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León-Janampa N, Boennec N, Le Tilly O, Ereh S, Herbet G, Moreau A, Gatault P, Longuet H, Barbet C, Büchler M, Baron C, Gaudy-Graffin C, Brand D, Marlet J. Relevance of Tacrolimus Trough Concentration and Hepatitis E virus Genetic Changes in Kidney Transplant Recipients With Chronic Hepatitis E. Kidney Int Rep 2024; 9:1333-1342. [PMID: 38707810 PMCID: PMC11069011 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.01.054] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause chronic infection (≥3 months) and cirrhosis in immunocompromised patients, especially kidney transplant recipients. Low alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and high HEV intrahost diversity have previously been associated with evolution toward chronicity in these patients. We hypothesized that additional clinical and viral factors could be associated with the risk of chronic HEV infection. Methods We investigated a series of 27 kidney transplant recipients with HEV infection, including 20 patients with chronic hepatitis E. Results High tacrolimus trough concentration at diagnosis was the most relevant marker associated with chronic hepatitis E (9.2 vs. 6.4 ng/ml, P = 0.04). Most HEV genetic changes selected during HEV infection were compartmentalized between plasma and feces. Conclusion This compartmentalization highlights the diversity and complexity of HEV replication compartments. Tacrolimus trough concentration at diagnosis of HEV infection could allow an early identification of patients at high risk of chronic hepatitis E and guide treatment initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy León-Janampa
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Natacha Boennec
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | | | - Simon Ereh
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Gabriel Herbet
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Alain Moreau
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Philippe Gatault
- Transplantation rénale – Immunologie clinique, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Hélène Longuet
- Transplantation rénale – Immunologie clinique, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Christelle Barbet
- Transplantation rénale – Immunologie clinique, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Mathias Büchler
- Transplantation rénale – Immunologie clinique, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Christophe Baron
- Transplantation rénale – Immunologie clinique, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Catherine Gaudy-Graffin
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
- Service de Bactériologie-Virologie-Hygiène, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Denys Brand
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
- Service de Bactériologie-Virologie-Hygiène, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Julien Marlet
- INSERM U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
- Service de Bactériologie-Virologie-Hygiène, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
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Zhang J, Zheng Z, Xia N. Prophylactic Hepatitis E Vaccine. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:227-245. [PMID: 37223870 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis E has been increasingly recognized as an underestimated global disease burden in recent years. Subpopulations with more serious infection associated damage or death include pregnant women, patients with basic liver diseases, and elderly persons. Vaccine would be the most effective means for prevention of HEV infection. The lack of an efficient cell culture system for HEV makes the development of classic inactive or attenuated vaccine infeasible. Hence, the recombinant vaccine approaches are explored deeply. The neutralizing sites are located almost exclusively in the capsid protein, pORF2, of the virion. Based on pORF2, many vaccine candidates showed potential of protecting primate animals, two of them were tested in human and evidenced to be well-tolerated in adults and highly efficacious in preventing hepatitis E. The world's first hepatitis E vaccine, Hecolin® (HEV 239 vaccine), was licensed in China and launched in 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Zizheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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He Q, Zhang Y, Gong W, Zeng H, Wang L. Genetic Evolution of Hepatitis E Virus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:59-72. [PMID: 37223859 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Comparative analysis of the genomic sequences of multiple hepatitis E virus (HEV) isolates has revealed extensive genomic diversity among them. Recently, a variety of genetically distinct HEV variants have also been isolated and identified from large numbers of animal species, including birds, rabbits, rats, ferrets, bats, cutthroat trout, and camels, among others. Furthermore, it has been reported that recombination in HEV genomes takes place in animals and in human patients. Also, chronic HEV infection in immunocompromised individuals has revealed the presence of viral strains carrying insertions from human genes. This paper reviews current knowledge on the genomic variability and evolution of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wanyun Gong
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Zeng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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Zhou YH, Zhao H. Immunobiology and Host Response to HEV. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:93-118. [PMID: 37223861 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) usually causes acute self-limiting hepatitis but sometimes leads to chronic infection in immunocompromised persons. HEV is not directly cytopathic. Immunologically mediated events after HEV infection are believed to play important roles in the pathogenesis and clearance of infection. The anti-HEV antibody responses have been largely clarified since the determination of major antigenic determinant of HEV, which is located in the C-terminal portion of ORF2. This major antigenic determinant also forms the conformational neutralization epitopes. Robust anti-HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG responses usually develop 3-4 weeks after infection in experimentally infected nonhuman primates. In humans, potent specific IgM and IgG responses occur in the very early phase of the disease and are critical in eliminating the virus, in concert with the innate and adaptive T-cell immune responses. Testing anti-HEV IgM is valuable in the diagnosis of acute hepatitis E. The long-term persistence and protection of anti-HEV IgG provide the basis for estimating the prevalence of HEV infection and for the development of a hepatitis E vaccine. Although human HEV has four genotypes, all the viral strains are considered to belong to a single serotype. It is becoming increasingly clear that the innate and adaptive T-cell immune responses play critical roles in the clearance of the virus. Potent and multispecific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to the ORF2 protein occur in patients with acute hepatitis E, and weaker HEV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses appear to be associated with chronic hepatitis E in immunocompromised individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hua Zhou
- Departments of Experimental Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Hospital of Nanjing, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Muñoz-Chimeno M, Rodriguez-Paredes V, García-Lugo MA, Avellon A. Hepatitis E genotype 3 genome: A comprehensive analysis of entropy, motif conservation, relevant mutations, and clade-associated polymorphisms. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1011662. [PMID: 36274715 PMCID: PMC9582770 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1011662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3) is an EU/EEA emergent zoonosis. HEV-3 clades/subtypes have been described. Its genome contains ORF1, which encodes nonstructural proteins for virus replication, ORF2, the capsid protein, and ORF3, a multifunctional protein involved in virion pathogenesis. The study aims with respect to HEV-3 are to: (1) calculate genome entropy (excluding hypervariable region); (2) analyze the described motifs/mutations; (3) characterize clade/subtype genome polymorphisms. Seven hundred and five sequences from the GenBank database were used. The highest entropies were identified in zoonotic genotypes (HEV-3 and HEV-4) with respect to HEV-1 in X domain, RdRp, ORF2, and ORF3. There were statistically significant differences in the entropy between proteins, protease and ORF3 being the most variable and Y domain being the most conserved. Methyltransferase and Y domain motifs were completely conserved. By contrast, essential protease H581 residue and catalytic dyad exhibited amino acid changes in 1.8% and 0.4% of sequences, respectively. Several X domain amino acids were associated with clades. We found sequences with mutations in all helicase motifs except number IV. Helicase mutations related to increased virulence and/or fulminant hepatitis were frequent, the 1,110 residue being a typical HEV-3e and HEV-3f-A2 polymorphism. RdRp motifs III, V, VII also had high mutation rates. Motif III included residues that are polymorphisms of HEV-3e (F1449) and HEV-3 m (D1451). RdRp ribavirin resistance mutations were frequent, mainly 1479I (67.4, 100% in HEV-3efglmk) and 1634R/K (10.0%, almost 100% in HEV-3e). With respect to ORF2, 19/27 neutralization epitopes had mutations. The S80 residue in ORF3 presented mutations in 3.5% of cases. Amino acids in the ORF3-PSAP motif had high substitution rates, being more frequent in the first PSAP (44.8%) than in the second (1.5%). This is the first comprehensive analysis of the HEV-3 genome, aimed at improving our knowledge of the genome, and establishing the basis for future genotype-to-phenotype analysis, given that viral features associated with severity have not been explored in depth. Our results demonstrate there are important genetic differences in the studied genomes that sometimes affect significant viral structures, and constitute clade/subtype polymorphisms that may affect the clinical course or treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagros Muñoz-Chimeno
- Hepatitis Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Alcalá de Henares University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Ana Avellon
- Hepatitis Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERESP Epidemiology and Public Health, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ana Avellon,
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Go HJ, Park BJ, Ahn HS, Kim DH, Kim DY, Kim JH, Lee JB, Park SY, Song CS, Lee SW, Choi YK, Choi IS. Pigs Immunized with the Virus-like Particle Vaccine Are Protected against the Hepatitis E-3 Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9111265. [PMID: 34835195 PMCID: PMC8622710 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we generated the HEV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine expressing 239 amino acids (367–605 aa) of the HEV-3 ORF2 using the baculovirus expression system. The HEV-3-239-VLP vaccine efficacy was evaluated by dividing 12 pathogen-free pigs into four groups: negative control, positive control, 100 μg VLP-, and 200 μg VLP-vaccinated groups for 10 weeks. The pigs in either of the vaccinated groups were administered the corresponding first and booster doses on weeks 0 and 2. At week 4, the positive control and two vaccinated groups were challenged with 106 HEV-3 genomic equivalent copies; viremia and fecal shedding of the virus were identified in pigs in the positive control and 100 μg VLP-vaccinated pigs showed transient viremia and fecal viral shedding. However, no viruses were detected in the serum or fecal samples of the 200 μg VLP-vaccinated pigs. The 100 and 200 μg VLP-vaccinated pigs had significantly higher (p < 0.01) anti-HEV antibodies than the negative control pigs from weeks 6–10 with normal levels of liver enzymes. The 200 μg VLP-vaccinated pigs showed statistically less liver tissue fibrosis (p < 0.05) than that of the positive control pigs. Thus, the novel baculovirus expression system-generated VLP vaccine dose-dependently protects against HEV-3 challenge and may be useful in other animal species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon-Jeong Go
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Byung-Joo Park
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Hee-Seop Ahn
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Dong-Hwi Kim
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Da-Yoon Kim
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Jae-Hyeong Kim
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Joong-Bok Lee
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Seung-Yong Park
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Chang-Seon Song
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Yang-Kyu Choi
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea;
| | - In-Soo Choi
- Department of Infectious Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neundong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.-J.G.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (D.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (J.-H.K.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2049-6055
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7
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Antigenic Characterization of ORF2 and ORF3 Proteins of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV). Viruses 2021; 13:v13071385. [PMID: 34372591 PMCID: PMC8310276 DOI: 10.3390/v13071385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the antigenic properties of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Open Reading Frame 2 and 3 (ORF2 and ORF3) codified proteins, we expressed different portions of ORF2 and the entire ORF3 in E. coli, a truncated ORF2, was also expressed in baculovirus. A panel of 37 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was raised against ORF2 (1-660 amino acids) and MAbs were mapped and characterized using the ORF2 expressed portions. Selected HEV positive and negative swine sera were used to evaluate ORF2 and ORF3 antigens' immunogenicity. The MAbs were clustered in six groups identifying six antigenic regions along the ORF2. Only MAbs binding to the sixth ORF2 antigenic region (394-608 aa) were found to compete with HEV positive sera and efficiently catch the recombinant antigen expressed in baculovirus. The ORF2 portion from 394-608 aa demonstrated to include most immunogenic epitopes with 85% of HEV positive swine sera reacting against the region from 461-544 aa. Only 5% of the selected HEV sera reacted against the ORF3 antigen.
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8
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Velavan TP, Pallerla SR, Johne R, Todt D, Steinmann E, Schemmerer M, Wenzel JJ, Hofmann J, Shih JWK, Wedemeyer H, Bock CT. Hepatitis E: An update on One Health and clinical medicine. Liver Int 2021; 41:1462-1473. [PMID: 33960603 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the main causes of acute hepatitis and the de facto global burden is underestimated. HEV-related clinical complications are often undetected and are not considered in the differential diagnosis. Convincing findings from studies suggest that HEV is clinically relevant not only in developing countries but also in industrialized countries. Eight HEV genotypes (HEV-1 to HEV-8) with different human and animal hosts and other HEV-related viruses are in circulation. Transmission routes vary by genotype and location, with large waterborne outbreaks in developing countries and zoonotic food-borne infections in developed countries. An acute infection can be aggravated in pregnant women, organ transplant recipients, patients with pre-existing liver disease and immunosuppressed patients. HEV during pregnancy affects the fetus and newborn with an increased risk of vertical transmission, preterm and stillbirth, neonatal jaundice and miscarriage. Hepatitis E is associated with extrahepatic manifestations that include neurological disorders such as neuralgic amyotrophy, Guillain-Barré syndrome and encephalitis, renal injury and haematological disorders. The risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV is increasingly recognized in Western countries where the risk may be because of a zoonosis. RNA testing of blood components is essential to determine the risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV. There are currently no approved drugs or vaccines for HEV infections. This review focuses on updating the latest developments in zoonoses, screening and diagnostics, drugs in use and under development, and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thirumalaisamy P Velavan
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research, VG-CARE, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Faculty of Medicine, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Srinivas R Pallerla
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research, VG-CARE, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Reimar Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mathias Schemmerer
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, National Consultant Laboratory for HAV and HEV, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen J Wenzel
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, National Consultant Laboratory for HAV and HEV, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Hofmann
- Institute of Virology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Labor Berlin-Charité-Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Claus-Thomas Bock
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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9
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Mechanism of Cross-Species Transmission, Adaptive Evolution and Pathogenesis of Hepatitis E Virus. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050909. [PMID: 34069006 PMCID: PMC8157021 DOI: 10.3390/v13050909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the leading cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. While the transmission in developing countries is dominated by fecal-oral route via drinking contaminated water, the zoonotic transmission is the major route of HEV infection in industrialized countries. The discovery of new HEV strains in a growing number of animal species poses a risk to zoonotic infection. However, the exact mechanism and the determinant factors of zoonotic infection are not completely understood. This review will discuss the current knowledge on the mechanism of cross-species transmission of HEV infection, including viral determinants, such as the open reading frames (ORFs), codon usage and adaptive evolution, as well as host determinants, such as host cellular factors and the host immune status, which possibly play pivotal roles during this event. The pathogenesis of hepatitis E infection will be briefly discussed, including the special forms of this disease, including extrahepatic manifestations, chronic infection, and fulminant hepatitis in pregnant women.
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10
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Tian D, Yugo DM, Kenney SP, Lynn Heffron C, Opriessnig T, Karuppannan AK, Bayne J, Halbur PG, Meng XJ. Dissecting the potential role of hepatitis E virus ORF1 nonstructural gene in cross-species infection by using intergenotypic chimeric viruses. J Med Virol 2020; 92:3563-3571. [PMID: 32589758 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infects humans and more than a dozen other animal species. We previously showed that open reading frame 2 (ORF2) and ORF3 are apparently not involved in HEV cross-species infection, which infers that the ORF1 may contribute to host tropism. In this study, we utilize the genomic backbone of HEV-1 which only infects humans to construct a panel of intergenotypic chimeras in which the entire ORF1 gene or its functional domains were swapped with the corresponding regions from HEV-3 that infects both humans and pigs. We demonstrated that the chimeric HEVs were replication competent in human liver cells. Subsequently, we intrahepatically inoculated the RNA transcripts of chimeras into pigs to determine if the swapped ORF1 regions confer the chimeras' ability to infect pigs. We showed that there was no evidence of infectivity in pigs for any of the chimeras. We also investigated the role of human ribosome protein sequence S17, which expanded host range in cultured cells, in HEV cross-species infection. We demonstrated that S17 insertion in HEV ORF1 did not abolish HEV replication competency in vitro, but also did not expand HEV host tropism in vivo. The results highlight the complexity of the underlying mechanism of HEV cross-species infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debin Tian
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Danielle M Yugo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Scott P Kenney
- Food Animal Health Research Program, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Wooster, Ohio
| | - C Lynn Heffron
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Tanja Opriessnig
- Infection and Immunity Division, The Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Anbu K Karuppannan
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Jenna Bayne
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Patrick G Halbur
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
| | - Xiang-Jin Meng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
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Boumaiza M, Trabelsi K, Choucha Z, Akrouti I, Leone S, Picone D, Kallel H. Production and characterization of a fusion form of hepatitis E virus tORF2 capsid protein in Escherichia coli. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2020; 51:562-569. [PMID: 33095097 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2020.1836656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a nonenveloped virus causing an emerging zoonotic disease posing a severe threat to the public health in the world, especially to pregnant women. In this study, a truncated form (aa 368-606) of the open reading frame 2 of the capsid protein (tORF2-HEV), a major structural protein of HEV, was expressed in Escherichia coli. This work characterizes for the first time, the fused Glutathione-S-Transferase-tagged tORF2 (GST-tORF2) and tORF2-HEV forms in E. coli. The fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography with a purity higher than 90% and to yield about 27% after thrombin digestion. The purified GST-tORF2 protein was then characterized by western blot, using anti-GST antibodies, and CD spectroscopy. The GST-tORF2 and tORF2-HEV proteins were shown to be efficient to develop an ELISA test to detect anti-HEV IgG in mice sera immunized with a recombinant full length ORF2 protein. Sera showed a significant increase of the absorbance signal at 450 nm, in plate wells coated with a quantity of 0.5, 1 and 2 µg of proteins. ELISA plates coated with the purified GST-tORF2 and tORF2-HEV showed similar response when compared to the HEV ELISA where total insect cell lysate, infected with the recombinant baculovirus expressing full ORF2, was used as positive control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Boumaiza
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Vaccinology and Biotechnology Development, Group of Biotechnology Development, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Khaled Trabelsi
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Vaccinology and Biotechnology Development, Group of Biotechnology Development, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Life Science Department, Biotechnology Programme, College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Zeineb Choucha
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Vaccinology and Biotechnology Development, Group of Biotechnology Development, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ines Akrouti
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Vaccinology and Biotechnology Development, Group of Biotechnology Development, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Serena Leone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Delia Picone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Héla Kallel
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Vaccinology and Biotechnology Development, Group of Biotechnology Development, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,UnivercellsVaccines, Nivelles, Belgium
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12
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Hepatitis E Virus Infection: Circulation, Molecular Epidemiology, and Impact on Global Health. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9100856. [PMID: 33092306 PMCID: PMC7589794 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9100856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) represents the most common source of viral hepatitis globally. Although infecting over 20 million people annually in endemic regions, with major outbreaks described since the 1950s, hepatitis E remains an underestimated disease. This review gives a current view of the global circulation and epidemiology of this emerging virus. The history of HEV, from the first reported enteric non-A non-B hepatitis outbreaks, to the discovery of the viral agent and the molecular characterization of the different human pathogenic genotypes, is discussed. Furthermore, the current state of research regarding the virology of HEV is critically assessed, and the challenges towards prevention and diagnosis, as well as clinical risks of the disease described. Together, these points aim to underline the significant impact of hepatitis E on global health and the need for further in-depth research to better understand the pathophysiology and its role in the complex disease manifestations of HEV infection.
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13
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Behloul N, Baha S, Liu Z, Wei W, Zhu Y, Rao Y, Shi R, Meng J. Design and development of a chimeric vaccine candidate against zoonotic hepatitis E and foot-and-mouth disease. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:137. [PMID: 32653038 PMCID: PMC7352093 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01394-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection emerged as a serious threat in the industrialized countries. The aim of this study is exploring a new approach for the control of zoonotic HEV in its main host (swine) through the design and development of an economically interesting chimeric vaccine against HEV and against a devastating swine infection: the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection. Results First, we adopted a computational approach for rational and effective screening of the different HEV-FMDV chimeric proteins. Next, we further expressed and purified the selected chimeric immunogens in Escherichia coli (E. coli) using molecular cloning techniques. Finally, we assessed the antigenicity and immunogenicity profiles of the chimeric vaccine candidates. Following this methodology, we designed and successfully produced an HEV-FMDV chimeric vaccine candidate (Seq 8-P222) that was highly over-expressed in E. coli as a soluble protein and could self-assemble into virus-like particles. Moreover, the vaccine candidate was thermo-stable and exhibited optimal antigenicity and immunogenicity properties. Conclusion This study provides new insights into the vaccine development technology by using bioinformatics for the selection of the best candidates from larger sets prior to experimentation. It also presents the first HEV-FMDV chimeric protein produced in E. coli as a promising chimeric vaccine candidate that could participate in reducing the transmission of zoonotic HEV to humans while preventing the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease in swine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouredine Behloul
- College of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, 279 Zhouzhu Highway, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201318, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, 87 Dijiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210009, China
| | - Sarra Baha
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, 87 Dijiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210009, China
| | - Zhenzhen Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, 87 Dijiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210009, China
| | - Wenjuan Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, 87 Dijiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210009, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- China Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yuliang Rao
- College of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, 279 Zhouzhu Highway, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Ruihua Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, 87 Dijiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210009, China.
| | - Jihong Meng
- College of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, 279 Zhouzhu Highway, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 201318, China. .,Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, 87 Dijiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210009, China.
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14
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Bohm K, Strömpl J, Krumbholz A, Zell R, Krause G, Sievers C. Establishment of a Highly Sensitive Assay for Detection of Hepatitis E Virus-Specific Immunoglobulins. J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:e01029-19. [PMID: 31694975 PMCID: PMC6989076 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01029-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E, a liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV), is a worldwide emerging disease. The diagnosis is based on the detection of viral RNA and of HEV-specific immunoglobulins (Ig). For the latter, various assays are commercially available but still lack harmonization. In this study, a Luminex-based multiplex serological assay was established that measures the presence of total IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies, targeting a short peptide derived from the viral E2 protein. For the validation, 160 serum samples with a known HEV serostatus were used to determine the assay cutoff and accuracy. Thereby, HEV IgG- and RNA-positive sera were identified with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98% (95% confidence interval [CI], 94% to 100%). Application of the assay by retesting 514 serum samples previously characterized with different HEV-IgG or total antibody tests revealed a high level of agreement between the assays (Cohen's kappa, 0.58 to 0.99). The established method is highly sensitive and specific and can be easily implemented in a multiplex format to facilitate rapid differential diagnostics with a few microliters of sample input.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Bohm
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infectious Research, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Julia Strömpl
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infectious Research, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Andi Krumbholz
- Institute of Infection Medicine, University of Kiel, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Roland Zell
- Division of Experimental Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Gérard Krause
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infectious Research, Brunswick, Germany
- Institute for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, TWINCORE, Hanover, Germany
- Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Brunswick, Germany
| | - Claudia Sievers
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infectious Research, Brunswick, Germany
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Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) possesses many of the features of other positive-stranded RNA viruses but also adds HEV-specific nuances, making its virus-host interactions unique. Slow virus replication kinetics and fastidious growth conditions, coupled with the historical lack of an efficient cell culture system to propagate the virus, have left many gaps in our understanding of its structure and replication cycle. Recent advances in culturing selected strains of HEV and resolving the 3D structure of the viral capsid are filling in knowledge gaps, but HEV remains an extremely understudied pathogen. Many steps in the HEV life cycle and many aspects of HEV pathogenesis remain unknown, such as the host and viral factors that determine cross-species infection, the HEV-specific receptor(s) on host cells, what determines HEV chronicity and the ability to replicate in extrahepatic sites, and what regulates processing of the open reading frame 1 (ORF1) nonstructural polyprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott P Kenney
- Food Animal Health Research Program, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio 44691
| | - Xiang-Jin Meng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
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16
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Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging zoonotic disease posing a severe threat to public health in the world, especially to pregnant women. Currently, no specific treatments are available for HEV infection. Therefore, it is crucial to develop vaccine to prevent this infection. Although several potential candidate vaccines against HEV have been studied for their immunogenicity and efficacy, only Hecolin® which is developed by Xiamen Innovax Biotech Co., Ltd. and approved by China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) in 2012, is the licensed HEV vaccine in the world so far. Extensive studies on safety, immunogenicity and efficacy in phase III clinical trials have shown that Hecolin® is a promising vaccine for HEV prevention and control. In this article, the advances on HEV vaccine development and research are briefly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Cao
- a College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin , PR China.,b Changchun Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd. , Changchun , Jilin , PR China
| | - Zhenhong Bing
- c Changchun Institute of Biological Products , Changchun , Jilin , PR China
| | - Shiyu Guan
- c Changchun Institute of Biological Products , Changchun , Jilin , PR China
| | - Zecai Zhang
- a College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin , PR China.,d Key laboratory for Zoonosis , Ministry of Education, and Institute for Zoonosis of Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin , PR China
| | - Xinping Wang
- a College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin , PR China.,d Key laboratory for Zoonosis , Ministry of Education, and Institute for Zoonosis of Jilin University , Changchun , Jilin , PR China
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17
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Course of HEV viremia and anti-HEV IgM/IgG response in asymptomatic blood donors. J Clin Virol 2018; 105:26-30. [PMID: 29860111 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, an estimated 20 million Hepatitis E infections occur every year. The course of viremia and antibody response has been investigated in patients with symptomatic hepatitis E. However, the majority of HEV infections in industrialized countries take a subclinical course. OBJECTIVES To investigate the course of HEV viremia and epitope specific anti-HEV IgM/IgG response in asymptomatic blood donors in order to understand the immune response and viral clearance in asymptomatic blood donors with HEV infections. METHODS In this study 27 HEV viremic donors were identified by HEV-PCR during routine screening of blood donors and the course of anti-HEV IgM/IgG and HEV-RNA was retrospectively studied using RT-PCR and a commercial immunoblot (Mikrogen®) allowing classification of the antibody response according to HEV epitopes. RESULTS At time of donation, serological testing failed to identify viremic donors as 70.4% had no detectable antibody response. Anti-HEV IgM could be detected in 22.2% of viremic donors while anti-HEV IgG could be found in 7.4%. At least three donors experienced prolonged viremia beyond 100 days. Spontaneous HEV-RNA clearance within a median time span of 57 days was observed in all 27 donors. In all donors anti-HEV IgG specific for the immunogenic viral epitope O2C could be detected in close temporal association with viral clearance. CONCLUSION Serological testing is inappropriate for identifying HEV-viremic blood donors. Acute HEV infection in asymptomatic blood donors can persist for more than 100 days. HEV-RNA clearance coincided with the appearance of anti-HEV IgM/IgG confirming the importance of a B-cell mediated response in clearing acute infections. Anti-HEV IgM and IgG specific for the epitope O2C are associated with the clearance of HEV-viremia.
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18
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Zheng M, Jiang J, Zhang X, Wang N, Wang K, Li Q, Li T, Lin Q, Wang Y, Yu H, Gu Y, Zhang J, Li S, Xia N. Characterization of capsid protein (p495) of hepatitis E virus expressed in Escherichia coli and assembling into particles in vitro. Vaccine 2018; 36:2104-2111. [PMID: 29544686 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is associated with acute hepatitis disease. Numerous truncated HEV capsid proteins have been successfully expressed using different expression systems. Among these, p495, a protein truncated at its N- and C-termini by 111 and 54 amino acids (aa), respectively (HEV ORF2 aa 112-606) can self-assemble into T = 1 virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed by insect cells. A shorter p239 (aa 368-606) protein is a particulate antigen that we have previously used in our commercialized HEV vaccine, Hecolin. Here, we sought to express p495 in its soluble form (named Ep495) in E. coli and in baculovirus-infected Tn5 insect cells (named BTp495) as a back-to-back control. Characterization of p495 particles derived from these two expression systems showed similarities in particle size, morphology, and sedimentation coefficient. Antigenicity assays using a panel of anti-HEV monoclonal antibodies also showed similar strong reactivities for Ep495 and BTp495, as well as similar binding profiles that were congruent with p239. Mouse immunization results showed that Ep495 particles had comparable immunogenicity with that of BTp495 VLPs, as well as p239. Overall, our findings suggest that p495 particles produced in E. coli are ideal for the development of next-generation prophylactic vaccines against hepatitis E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghua Zheng
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Nan Wang
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Kaihang Wang
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Qiong Li
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Tingting Li
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Qingshan Lin
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yingbin Wang
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Hai Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Ying Gu
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Shaowei Li
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Ningshao Xia
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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Behloul N, Wei W, Baha S, Liu Z, Wen J, Meng J. Effects of mRNA secondary structure on the expression of HEV ORF2 proteins in Escherichia coli. Microb Cell Fact 2017; 16:200. [PMID: 29137642 PMCID: PMC5686824 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-017-0812-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Viral protein expression in Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a powerful tool for structural/functional studies as well as for vaccine and diagnostics development. However, numerous factors such as codon bias, mRNA secondary structure and nucleotides distribution, have been indentified to hamper this heterologous expression. Results In this study, we combined computational and biochemical methods to analyze the influence of these factors on the expression of different segments of hepatitis E virus (HEV) ORF 2 protein and hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). Three out of five HEV antigens were expressed while all three HBsAg fragments were not. The computational analysis revealed a significant difference in nucleotide distribution between expressed and non-expressed genes; and all these non-expressing constructs shared similar stable 5′-end mRNA secondary structures that affected the accessibility of both Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence and start codon AUG. By modifying the 5′-end of HEV and HBV non-expressed genes, there was a significant increase in the total free energy of the mRNA secondary structures that permitted the exposure of the SD sequence and the start codon, which in turn, led to the successful expression of these genes in E. coli. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the mRNA secondary structure near the start codon is the key limiting factor for an efficient expression of HEV ORF2 proteins in E. coli. It describes also a simple and effective strategy for the production of viral proteins of different lengths for immunogenicity/antigenicity comparative studies during vaccine and diagnostics development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12934-017-0812-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouredine Behloul
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 DingJiaQiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenjuan Wei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 DingJiaQiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sarra Baha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 DingJiaQiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenzhen Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 DingJiaQiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiyue Wen
- Department of Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jihong Meng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, 87 DingJiaQiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China.
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Zhang J, Zhao Q, Xia N. Prophylactic Hepatitis E Vaccine. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 948:223-246. [PMID: 27738988 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-0942-0_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E has been increasingly recognized as an underestimated global disease burden in recent years. Subpopulations with more serious infection-associated damage or death include pregnant women, patients with basic liver diseases, and elderly persons. Vaccine would be the most effective means for prevention of HEV infection. The lack of an efficient cell culture system for HEV makes the development of classic inactive or attenuated vaccine infeasible. Hence, the recombinant vaccine approaches are explored deeply. The neutralizing sites are located almost exclusively in the capsid protein, pORF2, of the virion. Based on pORF2, many vaccine candidates showed potential of protecting primate animals; two of them were tested in human and evidenced to be well tolerated in adults and highly efficacious in preventing hepatitis E. The world's first hepatitis E vaccine, Hecolin® (HEV 239 vaccine), was licensed in China and launched in 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Qinjian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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21
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Immunobiology and Host Response to HEV. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 948:113-141. [PMID: 27738982 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-0942-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute self-limiting hepatitis in most cases and chronic infection in rare circumstances. It is believed to be noncytopathic, so immunologically mediated events should play important roles in its pathogenesis and infection outcomes. The anti-HEV antibody response was clarified when the major antigenic determinants on the ORF2 polypeptide were determined, which are located in its C-terminal portion. This subregion also forms the conformational neutralization epitopes. Robust anti-HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG responses usually develop 3-4 weeks after infection in experimentally infected nonhuman primates. In humans, potent specific IgM and IgG responses occur in the very early phase of the disease and are critical in eliminating the virus, in concert with the innate and adaptive T-cell immune responses. They are also very valuable in the diagnosis of acute hepatitis E, when patients are tested for both anti-HEV IgM and IgG. The long-term persistence and protection of anti-HEV IgG provide the basis for estimating the prevalence of HEV infection and for the development of a hepatitis E vaccine. Although HEV has four genotypes, all the viral strains are considered to belong to a single serotype. It is becoming increasingly clear that the innate and adaptive T-cell immune responses play critical roles in the clearance of the virus. Potent and multispecific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses to the ORF2 protein occur in patients with acute hepatitis E, and weaker HEV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses appear to be associated with chronic hepatitis E in immunocompromised individuals.
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A phase 1 randomized open-label clinical study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a novel recombinant hepatitis E vaccine. Vaccine 2017; 35:5073-5080. [PMID: 28803715 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.05.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability for variable dosages of a novel hepatitis E vaccine p179. METHODS The randomized open-label parallel control phase 1 clinical trial enrolled 120 eligible participants aged 16-65years in Jiangsu Province, China. The experimental groups were randomized to receive different dosages of 20μg, 30μg, and 40μg Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) p179 vaccines, with the 30μgHEV vaccine p239 Hecolin as control, and vaccinated at 0, 1 and 6month intervals. Participants were observed for solicited local and systemic adverse reactions (ARs) occurring within 7days after each vaccination, and any serious adverse events (SAEs) occurring within 6months post-vaccination. Blood samples were collected from participants 3days before and after each injection, to determine the blood routine and serum biochemical indexes. RESULTS The solicited local ARs incidence in experimental groups were significantly lower than that of the control group (P=0.027). The difference between solicited total and systemic ARs incidence of experimental groups and the control group were not significant (P>0.05). Similar patterns were observed when the analyses were performed on the group having ARs of varying grades and symptoms. All changes in blood biochemical indexes and routine blood tests before and after different vaccinations were mild (grade 1) or moderate (grade 2), and the difference in experimental groups and the control group were not statistically significant. No vaccine related SAEs occurred in any of the subjects during the study. CONCLUSION Three different dosages of HEV p179 vaccine were deemed safe and well tolerated. No vaccine-associated SAEs were identified, and the 30μg dosage formulation was selected for further investigation for efficacy. Clinical trials registration number: 2012L01657.
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Pelosi E, Clarke I. Hepatitis E: a complex and global disease. EMERGING HEALTH THREATS JOURNAL 2017. [DOI: 10.3402/ehtj.v1i0.7069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E Pelosi
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Health Protection Agency, Southeast Regional Laboratory, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK; and
| | - I Clarke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Southampton Medical School, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
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Khuroo MS, Khuroo MS, Khuroo NS. Hepatitis E: Discovery, global impact, control and cure. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:7030-7045. [PMID: 27610014 PMCID: PMC4988308 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i31.7030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E was identified as an epidemic of non-A, non-B hepatitis from Kashmir, India in 1978. Hepatitis E virus (HEV), the etiological agent is the sole member of family Hepeviridae. The virus has marked heterogeneity and infects many animals like bats, camel, chicken, deer, boar, mongoose, pigs, rats, rabbit and cutthroat trout. Hepatitis E is a disease with a major global impact and has two distinct epidemiological patterns. Hepatitis E is an imperative health issue in developing nations, transmitted through sullied water and happens most every now in young adults. The disease is particularly severe during pregnancy and in people with underlying liver cirrhosis. Autochthonous hepatitis E is increasingly recognized in developed countries. The virus infects domestic pigs, wild boar and Sika deer in these countries. HEV infections in humans occur by eating the undercooked game flesh, raw liver from supermarkets and Figatelli sausages. Blood transfusion-associated HEV infections occur in many countries and screening of donors for HEV RNA is under consideration. Hepatitis E causes a number of extrahepatic diseases, including a wide spectrum of neurological syndromes. HEV genotype 3 causes prolonged viremia, chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in organ transplant patients. The virus is amenable to ribavirin monotherapy and most patients clear the virus in a few weeks. Hepatitis E vaccine -239, marketed in China, has shown high efficacy with sustained protection for over four years.
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van Tong H, Hoan NX, Wang B, Wedemeyer H, Bock CT, Velavan TP. Hepatitis E Virus Mutations: Functional and Clinical Relevance. EBioMedicine 2016; 11:31-42. [PMID: 27528267 PMCID: PMC5049923 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a major cause of acute hepatitis and affects more than 20 million individuals, with three million symptomatic cases and 56,000 recognized HEV-related deaths worldwide. HEV is endemic in developing countries and is gaining importance in developed countries, due to increased number of autochthone cases. Although HEV replication is controlled by the host immune system, viral factors (especially specific viral genotypes and mutants) can modulate HEV replication, infection and pathogenesis. Limited knowledge exists on the contribution of HEV genome variants towards pathogenesis, susceptibility and to therapeutic response. Nonsynonymous substitutions can modulate viral proteins structurally and thus dysregulate virus-host interactions. This review aims to compile knowledge and discuss recent advances on the casual role of HEV heterogeneity and its variants on viral morphogenesis, pathogenesis, clinical outcome and antiviral resistance. HEV causes acute hepatitis and recently comes into focus because of persistent infection in immunocompromised patients. HEV variability can be associated with clinical pathogenesis and transmission dynamics. Mutations in the HEV genome can influence HEV physiology and virus-host interaction. HEV mutations and variability are likely associated with fulminant hepatic failure and chronic hepatitis E. The Y1320H and G1634R/K mutations in the RdRp domain contribute to antiviral resistance through enhancing HEV replication.
We searched MEDLINE database and PubMed for articles from 1980 through June 30, 2016. Search terms used in various combinations were “hepatitis E”, “hepatitis E virus”, “hepatitis E virus infection”, “hepatitis E virus mutation”, “HEV variability”, “HEV genotype”, “HEV drug resistance”, “HEV replication” and “ribavirin”. Articles resulting from these searches and relevant references cited in those articles were selected based on their related topics and were reviewed. Abstracts and reports from meetings were also included. Articles published in English were included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang van Tong
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Nghiem Xuan Hoan
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - C-Thomas Bock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
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Huang H, Xu C, Zhou X, Liu L, Dai Y, Xu B, Yang J, Chen T, Hu Y, Zhou YH. Incidence and seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in pregnant women infected with hepatitis B virus and antibody placental transfer in infants. J Clin Virol 2016; 82:84-88. [PMID: 27467017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E has poor outcomes in pregnant women. Superinfection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) may worsen liver disease. OBJECTIVES To estimate the incidence and seroprevalence of HEV infection among HBV-infected pregnant women, to investigate the transplacental transfer of maternal anti-HEV IgG, and to compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes in anti-HEV positive and negative pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN Totally 391 HBV-infected pregnant women were recruited from April 2012 to October 2014. Paired mothers and infants were followed up at an average 9.8 months postpartum. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM were tested by ELISA. RESULTS Of the pregnant women, none was anti-HEV IgM positive and 42 (10.7%) were IgG positive. At the follow-up, 3 seronegative women converted to anti-HEV IgG positive, with an estimated incidence of 17 per 1000 person-years. No significant differences of gestational age, preterm birth rate, Apgar score and birthweight were observed between newborns of anti-HEV IgG positive and negative mothers. Of the 42 neonates born to anti-HEV IgG positive mothers, 38 (90.5%) had anti-HEV IgG in their cord blood. The neonatal and maternal anti-HEV IgG levels were positively correlated (r=0.827, p<0.05). All infants were negative for both anti-HEV IgM and IgG at the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS HBV-infected pregnant women rarely have novel HEV infection during late pregnancy in Jiangsu, China. Maternal anti-HEV IgG efficiently transfers into the fetuses, and disappears in infants before 10 months old.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Huang
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Chenyu Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhenjiang Fourth People's Hospital, Zhenjiang 212000, China.
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Lanhua Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taixing People's Hospital, Taizhou 225400, China.
| | - Yimin Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Biao Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taixing People's Hospital, Taizhou 225400, China.
| | - Jishi Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taixing People's Hospital, Taizhou 225400, China.
| | - Tingmei Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhenjiang Fourth People's Hospital, Zhenjiang 212000, China.
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Yi-Hua Zhou
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.
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Zhang X, Xin L, Li S, Fang M, Zhang J, Xia N, Zhao Q. Lessons learned from successful human vaccines: Delineating key epitopes by dissecting the capsid proteins. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 11:1277-92. [PMID: 25751641 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1016675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant VLP-based vaccines have been successfully used against 3 diseases caused by viral infections: Hepatitis B, cervical cancer and hepatitis E. The VLP approach is attracting increasing attention in vaccine design and development for human and veterinary use. This review summarizes the clinically relevant epitopes on the VLP antigens in successful human vaccines. These virion-like epitopes, which can be delineated with molecular biology, cryo-electron microscopy and x-ray crystallographic methods, are the prerequisites for these efficacious vaccines to elicit functional antibodies. The critical epitopes and key factors influencing these epitopes are discussed for the HEV, HPV and HBV vaccines. A pentamer (for HPV) or a dimer (for HEV and HBV), rather than a monomer, is the basic building block harboring critical epitopes for the assembly of VLP antigen. The processing and formulation of VLP-based vaccines need to be developed to promote the formation and stabilization of these epitopes in the recombinant antigens. Delineating the critical epitopes is essential for antigen design in the early phase of vaccine development and for critical quality attribute analysis in the commercial phase of vaccine manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- a State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics; National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases; Xiamen University ; Xiamen , Fujian , PR China
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Farshadpour F, Makvandi M, Taherkhani R. Design, Construction and Cloning of Truncated ORF2 and tPAsp-PADRE-Truncated ORF2 Gene Cassette From Hepatitis E Virus in the pVAX1 Expression Vector. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2015; 8:e26035. [PMID: 26865938 PMCID: PMC4744464 DOI: 10.5812/jjm.26035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is the causative agent of enterically transmitted acute hepatitis and has high mortality rate of up to 30% among pregnant women. Therefore, development of a novel vaccine is a desirable goal. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to construct tPAsp-PADRE-truncated open reading frame 2 (ORF2) and truncated ORF2 DNA plasmid, which can assist future studies with the preparation of an effective vaccine against Hepatitis E Virus. MATERIALS AND METHODS A synthetic codon-optimized gene cassette encoding tPAsp-PADRE-truncated ORF2 protein was designed, constructed and analyzed by some bioinformatics software. Furthermore, a codon-optimized truncated ORF2 gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with a specific primer from the previous construct. The constructs were sub-cloned in the pVAX1 expression vector and finally expressed in eukaryotic cells. RESULTS Sequence analysis and bioinformatics studies of the codon-optimized gene cassette revealed that codon adaptation index (CAI), GC content, and frequency of optimal codon usage (Fop) value were improved, and performance of the secretory signal was confirmed. Cloning and sub-cloning of the tPAsp-PADRE-truncated ORF2 gene cassette and truncated ORF2 gene were confirmed by colony PCR, restriction enzymes digestion and DNA sequencing of the recombinant plasmids pVAX-tPAsp-PADRE-truncated ORF2 (aa 112-660) and pVAX-truncated ORF2 (aa 112-660). The expression of truncated ORF2 protein in eukaryotic cells was approved by an Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrated that the tPAsp-PADRE-truncated ORF2 gene cassette and the truncated ORF2 gene in recombinant plasmids are successfully expressed in eukaryotic cells. The immunogenicity of the two recombinant plasmids with different formulations will be evaluated as a novel DNA vaccine in future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Farshadpour
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, IR Iran
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Manoochehr Makvandi
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Reza Taherkhani
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, IR Iran
- Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, IR Iran
- Corresponding author: Reza Taherkhani, Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Moallem St., Bushehr, IR Iran. Tel: +98-9171712653, Fax: +98-77125220814, E-mail:
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Gu G, Huang H, Zhang L, Bi Y, Hu Y, Zhou YH. Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence in pregnant women in Jiangsu, China, and postpartum evolution during six years. BMC Infect Dis 2015; 15:560. [PMID: 26653888 PMCID: PMC4675061 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1308-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background China is an endemic area for hepatitis E virus (HEV). The previous surveys of anti-HEV seroprevalence are cross-sectional. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of infection among pregnant women and their children in Jiangsu, China, and to observe postpartum anti-HEV evolution. Methods Sera from 497 women collected during pregnancy and 6-year postpartum and from their 497 children were screened for anti-HEV by ELISA and confirmed by Western blotting. HEV RNA was detected by reverse transcription-nested PCR. Results Of the pregnant women, 3 (0.6 %) were anti-HEV IgM positive and 55 (11.1 %) were IgG positive. At 6-year postpartum, 18 anti-HEV IgG positive samples became negative and 18 others became IgG positive; the accumulated prevalence in this cohort of women was at least 14.7 % (73/497). Of the 497 children, the positive rates of anti-HEV IgM and IgG were 0.2 % and 0.4 %, respectively. None of the 18 children from mothers with anti-HEV IgG seroconversion was anti-HEV IgG positive. Conclusions Our data indicate that the constant seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG in adults may be resulted from the balance of negative seroconversion due to waning immunity and positive seroconversion due to novel infections, and the risk of intra-family transmission of HEV was low. The data also imply that cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey may underestimate the prevalence of HEV infection, due to the natural decay of pathogen-specific IgG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Gu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Hongyu Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Le Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Yongchun Bi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Yali Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Yi-Hua Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
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Joshi SS, Arankalle VA. Enhanced humoral response in pregnant mice immunized with liposome encapsulated recombinant neutralizing epitope protein of Hepatitis- E virus. Virol J 2015; 12:70. [PMID: 25935713 PMCID: PMC4455616 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-015-0302-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women from developing countries are at high-risk of hepatitis E-associated high mortality and constitute priority population for vaccination. So far, candidate vaccines have not been evaluated during pregnancy. We evaluated our vaccine candidate, recombinant Neutralizing Epitope protein (rNEp) encapsulated in liposomes, in pregnant mice. METHODS A single dose (10 μg) of the formulation was administered intramuscularly on day 7 of pregnancy. Titres of serum IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus (IgG-anti-HEV), levels of cytokines and biochemical parameters were determined. Spleens were harvested from pregnant and non-pregnant mice for immunophenotyping (flow cytometry), cytokines (cytometric bead array, CBA) and gene expression of immune response genes (Taqman low density array, TLDA). Histopathology studies of spleen, liver, kidneys, brain and muscle was carried out. RESULTS The vaccine was well-tolerated during pregnancy as evidenced by histopathology and serum biochemical parameters. Anti-HEV titres were significantly higher in the pregnant balb/c and C57BL/6 mice (3592 ± 802 and 1016 ± 138 respectively, than in non-pregnant groups (634 ± 191 and 320 ± 55 respectively, p < 0.001 for both) suggesting that the higher antibody response in pregnant mice was independent of the genetic makeup of the host but immunogen-driven. Pups receiving vertically transferred antibodies developed lower anti-HEV antibodies (p < 0.05) when immunized with the formulation after seronegativity than in the age-matched mice without such antibodies. In non-pregnant mice, a Th1 response and discordance between splenic and serum cytokines was evident while in pregnancy, a Th2 bias was observed irrespective of immunization. Increased CD19 levels correlated with higher anti-HEV titres in pregnant mice. CONCLUSION The single dose of the vaccine was safe and highly immunogenic in pregnant mice. Degree and type of immune response to vaccination during pregnancy is immunogen-driven. In-depth studies are needed to understand the underlying immunologic mechanism(s). These encouraging results for a vaccine intended for use in pregnant women should be confirmed in higher animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vidya Avinash Arankalle
- ICMR consultant, National Institute of Virology, 130/1, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune, 411021, India.
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Farshadpour F, Taherkhani R, Makvandi M, Rajabi Memari H, Samarbafzadeh AR. Codon-Optimized Expression and Purification of Truncated ORF2 Protein of Hepatitis E Virus in Escherichia coli. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2014; 7:e11261. [PMID: 25368796 PMCID: PMC4216576 DOI: 10.5812/jjm.11261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a causative agent of acute hepatitis among people of different age groups and has high mortality rate of up to 30% among pregnant women. Therefore, primary prevention of HEV infection is essential. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to obtain the highly purified truncated open reading frames 2 (ORF2) protein, which might be a future HEV vaccine candidate. MATERIALS AND METHODS The truncated orf2 gene (orf2.1), encoding the 112-660 amino acid of HEV capsid protein sequence, was optimized, synthesized, and cloned into pBluescript II SK(+) vector. After subcloning into expression vector pET-30a (+), a 193-nucleotide fragment was deleted from the construct and the recombinant plasmid pET-30a-ORF2.2 (orf2.2 encodes 112-608 amino acid sequence of HEV capsid protein) was constructed and used for transformation of Escherichia coli BL21 cells. After induction with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and optimizing the conditions of expression, the target protein was highly expressed and purified by Ni(2+)-chelate affinity chromatography. The expressed and purified protein was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting. RESULTS The subcloning was confirmed by PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, and DNA sequencing of recombinant plasmid pET30a-ORF2.2. The results obtained from optimizing the expression conditions showed that the highest expression of the protein was obtained by adding IPTG at a final concentration of 1 mM at 37℃ for four hours. The expression and purification of truncated ORF2 protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. SDS-PAGE analysis showed a protein band of about 55 kDa. SDS-PAGE of the purified protein revealed that the highest amount of target protein in elution buffer at the pH of 4.5 was obtained. The yield of the purified protein was about 1 mg/L of culture media. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the optimized truncated ORF2 protein was expressed in E. coli successfully and the highly purified protein was obtained, which can be a potential vaccine candidate and as an antigen in ELISA to diagnose HEV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Farshadpour
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Reza Taherkhani
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Manoochehr Makvandi
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
- Corresponding author: Manoochehr Makvandi, Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran; Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran. Tel: +98-9166181683, Fax: +98-6113738313, E-mail:
| | - Hamid Rajabi Memari
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahvaz Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, IR Iran
| | - Ali Reza Samarbafzadeh
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran
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Song YJ, Park WJ, Lee SK, Lee JB, Park SY, Song CS, Lee SW, Seo KH, Kang YS, Song JY, Choi IS. Induction of antibody and interferon-γ production in mice immunized with virus-like particles of swine hepatitis E virus. J Vet Sci 2014; 15:575-8. [PMID: 24690608 PMCID: PMC4269602 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2014.15.4.575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) composed of the truncated capsid protein of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) were developed and immune responses of mice immunized with the VLPs were evaluated. IgG titers specific for the capsid protein of swine HEV were significantly higher for all groups of mice immunized with the VLPs than those of the negative control mice. Splenocytes from mice immunized with the VLPs also produced significantly greater quantities of interferon (IFN)-γ than interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. These newly developed swine HEV VLPs have the capacity to induce antigen-specific antibody and IFN-γ production in immunized mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jo Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
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Taherkhani R, Makvandi M, Farshadpour F. Development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using 2 truncated ORF2 proteins for detection of IgG antibodies against hepatitis E virus. Ann Lab Med 2014; 34:118-26. [PMID: 24624347 PMCID: PMC3948824 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2014.34.2.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Without appropriate culture systems for hepatitis E virus (HEV), sufficient natural viral proteins are difficult to generate for use in serological tests. Therefore, it is important to produce large amounts of HEV recombinant proteins in an economical way. The present study developed ELISAs using 2 truncated forms of the HEV open reading frame (ORF) 2 protein in order to detect anti-HEV IgG in serum samples. METHODS Two truncated forms of the ORF2 protein were expressed in Escherichia coli and were purified by Ni(2+)-chelate-affinity chromatography (Qiagen, Germany). Two ELISAs were developed using these proteins and were compared with DIA.PRO HEV IgG ELISA kit (DIA.PRO. Italy) in 220 serum samples. RESULTS High yields of the target proteins were obtained through codon optimization. The concentration and purity of the proteins were improved with Amicon filters (EMD Millipore, USA). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting analysis of the resultant proteins showed a protein band of approximately 60 kDa corresponding to ORF2.1 (amino acids 112-660) and a protein band of approximately 55 kDa corresponding to ORF2.2 (amino acids 112-607). Positive agreement, negative agreement, and concordance of the 2 in-house ELISAs compared with DIA.PRO HEV IgG ELISA kit were 87%, 99.5%, and 98.1%, respectively (kappa=0.899, P=0.625). CONCLUSIONS The newly developed ELISAs are useful for detecting anti-HEV IgG in serum samples and are highly concordant with DIA.PRO HEV IgG ELISA kit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Taherkhani
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Scien, Ahvaz, Iran. ; Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Manoochehr Makvandi
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Scien, Ahvaz, Iran. ; Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Farshadpour
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Scien, Ahvaz, Iran. ; Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Taherkhani R, Makvandi M, Farshadpour F. Development of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays Using 2 Truncated ORF2 Proteins for Detection of IgG Antibodies Against Hepatitis E Virus. Ann Lab Med 2014. [DOI: 10.3343/alm.2014.34.2.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Taherkhani
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Scien, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Manoochehr Makvandi
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Scien, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Farshadpour
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Scien, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Dreier J, Juhl D. Autochthonous hepatitis e virus infections: a new transfusion-associated risk? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 41:29-39. [PMID: 24659945 DOI: 10.1159/000357098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been recognized since 2004 as a transfusion-transmissible infectious agent, and recent epidemiological data suggest that it may pose a safety threat to the blood supply. It has recently become obvious that hepatitis E is endemic in industrialized countries, and that more infections are autochthonous than travel-associated. Epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis suggests that HEV infection has to be considered as a zoonosis and that viral transmission from animals (pigs, wild animals) occurs through food or direct contact. The seroprevalence and incidence of HEV in the general population and blood donors in European countries indicate an underestimated risk for transfusion transmissions. Recently reported cases of transfusion transmission of HEV infection, and detection of viremic, asymptomatic blood donors in nucleic acid amplification technique screening programs give an indication of the importance of this virus. Diagnostic assays for detection of anti-HEV antibodies, HEV antigens and RNA are discussed. Recent studies support the idea that active immunization can prevent hepatitis E, highlighting the need for vaccination programs. Here we review current knowledge of HEV and its epidemiology, blood transmission and prevention of this disease with emphasis on blood supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Dreier
- Institute for Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - David Juhl
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
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Bing-shui X, Xiao-yan F, Jing H, Kun C, Jing L, Zhen-hua D, Xi-Qin Y, Guo-hua W, You-chun W, He-qiu Z, Xiao-guo S, Cui-xia Z. Use of immuno-dominant epitope derived from genotype 4 as a diagnostic reagent for detecting the antibodies against Hepatitis E Virus. Virol J 2013; 10:131. [PMID: 23618011 PMCID: PMC3655869 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-10-131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Despite the genotype 4 has become the dominant cause of hepatitis E disease in China, none antigen derived from genotype 4 of hepatitis E virus (HEV) was used in current commercial anti-HEV immunoassay, and the serological reactivity of antigen derive from genotype 4 is not well-charactered.
Methods
We expressed and purified the 4 main immuno-dominant epitopes derived from genotype 1 and 4 including ORF2 (410-621aa) of genotype 4, ORF3 (47-114aa) of genotype 4, ORF2 (396-606aa) of genotype 1 and ORF3 (56-123aa) of genotype 4.
Results
The ORF2 of genotype 4 displayed good diagnostics performance according to ROC analysis using in-house panel, and the immunoassays based the ORF2 of genotype 4 was then developed to detect the anti-HEV IgG antibodies and evaluated further in 530 anti-HEV IgG positive specimens and 380 negative specimens. The sensitivity and the specificity is 98.1% (520/530) and 94.7% (360/380) for immunoassay based on ORF2 of genotype 4, 96.6% (512/530) and 92.6% (352/380) for commercial immunoassay based on genotype 1. It is noted that all of the positive samples will be detected by combing two assays together. The anti-HEV immunoassays based on genotype 4 are in accordance with Chinese anti-HEV national standard,and show an good agreement of 95.8% with commercial assay (kappa=0.913, P=0.014).
Conclusions
The immunoassay based on ORF2G4 displays good performance, and combining assay based on genotype 1 together with genotype 4 will benefit the HEV diagnosis in large scale samples.
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Baechlein C, Meemken D, Pezzoni G, Engemann C, Grummer B. Expression of a truncated hepatitis E virus capsid protein in the protozoan organism Leishmania tarentolae and its application in a serological assay. J Virol Methods 2013; 193:238-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2013.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Jariyapong P, Xing L, van Houten NE, Li TC, Weerachatyanukul W, Hsieh B, Moscoso CG, Chen CC, Niikura M, Cheng RH. Chimeric hepatitis E virus-like particle as a carrier for oral-delivery. Vaccine 2012; 31:417-24. [PMID: 23107594 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.10.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Oral delivery with virus-like particles (VLPs) is advantageous because of the inherited entry pathway from their parental viral capsids, which enables VLP to withstand the harsh and enzymatic environment associated with human digestive tract. However, the repeat use of this system is challenged by the self-immunity. In order to overcome this problem, we engineered the recombinant capsid protein of hepatitis E virus by inserting p18 peptide, derived from the V3 loop of HIV-1 gp120, into the antibody-binding site. The chimeric VLP resembled the tertiary and quaternary structures of the wild type VLP and specifically reacted with an HIV-1 antibody against V3 loop. Different from the wild type VLP, the chimeric VLP was vulnerable to trypsin cleavage although it appeared as intact particle, suggesting that the intermolecular forces of attraction between the recombinant capsid proteins are strong enough to maintain the VLP icosahedral arrangement. Importantly, this VLP containing the V3 loop did not react with anti-HEV antibodies, in correspondence to the mutation at its antibody-binding site. Therefore, the insertion of peptides at the surface antigenic site could allow VLPs to escape pre-existing anti-HEV humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pitchanee Jariyapong
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
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Assessment of the cross-protective capability of recombinant capsid proteins derived from pig, rat, and avian hepatitis E viruses (HEV) against challenge with a genotype 3 HEV in pigs. Vaccine 2012; 30:6249-55. [PMID: 22906724 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Revised: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), the causative agent of hepatitis E, is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route through contaminated water supplies, although many sporadic cases of hepatitis E are transmitted zoonotically via direct contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated animal meats. Genotypes 3 and 4 HEV are zoonotic and infect humans and other animal species, whereas genotypes 1 and 2 HEV are restricted to humans. There exists a single serotype of HEV, although the cross-protective ability among the animal HEV strains is unknown. Thus, in this study we expressed and characterized N-terminal truncated ORF2 capsid antigens derived from swine, rat, and avian HEV strains and evaluated their cross-protective ability in a pig challenge model. Thirty, specific-pathogen-free, pigs were divided into 5 groups of 6 pigs each, and each group of pigs were vaccinated with 200 μg of swine HEV, rat HEV, or avian HEV ORF2 antigen or PBS buffer (2 groups) as positive and negative control groups. After a booster dose immunization at 2 weeks post-vaccination, the vaccinated animals all seroconverted to IgG anti-HEV. At 4 weeks post-vaccination, the animals were intravenously challenged with a genotype 3 mammalian HEV, and necropsied at 4 weeks post-challenge. Viremia, fecal virus shedding, and liver histological lesions were compared to assess the protective and cross-protective abilities of these antigens against HEV challenge in pigs. The results indicated that pigs vaccinated with truncated recombinant capsid antigens derived from three animal strains of HEV induced a strong IgG anti-HEV response in vaccinated pigs, but these antigens confer only partial cross-protection against a genotype 3 mammalian HEV. The results have important implications for the efficacy of current vaccines and for future vaccine development, especially against the novel zoonotic animal strains of HEV.
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40
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Wedemeyer H, Pischke S, Manns MP. Pathogenesis and treatment of hepatitis e virus infection. Gastroenterology 2012; 142:1388-1397.e1. [PMID: 22537448 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2012] [Revised: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E has been considered to be a travel-associated, acute, self-limiting liver disease that causes fulminant hepatic failure in specific high-risk groups only. However, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can also be acquired in industrialized countries-HEV genotype 3 infection is a zoonosis, with pigs and rodents serving as animal reservoirs. In recent years, cases of chronic HEV infection that were associated with progressive liver disease have been described in several cohorts of immunocompromised individuals, including recipients of organ transplants. The topic of hepatitis E is therefore re-emerging and has raised the following important questions: what is the risk for HEV infection in Western countries (eg, from eating uncooked meat)? How frequently does chronic hepatitis E develop among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients and recipients of organ transplants? What are the treatment options? What is the current status of vaccine development? What do we know about the pathogenesis of HEV infection, and why does it have a more severe course in pregnant women? This review summarizes the current knowledge on the pathogenesis and treatment of HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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41
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Zhang H, Mohn U, Prickett JR, Schalk S, Motz M, Halbur PG, Feagins AR, Meng XJ, Opriessnig T. Differences in capabilities of different enzyme immunoassays to detect anti-hepatitis E virus immunoglobulin G in pigs infected experimentally with hepatitis E virus genotype 3 or 4 and in pigs with unknown exposure. J Virol Methods 2011; 175:156-62. [PMID: 21596064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 04/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major cause of acute viral hepatitis in humans in many developing countries, is highly prevalent in the pig population worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the capability of three porcine prototypes of a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), an in-house ELISA and a line-immunoassay (LIA) to detect anti-HEV antibodies in pigs infected experimentally with HEV (n = 57), known to be negative for HEV infection (n = 27), or with unknown exposure to HEV infection (field samples, n = 90). All 27 samples from non-infected pigs were negative with all five assays. The earliest detection of anti-HEV antibodies occurred at 14 days post-inoculation (dpi) with four of five assays. From 42 dpi, all samples from infected pigs were detected correctly as anti-HEV positive. Kappa analysis demonstrated substantial agreement among tests (0.62-1.00) at 14 dpi and complete agreement (1.00) at 56 dpi. The overall area under the curve for all quantitative tests as determined by receiver operator characteristic analysis ranged from 0.794 to 0.831 indicating moderate accuracy. The results showed that all five assays can detect anti-HEV IgG antibodies accurately in pigs infected experimentally with HEV. In field samples, a higher prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was found in breeding herds than in growing pigs (100% versus 66.7-93.9%). These serological assays should be very useful in veterinary diagnostic labs for HEV diagnosis in swine.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA
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Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a human pathogen that causes acute hepatitis. When an HEV capsid protein containing a 52-amino-acid deletion at the C terminus and a 111-amino-acid deletion at the N terminus is expressed in insect cells, the recombinant HEV capsid protein can self-assemble into a T=1 virus-like particle (VLP) that retains the antigenicity of the native HEV virion. In this study, we used cryoelectron microscopy and image reconstruction to show that anti-HEV monoclonal antibodies bind to the protruding domain of the capsid protein at the lateral side of the spikes. Molecular docking of the HEV VLP crystal structure revealed that Fab224 covered three surface loops of the recombinant truncated second open reading frame (ORF2) protein (PORF2) at the top part of the spike. We also determined the structure of a chimeric HEV VLP and located the inserted B-cell tag, an epitope of 11 amino acids coupled to the C-terminal end of the recombinant ORF2 protein. The binding site of Fab224 appeared to be distinct from the location of the inserted B-cell tag, suggesting that the chimeric VLP could elicit immunity against both HEV and an inserted foreign epitope. Therefore, the T=1 HEV VLP is a novel delivery system for displaying foreign epitopes at the VLP surface in order to induce antibodies against both HEV and the inserted epitope.
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Yang S, Wang C, Fang X, Zhai L, Dong C, Ding L, Meng J, Wang L. Fusion of C3d molecule with neutralization epitope(s) of hepatitis E virus enhances antibody avidity maturation and neutralizing activity following DNA immunization. Virus Res 2010; 151:162-9. [PMID: 20451569 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2010.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2009] [Revised: 04/27/2010] [Accepted: 04/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have identified that a hepatits E virus peptide (HEV-p179), spanning amino acids (aa) 439-617 in the 660-aa protein encoded by open reading frame 2(ORF2) of the Chinese epidemic strain (genotype 4), is the minimal size fragment of conformation-dependent neutralization epitope(s). We report here the successful immunization of mice with DNA vaccines expressing the secreted form of HEV-p179 (fused with a human tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) signal sequence) and the tPA-p179-C3d fusion protein (fused with three tandem copies of the murine complement C3d). Analysis of antibody responses in vaccinated mice revealed that immunizations with tPA-p179-C3d3 DNA vaccine dramatically increased both the level and avidity maturation of antibodies against HEV-p179 compared to p179 and tPA-p179 DNA vaccines. In addition, this increased antibody response correlated with neutralizing titers in a PCR-based cell culture neutralization assay. These results indicate that vaccination with C3d conjugated p179 DNA vaccine enhances antibody responses to HEV, and this approach may be applied to overcome the poor immunogenicity of DNA vaccines to generate HEV neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shucai Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Rd., Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China.
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Application of truncated immunodominant polypeptide from hepatitis E virus (HEV) ORF2 in an assay to exclude nonspecific binding in detecting anti-HEV immunoglobulin M. J Clin Microbiol 2009; 48:779-84. [PMID: 20042615 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01671-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of recent hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection depends on serologic testing for anti-HEV IgM; however, false-positive results may occur. In the present study, we cloned the ORF2 fragment of genotype 4 HEV and demonstrated that a subregion covering amino acids 459 to 607 in ORF2 forms the immunodominant B-cell epitopes, as it does in genotype 1 viruses. Truncation of several residues from either the N or C terminus of the polypeptide abolished the reactivity of anti-HEV from naturally infected persons. By the combination of high reactivity of the immunodominant polypeptide and poor reactivity of the truncated polypeptide, we established an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect anti-HEV IgM. In this assay, all 37 sera that were HEV RNA positive reacted with the immunodominant polypeptide but not with the truncated one, and none of 159 sera from healthy persons reacted with either of the polypeptides. In retesting of 117 sera that originally tested positive for anti-HEV IgM, using a Genelabs kit, only 34 were positive and 83 were negative. Western blot analyses and other experiments strongly indicated that these 83 discordant sera were negative for anti-HEV IgM. Furthermore, among the 117 sera, 5 reacted with both the immunodominant and truncated polypeptides, with comparable optical densities at 450 nm. However, their reactivity was demonstrated to result from nonspecific binding. Together, the data indicate that the poor reactivity of a truncated ORF2 polypeptide can be used to exclude nonspecific binding in the detection of anti-HEV IgM.
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45
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Arankalle VA, Lole KS, Deshmukh TM, Srivastava S, Shaligram US. Challenge studies in Rhesus monkeys immunized with candidate hepatitis E vaccines: DNA, DNA-prime-protein-boost and DNA-protein encapsulated in liposomes. Vaccine 2008; 27:1032-9. [PMID: 19095027 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.11.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2008] [Revised: 11/19/2008] [Accepted: 11/28/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Complete ORF2 gene (1983bp) of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and the 450bp region within ORF2 containing neutralizing epitope (NE) cloned in pVAX1 and corresponding proteins expressed in baculovirus and prokaryotic systems respectively were evaluated as vaccine candidates. Two doses of liposome encapsulated DNA plus corresponding protein with both ORF2 and NE regions (Lipo-ORF2-DP and Lipo-NE-DP) showed 100% seroconversion and comparable anti-HEV titres in Swiss albino mice. These vaccine candidates were further evaluated as DNA, DNA-prime-protein-boost (DPPB) and liposome formulations in Rhesus monkeys. Monkeys receiving ORF2/NE DNA seroconverted after fourth dose while those immunized employing ORF2-DPPB format seroconverted at 7 weeks post third dose. In view of the delayed weak antibody response, these monkeys were not challenged. Though Lipo-ORF2-DP was immunogenic, 2 of the 4 monkeys developed HEV infection following homologous virus challenge of 100 Monkey Infectious Dose(50). Both monkeys immunized with Lipo-NE-DP and 1 of the 2 monkeys immunized with NE-DPPB showed complete protection, the second monkey being protected from hepatitis with limited viral replication. Irrespective of the type of immunogen, all challenged monkeys were protected from hepatitis. The results document Lipo-NE-DP to be a promising vaccine candidate needing further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidya A Arankalle
- Hepatitis Division, National Institute of Virology, Microbial Containment Complex, Sus Road, Pashan, India.
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46
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Pelosi E, Clarke I. Hepatitis E: a complex and global disease. EMERGING HEALTH THREATS JOURNAL 2008; 1:e8. [PMID: 22460217 PMCID: PMC3167588 DOI: 10.3134/ehtj.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2007] [Revised: 03/12/2008] [Accepted: 04/10/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thirty years after its discovery, the hepatitis E virus (HEV) continues to represent a major public health problem in developing countries. In developed countries, it has emerged as a significant cause of non-travel-associated acute hepatitis. HEV infects a wide range of mammalian species and a key reservoir worldwide appears to be swine. Genomic sequence similarity between some human HEV genotypes and swine HEV strains has been identified and we know that humans can acquire HEV infection from animals. Although for the most part the clinical course of HEV infection is asymptomatic or mild, significant risk of serious disease exists in pregnant women and those with chronic liver disease. In addition, there are data on the threat of chronic infections in immunocompromised patients. Beyond management of exposure by public health measures, recent data support that active immunisation can prevent hepatitis E, highlighting the need for vaccination programmes. Here we review the current knowledge on HEV, its epidemiology, and the management and prevention of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pelosi
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Health Protection Agency, Southeast Regional Laboratory, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
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Takahashi M, Yamada K, Hoshino Y, Takahashi H, Ichiyama K, Tanaka T, Okamoto H. Monoclonal antibodies raised against the ORF3 protein of hepatitis E virus (HEV) can capture HEV particles in culture supernatant and serum but not those in feces. Arch Virol 2008; 153:1703-13. [PMID: 18679765 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-008-0179-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2008] [Accepted: 07/23/2008] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ten murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the well-conserved, C-terminal 24-amino acid portion of ORF3 protein of hepatitis E virus (HEV) were produced and characterized. Immunofluorescent assays using the anti-ORF3 MAbs revealed accumulation of ORF3 protein in the cytoplasm of PLC/PRF/5 cells transfected with ORF3-expressing plasmid or inoculated with cell-culture-generated HEV. The anti-ORF3 MAbs could capture HEV particles in culture medium and serum at variable efficiency of up to 61 and 49%, respectively, but not those in feces. By sandwiching between immobilized and enzyme-labeled anti-ORF3 MAbs in ELISA, ORF3 antigen was detected in the culture media with an HEV RNA titer of >10(6) copies/ml and increased in parallel with the increase in HEV load. HEV progenies in the culture supernatant, with ORF3 protein on the surface, banded at a low buoyant density of 1.15 g/cm(3) in sucrose. A representative anti-ORF3 MAb (TA0536) could partially neutralize the infection of cell-culture-generated HEV in a cell culture system. These results indicate that ORF3 protein, at least its C-terminal portion, is present on the surface of HEV virions released from infected cells and support a previously proposed assumption that ORF3 protein is associated with virus release from infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi-Ken 329-0498, Japan
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48
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Purcell RH, Emerson SU. Hepatitis E vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4160-3611-1.50052-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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49
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Mutations within potential glycosylation sites in the capsid protein of hepatitis E virus prevent the formation of infectious virus particles. J Virol 2007; 82:1185-94. [PMID: 18032496 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01219-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus is a nonenveloped RNA virus. However, the single capsid protein resembles a typical glycoprotein in that it contains a signal sequence and potential glycosylation sites that are utilized when recombinant capsid protein is overexpressed in cell culture. In order to determine whether these unexpected observations were biologically relevant or were artifacts of overexpression, we analyzed capsid protein produced during a normal viral replication cycle. In vitro transcripts from an infectious cDNA clone mutated to eliminate potential glycosylation sites were transfected into cultured Huh-7 cells and into the livers of rhesus macaques. The mutations did not detectably affect genome replication or capsid protein synthesis in cell culture. However, none of the mutants infected rhesus macaques. Velocity sedimentation analyses of transfected cell lysates revealed that mutation of the first two glycosylation sites prevented virion assembly, whereas mutation of the third site permitted particle formation and RNA encapsidation, but the particles were not infectious. However, conservative mutations that did not destroy glycosylation motifs also prevented infection. Overall, the data suggested that the mutations were lethal because they perturbed protein structure rather than because they eliminated glycosylation.
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50
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Deshmukh TM, Lole KS, Tripathy AS, Arankalle VA. Immunogenicity of candidate hepatitis E virus DNA vaccine expressing complete and truncated ORF2 in mice. Vaccine 2007; 25:4350-60. [PMID: 17459540 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2006] [Revised: 03/16/2007] [Accepted: 03/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of enterically transmitted acute hepatitis of adults in developing nations. Our present studies show that, the complete ORF2 gene (1-660 amino acids, a.a.) coding for capsid protein of HEV as candidate DNA vaccine induced significant specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. Gene gun based DNA administration led to higher seroconversion rates and HEV-specific antibody titers as against needle-injection method. The region (458-607a.a.) within ORF2 protein is reported to harbour the predominant neutralization epitope/s (NE) of HEV. The NE DNA also induced HEV-specific immune responses in mice. NE-based DNA-prime-protein boost approach was observed to be superior to NE DNA based approach. Co-administration of plasmid expressing mouse granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induced immune response at similar level as that with ORF2/NE plasmid alone. IgG1 was the predominant isotype irrespective of the approach used. HEV-specific antibodies in seroconverted mice sera could bind/neutralize HEV in an in vitro ELISA-based assay. In conclusion, efficacy of ORF2 and NE based DNA/DNA-prime-protein-boost approaches are worth exploring in monkey model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejaswini M Deshmukh
- Hepatitis Division, National Institute of Virology, Microbiological Containment Complex, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune 411021, India
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