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Liu T, He Q, Yang X, Li Y, Yuan D, Lu Q, Tang T, Guan G, Zheng L, Zhang H, Xia C, Yin X, Wei G, Chen X, Lu F, Wang L. An Immunocompetent Mongolian Gerbil Model for Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 1 Infection. Gastroenterology 2024; 167:750-763.e10. [PMID: 38582270 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis E virus (HEV), primarily genotype 1 (HEV-1), causes approximately 20.1 million infections, 44,000 deaths, and 3000 stillbirths annually. Current evidence indicates that HEV-1 is only transmitted in humans. Here, we evaluated whether Mongolian gerbils can serve as animal models for HEV-1 infection. METHODS Mongolian gerbils were used for HEV-1 and hepatitis E virus genotype 3 infection experiments. HEV infection parameters, including detection of HEV RNA and HEV antigen, liver function assessment, and histopathology, were evaluated. RESULTS We adapted a clinical isolate of HEV-1 for Mongolian gerbils by serial passaging in feces of aged male gerbils. The gerbil-adapted strain obtained at passage 3 induced a robust, acute HEV infection, characterized by stable fecal virus shedding, elevated liver enzymes, histopathologic changes in the liver, and seroconversion to anti-HEV. An infectious complementary DNA clone of the adapted virus was generated. HEV-1-infected pregnant gerbils showed a high rate of maternal mortality and vertical transmission. HEV RNA or antigens were detected in the liver, kidney, intestine, placenta, testis, and fetus liver. Liver and placental transcriptomic analyses indicated activation of host immunity. Tacrolimus prolonged HEV-1 infection, whereas ribavirin cleared infection. The protective efficacy of a licensed HEV vaccine was validated using this model. CONCLUSIONS HEV-1 efficiently infected Mongolian gerbils. This HEV-1 infection model will be valuable for investigating hepatitis E immunopathogenesis and evaluating vaccines and antivirals against HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxu Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuebao Li
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Disen Yuan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghui Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Tang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Guiwen Guan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Liwei Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - He Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Changyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Guochao Wei
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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Li JR, Xiang Z, Li SH, Li CX, Yan H, Wu J. Realm of hepatitis E: Challenges and opportunities. World J Exp Med 2024; 14:90481. [PMID: 38948414 PMCID: PMC11212739 DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v14.i2.90481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), responsible for widespread viral hepatitis, infects approximately 2.3 billion individuals globally, with a significant mortality burden in Asia. The virus, primarily transmitted through contaminated water and undercooked meat, is often underdiagnosed, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Current HEV treatments, while effective, are limited by adverse effects, necessitating research into safer alternatives. Moreover, HEV's extrahepatic manifestations, impacting the nervous and renal systems, remain poorly understood. This study underscores the imperative for enhanced HEV research, improved diagnostic methods, and more effective treatments, coupled with increased public health awareness and preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Rui Li
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ze Xiang
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shu-Hui Li
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chen-Xi Li
- Laboratory Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210011, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hong Yan
- Laboratory Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210011, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
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Xu LD, Zhang F, Xu P, Huang YW. Cross-species transmission and animal infection model of hepatitis E virus. Microbes Infect 2024:105338. [PMID: 38636821 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105338] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging global public health concern, and understanding the dynamics of HEV transmission between animals and humans is crucial for public health. Animal models are critical to advancing the understanding of HEV pathogenesis, drug screening, vaccine development, and other related areas. Here, we provide an overview of recent studies investigating the cross-species transmission of HEV, and also delve into the current research and application of animal HEV infection models including non-human primates, rodents, pigs, and chickens, offering a comprehensive assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each model. This review highlights the findings related to viral replication, shedding patterns, and immune response in these animal models, and discusses the implications for our understanding of HEV transmission to humans. These advancements in the field enhance our understanding of the biological traits and pathogenic mechanisms of HEV, offering robust support for the development of highly effective and targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Dong Xu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Fei Zhang
- Institute of Intelligent Medicine, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, 311200, China; MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Pinglong Xu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Yao-Wei Huang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Oechslin N, Da Silva N, Ankavay M, Moradpour D, Gouttenoire J. A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen identifies a role for Rab5A and early endosomes in hepatitis E virus replication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2307423120. [PMID: 38109552 PMCID: PMC10756275 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307423120] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. As the other positive-strand RNA viruses, it is believed to replicate its genome in a membrane-associated replication complex. However, current understanding of the host factors required for productive HEV infection is limited and the site as well as the composition of the HEV replication complex are still poorly characterized. To identify host factors required for HEV RNA replication, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen in permissive human cell lines harboring subgenomic HEV replicons allowing for positive and negative selection. Among the validated candidates, Ras-related early endosomal protein Rab5A was selected for further characterization. siRNA-mediated silencing of Rab5A and its effectors APPL1 and EEA1, but not of the late and recycling endosome components Rab7A and Rab11A, respectively, significantly reduced HEV RNA replication. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Rab5A and of dynamin-2, required for the formation of early endosomes, resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of HEV RNA replication. Colocalization studies revealed close proximity of Rab5A, the HEV ORF1 protein, corresponding to the viral replicase, as well as HEV positive- and negative-strand RNA. In conclusion, we successfully exploited CRISPR/Cas9 and selectable subgenomic replicons to identify host factors of a noncytolytic virus. This approach revealed a role for Rab5A and early endosomes in HEV RNA replication, likely by serving as a scaffold for the establishment of functional replication complexes. Our findings yield insights into the HEV life cycle and the virus-host interactions required for productive infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Oechslin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne1011, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Da Silva
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne1011, Switzerland
| | - Maliki Ankavay
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne1011, Switzerland
| | - Darius Moradpour
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne1011, Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Gouttenoire
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne1011, Switzerland
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