1
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Castro V, Calvo G, Oliveros JC, Pérez-Del-Pulgar S, Gastaminza P. Hepatitis C virus-induced differential transcriptional traits in host cells after persistent infection elimination by direct-acting antivirals in cell culture. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29787. [PMID: 38988177 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) causes liver inflammation and fibrosis, leading to the development of severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Approval of direct-acting antiviral drug combinations has revolutionized chronic HCV therapy, with virus eradication in >98% of the treated patients. The efficacy of these treatments is such that it is formally possible for cured patients to carry formerly infected cells that display irreversible transcriptional alterations directly caused by chronic HCV Infection. Combining differential transcriptomes from two different persistent infection models, we observed a major reversion of infection-related transcripts after complete infection elimination. However, a small number of transcripts were abnormally expressed in formerly infected cells. Comparison of the results obtained in proliferating and growth-arrested cell culture models suggest that permanent transcriptional alterations may be established by several mechanisms. Interestingly, some of these alterations were also observed in the liver biopsies of virologically cured patients. Overall, our data suggest a direct and permanent impact of persistent HCV infection on the host cell transcriptome even after virus elimination, possibly contributing to the development of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Castro
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Calvo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Oliveros
- Bioinformatics for Genomics and Proteomics Unit, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Gastaminza
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
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2
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Metz-Zumaran C, Uckeley ZM, Doldan P, Muraca F, Keser Y, Lukas P, Kuropka B, Küchenhoff L, Rastgou Talemi S, Höfer T, Freund C, Cavalcanti-Adam EA, Graw F, Stanifer M, Boulant S. The population context is a driver of the heterogeneous response of epithelial cells to interferons. Mol Syst Biol 2024; 20:242-275. [PMID: 38273161 PMCID: PMC10912784 DOI: 10.1038/s44320-024-00011-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Isogenic cells respond in a heterogeneous manner to interferon. Using a micropatterning approach combined with high-content imaging and spatial analyses, we characterized how the population context (position of a cell with respect to neighboring cells) of epithelial cells affects their response to interferons. We identified that cells at the edge of cellular colonies are more responsive than cells embedded within colonies. We determined that this spatial heterogeneity in interferon response resulted from the polarized basolateral interferon receptor distribution, making cells located in the center of cellular colonies less responsive to ectopic interferon stimulation. This was conserved across cell lines and primary cells originating from epithelial tissues. Importantly, cells embedded within cellular colonies were not protected from viral infection by apical interferon treatment, demonstrating that the population context-driven heterogeneous response to interferon influences the outcome of viral infection. Our data highlights that the behavior of isolated cells does not directly translate to their behavior in a population, placing the population context as one important factor influencing heterogeneity during interferon response in epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Metz-Zumaran
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, 1200 Newell Drive, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Infectious Disease, Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 60120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Zina M Uckeley
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, 1200 Newell Drive, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Patricio Doldan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 60120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Francesco Muraca
- Department of Infectious Disease, Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 60120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yagmur Keser
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, 1200 Newell Drive, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Pascal Lukas
- BioQuant-Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, 60120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benno Kuropka
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Protein Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Leonie Küchenhoff
- BioQuant-Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, 60120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Soheil Rastgou Talemi
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Theoretical Systems Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Höfer
- Division of Theoretical Systems Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Freund
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Protein Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabetta Ada Cavalcanti-Adam
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Cellular Biomechanics, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frederik Graw
- BioQuant-Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, 60120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medicine 5, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Megan Stanifer
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, 1200 Newell Drive, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Steeve Boulant
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, 1200 Newell Drive, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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3
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Ohta K, Ito M, Chida T, Nakashima K, Sakai S, Kanegae Y, Kawasaki H, Aoshima T, Takabayashi S, Takahashi H, Kawata K, Shoji I, Sawasaki T, Suda T, Suzuki T. Role of hepcidin upregulation and proteolytic cleavage of ferroportin 1 in hepatitis C virus-induced iron accumulation. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011591. [PMID: 37585449 PMCID: PMC10461841 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a pathogen characterized not only by its persistent infection leading to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but also by metabolic disorders such as lipid and iron dysregulation. Elevated iron load is commonly observed in the livers of patients with chronic hepatitis C, and hepatic iron overload is a highly profibrogenic and carcinogenic factor that increases the risk of HCC. However, the underlying mechanisms of elevated iron accumulation in HCV-infected livers remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we observed iron accumulation in cells and liver tissues under HCV infection and in mice expressing viral proteins from recombinant adenoviruses. We established two molecular mechanisms that contribute to increased iron load in cells caused by HCV infection. One is the transcriptional induction of hepcidin, the key hormone for modulating iron homeostasis. The transcription factor cAMP-responsive element-binding protein hepatocyte specific (CREBH), which was activated by HCV infection, not only directly recognizes the hepcidin promoter but also induces bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) expression, resulting in an activated BMP-SMAD pathway that enhances hepcidin promoter activity. The other is post-translational regulation of the iron-exporting membrane protein ferroportin 1 (FPN1), which is cleaved between residues Cys284 and Ala285 in the intracytoplasmic loop region of the central portion mediated by HCV NS3-4A serine protease. We propose that host transcriptional activation triggered by endoplasmic reticulum stress and FPN1 cleavage by viral protease work in concert to impair iron efflux, leading to iron accumulation in HCV-infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyoshi Ohta
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Masahiko Ito
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Chida
- Department of Regional Medical Care Support, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kenji Nakashima
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Sakai
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yumi Kanegae
- Core Research Facilities, Research Center for Medical Sciences, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideya Kawasaki
- Institute for NanoSuit Research, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takuya Aoshima
- Laboratory Animal Facilities & Services, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Shuji Takabayashi
- Laboratory Animal Facilities & Services, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Takahashi
- Division of Cell-Free Science, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Kawata
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Ikuo Shoji
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Sawasaki
- Division of Cell-Free Science, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Takafumi Suda
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Suzuki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
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4
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Kitab B, Tsukiyama-Kohara K. Regulatory Role of Ribonucleotide Reductase Subunit M2 in Hepatocyte Growth and Pathogenesis of Hepatitis C Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032619. [PMID: 36768940 PMCID: PMC9916403 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) frequently causes chronic infection in the human liver, which may progress to advanced hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV primarily infects highly differentiated quiescent hepatocytes and can modulate cell cycle-regulatory genes and proliferation pathways, which ultimately contribute to persistent infection and pathogenesis. On the other hand, several studies have shown differential regulation of HCV RNA and viral protein expression levels, depending on the proliferation state of hepatocytes and the phase of the cell cycle. HCV typically requires factors provided by host cells for efficient and persistent viral replication. Previously, we found that HCV infection upregulates the expression of ribonucleotide reductase subunit M2 (RRM2) in quiescent hepatocytes. RRM2 is a rate-limiting protein that catalyzes de novo synthesis of deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates, and its expression is highly regulated during various phases of the cell cycle. RRM2 functions as a pro-viral factor essential for HCV RNA synthesis, but its functional role in HCV-induced liver diseases remains unknown. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the role of the hepatocyte cell cycle, in correlation with RRM2 expression, in the regulation of HCV replication. We also discuss the potential relevance of this protein in the pathogenesis of HCV, particularly in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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5
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Roehlen N, Saviano A, El Saghire H, Crouchet E, Nehme Z, Del Zompo F, Jühling F, Oudot MA, Durand SC, Duong FHT, Cherradi S, Gonzalez Motos V, Almeida N, Ponsolles C, Heydmann L, Ostyn T, Lallement A, Pessaux P, Felli E, Cavalli A, Sgrignani J, Thumann C, Koutsopoulos O, Fuchs BC, Hoshida Y, Hofmann M, Vyberg M, Viuff BM, Galsgaard ED, Elson G, Toso A, Meyer M, Iacone R, Schweighoffer T, Teixeira G, Moll S, De Vito C, Roskams T, Davidson I, Heide D, Heikenwälder M, Zeisel MB, Lupberger J, Mailly L, Schuster C, Baumert TF. A monoclonal antibody targeting nonjunctional claudin-1 inhibits fibrosis in patient-derived models by modulating cell plasticity. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabj4221. [PMID: 36542691 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj4221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tissue fibrosis is a key driver of end-stage organ failure and cancer, overall accounting for up to 45% of deaths in developed countries. There is a large unmet medical need for antifibrotic therapies. Claudin-1 (CLDN1) is a member of the tight junction protein family. Although the role of CLDN1 incorporated in tight junctions is well established, the function of nonjunctional CLDN1 (njCLDN1) is largely unknown. Using highly specific monoclonal antibodies targeting a conformation-dependent epitope of exposed njCLDN1, we show in patient-derived liver three-dimensional fibrosis and human liver chimeric mouse models that CLDN1 is a mediator and target for liver fibrosis. Targeting CLDN1 reverted inflammation-induced hepatocyte profibrogenic signaling and cell fate and suppressed the myofibroblast differentiation of hepatic stellate cells. Safety studies of a fully humanized antibody in nonhuman primates did not reveal any serious adverse events even at high steady-state concentrations. Our results provide preclinical proof of concept for CLDN1-specific monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of advanced liver fibrosis and cancer prevention. Antifibrotic effects in lung and kidney fibrosis models further indicate a role of CLDN1 as a therapeutic target for tissue fibrosis across organs. In conclusion, our data pave the way for further therapeutic exploration of CLDN1-targeting therapies for fibrotic diseases in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Roehlen
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Antonio Saviano
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU), Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Houssein El Saghire
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Emilie Crouchet
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Zeina Nehme
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Fabio Del Zompo
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Frank Jühling
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marine A Oudot
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sarah C Durand
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - François H T Duong
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sara Cherradi
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Victor Gonzalez Motos
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Nuno Almeida
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Clara Ponsolles
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura Heydmann
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Tessa Ostyn
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Antonin Lallement
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS/INSERM/UNISTRA, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Patrick Pessaux
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU), Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Emanuele Felli
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU), Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Sgrignani
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Christine Thumann
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Olga Koutsopoulos
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Bryan C Fuchs
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Maike Hofmann
- Department of Medicine II (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Infectious Diseases), Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mogens Vyberg
- Center of RNA Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Copenhagen, 2450 København, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | | | | | - Greg Elson
- Alentis Therapeutics, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Alberto Toso
- Alentis Therapeutics, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Markus Meyer
- Alentis Therapeutics, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Solange Moll
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Claudio De Vito
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tania Roskams
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Irwin Davidson
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS/INSERM/UNISTRA, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Danijela Heide
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mathias Heikenwälder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mirjam B Zeisel
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Joachim Lupberger
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurent Mailly
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Catherine Schuster
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR-S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU), Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, 75006 Paris, France
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6
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Maier BD, Aguilera LU, Sahle S, Mutz P, Kalra P, Dächert C, Bartenschlager R, Binder M, Kummer U. Stochastic dynamics of Type-I interferon responses. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010623. [PMID: 36269758 PMCID: PMC9629604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon (IFN) activates the transcription of several hundred of IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) that constitute a highly effective antiviral defense program. Cell-to-cell variability in the induction of ISGs is well documented, but its source and effects are not completely understood. The molecular mechanisms behind this heterogeneity have been related to randomness in molecular events taking place during the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Here, we study the sources of variability in the induction of the IFN-alpha response by using MxA and IFIT1 activation as read-out. To this end, we integrate time-resolved flow cytometry data and stochastic modeling of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. The complexity of the IFN response was matched by fitting probability distributions to time-course flow cytometry snapshots. Both, experimental data and simulations confirmed that the MxA and IFIT1 induction circuits generate graded responses rather than all-or-none responses. Subsequently, we quantify the size of the intrinsic variability at different steps in the pathway. We found that stochastic effects are transiently strong during the ligand-receptor activation steps and the formation of the ISGF3 complex, but negligible for the final induction of the studied ISGs. We conclude that the JAK-STAT signaling pathway is a robust biological circuit that efficiently transmits information under stochastic environments. We investigate the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic noise on the reliability of interferon signaling. Information must be transduced robustly despite existing biochemical variability and at the same time the system has to allow for cellular variability to tune it against changing environments. Getting insights into stochasticity in signaling networks is crucial to understand cellular dynamics and decision-making processes. To this end, we developed a detailed stochastic computational model based on single cell data. We are able to show that reliability is achieved despite high noise at the receptor level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin D. Maier
- Department of Modeling of Biological Processes, COS Heidelberg / Bioquant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luis U. Aguilera
- Department of Modeling of Biological Processes, COS Heidelberg / Bioquant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sven Sahle
- Department of Modeling of Biological Processes, COS Heidelberg / Bioquant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pascal Mutz
- Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Priyata Kalra
- Department of Modeling of Biological Processes, COS Heidelberg / Bioquant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher Dächert
- Research Group “Dynamics of early viral infection and the innate antiviral response”, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Binder
- Research Group “Dynamics of early viral infection and the innate antiviral response”, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ursula Kummer
- Department of Modeling of Biological Processes, COS Heidelberg / Bioquant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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7
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Badami E, Carcione C, Chinnici CM, Tinnirello R, Conaldi PG, Iannolo G. HCV Interplay With Mir34a: Implications in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 11:803278. [PMID: 35127513 PMCID: PMC8812294 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.803278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its identification, HCV has been considered one of the main causes of hepatitis and liver cancer. Currently, the molecular mechanisms of HCC development induced by HCV infection have not been sufficiently clarified. The recent discovery of novel treatments that inhibit HCV replication gave rise to new questions concerning HCC mechanisms. In particular, the HCV eradication mediated by new direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) drugs does not exclude the possibility of de novo HCC development; this finding opened more questions on the interplay between liver cells and the virus. Different groups have investigated the pathways leading to cancer recurrence in patients treated with DAAs. For this reason, we tried to gain molecular insights into the changes induced by HCV infection in the target liver cells. In particular, we observed an increase in microRNA34a (miR34a) expression following HCV infection of HCC cell line Huh7.5. In addition, Huh7.5 treated with extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the previously HCV-infected Huh7.5 underwent apoptosis. Since miR34 expression was increased in Huh7.5 EVs, we hypothesized a paracrine mechanism of viral infection mediated by miR34a cargo of EVs. The balance between viral infection and cell transformation may raise some questions on the possible use of antiviral drugs in association with antineoplastic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Badami
- Department of Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
- Regenerative Medicine and Immunotherapy Area, Fondazione Ri.MED, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Carcione
- Regenerative Medicine and Immunotherapy Area, Fondazione Ri.MED, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cinzia Maria Chinnici
- Department of Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
- Regenerative Medicine and Immunotherapy Area, Fondazione Ri.MED, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosaria Tinnirello
- Neuroscience Unit, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo, Italy
| | - Pier Giulio Conaldi
- Department of Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
| | - Gioacchin Iannolo
- Department of Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione (IRCCS ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Gioacchin Iannolo, ; ; orcid.org/0000-0002-7710-4735
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8
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Cochard J, Bull-Maurer A, Tauber C, Burlaud-Gaillard J, Mazurier F, Meunier JC, Roingeard P, Chouteau P. Differentiated Cells in Prolonged Hypoxia Produce Highly Infectious Native-Like Hepatitis C Virus Particles. Hepatology 2021; 74:627-640. [PMID: 33665810 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Standard hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell-culture models present an altered lipid metabolism and thus produce lipid-poor lipoviral particles (LVPs). These models are thereby weakly adapted to explore the complete natural viral life cycle. APPROACH AND RESULTS To overcome these limitations, we used an HCV cell-culture model based on both cellular differentiation and sustained hypoxia to better mimic the host-cell environment. The long-term exposure of Huh7.5 cells to DMSO and hypoxia (1% O2 ) significantly enhanced the expression of major differentiation markers and the cellular hypoxia adaptive response by contrast with undifferentiated and normoxic (21% O2 ) standard conditions. Because hepatocyte-like differentiation and hypoxia are key regulators of intracellular lipid metabolism, we characterized the distribution of lipid droplets (LDs) and demonstrated that experimental cells significantly accumulate larger and more numerous LDs relative to standard cell-culture conditions. An immunocapture (IC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) method showed that differentiated and hypoxic Huh7.5 cells produced lipoproteins significantly larger than those produced by standard Huh7.5 cell cultures. The experimental cell culture model is permissive to HCV-Japanese fulminant hepatitis (JFH1) infection and produces very-low-buoyant-density LVPs that are 6-fold more infectious than LVPs formed by standard JFH1-infected Huh7.5 cells. Finally, the IC-TEM approach and antibody-neutralization experiments revealed that LVPs were highly lipidated, had a global ultrastructure and a conformation of the envelope glycoprotein complex E1E2 close to that of the ones circulating in infected individuals. CONCLUSIONS This relevant HCV cell culture model thus mimics the complete native intracellular HCV life cycle and, by extension, can be proposed as a model of choice for studies of other hepatotropic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Cochard
- INSERM U1259Université de Tours and CHRU de ToursToursFrance
| | | | - Clovis Tauber
- UMRS INSERM U1253 Imagerie et cerveauUniversité de ToursToursFrance
| | | | - Frédéric Mazurier
- Université de ToursEquipe Associée 5501CNRS Equipe de Recherche Labellisée 7001LNOx TeamToursFrance
| | | | - Philippe Roingeard
- INSERM U1259Université de Tours and CHRU de ToursToursFrance.,Plate-Forme IBiSA des MicroscopiesUniversité de Tours and CHRU de ToursToursFrance
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9
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Jühling F, Hamdane N, Crouchet E, Li S, El Saghire H, Mukherji A, Fujiwara N, Oudot MA, Thumann C, Saviano A, Roca Suarez AA, Goto K, Masia R, Sojoodi M, Arora G, Aikata H, Ono A, Tabrizian P, Schwartz M, Polyak SJ, Davidson I, Schmidl C, Bock C, Schuster C, Chayama K, Pessaux P, Tanabe KK, Hoshida Y, Zeisel MB, Duong FHT, Fuchs BC, Baumert TF. Targeting clinical epigenetic reprogramming for chemoprevention of metabolic and viral hepatocellular carcinoma. Gut 2021; 70:157-169. [PMID: 32217639 PMCID: PMC7116473 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fastest-growing cause of cancer-related mortality with chronic viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as major aetiologies. Treatment options for HCC are unsatisfactory and chemopreventive approaches are absent. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) results in epigenetic alterations driving HCC risk and persisting following cure. Here, we aimed to investigate epigenetic modifications as targets for liver cancer chemoprevention. DESIGN Liver tissues from patients with NASH and CHC were analysed by ChIP-Seq (H3K27ac) and RNA-Seq. The liver disease-specific epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming in patients was modelled in a liver cell culture system. Perturbation studies combined with a targeted small molecule screen followed by in vivo and ex vivo validation were used to identify chromatin modifiers and readers for HCC chemoprevention. RESULTS In patients, CHC and NASH share similar epigenetic and transcriptomic modifications driving cancer risk. Using a cell-based system modelling epigenetic modifications in patients, we identified chromatin readers as targets to revert liver gene transcription driving clinical HCC risk. Proof-of-concept studies in a NASH-HCC mouse model showed that the pharmacological inhibition of chromatin reader bromodomain 4 inhibited liver disease progression and hepatocarcinogenesis by restoring transcriptional reprogramming of the genes that were epigenetically altered in patients. CONCLUSION Our results unravel the functional relevance of metabolic and virus-induced epigenetic alterations for pathogenesis of HCC development and identify chromatin readers as targets for chemoprevention in patients with chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Jühling
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nourdine Hamdane
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Emilie Crouchet
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Shen Li
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Houssein El Saghire
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Atish Mukherji
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Marine A Oudot
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christine Thumann
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Antonio Saviano
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Armando Andres Roca Suarez
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Kaku Goto
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ricard Masia
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mozhdeh Sojoodi
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gunisha Arora
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hiroshi Aikata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ono
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA,Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Parissa Tabrizian
- Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Myron Schwartz
- Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Stephen J Polyak
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Irwin Davidson
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS/INSERM/UDS, Illkirch, France
| | - Christian Schmidl
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria,Regensburg Centre for Interventional Immunology (RCI), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Catherine Schuster
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Kazuaki Chayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Patrick Pessaux
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Kenneth K Tanabe
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Mirjam B Zeisel
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France,Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | - François HT Duong
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - Bryan C Fuchs
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France .,Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France.,Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
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10
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Stanifer ML, Guo C, Doldan P, Boulant S. Importance of Type I and III Interferons at Respiratory and Intestinal Barrier Surfaces. Front Immunol 2020; 11:608645. [PMID: 33362795 PMCID: PMC7759678 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.608645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferons (IFNs) constitute the first line of defense against microbial infections particularly against viruses. They provide antiviral properties to cells by inducing the expression of hundreds of genes known as interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). The two most important IFNs that can be produced by virtually all cells in the body during intrinsic innate immune response belong to two distinct families: the type I and type III IFNs. The type I IFN receptor is ubiquitously expressed whereas the type III IFN receptor's expression is limited to epithelial cells and a subset of immune cells. While originally considered to be redundant, type III IFNs have now been shown to play a unique role in protecting mucosal surfaces against pathogen challenges. The mucosal specific functions of type III IFN do not solely rely on the restricted epithelial expression of its receptor but also on the distinct means by which type III IFN mediates its anti-pathogen functions compared to the type I IFN. In this review we first provide a general overview on IFNs and present the similarities and differences in the signal transduction pathways leading to the expression of either type I or type III IFNs. By highlighting the current state-of-knowledge of the two archetypical mucosal surfaces (e.g. the respiratory and intestinal epitheliums), we present the differences in the signaling cascades used by type I and type III IFNs to uniquely induce the expression of ISGs. We then discuss in detail the role of each IFN in controlling pathogen infections in intestinal and respiratory epithelial cells. Finally, we provide our perspective on novel concepts in the field of IFN (stochasticity, response heterogeneity, cellular polarization/differentiation and tissue microenvironment) that we believe have implications in driving the differences between type I and III IFNs and could explain the preferences for type III IFNs at mucosal surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L. Stanifer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cuncai Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patricio Doldan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steeve Boulant
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Research Group “Cellular polarity and viral infection”, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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11
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Wang YX, Niklasch M, Liu T, Wang Y, Shi B, Yuan W, Baumert TF, Yuan Z, Tong S, Nassal M, Wen YM. Interferon-inducible MX2 is a host restriction factor of hepatitis B virus replication. J Hepatol 2020; 72:865-876. [PMID: 31863794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Non-cytolytic cure of HBV-infected hepatocytes by cytokines, including type I interferons (IFNs), is of importance for resolving acute and chronic infection. However, as IFNs stimulate hundreds of genes, those most relevant for HBV suppression remain largely unknown. Amongst them are the large myxovirus resistance (Mx) GTPases. Human MX1 (or MxA) is active against many RNA viruses, while MX2 (or MxB) was recently found to restrict HIV-1, HCV, and herpesviruses. Herein, we investigated the anti-HBV activity of MX2. METHODS The potential anti-HBV activity of MX2 and functional variants were assessed in transfected and HBV-infected hepatoma cells and primary human hepatocytes, employing multiple assays to analyze the synthesis and decay of HBV nucleic acids. The specific roles of MX2 in IFN-α-driven inhibition of HBV transcription and replication were assessed by MX2-specific shRNA interference (RNAi). RESULTS Both MX2 alone and IFN-α substantially inhibited HBV replication, due to significant deceleration of the synthesis and slight acceleration of the turnover of viral RNA. RNAi knockdown of MX2 significantly reduced the inhibitory effects of IFN-α. Strikingly, MX2 inhibited HBV infection by reducing covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), most likely by indirectly impairing the conversion of relaxed circular DNA to cccDNA rather than by destabilizing existing cccDNA. Various mutations affecting the GTPase activity and oligomerization status reduced MX2's anti-HBV activity. CONCLUSION MX2 is an important IFN-α inducible effector that decreases HBV RNA levels but can also potently inhibit HBV infection by indirectly impairing cccDNA formation. MX2 likely has the potential for therapeutic applications aimed at curing HBV infection by eliminating cccDNA. LAY SUMMARY This study shows that the protein MX2, which is induced by interferon-α, has important anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) effector functions. MX2 can reduce the amount of covalently closed circular DNA, which is the form of DNA that HBV uses to maintain viral persistence within hepatocytes. MX2 also reduces HBV RNA levels by downregulating synthesis of viral RNA. MX2 likely represents a novel intrinsic HBV inhibitor that could have therapeutic potential, as well as being useful for improving our understanding of the complex biology of HBV and the antiviral mechanisms of interferon-α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Xiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China.
| | - Matthias Niklasch
- University Hospital Freiburg, Department of Internal Medicine II/Molecular Biology, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Bisheng Shi
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 201508 Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Pôle Hépato-Digestif, Unité d'Hépatologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 67091 Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; Unité Inserm 1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Shuping Tong
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Michael Nassal
- University Hospital Freiburg, Department of Internal Medicine II/Molecular Biology, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Yu-Mei Wen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200032 Shanghai, China
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12
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Lupberger J, Croonenborghs T, Roca Suarez AA, Van Renne N, Jühling F, Oudot MA, Virzì A, Bandiera S, Jamey C, Meszaros G, Brumaru D, Mukherji A, Durand SC, Heydmann L, Verrier ER, El Saghire H, Hamdane N, Bartenschlager R, Fereshetian S, Ramberger E, Sinha R, Nabian M, Everaert C, Jovanovic M, Mertins P, Carr SA, Chayama K, Dali-Youcef N, Ricci R, Bardeesy NM, Fujiwara N, Gevaert O, Zeisel MB, Hoshida Y, Pochet N, Baumert TF. Combined Analysis of Metabolomes, Proteomes, and Transcriptomes of Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Cells and Liver to Identify Pathways Associated With Disease Development. Gastroenterology 2019; 157:537-551.e9. [PMID: 30978357 PMCID: PMC8318381 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The mechanisms of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, liver disease progression, and hepatocarcinogenesis are only partially understood. We performed genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses of HCV-infected cells and chimeric mice to learn more about these processes. METHODS Huh7.5.1dif (hepatocyte-like cells) were infected with culture-derived HCV and used in RNA sequencing, proteomic, metabolomic, and integrative genomic analyses. uPA/SCID (urokinase-type plasminogen activator/severe combined immunodeficiency) mice were injected with serum from HCV-infected patients; 8 weeks later, liver tissues were collected and analyzed by RNA sequencing and proteomics. Using differential expression, gene set enrichment analyses, and protein interaction mapping, we identified pathways that changed in response to HCV infection. We validated our findings in studies of liver tissues from 216 patients with HCV infection and early-stage cirrhosis and paired biopsy specimens from 99 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, including 17 patients with histologic features of steatohepatitis. Cirrhotic liver tissues from patients with HCV infection were classified into 2 groups based on relative peroxisome function; outcomes assessed included Child-Pugh class, development of hepatocellular carcinoma, survival, and steatohepatitis. Hepatocellular carcinomas were classified according to steatohepatitis; the outcome was relative peroxisomal function. RESULTS We quantified 21,950 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and 8297 proteins in HCV-infected cells. Upon HCV infection of hepatocyte-like cells and chimeric mice, we observed significant changes in levels of mRNAs and proteins involved in metabolism and hepatocarcinogenesis. HCV infection of hepatocyte-like cells significantly increased levels of the mRNAs, but not proteins, that regulate the innate immune response; we believe this was due to the inhibition of translation in these cells. HCV infection of hepatocyte-like cells increased glucose consumption and metabolism and the STAT3 signaling pathway and reduced peroxisome function. Peroxisomes mediate β-oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids; we found intracellular accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids in HCV-infected cells, which is also observed in patients with fatty liver disease. Cells in livers from HCV-infected mice had significant reductions in levels of the mRNAs and proteins associated with peroxisome function, indicating perturbation of peroxisomes. We found that defects in peroxisome function were associated with outcomes and features of HCV-associated cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients. CONCLUSIONS We performed combined transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome analyses of liver tissues from HCV-infected hepatocyte-like cells and HCV-infected mice. We found that HCV infection increases glucose metabolism and the STAT3 signaling pathway and thereby reduces peroxisome function; alterations in the expression levels of peroxisome genes were associated with outcomes of patients with liver diseases. These findings provide insights into liver disease pathogenesis and might be used to identify new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Lupberger
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Tom Croonenborghs
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Cell Circuits Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Armando Andres Roca Suarez
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nicolaas Van Renne
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Frank Jühling
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marine A Oudot
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alessia Virzì
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Simonetta Bandiera
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Carole Jamey
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Pôle de biologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Gergö Meszaros
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
| | - Daniel Brumaru
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Pôle de biologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Atish Mukherji
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sarah C Durand
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura Heydmann
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eloi R Verrier
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hussein El Saghire
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nourdine Hamdane
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shaunt Fereshetian
- The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Evelyn Ramberger
- Proteomics Platform, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rileen Sinha
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Cell Circuits Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mohsen Nabian
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Cell Circuits Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Celine Everaert
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Cell Circuits Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marko Jovanovic
- The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Philipp Mertins
- The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Proteomics Platform, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steven A Carr
- The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kazuaki Chayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; Liver Research Project Center, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Nassim Dali-Youcef
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Pôle de biologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
| | - Romeo Ricci
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Illkirch, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
| | | | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Olivier Gevaert
- Cell Circuits Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Stanford Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Mirjam B Zeisel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Nathalie Pochet
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Cell Circuits Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg (IVH), Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Pôle Hépato-digestif, Institut Hopitalo-Universitaire, Strasbourg, France.
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13
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A proof-of-concept study in HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells for shortening the duration of DAA-based triple treatment regimens. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 116:108976. [PMID: 31103827 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With the development of more effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), dual- or triple-therapy regimens represent the major strategy used to cure chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thus, shorter treatment duration regimens with low burden, few adverse effects and good patient adherence are urgently needed. This study theoretically demonstrates a proof-of-concept approach for shortening therapy duration by examining HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells after treatment with a high or low fixed dose of three DAAs (simeprevir + daclatasvir + sofosbuvir) for 6-15 days. The results demonstrated that HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells achieved an ultrarapid virologic response with undetectable HCV RNA and protein and were cured after treatment with the triple-therapy regimen for 15 days. When the treatment duration was shortened, virologic relapse might occur after treatment with a low fixed dose of the three DAAs for 9 days and did occur after treatment with a low fixed dose for 6 days, although HCV was below detectable levels at the end of treatment. However, virologic relapse could be avoided with treatment of a high fixed dose of the three DAAs for 9 or 6 days. Although a virologic breakthrough occurred after an intermittent treatment regimen at the low fixed dose, the high fixed dose cured HCV-positive Huh7.5 cells with intermittent treatment. In conclusion, HCV is persistently present below detectable levels in HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells for a long time after treatment, and a shortened therapy duration is associated with an increased risk of virologic relapse, but virologic relapse or breakthrough might be avoided by treatment with a combination of more highly effective DAAs.
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14
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Dustin LB. Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in Chronic HCV Infection. Curr Drug Targets 2018; 18:826-843. [PMID: 26302811 DOI: 10.2174/1389450116666150825110532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a public health problem of global importance, even in the era of potent directly-acting antiviral drugs. In this chapter, I discuss immune responses to acute and chronic HCV infection. The outcome of HCV infection is influenced by viral strategies that limit or delay the initiation of innate antiviral responses. This delay may enable HCV to establish widespread infection long before the host mounts effective T and B cell responses. HCV's genetic agility, resulting from its high rate of replication and its error prone replication mechanism, enables it to evade immune recognition. Adaptive immune responses fail to keep up with changing viral epitopes. Neutralizing antibody epitopes may be hidden by decoy structures, glycans, and lipoproteins. T cell responses fail due to changing epitope sequences and due to exhaustion, a phenomenon that may have evolved to limit immune-mediated pathology. Despite these difficulties, innate and adaptive immune mechanisms do impact HCV replication. Immune-mediated clearance of infection is possible, occurring in 20-50% of people who contract the disease. New developments raise hopes for effective immunological interventions to prevent or treat HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn B Dustin
- University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3SY, United Kingdom
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15
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Klepper A, Eng FJ, Doyle EH, El‐Shamy A, Rahman AH, Fiel MI, Avino GC, Lee M, Ye F, Roayaie S, Bansal MB, MacDonald MR, Schiano TD, Branch AD. Hepatitis C virus double-stranded RNA is the predominant form in human liver and in interferon-treated cells. Hepatology 2017; 66:357-370. [PMID: 27642141 PMCID: PMC5573989 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is unique among RNA viruses in its ability to establish chronic infection in the majority of exposed adults. HCV persists in the liver despite interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene (ISG) induction; robust induction actually predicts treatment failure and viral persistence. It is unclear which forms of HCV RNA are associated with ISG induction and IFN resistance during natural infections. To thoroughly delineate HCV RNA populations, we developed conditions that fully separate the strands of long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and allow the released RNAs to be quantified in reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction assays. These methods revealed that dsRNA, a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), comprised 52% (standard deviation, 28%) of the HCV RNA in the livers of patients with chronic infection. HCV dsRNA was proportionally higher in patients with the unfavorable IL28B TT (rs12979860) genotype. Higher ratios of HCV double-stranded to single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) correlated positively with ISG induction. In Huh-7.5 cells, IFN treatment increased the total amount of HCV dsRNA through a process that required de novo viral RNA synthesis and shifted the ratio of viral dsRNA/ssRNA in favor of dsRNA. This shift was blocked by ribavirin (RBV), an antiviral drug that reduces relapse in HCV patients. Northern blotting established that HCV dsRNA contained genome-length minus strands. CONCLUSION HCV dsRNA is the predominant form in the HCV-infected liver and has features of both a PAMP and a genomic reservoir. Interferon treatment increased rather than decreased HCV dsRNA. This unexpected finding suggests that HCV produces dsRNA in response to IFN, potentially to antagonize antiviral defenses. (Hepatology 2017;66:357-370).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Moonju Lee
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Fei Ye
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
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16
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Zika Virus Persistently Infects and Is Basolaterally Released from Primary Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. mBio 2017; 8:mBio.00952-17. [PMID: 28698279 PMCID: PMC5513708 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00952-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne Flavivirus that has emerged as the cause of encephalitis and fetal microencephaly in the Americas. ZIKV uniquely persists in human bodily fluids for up to 6 months, is sexually transmitted, and traverses the placenta and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to damage neurons. Cells that support persistent ZIKV replication and mechanisms by which ZIKV establishes persistence remain enigmatic but central to ZIKV entry into protected neuronal compartments. The endothelial cell (EC) lining of capillaries normally constrains transplacental transmission and forms the BBB, which selectively restricts access of blood constituents to neurons. We found that ZIKV (strain PRVABC59) persistently infects and continuously replicates in primary human brain microvascular ECs (hBMECs), without cytopathology, for >9 days and following hBMEC passage. ZIKV did not permeabilize hBMECs but was released basolaterally from polarized hBMECs, suggesting a direct mechanism for ZIKV to cross the BBB. ZIKV-infected hBMECs were rapidly resistant to alpha interferon (IFN-α) and transiently induced, but failed to secrete, IFN-β and IFN-λ. Global transcriptome analysis determined that ZIKV constitutively induced IFN regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), IRF9, and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) 1 to 9 days postinfection, despite persistently replicating in hBMECs. ZIKV constitutively induced ISG15, HERC5, and USP18, which are linked to hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistence and IFN regulation, chemokine CCL5, which is associated with immunopathogenesis, as well as cell survival factors. Our results reveal that hBMECs act as a reservoir of persistent ZIKV replication, suggest routes for ZIKV to cross hBMECs into neuronal compartments, and define novel mechanisms of ZIKV persistence that can be targeted to restrict ZIKV spread.IMPORTANCE ZIKV persists in patients, crossing placental and neuronal barriers, damaging neurons, and causing fetal microencephaly. We found that ZIKV persistently infects brain endothelial cells that normally protect neurons from viral exposure. hBMECs are not damaged by ZIKV infection and, analogous to persistent HCV infection, ZIKV constitutively induces and evades antiviral ISG and IFN responses to continuously replicate in hBMECs. As a result, hBMECs provide a protective niche for systemic ZIKV spread and a viral reservoir localized in the normally protective blood-brain barrier. Consistent with the spread of ZIKV into neuronal compartments, ZIKV was released basolaterally from hBMECs. Our findings define hBMEC responses that contribute to persistent ZIKV infection and potential targets for clearing ZIKV infections from hBMECs. These results further suggest roles for additional ZIKV-infected ECs to facilitate viral spread and persistence in the protected placental, retinal, and testicular compartments.
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Raghwani J, Rose R, Sheridan I, Lemey P, Suchard MA, Santantonio T, Farci P, Klenerman P, Pybus OG. Exceptional Heterogeneity in Viral Evolutionary Dynamics Characterises Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005894. [PMID: 27631086 PMCID: PMC5025083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of HCV infection has seen significant progress, particularly since the approval of new direct-acting antiviral drugs. However these clinical achievements have been made despite an incomplete understanding of HCV replication and within-host evolution, especially compared with HIV-1. Here, we undertake a comprehensive analysis of HCV within-host evolution during chronic infection by investigating over 4000 viral sequences sampled longitudinally from 15 HCV-infected patients. We compare our HCV results to those from a well-studied HIV-1 cohort, revealing key differences in the evolutionary behaviour of these two chronic-infecting pathogens. Notably, we find an exceptional level of heterogeneity in the molecular evolution of HCV, both within and among infected individuals. Furthermore, these patterns are associated with the long-term maintenance of viral lineages within patients, which fluctuate in relative frequency in peripheral blood. Together, our findings demonstrate that HCV replication behavior is complex and likely comprises multiple viral subpopulations with distinct evolutionary dynamics. The presence of a structured viral population can explain apparent paradoxes in chronic HCV infection, such as rapid fluctuations in viral diversity and the reappearance of viral strains years after their initial detection. Our knowledge of HCV within-host evolution is substantially limited, which is surprising given that highly successful therapies against the virus have been developed. Key aspects of HCV infection, such as rapid fluctuations in viral diversity and the reappearance of viral strains years after their initial detection, remain unexplained. To better understand this problem, we analyse viral sequences from HCV-infected patients sampled over several years. Our findings suggest that the replication dynamics during chronic HCV infection are distinct from those of HIV-1, and dominated by the co-circulation of multiple viral strains. Although a major difference between the two chronic-infecting viruses is the level of recombination, our results indicate that HCV within-host evolution is most likely to be shaped by a structured viral population. Crucially, our study shows that HCV sampled from blood does not fully represent the within-host viral population at that time. This may have important implications for HCV treatment, especially in patients that have seemingly cleared the virus, as well as for molecular epidemiology studies investigating HCV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayna Raghwani
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JR); (OGP)
| | - Rebecca Rose
- BioInfoExperts, Thibodaux, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Isabelle Sheridan
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Philippe Lemey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven–University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc A. Suchard
- Departments of Biomathematics, Biostatistics, Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | | | - Patrizia Farci
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver G. Pybus
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JR); (OGP)
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Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Upregulation of MicroRNA miR-146a-5p in Hepatocytes Promotes Viral Infection and Deregulates Metabolic Pathways Associated with Liver Disease Pathogenesis. J Virol 2016; 90:6387-6400. [PMID: 27147737 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00619-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced chronic liver disease is a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC development following chronic HCV infection remain poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in homeostasis within the liver, and deregulation of miRNAs has been associated with liver disease, including HCC. While host miRNAs are essential for HCV replication, viral infection in turn appears to induce alterations of intrahepatic miRNA networks. Although the cross talk between HCV and liver cell miRNAs most likely contributes to liver disease pathogenesis, the functional involvement of miRNAs in HCV-driven hepatocyte injury and HCC remains elusive. Here we combined a hepatocyte-like cell-based model system, high-throughput small RNA sequencing, computational analysis, and functional studies to investigate HCV-miRNA interactions that may contribute to liver disease and HCC. Profiling analyses indicated that HCV infection differentially regulated the expression of 72 miRNAs by at least 2-fold, including miRNAs that were previously described to target genes associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer development. Further investigation demonstrated that the miR-146a-5p level was consistently increased in HCV-infected hepatocyte-like cells and primary human hepatocytes, as well as in liver tissue from HCV-infected patients. Genome-wide microarray and computational analyses indicated that miR-146a-5p overexpression modulates pathways that are related to liver disease and HCC development. Furthermore, we showed that miR-146a-5p has a positive impact on late steps of the viral replication cycle, thereby increasing HCV infection. Collectively, our data indicate that the HCV-induced increase in miR-146a-5p expression both promotes viral infection and is relevant for pathogenesis of liver disease. IMPORTANCE HCV is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and cancer. However, how HCV induces liver cancer remains poorly understood. There is accumulating evidence that a viral cure does not eliminate the risk for HCC development. Thus, there is an unmet medical need to develop novel approaches to predict and prevent virus-induced HCC. miRNA expression is known to be deregulated in liver disease and cancer. Furthermore, miRNAs are essential for HCV replication, and HCV infection alters miRNA expression. However, how miRNAs contribute to HCV-driven pathogenesis remains elusive. Here we show that HCV induces miRNAs that may contribute to liver injury and carcinogenesis. The miR-146a-5p level was consistently increased in different cell-based models of HCV infection and in HCV patient-derived liver tissue. Furthermore, miR-146a-5p increased HCV infection. Collectively, our data are relevant to understanding viral pathogenesis and may open perspectives for novel biomarkers and prevention of virus-induced liver disease and HCC.
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19
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Stindt S, Cebula P, Albrecht U, Keitel V, Schulte am Esch J, Knoefel WT, Bartenschlager R, Häussinger D, Bode JG. Hepatitis C Virus Activates a Neuregulin-Driven Circuit to Modify Surface Expression of Growth Factor Receptors of the ErbB Family. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148711. [PMID: 26886748 PMCID: PMC4757098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR), a member of the ErbB receptor family, and its down-stream signalling have been identified as co-factors for HCV entry and replication. Since EGFR also functions as a heterodimer with other ErbB receptor family members, the subject of the present study was to investigate a possible viral interference with these cellular components. By using genotype 1b replicon cells as well as an infection-based system we found that while transcript and protein levels of EGFR and ErbB2 were up-regulated or unaffected, respectively, HCV induced a substantial reduction of ErbB3 and ErbB4 expression. Down-regulation of ErbB3 expression by HCV involves specificity protein (Sp)1-mediated induction of Neuregulin (NRG)1 expression as well as activation of Akt. Consistently, at transcript level disruption of ErbB3 expression by HCV can be prevented by knockdown of NRG1 or Sp1 expression, whereas reconstitution of ErbB3 protein levels requires inhibition of HCV-induced NRG1 expression and of Akt activity. Interestingly, the NRG1-mediated suppression of ErbB3 expression by HCV results in an enhanced expression of EGFR and ErbB2 on the cell surface, which can be mimicked by siRNA-mediated knockdown of ErbB3 expression. These data delineate a novel mechanism enabling HCV to sway the composition of the ErbB family members on the surface of its host cell by an NRG1-driven circuit and unravels a yet unknown cross-regulation between ErbB3 and the two other family members ErbB2 and EGFR. The shift of the receptor surface expression of the ErbB family towards enhanced expression of ErbB2 and EGFR triggered by HCV was found to promote viral RNA replication and infectivity. This suggests that HCV rearranges expression of ErbB family members to adapt the cellular environment to its requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Stindt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Patricia Cebula
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ute Albrecht
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Verena Keitel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jan Schulte am Esch
- Department of General, Visceral, and Pediatric Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wolfram T. Knoefel
- Department of General, Visceral, and Pediatric Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division for Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dieter Häussinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Johannes G. Bode
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- * E-mail:
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20
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Schmid B, Rinas M, Ruggieri A, Acosta EG, Bartenschlager M, Reuter A, Fischl W, Harder N, Bergeest JP, Flossdorf M, Rohr K, Höfer T, Bartenschlager R. Live Cell Analysis and Mathematical Modeling Identify Determinants of Attenuation of Dengue Virus 2'-O-Methylation Mutant. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1005345. [PMID: 26720415 PMCID: PMC4697809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is the most common mosquito-transmitted virus infecting ~390 million people worldwide. In spite of this high medical relevance, neither a vaccine nor antiviral therapy is currently available. DENV elicits a strong interferon (IFN) response in infected cells, but at the same time actively counteracts IFN production and signaling. Although the kinetics of activation of this innate antiviral defense and the timing of viral counteraction critically determine the magnitude of infection and thus disease, quantitative and kinetic analyses are lacking and it remains poorly understood how DENV spreads in IFN-competent cell systems. To dissect the dynamics of replication versus antiviral defense at the single cell level, we generated a fully viable reporter DENV and host cells with authentic reporters for IFN-stimulated antiviral genes. We find that IFN controls DENV infection in a kinetically determined manner that at the single cell level is highly heterogeneous and stochastic. Even at high-dose, IFN does not fully protect all cells in the culture and, therefore, viral spread occurs even in the face of antiviral protection of naïve cells by IFN. By contrast, a vaccine candidate DENV mutant, which lacks 2’-O-methylation of viral RNA is profoundly attenuated in IFN-competent cells. Through mathematical modeling of time-resolved data and validation experiments we show that the primary determinant for attenuation is the accelerated kinetics of IFN production. This rapid induction triggered by mutant DENV precedes establishment of IFN-resistance in infected cells, thus causing a massive reduction of virus production rate. In contrast, accelerated protection of naïve cells by paracrine IFN action has negligible impact. In conclusion, these results show that attenuation of the 2’-O-methylation DENV mutant is primarily determined by kinetics of autocrine IFN action on infected cells. Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a global health problem for which no selective therapy or vaccine exists. The magnitude of infection critically depends on the induction kinetics of the interferon (IFN) response and the kinetics of viral countermeasures. Here we established a novel live cell imaging system to dissect the dynamics of this interplay. We find that IFN controls DENV infection in a kinetically determined manner. At the single cell level, the IFN response is highly heterogeneous and stochastic, likely accounting for viral spread in the presence of IFN. Mathematical modeling and validation experiments show that the kinetics of activation of the IFN response critically determines control of virus replication and spread. A vaccine candidate DENV mutant lacking 2’-O-methylation of viral RNA is profoundly attenuated in IFN-competent cells. This attenuation is primarily due to accelerated kinetics of IFN production acting on infected cells in an autocrine manner. In contrast, accelerated protection of naïve cells by paracrine IFN action has negligible impact. Thus, attenuation of the 2’-O-methylation DENV mutant is primarily determined by kinetics of autocrine IFN action on infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Schmid
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melanie Rinas
- Division of Theoretical Systems Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alessia Ruggieri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eliana Gisela Acosta
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marie Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antje Reuter
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Fischl
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nathalie Harder
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Biomedical Computer Vision Group, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Philip Bergeest
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Biomedical Computer Vision Group, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Flossdorf
- Division of Theoretical Systems Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karl Rohr
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Biomedical Computer Vision Group, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Höfer
- Division of Theoretical Systems Biology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- BioQuant Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail: (TH); (RB)
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail: (TH); (RB)
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21
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Bender S, Reuter A, Eberle F, Einhorn E, Binder M, Bartenschlager R. Activation of Type I and III Interferon Response by Mitochondrial and Peroxisomal MAVS and Inhibition by Hepatitis C Virus. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1005264. [PMID: 26588843 PMCID: PMC4654527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensing viruses by pattern recognition receptors (PRR) triggers the innate immune system of the host cell and activates immune signaling cascades such as the RIG-I/IRF3 pathway. Mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS, also known as IPS-1, Cardif, and VISA) is the crucial adaptor protein of this pathway localized on mitochondria, peroxisomes and mitochondria-associated membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. Activation of MAVS leads to the production of type I and type III interferons (IFN) as well as IFN stimulated genes (ISGs). To refine the role of MAVS subcellular localization for the induction of type I and III IFN responses in hepatocytes and its counteraction by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), we generated various functional and genetic knock-out cell systems that were reconstituted to express mitochondrial (mito) or peroxisomal (pex) MAVS, exclusively. Upon infection with diverse RNA viruses we found that cells exclusively expressing pexMAVS mounted sustained expression of type I and III IFNs to levels comparable to cells exclusively expressing mitoMAVS. To determine whether viral counteraction of MAVS is affected by its subcellular localization we employed infection of cells with HCV, a major causative agent of chronic liver disease with a high propensity to establish persistence. This virus efficiently cleaves MAVS via a viral protease residing in its nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) and this strategy is thought to contribute to the high persistence of this virus. We found that both mito- and pexMAVS were efficiently cleaved by NS3 and this cleavage was required to suppress activation of the IFN response. Taken together, our findings indicate comparable activation of the IFN response by pex- and mitoMAVS in hepatocytes and efficient counteraction of both MAVS species by the HCV NS3 protease. Mammalian cells developed several defense mechanisms against viral infection. One major strategy involves pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognizing non-self motifs in viral RNA and triggering the production of type I and III interferon (IFN) that induce an antiviral state. One central signaling molecule in this cascade is MAVS (Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling protein), residing on mitochondria, mitochondria-associated membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, and peroxisomes. Here we characterized the role of mitochondrial and peroxisomal MAVS for the activation of the IFN response and their counteraction by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major causative agent of chronic liver disease with a high propensity to establish persistence. By using various functional and genetic knock-out cell systems reconstituted to express exclusively mitochondrial or peroxisomal MAVS, we observed comparable activation of type I and III IFN response by either MAVS species. In addition, we found that the HCV protease residing in nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) efficiently cleaves MAVS independent from its subcellular localization. This cleavage is required for suppression of the IFN response and might contribute to HCV persistence. Our results indicate a largely localization-independent activation of the IFN response by MAVS in hepatocytes and its efficient counteraction by the HCV NS3 protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Bender
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antje Reuter
- Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Eberle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Evelyne Einhorn
- Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Master BioSciences, Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Marco Binder
- Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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22
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Attar BM, Van Thiel D. A New Twist to a Chronic HCV Infection: Occult Hepatitis C. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2015; 2015:579147. [PMID: 26221136 PMCID: PMC4495183 DOI: 10.1155/2015/579147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2014] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. The prevalence of occult hepatitis C infection (OCI) in the population of HCV-RNA negative but anti-HCV positive individuals is presently unknown. OCI may be responsible for clinically overt recurrent disease following an apparent sustained viral response (SVR) weeks to years later. Purpose. To review the available current literature regarding OCI, prevalence, pathogenic mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and future directions. Data Sources. Searching MEDLINE, article references, and national and international meeting abstracts for the diagnosis of OCI (1990-2014). Data Synthesis. The long-term followup of individuals with an OCI suggests that the infection can be transient with the loss of detectable HCV-RNA in PPBMCs after 12-18 months or alternatively exist intermittently and potentially long term. The ultimate outcome of HCV infection is decided by interplay between host immune responses, antiviral therapies, and the various well-identified viral evasion mechanisms as well as the presence of HCV infection within extrahepatic tissues. Conclusion. The currently widely held assumption of a HCV-cure in individuals having had "SVR" after 8-12 weeks of a course of DAA therapy as recently defined may not be entirely valid. Careful longitudinal followup utilizing highly sensitive assays and unique approaches to viral isolation are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar M. Attar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, 1901 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - David Van Thiel
- Advanced Liver and Gastrointestinal Disease Center, Berwyn, IL 60402, USA
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23
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Xiao F, Fofana I, Thumann C, Mailly L, Alles R, Robinet E, Meyer N, Schaeffer M, Habersetzer F, Doffoël M, Leyssen P, Neyts J, Zeisel MB, Baumert TF. Synergy of entry inhibitors with direct-acting antivirals uncovers novel combinations for prevention and treatment of hepatitis C. Gut 2015; 64:483-94. [PMID: 24848265 PMCID: PMC4345833 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have markedly improved the outcome of treatment in chronic HCV infection, there continues to be an unmet medical need for improved therapies in difficult-to-treat patients as well as liver graft infection. Viral entry is a promising target for antiviral therapy. DESIGN Aiming to explore the role of entry inhibitors for future clinical development, we investigated the antiviral efficacy and toxicity of entry inhibitors in combination with DAAs or other host-targeting agents (HTAs). Screening a large series of combinations of entry inhibitors with DAAs or other HTAs, we uncovered novel combinations of antivirals for prevention and treatment of HCV infection. RESULTS Combinations of DAAs or HTAs and entry inhibitors including CD81-, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI)- or claudin-1 (CLDN1)-specific antibodies or small-molecule inhibitors erlotinib and dasatinib were characterised by a marked and synergistic inhibition of HCV infection over a broad range of concentrations with undetectable toxicity in experimental designs for prevention and treatment both in cell culture models and in human liver-chimeric uPA/SCID mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide a rationale for the development of antiviral strategies combining entry inhibitors with DAAs or HTAs by taking advantage of synergy. The uncovered combinations provide perspectives for efficient strategies to prevent liver graft infection and novel interferon-free regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xiao
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Isabel Fofana
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christine Thumann
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurent Mailly
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Roxane Alles
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Inserm, U977, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eric Robinet
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nicolas Meyer
- Pôle de Santé Publique, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mickaël Schaeffer
- Pôle de Santé Publique, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - François Habersetzer
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Michel Doffoël
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Pieter Leyssen
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mirjam B Zeisel
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France,Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France,Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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24
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Heim MH, Thimme R. Innate and adaptive immune responses in HCV infections. J Hepatol 2014; 61:S14-25. [PMID: 25443342 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus has been identified a quarter of a decade ago as a leading cause of chronic viral hepatitis that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Only a minority of patients can clear the virus spontaneously during acute infection. Elimination of HCV during acute infection correlates with a rapid induction of innate, especially interferon (IFN) induced genes, and a delayed induction of adaptive immune responses. However, the majority of patients is unable to clear the virus and develops viral persistence in face of an ongoing innate and adaptive immune response. The virus has developed several strategies to escape these immune responses. For example, to escape innate immunity, the HCV NS3/4A protease can efficiently cleave and inactivate two important signalling molecules in the sensory pathways that react to HCV pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) to induce IFNs, i.e., the mitochondrial anti-viral signalling protein (MAVS) and the Toll-IL-1 receptor-domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β (TRIF). Despite these escape mechanisms, IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) are induced in a large proportion of patients with chronic infection. Of note, chronically HCV infected patients with constitutive IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression have a poor response to treatment with pegylated IFN-α (PegIFN-α) and ribavirin. The mechanisms that protect HCV from IFN-mediated innate immune reactions are not entirely understood, but might involve blockade of ISG protein translation at the ribosome, localization of viral replication to cell compartments that are not accessible to anti-viral IFN-stimulated effector systems, or direct antagonism of effector systems by viral proteins. Escape from adaptive immune responses can be achieved by emergence of viral escape mutations that avoid recognition by antibodies and T cells. In addition, chronic infection is characterized by the presence of functionally and phenotypically altered NK and T cell responses that are unable to clear the virus but most likely contribute to the ongoing liver disease. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge about the role of innate and adaptive immune responses in determining the outcome of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus H Heim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine, Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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25
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Laidlaw SM, Dustin LB. Interferon lambda: opportunities, risks, and uncertainties in the fight against HCV. Front Immunol 2014; 5:545. [PMID: 25400636 PMCID: PMC4215632 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity is key to the fight against the daily onslaught from viruses that our bodies are subjected to. Essential to this response are the interferons (IFNs) that prime our cells to block viral pathogens. Recent evidence suggests that the Type III (λ) IFNs are intimately associated with the immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Genome-wide association studies have identified polymorphisms within the IFN-λ gene locus that correlate with response to IFNα-based antiviral therapy and with spontaneous clearance of HCV infection. The mechanisms for these correlations are incompletely understood. Restricted expression of the IFN-λ receptor, and the ability of IFN-λ to induce IFN-stimulated genes in HCV-infected cells, suggest potential roles for IFN-λ in HCV therapy even in this era of directly acting antivirals. This review summarizes our current understanding of the IFN-λ family and the role of λ IFNs in the natural history of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M. Laidlaw
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lynn B. Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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26
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Gondeau C, Briolotti P, Razafy F, Duret C, Rubbo PA, Helle F, Rème T, Ripault MP, Ducos J, Fabre JM, Ramos J, Pécheur EI, Larrey D, Maurel P, Daujat-Chavanieu M. In vitro infection of primary human hepatocytes by HCV-positive sera: insights on a highly relevant model. Gut 2014; 63:1490-500. [PMID: 24153249 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-304623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adult primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) support the complete infection cycle of natural HCV from patients' sera. The molecular details underlying sera infectivity towards these cells remain largely unknown. Therefore, we sought to gain a deeper comprehension of these features in the most physiologically relevant culture system. DESIGN Using kinetic experiments, we defined the optimal conditions to infect PHH and explored the link between cell organisation and permissivity. Based on their infectivity, about 120 sera were classified in three groups. Concentration of 52 analytes was measured in 79 selected sera using multiplexed immunobead-based analyte profiling. RESULTS PHH permissivity towards HCV infection negatively correlated with cell polarisation and formation of functional bile canaliculi. PHH supported HCV replication for at least 2 weeks with de novo virus production. Depending on their reactivity, sera could be classified in three groups of high, intermediate or low infectivity toward PHH. Infectivity could not be predicted based on the donors' clinical characteristics, viral load or genotype. Interestingly, highly infectious sera displayed a specific cytokine profile with low levels of most of the 52 tested analytes. Among them, 24 cytokines/growth factors could impact hepatocyte biology and infection efficiency. CONCLUSIONS We identified critical factors leading to efficient PHH infection by HCV sera in vitro. Overall, we showed that this cellular model provides a useful tool for studying the mechanism of HCV infection in its natural host cell, selecting highly infectious isolates, and determining the potency of drugs towards various HCV strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Gondeau
- INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Briolotti
- INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Francia Razafy
- INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Cédric Duret
- INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre-Alain Rubbo
- Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France INSERM U1058, Montpellier, France
| | - François Helle
- EA4294, Laboratoire de Virologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire et Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Thierry Rème
- INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Ripault
- Department of Hepato-gastroenterology A, Hospital Saint Eloi, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jacques Ducos
- INSERM U1058, Montpellier, France Département de Bactériologie-Virologie, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Michel Fabre
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Hospital Saint Eloi, CHU Montpellier, France
| | - Jeanne Ramos
- Pathological anatomy department, CHU Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France
| | - Eve-Isabelle Pécheur
- UMR INSERM 1052/CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Dominique Larrey
- INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Department of Hepato-gastroenterology A, Hospital Saint Eloi, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Maurel
- INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Daujat-Chavanieu
- INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France CHU Saint Eloi, Institute of Research in Biotherapy, Montpellier, France
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27
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Dustin LB, Cashman SB, Laidlaw SM. Immune control and failure in HCV infection--tipping the balance. J Leukoc Biol 2014; 96:535-48. [PMID: 25015956 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.4ri0214-126r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the development of potent antiviral drugs, HCV remains a global health problem; global eradication is a long way off. In this review, we discuss the immune response to HCV infection and particularly, the interplay between viral strategies that delay the onset of antiviral responses and host strategies that limit or even eradicate infected cells but also contribute to pathogenesis. Although HCV can disable some cellular virus-sensing machinery, IFN-stimulated antiviral genes are induced in the infected liver. Whereas epitope evolution contributes to escape from T cell-mediated immunity, chronic high antigen load may also blunt the T cell response by activating exhaustion or tolerance mechanisms. The evasive maneuvers of HCV limit sterilizing humoral immunity through rapid evolution of decoy epitopes, epitope masking, stimulation of interfering antibodies, lipid shielding, and cell-to-cell spread. Whereas the majority of HCV infections progress to chronic hepatitis with persistent viremia, at least 20% of patients spontaneously clear the infection. Most of these are protected from reinfection, suggesting that protective immunity to HCV exists and that a prophylactic vaccine may be an achievable goal. It is therefore important that we understand the correlates of protective immunity and mechanisms of viral persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn B Dustin
- University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Siobhán B Cashman
- University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen M Laidlaw
- University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Oxford, United Kingdom
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28
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Veerapu NS, Park SH, Tully DC, Allen TM, Rehermann B. Trace amounts of sporadically reappearing HCV RNA can cause infection. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:3469-78. [PMID: 25003189 DOI: 10.1172/jci73104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is defined as the absence of viremia 6 months after therapy cessation. We previously reported that trace amounts of HCV RNA, below the sensitivity of the standard clinical assay, can reappear sporadically in treatment responders. Here, we assessed the infectivity of this RNA and infused 3 chimpanzees sequentially at 9-week intervals with plasma or PBMCs from patients who tested positive for trace amounts of HCV RNA more than 6 months after completing pegylated IFN-α/ribavirin therapy. A fourth chimpanzee received HCV RNA-negative plasma and PBMCs from healthy blood donors. The 3 experimental chimpanzees, but not the control chimpanzee, generated HCV-specific T cell responses against nonstructural and structural HCV sequences 6-10 weeks after the first infusion of patient plasma and during subsequent infusions. In 1 chimpanzee, T cell responses declined, and this animal developed high-level viremia at week 27. Deep sequencing of HCV demonstrated transmission of a minor HCV variant from the first infusion donor that persisted in the chimpanzee for more than 6 months despite undetectable systemic viremia. Collectively, these results demonstrate that trace amounts of HCV RNA, which appear sporadically in successfully treated patients, can be infectious; furthermore, transmission can be masked in the recipient by an extended eclipse phase prior to establishing high-level viremia.
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29
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Xiao F, Fofana I, Heydmann L, Barth H, Soulier E, Habersetzer F, Doffoël M, Bukh J, Patel AH, Zeisel MB, Baumert TF. Hepatitis C virus cell-cell transmission and resistance to direct-acting antiviral agents. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004128. [PMID: 24830295 PMCID: PMC4022730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted between hepatocytes via classical cell entry but also uses direct cell-cell transfer to infect neighboring hepatocytes. Viral cell-cell transmission has been shown to play an important role in viral persistence allowing evasion from neutralizing antibodies. In contrast, the role of HCV cell-cell transmission for antiviral resistance is unknown. Aiming to address this question we investigated the phenotype of HCV strains exhibiting resistance to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in state-of-the-art model systems for cell-cell transmission and spread. Using HCV genotype 2 as a model virus, we show that cell-cell transmission is the main route of viral spread of DAA-resistant HCV. Cell-cell transmission of DAA-resistant viruses results in viral persistence and thus hampers viral eradication. We also show that blocking cell-cell transmission using host-targeting entry inhibitors (HTEIs) was highly effective in inhibiting viral dissemination of resistant genotype 2 viruses. Combining HTEIs with DAAs prevented antiviral resistance and led to rapid elimination of the virus in cell culture model. In conclusion, our work provides evidence that cell-cell transmission plays an important role in dissemination and maintenance of resistant variants in cell culture models. Blocking virus cell-cell transmission prevents emergence of drug resistance in persistent viral infection including resistance to HCV DAAs. In spite of the rapid development of antiviral agents, antiviral resistance remains a challenge for the treatment of viral infections including hepatitis B and C virus (HBV, HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and influenza. Virus spreads from infected cells to surrounding uninfected host cells to develop infection through cell-free and cell-cell transmission routes. Understanding the spread of resistant virus is important for the development of novel antiviral strategies to prevent and treat antiviral resistance. Here, we characterize the spread of resistant viruses and its impact for emergence and prevention of resistance using HCV as a model system. Our results show that cell-cell transmission is the main transmission route for antiviral resistant HCV strains and is crucial for the maintenance of infection. Monoclonal antibodies or small molecules targeting HCV entry factors are effective in inhibiting the spread of resistant HCV in cell culture models and thus should be evaluated clinically for prevention and treatment of HCV resistance. Combination of inhibitors targeting viral entry and clinically used direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) prevents antiviral resistance and leads to viral eradication in cell culture models. Collectively, the investigation provides a new strategy for prevention of viral resistance to antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xiao
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Isabel Fofana
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura Heydmann
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Heidi Barth
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eric Soulier
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - François Habersetzer
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Michel Doffoël
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Research Centre, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mirjam B. Zeisel
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Inserm, U1110, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Pôle Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Sugiyama K, Ebinuma H, Nakamoto N, Sakasegawa N, Murakami Y, Chu PS, Usui S, Ishibashi Y, Wakayama Y, Taniki N, Murata H, Saito Y, Fukasawa M, Saito K, Yamagishi Y, Wakita T, Takaku H, Hibi T, Saito H, Kanai T. Prominent steatosis with hypermetabolism of the cell line permissive for years of infection with hepatitis C virus. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94460. [PMID: 24718268 PMCID: PMC3981821 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of experiments for HCV infection have been done using lytic infection systems, in which HCV-infected cells inevitably die. Here, to elucidate metabolic alteration in HCV-infected cells in a more stable condition, we established an HCV-persistently-infected cell line, designated as HPI cells. This cell line has displayed prominent steatosis and supported HCV infection for more than 2 years, which is the longest ever reported. It enabled us to analyze metabolism in the HCV-infected cells integrally combining metabolomics and expression arrays. It revealed that rate-limiting enzymes for biosynthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids were up-regulated with actual increase in cholesterol, desmosterol (cholesterol precursor) and pool of fatty acids. Notably, the pentose phosphate pathway was facilitated with marked up-regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, a rete-limiting enzyme, with actual increase in NADPH. In its downstream, enzymes for purine synthesis were also up-regulated resulting in increase of purine. Contrary to common cancers, the TCA cycle was preferentially facilitated comparing to glycolysis pathway with a marked increase of most of amino acids. Interestingly, some genes controlled by nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), a master regulator of antioxidation and metabolism, were constitutively up-regulated in HPI cells. Knockdown of Nrf2 markedly reduced steatosis and HCV infection, indicating that Nrf2 and its target genes play important roles in metabolic alteration and HCV infection. In conclusion, HPI cell is a bona fide HCV-persistently-infected cell line supporting HCV infection for years. This cell line sustained prominent steatosis in a hypermetabolic status producing various metabolites. Therefore, HPI cell is a potent research tool not only for persistent HCV infection but also for liver metabolism, overcoming drawbacks of the lytic infection systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Sugiyama
- Center for the Study of Chronic Liver Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Hirotoshi Ebinuma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yuko Murakami
- Division of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Po-sung Chu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shingo Usui
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuka Ishibashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Wakayama
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhito Taniki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Murata
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Saito
- Division of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Fukasawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Disease, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyoko Saito
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Disease, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Yamagishi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Disease, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takaku
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Chiba Institute of Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Hibi
- Center for Advanced IBD Research and Treatment, Kitasato Institute Hospital, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidetsugu Saito
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanori Kanai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Ivanisenko NV, Mishchenko EL, Akberdin IR, Demenkov PS, Likhoshvai VA, Kozlov KN, Todorov DI, Gursky VV, Samsonova MG, Samsonov AM, Clausznitzer D, Kaderali L, Kolchanov NA, Ivanisenko VA. A new stochastic model for subgenomic hepatitis C virus replication considers drug resistant mutants. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91502. [PMID: 24643004 PMCID: PMC3958367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As an RNA virus, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is able to rapidly acquire drug resistance, and for this reason the design of effective anti-HCV drugs is a real challenge. The HCV subgenomic replicon-containing cells are widely used for experimental studies of the HCV genome replication mechanisms, for drug testing in vitro and in studies of HCV drug resistance. The NS3/4A protease is essential for virus replication and, therefore, it is one of the most attractive targets for developing specific antiviral agents against HCV. We have developed a stochastic model of subgenomic HCV replicon replication, in which the emergence and selection of drug resistant mutant viral RNAs in replicon cells is taken into account. Incorporation into the model of key NS3 protease mutations leading to resistance to BILN-2061 (A156T, D168V, R155Q), VX-950 (A156S, A156T, T54A) and SCH 503034 (A156T, A156S, T54A) inhibitors allows us to describe the long term dynamics of the viral RNA suppression for various inhibitor concentrations. We theoretically showed that the observable difference between the viral RNA kinetics for different inhibitor concentrations can be explained by differences in the replication rate and inhibitor sensitivity of the mutant RNAs. The pre-existing mutants of the NS3 protease contribute more significantly to appearance of new resistant mutants during treatment with inhibitors than wild-type replicon. The model can be used to interpret the results of anti-HCV drug testing on replicon systems, as well as to estimate the efficacy of potential drugs and predict optimal schemes of their usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita V. Ivanisenko
- Department of Systems Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena L. Mishchenko
- Department of Systems Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ilya R. Akberdin
- Department of Systems Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Pavel S. Demenkov
- Department of Systems Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vitaly A. Likhoshvai
- Department of Systems Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Konstantin N. Kozlov
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Dmitry I. Todorov
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Chebyshev Laboratory, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vitaly V. Gursky
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Theoretical Department, Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St.Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria G. Samsonova
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexander M. Samsonov
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Petersburg State Polytechnical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Theoretical Department, Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St.Petersburg, Russia
| | - Diana Clausznitzer
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lars Kaderali
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nikolay A. Kolchanov
- Department of Systems Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Vladimir A. Ivanisenko
- Department of Systems Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
- PB-soft Llc, Novosibirsk, Russia
- * E-mail:
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32
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Chandra PK, Bao L, Song K, Aboulnasr FM, Baker DP, Shores N, Wimley WC, Liu S, Hagedorn CH, Fuchs SY, Wu T, Balart LA, Dash S. HCV infection selectively impairs type I but not type III IFN signaling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 184:214-29. [PMID: 24215913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Revised: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A stable and persistent Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication cell culture model was developed to examine clearance of viral replication during long-term treatment using interferon-α (IFN-α), IFN-λ, and ribavirin (RBV). Persistently HCV-infected cell culture exhibited an impaired antiviral response to IFN-α+RBV combination treatment, whereas IFN-λ treatment produced a strong and sustained antiviral response that cleared HCV replication. HCV replication in persistently infected cells induced chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and an autophagy response that selectively down-regulated the functional IFN-α receptor-1 chain of type I, but not type II (IFN-γ) or type III (IFN-λ) IFN receptors. Down-regulation of IFN-α receptor-1 resulted in defective JAK-STAT signaling, impaired STAT phosphorylation, and impaired nuclear translocation of STAT. Furthermore, HCV replication impaired RBV uptake, because of reduced expression of the nucleoside transporters ENT1 and CNT1. Silencing ER stress and the autophagy response using chemical inhibitors or siRNA additively inhibited HCV replication and induced viral clearance by the IFN-α+RBV combination treatment. These results indicate that HCV induces ER stress and that the autophagy response selectively impairs type I (but not type III) IFN signaling, which explains why IFN-λ (but not IFN-α) produced a sustained antiviral response against HCV. The results also indicate that inhibition of ER stress and of the autophagy response overcomes IFN-α+RBV resistance mechanisms associated with HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha K Chandra
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Lili Bao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Kyoungsub Song
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Fatma M Aboulnasr
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | | | - Nathan Shores
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - William C Wimley
- Department of Biochemistry, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Shuanghu Liu
- Department of Medicine and Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Curt H Hagedorn
- Department of Medicine and Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Serge Y Fuchs
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Luis A Balart
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Srikanta Dash
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Lupberger J, Duong FHT, Fofana I, Zona L, Xiao F, Thumann C, Durand SC, Pessaux P, Zeisel MB, Heim MH, Baumert TF. Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling impairs the antiviral activity of interferon-alpha. Hepatology 2013; 58:1225-35. [PMID: 23519785 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) exhibits its antiviral activity through signal transducer and activator of transcription protein (STAT) signaling and the expression of IFN response genes (IRGs). Viral infection has been shown to result in activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-a host cell entry factor used by several viruses, including hepatitis C virus. However, the effect of EGFR activation for cellular antiviral responses is unknown. Here, we uncover cross-talk between EGFR and IFN-α signaling that has a therapeutic effect on IFN-α-based therapies and functional relevance for viral evasion and IFN resistance. We show that combining IFN-α with the EGFR inhibitor, erlotinib, potentiates the antiviral effect of each compound in a highly synergistic manner. The extent of the synergy correlated with reduced STAT3 phosphorylation in the presence of erlotinib, whereas STAT1 phosphorylation was not affected. Furthermore, reduced STAT3 phosphorylation correlated with enhanced expression of suppressors of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in the presence of erlotinib and enhanced expression of the IRGs, radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 and myxovirus resistance protein 1. Moreover, EGFR stimulation reduced STAT1 dimerization, but not phosphorylation, indicating that EGFR cross-talk with IFN signaling acts on the STATs at the level of binding DNA. CONCLUSIONS Our results support a model where inhibition of EGFR signaling impairs STAT3 phosphorylation, leading to enhanced IRG expression and antiviral activity. These data uncover a novel role of EGFR signaling in the antiviral activity of IFN-α and open new avenues of improving the efficacy of IFN-α-based antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Lupberger
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Virologie, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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34
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Binder M, Sulaimanov N, Clausznitzer D, Schulze M, Hüber CM, Lenz SM, Schlöder JP, Trippler M, Bartenschlager R, Lohmann V, Kaderali L. Replication vesicles are load- and choke-points in the hepatitis C virus lifecycle. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003561. [PMID: 23990783 PMCID: PMC3749965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection develops into chronicity in 80% of all patients, characterized by persistent low-level replication. To understand how the virus establishes its tightly controlled intracellular RNA replication cycle, we developed the first detailed mathematical model of the initial dynamic phase of the intracellular HCV RNA replication. We therefore quantitatively measured viral RNA and protein translation upon synchronous delivery of viral genomes to host cells, and thoroughly validated the model using additional, independent experiments. Model analysis was used to predict the efficacy of different classes of inhibitors and identified sensitive substeps of replication that could be targeted by current and future therapeutics. A protective replication compartment proved to be essential for sustained RNA replication, balancing translation versus replication and thus effectively limiting RNA amplification. The model predicts that host factors involved in the formation of this compartment determine cellular permissiveness to HCV replication. In gene expression profiling, we identified several key processes potentially determining cellular HCV replication efficiency. Hepatitis C is a severe disease and a prime cause for liver transplantation. Up to 3% of the world's population are chronically infected with its causative agent, the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). This capacity to establish long (decades) lasting persistent infection sets HCV apart from other plus-strand RNA viruses typically causing acute, self-limiting infections. A prerequisite for its capacity to persist is HCV's complex and tightly regulated intracellular replication strategy. In this study, we therefore wanted to develop a comprehensive understanding of the molecular processes governing HCV RNA replication in order to pinpoint the most vulnerable substeps in the viral life cycle. For that purpose, we used a combination of biological experiments and mathematical modeling. Using the model to study HCV's replication strategy, we recognized diverse but crucial roles for the membraneous replication compartment of HCV in regulating RNA amplification. We further predict the existence of an essential limiting host factor (or function) required for establishing active RNA replication and thereby determining cellular permissiveness for HCV. Our model also proved valuable to understand and predict the effects of pharmacological inhibitors of HCV and might be a solid basis for the development of similar models for other plus-strand RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Binder
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nurgazy Sulaimanov
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Dresden, Germany
- Heidelberg University, ViroQuant Research Group Modeling, BioQuant BQ26, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Diana Clausznitzer
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Dresden, Germany
| | - Manuel Schulze
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian M. Hüber
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon M. Lenz
- Heidelberg University, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Simulation and Optimization Group, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes P. Schlöder
- Heidelberg University, Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Simulation and Optimization Group, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Trippler
- University Hospital of Essen, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Essen, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Lohmann
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lars Kaderali
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Dresden, Germany
- Heidelberg University, ViroQuant Research Group Modeling, BioQuant BQ26, Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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35
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Hepatitis C viral entry inhibitors prolong viral suppression by replication inhibitors in persistently-infected Huh7 cultures. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65273. [PMID: 23755208 PMCID: PMC3670904 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Efforts to treat HCV patients are focused on developing antiviral combinations that lead to the eradication of infection. Thus, it is important to identify optimal combinations from the various viral inhibitor classes. Based on viral dynamic models, HCV entry inhibitors are predicted to reduce viral load in a monophasic manner reflecting the slow death rate of infected hepatocytes (t1/2 = 2–70 days) and the protection of naïve, un-infected cells from HCV infection. In contrast, replication inhibitors are predicted to reduce viral load in a biphasic manner. The initial rapid reduction phase is due to the inhibition of virus production and elimination of plasma virus (t1/2∼3 hours). The second, slower reduction phase results from the elimination of infected hepatocytes. Here we sought to compare the ability of HCV entry and replication inhibitors as well as combinations thereof to reduce HCV infection in persistently-infected Huh7 cells. Treatment with 5×EC50 of entry inhibitors anti-CD81 Ab or EI-1 resulted in modest (≤1 log10 RNA copies/ml), monophasic declines in viral levels during 3 weeks of treatment. In contrast, treatment with 5×EC50 of the replication inhibitors BILN-2016 or BMS-790052 reduced extracellular virus levels more potently (∼2 log10 RNA copies/ml) over time in a biphasic manner. However, this was followed by a slow rise to steady-state virus levels due to the emergence of resistance mutations. Combining an entry inhibitor with a replication inhibitor did not substantially enhance the rate of virus reduction. However, entry/replication inhibitor and replication/replication inhibitor combinations reduced viral levels further than monotherapies (up to 3 log10 RNA copies/ml) and prolonged this reduction relative to monotherapies. Our results demonstrated that HCV entry inhibitors combined with replication inhibitors can prolong antiviral suppression, likely due to the delay of viral resistance emergence.
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36
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Angulo J, Pino K, Pavez C, Biel F, Labbé P, Miquel JF, Soza A, López-Lastra M. Genetic variations in host IL28B links to the detection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells-associated hepatitis C virus RNA in chronically infected patients. J Viral Hepat 2013; 20:263-72. [PMID: 23490371 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is mainly hepatotropic; however, several reports document the presence of genomic viral RNA in extrahepatic sites including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In this study, the presence of HCV RNA was initially evaluated in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 53 HCV-infected patients who were treated per protocol. PBMC-associated HCV RNA was detectable in 79% of patients. Early virological response to combined pegylated interferon-α (PegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in patients with undetectable levels of PBMCs-associated HCV RNA was 100%, while it was 60% (P = 0.003) in those who had detectable levels of PBMC-associated HCV RNA. A sustained virological response was observed in 35% of patients with detectable PBMC-associated HCV RNA, but was 70% in patients with undetectable levels of PBMC-associated HCV RNA (P = 0.07). In a multivariate analysis incorporating parameters such as HCV genotype, viral load, presence of cirrhosis and absence of PBMC-associated HCV RNA, a significant relationship was observed between the detection of PBMC-associated HCV RNA and the sustained virological response (OR 19.4, 95% CI: 2.1-486.2, P = 0.0061). The association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in IL28B, known predictor of antiviral therapy outcome, and the occurrence of HCV RNA in PBMC in 84 chronically infected patients was then evaluated. Results suggest that the presence of a G allele in rs8099917, known to associate to a poor response to PegIFN/RBV therapy, also predicts an increased association of HCV RNA with PBMC (OR: 3.564; 95% CI: 1.114-11.40, P = 0.0437).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Angulo
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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37
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Ruggieri A, Dazert E, Metz P, Hofmann S, Bergeest JP, Mazur J, Bankhead P, Hiet MS, Kallis S, Alvisi G, Samuel CE, Lohmann V, Kaderali L, Rohr K, Frese M, Stoecklin G, Bartenschlager R. Dynamic oscillation of translation and stress granule formation mark the cellular response to virus infection. Cell Host Microbe 2013; 12:71-85. [PMID: 22817989 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2012.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2012] [Revised: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Virus infection-induced global protein synthesis suppression is linked to assembly of stress granules (SGs), cytosolic aggregates of stalled translation preinitiation complexes. To study long-term stress responses, we developed an imaging approach for extended observation and analysis of SG dynamics during persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In combination with type 1 interferon, HCV infection induces highly dynamic assembly/disassembly of cytoplasmic SGs, concomitant with phases of active and stalled translation, delayed cell division, and prolonged cell survival. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), independent of viral replication, is sufficient to trigger these oscillations. Translation initiation factor eIF2α phosphorylation by protein kinase R mediates SG formation and translation arrest. This is antagonized by the upregulation of GADD34, the regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 1 dephosphorylating eIF2α. Stress response oscillation is a general mechanism to prevent long-lasting translation repression and a conserved host cell reaction to multiple RNA viruses, which HCV may exploit to establish persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Ruggieri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract
Due to the obligatory intracellular lifestyle of viruses, cell culture systems for efficient viral propagation are crucial to obtain a detailed understanding of the virus-host cell interaction. For hepatitis C virus (HCV) the development of permissive and authentic culture models continues to be a challenging task. The first efforts to culture HCV had limited success and range back to before the virus was molecularly cloned in 1989. Since then several major breakthroughs have gradually overcome limitations in culturing the virus and sequentially permitted analysis of viral RNA replication, cell entry, and ultimately the complete replication cycle in cultured cells in 2005. Until today, basic and applied HCV research greatly benefit from these tremendous efforts which spurred multiple complementary cell-based model systems for distinct steps of the HCV replication cycle. When used in combination they now permit deep insights into the fascinating biology of HCV and its interplay with the host cell. In fact, drug development has been much facilitated and our understanding of the molecular determinants of HCV replication has grown in parallel to these advances. Building on this groundwork and further refining our cellular models to better mimic the architecture, polarization and differentiation of natural hepatocytes should reveal novel unique aspects of HCV replication. Ultimately, models to culture primary HCV isolates across all genotypes may teach us important new lessons about viral functional adaptations that have evolved in exchange with its human host and that may explain the variable natural course of hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike Steinmann
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
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39
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Abstract
Low oxygen tension exerts a significant effect on the replication of several DNA and RNA viruses in cultured cells. In vitro propagation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has thus far been studied under atmospheric oxygen levels despite the fact that the liver tissue microenvironment is hypoxic. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of HCV production in actively dividing or differentiating human hepatoma cells cultured under low or atmospheric oxygen tensions. By using both HCV replicons and infection-based assays, low oxygen was found to enhance HCV RNA replication whereas virus entry and RNA translation were not affected. Hypoxia signaling pathway-focused DNA microarray and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses revealed an upregulation of genes related to hypoxic stress, glycolytic metabolism, cell growth, and proliferation when cells were kept under low (3% [vol/vol]) oxygen tension, likely reflecting cell adaptation to anaerobic conditions. Interestingly, hypoxia-mediated enhancement of HCV replication correlated directly with the increase in anaerobic glycolysis and creatine kinase B (CKB) activity that leads to elevated ATP production. Surprisingly, activation of hypoxia-inducible factor alpha (HIF-α) was not involved in the elevation of HCV replication. Instead, a number of oncogenes known to be associated with glycolysis were upregulated and evidence that these oncogenes contribute to hypoxia-mediated enhancement of HCV replication was obtained. Finally, in liver biopsy specimens of HCV-infected patients, the levels of hypoxia and anaerobic metabolism markers correlated with HCV RNA levels. These results provide new insights into the impact of oxygen tension on the intricate HCV-host cell interaction.
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40
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Metz P, Dazert E, Ruggieri A, Mazur J, Kaderali L, Kaul A, Zeuge U, Windisch MP, Trippler M, Lohmann V, Binder M, Frese M, Bartenschlager R. Identification of type I and type II interferon-induced effectors controlling hepatitis C virus replication. Hepatology 2012; 56:2082-93. [PMID: 22711689 DOI: 10.1002/hep.25908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Accepted: 06/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Persistent infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) can lead to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. All current therapies of hepatitis C include interferon-alpha (IFN-α). Moreover, IFN-gamma (IFN-γ), the only type II IFN, strongly inhibits HCV replication in vitro and is the primary mediator of HCV-specific antiviral T-cell responses. However, for both cytokines the precise set of effector protein(s) responsible for replication inhibition is not known. The aim of this study was the identification of IFN-α and IFN-γ stimulated genes (ISGs) responsible for controlling HCV replication. We devised an RNA interference (RNAi)-based "gain of function" screen and identified, in addition to known ISGs earlier reported to suppress HCV replication, several new ones with proven antiviral activity. These include IFIT3 (IFN-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3), TRIM14 (tripartite motif containing 14), PLSCR1 (phospholipid scramblase 1), and NOS2 (nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible). All ISGs identified in this study were up-regulated both by IFN-α and IFN-γ, demonstrating a substantial overlap of HCV-specific effectors induced by either cytokine. Nevertheless, some ISGs were more specific for IFN-α or IFN-γ, which was most pronounced in case of PLSCR1 and NOS2 that were identified as main effectors of IFN-γ-mediated anti-HCV activity. Combinatorial knockdowns of ISGs suggest additive or synergistic effects demonstrating that with either IFN, inhibition of HCV replication is caused by the combined action of multiple ISGs. CONCLUSION Our study identifies a number of novel ISGs contributing to the suppression of HCV replication by type I and type II IFN. We demonstrate a substantial overlap of antiviral programs triggered by either cytokine and show that suppression of HCV replication is mediated by the concerted action of multiple effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Metz
- Department of Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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In vitro systems for the study of hepatitis C virus infection. Int J Hepatol 2012; 2012:292591. [PMID: 23056952 PMCID: PMC3465938 DOI: 10.1155/2012/292591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Revised: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of a virus is made possible by the availability of culture systems in which the viral lifecycle can be realized. Such systems support robust virus entry, replication, assembly, and secretion of nascent virions. Furthermore, culture models provide a platform in which therapeutic interventions can be devised or monitored. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a restricted tropism to human and chimpanzees; thus investigations of HCV biology have been hindered for many years due to a lack of small animal models. Nevertheless, significant efforts have been directed at developing cell culture models to elucidate the viral lifecycle in vitro. HCV primarily infects liver parenchymal cells commonly known as hepatocytes. The liver is a highly specialized and complex organ and the development of in vitro systems that reflects this complexity has proven difficult. Consequently, host cell receptor molecules that potentiate HCV infection were identified over a decade after the virus was discovered. A summary of the various HCV in vitro culture models, their advantages, and disadvantages are described.
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