue immunohistochemistry. The effects of amino acid substitutions in the HCV core region on hepatocellular oxidative stress were investigated using wild-type or double-mutant (R70Q/H+L91M) HCV-1b core transfection and stable expression in human hepatoma HuH-7 cells. Overall, 24, 19, 11, and 18 patients had the wild-type, R70Q/H, L91M, and R70Q/H+L91M genotypes, respectively, in the HCV core. A significantly higher accumulation of hepatocellular 8-OHdG and a lower NRF2/8-OHdG ratio were observed in patients with R70Q/H+L91M than in those with the wild-type disease. Increased levels of intracellular superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in the cytoplasm and mitochondria, mRNA expression of enzymes generating oxidative stress, and nuclear expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 were augmented in cells treated with R70Q+L91M. HCV core proteins harboring either or both substitutions of R70Q/H or L91M enhanced hepatocellular oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. These amino acid substitutions may affect HCC development by enhancing hepatic oxidative stress in patients with chronic HCV-1b infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Chida
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan; Department of Regional Medical Care Support, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Shinya Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shimada General Medical Center, 1200-5 Noda, Shimada, Shizuoka, 427-8502, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Ohta
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Hidenao Noritake
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ito
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Suzuki
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Takafumi Suda
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Kawata
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan.
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Campos LB, de Almeida NAA, de Santana CG, Barbosa ENP, Horta MAP, Amendola Pires M, Brandão Mello CE, de Paula VS, de Barros JJF. Before Direct-Acting Antivirals for Hepatitis C Virus: Evaluation of Core Protein R70Q and L/C91M Substitutions in Chronically Infected Brazilian Patients Unresponsive to IFN and/or RBV. Viruses 2023; 15:187. [PMID: 36680226 PMCID: PMC9863677 DOI: 10.3390/v15010187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Although chronic hepatitis C has been effectively treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), the use of conventional therapy with peg-interferon (Peg-IFN) or (predominantly) ribavirin (RBV), remains widespread. R70Q/H and L/C91M amino acid substitutions in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein may modulate responses to IFN and/or RBV, and are associated with cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), insulin resistance, and liver steatosis. We evaluated the R70Q/H and L/C91M substitutions, clinical and epidemiological profiles, and risk factors of Brazilian patients chronically infected with HCV subgenotypes 1a and 1b (HCV-GT1a and HCV-GT1b) unresponsive to IFN and/or RBV therapy. Sequencing and pyrosequencing analyses and sociodemographic and clinical predictive variables were used to assess the relationship between R70Q/H and L/C91M substitutions. Leukocyte counts, ALT levels, and ALT/AST ratios were significantly reduced in treated individuals, but more of these patients had advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. L91M was more prevalent (19.7%), occurring only in HCV-GT1b, followed by R70Q/P (11.5%) and R70P (1.4%). R70Q/P exhibited higher mean AST, ALT, and GGT values, whereas L91M showed higher mean GGT values. Pyrosequencing of the L91M position revealed mutant subpopulations in 43.75% of samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Bomfim Campos
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | | | - Catarina Góis de Santana
- Gaffrée and Guinle University Hospital, Ambulatory of Liver Disease, Rio de Janeiro State Federal University/UniRio, Rio de Janeiro 20270-004, Brazil
| | | | | | - Márcia Amendola Pires
- Gaffrée and Guinle University Hospital, Ambulatory of Liver Disease, Rio de Janeiro State Federal University/UniRio, Rio de Janeiro 20270-004, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Brandão Mello
- Gaffrée and Guinle University Hospital, Ambulatory of Liver Disease, Rio de Janeiro State Federal University/UniRio, Rio de Janeiro 20270-004, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Salete de Paula
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
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Dahlem C, Chanda S, Hemmer J, Schymik HS, Kohlstedt M, Wittmann C, Kiemer AK. Characterization of Anti-Cancer Activities of Violacein: Actions on Tumor Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:872223. [PMID: 35646663 PMCID: PMC9130777 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.872223] [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: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products have been shown to serve as promising starting points for novel anti-cancer drugs. In this study, the anti-cancer activities of the purple compound violacein, initially isolated from Chromobacterium violaceum, were investigated. To highlight the crucial role of the tumor microenvironment on the effectiveness of cancer therapies, this study includes effects on macrophages as prototypic cells of the microenvironment in addition to the investigation of tumor-centric activities. Using 2D and 3D cell culture models, automated live-cell microscopy, and biochemical analyses, violacein was demonstrated to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration. The violacein-triggered tumor cell death was further associated with caspase 3-like activation and ATP release. Stimuli released from dead cells resulted in inflammatory activation of macrophages, as shown by NF-κB reporter cell assays, macrophage morphology, and gene expression analysis. Moreover, macrophages deficient in the inflammasome component Nlrp3 were found to be significantly less sensitive towards treatment with violacein and doxorubicin. Taken together, this study provides new insights into the biological activity of violacein against cancer. In addition, the in vitro data suggest immunogenic features of induced cell death, making violacein an interesting candidate for further studies investigating the compound as an inducer of immunogenic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Dahlem
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Shilpee Chanda
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Jan Hemmer
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Hanna S Schymik
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Michael Kohlstedt
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Christoph Wittmann
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Alexandra K Kiemer
- Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
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Dahlem C, Abuhaliema A, Kessler SM, Kröhler T, Zoller BGE, Chanda S, Wu Y, Both S, Müller F, Lepikhov K, Kirsch SH, Laggai S, Müller R, Empting M, Kiemer AK. First Small-Molecule Inhibitors Targeting the RNA-Binding Protein IGF2BP2/IMP2 for Cancer Therapy. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:361-375. [PMID: 35023719 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein IGF2BP2/IMP2/VICKZ2/p62 is overexpressed in several tumor entities, promotes tumorigenesis and tumor progression, and has been suggested to worsen the disease outcome. The aim of this study is to (I) validate IMP2 as a potential target for colorectal cancer, (II) set up a screening assay for small-molecule inhibitors of IMP2, and (III) test the biological activity of the obtained hit compounds. Analyses of colorectal and liver cancer gene expression data showed reduced survival in patients with a high IMP2 expression and in patients with a higher IMP2 expression in advanced tumors. In vitro target validation in 2D and 3D cell cultures demonstrated a reduction in cell viability, migration, and proliferation in IMP2 knockout cells. Also, xenotransplant tumor cell growth in vivo was significantly reduced in IMP2 knockouts. Different compound libraries were screened for IMP2 inhibitors using a fluorescence polarization assay, and the results were confirmed by the thermal shift assay and saturation-transfer difference NMR. Ten compounds, which belong to two classes, that is, benzamidobenzoic acid class and ureidothiophene class, were validated in vitro and showed a biological target specificity. The three most active compounds were also tested in vivo and exhibited reduced tumor xenograft growth in zebrafish embryos. In conclusion, our findings support that IMP2 represents a druggable target to reduce tumor cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Dahlem
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Ali Abuhaliema
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Sonja M. Kessler
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacy, Experimental Pharmacology for Natural Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle 06108, Germany
| | - Tarek Kröhler
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Ben G. E. Zoller
- Department of Drug Design and Optimization, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Shilpee Chanda
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Yingwen Wu
- Department of Drug Design and Optimization, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Simon Both
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Fabian Müller
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | | | - Susanne H. Kirsch
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Stephan Laggai
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Martin Empting
- Department of Drug Design and Optimization, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Alexandra K. Kiemer
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
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Dahlem C, Siow WX, Lopatniuk M, Tse WKF, Kessler SM, Kirsch SH, Hoppstädter J, Vollmar AM, Müller R, Luzhetskyy A, Bartel K, Kiemer AK. Thioholgamide A, a New Anti-Proliferative Anti-Tumor Agent, Modulates Macrophage Polarization and Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051288. [PMID: 32438733 PMCID: PMC7281193 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products represent powerful tools searching for novel anticancer drugs. Thioholgamide A (thioA) is a ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide, which has been identified as a product of Streptomyces sp. MUSC 136T. In this study, we provide a comprehensive biological profile of thioA, elucidating its effects on different hallmarks of cancer in tumor cells as well as in macrophages as crucial players of the tumor microenvironment. In 2D and 3D in vitro cell culture models thioA showed potent anti-proliferative activities in cancer cells at nanomolar concentrations. Anti-proliferative actions were confirmed in vivo in zebrafish embryos. Cytotoxicity was only induced at several-fold higher concentrations, as assessed by live-cell microscopy and biochemical analyses. ThioA exhibited a potent modulation of cell metabolism by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation, as determined in a live-cell metabolic assay platform. The metabolic modulation caused a repolarization of in vitro differentiated and polarized tumor-promoting human monocyte-derived macrophages: ThioA-treated macrophages showed an altered morphology and a modulated expression of genes and surface markers. Taken together, the metabolic regulator thioA revealed low activities in non-tumorigenic cells and an interesting anti-cancer profile by orchestrating different hallmarks of cancer, both in tumor cells as well as in macrophages as part of the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Dahlem
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2 3, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (C.D.); (S.M.K.); (J.H.)
| | - Wei Xiong Siow
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany; (W.X.S.); (A.M.V.); (K.B.)
| | - Maria Lopatniuk
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2 3, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (M.L.); (A.L.)
| | - William K. F. Tse
- Center for Promotion of International Education and Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan;
| | - Sonja M. Kessler
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2 3, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (C.D.); (S.M.K.); (J.H.)
- Department of Pharmacology for Natural Sciences, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Susanne H. Kirsch
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Campus E8 1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (S.H.K.); (R.M.)
| | - Jessica Hoppstädter
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2 3, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (C.D.); (S.M.K.); (J.H.)
| | - Angelika M. Vollmar
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany; (W.X.S.); (A.M.V.); (K.B.)
| | - Rolf Müller
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Campus E8 1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (S.H.K.); (R.M.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Andriy Luzhetskyy
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Saarland University, Campus C2 3, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (M.L.); (A.L.)
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Campus E8 1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (S.H.K.); (R.M.)
| | - Karin Bartel
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany; (W.X.S.); (A.M.V.); (K.B.)
| | - Alexandra K. Kiemer
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biology, Saarland University, Campus C2 3, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (C.D.); (S.M.K.); (J.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-681-302-57301
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Bhebhe L, Anderson M, Souda S, Choga WT, Zumbika E, Shaver ZM, Mbangiwa T, Phinius BB, Banda CC, Melamu P, Musonda RM, Essex M, Blackard JT, Moyo S, Gaseitsiwe S. Molecular characterization of hepatitis C virus in liver disease patients in Botswana: a retrospective cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:875. [PMID: 31640596 PMCID: PMC6805647 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4514-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease globally. Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have proven effective in curing HCV. However, the current standard of care (SOC) in Botswana remains PEGylated interferon-α (IFN-α) with ribavirin. Several mutations have been reported to confer resistance to interferon-based treatments. Therefore, there is a need to determine HCV genotypes in Botswana, as these data will guide new treatment guidelines and understanding of HCV epidemiology in Botswana. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional pilot study utilizing plasma obtained from 55 participants from Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. The partial core region of HCV was amplified, and genotypes were determined using phylogenetic analysis. Results Four genotype 5a and two genotype 4v sequences were identified. Two significant mutations – K10Q and R70Q – were observed in genotype 5a sequences and have been associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while R70Q confers resistance to interferon-based treatments. Conclusion Genotypes 5a and 4v are circulating in Botswana. The presence of mutations in genotype 5 suggests that some patients may not respond to IFN-based regimens. The information obtained in this study, in addition to the World health organization (WHO) recommendations, can be utilized by policy makers to implement DAAs as the new SOC for HCV treatment in Botswana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynnette Bhebhe
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Applied Biology and Biochemistry, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
| | - Motswedi Anderson
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Sajini Souda
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Wonderful T Choga
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Applied Biology and Biochemistry, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
| | - Edward Zumbika
- Department of Applied Biology and Biochemistry, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
| | - Zachary M Shaver
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Tshepiso Mbangiwa
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Bonolo B Phinius
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Chabeni C Banda
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Pinkie Melamu
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Rosemary M Musonda
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Max Essex
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jason T Blackard
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Sikhulile Moyo
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Simani Gaseitsiwe
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Research Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana. .,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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7
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Sorbo MC, Carioti L, Bellocchi MC, Antonucci F, Sforza D, Lenci I, Ciancio Manuelli M, Armenia D, De Leonardis F, Milana M, Manzia TM, Angelico M, Tisone G, Cento V, Perno CF, Ceccherini-Silberstein F. HCV resistance compartmentalization within tumoral and non-tumoral liver in transplanted patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Int 2019; 39:1986-1998. [PMID: 31172639 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We investigated the HCV-RNA amount, variability and prevalence of resistance-associated substitutions (RASs), in plasma, hepatic tumoral and non-tumoral tissue samples in patients undergoing liver-transplant/hepatic-resection (LT/HR), because of hepatocellular carcinoma and/or cirrhosis. METHODS Eighteen HCV-infected patients undergoing LT/HR, 94.0% naïve to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), were analysed. HCV-RNA was quantified in all compartments. NS3/NS5A/NS5B in plasma and/or in tumoral/non-tumoral tissues were analysed using Sanger and Ultra-deep pyrosequencing (UDPS, 9/18 patients). RASs prevalence, genetic-variability and phylogenetic analysis were evaluated. RESULTS At the time of LT/HR, HCV-RNA was quantifiable in all compartments of DAA-naïve patients and was generally lower in tumoral than in non-tumoral tissues (median [IQR] = 4.0 [1.2-4.3] vs 4.3[3.1-4.9] LogIU/µg RNA; P = 0.193). The one patient treated with sofosbuvir + ribavirin represented an exception with HCV-RNA quantifiable exclusively in the liver, but with higher level in tumoral than in non-tumoral tissues (51 vs 7 IU/µg RNA). RASs compartmentalization was found by Sanger in 4/18 infected-patients, and by UDPS in other two patients. HCV-compartmentalization resulted to be associated with HBcAb-positivity (P = 0.013). UDPS showed approximately higher genetic-variability in NS3/NS5A sequences in all compartments. Phylogenetic-analysis showed defined and intermixed HCV-clusters among/within all compartments, and were strongly evident in the only non-cirrhotic patient, with plasma and non-tumoral sequences generally more closely related. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic compartments showed differences in HCV-RNA amount, RASs and genetic variability, with a higher segregation within the tumoral compartment. HBV coinfection influenced the HCV compartmentalization. These results highlight HCV-strain diversifications within the liver, which could explain some of the failures occurring even today in the era of DAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Sorbo
- Chair of Virology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Carioti
- Chair of Virology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria C Bellocchi
- Chair of Virology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - FrancescoPaolo Antonucci
- Chair of Virology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Sforza
- Hepatobiliary and Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Policlinico Tor Vergata/Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lenci
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Policlinico Tor Vergata/Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Ciancio Manuelli
- Hepatobiliary and Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Policlinico Tor Vergata/Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Armenia
- Chair of Virology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco De Leonardis
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Policlinico Tor Vergata/Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Milana
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Policlinico Tor Vergata/Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso M Manzia
- Hepatobiliary and Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Policlinico Tor Vergata/Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Angelico
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Policlinico Tor Vergata/Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Tisone
- Hepatobiliary and Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Policlinico Tor Vergata/Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Cento
- Chair of Virology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo F Perno
- Chair of Virology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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8
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Perez S, Kaspi A, Domovitz T, Davidovich A, Lavi-Itzkovitz A, Meirson T, Alison Holmes J, Dai CY, Huang CF, Chung RT, Nimer A, El-Osta A, Yaari G, Stemmer SM, Yu ML, Haviv I, Gal-Tanamy M. Hepatitis C virus leaves an epigenetic signature post cure of infection by direct-acting antivirals. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008181. [PMID: 31216276 PMCID: PMC6602261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing worldwide prevalence of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), characterized by resistance to conventional chemotherapy, poor prognosis and eventually mortality, place it as a prime target for new modes of prevention and treatment. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the predominant risk factor for HCC in the US and Europe. Multiple epidemiological studies showed that sustained virological responses (SVR) following treatment with the powerful direct acting antivirals (DAAs), which have replaced interferon-based regimes, do not eliminate tumor development. We aimed to identify an HCV-specific pathogenic mechanism that persists post SVR following DAAs treatment. We demonstrate that HCV infection induces genome-wide epigenetic changes by performing chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq) for histone post-translational modifications that are epigenetic markers for active and repressed chromatin. The changes in histone modifications correlate with reprogramed host gene expression and alter signaling pathways known to be associated with HCV life cycle and HCC. These epigenetic alterations require the presence of HCV RNA or/and expression of the viral proteins in the cells. Importantly, the epigenetic changes induced following infection persist as an "epigenetic signature" after virus eradication by DAAs treatment, as detected using in vitro HCV infection models. These observations led to the identification of an 8 gene signature that is associated with HCC development and demonstrate persistent epigenetic alterations in HCV infected and post SVR liver biopsy samples. The epigenetic signature was reverted in vitro by drugs that inhibit epigenetic modifying enzyme and by the EGFR inhibitor, Erlotinib. This epigenetic "scarring" of the genome, persisting following HCV eradication, suggest a novel mechanism for the persistent pathogenesis of HCV after its eradication by DAAs. Our study offers new avenues for prevention of the persistent oncogenic effects of chronic hepatitis infections using specific drugs to revert the epigenetic changes to the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Perez
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Cancer Personalized Medicine and Diagnostic Genomics Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Antony Kaspi
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tom Domovitz
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Ateret Davidovich
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Anat Lavi-Itzkovitz
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Tomer Meirson
- Drug Discovery Laboratory, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Jacinta Alison Holmes
- Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Chia-Yen Dai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cancer Research and Center for Liquid Biopsy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Feng Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cancer Research and Center for Liquid Biopsy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Raymond T. Chung
- Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Assy Nimer
- Internal Medicine Department A, Western Galilee Medical Center, Naharyia, and Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Assam El-Osta
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Gur Yaari
- Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Salomon M. Stemmer
- Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cancer Research and Center for Liquid Biopsy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- College of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (MLY); (IH); (MGT)
| | - Izhak Haviv
- Cancer Personalized Medicine and Diagnostic Genomics Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- * E-mail: (MLY); (IH); (MGT)
| | - Meital Gal-Tanamy
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- * E-mail: (MLY); (IH); (MGT)
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9
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Wu D, Li M, Gao Y, Tian W, Li J, Zhang Q, Liu Z, Zheng M, Wang H, Wang J, Teng T, Zhang L, Ji X, Xie Z, Ji A, Li Y. Peptide V3 Inhibits the Growth of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inhibiting the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway. J Cancer 2019; 10:1693-1706. [PMID: 31205525 PMCID: PMC6548006 DOI: 10.7150/jca.29211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Peptide V3 has shown anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects on S180 and H22 xenografts in nude mice. However, the detailed mechanism of action of peptide V3 has not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, the effects of peptide V3 on the growth of human HCC cells were examined both in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that peptide V3 inhibited the proliferation, viability, migration, and invasion of human HCC cells. However, no obvious effect was observed in HL-7702 cells. Peptide V3 increased the apoptosis and decreased the protein levels of H-RAS, phospho (p)-RAF, p-MEK, and p-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in human HCC cells. Peptide V3 suppressed the growth of human HCC xenografts by down-regulating angiogenesis and up-regulating apoptosis. In conclusion, peptide V3 could inhibit the growth of human HCC by inhibiting the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Novel peptides and modification strategies could be designed and applied for the treatment of different types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Mengling Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Yingran Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China.,Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Wenke Tian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Jianmei Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Zhengguo Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Mengli Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Hongju Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Tieshan Teng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Xinying Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China.,Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Zhongwen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui 230036, China
| | - Ailing Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
| | - Yanzhang Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475004, China
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10
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Perez S, Gevor M, Davidovich A, Kaspi A, Yamin K, Domovich T, Meirson T, Matityahu A, Brody Y, Stemmer SM, El-Osta A, Haviv I, Onn I, Gal-Tanamy M. Dysregulation of the cohesin subunit RAD21 by Hepatitis C virus mediates host-virus interactions. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2455-2471. [PMID: 30698808 PMCID: PMC6412124 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis, which often results in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCV possesses an RNA genome and its replication is confined to the cytoplasm. Yet, infection with HCV leads to global changes in gene expression, and chromosomal instability (CIN) in the host cell. The mechanisms by which the cytoplasmic virus affects these nuclear processes are elusive. Here, we show that HCV modulates the function of the Structural Maintenance of Chromosome (SMC) protein complex, cohesin, which tethers remote regions of chromatin. We demonstrate that infection of hepatoma cells with HCV leads to up regulation of the expression of the RAD21 cohesin subunit and changes cohesin residency on the chromatin. These changes regulate the expression of genes associated with virus-induced pathways. Furthermore, siRNA downregulation of viral-induced RAD21 reduces HCV infection. During mitosis, HCV infection induces hypercondensation of chromosomes and the appearance of multi-centrosomes. We provide evidence that the underlying mechanism involves the viral NS3/4 protease and the cohesin regulator, WAPL. Altogether, our results provide the first evidence that HCV induces changes in gene expression and chromosome structure of infected cells by modulating cohesin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Perez
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Cancer Personalized Medicine and Diagnostic Genomics Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Michael Gevor
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
- Chromosome Instability and Dynamics Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Ateret Davidovich
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Antony Kaspi
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Katreena Yamin
- Chromosome Instability and Dynamics Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Tom Domovich
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Tomer Meirson
- Cell Migration and Invasion Laboratory, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Avi Matityahu
- Chromosome Instability and Dynamics Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Yehuda Brody
- The Broad institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Salomon M Stemmer
- Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Assam El-Osta
- Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Izhak Haviv
- Cancer Personalized Medicine and Diagnostic Genomics Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Itay Onn
- Chromosome Instability and Dynamics Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Meital Gal-Tanamy
- Molecular Virology Lab, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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11
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Complex Association of Virus- and Host-Related Factors with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Rate following Hepatitis C Virus Clearance. J Clin Microbiol 2019; 57:JCM.01463-18. [PMID: 30381417 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01463-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the effects of virus- and host-related factors on hepatocarcinogenesis in patients who show viral clearance after HCV RNA eradication by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The subjects of this retrospective study were 1,922 patients with HCV genotype 1 (HCV-1)- or HCV-2-related chronic liver disease who showed a sustained virological response (SVR; defined as negative results for HCV RNA at 12 weeks after the cessation of all-oral DAAs). All patients were confirmed to be hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) free before and during DAAs. HCC was diagnosed in 43 patients during the follow-up, with an incidence rate per 1,000 person years of 9.44. The cumulative HCC rates were 1.2, 2.0, and 3.1% at the end of 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The annual rate of HCC during the first 3 years was 1.0%. The incidence rate was significantly higher in patients infected with the HCV-1b core amino acid (aa) 70 mutant than in those infected with HCV-2a/2b, and the rate in patients infected with the HCV-1b core aa 70 wild type tended to be higher than that in patients infected with HCV-2a/2b. The rate in patients infected with the HCV-1b NS5A aa 93 mutant was significantly higher than that in patients infected with HCV-2a/2b. However, the rate was not different between patients infected with the IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype and patients infected with the non-TT genotype. Multivariate analysis identified a Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2 binding protein (WFA+M2BP) cutoff index (COI) of ≥2.5 and infection with the HCV-1b core aa 70 mutant subgroup to be pretreatment predictors of posttreatment HCC. The same analysis identified an alpha-fetoprotein concentration of ≥5 μg/liter and an WFA+M2BP COI of ≥1.0 to be predictors of HCC at 24 weeks after the end of antiviral therapy. We conclude that both virus- and host-related factors seem to influence the development of HCC after HCV RNA eradication.
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12
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Perez S, Gal-Tanamy M. Studying the Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Epigenetic Signature After Cure with Direct-Acting Antivirals. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1911:191-207. [PMID: 30593627 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8976-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy efficiently eradicates HCV infection, epidemiological studies show that sustained virological response (SVR) following anti-HCV treatment reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk for HCC. We have recently demonstrated that HCV infection induces genome-wide epigenetic changes that reprogram host gene expression and persist as "epigenetic signature" following virus eradication by DAAs. We suggest that this epigenetic signature underlie the residual risk for HCC post-SVR. Here, we provide a methodology to study the HCV-induced epigenetic signature. We describe a ChIP-seq protocol to evaluate changes in epigenome profile following HCV infection, its cure with DAA, and after treatment with epigenetic modifier inhibitor. We also describe evaluation of changes in the gene expression profile using RNA-seq. The integration between detected alterations in epigenetic marks and gene expression allows for identification of biological processes that are involved in HCV-driven oncogenesis before and after cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Perez
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Meital Gal-Tanamy
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
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13
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Abstract
Most hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in persistent infection. Significant portion of chronic HCV-infected patients develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chronic hepatitis C is also associated with extrahepatic manifestations, including cryoglobulinemia, lymphoma, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and neurological disorders. The molecular mechanisms of how HCV infection causes liver cancer are largely unknown. HCV replication or viral proteins may perturb cellular hemostasis and induce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); viral components or viral replication products act as agonist to trigger innate immune response and cause chronic inflammation. Within the liver, non-hepatocytes such as hepatic stellate cell (HSC) are activated upon HCV infection to provide the major source of extracellular proteins and play important roles in fibrogenesis. With the great achievements of HCV treatment, especially the direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against HCV, HCV eradication is possible. However, until now there are only very limited data on the effect of DAA-based anti-HCV treatment on HCC patients.
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14
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Eng FJ, El-Shamy A, Doyle EH, Klepper A, Muerhoff AS, Branch AD. Newly discovered hepatitis C virus minicores circulate in human blood. Hepatol Commun 2017; 2:21-28. [PMID: 29404509 PMCID: PMC5776872 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most prevalent causes of chronic blood‐borne infections worldwide. Despite developments of highly effective treatments, most infected individuals are unaware of their infection. Approximately 75% of infections are in low‐ and middle‐income countries; therefore, continuing research in HCV molecular virology and the development of vaccines and affordable diagnostics is required to reduce the global burden. Various intracellular forms of the HCV nucleocapsid (core) protein are produced in cell culture; these comprise the conventional p21 core and the newly discovered shorter isoforms (minicores). Minicores lack the N‐terminus of p21 core. This study was conducted to determine if minicores are secreted in cell culture and more importantly if they circulate in the blood of individuals infected with HCV. We also developed a new monoclonal antibody that detects minicores targeting a C‐terminal region common to p21 core and minicores. Direct evidence of minicores requires western blot analysis to distinguish the detection of p21 core from minicores. However, the sensitivity for western blot detection of HCV proteins from blood is nil without their prior purification/enrichment from blood. Therefore, we developed a purification method based on a heparin/Mn+2 precipitation of apolipoprotein B‐containing lipoproteins because HCV is thought to circulate as a hybrid lipoviral particle. Minicores are secreted in culture when cells are grown in the presence of human serum. The heparin/Mn+2 precipitate from HCV‐infected cell culture supernatants and from the blood of 4 patients with high‐titer genotype‐1 HCV contained minicores. Conclusion: Minicores are major newly discovered HCV proteins that are secreted and circulate in blood during natural infections. Minicore proteins have translational potential as targets in diagnostic assays and in vaccine development. (Hepatology Communications 2018;2:21–28)
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis J Eng
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY
| | - Ahmed El-Shamy
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY
| | - Erin H Doyle
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY
| | - Arielle Klepper
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY
| | - A Scott Muerhoff
- Abbott Diagnostics, Biologics Discovery and Design Abbott Laboratories Abbott Park IL
| | - Andrea D Branch
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY
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15
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Mansy SS, El-Ahwany E, Mahmoud S, Hassan S, Seleem MI, Abdelaal A, Helmy AH, Zoheiry MK, AbdelFattah AS, Hassanein MH. Potential ultrastructure predicting factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV infected patients. Ultrastruct Pathol 2017; 41:209-226. [PMID: 28494215 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2017.1316330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus represents one of the rising causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the early diagnosis of HCC is vital for successful curative treatment, the majority of lesions are diagnosed in an irredeemable phase. This work deals with a comparative ultrastructural study of experimentally gradually induced HCC, surgically resected HCC, and potential premalignant lesions from HCV-infected patients, with the prospect to detect cellular criteria denoting premalignant transformation. Among the main detected pathological changes which are postulated to precede frank HCC: failure of normal hepatocyte regeneration with star shape clonal fragmentation, frequent elucidation of hepatic progenitor cells and Hering canals, hepatocytes of different electron density loaded with small sized rounded monotonous mitochondria, increase junctional complexes bordering bile canaliculi and in between hepatocyte membranes, abundant cellular proteinaceous material with hypertrophied or vesiculated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), sequestrated nucleus with proteinaceous granular material or hypertrophied RER, formation of lipolysosomes, large autophagosomes, and micro-vesicular fat deposition. In conclusion, the present work has visualized new hepatocytic division or regenerative process that mimic splitting or clonal fragmentation that occurs in primitive creature. Also, new observations that may be of value or assist in predicting HCC and identifying the appropriate patient for surveillance have been reported. Moreover, it has pointed to the possible malignant potentiality of liver stem/progenitor cells. For reliability, the results can be subjected to cohort longitudinal study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheir S Mansy
- a Electron Microscopy Research Department (Pathology) , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Eman El-Ahwany
- b Immunology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Soheir Mahmoud
- c Parasitology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Sara Hassan
- a Electron Microscopy Research Department (Pathology) , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Mohammed I Seleem
- d Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation , National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute , Cairo , Egypt
| | - Amr Abdelaal
- e Surgery Department , Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University , Cairo , Egypt
| | - Ahmed H Helmy
- f Surgery Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Mona K Zoheiry
- b Immunology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Ahmed S AbdelFattah
- g Hepatogastroenterology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
| | - Moataz H Hassanein
- g Hepatogastroenterology Department , Theodor Bilharz Research Institute , Giza , Egypt
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16
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Baumert TF, Jühling F, Ono A, Hoshida Y. Hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of new generation antivirals. BMC Med 2017; 15:52. [PMID: 28288626 PMCID: PMC5348895 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-017-0815-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Interferon has been the major antiviral treatment, yielding viral clearance in approximately half of patients. New direct-acting antivirals substantially improved the cure rate to above 90%. However, access to therapies remains limited due to the high costs and under-diagnosis of infection in specific subpopulations, e.g., baby boomers, inmates, and injection drug users, and therefore, hepatocellular carcinoma incidence is predicted to increase in the next decades even in high-resource countries. Moreover, cancer risk persists even after 10 years of viral cure, and thus a clinical strategy for its monitoring is urgently needed. Several risk-predictive host factors, e.g., advanced liver fibrosis, older age, accompanying metabolic diseases such as diabetes, persisting hepatic inflammation, and elevated alpha-fetoprotein, as well as viral factors, e.g., core protein variants and genotype 3, have been reported. Indeed, a molecular signature in the liver has been associated with cancer risk even after viral cure. Direct-acting antivirals may affect cancer development and recurrence, which needs to be determined in further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France.,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépatodigestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Frank Jühling
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France.,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Atsushi Ono
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Ave, Box 1123, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Ave, Box 1123, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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17
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Bandiera S, Billie Bian C, Hoshida Y, Baumert TF, Zeisel MB. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection and pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Curr Opin Virol 2016; 20:99-105. [PMID: 27741441 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of advanced liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. While the knowledge about the molecular virology of HCV infection has markedly advanced, the molecular mechanisms of disease progression leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC are still unclear. Accumulating experimental and clinical studies indicate that HCV may drive hepatocarcinogenesis directly via its proteins or transcripts, and/or indirectly through induction of chronic liver inflammation. Despite the possibility to eradicate HCV infection through direct-acting antiviral treatment, the risk of HCC persists although specific biomarkers to estimate this risk are still missing. Thus, a better understanding of HCV-induced HCC and more physiological liver disease models are required to prevent cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonetta Bandiera
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - C Billie Bian
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Liver Cancer Program, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Mirjam B Zeisel
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
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Impact of HCV core gene quasispecies on hepatocellular carcinoma risk among HALT-C trial patients. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27025. [PMID: 27246310 PMCID: PMC4887904 DOI: 10.1038/srep27025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations at positions 70 and/or 91 in the core protein of genotype-1b, hepatitis C virus (HCV) are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in Asian patients. To evaluate this in a US population, the relationship between the percentage of 70 and/or 91 mutant HCV quasispecies in baseline serum samples of chronic HCV patients from the HALT-C trial and the incidence of HCC was determined by deep sequencing. Quasispecies percentage cut-points, ≥42% of non-arginine at 70 (non-R70) or ≥98.5% of non-leucine at 91 (non-L91) had optimal sensitivity at discerning higher or lower HCC risk. In baseline samples, 88.5% of chronic HCV patients who later developed HCC and 68.8% of matched HCC-free control patients had ≥42% non-R70 quasispecies (P = 0.06). Furthermore, 30.8% of patients who developed HCC and 54.7% of matched HCC-free patients had quasispecies with ≥98.5% non-L91 (P = 0.06). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, HCC incidence was higher, but not statistically significant, among patients with quasispecies ≥42% non-R70 (P = 0.08), while HCC incidence was significantly reduced among patients with quasispecies ≥98.5% non-L91 (P = 0.01). In a Cox regression model, non-R70 ≥42% was associated with increased HCC risk. This study of US patients indicates the potential utility of HCV quasispecies analysis as a non-invasive biomarker of HCC risk.
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