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Yu H, Ren J, Deng H, Li L, Zhang Z, Cheng S, Guo Z, Huang A, Dang Y, Song K, Wu D, Yao X, Qin Y, Yang Z, Xu K, He X, Chen J. Neuropilin-1 is a novel host factor modulating the entry of hepatitis B virus. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)02339-0. [PMID: 38960374 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) has been identified as the cellular receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, hepatocytes expressing NTCP exhibit varying susceptibilities to HBV infection. This study aimed to investigate whether other host factors modulate the process of HBV infection. METHODS Liver biopsy samples obtained from children with hepatitis B were used for single-cell sequencing and susceptibility analysis. Primary human hepatocytes, HepG2-NTCP cells, and human liver chimeric mice were used to analyze the effect of candidate host factors on HBV infection. RESULTS Single-cell sequencing and susceptibility analysis revealed a positive correlation between neuropilin-1 (NRP1) expression and HBV infection. In the HBV-infected cell model, NRP1 overexpression before HBV inoculation significantly enhanced viral attachment and internalization, and promoted viral infection in the presence of NTCP. Mechanistic studies indicated that NRP1 formed a complex with LHBs and NTCP. The NRP1 b domain mediated its interaction with conserved arginine residues at positions 88 and 92 in the preS1 domain of the HBV envelope protein LHBs. This NRP1-preS1 interaction subsequently promoted the binding of preS1 to NTCP, facilitating viral infection. Moreover, disruption of the NRP1-preS1 interaction by the NRP1 antagonist EG00229 significantly attenuated the binding affinity between NTCP and preS1, thereby inhibiting HBV infection both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that NRP1 is a novel host factor for HBV infection, which interacts with preS1 and NTCP to modulate HBV entry into hepatocytes. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS HBV infection is a global public health problem, but the understanding of the early infection process of HBV remains limited. Through single-cell sequencing, we identified a novel host factor, NRP1, which modulates HBV entry by interacting with HBV preS1 and NTCP. Moreover, antagonists targeting NRP1 can inhibit HBV infection both in vitro and in vivo. This study could further advance our comprehension of the early infection process of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jihua Ren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haijun Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Linfeng Li
- Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center for Novel Target and Therapeutic Intervention (Ministry of Education), Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengtao Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zufeng Guo
- Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center for Novel Target and Therapeutic Intervention (Ministry of Education), Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ailong Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongjun Dang
- Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center for Novel Target and Therapeutic Intervention (Ministry of Education), Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kunling Song
- Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center for Novel Target and Therapeutic Intervention (Ministry of Education), Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Daiqing Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinyan Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiping Qin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kexin Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Liu Y, Zhou Y, Ahodantin J, Jin Y, Zhu J, Sun Z, Wu X, Su L, Yang Y. Generation and characterization of mature hepatocyte organoids for liver metabolic studies. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261961. [PMID: 38700490 PMCID: PMC11166457 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261961] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte organoids (HOs) generated in vitro are powerful tools for liver regeneration. However, previously reported HOs have mostly been fetal in nature with low expression levels of metabolic genes characteristic of adult liver functions, hampering their application in studies of metabolic regulation and therapeutic testing for liver disorders. Here, we report development of novel culture conditions that combine optimized levels of triiodothyronine (T3) with the removal of growth factors to enable successful generation of mature hepatocyte organoids (MHOs) of both mouse and human origin with metabolic functions characteristic of adult livers. We show that the MHOs can be used to study various metabolic functions including bile and urea production, zonal metabolic gene expression, and metabolic alterations in both alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as hepatocyte proliferation, injury and cell fate changes. Notably, MHOs derived from human fetal hepatocytes also show improved hepatitis B virus infection. Therefore, these MHOs provide a powerful in vitro model for studies of human liver physiology and diseases. The human MHOs are potentially also a robust research tool for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Liu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yaxing Zhou
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James Ahodantin
- Division of Virology, Pathogenesis, and Cancer, Institute of Human Virology, Departments of Pharmacology and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yu Jin
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Juanjuan Zhu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhonghe Sun
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Lishan Su
- Division of Virology, Pathogenesis, and Cancer, Institute of Human Virology, Departments of Pharmacology and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yingzi Yang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Program in Gastrointestinal Malignancies, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Program in Gastrointestinal Malignancies, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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3
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Li Q, Wen W, Wang Y, Gong T, Wang X, Tan Q, Fan B, Xie H, Li Y, Li S, Yang C, Zhou Z, Duan X, Lin W, Chen L. Autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) interacts with bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2) to stimulate HBV replication through antagonizing the antiviral activity of BST2. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29659. [PMID: 38747016 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29659] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health burden with 820 000 deaths per year. In our previous study, we found that the knockdown of autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) significantly upregulated the interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) expression to exert the anti-HCV effect. However, the regulation of ATG5 on HBV replication and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we screened the altered expression of type I interferon (IFN-I) pathway genes using RT² Profiler™ PCR array following ATG5 knock-down and we found the bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2) expression was significantly increased. We then verified the upregulation of BST2 by ATG5 knockdown using RT-qPCR and found that the knockdown of ATG5 activated the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway. ATG5 knockdown or BST2 overexpression decreased Hepatitis B core Antigen (HBcAg) protein, HBV DNA levels in cells and supernatants of HepAD38 and HBV-infected NTCP-HepG2. Knockdown of BST2 abrogated the anti-HBV effect of ATG5 knockdown. Furthermore, we found that ATG5 interacted with BST2, and further formed a ternary complex together with HBV-X (HBx). In conclusion, our finding indicates that ATG5 promotes HBV replication through decreasing BST2 expression and interacting with it directly to antagonize its antiviral function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyuan Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenxian Wen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yijin Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Gong
- Department of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinwei Wang
- Joint Laboratory on Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases between Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Nanning Blood Center, Nanning Blood Center, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Nanning City, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Qi Tan
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin Fan
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - He Xie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Hospital of Xidian Group, Xian, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yujia Li
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shilin Li
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunhui Yang
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhonghui Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Duan
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenyu Lin
- Department of Medicine, Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Limin Chen
- Research Platform for Transfusion-transmitted Diseases, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Joint Laboratory on Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases between Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Nanning Blood Center, Nanning Blood Center, Key Laboratory for Transfusion-transmitted Infectious Diseases of the Health Commission of Nanning City, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Hospital of Xidian Group, Xian, Shaanxi, China
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4
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Deng R, Tian R, Li X, Xu Y, Li Y, Wang X, Li H, Wang L, Xu B, Yang D, Tang S, Xue B, Zuo C, Zhu H. ISG12a promotes immunotherapy of HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma through blocking TRIM21/AKT/β-catenin/PD-L1 axis. iScience 2024; 27:109533. [PMID: 38591006 PMCID: PMC11000115 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection generally elicits weak type-I interferon (IFN) immune response in hepatocytes, covering the regulatory effect of IFN-stimulated genes. In this study, low level of IFN-stimulated gene 12a (ISG12a) predicted malignant transformation and poor prognosis of HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), whereas high level of ISG12a indicated active NK cell phenotypes. ISG12a interacts with TRIM21 to inhibit the phosphorylation activation of protein kinase B (PKB, also known as AKT) and β-catenin, suppressing PD-L1 expression to block PD-1/PD-L1 signaling, thereby enhancing the anticancer effect of NK cells. The suppression of PD-1-deficient NK-92 cells on HBV-associated tumors was independent of ISG12a expression, whereas the anticancer effect of PD-1-expressed NK-92 cells on HBV-associated tumors was enhanced by ISG12a and treatments of atezolizumab and nivolumab. Thus, tumor intrinsic ISG12a promotes the anticancer effect of NK cells by regulating PD-1/PD-L1 signaling, presenting the significant role of innate immunity in defending against HBV-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rilin Deng
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Department of Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, Hainan, China
- Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Renyun Tian
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Department of Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, Hainan, China
| | - Xinran Li
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Yongqi Li
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130031, Jilin, China
| | - Xintao Wang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Huiyi Li
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Department of Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, Hainan, China
| | - Luoling Wang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Biaoming Xu
- Department of Gastroduodenal and Pancreatic Surgery, Translational Medicine Joint Research Center of Liver Cancer, Laboratory of Digestive Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Clinical Research Center For Tumor of Pancreaticobiliary Duodenal Junction In Hunan Province, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Di Yang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Songqing Tang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
| | - Binbin Xue
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Department of Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, Hainan, China
| | - Chaohui Zuo
- Department of Gastroduodenal and Pancreatic Surgery, Translational Medicine Joint Research Center of Liver Cancer, Laboratory of Digestive Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Clinical Research Center For Tumor of Pancreaticobiliary Duodenal Junction In Hunan Province, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Haizhen Zhu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, Department of Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, Hainan, China
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Wen J, Chen G, Wang T, Yu W, Liu Z, Wang H. High-pressure Hydrodynamic Injection as a Method of Establishing Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Mice. Comp Med 2024; 74:19-24. [PMID: 38365263 PMCID: PMC10938560 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-23-000050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Among several existing mouse models for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the high-pressure hydrodynamic injection (HDI) method is frequently used in HBV research due to its economic advantages and ease of implementation. The use of the HDI method is influenced by factors such as mouse genetic background, age, sex, and the type of HBV plasmid used. This overview provides a multidimensional analysis and comparison of various factors that influence the effectiveness of the HBV mouse model established through HDI. The goal is to provide a summary of information for researchers who create HBV models in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wen
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Biosafety, Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Guoli Chen
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Biosafety, Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Tianshun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Biosafety, Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Wan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Biosafety, Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhengyun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Biosafety, Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease and Biosafety, Guizhou Provincial Department of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
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Tian R, Yang D, Xu B, Deng R, Xue B, Wang L, Li H, Liu Q, Wang X, Tang S, Wan M, Pei H, Zhu H. Establishment of cell culture model and humanized mouse model of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0274523. [PMID: 38018998 PMCID: PMC10783038 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02745-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Approximately 257 million people worldwide have been infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and HBV infection can cause chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. The lack of suitable and effective infection models has greatly limited research in HBV-related fields for a long time, and it is still not possible to discover a method to completely and effectively remove the HBV genome. We have constructed a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HLCZ01, that can support the complete life cycle of HBV. This model can mimic the long-term stable infection of HBV in the natural state and can replace primary human hepatocytes for the development of human liver chimeric mice. This model will be a powerful tool for research in the field of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renyun Tian
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Di Yang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Biaoming Xu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Rilin Deng
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Binbin Xue
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Luoling Wang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Huiyi Li
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Songqing Tang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengyu Wan
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Hua Pei
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology,School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China
| | - Haizhen Zhu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology,School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China
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Liao F, Xie J, Du R, Gao W, Lan L, Wang M, Rong X, Fu Y, Wang H. Replication and Expression of the Consensus Genome of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype C from the Chinese Population. Viruses 2023; 15:2302. [PMID: 38140543 PMCID: PMC10747539 DOI: 10.3390/v15122302] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is a prevalent HBV genotype in the Chinese population. Although genotype C shows higher sequence heterogeneity and more severe liver disease than other genotypes, its pathogenesis and immunological traits are not yet fully elucidated. In this study, we first established and chemically synthesized the consensus sequence based on representative 138 full-length HBV genotype C genomes from the Chinese population. The pHBV1.3C plasmid system, containing a 1.3-fold full-length HBV genotype C consensus sequence, was constructed for subsequent validation. Next, we performed functional assays to investigate the replicative competence of pHBV1.3C in vitro through the transient transfection of HepG2 and Huh7 cells and validated the in vivo function via a hydrodynamic injection to BALB/c recipient mice. The in vitro investigation revealed that the extracellular HBV DNA and intracellular replicative intermediate (i.e., pregenomic RNA, pgRNA) were apparently measurable at 48 h, and the HBsAg and HBcAg were still positive in hepatoma cells at 96 h. We also found that HBsAg and HBeAg accumulated at the extracellular and intracellular levels in a time-dependent manner. The in vivo validation demonstrated that pHBV1.3C plasmids induced HBV viremia, triggered morphological changes and HBsAg- or HBcAg- positivity of hepatocytes, and ultimately caused inflammatory infiltration and focal or piecemeal necrosis in the livers of the murine recipients. HBV protein (HBsAg) colocalized with CD8+ T cells or CD4+ T cells in the liver. F4/80+ Kupffer cells were abundantly recruited around the altered murine hepatocytes. Taken together, our results indicate that the synthetic consensus sequence of HBV genotype C is replication-competent in vitro and in vivo. This genotype C consensus genome supports the full HBV life cycle, which is conducive to studying its pathogenesis and immune response, screening novel antiviral agents, and further optimizing testing and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenfang Liao
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Junmou Xie
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Rongsong Du
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Wenbo Gao
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Lanyin Lan
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Min Wang
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Xia Rong
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Yongshui Fu
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
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8
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Gordhan BG, Herrera C, Pillay AD, Seiphetlo T, Ealand CS, Machowski E, Singh N, Seatholo N, Otwombe K, Lebina L, Frise R, Scarlatti G, Chiodi F, Martinson N, Fox J, Kana BD. Evaluation of a human mucosal tissue explant model for SARS-CoV-2 replication. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291146. [PMID: 37769001 PMCID: PMC10538748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
With the onset of COVID-19, the development of ex vivo laboratory models became an urgent priority to study host-pathogen interactions in response to the pandemic. In this study, we aimed to establish an ex vivo mucosal tissue explant challenge model for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication. Nasal or oral tissue samples were collected from eligible participants and explants generated from the tissue were infected with various SARS-CoV-2 strains, including IC19 (lineage B.1.13), Beta (lineage B.1.351) and Delta (lineage B.1.617.2). A qRT-PCR assay used to measure viral replication in the tissue explants over a 15-day period, demonstrated no replication for any viral strains tested. Based on this, the ex vivo challenge protocol was modified by reducing the viral infection time and duration of sampling. Despite these changes, viral infectivity of the nasal and oral mucosa was not improved. Since 67% of the enrolled participants were already vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, it is possible that neutralizing antibodies in explant tissue may have prevented the establishment of infection. However, we were unable to optimize plaque assays aimed at titrating the virus in supernatants from both infected and uninfected tissue, due to limited volume of culture supernatant available at the various collection time points. Currently, the reasons for the inability of these mucosal tissue samples to support replication of SARS-CoV-2 ex vivo remains unclear and requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavna Gowan Gordhan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Carolina Herrera
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Azure-Dee Pillay
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Thabiso Seiphetlo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Christopher Shawn Ealand
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Edith Machowski
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Natasha Singh
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ntombexolo Seatholo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kennedy Otwombe
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rebecca Frise
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriella Scarlatti
- Viral Evolution and Transmission Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiodi
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Neil Martinson
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Julie Fox
- Guys and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bavesh Davandra Kana
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
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9
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Shiraishi K, Yoshida O, Imai Y, Akbar SMF, Sanada T, Kohara M, Miyazaki T, Kamishita T, Miyake T, Hirooka M, Tokumoto Y, Abe M, Rubido JCA, Nieto GG, Hiasa Y. Intranasal HBsAg/HBcAg-Containing Vaccine Induces Neutralizing Anti-HBs Production in Hepatitis B Vaccine Non-Responders. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1479. [PMID: 37766155 PMCID: PMC10535445 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B vaccine induces the production of antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and prevents hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, 5-10% of individuals cannot develop anti-HBs even after multiple vaccinations (HB vaccine non-responders). We developed an intranasal vaccine containing both HBs antigen (HBsAg) and HB core antigen (HBcAg) and mixed it with a viscosity enhancer, carboxyl vinyl polymer (CVP-NASVAC). Here, we investigated the prophylactic capacity of CVP-NASVAC in HB vaccine non-responders. Thirty-four HB vaccine non-responders were administered three doses of intranasal CVP-NASVAC. The prophylactic capacity of CVP-NASVAC was assessed by evaluating the induction of anti-HBs and anti-HBc (IgA and IgG) production, HBV-neutralization activity of sera, and induction of HBs- and HBc-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). After CVP-NASVAC administration, anti-HBs and anti-HBc production were induced in 31/34 and 27/34 patients, respectively. IgA anti-HBs and anti-HBc titers significantly increased after CVP-NASVAC vaccination. HBV-neutralizing activity in vitro was confirmed in the sera of 26/29 CVP-NASVAC-administered participants. HBs- and HBc-specific CTL counts substantially increased after the CVP-NASVAC administration. Mild adverse events were observed in 9/34 participants; no serious adverse events were reported. Thus, CVP-NASVAC could be a beneficial vaccine for HB vaccine non-responders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kana Shiraishi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Osamu Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Yusuke Imai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Sheikh Mohammad Fazle Akbar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Takahiro Sanada
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Michinori Kohara
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | | | | | - Teruki Miyake
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Masashi Hirooka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Yoshio Tokumoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Masanori Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
| | - Julio Cesar Aguilar Rubido
- Vaccine Division, Biomedical Research Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Gerardo Guillen Nieto
- Vaccine Division, Biomedical Research Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | - Yoichi Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
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10
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Yi J, Lei X, Guo F, Chen Q, Chen X, Zhao K, Zhu C, Cheng X, Lin J, Yin H, Xia Y. Codelivery of Cas9 mRNA and guide RNAs edits hepatitis B virus episomal and integration DNA in mouse and tree shrew models. Antiviral Res 2023; 215:105618. [PMID: 37142191 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
With 296 million chronically infected individuals worldwide, hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes a major health burden. The major challenge to cure HBV infection lies in the fact that the source of persistence infection, viral episomal covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), could not be targeted. In addition, HBV DNA integration, although normally results in replication-incompetent transcripts, considered as oncogenic. Though several studies evaluated the potential of gene-editing approaches to target HBV, previous in vivo studies have been of limited relevance to authentic HBV infection, as the models do not contain HBV cccDNA or feature a complete HBV replication cycle under competent host immune system. In this study, we evaluated the effect of in vivo codelivery of Cas9 mRNA and guide RNAs (gRNAs) by SM-102-based lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) on HBV cccDNA and integrated DNA in mouse and a higher species. CRISPR nanoparticle treatment decreased the levels of HBcAg, HBsAg and cccDNA in AAV-HBV1.04 transduced mouse liver by 53%, 73% and 64% respectively. In HBV infected tree shrews, the treatment achieved 70% reduction of viral RNA and 35% reduction of cccDNA. In HBV transgenic mouse, 90% inhibition of HBV RNA and 95% inhibition of DNA were observed. CRISPR nanoparticle treatment was well tolerated in both mouse and tree shrew, as no elevation of liver enzymes and minimal off-target was observed. Our study demonstrated that SM-102-based CRISPR is safe and effective in targeting HBV episomal and integration DNA in vivo. The system delivered by SM-102-based LNPs may be used as a potential therapeutic strategy against HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzhu Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinlin Lei
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Urology, Frontier Science Centre for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fangteng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiubing Chen
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Urology, Frontier Science Centre for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xueyong Chen
- Group of Nonhuman Primates Reproductive and Stem Cell, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China
| | - Kaitao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengliang Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoming Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiangwei Lin
- Group of Nonhuman Primates Reproductive and Stem Cell, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China.
| | - Hao Yin
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Urology, Frontier Science Centre for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Department of Pathology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; RNA Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Wuhan Research Centre for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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11
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Sharma S, Rawal P, Kaur S, Puria R. Liver organoids as a primary human model to study HBV-mediated Hepatocellular carcinoma. A review. Exp Cell Res 2023; 428:113618. [PMID: 37142202 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is the prevailing cause of chronic liver disease, which progresses to Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 75% of cases. It represents a serious health concern being the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Treatments available to date fail to provide a complete cure with high chances of recurrence and related side effects. The lack of reliable, reproducible, and scalable in vitro modeling systems that could recapitulate the viral life cycle and represent virus-host interactions has hindered the development of effective treatments so far. The present review provides insights into the current in-vivo and in-vitro models used for studying HBV and their major limitations. We highlight the use of three-dimensional liver organoids as a novel and suitable platform for modeling HBV infection and HBV-mediated HCC. HBV organoids can be expanded, genetically altered, patient-derived, tested for drug discovery, and biobanked. This review also provides the general guidelines for culturing HBV organoids and highlights their several prospects for HBV drug discovery and screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Sharma
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Preety Rawal
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India.
| | - Rekha Puria
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India.
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12
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Wang L, Zhu Q, Zhang JD, Zhang Y, Ni X, Xiang K, Jiang J, Li B, Yu Y, Hu H, Zhang M, Wu W, Zeng J, Yan Z, Dai J, Sun K, Zhang X, Chen D, Feng S, Sach-Peltason L, Young JAT, Gao L. Discovery of a first-in-class orally available HBV cccDNA inhibitor. J Hepatol 2023; 78:742-753. [PMID: 36587899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in infected hepatocytes is the major barrier preventing viral eradication with existing therapies in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Therapeutic agents that can eliminate cccDNA are urgently needed to achieve viral eradication and thus HBV cure. METHODS A phenotypic assay with HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) was employed to screen for novel cccDNA inhibitors. A HBVcircle mouse model and a uPA-SCID (urokinase-type plasminogen activator-severe combined immunodeficiency) humanized liver mouse model were used to evaluate the anti-HBV efficacy of the discovered cccDNA inhibitors. RESULTS Potent and dose-dependent reductions in extracellular HBV DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg levels were achieved upon the initiation of ccc_R08 treatment two days after the HBV infection of PHHs. More importantly, the level of cccDNA was specifically reduced by ccc_R08, while it did not obviously affect mitochondrial DNA. Additionally, ccc_R08 showed no significant cytotoxicity in PHHs or in multiple proliferating cell lines. The twice daily oral administration of ccc_R08 to HBVcircle model mice, which contained surrogate cccDNA molecules, significantly decreased the serum levels of HBV DNA and antigens, and these effects were sustained during the off-treatment follow-up period. Moreover, at the end of follow-up, the levels of surrogate cccDNA molecules in the livers of ccc_R08-treated HBVcircle mice were reduced to below the lower limit of quantification. CONCLUSIONS We have discovered a small-molecule cccDNA inhibitor that reduces HBV cccDNA levels. cccDNA inhibitors potentially represent a new approach to completely cure patients chronically infected with HBV. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) persistence in HBV-infected hepatocytes is the root cause of chronic hepatitis B. We discovered a novel small-molecule cccDNA inhibitor that can specifically reduce cccDNA levels in HBV-infected hepatocytes. This type of molecule could offer a new approach to completely cure patients chronically infected with HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Infectious Disease Discovery
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hui Hu
- Infectious Disease Discovery
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xin Zhang
- Preclinical Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls
| | | | | | - Lisa Sach-Peltason
- Data & Analytics, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Innovation Center Basel
| | | | - Lu Gao
- Infectious Disease Discovery.
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13
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Lv M, Yao T, Zhang Y, Ma S, Chen J, Tang Z, Zang G, Chen X. Exosomes loading Tapasin enhance T cell immune response by autophagy to inhibit HBV replication. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28746. [PMID: 37185848 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific T cell immune response plays a vital role in viral clearance. Dendritic cell derived exosomes (Dexs) can activate T cell immunity effectively. Tapasin (TPN) is involved in antigen processing and specific immune recognition. In the present study, we elucidated that Dexs loading TPN (TPN-Dexs) could enhance CD8+ T cell immune response and inhibit virus replication in HBV transgenic mice. T cell immune response and the ability of inhibiting HBV replication were measured in HBV transgenic mice immunized with TPN-Dexs. Meanwhile, CD8+ T cell autophagy and specific T cell immune responses were measured in vitro and vivo, and the mechanisms probably involved in were explored. Purified TPN-Dexs could be taken up into the cytoplasm of DCs and upregulate CD8+ T cell autophagy to enhance specific T cell immune response. In addition, TPN-Dexs could increase the expression of AKT and decrease the expression of mTOR in CD8+ T cells. Further research confirmed that TPN-Dexs could inhibit virus replication and decrease the expression of HBsAg in the liver of HBV transgenic mice. Nevertheless, those also could elicit mice hepatocytes damage. In conclusion, TPN-Dexs could enhance specific CD8+ T cell immune responses via the AKT/mTOR pathway to regulate the autophagy and exert the antiviral effect in HBV transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjiao Lv
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyuan Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinmei Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghao Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoqing Zang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohua Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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14
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Yang H, Yao W, Yang J. Overview of the development of HBV small molecule inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115128. [PMID: 36709647 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Like tuberculosis and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis B is a globally recognized major public health threat. Although there are many small-molecule drugs for the treatment of hepatitis B, the approved drugs cannot eradicate the pathogenic culprit covalently closed circular DNA in patients, so the patients need long-term medication to control HBV amplification. Driven by a high unmet medical need, many pharmaceutical companies and research institutions have been engaged in the development of anti-HBV drugs to achieve a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B as soon as possible. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus and the research progress in the development of anti-HBV small molecule drugs, and introduces the cccDNA formation and transcription inhibitors and core inhibitors in detail, especially emphasizes the role of chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Furthermore, this review proposes three potential strategies for cccDNA eradication in the future. We believe this review will provide meaningful guidance to achieve a functional cure for viral hepatitis B in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Yang
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266001, China
| | - Weiwei Yao
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266001, China
| | - Jinfei Yang
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266001, China.
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15
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Relevance of HBx for Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054964. [PMID: 36902395 PMCID: PMC10003785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) counts as a major global health problem, as it presents a significant causative factor for liver-related morbidity and mortality. The development of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) as a characteristic of a persistent, chronic infection could be caused, among others, by the pleiotropic function of the viral regulatory protein HBx. The latter is known to modulate an onset of cellular and viral signaling processes with emerging influence in liver pathogenesis. However, the flexible and multifunctional nature of HBx impedes the fundamental understanding of related mechanisms and the development of associated diseases, and has even led to partial controversial results in the past. Based on the cellular distribution of HBx-nuclear-, cytoplasmic- or mitochondria-associated-this review encompasses the current knowledge and previous investigations of HBx in context of cellular signaling pathways and HBV-associated pathogenesis. In addition, particular focus is set on the clinical relevance and potential novel therapeutic applications in the context of HBx.
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16
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Yan B, Liu Y, Chen YC, Liu F. A RNase P Ribozyme Inhibits Gene Expression and Replication of Hepatitis B Virus in Cultured Cells. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030654. [PMID: 36985227 PMCID: PMC10058342 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), an international public health concern, is a leading viral cause of liver disease, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Sequence-specific ribozymes derived from ribonuclease P (RNase P) catalytic RNA are being explored for gene targeting applications. In this study, we engineered an active RNase P ribozyme, M1-S-A, targeting the overlapping region of HBV S mRNA, pre-S/L mRNA, and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), all deemed essential for viral infection. Ribozyme M1-S-A cleaved the S mRNA sequence efficiently in vitro. We studied the effect of RNase P ribozyme on HBV gene expression and replication using the human hepatocyte HepG2.2.15 culture model that harbors an HBV genome and supports HBV replication. In these cultured cells, the expression of M1-S-A resulted in a reduction of more than 80% in both HBV RNA and protein levels and an inhibition of about 300-fold in the capsid-associated HBV DNA levels when compared to the cells that did not express any ribozymes. In control experiments, cells expressing an inactive control ribozyme displayed little impact on HBV RNA and protein levels, and on capsid-associated viral DNA levels. Our study signifies that RNase P ribozyme can suppress HBV gene expression and replication, implying the promise of RNase P ribozymes for anti-HBV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yan
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yujun Liu
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yuan-Chuan Chen
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Fenyong Liu
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(510)-643-2436; Fax: +1-(510)-643-9955
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Pregenomic RNA Launch Hepatitis B Virus Replication System Facilitates the Mechanistic Study of Antiviral Agents and Drug-Resistant Variants on Covalently Closed Circular DNA Synthesis. J Virol 2022; 96:e0115022. [PMID: 36448800 PMCID: PMC9769369 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01150-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicates its genomic DNA by reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate, termed pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), within nucleocapsid. It had been shown that transfection of in vitro-transcribed pgRNA initiated viral replication in human hepatoma cells. We demonstrated here that viral capsids, single-stranded DNA, relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) became detectable sequentially at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h post-pgRNA transfection into Huh7.5 cells. The levels of viral DNA replication intermediates and cccDNA peaked at 24 and 48 h post-pgRNA transfection, respectively. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) became detectable in culture medium at day 4 posttransfection. Interestingly, the early robust viral DNA replication and cccDNA synthesis did not depend on the expression of HBV X protein (HBx), whereas HBsAg production was strictly dependent on viral DNA replication and expression of HBx, consistent with the essential role of HBx in the transcriptional activation of cccDNA minichromosomes. While the robust and synchronized HBV replication within 48 h post-pgRNA transfection is particularly suitable for the precise mapping of the HBV replication steps, from capsid assembly to cccDNA formation, targeted by distinct antiviral agents, the treatment of cells starting at 48 h post-pgRNA transfection allows the assessment of antiviral agents on mature nucleocapsid uncoating, cccDNA synthesis, and transcription, as well as viral RNA stability. Moreover, the pgRNA launch system could be used to readily assess the impacts of drug-resistant variants on cccDNA formation and other replication steps in the viral life cycle. IMPORTANCE Hepadnaviral pgRNA not only serves as a template for reverse transcriptional replication of viral DNA but also expresses core protein and DNA polymerase to support viral genome replication and cccDNA synthesis. Not surprisingly, cytoplasmic expression of duck hepatitis B virus pgRNA initiated viral replication leading to infectious virion secretion. However, HBV replication and antiviral mechanism were studied primarily in human hepatoma cells transiently or stably transfected with plasmid-based HBV replicons. The presence of large amounts of transfected HBV DNA or transgenes in cellular chromosomes hampered the robust analyses of HBV replication and cccDNA function. As demonstrated here, the pgRNA launch HBV replication system permits the accurate mapping of antiviral target and investigation of cccDNA biosynthesis and transcription using secreted HBsAg as a convenient quantitative marker. The effect of drug-resistant variants on viral capsid assembly, genome replication, and cccDNA biosynthesis and function can also be assessed using this system.
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Li Q, Sun B, Zhuo Y, Jiang Z, Li R, Lin C, Jin Y, Gao Y, Wang D. Interferon and interferon-stimulated genes in HBV treatment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1034968. [PMID: 36531993 PMCID: PMC9751411 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1034968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small enveloped DNA virus with a complex life cycle. It is the causative agent of acute and chronic hepatitis. HBV can resist immune system responses and often causes persistent chronic infections. HBV is the leading cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis. Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines with antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antitumor properties. IFNs are glycoproteins with a strong antiviral activity that plays an important role in adaptive and innate immune responses. They are classified into three categories (type I, II, and III) based on the structure of their cell-surface receptors. As an effective drug for controlling chronic viral infections, Type I IFNs are approved to be clinically used for the treatment of HBV infection. The therapeutic effect of interferon will be enhanced when combined with other drugs. IFNs play a biological function by inducing the expression of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the host cells, which are responsible for the inhibiting of HBV replication, transcription, and other important processes. Animal models of HBV, such as chimpanzees, are also important tools for studying IFN treatment and ISG regulation. In the present review, we summarized the recent progress in IFN-HBV treatment and focused on its mechanism through the interaction between HBV and ISGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qirong Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China,Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Baozhen Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Zhuo
- School of Acupuncture-Moxi bustion and Tuina, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Ziping Jiang
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Rong Li
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chao Lin
- School of Grain Science and Technology, Jilin Business and Technology College, Changchun, China
| | - Ye Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yongjian Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China,*Correspondence: Yongjian Gao, ; Dongxu Wang,
| | - Dongxu Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China,*Correspondence: Yongjian Gao, ; Dongxu Wang,
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Kayesh MEH, Kohara M, Tsukiyama-Kohara K. Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Acute Viral Hepatitis in Bangladesh: An Overview. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2266. [PMID: 36422336 PMCID: PMC9695917 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections by hepatotropic viruses can cause both acute and chronic infections in the liver, resulting in morbidity and mortality in humans. Hepatotropic viruses, including hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV), are the major pathogens that cause acute and chronic infections in humans. Although all of these viruses can cause acute hepatitis in humans, HAV and HEV are the predominant causative agents in Bangladesh, where the occurrence is sporadic throughout the year. In this review, we provide an overview of the epidemiology of hepatotropic viruses that are responsible for acute hepatitis in Bangladesh. Additionally, we focus on the transmission modes of these viruses and the control and prevention of infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Enamul Hoque Kayesh
- Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal 8210, Bangladesh
| | - Michinori Kohara
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
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Walker A, Schwarz T, Brinkmann-Paulukat J, Wisskirchen K, Menne C, Alizei ES, Kefalakes H, Theissen M, Hoffmann D, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Maini MK, Cornberg M, Kraft ARM, Keitel V, Bock HH, Horn PA, Thimme R, Wedemeyer H, Heinemann FM, Luedde T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Protzer U, Timm J. Immune escape pathways from the HBV core 18-27 CD8 T cell response are driven by individual HLA class I alleles. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1045498. [PMID: 36439181 PMCID: PMC9686862 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1045498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims There is growing interest in T cell-based immune therapies for a functional cure of chronic HBV infection including check-point inhibition, T cell-targeted vaccines or TCR-grafted effector cells. All these approaches depend on recognition of HLA class I-presented viral peptides. The HBV core region 18-27 is an immunodominant target of CD8+ T cells and represents the prime target for T cell-based therapies. Here, a high-resolution analysis of the core18-27 specific CD8+ T cell and the selected escape pathways was performed. Methods HLA class I typing and viral sequence analyses were performed for 464 patients with chronic HBV infection. HBV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses against the prototype and epitope variants were characterized by flow cytometry. Results Consistent with promiscuous presentation of the core18-27 epitope, antigen-specific T cells were detected in patients carrying HLA-A*02:01, HLA-B*35:01, HLA-B*35:03 or HLA-B*51:01. Sequence analysis confirmed reproducible selection pressure on the core18-27 epitope in the context of these alleles. Interestingly, the selected immune escape pathways depend on the presenting HLA-class I-molecule. Although cross-reactive T cells were observed, some epitope variants achieved functional escape by impaired TCR-interaction or disturbed antigen processing. Of note, selection of epitope variants was exclusively observed in HBeAg negative HBV infection and here, detection of variants associated with significantly greater magnitude of the CD8 T cell response compared to absence of variants. Conclusion The core18-27 epitope is highly variable and under heavy selection pressure in the context of different HLA class I-molecules. Some epitope variants showed evidence for impaired antigen processing and reduced presentation. Viruses carrying such escape substitutions will be less susceptible to CD8+ T cell responses and should be considered for T cell-based therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Walker
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tatjana Schwarz
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Janine Brinkmann-Paulukat
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karin Wisskirchen
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christopher Menne
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Elahe Salimi Alizei
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Helenie Kefalakes
- Institute of Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Theissen
- Research Group Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Daniel Hoffmann
- Research Group Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mala K. Maini
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anke RM Kraft
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Verena Keitel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans H. Bock
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter A. Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Falko M. Heinemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Neumann-Haefelin
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Timm
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Pires De Souza GA, Le Bideau M, Boschi C, Wurtz N, Colson P, Aherfi S, Devaux C, La Scola B. Choosing a cellular model to study SARS-CoV-2. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1003608. [PMID: 36339347 PMCID: PMC9634005 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1003608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As new pathogens emerge, new challenges must be faced. This is no different in infectious disease research, where identifying the best tools available in laboratories to conduct an investigation can, at least initially, be particularly complicated. However, in the context of an emerging virus, such as SARS-CoV-2, which was recently detected in China and has become a global threat to healthcare systems, developing models of infection and pathogenesis is urgently required. Cell-based approaches are crucial to understanding coronavirus infection biology, growth kinetics, and tropism. Usually, laboratory cell lines are the first line in experimental models to study viral pathogenicity and perform assays aimed at screening antiviral compounds which are efficient at blocking the replication of emerging viruses, saving time and resources, reducing the use of experimental animals. However, determining the ideal cell type can be challenging, especially when several researchers have to adapt their studies to specific requirements. This review strives to guide scientists who are venturing into studying SARS-CoV-2 and help them choose the right cellular models. It revisits basic concepts of virology and presents the currently available in vitro models, their advantages and disadvantages, and the known consequences of each choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Augusto Pires De Souza
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Marion Le Bideau
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Céline Boschi
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Nathalie Wurtz
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Colson
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Sarah Aherfi
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Christian Devaux
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Department of Biological Sciences (INSB), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard La Scola
- Microbes, Evolution, Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), UM63, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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22
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Antiviral Compounds Screening Targeting HBx Protein of the Hepatitis B Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231912015. [PMID: 36233317 PMCID: PMC9569680 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231912015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A functional cure of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or HB antigen loss is rarely achieved by nucleos(t)ide analogs which target viral polymerase. HBx protein is a regulatory protein associated with HBV replication. We thought to identify antiviral compounds targeting HBx protein by analyzing HBx binding activity. Recombinant GST-tagged HBx protein was applied on an FDA-approved drug library chip including 1018 compounds to determine binding affinity by surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) using a PlexArray HT system. GST protein alone was used for control experiments. Candidate compounds were tested for anti-HBV activity as well as cell viability using HepG2.2.15.7 cells and HBV-infected human hepatocytes. Of the 1018 compounds screened, 24 compounds showed binding to HBx protein. Of the top 6 compounds with high affinity to HBx protein, tranilast was found to inhibit HBV replication without affecting cell viability using HepG2.2.15.7 cells. Tranilast also inhibited HBV infection using cultured human hepatocytes. Tranilast reduced HB antigen level dose-dependently. Overall, theSPRi screening assay identified novel drug candidates targeting HBx protein. Tranilast and its related compounds warrant further investigation for the treatment of HBV infection.
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Hong X, Menne S, Hu J. Constrained evolution of overlapping genes in viral host adaptation: Acquisition of glycosylation motifs in hepadnaviral precore/core genes. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010739. [PMID: 35901192 PMCID: PMC9362955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepadnaviruses use extensively overlapping genes to expand their coding capacity, especially the precore/core genes encode the precore and core proteins with mostly identical sequences but distinct functions. The precore protein of the woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) is N-glycosylated, in contrast to the precore of the human hepatitis B virus (HBV) that lacks N-glycosylation. To explore the roles of the N-linked glycosylation sites in precore and core functions, we substituted T77 and T92 in the WHV precore/core N-glycosylation motifs (75NIT77 and 90NDT92) with the corresponding HBV residues (E77 and N92) to eliminate the sequons. Conversely, these N-glycosylation sequons were introduced into the HBV precore/core gene by E77T and N92T substitutions. We found that N-glycosylation increased the levels of secreted precore gene products from both HBV and WHV. However, the HBV core (HBc) protein carrying the E77T substitution was defective in supporting virion secretion, and during infection, the HBc E77T and N92T substitutions impaired the formation of the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the critical viral DNA molecule responsible for establishing and maintaining infection. In cross-species complementation assays, both HBc and WHV core (WHc) proteins supported all steps of intracellular replication of the heterologous virus while WHc, with or without the N-glycosylation sequons, failed to interact with HBV envelope proteins for virion secretion. Interestingly, WHc supported more efficiently intracellular cccDNA amplification than HBc in the context of either HBV or WHV. These findings reveal novel determinants of precore secretion and core functions and illustrate strong constraints during viral host adaptation resulting from their compact genome and extensive use of overlapping genes. Hepadnaviruses infect a wide range of hosts. The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) and woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) are two closely related hepadnaviruses. In contrast to the WHV precore protein, which is N-glycosylated, the HBV precore protein lacks N-glycosylation. As precore and core proteins expressed from the overlapping precore/core genes share most of their sequences but have distinct functions, we investigated the roles of the N-linked glycosylation sequons in HBV and WHV precore/core genes. Our results revealed an important role of the N-linked glycosylation sequons in enhancing precore secretion levels and regulating core protein functions in virion secretion and infection. Furthermore, cross-species complementation assays using HBV and WHV core proteins and HBV or WHV genomes defective in core protein expression indicated that both HBV and WHV core proteins could support intracellular viral replication but not virion secretion of the heterologous virus. These results provide novel insights into the evolution of overlapping genes during host adaptation of hepadnaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Hong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Stephan Menne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Hong X, Kawasawa YI, Menne S, Hu J. Host cell-dependent late entry step as determinant of hepatitis B virus infection. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010633. [PMID: 35714170 PMCID: PMC9246237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a highly restricted host range and cell tropism. Other than the human sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (huNTCP), the HBV entry receptor, host determinants of HBV susceptibility are poorly understood. Woodchucks are naturally infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV), closely related to HBV, but not with HBV. Here, we investigated the capabilities of woodchuck hepatic and human non-hepatic cell lines to support HBV infection. DNA transfection assays indicated that all cells tested supported both HBV and WHV replication steps post entry, including the viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formation, which is essential for establishing and sustaining infection. Ectopic expression of huNTCP rendered one, but not the other, woodchuck hepatic cell line and the non-hepatic human cell line competent to support productive HBV entry, defined here by cccDNA formation during de novo infection. All huNTCP-expressing cell lines tested became susceptible to infection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) that shares the same entry receptor and initial steps of entry with HBV, suggesting that a late entry/trafficking step(s) of HBV infection was defective in one of the two woodchuck cell lines. In addition, the non-susceptible woodchuck hepatic cell line became susceptible to HBV after fusion with human hepatic cells, suggesting the lack of a host cell-dependent factor(s) in these cells. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the two woodchuck cell lines revealed widespread differences in gene expression in multiple biological processes that may contribute to HBV infection. In conclusion, other than huNTCP, neither human- nor hepatocyte-specific factors are essential for productive HBV entry. Furthermore, a late trafficking step(s) during HBV infection, following the shared entry steps with HDV and before cccDNA formation, is subject to host cell regulation and thus, a host determinant of HBV infection. Fundamental studies on, and development of therapies against, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which inflicts hundreds of millions worldwide, are impeded by deficiencies in HBV-susceptible animal models. HBV displays a strict species and cell tropism that are not clearly understood. Here, by studying replication of HBV, and the related woodchuck hepatitis virus, in human and woodchuck hepatic or non-hepatic cells, we found that non-hepatic human cells and some woodchuck hepatic cells could support productive HBV entry after expression of the human cell receptor for HBV. Moreover, by studying the infection of hepatitis D virus, which shares the same entry receptor and initial steps of entry with HBV, we could narrow down a host determinant of HBV infection operating at a late entry/trafficking step(s). Our study thus provides new insights into determinants of HBV host tropism and facilitates the development of HBV-susceptible animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Hong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Yuka Imamura Kawasawa
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Personalized Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Stephan Menne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Du Y, Zhang W, Qiu H, Xiao C, Shi J, Reid LM, He Z. Mouse Models of Liver Parenchyma Injuries and Regeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:903740. [PMID: 35721478 PMCID: PMC9198899 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.903740] [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: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice have genetic and physiological similarities with humans and a well-characterized genetic background that is easy to manipulate. Murine models have become the most favored, robust mammalian systems for experimental analyses of biological processes and disease conditions due to their low cost, rapid reproduction, a wealth of mouse strains with defined genetic conditions (both native ones as well as ones established experimentally), and high reproducibility with respect to that which can be done in experimental studies. In this review, we focus on murine models for liver, an organ with renown regenerative capacity and the organ most central to systemic, complex metabolic and physiological functions for mammalian hosts. Establishment of murine models has been achieved for all aspects of studies of normal liver, liver diseases, liver injuries, and regenerative repair mechanisms. We summarize key information on current mouse systems that partially model facets of clinical scenarios, particularly those associated with drug-induced acute or chronic liver injuries, dietary related, non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis virus infectious chronic liver diseases, and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). In addition, we also include mouse models that are suitable for studying liver cancers (e.g., hepatocellular carcinomas), the aging process (senescence, apoptosis), and various types of liver injuries and regenerative processes associated with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Du
- Department of General Surgery, Ji’an Hospital, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Ji’an, China
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wencheng Zhang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, Ji’an Hospital, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Ji’an, China
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Canjun Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Ji’an Hospital, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Ji’an, China
| | - Jun Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Ji’an Hospital, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Ji’an, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiying He, ; Lola M. Reid, , ; Jun Shi,
| | - Lola M. Reid
- Departments of Cell Biology and Physiology, Program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Zhiying He, ; Lola M. Reid, , ; Jun Shi,
| | - Zhiying He
- Department of General Surgery, Ji’an Hospital, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Ji’an, China
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiying He, ; Lola M. Reid, , ; Jun Shi,
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Wang Y, Li Y, Zai W, Hu K, Zhu Y, Deng Q, Wu M, Li Y, Chen J, Yuan Z. HBV covalently closed circular DNA minichromosomes in distinct epigenetic transcriptional states differ in their vulnerability to damage. Hepatology 2022; 75:1275-1288. [PMID: 34779008 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is a major obstacle for a cure of chronic hepatitis B. Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications regulate the transcriptional activity of cccDNA minichromosomes. However, it remains unclear how the epigenetic state of cccDNA affects its stability. APPROACHES AND RESULTS By using HBV infection cell models and in vitro and in vivo recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) and HBVcircle models, the reduction rate of HBV cccDNA and the efficacy of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3A (APOBEC3A)-mediated and CRISPR/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9)-mediated cccDNA targeting were compared between cccDNAs with distinct transcriptional activities. Interferon-α treatment and hepatitis B x protein (HBx) deletion were applied as two strategies for cccDNA repression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and micrococcal nuclease assays were performed to determine the epigenetic pattern of cccDNA. HBV cccDNA levels remained stable in nondividing hepatocytes; however, they were significantly reduced during cell division, and the reduction rate was similar between cccDNAs in transcriptionally active and transcriptionally repressed states. Strikingly, HBV rcccDNA without HBx expression exhibited a significantly longer persistence in mice. The cccDNA with low transcriptional activity exhibited an epigenetically inactive pattern and was more difficult to access by APOBEC3A and engineered CRISPR-Cas9. The epigenetic regulator activating cccDNA increased its vulnerability to APOBEC3A. CONCLUSIONS HBV cccDNA minichromosomes in distinct epigenetic transcriptional states showed a similar reduction rate during cell division but significantly differed in their accessibility and vulnerability to targeted nucleases and antiviral agents. Epigenetic sensitization of cccDNA makes it more susceptible to damage and may potentially contribute to an HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yumeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wenjing Zai
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Kongying Hu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yuanfei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Qiang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina.,Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus InfectionChinese Academy of Medical SciencesShanghaiChina.,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and InfectionShanghaiChina
| | - Min Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical CenterFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yaming Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina.,Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus InfectionChinese Academy of Medical SciencesShanghaiChina.,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and InfectionShanghaiChina
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina.,Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus InfectionChinese Academy of Medical SciencesShanghaiChina.,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and InfectionShanghaiChina
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Xi J, Cui X, Liu K, Liu H, Wang J, Hu J. Region-Specific Hepatitis B Virus Genome Exposure from Nucleocapsid Modulated by Capsid Linker Sequence and Inhibitor: Implications for Uncoating. J Virol 2022; 96:e0039922. [PMID: 35389266 PMCID: PMC9044944 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00399-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) contains a partially double-stranded, relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome synthesized within a nucleocapsid (NC) in the host cell cytoplasm. The release of RC DNA from the NC, in an ill-defined process called uncoating, to the nucleus is required for its conversion to the covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA, the viral episome serving as the transcriptional template for all viral RNAs necessary for replication and, thus, essential for establishing and sustaining viral infection. In efforts to better understand uncoating, we analyzed HBV core (HBc) mutants that show various levels of nuclear CCC DNA but little to no cytoplasmic RC DNA. We found that RC DNA could be synthesized by these mutants outside the cell, but in contrast to the wild type (wt), the mutant NCs were unable to protect RC DNA from digestion by the endogenous nuclease(s) in cellular lysates or exogenous DNase. Subcellular fractionation suggested that the major RC DNA-degrading activity was membrane associated. Digestion with sequence-specific and nonspecific DNases revealed the exposure of specific regions of RC DNA from the mutant NC. Similarly, treatment of wt NCs with a core inhibitor known to increase CCC DNA by affecting uncoating also led to region-specific exposure of RC DNA. Furthermore, a subpopulation of untreated wild type (wt) mature NCs showed site-specific exposure of RC DNA as well. Competition between RC DNA degradation and its conversion to CCC DNA during NC uncoating thus likely plays an important role in the establishment and persistence of HBV infection and has implications for the development of capsid-targeted antivirals. IMPORTANCE Disassembly of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsid (NC) to release its genomic DNA, in an ill-understood process called uncoating, is required to form the viral nuclear episome in the host cell nucleus, a viral DNA essential for establishing and sustaining HBV infection. The elimination of the HBV nuclear episome remains the holy grail for the development of an HBV cure. We report here that the HBV genomic DNA is exposed in a region-specific manner during uncoating, which is enhanced by mutations of the capsid protein and a capsid-targeted antiviral compound. The exposure of the viral genome can result in its rapid degradation or, alternatively, can enhance the formation of the nuclear episome, thus having a major impact on HBV infection and persistence. These results are thus important for understanding fundamental mechanisms of HBV replication and persistence and for the ongoing pursuit of an HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Xi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiuji Cui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kuancheng Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Haitao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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Liu T, Liu A, Liu Y, Cen S, Zhang Q. In vitro investigation of HBV clinical isolates from Chinese patients reveals that genotype C isolates possess higher infectivity than genotype B isolates. Virol Sin 2022; 37:398-407. [PMID: 35314401 PMCID: PMC9243618 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Zai W, Hu K, Ye J, Ding J, Huang C, Li Y, Fang Z, Wu M, Wang C, Chen J, Yuan Z. Long-Term Hepatitis B Virus Infection Induces Cytopathic Effects in Primary Human Hepatocytes, and Can Be Partially Reversed by Antiviral Therapy. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0132821. [PMID: 35171034 PMCID: PMC8849052 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01328-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major health burden worldwide. While the immune response has been recognized to play crucial roles in HBV pathogenesis, the direct cytopathic effects of HBV infection and replication on host hepatocytes and the HBV-host interactions are only partially defined due to limited culture systems. Here, based on our recently developed 5 chemical-cultured primary human hepatocytes (5C-PHHs) model that supports long-term HBV infection, we performed multiplexed quantitative analysis of temporal changes of host proteome and transcriptome on PHHs infected by HBV for up to 4 weeks. We showed that metabolic-, complement-, cytoskeleton-, mitochondrial-, and oxidation-related pathways were modulated at transcriptional or posttranscriptional levels during long-term HBV infection, which led to cytopathic effects and could be partially rescued by early, rather than late, nucleot(s)ide analog (NA) administration and could be significantly relieved by blocking viral antigens with RNA interference (RNAi). Overexpression screening of the dysregulated proteins identified a series of host factors that may contribute to pro- or anti-HBV responses of the infected hepatocytes. In conclusion, our results suggest that long-term HBV infection in primary human hepatocytes leads to cytopathic effects through remodeling the proteome and transcriptome and early antiviral treatment may reduce the extent of such effects, indicating a role of virological factors in HBV pathogenesis and a potential benefit of early administration of antiviral treatment. IMPORTANCE Global temporal quantitative proteomic and transcriptomic analysis using long-term hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected primary human hepatocytes uncovered extensive remodeling of the host proteome and transcriptome and revealed cytopathic effects of long-term viral replication. Metabolic-, complement-, cytoskeleton-, mitochondrial-, and oxidation-related pathways were modulated at transcriptional or posttranscriptional levels, which could be partially rescued by early, rather than late, NA therapy and could be relieved by blocking viral antigens with RNAi. Overexpression screening identified a series of pro- or anti-HBV host factors. These data have deepened the understanding of the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and HBV-host interactions in hepatocytes, with implications for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zai
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kongying Hu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianyu Ye
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahui Ding
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaming Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong Fang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Cure of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
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30
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Jiang S, Wang X, Chen K, Yang P. Establishment of an inducible cell line for Hepatitis B virus genotype C2 and its pharmacological responses to interferons. Pharmacol Res 2022; 178:106142. [PMID: 35218895 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is closely associated with poor prognosis, contributing greatly to heavy chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related liver disease burden in China and worldwide. However, the mechanistic studies on genotype C of HBV remain largely limited, partially because of a long-term lack of genotype C HBV-based stable cell tools. According to a bioinformatic analysis on the sub-genotype C2 HBV that is predominantly endemic in China, we selected 17.3 strain as a representative isolate. With a Tet-off gene expression system, an inducible viral replication and virion production of genotype C2 HBV were achieved in a cell line carrying persistent rcDNA-cccDNA recycling, termed HepG2-17.3, can be useful for virological studies on genotype C2 HBV. Additionally, this cell line has been formatted into cell-based assay that permits particular pharmacological screening of drug candidates, such as interferon regimens, for evaluations of the inhibitory effects on genotype C2 HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaodong Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kaili Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Pengyuan Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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31
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Avdoshina DV, Kondrashova AS, Belikova MG, Bayurova EO. Murine Models of Chronic Viral Infections and Associated Cancers. Mol Biol 2022; 56:649-667. [PMID: 36217336 PMCID: PMC9534466 DOI: 10.1134/s0026893322050028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Viruses are now recognized as bona fide etiologic factors of human cancer. Carcinogenic viruses include Epstein– Barr virus (EBV), high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1, indirectly), and several candidate human cancer viruses. It is estimated that 15% of all human tumors worldwide are caused by viruses. Tumor viruses establish long-term persistent infections in humans, and cancer is an accidental side effect of viral replication strategies. Viruses are usually not complete carcinogens, supporting the concept that cancer results from the accumulation of multiple cooperating events, in which human cancer viruses display different, often opposing roles. The laboratory mouse Mus musculus is one of the best in vivo experimental systems for modeling human pathology, including viral infections and cancer. However, mice are unsusceptible to infection with the known carcinogenic viruses. Many murine models were developed to overcome this limitation and to address various aspects of virus-associated carcinogenesis, from tumors resulting from xenografts of human tissues and cells, including cancerous and virus infected, to genetically engineered mice susceptible to viral infections and associated cancer. The review considers the main existing models, analyzes their advantages and drawbacks, describes their applications, outlines the prospects of their further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. V. Avdoshina
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immunobiological Products, Russian Academy of Sciences (Polio Institute), 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - A. S. Kondrashova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immunobiological Products, Russian Academy of Sciences (Polio Institute), 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - M. G. Belikova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immunobiological Products, Russian Academy of Sciences (Polio Institute), 108819 Moscow, Russia ,Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia ,Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - E. O. Bayurova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immunobiological Products, Russian Academy of Sciences (Polio Institute), 108819 Moscow, Russia ,Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia
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Descoeudres N, Jouneau L, Henry C, Gorrichon K, Derré-Bobillot A, Serror P, Gillespie LL, Archambaud C, Pagliuso A, Bierne H. An Immunomodulatory Transcriptional Signature Associated With Persistent Listeria Infection in Hepatocytes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:761945. [PMID: 34858876 PMCID: PMC8631403 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.761945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes causes severe foodborne illness in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. After the intestinal phase of infection, the liver plays a central role in the clearance of this pathogen through its important functions in immunity. However, recent evidence suggests that during long-term infection of hepatocytes, a subpopulation of Listeria may escape eradication by entering a persistence phase in intracellular vacuoles. Here, we examine whether this long-term infection alters hepatocyte defense pathways, which may be instrumental for bacterial persistence. We first optimized cell models of persistent infection in human hepatocyte cell lines HepG2 and Huh7 and primary mouse hepatocytes (PMH). In these cells, Listeria efficiently entered the persistence phase after three days of infection, while inducing a potent interferon response, of type I in PMH and type III in HepG2, while Huh7 remained unresponsive. RNA-sequencing analysis identified a common signature of long-term Listeria infection characterized by the overexpression of a set of genes involved in antiviral immunity and the under-expression of many acute phase protein (APP) genes, particularly involved in the complement and coagulation systems. Infection also altered the expression of cholesterol metabolism-associated genes in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. The decrease in APP transcripts was correlated with lower protein abundance in the secretome of infected cells, as shown by proteomics, and also occurred in the presence of APP inducers (IL-6 or IL-1β). Collectively, these results reveal that long-term infection with Listeria profoundly deregulates the innate immune functions of hepatocytes, which could generate an environment favorable to the establishment of persistent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Descoeudres
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Luc Jouneau
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Céline Henry
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Kevin Gorrichon
- Université Paris-Saclay, Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule, CEA, CNRS UMR 9198, Université Paris-Sud, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | | | - Pascale Serror
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Laura Lee Gillespie
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Laboratories, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Cristel Archambaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Alessandro Pagliuso
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Hélène Bierne
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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Proteomic Analysis of Nuclear HBV rcDNA Associated Proteins Identifies UV-DDB as a Host Factor Involved in cccDNA Formation. J Virol 2021; 96:e0136021. [PMID: 34705558 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01360-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) utilizes host DNA repair mechanisms to convert viral relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) into a persistent viral genome, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). To identify said host factors involved in cccDNA formation, we developed an unbiased approach to discover proteins involved in cccDNA formation by precipitating nuclear rcDNA from induced HepAD38 cells and identifying the co-precipitated proteins by mass spectrometry. The DNA damage binding protein 1 (DDB1) surfaced as a hit, coinciding with our previously reported shRNA screen in which shRNA-DDB1 in HepDES19 cells reduced cccDNA production. DDB1 binding to nuclear rcDNA was confirmed in HepAD38 cells via ChIP-qPCR. DDB1 and DNA damage binding protein 2 (DDB2) form the UV-DDB complex and the latter senses DNA damage to initiate the global genome nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER) pathway. To investigate the role of DDB complex in cccDNA formation, DDB2 was knocked out in HepAD38 and HepG2-NTCP cells. In both knockout cell lines, cccDNA formation was stunted significantly, and in HepG2-NTCP-DDB2 knockout cells, downstream indicators of cccDNA such as HBV RNA, HBcAg, and HBeAg were similarly reduced. Knockdown of DDB2 in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells and primary human hepatocytes (PHH) also resulted in cccDNA reduction. Trans-complementation of wild type DDB2 in HepG2-NTCP-DDB2 knockout cells rescued cccDNA formation and its downstream indicators. However, ectopic expression of DDB2 mutants deficient in DNA-binding, DDB1-binding, or ubiquitination failed to rescue cccDNA formation. Our study thus suggests an integral role of UV-DDB, specifically DDB2, in the formation of HBV cccDNA. IMPORTANCE Serving as a key viral factor for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is formed in the cell nucleus from viral relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) by hijacking host DNA repair machinery. Previous studies have identified a handful of host DNA repair factors involved in cccDNA formation through hypothesis-driven research with some help from RNAi screening and/or biochemistry approaches. To enrich the landscape of tools for discovering host factors responsible for rcDNA-to-cccDNA conversion, we developed an rcDNA immunoprecipitation paired mass spectrometry assay, which allowed us to pull down nuclear rcDNA in its transitional state to cccDNA and observe the associated host factors. From this assay we discovered a novel relationship between the UV-DDB complex and cccDNA formation, hence, providing a proof-of-concept for a more direct discovery of novel HBV DNA-host interactions that can be exploited to develop new cccDNA-targeting antivirals.
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Cao S, Liu M, Sehrawat TS, Shah VH. Regulation and functional roles of chemokines in liver diseases. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 18:630-647. [PMID: 33976393 PMCID: PMC9036964 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of almost all liver diseases. Low-molecular-weight proteins called chemokines are the main drivers of liver infiltration by immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils and others during an inflammatory response. During the past 25 years, tremendous progress has been made in understanding the regulation and functions of chemokines in the liver. This Review summarizes three main aspects of the latest advances in the study of chemokine function in liver diseases. First, we provide an overview of chemokine biology, with a particular focus on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of chemokine transcription as well as on the cell type-specific production of chemokines by liver cells and liver-associated immune cells. Second, we highlight the functional roles of chemokines in liver homeostasis and their involvement in progression to disease in both human and animal models. Third, we discuss the therapeutic opportunities targeting chemokine production and signalling in the treatment of liver diseases, such as alcohol-associated liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, including the relevant preclinical studies and ongoing clinical trials.
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Zhao F, Xie X, Tan X, Yu H, Tian M, Lv H, Qin C, Qi J, Zhu Q. The Functions of Hepatitis B Virus Encoding Proteins: Viral Persistence and Liver Pathogenesis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:691766. [PMID: 34456908 PMCID: PMC8387624 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.691766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
About 250 million people worldwide are chronically infected with Hepatitis B virus (HBV), contributing to a large burden on public health. Despite the existence of vaccines and antiviral drugs to prevent infection and suppress viral replication respectively, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cure remains a remote treatment goal. The viral persistence caused by HBV is account for the chronic infection which increases the risk for developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV virion utilizes various strategies to escape surveillance of host immune system therefore enhancing its replication, while the precise mechanisms involved remain elusive. Accumulating evidence suggests that the proteins encoded by HBV (hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core antigen, hepatitis B envelope antigen, HBx and polymerase) play an important role in viral persistence and liver pathogenesis. This review summarizes the major findings in functions of HBV encoding proteins, illustrating how these proteins affect hepatocytes and the immune system, which may open new venues for CHB therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Liver Diseases Prevention and Control, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Xie
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Liver Diseases Prevention and Control, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xu Tan
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongli Yu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Liver Diseases Prevention and Control, Jinan, China
| | - Miaomiao Tian
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Liver Diseases Prevention and Control, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Huanran Lv
- Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Liver Diseases Prevention and Control, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Chengyong Qin
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Liver Diseases Prevention and Control, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jianni Qi
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Liver Diseases Prevention and Control, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiang Zhu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Liver Diseases Prevention and Control, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
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Qiu H, Lin DY, Li JY. Screening and identification of dominant monoclonal HepG2 cell strain with 1.3-fold HBV genome. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2021; 29:934-944. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v29.i16.934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection model in vitro is the basis for studying HBV life cycle and pathogenesis and for drug screening. With the clinical anti-HBV therapy entering the new trend of "functional cure" and "complete cure", there is an urgent need for cell models that can stably simulate the transcription mechanism of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and the role of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx). The 1.3-fold HBV genome contains all the biological information of HBV. It can start the transcription process by its own promoter, support the formation of cccDNA, and complete viral replication, which is closest to the life cycle of HBV in vivo. Lentivirus transfection is a technology that takes lentivirus as vector and introduces foreign molecules such as DNA and RNA into eukaryotic cells, which can form stable transfection.
AIM To construct a HepG2 cell model with 1.3-fold HBV genome by lentivirus transfection technology, and to screen and identify the dominant monoclonal strain that can stably and efficiently express HBV biomarkers.
METHODS A lentiviral plasmid containing 1.3-fold HBV genome information was constructed, and the recombinant lentivirus culture was used to infect HepG2 cells at the optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI). Blasticidin (BSD) was used to select HepG2 cell strains (1.3-fold HBV-HepG2) stably integrating the 1.3-fold HBV genome, and then the HBV in the cell model was identified by PCR. HepG2 cells stably carrying the 1.3-fold HBV genome were cultured and nine candidate positive monoclones were selected. The flanking sequences of each monoclonal cell were sequenced to determine the insertion position of the corresponding HBV genome in the genome of HepG2 cells. The most dominant monoclones were selected according to the expression levels of HBsAg and HBeAg. The expression levels and stability of HBsAg, HBeAg, HBx, cccDNA, and HBV DNA in HepG2 cells stably carrying the 1.3-fold HBV genome were compared.
RESULTS The lentiviral plasmid plenti-bsd-1.3-fold HBV was used to infect HepG2 cells at an MOI of 30. After 72 h, BSD (final concentration 1 μg/mL) was added for screening. After 15-20 d of continuous culture, stable 1.3-fold HBV-HepG2 cell line was obtained. HBV DNA sequence was then identified by PCR. Among the nine selected candidate positive monoclones, A14, in which the 1.3-fold HBV genome was inserted into the HepG2 genome at 1:166461695-166461715 (named HepGA14), had the highest expression levels of HBsAg and HBeAg at 24.28 IU/mL and 39.62 NCU/mL, respectively. HepGA14 can stably and highly express HBV biomarkers. Compared with HepG2.2.15 cell line, the expression levels of HBx and cccDNA in Hepga14 dominant monoclonal line in 1-20 passages were significantly higher (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION We have successfully constructed and screened HepGA14, a dominant monoclonal HepG cell strain with HBV 1.3-fold genome, which lays a good foundation for further research of HBV-host relationship and pathogenesis as well as for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Qiu
- Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Dong-Yi Lin
- Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jin-Yuan Li
- Guangxi Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
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Cao D, Ge JY, Wang Y, Oda T, Zheng YW. Hepatitis B virus infection modeling using multi-cellular organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:4784-4801. [PMID: 34447226 PMCID: PMC8371505 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i29.4784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a global health concern despite the availability of vaccines. To date, the development of effective treatments has been severely hampered by the lack of reliable, reproducible, and scalable in vitro modeling systems that precisely recapitulate the virus life cycle and represent virus-host interactions. With the progressive understanding of liver organogenesis mechanisms, the development of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatic sources and stromal cellular compositions provides novel strategies for personalized modeling and treatment of liver disease. Further, advancements in three-dimensional culture of self-organized liver-like organoids considerably promote in vitro modeling of intact human liver tissue, in terms of both hepatic function and other physiological characteristics. Combined with our experiences in the investigation of HBV infections using liver organoids, we have summarized the advances in modeling reported thus far and discussed the limitations and ongoing challenges in the application of liver organoids, particularly those with multi-cellular components derived from human iPSCs. This review provides general guidelines for establishing clinical-grade iPSC-derived multi-cellular organoids in modeling personalized hepatitis virus infection and other liver diseases, as well as drug testing and transplantation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Cao
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jian-Yun Ge
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and School of Biotechnology and Heath Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tatsuya Oda
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yun-Wen Zheng
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal Models for Biomedicine, and School of Biotechnology and Heath Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, Guangdong Province, China
- School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 234-0006, Kanagawa, Japan
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38
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Heuschkel MJ, Baumert TF, Verrier ER. Cell Culture Models for the Study of Hepatitis D Virus Entry and Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081532. [PMID: 34452397 PMCID: PMC8402901 DOI: 10.3390/v13081532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis D is one of the most severe and aggressive forms of chronic viral hepatitis with a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It results from the co-infection of the liver with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its satellite, the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Although current therapies can control HBV infection, no treatment that efficiently eliminates HDV is available and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Although the HDV cycle is well described, the lack of simple experimental models has restricted the study of host–virus interactions, even if they represent relevant therapeutic targets. In the last few years, the discovery of the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as a key cellular entry factor for HBV and HDV has allowed the development of new cell culture models susceptible to HBV and HDV infection. In this review, we summarize the main in vitro model systems used for the study of HDV entry and infection, discuss their benefits and limitations and highlight perspectives for future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux J. Heuschkel
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (M.J.H.); (T.F.B.)
| | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (M.J.H.); (T.F.B.)
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-Digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 1 Place de L’Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Eloi R. Verrier
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (M.J.H.); (T.F.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-3-68-85-37-06
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Kukla DA, Khetani SR. Bioengineered Liver Models for Investigating Disease Pathogenesis and Regenerative Medicine. Semin Liver Dis 2021; 41:368-392. [PMID: 34139785 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1731016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Owing to species-specific differences in liver pathways, in vitro human liver models are utilized for elucidating mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis, drug development, and regenerative medicine. To mitigate limitations with de-differentiated cultures, bioengineers have developed advanced techniques/platforms, including micropatterned cocultures, spheroids/organoids, bioprinting, and microfluidic devices, for perfusing cell cultures and liver slices. Such techniques improve mature functions and culture lifetime of primary and stem-cell human liver cells. Furthermore, bioengineered liver models display several features of liver diseases including infections with pathogens (e.g., malaria, hepatitis C/B viruses, Zika, dengue, yellow fever), alcoholic/nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cancer. Here, we discuss features of bioengineered human liver models, their uses for modeling aforementioned diseases, and how such models are being augmented/adapted for fabricating implantable human liver tissues for clinical therapy. Ultimately, continued advances in bioengineered human liver models have the potential to aid the development of novel, safe, and efficacious therapies for liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Kukla
- Deparment of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Salman R Khetani
- Deparment of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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40
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De Crignis E, Hossain T, Romal S, Carofiglio F, Moulos P, Khalid MM, Rao S, Bazrafshan A, Verstegen MM, Pourfarzad F, Koutsothanassis C, Gehart H, Kan TW, Palstra RJ, Boucher C, IJzermans JN, Huch M, Boj SF, Vries R, Clevers H, van der Laan LJ, Hatzis P, Mahmoudi T. Application of human liver organoids as a patient-derived primary model for HBV infection and related hepatocellular carcinoma. eLife 2021; 10:e60747. [PMID: 34328417 PMCID: PMC8384419 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular events that drive hepatitis B virus (HBV)-mediated transformation and tumorigenesis have remained largely unclear, due to the absence of a relevant primary model system. Here we propose the use of human liver organoids as a platform for modeling HBV infection and related tumorigenesis. We first describe a primary ex vivo HBV-infection model derived from healthy donor liver organoids after challenge with recombinant virus or HBV-infected patient serum. HBV-infected organoids produced covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and HBV early antigen (HBeAg), expressed intracellular HBV RNA and proteins, and produced infectious HBV. This ex vivo HBV-infected primary differentiated hepatocyte organoid platform was amenable to drug screening for both anti-HBV activity and drug-induced toxicity. We also studied HBV replication in transgenically modified organoids; liver organoids exogenously overexpressing the HBV receptor sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) after lentiviral transduction were not more susceptible to HBV, suggesting the necessity for additional host factors for efficient infection. We also generated transgenic organoids harboring integrated HBV, representing a long-term culture system also suitable for viral production and the study of HBV transcription. Finally, we generated HBV-infected patient-derived liver organoids from non-tumor cirrhotic tissue of explants from liver transplant patients. Interestingly, transcriptomic analysis of patient-derived liver organoids indicated the presence of an aberrant early cancer gene signature, which clustered with the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cohort on The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma dataset and away from healthy liver tissue, and may provide invaluable novel biomarkers for the development of HCC and surveillance in HBV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa De Crignis
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tanvir Hossain
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Shahla Romal
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Fabrizia Carofiglio
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Panagiotis Moulos
- Biomedical Sciences Research Center 'Alexander Fleming', Vari, Greece
| | - Mir Mubashir Khalid
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Shringar Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ameneh Bazrafshan
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Monique Ma Verstegen
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Helmuth Gehart
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Tsung Wai Kan
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Robert-Jan Palstra
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Charles Boucher
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan Nm IJzermans
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Meritxell Huch
- Max Plank Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sylvia F Boj
- Foundation Hubrecht Organoid Technology (HUB), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Robert Vries
- Foundation Hubrecht Organoid Technology (HUB), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Luc Jw van der Laan
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Pantelis Hatzis
- Biomedical Sciences Research Center 'Alexander Fleming', Vari, Greece
| | - Tokameh Mahmoudi
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Urology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Yuan H, Zhao L, Yuan Y, Yun H, Zheng W, Geng Y, Yang G, Wang Y, Zhao M, Zhang X. HBx represses WDR77 to enhance HBV replication by DDB1-mediated WDR77 degradation in the liver. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:8362-8378. [PMID: 34373747 PMCID: PMC8343998 DOI: 10.7150/thno.57531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Hepatitis B x protein (HBx) is required to initiate and maintain the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Protein arginine methyltransferases 5 (PRMT5) negatively regulates HBV transcription. WD repeat domain 77 protein (WDR77) greatly enhances the methyltransferase activity of PRMT5. However, the role of WDR77 in the modulation of cccDNA transcription and HBV replication is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which HBx modulated HBV replication involving WDR77 in the liver. Methods: A human liver-chimeric mouse model was established. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, Western blot analysis, Southern blot analysis, Northern blot analysis, immunofluorescence assays, ELISA, RT-qPCR, CoIP assays, and ChIP assays were performed in human liver-chimeric mouse model, primary human hepatocytes (PHHs), HepG2-NTCP, dHepaRG and HepG2 cell lines. Results: HBV infection and HBx expression remarkably reduced the protein levels of WDR77 in human liver-chimeric mice and HepG2-NTCP cells. WDR77 restricted cccDNA transcription and HBV replication in PHHs and HepG2-NTCP cells. Mechanically, WDR77 enhanced PRMT5-triggered symmetric dimethylation of arginine 3 on H4 (H4R3me2s) on the cccDNA minichromosome to control cccDNA transcription. HBx drove the cellular DDB1-containing E3 ubiquitin ligase to degrade WDR77 through recruiting WDR77, leading to the disability of methyltransferase activity of PRMT5. Thus, HBx promoted HBV replication by driving a positive feedback loop of HBx-DDB1/WDR77/PRMT5/H4R3me2s/cccDNA/HBV/HBx in the liver. Conclusions: HBx attenuates the WDR77-mediated HBV repression by driving DDB1-induced WDR77 degradation in the liver. Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which HBx enhances HBV replication in the liver.
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Ko C, Su J, Festag J, Bester R, Kosinska AD, Protzer U. Intramolecular recombination enables the formation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) cccDNA in mice after HBV genome transfer using recombinant AAV vectors. Antiviral Res 2021; 194:105140. [PMID: 34284057 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The mouse is not a natural host of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and - despite engraftment of hepatocytes with the HBV receptor - does not support formation of HBV covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA serving as a template for viral transcription and permitting persistent infection. In a recent study, cccDNA formation in mouse hepatocytes has been described following an HBV genome delivery by a recombinant, adeno-associated virus vector (rAAV) (Lucifora et al., 2017). The integrity of HBV cccDNA, its origin and functionality, however, remained open. In this study, we investigated the identity, origin, and functionality of cccDNA established in mice infected with rAAV carrying 1.3-fold overlength HBV genomes. We show that replication of HBV genotypes A, B, C and D can be initiated in mouse livers, and that cccDNA derived from all genotypes is detected. Restriction enzyme and exonuclease digestion as well as sequencing analysis of cccDNA amplicons revealed authentic HBV cccDNA without any detectable alteration compared to cccDNA established after HBV infection of human liver cells. Mouse livers transduced with a core protein-deficient HBV using rAAV still supported cccDNA formation demonstrating that the genesis of cccDNA was independent of HBV replication. When mice were infected with an rAAV-HBV1.3 carrying premature stop codons in the 5' but not in the 3' core protein open reading frame, the stop codon was partially replaced by the wild-type sequence. This strongly indicated that intramolecular recombination, based on >900 identical base pairs residing at the both ends of the HBV1.3 transgene was the origin of cccDNA formation. Accordingly, we observed a constant loss of cccDNA molecules from mouse livers over time, while HBeAg levels increased over the first two weeks after rAAV-HBV1.3 infection and remained constant thereafter, suggesting a minor contribution of the cccDNA molecules formed to viral transcription and protein expression. In summary, our results provide strong evidence that intramolecular recombination of an overlength, linear HBV genome, but not HBV genome recycling, enables cccDNA formation in rAAV-HBV mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunkyu Ko
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinpeng Su
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Festag
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Romina Bester
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna D Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany.
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Shah NJ, Aloysius MM, Sharma NR, Pallav K. Advances in treatment and prevention of hepatitis B. World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.4292/wjg.v12.i4.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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44
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Li X, Xu Z, Mitra B, Wang M, Guo H, Feng Z. Elevated NTCP expression by an iPSC-derived human hepatocyte maintenance medium enhances HBV infection in NTCP-reconstituted HepG2 cells. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:123. [PMID: 34225786 PMCID: PMC8256212 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00641-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a functional receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV). NTCP-reconstituted human hepatoma cells support HBV infection, but the infection is suboptimal and no apparent HBV spread has been observed in this system. RESULTS We found that NTCP-reconstituted HepG2 cells were highly susceptible to HBV infection after cells were cultured in a commercial human inducible pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocyte maintenance medium (HMM). The enhanced HBV infection coincided with increased NTCP expression, and was observed in six different clones of HepG2-NTCP cells. Promoter assays indicated that HMM activated the cytomegalovirus immediate-early (IE) promoter that drives the NTCP expression in the HepG2-NTCP cells. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that HMM upregulated multiple metabolic pathways. Despite highly upregulated NTCP expression by HMM, no obvious HBV spread was observed even in the presence of PEG 8000. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that this particular medium could be used to enhance HBV infection in NTCP-reconstituted hepatocytes in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Li
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Zhaohui Xu
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Bidisha Mitra
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Minghang Wang
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zongdi Feng
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Shah NJ, Aloysius MM, Sharma NR, Pallav K. Advances in treatment and prevention of hepatitis B. World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther 2021; 12:56-78. [PMID: 34316384 PMCID: PMC8290928 DOI: 10.4292/wjgpt.v12.i4.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) continues to contribute to worldwide morbidity and mortality significantly. Scientists, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, and health organizations have dedicated substantial Intellectual and monetary resources to finding a cure, increasing immunization rates, and reducing the global burden of CHB. National and international health-related organizations including the center for disease control, the national institute of health, the American Association for the study of liver disease (AASLD), The European association for the study of the Liver (EASL), The Asia Pacific association for the study of the Liver (APASL) and the world health organization release periodic recommendations for disease prevention and treatment. Our review of the most recent guidelines by EASL, AASLD, APASL, and Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver revealed that an overwhelming majority of cited studies were published before 2018. We reviewed Hepatitis B-related literature published 2018 onwards to identify recent developments and current barriers that will likely direct future efforts towards eradicating hepatitis B. The breakthrough in our understanding of the hepatitis B virus life cycle and resulting drug development is encouraging with significant room for further progress. Data from high-risk populations, most vulnerable to the devastating effects of hepatitis B infection and reactivation remain sparse. Utilization of systems approach, optimization of experimental models, identification and validation of next-generation biomarkers, and precise modulation of the human immune response will be critical for future innovation. Within the foreseeable future, new treatments will likely complement conventional therapies rather than replace them. Most Importantly, pragmatic management of CHB related population health challenges must be prioritized to produce real-world results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj James Shah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Disease, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States
| | - Mark M Aloysius
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, Scranton, PA 18505, United States
| | - Neil Rohit Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Interventional Oncology and Surgical Endoscopy, Parkview Regional Medical Center, Parkview Cancer Institute, Fort Wayne, IN 46845, United States
| | - Kumar Pallav
- Department of Internal Medicine, Interventional Oncology and Surgical Endoscopy, Parkview Regional Medical Center, Parkview Cancer Institute, Fort Wayne, IN 46845, United States
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Hong X, Luckenbaugh L, Perlman D, Revill PA, Wieland SF, Menne S, Hu J. Characterization and Application of Precore/Core-Related Antigens in Animal Models of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Hepatology 2021; 74:99-115. [PMID: 33458844 PMCID: PMC8286267 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), a composite antigen of precore/core gene including classical hepatitis B core protein (HBc) and HBeAg and, additionally, the precore-related antigen PreC, retaining the N-terminal signal peptide, has emerged as a surrogate marker to monitor the intrahepatic HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and to define meaningful treatment endpoints. APPROACH AND RESULTS Here, we found that the woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) precore/core gene products (i.e., WHV core-related antigen [WHcrAg]) include the WHV core protein and WHV e antigen (WHeAg) as well as the WHV PreC protein (WPreC) in infected woodchucks. Unlike in HBV infection, WHeAg and WPreC proteins were N-glycosylated, and no significant amounts of WHV empty virions were detected in WHV-infected woodchuck serum. WHeAg was the predominant form of WHcrAg, and a positive correlation was found between the serum WHeAg and intrahepatic cccDNA. Both WHeAg and WPreC antigens displayed heterogeneous proteolytic processing at their C-termini, resulting in multiple species. Analysis of the kinetics of each component of the precore/core-related antigen, along with serum viral DNA and surface antigens, in HBV-infected chimpanzees and WHV-infected woodchucks revealed multiple distinct phases of viral decline during natural resolution and in response to antiviral treatments. A positive correlation was found between HBc and intrahepatic cccDNA but not between HBeAg or HBcrAg and cccDNA in HBV-infected chimpanzees, suggesting that HBc can be a better marker for intrahepatic cccDNA. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, careful monitoring of each component of HBcrAg along with other classical markers will help understand intrahepatic viral activities to elucidate natural resolution mechanisms as well as guide antiviral development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Hong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Laurie Luckenbaugh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - David Perlman
- Merck Research Labs Exploratory Sciences Center, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peter A. Revill
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stefan F. Wieland
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Menne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.,Corresponding Author: Jianming Hu, MD, PhD, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA. Phone: 717-531-6523.
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Review of Lambda Interferons in Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Outcomes and Therapeutic Strategies. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061090. [PMID: 34207487 PMCID: PMC8230240 DOI: 10.3390/v13061090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects over 250 million people worldwide and causes nearly 1 million deaths per year due to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Approved treatments for chronic infection include injectable type-I interferons and nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors. A small minority of patients achieve seroclearance after treatment with type-I interferons, defined as sustained absence of detectable HBV DNA and surface antigen (HBsAg) antigenemia. However, type-I interferons cause significant side effects, are costly, must be administered for months, and most patients have viral rebound or non-response. Nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors reduce HBV viral load and improve liver-related outcomes, but do not lower HBsAg levels or impart seroclearance. Thus, new therapeutics are urgently needed. Lambda interferons (IFNLs) have been tested as an alternative strategy to stimulate host antiviral pathways to treat HBV infection. IFNLs comprise an evolutionarily conserved innate immune pathway and have cell-type specific activity on hepatocytes, other epithelial cells found at mucosal surfaces, and some immune cells due to restricted cellular expression of the IFNL receptor. This article will review work that examined expression of IFNLs during acute and chronic HBV infection, the impact of IFNLs on HBV replication in vitro and in vivo, the association of polymorphisms in IFNL genes with clinical outcomes, and the therapeutic evaluation of IFNLs for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Roca Suarez AA, Testoni B, Zoulim F. HBV 2021: New therapeutic strategies against an old foe. Liver Int 2021; 41 Suppl 1:15-23. [PMID: 34155787 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 250 million people worldwide, and is one of the major aetiologies for the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In spite of universal vaccination programs, HBV infection is still a public health problem, and the limited number of available therapeutic approaches complicates the clinical management of these patients. Thus, HBV infection remains an unmet medical need that requires a continuous effort to develop new individual molecules, treatment combinations and even completely novel therapeutic strategies to achieve the goal of HBV elimination. The following review provides an overview of the current situation in chronic HBV infection, with an analysis of the scientific rationale of certain clinical interventions and, more importantly, explores the most recent developments in the field of HBV drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Andres Roca Suarez
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France.,University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France.,University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France.,University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), Lyon, France.,Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), Lyon, France
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49
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Tenge VR, Murakami K, Salmen W, Lin SC, Crawford SE, Neill FH, Prasad BVV, Atmar RL, Estes MK. Bile Goes Viral. Viruses 2021; 13:998. [PMID: 34071855 PMCID: PMC8227374 DOI: 10.3390/v13060998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory cultivation of viruses is critical for determining requirements for viral replication, developing detection methods, identifying drug targets, and developing antivirals. Several viruses have a history of recalcitrance towards robust replication in laboratory cell lines, including human noroviruses and hepatitis B and C viruses. These viruses have tropism for tissue components of the enterohepatic circulation system: the intestine and liver, respectively. The purpose of this review is to discuss how key enterohepatic signaling molecules, bile acids (BAs), and BA receptors are involved in the replication of these viruses and how manipulation of these factors was useful in the development and/or optimization of culture systems for these viruses. BAs have replication-promoting activities through several key mechanisms: (1) affecting cellular uptake, membrane lipid composition, and endocytic acidification; (2) directly interacting with viral capsids to influence binding to cells; and (3) modulating the innate immune response. Additionally, expression of the Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide BA receptor in continuous liver cell lines is critical for hepatitis B virus entry and robust replication in laboratory culture. Viruses are capable of hijacking normal cellular functions, and understanding the role of BAs and BA receptors, components of the enterohepatic system, is valuable for expanding our knowledge on the mechanisms of norovirus and hepatitis B and C virus replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria R. Tenge
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.R.T.); (W.S.); (S.-C.L.); (S.E.C.); (F.H.N.); (B.V.V.P.); (R.L.A.)
| | - Kosuke Murakami
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Musashi-Murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan;
| | - Wilhelm Salmen
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.R.T.); (W.S.); (S.-C.L.); (S.E.C.); (F.H.N.); (B.V.V.P.); (R.L.A.)
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shih-Ching Lin
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.R.T.); (W.S.); (S.-C.L.); (S.E.C.); (F.H.N.); (B.V.V.P.); (R.L.A.)
| | - Sue E. Crawford
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.R.T.); (W.S.); (S.-C.L.); (S.E.C.); (F.H.N.); (B.V.V.P.); (R.L.A.)
| | - Frederick H. Neill
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.R.T.); (W.S.); (S.-C.L.); (S.E.C.); (F.H.N.); (B.V.V.P.); (R.L.A.)
| | - B. V. Venkataram Prasad
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.R.T.); (W.S.); (S.-C.L.); (S.E.C.); (F.H.N.); (B.V.V.P.); (R.L.A.)
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert L. Atmar
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.R.T.); (W.S.); (S.-C.L.); (S.E.C.); (F.H.N.); (B.V.V.P.); (R.L.A.)
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mary K. Estes
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.R.T.); (W.S.); (S.-C.L.); (S.E.C.); (F.H.N.); (B.V.V.P.); (R.L.A.)
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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50
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Zhou Z, Zhu J, Jiang M, Sang L, Hao K, He H. The Combination of Cell Cultured Technology and In Silico Model to Inform the Drug Development. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13050704. [PMID: 34065907 PMCID: PMC8151315 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13050704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-derived in vitro models can provide high-throughput efficacy and toxicity data without a species gap in drug development. Challenges are still encountered regarding the full utilisation of massive data in clinical settings. The lack of translated methods hinders the reliable prediction of clinical outcomes. Therefore, in this study, in silico models were proposed to tackle these obstacles from in vitro to in vivo translation, and the current major cell culture methods were introduced, such as human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), 3D cells, organoids, and microphysiological systems (MPS). Furthermore, the role and applications of several in silico models were summarised, including the physiologically based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK), pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model (PK/PD), quantitative systems pharmacology model (QSP), and virtual clinical trials. These credible translation cases will provide templates for subsequent in vitro to in vivo translation. We believe that synergising high-quality in vitro data with existing models can better guide drug development and clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengying Zhou
- Center of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (Z.Z.); (M.J.)
| | - Jinwei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (J.Z.); (L.S.)
| | - Muhan Jiang
- Center of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (Z.Z.); (M.J.)
| | - Lan Sang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (J.Z.); (L.S.)
| | - Kun Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (J.Z.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: (K.H.); (H.H.)
| | - Hua He
- Center of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; (Z.Z.); (M.J.)
- Correspondence: (K.H.); (H.H.)
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