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Lv Z, Liu L, You J, Zhou P, Su Y, Zhao K, Zhang J, Zhu F. Small HBV surface antigen drives regorafenib resistance in HCC via KIAA1429-dependent m6A modification of CCR9. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29894. [PMID: 39206838 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29894] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
A substantial body of literature, including our own, points to a connection between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the development of drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly against sorafenib. However, the influence of HBV on resistance to regorafenib, another therapeutic agent, has been less studied. In this study, we used the GEO database (GSE87630) and clinical samples to demonstrate that C-C motif chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) was highly expressed in HBV-related HCC and predicted poor overall survival. Its overexpression correlated with HBsAg-positive HCC patients. Both univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis elucidated CCR9 was an independent risk factor for poor overall survival in HCC patients. Our in vitro findings further revealed that HBV structural proteins, small HBV surface antigen (SHBs), triggered an upregulation of CCR9. Functional assays showed that SHBs enhanced HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, increased ABCB1 and ABCC1 expression, and promoted regorafenib resistance via CCR9. Intriguingly, overexpression of HBV plasmid and an AAV-HBV mouse model both exhibited a significant elevation in global N6-methyladenosine (m6A) levels. Further investigations revealed that SHBs elevated these m6A levels, upregulated CCR9 and stabilized CCR9 mRNA through KIAA1429-mediated m6A modification, with sites 1373 and 1496 on CCR9 mRNA being critical for modification. In conclusion, SHBs promoted HCC progression and regorafenib resistance via KIAA1429-mediated m6A modification of CCR9. Our findings suggested that CCR9 could be a potential prognostic biomarker and a valuable molecular therapeutic target of regorafenib resistance in HBV-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian You
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, National Quality Control Center for Donated Organ Procurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Natural Polymer Biological Liver, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymer-based Medical Materials, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaru Su
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kexin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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2
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Xu X, Liu J, Li X, Feng Q, Su Y. Integrated network pharmacology and metabolomics to study the potential mechanism of Jiawei Yinchenhao decoction in chronic hepatitis B. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36267. [PMID: 39224343 PMCID: PMC11367511 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36267] [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: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) is a major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) globally and continues to pose a significant global health challenge. Jiawei Yinchenhao decoction (JWYCH) is a modified version of Yinchenhao decoction (YCHD), which is widely used to treat liver diseases including icteric hepatitis, cholelithiasis, and hepatic ascites. However, the effectiveness and underlying mechanism of JWYCH on CHB are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of JWYCH on CHB and explore the underlying mechanism via network pharmacology and metabolomics. C57BL/6 mice were administered rAAV-HBV1.3 via hydrodynamic injection (HDI) to establish the CHB model. The infected mice were orally administered JWYCH for 4 weeks. HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV DNA, the serum liver function index, and histopathology were detected. In addition, network pharmacology was used to investigate potential targets, whereas untargeted metabolomics analysis was employed to explore the hepatic metabolic changes in JWYCH in CHB mice and identify relevant biomarkers and metabolic pathways. JWYCH was able to reduce HBeAg levels and improve liver pathological changes in mice with CHB. Additionally, metabolomics analysis indicated that JWYCH can influence 105 metabolites, including pipecolic acid, alpha-terpinene, adenosine, and L-phenylalanine, among others. Bile acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and retinol metabolism are suggested to be potential targets of JWYCH in CHB. In conclusion, JWYCH demonstrated a hepatoprotective effect on a mouse model of CHB, suggesting a potential alternative therapeutic strategy for CHB. The effect of JWYCH is associated mainly with regulating the metabolism of bile acid, arachidonic acid, and retinol. These differentially abundant metabolites may serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Xu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jin Liu
- College of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Xue Li
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - QuanSheng Feng
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yue Su
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
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3
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Zhang M, Chen H, Liu H, Tang H. The impact of integrated hepatitis B virus DNA on oncogenesis and antiviral therapy. Biomark Res 2024; 12:84. [PMID: 39148134 PMCID: PMC11328401 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00611-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The global burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains high, with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients facing a significantly increased risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The ultimate objective of antiviral therapy is to achieve a sterilizing cure for HBV. This necessitates the elimination of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and the complete eradication of integrated HBV DNA. This review aims to summarize the oncogenetic role of HBV integration and the significance of clearing HBV integration in sterilizing cure. It specifically focuses on the molecular mechanisms through which HBV integration leads to HCC, including modulation of the expression of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, induction of chromosomal instability, and expression of truncated mutant HBV proteins. The review also highlights the impact of antiviral therapy in reducing HBV integration and preventing HBV-related HCC. Additionally, the review offers insights into future objectives for the treatment of CHB. Current strategies for HBV DNA integration inhibition and elimination include mainly antiviral therapies, RNA interference and gene editing technologies. Overall, HBV integration deserves further investigation and can potentially serve as a biomarker for CHB and HBV-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Zhang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Laboratory of Infectious and Liver Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Han Chen
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Laboratory of Infectious and Liver Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Laboratory of Infectious and Liver Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Laboratory of Infectious and Liver Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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4
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Giraud G, El Achi K, Zoulim F, Testoni B. Co-Transcriptional Regulation of HBV Replication: RNA Quality Also Matters. Viruses 2024; 16:615. [PMID: 38675956 PMCID: PMC11053573 DOI: 10.3390/v16040615] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection is a major public health burden and the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the efficacy of current treatments, hepatitis B virus (HBV) cannot be fully eradicated due to the persistence of its minichromosome, or covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). The HBV community is investing large human and financial resources to develop new therapeutic strategies that either silence or ideally degrade cccDNA, to cure HBV completely or functionally. cccDNA transcription is considered to be the key step for HBV replication. Transcription not only influences the levels of viral RNA produced, but also directly impacts their quality, generating multiple variants. Growing evidence advocates for the role of the co-transcriptional regulation of HBV RNAs during CHB and viral replication, paving the way for the development of novel therapies targeting these processes. This review focuses on the mechanisms controlling the different co-transcriptional processes that HBV RNAs undergo, and their contribution to both viral replication and HBV-induced liver pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Giraud
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69008 Lyon, France (F.Z.)
- The Lyon Hepatology Institute EVEREST, 69003 Lyon, France
| | - Khadija El Achi
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69008 Lyon, France (F.Z.)
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69008 Lyon, France (F.Z.)
- The Lyon Hepatology Institute EVEREST, 69003 Lyon, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Croix Rousse, Service d’Hépato-Gastroentérologie, 69004 Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69008 Lyon, France (F.Z.)
- The Lyon Hepatology Institute EVEREST, 69003 Lyon, France
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5
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Zhang F, Ju J, Diao H, Song J, Bian Y, Yang B. Innovative pharmacotherapy for hepatic metabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases in China. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38514420 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16342] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver disease constitutes a significant global health concern, particularly in China where it has distinctive characteristics. China grapples with a staggering 300 million cases, predominantly due to hepatitis B and metabolic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Additionally, hepatocellular carcinoma has become a prevalent which is a lethal type of cancer. Despite the scarcity of innovative treatment options, Chinese hepatologists and researchers have achieved notable breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of liver diseases. Traditional Chinese medicines have found widespread application in the treatment of various liver ailments owing to their commendable pharmacological efficacy and minimal side effects. Furthermore, there is a growing body of research in extracellular vesicles, cell therapy and gene therapy, offering new hope in the fight against liver diseases. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiological characteristics of liver diseases and the diverse array of treatments that Chinese scholars and scientists have pursued in critical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology (State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiaming Ju
- Department of Pharmacology (State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongtao Diao
- Department of Pharmacology (State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jinglun Song
- Department of Pharmacology (State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yu Bian
- Department of Pharmacology (State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Baofeng Yang
- Department of Pharmacology (State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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6
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Shen Z, Zhang S, Gao Z, Yu X, Wang J, Pan S, Kang N, Liu N, Xu H, Liu M, Yang Y, Deng Q, Liu J, Xie Y, Zhang J. Intrahepatic homeobox protein MSX-1 is a novel host restriction factor of hepatitis B virus. J Virol 2024; 98:e0134523. [PMID: 38226815 PMCID: PMC10878074 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01345-23] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHB) is a risk factor for the development of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Covalently closed circular DNA serves as the sole transcription template for all viral RNAs and viral transcription is driven and enhanced by viral promoter and enhancer elements, respectively. Interactions between transcription factors and these cis-elements regulate their activities and change the production levels of viral RNAs. Here, we report the identification of homeobox protein MSX-1 (MSX1) as a novel host restriction factor of HBV in liver. In both HBV-transfected and HBV-infected cells, MSX1 suppresses viral gene expression and genome replication. Mechanistically, MSX1 downregulates enhancer II/core promoter (EnII/Cp) activity via direct binding to an MSX1 responsive element within EnII/Cp, and such binding competes with hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α binding to EnII/Cp due to partial overlap between their respective binding sites. Furthermore, CHB patients in immune active phase express higher levels of intrahepatic MSX1 but relatively lower levels of serum and intrahepatic HBV markers compared to those in immune tolerant phase. Finally, MSX1 was demonstrated to induce viral clearance in two mouse models of HBV persistence, suggesting possible therapeutic potential for CHB.IMPORTANCECovalently closed circular DNA plays a key role for the persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) since it serves as the template for viral transcription. Identification of transcription factors that regulate HBV transcription not only provides insights into molecular mechanisms of viral life cycle regulation but may also provide potential antiviral targets. In this work, we identified host MSX1 as a novel restriction factor of HBV transcription. Meanwhile, we observed higher intrahepatic MSX1 expression in chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) patients in immune active phase compared to those in immune tolerant phase, suggesting possible involvement of MSX1 in the regulation of HBV activity by the host. Lastly, intrahepatic overexpression of MSX1 delivered by recombinant adenoviruses into two mouse models of HBV persistence demonstrated MSX1-mediated repression of HBV in vivo, and MSX1-induced clearance of intrahepatic HBV DNA in treated mice suggested its potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongliang Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shenyan Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixiang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueping Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Jinyu Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaokun Pan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Kang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nannan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Youhua Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Children’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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7
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Zheng Y, Wang M, Yin J, Duan Y, Wu C, Xu Z, Bu Y, Wang J, Chen Q, Zhu G, Zhao K, Zhang L, Hua R, Xu Y, Hu X, Cheng X, Xia Y. Hepatitis B virus RNAs co-opt ELAVL1 for stabilization and CRM1-dependent nuclear export. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011999. [PMID: 38306394 PMCID: PMC10866535 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects 296 million people worldwide, posing a major global health threat. Export of HBV RNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is indispensable for viral protein translation and genome replication, however the mechanisms regulating this critical process remain largely elusive. Here, we identify a key host factor embryonic lethal, abnormal vision, Drosophila-like 1 (ELAVL1) that binds HBV RNAs and controls their nuclear export. Using an unbiased quantitative proteomics screen, we demonstrate direct binding of ELAVL1 to the HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA). ELAVL1 knockdown inhibits HBV RNAs posttranscriptional regulation and suppresses viral replication. Further mechanistic studies reveal ELAVL1 recruits the nuclear export receptor CRM1 through ANP32A and ANP32B to transport HBV RNAs to the cytoplasm via specific AU-rich elements, which can be targeted by a compound CMLD-2. Moreover, ELAVL1 protects HBV RNAs from DIS3+RRP6+ RNA exosome mediated nuclear RNA degradation. Notably, we find HBV core protein is dispensable for HBV RNA-CRM1 interaction and nuclear export. Our results unveil ELAVL1 as a crucial host factor that regulates HBV RNAs stability and trafficking. By orchestrating viral RNA nuclear export, ELAVL1 is indispensable for the HBV life cycle. Our study highlights a virus-host interaction that may be exploited as a new therapeutic target against chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingcheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengfei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiatong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yurong Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuanjian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Quan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guoguo Zhu
- Department of Emergency, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People’s Liberation Army of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaitao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rong Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiyu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoming Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Pathology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, China
- Pingyuan Laboratory, Henan, China
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8
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Yao X, Xu K, Tao N, Cheng S, Chen H, Zhang D, Yang M, Tan M, Yu H, Chen P, Zhan Z, He S, Li R, Wang C, Wu D, Ren J. ZNF148 inhibits HBV replication by downregulating RXRα transcription. Virol J 2024; 21:35. [PMID: 38297280 PMCID: PMC10832224 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02291-4] [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: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progressive hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can result in cirrhosis, hepatocellular cancer, and chronic hepatitis. While antiviral drugs that are now on the market are efficient in controlling HBV infection, finding a functional cure is still quite difficult. Identifying host factors involved in regulating the HBV life cycle will contribute to the development of new antiviral strategies. Zinc finger proteins have a significant function in HBV replication, according to earlier studies. Zinc finger protein 148 (ZNF148), a zinc finger transcription factor, regulates the expression of various genes by specifically binding to GC-rich sequences within promoter regions. The function of ZNF148 in HBV replication was investigated in this study. METHODS HepG2-Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (HepG2-NTCP) cells and Huh7 cells were used to evaluate the function of ZNF148 in vitro. Northern blotting and real-time PCR were used to quantify the amount of viral RNA. Southern blotting and real-time PCR were used to quantify the amount of viral DNA. Viral protein levels were elevated, according to the Western blot results. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to examine the transcriptional activity of viral promoters. ZNF148's impact on HBV in vivo was investigated using an established rcccDNA mouse model. RESULTS ZNF148 overexpression significantly decreased the levels of HBV RNAs and HBV core DNA in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells and Huh7 cells expressing prcccDNA. Silencing ZNF148 exhibited the opposite effects in both cell lines. Furthermore, ZNF148 inhibited the activity of HBV ENII/Cp and the transcriptional activity of cccDNA. Mechanistic studies revealed that ZNF148 attenuated retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα) expression by binding to the RXRα promoter sequence. RXRα binding site mutation or RXRα overexpression abolished the suppressive effect of ZNF148 on HBV replication. The inhibitory effect of ZNF148 was also observed in the rcccDNA mouse model. CONCLUSIONS ZNF148 inhibited HBV replication by downregulating RXRα transcription. Our findings reveal that ZNF148 may be a new target for anti-HBV strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Yao
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Kexin Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Nana Tao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengtao Cheng
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Huajian Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Dapeng Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Minli Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Ming Tan
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Peng Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zongzhu Zhan
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Siyi He
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Ranran Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chunduo Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Daiqing Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| | - Jihua Ren
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chong Yi Building, 1 YiXueYuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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9
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Ding S, Liu H, Liu L, Ma L, Chen Z, Zhu M, Liu L, Zhang X, Hao H, Zuo L, Yang J, Wu X, Zhou P, Huang F, Zhu F, Guan W. Epigenetic addition of m 5C to HBV transcripts promotes viral replication and evasion of innate antiviral responses. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:39. [PMID: 38216565 PMCID: PMC10786922 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06412-9] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic five-methylcytosine (m5C) is an important regulator of viral RNA splicing, stability, and translation. However, its role in HBV replication remains largely unknown. In this study, functional m5C sites are identified in hepatitis B virus (HBV) mRNA. The m5C modification at nt 1291 is not only indispensable for Aly/REF export factor (ALYREF) recognition to promote viral mRNA export and HBx translation but also for the inhibition of RIG-I binding to suppress interferon-β (IFN-β) production. Moreover, NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase 2 (NSUN2) catalyzes the addition of m5C to HBV mRNA and is transcriptionally downregulated by the viral protein HBx, which suppresses the binding of EGR1 to the NSUN2 promoter. Additionally, NSUN2 expression correlates with m5C modification of type I IFN mRNA in host cells, thus, positively regulating IFN expression. Hence, the delicate regulation of NSUN2 expression induces m5C modification of HBV mRNA while decreasing the levels of m5C in host IFN mRNA, making it a vital component of the HBV life cycle. These findings provide new molecular insights into the mechanism of HBV-mediated IFN inhibition and may inform the development of new IFN-α based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
| | - Haibin Liu
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
- Hubei JiangXia Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei, 430200, China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Li Ma
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
| | - Miao Zhu
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
| | - Lishi Liu
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
| | - Xueyan Zhang
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
| | - Haojie Hao
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
| | - Li Zuo
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
| | - Jingwen Yang
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China
| | - Xiulin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Hubei JiangXia Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei, 430200, China
| | - Fan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy & Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
| | - Wuxiang Guan
- Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430207, China.
- Hubei JiangXia Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei, 430200, China.
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10
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Pan B, Wang Z, Chen R, Zhang X, Qiu J, Wu X, Yao Y, Luo Y, Wang X, Tang N. Single-cell atlas reveals characteristic changes in intrahepatic HBV-specific leukocytes. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0286023. [PMID: 38032223 PMCID: PMC10782979 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02860-23] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8+ T cells play a central role in the clearance of virus and HBV-related liver injury. Acute infection with HBV induces a vigorous, multifunctional CD8+ T cell response, whereas chronic one exhibits a weaker response. Our study elucidated HBV-specific T cell responses in terms of viral abundance rather than the timing of infection. We showed that in the premalignant stage, the degree of impaired T cell function was not synchronized with the viral surface antigen, which was attributed the liver's tolerance to the virus. However, after the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, T cell exhaustion was inevitable, and it was marked by the exhaustion of the signature transcription factor TOX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banglun Pan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zengbin Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiacheng Qiu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yue Luo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqian Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Cancer Center of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Nanhong Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Cancer Center of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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11
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Zhuang AQ, Chen Y, Chen SM, Liu WC, Li Y, Zhang WJ, Wu YH. Current Status and Challenges in Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Agents Based on Inactivation/Inhibition or Elimination of Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA. Viruses 2023; 15:2315. [PMID: 38140556 PMCID: PMC10747957 DOI: 10.3390/v15122315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been over half a century since the discovery of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to now, but approximately 300 million patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) still live in the world, resulting in about one million deaths every year. Although currently approved antivirals (e.g., nucleoside analogues) are effective at reducing HBV replication, they have almost no impact on the existing HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) reservoir. HBV cccDNA is a critical obstacle to the complete elimination of the virus via antiviral therapy. The true cure of HBV infection requires the eradication of viral cccDNA from HBV-infected cells; thus, the development of new agents directly or indirectly targeting HBV cccDNA is urgently needed due to the limitations of current available drugs against HBV infection. In this regard, it is the major focus of current anti-HBV research worldwide via different mechanisms to either inactivate/inhibit (functional cure) or eliminate (complete cure) HBV cccDNA. Therefore, this review discussed and summarized recent advances and challenges in efforts to inactivate/silence or eliminate viral cccDNA using anti-HBV agents from different sources, such as small molecules (including epigenetic drugs) and polypeptides/proteins, and siRNA or gene-editing approaches targeting/attenuating HBV cccDNA via different mechanisms, as well as future directions that may be considered in efforts to truly cure chronic HBV infection. In conclusion, no breakthrough has been made yet in attenuating HBV cccDNA, although a number of candidates have advanced into the phase of clinical trials. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of the candidates function to indirectly target HBV cccDNA. No outstanding candidate directly targets HBV cccDNA. Relatively speaking, CCC_R08 and nitazoxanide may be some of the most promising agents to clear HBV infection in small molecule compounds. Additionally, CRISPR-Cas9 systems can directly target HBV cccDNA for decay and demonstrate significant anti-HBV activity. Consequently, gene-editing approaches targeting HBV cccDNA may be one of the most promising means to achieve the core goal of anti-HBV therapeutic strategies. In short, more basic studies on HBV infection need to be carried out to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yi-Hang Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, Department of Pharmacy, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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12
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Wang J, Huang H, Zhao K, Teng Y, Zhao L, Xu Z, Zheng Y, Zhang L, Li C, Duan Y, Liang K, Zhou X, Cheng X, Xia Y. G-quadruplex in hepatitis B virus pregenomic RNA promotes its translation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105151. [PMID: 37567479 PMCID: PMC10485161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic DNA virus that has a very compact genome. Due to this genomic density, several distinct mechanisms are used to facilitate the viral life cycle. Recently, accumulating evidence show that G-quadruplex (G4) in different viruses play essential regulatory roles in key steps of the viral life cycle. Although G4 structures in the HBV genome have been reported, their function in HBV replication remains elusive. In this study, we treated an HBV replication-competent cell line and HBV-infected cells with the G4 structure stabilizer pyridostatin (PDS) and evaluated different HBV replication markers to better understand the role played by the G4. In both models, we found PDS had no effect on viral precore RNA (pcRNA) or pre-genomic RNA (pgRNA), but treatment did increase HBeAg/HBc ELISA reads and intracellular levels of viral core/capsid protein (HBc) in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation. To further dissect the mechanism of G4 involvement, we used in vitro-synthesized HBV pcRNA and pgRNA. Interestingly, we found PDS treatment only enhanced HBc expression from pgRNA but not HBeAg expression from pcRNA. Our bioinformatic analysis and CD spectroscopy revealed that pgRNA harbors a conserved G4 structure. Finally, we introduced point mutations in pgRNA to disrupt its G4 structure and observed the resulting mutant failed to respond to PDS treatment and decreased HBc level in in vitro translation assay. Taken together, our data demonstrate that HBV pgRNA contains a G4 structure that plays a vital role in the regulation of viral mRNA translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Haiyan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaitao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingcheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Conghui Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yurong Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaiwei Liang
- Department of Pathophysiology, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xiaoming Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Pathology, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, China.
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13
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Wang S, Chen S, Sun J, Han P, Xu B, Li X, Zhong Y, Xu Z, Zhang P, Mi P, Zhang C, Li L, Zhang H, Xia Y, Li S, Heikenwalder M, Yuan D. m 6A modification-tuned sphingolipid metabolism regulates postnatal liver development in male mice. Nat Metab 2023; 5:842-860. [PMID: 37188818 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00808-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Different organs undergo distinct transcriptional, epigenetic and physiological alterations that guarantee their functional maturation after birth. However, the roles of epitranscriptomic machineries in these processes have remained elusive. Here we demonstrate that expression of RNA methyltransferase enzymes Mettl3 and Mettl14 gradually declines during postnatal liver development in male mice. Liver-specific Mettl3 deficiency causes hepatocyte hypertrophy, liver injury and growth retardation. Transcriptomic and N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) profiling identify the neutral sphingomyelinase, Smpd3, as a target of Mettl3. Decreased decay of Smpd3 transcripts due to Mettl3 deficiency results in sphingolipid metabolism rewiring, characterized by toxic ceramide accumulation and leading to mitochondrial damage and elevated endoplasmic reticulum stress. Pharmacological Smpd3 inhibition, Smpd3 knockdown or Sgms1 overexpression that counteracts Smpd3 can ameliorate the abnormality of Mettl3-deficent liver. Our findings demonstrate that Mettl3-N6-methyl-adenosine fine-tunes sphingolipid metabolism, highlighting the pivotal role of an epitranscriptomic machinery in coordination of organ growth and the timing of functional maturation during postnatal liver development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiguan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shanze Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianfeng Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Pan Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bowen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xinying Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Youquan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ping Mi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Cuijuan Zhang
- Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lixiang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Jinan, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shiyang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Detian Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Jinan, China.
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14
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Bu Y, Zhao K, Xu Z, Zheng Y, Hua R, Wu C, Zhu C, Xia Y, Cheng X. Antibiotic-induced gut bacteria depletion has no effect on HBV replication in HBV immune tolerance mouse model. Virol Sin 2023:S1995-820X(23)00048-2. [PMID: 37141990 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2023.04.010] [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] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Commensal microbiota is closely related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Gut bacteria maturation accelerates HBV immune clearance in hydrodynamic injection (HDI) HBV mouse model. However, the effect of gut bacteria on HBV replication in recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-HBV mouse model with immune tolerance remains obscure. We aim to investigate its role on HBV replication in AAV-HBV mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were administrated with broad-spectrum antibiotic mixtures (ABX) to deplete gut bacteria and intravenously injected with AAV-HBV to establish persistent HBV replication. Gut microbiota community was analyzed by fecal qPCR assay and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. HBV replication markers in blood and liver were determined by ELISA, qPCR assay and Western blot at indicated time points. Immune response in AAV-HBV mouse model was activated through HDI of HBV plasmid or poly(I:C) and then detected by quantifying the percentage of IFN-γ+/CD8+ T cells in the spleen via flow cytometry as well as the splenic IFN-γ mRNA level via qPCR assay. We found that antibiotic exposure remarkably decreased gut bacteria abundance and diversity. Antibiotic treatment failed to alter the levels of serological HBV antigens, intrahepatic HBV RNA transcripts and HBc protein in AAV-HBV mouse model, but contributed to HBsAg increase after breaking of immune tolerance. Overall, our data uncovered that antibiotic-induced gut bacteria depletion has no effect on HBV replication in immune tolerant AAV-HBV mouse model, providing new thoughts for elucidating the correlation between gut bacteria dysbiosis by antibiotic abuse and clinical chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Kaitao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yingcheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Rong Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chuanjian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chengliang Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060; China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Xiaoming Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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15
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Nevola R, Beccia D, Rosato V, Ruocco R, Mastrocinque D, Villani A, Perillo P, Imbriani S, Delle Femine A, Criscuolo L, Alfano M, La Montagna M, Russo A, Marfella R, Cozzolino D, Sasso FC, Rinaldi L, Marrone A, Adinolfi LE, Claar E. HBV Infection and Host Interactions: The Role in Viral Persistence and Oncogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087651. [PMID: 37108816 PMCID: PMC10145402 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087651] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite the advent of vaccines and potent antiviral agents able to suppress viral replication, recovery from chronic HBV infection is still an extremely difficult goal to achieve. Complex interactions between virus and host are responsible for HBV persistence and the risk of oncogenesis. Through multiple pathways, HBV is able to silence both innate and adaptive immunological responses and become out of control. Furthermore, the integration of the viral genome into that of the host and the production of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) represent reservoirs of viral persistence and account for the difficult eradication of the infection. An adequate knowledge of the virus-host interaction mechanisms responsible for viral persistence and the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis is necessary for the development of functional cures for chronic HBV infection. The purpose of this review is, therefore, to analyze how interactions between HBV and host concur in the mechanisms of infection, persistence, and oncogenesis and what are the implications and the therapeutic perspectives that follow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Nevola
- Liver Unit, Ospedale Evangelico Betania, 80147 Naples, Italy
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Beccia
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Valerio Rosato
- Liver Unit, Ospedale Evangelico Betania, 80147 Naples, Italy
| | - Rachele Ruocco
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Angela Villani
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Simona Imbriani
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Augusto Delle Femine
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Livio Criscuolo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Alfano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco La Montagna
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Russo
- Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Marfella
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Cozzolino
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Carlo Sasso
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Rinaldi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Aldo Marrone
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Elio Adinolfi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ernesto Claar
- Liver Unit, Ospedale Evangelico Betania, 80147 Naples, Italy
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16
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Emerging Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis B and the Potential for a Functional Cure. Drugs 2023; 83:367-388. [PMID: 36906663 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01843-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, an estimated 296 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Current therapy with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and indefinite or finite therapy with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (Nucs) are effective in HBV suppression, hepatitis resolution, and prevention of disease progression. However, few achieve hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss (functional cure), and relapse often occurs after the end of therapy (EOT) because these agents have no direct effect on durable template: covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and integrated HBV DNA. Hepatitis B surface antigen loss rate increases slightly by adding or switching to Peg-IFN in Nuc-treated patients and this loss rate greatly increases up to 39% in 5 years with finite Nuc therapy with currently available Nuc(s). For this, great effort has been made to develop novel direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and immunomodulators. Among the DAAs, entry inhibitors and capsid assembly modulators have little effect on reducing HBsAg levels; small interfering RNA, antisense oligonucleotides, and nucleic acid polymers in combination with Peg-IFN and Nuc may reduce HBsAg levels significantly, even a rate of HBsAg loss sustained for > 24 weeks after EOT up to 40%. Novel immunomodulators, including T-cell receptor agonists, check-point inhibitors, therapeutic vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies may restore HBV-specific T-cell response but not sustained HBsAg loss. The safety issues and the durability of HBsAg loss warrant further investigation. Combining agents of different classes has the potential to enhance HBsAg loss. Compounds directly targeting cccDNA would be more effective but are still in the early stage of development. More effort is required to achieve this goal.
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17
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Zhang H, Ma W, Liu H, Tang W, Shu J, Zhou J, Zheng H, Xiao H, Yang X, Liu D, Liang H, Yang X. Systematic analysis of lysine crotonylation in human macrophages responding to MRSA infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1126350. [PMID: 36844408 PMCID: PMC9945341 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1126350] [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: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most commonly encountered bacteria found in healthcare clinics and has been ranked a priority 2 pathogen. Research is urgently needed to develop new therapeutic approaches to combat the pathogen. Variations in the pattern of protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of host cells affect physiological and pathological events, as well as therapeutic effectiveness. However, the role of crotonylation in MRSA-infected THP1 cells remains unknown. In this study, we found that crotonylation profiles of THP1 cells were altered after MRSA infection. It was then confirmed that lysine crotonylation profiles of THP1 cells and bacteria were different; MRSA infection inhibited global lysine crotonylation (Kcro) modification but partially elevated Kcro of host proteins. We obtained a proteome-wide crotonylation profile of THP1 cells infected by MRSA further treated by vancomycin, leading to the identification of 899 proteins, 1384 sites of which were down-regulated, and 160 proteins with 193 sites up-regulated. The crotonylated down-regulated proteins were mainly located in cytoplasm and were enriched in spliceosome, RNA degradation, protein posttranslational modification, and metabolism. However, the crotonylated up-regulated proteins were mainly located in nucleus and significantly involved in nuclear body, chromosome, ribonucleoprotein complex, and RNA processing. The domains of these proteins were significantly enriched on RNA recognition motif, and linker histone H1 and H5 families. Some proteins related to protecting against bacterial infection were also found to be targets of crotonylation. The present findings point to a comprehensive understanding of the biological functions of lysine crotonylation in human macrophages, thereby providing a certain research basis for the mechanism and targeted therapy on the immune response of host cells against MRSA infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Deparment of Critical Care Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Ma
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Haoru Liu
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wanqi Tang
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Junjie Shu
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jianping Zhou
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Panzihua University, Panzihua, China
| | - Hongsheng Zheng
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hongyan Xiao
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Daoyan Liu
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Huaping Liang
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Huaping Liang, ; Xia Yang,
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Wound Infection and Drug, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Huaping Liang, ; Xia Yang,
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18
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Li C, Yin Z, Xiao R, Huang B, Cui Y, Wang H, Xiang Y, Wang L, Lei L, Ye J, Li T, Zhong Y, Guo F, Xia Y, Fang P, Liang K. G-quadruplexes sense natural porphyrin metabolites for regulation of gene transcription and chromatin landscapes. Genome Biol 2022; 23:259. [PMID: 36522639 PMCID: PMC9753424 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02830-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND G-quadruplexes (G4s) are unique noncanonical nucleic acid secondary structures, which have been proposed to physically interact with transcription factors and chromatin remodelers to regulate cell type-specific transcriptome and shape chromatin landscapes. RESULTS Based on the direct interaction between G4 and natural porphyrins, we establish genome-wide approaches to profile where the iron-liganded porphyrin hemin can bind in the chromatin. Hemin promotes genome-wide G4 formation, impairs transcription initiation, and alters chromatin landscapes, including decreased H3K27ac and H3K4me3 modifications at promoters. Interestingly, G4 status is not involved in the canonical hemin-BACH1-NRF2-mediated enhancer activation process, highlighting an unprecedented G4-dependent mechanism for metabolic regulation of transcription. Furthermore, hemin treatment induces specific gene expression profiles in hepatocytes, underscoring the in vivo potential for metabolic control of gene transcription by porphyrins. CONCLUSIONS These studies demonstrate that G4 functions as a sensor for natural porphyrin metabolites in cells, revealing a G4-dependent mechanism for metabolic regulation of gene transcription and chromatin landscapes, which will deepen our knowledge of G4 biology and the contribution of cellular metabolites to gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghui Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zhinang Yin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ruijing Xiao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Beili Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yali Cui
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Honghong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ying Xiang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lingrui Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lingyu Lei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jiaqin Ye
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Youquan Zhong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Fangteng Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Pingping Fang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Kaiwei Liang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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19
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Yang G, Wan P, Zhang Y, Tan Q, Qudus MS, Yue Z, Luo W, Zhang W, Ouyang J, Li Y, Wu J. Innate Immunity, Inflammation, and Intervention in HBV Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:2275. [PMID: 36298831 PMCID: PMC9609328 DOI: 10.3390/v14102275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still one of the most dangerous viral illnesses. HBV infects around 257 million individuals worldwide. Hepatitis B in many individuals ultimately develops hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The innate immunity acts as the first line of defense against HBV infection through activating antiviral genes. Along with the immune responses, pro-inflammatory cytokines are triggered to enhance the antiviral responses, but this may result in acute or chronic liver inflammation, especially when the clearance of virus is unsuccessful. To a degree, the host innate immune and inflammatory responses dominate the HBV infection and liver pathogenesis. Thus, it is crucial to figure out the signaling pathways involved in the activation of antiviral factors and inflammatory cytokines. Here, we review the interplay between HBV and the signal pathways that mediates innate immune responses and inflammation. In addition, we summarize current therapeutic strategies for HBV infection via modulating innate immunity or inflammation. Characterizing the mechanisms that underlie these HBV-host interplays might provide new approaches for the cure of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Yang
- Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan 528315, China
| | - Pin Wan
- Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan 528315, China
| | - Yaru Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qiaoru Tan
- Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan 528315, China
| | - Muhammad Suhaib Qudus
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zhaoyang Yue
- Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan 528315, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Clinical Research Institute, The First People’s Hospital, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Guangdong Longfan Biological Science and Technology, Foshan 528315, China
| | - Jianhua Ouyang
- Guangdong Longfan Biological Science and Technology, Foshan 528315, China
| | - Yongkui Li
- Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan 528315, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Guangdong Longfan Biological Science and Technology, Foshan 528315, China
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Foshan Institute of Medical Microbiology, Foshan 528315, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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20
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Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Is Not Required for Covalently Closed Circular DNA Transcriptional Regulation. J Virol 2022; 96:e0136222. [PMID: 36226986 PMCID: PMC9645219 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01362-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health burden worldwide, and currently there is no cure. The persistence of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the major obstacle for antiviral trement. HBV core protein (HBc) has emerged as a promising antiviral target, as it plays important roles in critical steps of the viral life cycle. However, whether HBc could regulate HBV cccDNA transcription remains under debate. In this study, different approaches were used to address this question. In synthesized HBV cccDNA and HBVcircle transfection assays, lack of HBc showed no effect on transcription of HBV RNA as well as HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) production in a hepatoma cell line and primary human hepatocytes. Reconstitution of HBc did not alter the expression of cccDNA-derived HBV markers. Similar results were obtained from an in vivo mouse model harboring cccDNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) or ChIP sequencing assays revealed transcription regulation of HBc-deficient cccDNA chromatin similar to that of wild-type cccDNA. Furthermore, treatment with capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) dramatically reduced extracellular HBV DNA but could not alter viral RNA and HBsAg. Our results demonstrate that HBc neither affects histone modifications and transcription factor binding of cccDNA nor directly influences cccDNA transcription. Although CAMs could reduce HBc binding to cccDNA, they do not suppress cccDNA transcriptional activity. Thus, therapeutics targeting capsid or HBc should not be expected to sufficiently reduce cccDNA transcription. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) has emerged as a promising antiviral target. However, whether HBc can regulate HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcription remains elusive. This study illustrated that HBc has no effect on epigenetic regulation of cccDNA, and it does not participate in cccDNA transcription. Given that HBc is dispensable for cccDNA transcription, novel cccDNA-targeting therapeutics are needed for an HBV cure.
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21
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Lin C, Huang Y, Luo L, Fang F, Zhang J, Xun Z, Fu Y, Shang H, Liu C, Ou Q. Adenosine Triphosphate in Serum as a Promising Biomarker for Differential Diagnosis of Hepatitis B Disease Progression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:927761. [PMID: 35844530 PMCID: PMC9284211 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.927761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The need to be diagnosed with liver biopsy makes the clinical progression of chronic HBV infection diagnosis a challenge. Existing HBV serum biochemical assays are used throughout clinical but have limited effects. Studies have shown that mitochondrial function is tightly coupled to HBV infection. Here, we verified the diagnostic value of serum Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) as a potential marker for differential HBV infection progress by detecting the level of ATP in the serum from a wide spectrum of HBV-infected populations, and confirmed the role of ATP in the deterioration of HBV infection-related diseases through HBV-infected cells and mouse models. The results showed that there were significantly lower serum ATP levels in HBeAg-positive CHB patients compared with healthy controls. And during the progression of CHB to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the ATP level was increased but not higher than healthy controls. The area under the curve (AUC) of serum ATP was 0.9063 to distinguish HBeAg-positive CHB from healthy, and another AUC was 0.8328 in the CHB against the HCC group. Preliminary exploration of the mechanism indicated that the decline of serum ATP was due to impaired mitochondria in CHB patients. Our data provide evidence that serum ATP distinguishes the various progress of HBV infection-related diseases and expands diagnostic biomarkers for HBeAg-positive CHB patients with healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caorui Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Linjie Luo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Fengling Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhen Xun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ya Fu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Shang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Can Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qishui Ou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gene Diagnosis Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- First Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qishui Ou,
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22
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Wu DQ, Ding QY, Tao NN, Tan M, Zhang Y, Li F, Zhou YJ, Dong ML, Cheng ST, Ren F, Chen J, Ren JH. SIRT2 Promotes HBV Transcription and Replication by Targeting Transcription Factor p53 to Increase the Activities of HBV Enhancers and Promoters. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:836446. [PMID: 35663860 PMCID: PMC9161175 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.836446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Although the major drugs against CHB including nucleos(t)ide analogs and PEG-interferon can effectively control human hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, complete cure of HBV infection is quite rare. Targeting host factors involved in the viral life cycle contributes to developing innovative therapeutic strategies to improve HBV clearance. In this study, we found that the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT2, a class III histone deacetylase, were significantly upregulated in CHB patients, and that SIRT2 protein level was positively correlated with HBV viral load, HBsAg/HBeAg levels, HBcrAg, and ALT/AST levels. Functional analysis confirmed that ectopic SIRT2 overexpression markedly increased total HBV RNAs, 3.5-kb RNA and HBV core DNA in HBV-infected HepG2-Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide cells and primary human hepatocytes. In contrast, SIRT2 silencing inhibited HBV transcription and replication. In addition, we found a positive correlation between SIRT2 expression and HBV RNAs synthesis as well as HBV covalently closed circular DNA transcriptional activity. A mechanistic study suggested that SIRT2 enhances the activities of HBV enhancer I/HBx promoter (EnI/Xp) and enhancer II/HBc promoter (EnII/Cp) by targeting the transcription factor p53. The levels of HBV EnI/Xp and EnII/Cp-bound p53 were modulated by SIRT2. Both the mutation of p53 binding sites in EnI/Xp and EnII/Cp as well as overexpression of p53 abolished the effect of SIRT2 on HBV transcription and replication. In conclusion, our study reveals that, in terms of host factors, a SIRT2-targeted program might be a more effective therapeutic strategy for HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai-Qing Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases (Chinese Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiu-Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Centre for Lipid Research, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Na-Na Tao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Ming Tan
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases (Chinese Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases (Chinese Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-Jiao Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases (Chinese Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei-Ling Dong
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases (Chinese Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sheng-Tao Cheng
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases (Chinese Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fang Ren
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Juan Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases (Chinese Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ji-Hua Ren
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases (Chinese Ministry of Education), Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Ji-Hua Ren,
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Xu Z, Zhao L, Zhong Y, Zhu C, Zhao K, Teng Y, Cheng X, Chen Q, Xia Y. A Novel Mouse Model Harboring Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 13:1001-1017. [PMID: 34896285 PMCID: PMC8873614 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The persistence of viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the major obstacle for antiviral treatment against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Basic and translational studies are largely hampered due to the lack of feasible small animal models to support HBV cccDNA formation. The aim of this study is to establish a novel mouse model harboring cccDNA. METHODS An adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector carrying a replication-deficient HBV1.04-fold genome (AAV-HBV1.04) was constructed. The linear HBV genome starts from nucleotide 403 and ends at 538, which results in the splitting of HBV surface and polymerase genes. Different HBV replication markers were evaluated for AAV-HBV1.04 plasmid-transfected cells, the AAV-HBV1.04 viral vector-transduced cells, and mice injected with the AAV-HBV1.04 viral vector. RESULTS Compared with the previously reported AAV-HBV1.2 construct, direct transfection of AAV-HBV1.04 plasmid failed to produce hepatitis B surface antigen and progeny virus. Interestingly, AAV-HBV1.04 viral vector transduction could result in the formation of cccDNA and the production of all HBV replication markers in vitro and in vivo. The formation of cccDNA could be blocked by ATR (ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein) inhibitors but not HBV reverse transcription inhibitor or capsid inhibitors. The AAV-HBV1.04 mouse supported long-term HBV replication and responded to antiviral treatments. CONCLUSIONS This AAV-HBV1.04 mouse model can support HBV cccDNA formation through ATR-mediated DNA damage response. The de novo formed cccDNA but not the parental AAV vector can lead to the production of hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV progeny. This model will provide a unique platform for studying HBV cccDNA and developing novel antivirals against HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Youquan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengliang Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaitao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoming Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,Wuhan University Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Yuchen Xia, PhD, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China. fax: 0086-27-68759222.
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