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Wang LT, Chen YH, Cheng Y, Fan HL, Chen TW, Shih YL, Hsieh TY, Huang WY, Huang WC. Clinical implications of hepatitis B virus core antigen-mediated immunopathologic T cell responses in chronic hepatitis B. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29515. [PMID: 38469923 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29515] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection significantly impacts Asian populations. The influences of continuous HBV antigen and inflammatory stimulation to T cells in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain unclear. In this study, we first conducted bioinformatics analysis to assess T-cell signaling pathways in CHB patients. In a Taiwanese cohort, we examined the phenotypic features of HBVcore -specific T cells and their correlation with clinical parameters. We used core protein overlapping peptides from the Taiwan prevalent genotype B HBV to investigate the antiviral response and the functional implication of HBV-specific T cells. In line with Taiwanese dominant HLA-alleles, we also evaluated ex vivo HBVcore -specific T cells by pMHC-tetramers targeting epitopes within HBV core protein. Compared to healthy subjects, we disclosed CD8 T cells from CHB patients had higher activation marker CD38 levels but showed an upregulation in the inhibitory receptor PD-1. Our parallel study showed HBV-specific CD8 T cells were more activated with greater PD-1 expression than CMV-specific subset and bulk CD8 T cells. Moreover, our longitudinal study demonstrated a correlation between the PD-1 fluctuation pattern of HBVcore -specific CD8 T cells and liver inflammation in CHB patients. Our research reveals the HBV core antigen-mediated immunopathologic profile of CD8 T cells in chronic HBV infection. Our findings suggest the PD-1 levels of HBVcore -specific CD8 T cells can be used as a valuable indicator of personal immune response for clinical application in hepatitis management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Tzu Wang
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hong Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yang Cheng
- Division of Infectious Disease & Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Lung Fan
- Department of Surgery, Division of Organ Transplantation Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Teng-Wei Chen
- Department of Surgery, Division of Organ Transplantation Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lueng Shih
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Yuan Hsieh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yen Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chen Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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2
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Kwan R, Chen L, Park MJ, Su Z, Weerasinghe SVW, Lee WM, Durkalski-Mauldin VL, Fontana RJ, Omary MB. The Role of Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase 1 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients With Acetaminophen-induced Acute Liver Failure. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:3060-3069.e8. [PMID: 37054752 PMCID: PMC10656042 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) is a highly abundant mitochondrial urea cycle enzyme that is expressed primarily in hepatocytes. CPS1 is constitutively and physiologically secreted into bile but is released into the bloodstream upon acute liver injury (ALI). Given its abundance and known short half-life, we tested the hypothesis that it may serve as a prognostic serum biomarker in the setting of acute liver failure (ALF). METHODS CPS1 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting of sera collected by the ALF Study Group (ALFSG) from patients with ALI and ALF (103 patients with acetaminophen and 167 non-acetaminophen ALF etiologies). A total of 764 serum samples were examined. The inclusion of CPS1 was compared with the original ALFSG Prognostic Index by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS CPS1 values for acetaminophen-related patients were significantly higher than for non-acetaminophen patients (P < .0001). Acetaminophen-related patients who received a liver transplant or died within 21 days of hospitalization exhibited higher CPS1 levels than patients who spontaneously survived (P = .01). Logistic regression and area under the receiver operating characteristic analysis of CPS1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay values improved the accuracy of the ALFSG Prognostic Index, which performed better than the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, in predicting 21-day transplant-free survival for acetaminophen- but not non-acetaminophen-related ALF. An increase of CPS1 but not alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase, when comparing day 3 with day 1 levels was found in a higher percentage of acetaminophen transplanted/dead patients (P < .05). CONCLUSION Serum CPS1 determination provides a new potential prognostic biomarker to assess patients with acetaminophen-induced ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Kwan
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ; Switch Therapeutics, Inc, San Francisco, CA
| | - Lu Chen
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ; Department of Infectious Disease, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min-Jung Park
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Zemin Su
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | - William M Lee
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | - Robert J Fontana
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - M Bishr Omary
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
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Zhong X, Fan XG, Chen R. Repurposing Niclosamide as a Therapeutic Drug against Acute Liver Failure by Suppressing Ferroptosis. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1950. [PMID: 37514136 PMCID: PMC10383467 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071950] [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: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute liver failure (ALF) is a severe liver disease with a high mortality rate without effective therapeutic drugs. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death that plays an important role in ALF. In this study, we aimed to identify ferroptosis-related genes in ALF, thereby predicting promising compounds to treat ALF. First, mRNA microarray data were utilized to identify the ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Hub genes were screened in the protein-protein interaction network and validated. Subsequently, potential drugs to treat ALF were predicted. One of the predicted drugs was tested in an ALF model of mice. Ferroptosis examination and molecular docking were analyzed to explore the mechanism. A total of 37 DEGs were identified, ten hub genes were extracted, and their expression in ALF was validated. The predicted drug niclosamide mitigated lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity, and decreased mortality of mice in the ALF model. Mechanically, niclosamide may combine with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 to inhibit ALF progression by suppressing ferroptosis. This study may help advance our understanding of the role of ferroptosis in ALF, and niclosamide may be promising for therapeutic efficacy in patients with ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Xue-Gong Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Ruochan Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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4
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Adugna A. Antigen Recognition and Immune Response to Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:2159-2166. [PMID: 37223107 PMCID: PMC10202203 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s411492] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The antigen recognition and immune response to acute and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are the result of both the innate and adaptive immune response. The innate immune response comprises Dendritic Cells (DCs), which served as professional antigen-presenting cells and a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity, Kupffer cells and inflammatory monocytes for the continuous inflammation of hepatocyte, neutrophils for hepatic tissue damage due to acute inflammation, type I interferons (IFN), which induce an antiviral state on infected cells, directs natural killer (NK) cells to kill virally infected cells, reduces the population of infected cells, and promotes the effective maturation and site recruitment of adaptive immunity through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Through stimulating B cells, T-helper, and cytotoxic T cells, the adaptive immune system also protects against hepatitis B infection. During HBV infection, a network of cell types that can either play protective or harmful functions creates the anti-viral adaptive immune response. These many elements, such as Cluster of differentiation four (CD4) T cells (traditionally known as helper T cells), are potent cytokine producers and necessary for the effective maturation of effector cytotoxic cluster of differentiation eight (CD8) T cells and B cell antibody production. By cytolytic and non-cytolytic processes, CD8 T cells are able to eliminate HBV-infected hepatocytes and directly detect virus-infected cells, and circulating CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells for the modulation of immune system. In order to avoid reinfection, B cells can produce antibodies that destroy free viral particles. Moreover, by presenting HBV antigens to helper T cells, B cells may also influence how well these cells operate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adane Adugna
- Medical Microbiology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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5
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Shi Y, Wang Z, Ge S, Xia N, Yuan Q. Hepatitis B Core Antibody Level: A Surrogate Marker for Host Antiviral Immunity in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infections. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051111. [PMID: 37243197 DOI: 10.3390/v15051111] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus core protein (HBcAg) is a highly immunogenic particulate antigen. Nearly all patients with persistent or resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection show seropositivity for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), which appears in the early stage of infection and is mostly present for life. Traditionally, the anti-HBc is regarded as an evidential serological marker of HBV infections. In the last ten years, several studies revealed the predictive value of quantitative anti-HBc (qAnti-HBc) level in the treatment response and clinical outcome of chronic HBV infections, implying new insights into this classic marker. Overall, qAnti-HBc should be regarded as an indicator of the host's immune response specific to HBV, which correlates with HBV-related hepatitis activity and liver pathology. This review summarized the latest understanding of the clinical values of qAnti-HBc for differentiating the CHB phase, predicting treatment response, and providing disease prognosis. Moreover, we also discussed the possible mechanism of qAnti-HBc regulation during different courses of HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, National Institute of Diagnostics Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, National Institute of Diagnostics Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Shengxiang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, National Institute of Diagnostics Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, National Institute of Diagnostics Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, National Institute of Diagnostics Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen 361102, China
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6
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Ablikim D, Zeng X, Xu C, Zhao M, Yang X, Feng X, Liu J. The Multiple Facets and Disorders of B Cell Functions in Hepatitis B Virus Infection. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12052000. [PMID: 36902786 PMCID: PMC10004556 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12052000] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a global public health burden. B cells play a pivotal role in mediating HBV clearance and can participate in the development of anti-HBV adaptive immune responses through multiple mechanisms, such as antibody production, antigen presentation, and immune regulation. However, B cell phenotypic and functional disorders are frequently observed during chronic HBV infection, suggesting the necessity of targeting the disordered anti-HBV B cell responses to design and test new immune therapeutic strategies for the treatment of chronic HBV infection. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the multiple roles of B cells in mediating HBV clearance and pathogenesis as well as the latest developments in understanding the immune dysfunction of B cells in chronic HBV infection. Additionally, we discuss novel immune therapeutic strategies that aim to enhance anti-HBV B cell responses for curing chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilhumare Ablikim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Chunli Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Mengxiao Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xuecheng Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xuemei Feng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Joint International Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-186-9615-9826
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7
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Mann JP, Lenz D, Stamataki Z, Kelly D. Common mechanisms in pediatric acute liver failure. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:228-240. [PMID: 36496278 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare but potentially fatal disease in children. The etiology is multifactorial, including infection, autoimmune, and genetic disorders, as well as indeterminate hepatitis, which has a higher requirement for liver transplantation. Activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems leads to hepatocyte-specific injury which is mitigated by T regulatory cell activation. Recovery of the native liver depends on activation of apoptotic and regenerative pathways, including the integrated stress response (ISR; e.g., PERK), p53, and HNF4α. Loss-of-function mutations in these pathways cause recurrent ALF in response to non-hepatotropic viruses. Deeper understanding of these mechanisms will lead to improved diagnosis, management, and outcomes for pediatric ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake P Mann
- Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Dominic Lenz
- Division of Neuropediatrics and Pediatric Metabolic Medicine, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Zania Stamataki
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Deirdre Kelly
- Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, and University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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8
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Nkongolo S, Mahamed D, Kuipery A, Sanchez Vasquez JD, Kim SC, Mehrotra A, Patel A, Hu C, McGilvray I, Feld JJ, Fung S, Chen D, Wallin JJ, Gaggar A, Janssen HL, Gehring AJ. Longitudinal liver sampling in patients with chronic hepatitis B starting antiviral therapy reveals hepatotoxic CD8+ T cells. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:158903. [PMID: 36594467 PMCID: PMC9797343 DOI: 10.1172/jci158903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of activated immune cells results in nonspecific hepatocyte killing in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis. This study aims to understand the underlying mechanisms in humans and to define whether these are driven by widespread activation or a subpopulation of immune cells. We enrolled CHB patients with active liver damage to receive antiviral therapy and performed longitudinal liver sampling using fine-needle aspiration to investigate mechanisms of CHB pathogenesis in the human liver. Single-cell sequencing of total liver cells revealed a distinct liver-resident, polyclonal CD8+ T cell population that was enriched at baseline and displayed a highly activated immune signature during liver damage. Cytokine combinations, identified by in silico prediction of ligand-receptor interaction, induced the activated phenotype in healthy liver CD8+ T cells, resulting in nonspecific Fas ligand-mediated killing of target cells. These results define a CD8+ T cell population in the human liver that can drive pathogenesis and a key pathway involved in their function in CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Nkongolo
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deeqa Mahamed
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adrian Kuipery
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juan D. Sanchez Vasquez
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Aman Mehrotra
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anjali Patel
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine Hu
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ian McGilvray
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan J. Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Diana Chen
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California, USA
| | | | - Anuj Gaggar
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California, USA
| | - Harry L.A. Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adam J. Gehring
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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9
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The Origin of Capsid-Derived Immune Complexes and Their Impact on HBV-Induced Liver Diseases. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122766. [PMID: 36560770 PMCID: PMC9785824 DOI: 10.3390/v14122766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 240 million people worldwide are chronically infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), a hepatotropic DNA virus with an evolutionary root of over 400 million years. Persistent HBV infection exhibits distinct and diverse phases of disease, from minimal liver pathology to fulminant Hepatitis, that vary in duration and severity among individuals. Although huge progress has been made in HBV research which has yielded an effective prophylactic vaccine and potent antiviral therapy, our understanding of its virology and immunobiology is still far from complete. For example, the recent re-discovery of serum HBV RNA in chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) patients has led to the proposal of noncanonical viral particles such as RNA virion and capsid-derived immune complex (Capsid-Antibody-Complexes, CACs) that contradict long-established basic theory. Furthermore, the existence of capsid-derived immune complex may hint at novel mechanism of HBV-induced liver disease. Here, we summarize the past and recent literature on HBV-induced immune complex. We propose that the release of capsid-derived particles by HBV has its deep evolutionary origin, and the associated complement activation serves as an indispensable trigger for intrahepatic damage and a catalyst for further cell-mediated immunopathology.
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Bae SK, Arita J, Akamatsu N, Maki H, Nishioka Y, Kawahara T, Miyata A, Kokudo T, Nagata R, Mihara Y, Ichida A, Inagaki Y, Kawaguchi Y, Ishizawa T, Kaneko J, Tamura S, Tanaka Y, Moriya K, Hasegawa K. The impact of the covalently closed circular DNA level on recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after initial hepatectomy: an analysis of patients with resolved hepatitis B virus infection. HPB (Oxford) 2022; 24:1780-1788. [PMID: 35863998 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpb.2022.06.013] [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] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We assessed whether or not covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels in the background liver influence the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS Among 425 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for HCC between 2010 and 2018, a retrospective review was performed in 44 with resolved HBV infection. The clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed for correlation with tumor recurrence. The HBV cccDNA levels were tested via a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS HBV cccDNA was detected in 27 of 44 patients (61%), and the median level was 1.0 copies/1000 ng (range, 0-931.3 copies/1000 ng). Anti-HBc ≥8.9 S/CO was associated with cccDNA detection (odds ratio, 11.08; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.48-49.46; P = 0.002). Twenty-eight patients (64%) developed HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. The overall 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 45.7% and 34.3%, respectively.19 HBV cccDNA levels was not significantly associated with HCC recurrence, while the presence of multiple tumors was an independent risk fact or (hazard ratio, 6.53; 95% CI, 2.48-17.19; P < 0.001. CONCLUSION HBV cccDNA levels did not influence HCC recurrence after hepatectomy. Anti-HBc levels may be used as a surrogate marker for cccDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Kwan Bae
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichi Arita
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Akamatsu
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Harufumi Maki
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yujiro Nishioka
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Kawahara
- Biostatistics Unit, Clinical Research Promotion Center, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akinori Miyata
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kokudo
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rihito Nagata
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Mihara
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Ichida
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Inagaki
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshikuni Kawaguchi
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeaki Ishizawa
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichi Kaneko
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sumihito Tamura
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kyoji Moriya
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Hasegawa
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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Yuan M, Yao L, Hu X, Jiang Y, Li L. Identification of effective diagnostic biomarker and immune cell infiltration characteristics in acute liver failure by integrating bioinformatics analysis and machine-learning strategies. Front Genet 2022; 13:1004912. [PMID: 36246593 PMCID: PMC9554357 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1004912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To determine effective biomarkers for the diagnosis of acute liver failure (ALF) and explore the characteristics of the immune cell infiltration of ALF. Methods: We analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ALF and control samples in GSE38941, GSE62029, GSE96851, GSE120652, and merged datasets. Co-expressed DEGs (co-DEGs) identified from the five datasets were analyzed for enrichment analysis. We further constructed a PPI network of co-DEGs using the STRING database. Then, we integrated the two kinds of machine-learning strategies to identify diagnostic biomarkers of top hub genes screened based on MCC and Degree methods. And the potential diagnostic performance of the biomarkers for ALF was estimated using the AUC values. Data from GSE14668, GSE74000, and GSE96851 databases was performed as external verification sets to validate the expression level of potential diagnostic biomarkers. Furthermore, we analyzed the difference in the protein level of diagnostic biomarkers between normal and ALF mice models. Finally, we used CIBERSORT to estimate relative infiltration levels of 22 immune cell subsets in ALF samples and further analyzed the relationships between the diagnostic biomarkers and infiltrated immune cells. Results: A total of 200 co-DEGs were screened. Enrichment analyses depicted that they are highly enriched in metabolism and matrix collagen production-associated processes. The top 28 hub genes were obtained by integrating MCC and Degree methods. Then, the collagen type IV alpha 2 chain (COL4A2) was regarded as the diagnostic biomarker and showed excellent specificity and sensitivity. COL4A2 also showed a statistically significant difference and excellent diagnostic effectiveness in the verification set. In addition, there was a significant upregulation in the COL4A2 protein level in ALF mice models compared with the normal group. CIBERSORT analysis showed that activated CD4 T cells, plasma cells, macrophages, and monocytes may be implicated in the progress of ALF. In addition, COL4A2 showed different degrees of correlation with immune cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, COL4A2 may be a diagnostic biomarker for ALF, and immune cell infiltration may have important implications for the occurrence and progression of ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqin Yuan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lichao Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xue Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingan Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Lanjuan Li, ; Yingan Jiang,
| | - Lanjuan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Lanjuan Li, ; Yingan Jiang,
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12
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Anti-HBc IgG Responses Occurring at the Early Phase of Infection Correlate Negatively with HBV Replication in a Mouse Model. Viruses 2022; 14:v14092011. [PMID: 36146817 PMCID: PMC9505635 DOI: 10.3390/v14092011] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-HBc IgG is usually recognized as a diagnostic marker of hepatitis B, while the functional role anti-HBc IgG in HBV infection has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we firstly investigated the relationship between the anti-HBc IgG responses and the replication of HBV using AAV8-1.3HBV infected C57BL/6N mice. Our data showed that the anti-HBc IgG responses at the early phase of infection correlated negatively with the concentrations of circulating HBsAg and HBV DNA at both the early and chronic phases of infection. This observation was confirmed by an independent experiment using AAV8-1.3HBV infected C57BL/6J mice. Furthermore, to comprehend the potential causal relationship between the anti-HBc IgG responses and HBV infection, mice were treated with an anti-HBc monoclonal antibody at three days post AAV8-1.3HBV infection. Our data showed that the anti-HBc mAb significantly suppressed the fold increase of circulating HBsAg level, and the protective effect was not affected by NK cell depletion. Collectively, our study demonstrated that anti-HBc antibodies occurring at the early phase of HBV infection may contribute to the constraint of the virus replication, which might be developed as an immunotherapy for hepatitis B.
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13
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HBeAg-Negative/Anti-HBe-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B: A 40-Year-Old History. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081691. [PMID: 36016312 PMCID: PMC9416321 DOI: 10.3390/v14081691] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B “e” antigen (HBeAg) negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 40 years since discovery in the Mediterranean area, has become the most prevalent form of HBV-induced liver disease worldwide and a major health care burden caused by HBV infection. A great deal of knowledge accumulated over the last decades provides consistent evidence on the bimodal dynamics of the expression of structural and non-structural forms of the viral core proteins which associate with different virologic and clinic–pathologic outcomes of HBV infection. In absence of serum HBeAg, the presence and persistence of HBV replication causes and maintains virus-related liver injury. Thus, in clinical practice it is mandatory to screen HBV carriers with HBeAg-negative infection for the early diagnosis of HBeAg-negative CHB since antiviral therapy can cure HBV-induced liver disease when started at early stages.
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14
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Chang ML, Liaw YF. Hepatitis B Flare in Hepatitis B e Antigen-Negative Patients: A Complicated Cascade of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031552. [PMID: 35163476 PMCID: PMC8836007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a dynamic process involving interactions among HBV, hepatocytes, and the host immune system. The natural course of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is divided into four chronological phases, including the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative phases. During HBV flare, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels abruptly rise to >5× the upper limit of normal; this is thought to occur due to the immune response against an upsurge in serum HBV DNA and antigen levels. Hepatitis flares may occur spontaneously, during or after antiviral therapy, or upon immunosuppression or chemotherapy in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients. The clinical spectrum of HBV flares varies from asymptomatic to hepatic decompensation or failure. HBeAg seroconversion with ≥ 1 year of consolidation therapy is accepted as an endpoint of oral antiviral therapy in HBeAg-positive patients, but recommendations for treating HBeAg-negative patients differ. Thus, the management of HBeAg-negative patients has attracted increasing interest. In the current review, we summarize various types of HBV flares and the associated complex cascade of innate and adaptive immune responses, with a focus on HBeAg-negative CHB patients. Hopefully, this review will provide insight into immunopathogenesis to improve the management of HBV flares in HBeAg-negative CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Ling Chang
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan;
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333423, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-3281200 (ext. 8107); Fax: +886-3-3272236
| | - Yun-Fan Liaw
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333323, Taiwan;
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333423, Taiwan
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15
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Gong J, Chen Y, Cao J, Wang Y, Chen J, Li D, Sha L, Li X, Chong Y, Hu B. The Immune Landscape of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute Liver Failure by Integration Analysis. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:6764379. [PMID: 35036448 PMCID: PMC8758293 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6764379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus-related acute liver failure (HBV-ALF) is a common type of liver failure, associated with high short-term mortality and morbidity rates. However, the immune landscape of HBV-ALF and its correlation with cell death are currently unknown. Based on 3 Gene Expression Omnibus data sets, infiltrated immune cells were quantified by single-sample gene set enrichment analysis method. The expression levels of immune genes and the abundance of immune cells in liver failure were compared with those in normal liver. The enrichment scores of cell death gene sets from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were calculated by gene set variation analysis method, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using Cytoscape. Besides 21 differentially expressed immune genes, we identified 11 types of differentially infiltrated immune cells in HBV-ALF compared with normal liver. Enriched pathways of these immune genes mainly consisted of chemokine receptors, chemokine binding, interleukin-10 signaling, and TNFs bind their physiological receptors by Reactome pathway analysis. In addition, the enrichment scores of apoptosis and necroptosis pathway instead of autophagy and ferroptosis were increased in liver failure compared with normal liver. PPI network and gene cluster analysis of immune genes and apoptosis and necroptosis genes suggested that hub genes were mainly related to immune response and apoptosis. In summary, our study offers a conceptual framework to understand the immune landscape of HBV-ALF, which might help to improve prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Gong
- 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaqiong Chen
- 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Cao
- 2Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Wang
- 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahao Chen
- 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danyang Li
- 2Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liuping Sha
- 2Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinhua Li
- 2Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yutian Chong
- 2Department of Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Hu
- 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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16
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Xu H, Locarnini S, Wong D, Hammond R, Colledge D, Soppe S, Huynh T, Shaw T, Thompson AJ, Revill PA, Hogarth PM, Wines BD, Walsh R, Warner N. Role of anti-HBs in functional cure of HBeAg+ chronic hepatitis B patients infected with HBV genotype A. J Hepatol 2022; 76:34-45. [PMID: 34371070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS HBsAg-specific antibody responses are difficult to detect during chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) and are often overlooked. The aim of this study was to examine whether anti-HBs may be involved in functional cure (FC) by profiling anti-HBs responses in patients with CHB using a panel of specific assays. METHODS Longitudinal serum samples were obtained from 25 patients with CHB who were infected with HBV genotype A and were undergoing nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment: 14 achieved FC while 11 remained infected (non-FC). Anti-HBs immune complexes (HBsAg-IC), FcγRIIIa dimer binding, epitope specificity and neutralisation efficacy were measured. RESULTS HBsAg-IC peaks were detected prior to HBsAg loss in 10/14 FC patients. These HBsAg-IC peaks overlapped with either an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare (8/10 patients), or a rise in ALT (2/10 patients). HBsAg-IC peaks were detected in 7/11 non-FC patients, but were not associated with an ALT flare. FCγRIIIa binding was detected in 9/14 FC patients, independent from detection of overlapping HBsAg-IC/ALT peaks. FC patients had stable HBsAg epitope occupancy across the study, whereas non-FC patients had a reduction in HBsAg epitope occupancy within the first 12-24 weeks of NA treatment. Convalescent sera from FC patients recognised more HBsAg epitopes and neutralised HBV infection more potently than anti-HBs derived from vaccinees. Neutralisation potency appeared to increase post-HBsAg loss in 4/5 FC patients examined. CONCLUSIONS Using these assays, we confirm that anti-HBs responses are present and fluctuate over time in this cohort of patients with HBeAg+ CHB, who were infected with HBV genotype A and treated with NAs. Key anti-HBs profiles associated with either FC or failure to achieve FC were also identified, suggesting a role for anti-HBs responses in FC. LAY SUMMARY Using a panel of assays to characterise hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) responses in a group of patients with chronic hepatitis B, we identified anti-HBs profiles associated with either functional cure, or failure to achieve functional cure. Functional cure was associated with immune complex peaks which overlapped with alanine aminotransferase flares. Conversely, in those who did not achieve functional cure, immune complex peaks were present, but were not associated with alanine aminotransferase flares, and a decline in anti-HBs diversity was observed early during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xu
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Locarnini
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | - Darren Wong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Hammond
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danni Colledge
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sally Soppe
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thao Huynh
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim Shaw
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Peter A Revill
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | - P Mark Hogarth
- Immune Therapies Group, Burnet Institute, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bruce D Wines
- Immune Therapies Group, Burnet Institute, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Renae Walsh
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia; ClearB Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nadia Warner
- Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia.
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17
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De Battista D, Zamboni F, Gerstein H, Sato S, Markowitz TE, Lack J, Engle RE, Farci P. Molecular Signature and Immune Landscape of HCV-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): Differences and Similarities with HBV-HCC. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2021; 8:1399-1413. [PMID: 34849372 PMCID: PMC8615147 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s325959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction HCC is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with chronic viral hepatitis accounting for more than 70% of the cases. Therapeutic options are limited and ineffective. The increasing use of immune-based therapies in solid tumors highlights the need to expand our knowledge on the immunologic microenvironment of HCC. Methods Access to liver samples from 20 well-characterized patients with HCC associated with HCV (n = 9) or HBV (n = 11) gave us the opportunity to study the immunologic landscape in these tumors. For each patient, RNA-sequencing was performed on the tumor and surrounding nontumorous tissue. Results We found that both HCV- and HBV-HCC are associated with a predominance of downregulated genes (74% and 67%, respectively). Analysis of the immune landscape using a curated gene list showed 216 of 2481 (9%) immune genes in HCV-HCC and 164 of 2560 (6%) in HBV-HCC. However, only 8 immune genes (4%) were upregulated in HCV-HCC and 27 (16.5%) in HBV-HCC. HCV-HCC was characterized by an enrichment of downregulated genes related to T-cell activation and oxidative stress. The dramatic downregulation of immune genes related to T-cell activation in HCV-HCC prompted us to perform an extensive immunohistochemistry analysis on paraffin-embedded liver specimen. Interestingly, we found a significant reduction of immune-cell infiltration (CD3, CD8 and CD20 positive cells) within the tumor. Moreover, we observed that HCV-HCC is characterized by an enrichment of M2-like CD68-positive cells. These data are consistent with the dramatic downregulation of immune-cell infiltration seen in HCV-HCC. Conversely, HBV-HCC was characterized by upregulation of genes related to monocyte/macrophage activation and cell cycle control, and downregulation of genes involved in various cell metabolisms. Conclusion This study demonstrates a distinctive molecular signature and immune landscape in HCC of different viral etiology, which could provide new insights into pathogenesis and lead to the development of novel immune-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide De Battista
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Fausto Zamboni
- Liver Transplantation Center, Azienda Ospedaliera Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Hannah Gerstein
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Shinya Sato
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Tovah E Markowitz
- NIAID Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.,Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Justin Lack
- NIAID Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.,Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Ronald E Engle
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Patrizia Farci
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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18
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Gu S, Liu Z, Lin L, Zhong S, Ma Y, Li X, Ye G, Wen C, Li Y, Tang L. Identification and Mapping of HBsAg Loss-Related B-Cell Linear Epitopes in Chronic HBV Patients by Peptide Array. Front Immunol 2021; 12:767000. [PMID: 34721439 PMCID: PMC8554339 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.767000] [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: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of immunogenic targets against hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded proteins will provide crucial advances in developing potential antibody therapies. In this study, 63 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection and 46 patients who achieved hepatitis B surface antigen loss (sAg loss) following antiviral treatment were recruited. Moreover, six patients who transitioned from the hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic infection phase (eAg+CInf) to the hepatitis phase (eAg+CHep) were enrolled from real-life clinical practice. Additionally, telbivudine-treated eAg+CHep patients and relapsers or responders from an off-treatment cohort were longitudinally studied. The frequencies and function of B cells were assessed by flow cytometry. We devised a peptide array composed of 15-mer overlapping peptides of HBV-encoded surface (S), core (C), and polymerase (P) proteins and performed a screening on B-cell linear epitopes with sera. Naïve B cells and plasmablasts were increased, whereas total memory, activated memory (AM), and atypical memory (AtM) B cells were reduced in sAg- patients compared with sAg+ patients. Importantly, longitudinal observations found that AtM B cells were associated with successful treatment withdrawal. Interestingly, we identified six S-specific dominant epitopes (S33, S34, S45, S76, S78, and S89) and one C-specific dominant epitope (C37) that reacted with the majority of sera from sAg- patients. Of note, more B-cell linear epitopes were detected in CHep patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flares than in nonflare CInf patients, and five B-cell linear epitopes (S4, S5, S10, S11, and S68) were overwhelmingly recognized by ALT flare patients. The recognition rates of epitopes on C and P proteins were significantly increased in CHep patients relative to CInf patients. Strikingly, a statistically significant elevation in the number of positive epitopes was observed when ALT nonflare patients shifted into the flare phase. Moreover, S76 identified at baseline was confirmed to be associated with a complete response after 48 weeks of telbivudine therapy. Taken together, we identified several functional cure-related B-cell linear epitopes of chronic HBV infection, and these epitopes may serve as vaccine candidates to elicit neutralizing antibodies to treat HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqin Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhipeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Lin
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shihong Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanchen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guofu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunhua Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongyin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Libo Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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19
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Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, estimated to be globally responsible for ∼800,000 deaths annually. Although effective vaccines are available to prevent new HBV infection, treatment of existing chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is limited, as the current standard-of-care antiviral drugs can only suppress viral replication without achieving cure. In 2016, the World Health Organization called for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a global public health threat by 2030. The United States and other nations are working to meet this ambitious goal by developing strategies to cure CHB, as well as prevent HBV transmission. This review considers recent research progress in understanding HBV pathobiology and development of therapeutics for the cure of CHB, which is necessary for elimination of hepatitis B by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Block
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, USA;
| | - Kyong-Mi Chang
- The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18902, USA;
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20
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Li J, Hu CH, Chen Y, Zhou MM, Gao ZJ, Fu MJ, Wang J, Li JZ, Chen TY, Zhao YR, He YL. Characteristics of Peripheral Lymphocyte Subsets in Patients With Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure Associated With Hepatitis B. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:689865. [PMID: 34386507 PMCID: PMC8353122 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.689865] [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: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a rare, but dramatic clinical syndrome. There is substantial evidence suggesting that immunity-mediated inflammation plays an important role in HBV-ACLF. Our aim was to characterize the proportion and cell counts of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in acute-on-chronic liver failure patients caused by HBV infection. Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients were enrolled in this study, including those with HBV-related ACLF (HBV-ACLF; n = 70), and HBV related non-ACLF patients (HBV non-ACLF; n = 47). Demographics, clinical and laboratory data at hospital admission were retrospectively analyzed. The percentage and cell count of peripheral lymphocyte subsets were evaluated by flow cytometry. Comparison analysis was performed by t-test or non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-test. Actuarial probabilities of death were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Both circulating lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage were significantly reduced in patients with HBV-ACLF (P < 0.001). The CD8+ T cell, CD4+ T cell, and CD16+CD56+ NK cell counts were significantly decreased in HBV-ACLF. Consistently, flow cytometric analysis showed that CD8+ T cell counts were significantly decreased in non-survivors, while no significant differences were found in CD4+ T cell, CD19+ B cell, or CD56+CD16+ NK cell counts. Furthermore, the group with the lower CD8+ T cell count displayed a significantly higher mortality rate compared with the group with the higher CD8+ T cell count. Conclusions: The abnormal prevalence of lymphocyte subsets may be important in the pathogenesis of HBV-ACLF. The decrease in CD8+ T cell counts may be related to poor survival in HBV-ACLF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,School of Medicine, Institution of Hepatology, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chun-Hua Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,School of Medicine, Institution of Hepatology, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi Chen
- School of Medicine, Institution of Hepatology, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mi-Mi Zhou
- School of Medicine, Institution of Hepatology, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhi-Jie Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,School of Medicine, Institution of Hepatology, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Meng-Jun Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,School of Medicine, Institution of Hepatology, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Medicine, Institution of Hepatology, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jian-Zhou Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,School of Medicine, Institution of Hepatology, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tian-Yan Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Clinical Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying-Ren Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Clinical Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying-Li He
- School of Medicine, Institution of Hepatology, First Affiliated Teaching Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Clinical Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Xi'an, China
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21
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Baseline serum hepatitis B core antibody level predicts HBeAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B after antiviral treatment. Antiviral Res 2021; 193:105146. [PMID: 34314774 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105146] [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: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is one of the most classical serological markers of HBV infection. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum anti-HBc and HBeAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) after antiviral treatment. Two hundred and seventeen HBeAg-positive CHB patients treated with entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for 48 weeks were retrospectively enrolled. Serological response (SR) is defined as HBeAg seroconversion at 48 weeks of antiviral treatment. Serum anti-HBc level was measured using the Abbott ARCHITECT assay. After 48 weeks of antiviral treatment, twenty-two (10.1 %) patients achieved SR. Baseline level of serum anti-HBc in the SR patients (11.8 S/CO) was significantly higher than patients with non-SR (9.6 S/CO, P < 0.001). The median anti-HBc level was significantly declined after 48 weeks of antiviral therapy (9.9 vs. 8.9 S/CO, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed baseline of serum anti-HBc was an independent predictor of SR (odds ratio [OR]: 1.462, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.170-1.825, P = 0.001). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of baseline anti-HBc level for predicting SR was 0.781 with the cut-off of 11.1 S/CO, with a sensitivity of 77.27 % and a specificity of 72.82 %. Our findings highlighted that baseline serum anti-HBc level is a promising indictor for predicting HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive CHB patients after antiviral treatment.
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22
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Huang CJ, Wang LHC, Wang YC. Identification of Therapeutic Targets for the Selective Killing of HBV-Positive Hepatocytes. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11070649. [PMID: 34357116 PMCID: PMC8307716 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11070649] [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: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major risk factor for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Most infected individuals become lifelong carriers of HBV as the drugs currently used to treat the patients can only control the disease, thereby achieving functional cure (loss of the hepatitis B surface antigen) but not complete cure (elimination of infected hepatocytes). Therefore, we aimed to identify the target genes for the selective killing of HBV-positive hepatocytes to develop a novel therapy for the treatment of HBV infection. Our strategy was to recognize the conditionally essential genes that are essential for the survival of HBV-positive hepatocytes, but non-essential for the HBV-negative hepatocytes. Using microarray gene expression data curated from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and the known essential genes from the Online GEne Essentiality database, we used two approaches, comprising the random walk with restart algorithm and the support vector machine approach, to determine the potential targets for the selective killing of HBV-positive hepatocytes. The final candidate genes list obtained using these two approaches consisted of 36 target genes, which may be conditionally essential for the cell survival of HBV-positive hepatocytes; however, this requires further experimental validation. Therefore, the genes identified in this study can be used as potential drug targets to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HBV, and may ultimately help in achieving the elusive goal of a complete cure for hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Jung Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan;
| | - Lily Hui-Ching Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chao Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan;
- Correspondence:
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23
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Pervin M, Hasan I, Kobir MA, Akter L, Karim MR. Immunophenotypic analysis of the distribution of hepatic macrophages, lymphocytes and hepatic stellate cells in the adult rat liver. Anat Histol Embryol 2021; 50:736-745. [PMID: 34128248 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The liver consists of parenchymal hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells. Non-parenchymal cells, Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells and cholangiocytes have crucial roles in liver homeostasis and liver pathology. To establish baseline data, this study investigated immunohistochemically the distribution of non-parenchymal cells in perivenular areas (PV), periportal areas (PP) and Glisson's sheath (GS) of adult rat liver. Liver tissues were collected from the left lateral lobe of rats. CD163-positive macrophages were seen along the sinusoid of PV and PP areas, indicating Kupffer cells. Double immunofluorescence showed, Kupffer cells partly co-expressed CD68 and MHC class II antigens in the liver. The numbers of Kupffer cells were significantly high in PP areas as compared with PV or GS areas. CD68-positive exudative macrophages were highly localized in PP and GS areas and a comparatively low PV area. MHC class II-positive dendritic cells (activated macrophages) were localized mainly in GS. Granzyme B-positive NK cells were mainly localized in the Glisson's sheath. CD3-positive T cells and CD20-positive B cells were distributed along the sinusoids of the PP and PV areas of hepatic lobules. Vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive hepatic stellate cells were localized along sinusoids in the hepatic lobules of the liver. Cholangiocytes reacting to cytokeratin 19 were seen on interlobular bile ducts in Glisson's sheath of the liver. This study shows that heterogeneous macrophage populations, liver-resident lymphocytes and hepatic stellate cells localized in PP and PV areas or GS areas of the liver with cells specific patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munmun Pervin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Imam Hasan
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Md Alamgir Kobir
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Latifa Akter
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Rabiul Karim
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
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24
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Elsner RA, Shlomchik MJ. Germinal Center and Extrafollicular B Cell Responses in Vaccination, Immunity, and Autoimmunity. Immunity 2021; 53:1136-1150. [PMID: 33326765 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Activated B cells participate in either extrafollicular (EF) or germinal center (GC) responses. Canonical responses are composed of a short wave of plasmablasts (PBs) arising from EF sites, followed by GC producing somatically mutated memory B cells (MBC) and long-lived plasma cells. However, somatic hypermutation (SHM) and affinity maturation can take place at both sites, and a substantial fraction of MBC are produced prior to GC formation. Infection responses range from GC responses that persist for months to persistent EF responses with dominant suppression of GCs. Here, we review the current understanding of the functional output of EF and GC responses and the molecular switches promoting them. We discuss the signals that regulate the magnitude and duration of these responses, and outline gaps in knowledge and important areas of inquiry. Understanding such molecular switches will be critical for vaccine development, interpretation of vaccine efficacy and the treatment for autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Elsner
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, USA
| | - Mark J Shlomchik
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, USA.
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25
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Zhang J, Gao J, Lin D, Xiong J, Wang J, Chen J, Lin B, Gao Z. Potential Networks Regulated by MSCs in Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure: Exosomal miRNAs and Intracellular Target Genes. Front Genet 2021; 12:650536. [PMID: 33968135 PMCID: PMC8102832 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.650536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe syndrome associated with high mortality. Alterations in the liver microenvironment are one of the vital causes of immune damage and liver dysfunction. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) have been reported to alleviate liver injury via exosome-mediated signaling; of note, miRNAs are one of the most important cargoes in exosomes. Importantly, the miRNAs within exosomes in the hepatic microenvironment may mediate the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived regulation of liver function. This study investigated the hepatocyte exosomal miRNAs which are regulated by MSCs and the target genes which have potential in the treatment of liver failure. Briefly, ACLF was induced in mice using carbon tetrachloride and primary hepatocytes were isolated and co-cultured (or not) with MSCs under serum-free conditions. Exosomes were then collected, and the expression of exosomal miRNAs was assessed using next-generation sequencing; a comparison was performed between liver cells from healthy versus ACLF animals. Additionally, to identify the intracellular targets of exosomal miRNAs in humans, we focused on previously published data, i.e., microarray data and mass spectrometry data in liver samples from ACLF patients. The biological functions and signaling pathways associated with differentially expressed genes were predicted using gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics enrichment analyses; hub genes were also screened based on pathway analysis and the prediction of protein-protein interaction networks. Finally, we constructed the hub gene-miRNA network and performed correlation analysis and qPCR validation. Importantly, our data revealed that MSCs could regulate the miRNA content within exosomes in the hepatic microenvironment. MiR-20a-5p was down-regulated in ACLF hepatocytes and their exosomes, while the levels of chemokine C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 8 (CXCL8; interleukin 8) were increased in hepatocytes. Importantly, co-culture with hBMSCs resulted in up-regulated expression of miR-20a-5p in exosomes and hepatocytes, and down-regulated expression of CXCL8 in hepatocytes. Altogether, our data suggest that the exosomal miR-20a-5p/intracellular CXCL8 axis may play an important role in the reduction of liver inflammation in ACLF in the context of MSC-based therapies and highlights CXCL8 as a potential target for alleviating liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dengna Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jialei Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junfeng Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bingliang Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiliang Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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26
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Chitinase 3-like 1 is a profibrogenic factor overexpressed in the aging liver and in patients with liver cirrhosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2019633118. [PMID: 33888584 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019633118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Older age at the time of infection with hepatitis viruses is associated with an increased risk of liver fibrosis progression. We hypothesized that the pace of fibrosis progression may reflect changes in gene expression within the aging liver. We compared gene expression in liver specimens from 54 adult donors without evidence of fibrosis, including 36 over 40 y old and 18 between 18 and 40 y old. Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1), which encodes chitinase-like protein YKL-40/CHI3L1, was identified as the gene with the greatest age-dependent increase in expression in liver tissue. We investigated the cellular source of CHI3L1 in the liver and its function using liver tissue specimens and in vitro models. CHI3L1 expression was significantly higher in livers of patients with cirrhosis of diverse etiologies compared with controls represented by patients who underwent liver resection for hemangioma. The highest intrahepatic CHI3L1 expression was observed in cirrhosis due to hepatitis D virus, followed by hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and alcohol-induced cirrhosis. In situ hybridization of CHI3L1 messenger RNA (mRNA) identified hepatocytes as the major producers of CHI3L1 in normal liver and in cirrhotic tissue, wherein hepatocytes adjacent to fibrous septa showed higher CHI3L1 expression than did those in more distal areas. In vitro studies showed that recombinant CHI3L1 promotes proliferation and activation of primary human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the major drivers of liver fibrosis. These findings collectively demonstrate that CHI3L1 promotes liver fibrogenesis through a direct effect on HSCs and support a role for CHI3L1 in the increased susceptibility of aging livers to fibrosis progression.
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27
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28
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Van Hees S, Cuypers B, Bourgeois S, Groothuismink ZMA, Meysman P, Van der Vlies P, de Knegt R, Vonghia L, Michielsen P, Francque S, Laukens K, Boonstra A, Vanwolleghem T. Sorted B cell transcriptomes point towards actively regulated B cell responses during ongoing chronic hepatitis B infections. Cell Immunol 2021; 362:104283. [PMID: 33548734 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The natural course of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections follows distinct clinical disease phases, characterized by fluctuating levels of serum HBV DNA and ALT. The immune cells and their features that govern these clinical disease transitions remain unknown. In the current study, we performed RNA sequencing on purified B cells from blood (n = 42) and liver (n = 10) of healthy controls and chronic HBV patients. We found distinct gene expression profiles between healthy controls and chronic HBV patients, as evidenced by 190 differentially expressed genes (DEG), but also between the clinical phenotypes of a chronic HBV infection (17-110 DEG between each phase). Numerous immune pathways, including the B cell receptor pathway were upregulated in liver B cells when compared to peripheral B cells. Further investigation of the detected DEG suggested an activation of B cells during HBeAg seroconversion and an active regulation of B cell signalling in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Van Hees
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Antwerp University, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bart Cuypers
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Kronenburgstraat 43, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Middelheimlaan 1, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stefan Bourgeois
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, ZNA Stuivenberg, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zwier M A Groothuismink
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pieter Meysman
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Middelheimlaan 1, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Rob de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Luisa Vonghia
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Antwerp University, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Michielsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Antwerp University, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sven Francque
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Antwerp University, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kris Laukens
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Antwerp, Middelheimlaan 1, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Andre Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Antwerp University, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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29
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Cai Y, Yin W. The Multiple Functions of B Cells in Chronic HBV Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:582292. [PMID: 33381113 PMCID: PMC7767983 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.582292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the main causes of liver diseases, of which the natural history and clinical outcomes are associated with the role of B cells. As humoral immune cells, B cells play a critical role in the process of anti-HBV antibody production. In addition, some studies have also characterized other B cell subsets involved in antigen presentation and regulating the immune response beyond antibody secretion. However, not all B cell subsets play a positive role in the immune response to chronic HBV infection, and various B cell subsets jointly mediate persistent HBV infection, tolerance, and liver damage. Thus, we further sought to elucidate the multiple functions of B cells to gain novel insight into the understanding of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) pathogenesis. We also reviewed the current immunotherapies targeting B cells to explore novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenwei Yin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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30
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Li Q, Wang J, Lu M, Qiu Y, Lu H. Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure From Chronic-Hepatitis-B, Who Is the Behind Scenes. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:583423. [PMID: 33365018 PMCID: PMC7750191 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.583423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is an acute syndrome accompanied with decompensation of cirrhosis, organ failure with high 28-day mortality rate. Systemic inflammation is the main feature of ACLF, and poor outcome is closely related with exacerbated systemic inflammatory responses. It is well known that severe systemic inflammation is an important event in chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-ACLF, which eventually leads to liver injury. However, the initial CHB-ACLF events are unclear; moreover, the effect of these events on host immunity as well as that of immune imbalance on CHB-ACLF progression are unknown. Here, we investigate the initial events of ACLF progression, discuss possible mechanisms underlying ACLF progression, and provide a new model for ACLF prediction and treatment. We review the characteristics of ACLF, and consider its plausible immune predictors and alternative treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Center of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yuanwang Qiu
- Department of Hepatology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Hongzhou Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
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31
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Sun Y, Yu H, Li F, Lan L, He D, Zhao H, Qi D. Identification of Hub Genes and Potential Molecular Mechanisms in Patients with HBV-Associated Acute Liver Failure. Evol Bioinform Online 2020; 16:1176934320943901. [PMID: 33100826 PMCID: PMC7549162 DOI: 10.1177/1176934320943901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in China, and mortality rates are high among patients who do not receive a matched liver transplant. This study aimed to determine potential mechanisms involved in HBV-ALF pathogenesis. Gene expression profiles under access numbers GSE38941 and GSE14668 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, including cohorts of HBV-ALF liver tissue and normal samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with false discovery rates (FDR) <0.05 and |log2(fold change)| >1 as thresholds were screened using the Limma package. Gene modules associated with stable disease were mined using weighed gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A co-expression network was constructed and DEGs were analyzed using gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. A gene-based network was constructed to explore major factors associated with disease progression. We identified 2238 overlapping DEGs as crucial gene cohorts in ALF development. Based on a WGCNA algorithm, 10 modules (modules 1-10) were obtained that ranged from 75 to 1078 genes per module. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), and cell-division cycle protein 20 (CDC20) hub genes were screened using the co-expression network. Furthermore, 17 GO terms and 6 KEGG pathways were identified, such as cell division, immune response process, and antigen processing and presentation. Two overlapping signaling pathways that are crucial factors in HBV-ALF were screened using the Comprehensive Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Several candidate genes including HLA-E, B2M, HLA-DPA1, and SYK were associated with HBV-ALF progression. Natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity and antigen presentation contributed to the progression of HBV-ALF. The HLA-E, B2M, HLA-DPA1, and SYK genes play critical roles in the pathogenesis and development of HBV-ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Haitao Yu
- Intensive Care Unit, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Liqiang Lan
- Department of Endocrinology, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Daxin He
- Department of Ultrasound, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Haijun Zhao
- Department of Urology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Dachuan Qi
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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32
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B lymphocyte-mediated humoral immunity in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B infection. LIVER RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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33
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Chen Z, Engle RE, Shen CH, Zhao H, Schuck PW, Danoff EJ, Nguyen H, Nishimura N, Bock KW, Moore IN, Kwong PD, Purcell RH, Govindarajan S, Farci P. Distinct disease features in chimpanzees infected with a precore HBV mutant associated with acute liver failure in humans. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008793. [PMID: 32866189 PMCID: PMC7485984 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmission to chimpanzees of a precore hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutant implicated in acute liver failure (ALF) in humans did not cause ALF nor the classic form of acute hepatitis B (AHB) seen upon infection with the wild-type HBV strain, but rather a severe AHB with distinct disease features. Here, we investigated the viral and host immunity factors responsible for the unusual severity of AHB associated with the precore HBV mutant in chimpanzees. Archived serial serum and liver specimens from two chimpanzees inoculated with a precore HBV mutant implicated in ALF and two chimpanzees inoculated with wild-type HBV were studied. We used phage-display library and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to characterize the liver antibody response. The results obtained in severe AHB were compared with those in classic AHB and HBV-associated ALF in humans. Severe AHB was characterized by: (i) the highest alanine aminotransferase (ALT) peaks ever seen in HBV transmission studies with a significantly shorter incubation period, compared to classic AHB; (ii) earlier HBsAg clearance and anti-HBs seroconversion with transient or undetectable hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg); (iii) limited inflammatory reaction relative to hepatocellular damage at the ALT peak with B-cell infiltration, albeit less extensive than in ALF; (iv) detection of intrahepatic germline antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) by phage-display libraries in the earliest disease phase, as seen in ALF; (v) lack of intrahepatic IgM anti-HBcAg Fab, as seen in classic AHB, but at variance with ALF; and (vi) higher proportion of antibodies in germline configuration detected by NGS in the intrahepatic antibody repertoire compared to classic AHB, but lower than in ALF. This study identifies distinct outcome-specific features associated with severe AHB caused by a precore HBV mutant in chimpanzees, which bear closer resemblance to HBV ALF than to classic AHB. Our data suggest that precore HBV mutants carry an inherently higher pathogenicity that, in addition to specific host factors, may play a critical role in determining the severity of acute HBV disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaochun Chen
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ronald E. Engle
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chen-Hsiang Shen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Huaying Zhao
- Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Peter W. Schuck
- Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Emily J. Danoff
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hanh Nguyen
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Norihisa Nishimura
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kevin W. Bock
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ian N. Moore
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Peter D. Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert H. Purcell
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sugantha Govindarajan
- Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Patrizia Farci
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Chen Z, Shen CH, Engle RE, Zamboni F, Kwong PD, Purcell RH, Farci P. Next-generation sequencing of the intrahepatic antibody repertoire delineates a unique B-cell response in HBV-associated acute liver failure. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:847-851. [PMID: 32196859 PMCID: PMC10965120 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of acute liver failure (ALF) worldwide. While liver damage in classic acute hepatitis B is believed to be T-cell mediated, the pathogenesis of HBV-associated ALF remains largely unknown. Access to liver specimens from well-characterized patients with HBV-associated ALF provided us with the opportunity to perform next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the entire VH repertoires of IgM and IgG from the livers of four ALF patients, a control liver donor and a patient with chronic HBV infection. We found that ALF is not associated with expansion of specific B-cell lineages. However, NGS showed that the intrahepatic VH repertoires from ALF patients were characterized by the abundant presence of antibodies in germline configuration in contrast to their marginal prevalence in controls. Moreover, NGS identified a large number of VH genes in germline configuration with identical VDJ sequences in the IgM and IgG repertoires in all four ALF patients, indicating that isotype switch from IgM to IgG had occurred without somatic hypermutation. The results of this study indicate that the presence of intrahepatic antibodies in unmutated germline configuration is a broad phenomenon in the global antibody repertoire generated from total RNA derived from whole-liver tissue that is strongly associated with ALF, suggesting a major role of T cell-independent humoral immunity in the pathogenesis of ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaochun Chen
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Chen-Hsiang Shen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ronald E. Engle
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Fausto Zamboni
- Liver Transplantation Center, Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Peter D. Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert H. Purcell
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Patrizia Farci
- Hepatic Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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35
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Chen H, Zhao W, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Luo W, Wang X, Nie Y, Ye M, Huang C, Wang D, Chen M, He X, Zhao Q. Systematic analysis on multiple Gene Expression Omnibus data sets reveals fierce immune response in hepatitis B virus-related acute liver failure. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:9798-9809. [PMID: 32686296 PMCID: PMC7520256 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute liver failure (ALF) caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common type of liver failure in the world, with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, the prevalence, genetic background and factors determining the development of HBV‐related ALF are rarely studied. In this study, we examined three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data sets by bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), key biological processes and pathways. Immune infiltration analysis showed high immune cells infiltration in HBV‐related ALF tissue. We then confirmed natural killer cells and macrophages infiltration in clinical samples by immunohistochemistry assay, implying these cells play a significant role in HBV‐ALF. We found 1277 genes were co‐up‐regulated and that 1082 genes were co‐down‐regulated in the 3 data sets. Inflammation‐related pathways were enriched in the co‐up‐regulated genes and synthetic metabolic pathways were enriched in the co‐down‐regulated genes. WGCNA also revealed a key module enriching in immune inflammation response and identified 10 hub genes, differentially expressed in an independent data set. In conclusion, we identified fierce immune inflammatory response to elucidate the immune‐driven mechanism of HBV‐ALF and 10 hub genes based on gene expression profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huadi Chen
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenting Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yixi Zhang
- Liver Transplantation Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiwen Guo
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Weixin Luo
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Nie
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Maodong Ye
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Changjun Huang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongping Wang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Maogen Chen
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoshun He
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, China
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36
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Vanwolleghem T, Groothuismink ZMA, Kreefft K, Hung M, Novikov N, Boonstra A. Hepatitis B core-specific memory B cell responses associate with clinical parameters in patients with chronic HBV. J Hepatol 2020; 73:52-61. [PMID: 32061650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Little is known about the frequency, phenotype and function of HBV-specific B cells during chronic infection. Here we study HBcAg and HBsAg-specific B cells in different clinical phases of a chronic HBV infection. METHODS We included 118 treatment naïve and 34 nucleos(t)ide analogue-treated patients with chronic HBV and 23 healthy HBsAg-vaccinated controls. Global and HBV-specific B lymphocytes were examined by FACS using fluorescently labeled HBsAg and HBcAg as baits. Functional HBV-specific B cell responses were quantified in B cell ELISPOT assays. Anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibodies were measured in serum and in ELISPOT supernatant by ELISA. RESULTS Higher HBcAg-directed B cell responses were found in HBV clinical phases with elevated vs. low serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, irrespective of the HBeAg-status. In contrast, HBsAg-directed responses were lower and did not significantly fluctuate. In individual patients a mean 17.8-fold more circulating B cells target HBcAg than HBsAg baits. These HBcAg-specific B cells present a classical memory B cell profile and have slightly higher CD69 expression levels compared to global memory B cells. Viral suppression and ALT normalization upon treatment led to a numeric and functional reduction of HBcAg-specific B cell responses, accompanied by progressive decreases in serum anti-HBc antibodies. CONCLUSION HBcAg-specific memory B cells present a classical memory B cell phenotype, vary in number and function throughout HBV's natural history and are significantly reduced during antiviral treatment. LAY SUMMARY In recent years, studies examining the role of B cells during chronic hepatitis B virus infection have regained interest. We show that circulating B cells more often target the hepatitis B core antigen than the hepatitis surface antigen. Moreover, these hepatitis B core-specific B cells associate with the natural history of chronic HBV, and their responses decline during effective antiviral treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp and Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Zwier M A Groothuismink
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Kreefft
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Magdeleine Hung
- Department of Biology, Gilead Sciences, Foster City, United States of America
| | - Nikolai Novikov
- Department of Biology, Gilead Sciences, Foster City, United States of America
| | - Andre Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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37
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Ganesan M, Eikenberry A, Poluektova LY, Kharbanda KK, Osna NA. Role of alcohol in pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus infection. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:883-903. [PMID: 32206001 PMCID: PMC7081008 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i9.883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and alcohol abuse often contribute to the development of end-stage liver disease. Alcohol abuse not only causes rapid progression of liver disease in HBV infected patients but also allows HBV to persist chronically. Importantly, the mechanism by which alcohol promotes the progression of HBV-associated liver disease are not completely understood. Potential mechanisms include a suppressed immune response, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus stresses, and increased HBV replication. Certainly, more research is necessary to gain a better understanding of these mechanisms such that treatment(s) to prevent rapid liver disease progression in alcohol-abusing HBV patients could be developed. In this review, we discuss the aforementioned factors for the higher risk of liver diseases in alcohol-induced HBV pathogenies and suggest the areas for future studies in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murali Ganesan
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
| | - Allison Eikenberry
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
| | - Larisa Y Poluektova
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Kusum K Kharbanda
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
| | - Natalia A Osna
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, United States
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38
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Fu X, Lou H, Chen F, Gao X, Lin Z. Hepatitis B core antibody and liver stiffness measurements predict HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with minimally elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Clin Exp Med 2020; 20:241-248. [PMID: 32052245 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-019-00603-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels between 1 and 2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) are common in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. There are few clinical studies focused on this group of patients because of the poorer treatment outcomes compared to those with more than 2 × ULN ALT level. However, treatments are necessary to reduce liver damage for patients with minimally elevated ALT levels. And biomarkers are needed in predicting the treatment response. In this study, a total of 106 patients with CHB were enrolled and treated with entecavir, telbivudine or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Liver stiffness was measured by transient elastography, and quantitative levels of hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) were detected by ELISA. At week 96, 31 (29.25%) patients achieved hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion. Notably, baseline HBcAb levels and liver stiffness measurements (LSM) were higher in patients who achieved HBeAg seroconversion. The multivariate analysis showed that the baseline HBcAb levels and LSM were independent predictors for HBeAg seroconversion. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of baseline HBcAb, LSM and the combination of them for HBeAg seroconversion was 0.714, 0.720 and 0.717, respectively. In addition, we discovered that the patients with baseline HBcAb levels ≥ 4.15 log10 IU/mL and LSM ≥ 9.85 kPa had higher rates of HBeAg seroconversion. Therefore, the measurement of HBcAb and liver stiffness might be good approaches for the optimization of antiviral therapy for HBeAg-positive CHB patients with minimally elevated ALT levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihua Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haibo Lou
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueping Gao
- Department of Hepatology, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhanzhou Lin
- Department of Hepatology, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou, Guangdong, China.
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Ghany MG, Feld JJ, Chang KM, Chan HLY, Lok ASF, Visvanathan K, Janssen HLA. Serum alanine aminotransferase flares in chronic hepatitis B infection: the good and the bad. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 5:406-417. [PMID: 32057301 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30344-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection follows a dynamic and variable course. At different stages in the disease, hepatitis flares might occur, which can be challenging to predict and manage. Flares are believed to be primarily immune-mediated and might mark transitions to inactive disease or clearance of infection, but in certain scenarios they might also lead to hepatic decompensation or death. As such, understanding of the clinical significance of flares in different patient populations and different scenarios is important for optimal management. In this Review, we summarise what is known about flares in different stages of chronic HBV infection; describe flares in the context of the natural history of chronic infection; summarise the immunological mechanisms underlying flares, and describe flares in different clinical scenarios. Each section reviews existing knowledge and highlights key unanswered questions that need to be addressed to improve the understanding of flares, hopefully providing insights into their pathogenesis that can be used to improve current clinical management and ideally to further develop new curative therapeutic approaches for HBV infection. We also propose a working definition of an ALT flare to facilitate future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc G Ghany
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kyong-Mi Chang
- Medical Research, Corporal Michael J Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Henry L Y Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Anna S F Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kumar Visvanathan
- Department of Infectious Disease, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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40
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Mei T, Noguchi H, Hisadome Y, Kaku K, Nishiki T, Okabe Y, Nakamura M. Hepatitis B virus reactivation in kidney transplant patients with resolved hepatitis B virus infection: Risk factors and the safety and efficacy of preemptive therapy. Transpl Infect Dis 2020; 22:e13234. [PMID: 31856328 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is associated with complications and adverse outcomes in patients with clinically resolved HBV infection who are seronegative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag), and seropositive for hepatitis B core antibody (HBc Ab) and/or hepatitis B surface antibody (HBs Ab) before kidney transplantation (KT). METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 52 patients with resolved HBV infection who were HBV-DNA negative. HBV-DNA after KT was evaluated, and the occurrence of HBV reactivation and outcomes were monitored. We defined HBV reactivation as seropositivity for HBV-DNA at or above the minimal detection level of 1.0 log IU/mL and treated preemptively (using entecavir) when the HBV-DNA level was at or above 1.3 log IU/mL, in accordance with the Japanese Guidelines for HBV treatment. RESULTS Among the 52 patients, the mean age was 57.2 ± 10.8 years. The median HBc Ab titer was 12.8 (interquartile range, 4.6-42.6) cutoff index, and five (9.6%) cases of HBV reactivation occurred. No patients developed graft loss and died due to HBV reactivation. Statistical analysis showed that age and HBc Ab titer were significant risk factors for HBV reactivation (P = .037 and P = .042, respectively). No significant differences were found between graft survival and the presence or absence of HBV reactivation. CONCLUSION These results suggest that HBc Ab titer and age could be significant risk factors for HBV reactivation. Resolution of HBV infection did not appear to be associated with patient or graft survival, regardless of whether HBV reactivation occurred, when following our preemptive strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Mei
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Noguchi
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yu Hisadome
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keizo Kaku
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Yasuhiro Okabe
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masafumi Nakamura
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Campos G, Schmidt-Heck W, De Smedt J, Widera A, Ghallab A, Pütter L, González D, Edlund K, Cadenas C, Marchan R, Guthke R, Verfaillie C, Hetz C, Sachinidis A, Braeuning A, Schwarz M, Weiß TS, Banhart BK, Hoek J, Vadigepalli R, Willy J, Stevens JL, Hay DC, Hengstler JG, Godoy P. Inflammation-associated suppression of metabolic gene networks in acute and chronic liver disease. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:205-217. [PMID: 31919559 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02630-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation has been recognized as essential for restorative regeneration. Here, we analyzed the sequential processes during onset of liver injury and subsequent regeneration based on time-resolved transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) to understand the relationship between inflammation, mature organ function, and regeneration. Genome-wide expression and TRN analysis were performed time dependently in mouse liver after acute injury by CCl4 (2 h, 8 h, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 days), as well as lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 24 h) and compared to publicly available data after tunicamycin exposure (mouse, 6 h), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, mouse), and human chronic liver disease (non-alcoholic fatty liver, HBV infection and HCC). Spatiotemporal investigation differentiated lobular zones for signaling and transcription factor expression. Acute CCl4 intoxication induced expression of gene clusters enriched for inflammation and stress signaling that peaked between 2 and 24 h, accompanied by a decrease of mature liver functions, particularly metabolic genes. Metabolism decreased not only in pericentral hepatocytes that underwent CCl4-induced necrosis, but extended to the surviving periportal hepatocytes. Proliferation and tissue restorative TRNs occurred only later reaching a maximum at 48 h. The same upstream regulators (e.g. inhibited RXR function) were implicated in increased inflammation and suppressed metabolism. The concomitant inflammation/metabolism TRN occurred similarly after acute LPS and tunicamycin challenges, in chronic mouse models and also in human liver diseases. Downregulation of metabolic genes occurs concomitantly to induce inflammation-associated genes as an early response and appears to be initiated by similar upstream regulators in acute and chronic liver diseases in humans and mice. In the acute setting, proliferation and restorative regeneration associated TRNs peak only later when metabolism is already suppressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Campos
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt-Heck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology e.V., Hans-Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Agata Widera
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ahmed Ghallab
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Forensic and Veterinary Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Larissa Pütter
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniela González
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Karolina Edlund
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Cristina Cadenas
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rosemarie Marchan
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Reinhard Guthke
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology e.V., Hans-Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Claudio Hetz
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile
- The Buck Institute for Research in Aging, Novato, CA, 94945, USA
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Agapios Sachinidis
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Albert Braeuning
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Food Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Schwarz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas S Weiß
- Department of Pediatrics and Juvenile Medicine, Center for Liver Cell Research, University of Regensburg Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin K Banhart
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jan Hoek
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rajanikanth Vadigepalli
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Willy
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 3215 Merryfield Row, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - James L Stevens
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46285, USA
| | - David C Hay
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, E16 4UU, UK
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Patricio Godoy
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University Dortmund, Ardeystrasse 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany.
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Kreer C, Gruell H, Mora T, Walczak AM, Klein F. Exploiting B Cell Receptor Analyses to Inform on HIV-1 Vaccination Strategies. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010013. [PMID: 31906351 PMCID: PMC7157687 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The human antibody repertoire is generated by the recombination of different gene segments as well as by processes of somatic mutation. Together these mechanisms result in a tremendous diversity of antibodies that are able to combat various pathogens including viruses and bacteria, or malignant cells. In this review, we summarize the opportunities and challenges that are associated with the analyses of the B cell receptor repertoire and the antigen-specific B cell response. We will discuss how recent advances have increased our understanding of the antibody response and how repertoire analyses can be exploited to inform on vaccine strategies, particularly against HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Kreer
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.K.); (H.G.)
| | - Henning Gruell
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.K.); (H.G.)
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Thierry Mora
- Laboratoire de Physique de l’École Normale Supérieure (PSL University), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75005 Paris, France; (T.M.); (A.M.W.)
| | - Aleksandra M. Walczak
- Laboratoire de Physique de l’École Normale Supérieure (PSL University), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 75005 Paris, France; (T.M.); (A.M.W.)
| | - Florian Klein
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; (C.K.); (H.G.)
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Trivedi N, Weisel F, Smita S, Joachim S, Kader M, Radhakrishnan A, Clouser C, Rosenfeld AM, Chikina M, Vigneault F, Hershberg U, Ismail N, Shlomchik MJ. Liver Is a Generative Site for the B Cell Response to Ehrlichia muris. Immunity 2019; 51:1088-1101.e5. [PMID: 31732168 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The B cell response to Ehrlichia muris is dominated by plasmablasts (PBs), with few-if any-germinal centers (GCs), yet it generates protective immunoglobulin M (IgM) memory B cells (MBCs) that express the transcription factor T-bet and harbor V-region mutations. Because Ehrlichia prominently infects the liver, we investigated the nature of liver B cell response and that of the spleen. B cells within infected livers proliferated and underwent somatic hypermutation (SHM). Vh-region sequencing revealed trafficking of clones between the spleen and liver and often subsequent local clonal expansion and intraparenchymal localization of T-bet+ MBCs. T-bet+ MBCs expressed MBC subset markers CD80 and PD-L2. Many T-bet+ MBCs lacked CD11b or CD11c expression but had marginal zone (MZ) B cell phenotypes and colonized the splenic MZ, revealing T-bet+ MBC plasticity. Hence, liver and spleen are generative sites of B cell responses, and they include V-region mutation and result in liver MBC localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Trivedi
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Florian Weisel
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Shuchi Smita
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Stephen Joachim
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Muhamuda Kader
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | | | | | | | - Maria Chikina
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | | | | | - Nahed Ismail
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Mark Jay Shlomchik
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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Maini MK, Burton AR. Restoring, releasing or replacing adaptive immunity in chronic hepatitis B. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16:662-675. [PMID: 31548710 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0196-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Multiple new therapeutic approaches are currently being developed to achieve sustained, off-treatment suppression of HBV, a persistent hepatotropic infection that kills ~2,000 people a day. A fundamental therapeutic goal is the restoration of robust HBV-specific adaptive immune responses that are able to maintain prolonged immunosurveillance of residual infection. Here, we provide insight into key components of successful T cell and B cell responses to HBV, discussing the importance of different specificities and effector functions, local intrahepatic immunity and pathogenic potential. We focus on the parallels and interactions between T cell and B cell responses, highlighting emerging areas for future investigation. We review the potential for different immunotherapies in development to restore or release endogenous adaptive immunity by direct or indirect approaches, including limitations and risks. Finally, we consider an alternative HBV treatment strategy of replacing failed endogenous immunity with infusions of highly targeted T cells or antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mala K Maini
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Alice R Burton
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
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Ma Z, Zhang E, Gao S, Xiong Y, Lu M. Toward a Functional Cure for Hepatitis B: The Rationale and Challenges for Therapeutic Targeting of the B Cell Immune Response. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2308. [PMID: 31608073 PMCID: PMC6769125 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central role of the cellular immune response in the control and clearance of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been well-established. The contribution of humoral immunity, including B cell and antibody responses against HBV, has been investigated for a long time but has attracted increasing attention again in recent years. The anti-HBs antibody was first recognized as a marker of protective immunity after the acute resolution of the HBV infection (or vaccination) and is now defined as a biomarker for the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In this way, therapies targeting HBV-specific B cells and the induction of an anti-HBs antibody response are essential elements of a rational strategy to terminate chronic HBV infection. However, a high load of HBsAg in the blood, which has been proposed to induce antigen-specific immune tolerance, represents a major obstacle to curing CHB. Long-term antiviral treatment by nucleoside analogs, by targeting viral translation by siRNA, by inhibiting HBsAg release via nucleic acid polymers, or by neutralizing HBsAg via specific antibodies could potentially reduce the HBsAg load in CHB patients. A combined strategy including a reduction of the HBsAg load via the above treatments and the therapeutic targeting of B cells by vaccination may induce the appearance of anti-HBs antibodies and lead to a functional cure of CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ejuan Zhang
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Shicheng Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Xiong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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46
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Milich DR. Is the function of the HBeAg really unknown? Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 15:2187-2191. [PMID: 31063442 PMCID: PMC6773382 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1607132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune response to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine in newborns of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive or HBeAg-negative mothers is the subject of Huang et al. The authors report no correlation between the HBeAg status of the mothers/cord blood and the newborns immune response to the vaccine, but, unfortunately, draw unfounded conclusions regarding the tolerogenic potential of in utero exposure to HBeAg. In this reply, I address the possible influence of in utero exposure to the HBeAg, and briefly review other characteristics of the HBeAg, that may promote HBV chronicity. I argue that the function of HBeAg should no longer be considered "unknown" and that immunotolerance/immunomodulation represent the dominant functions of the HBeAg in viral-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Milich
- Department of Immunology, Vaccine Research Institute of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- VLP Biotech, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA
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Elevated Serum IgG Levels Positively Correlated with IL-27 May Indicate Poor Outcome in Patients with HBV-Related Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:1538439. [PMID: 31198792 PMCID: PMC6526579 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1538439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Serum immunoglobulins are frequently increased in patients with chronic liver disease, but little is known about the role of serum immunoglobulins and their correlations with interleukin-27 (IL-27) in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). This study was aimed at determining the role of serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM) levels and their associations with IL-27 in noncirrhotic patients with HBV-ACLF. Methods Samples were assessed from thirty patients with HBV-ACLF, twenty-four chronic hepatitis B (CHB) subjects, and eighteen normal controls. Disease severity of HBV-ACLF was evaluated. Serum IL-27 levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunoglobulin levels were assessed using immunoturbidimetric assay. Correlations between immunoglobulin levels and IL-27 were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to predict the 3-month mortality. Results 25 (83.3%) HBV-ACLF patients had elevated serum IgG levels (>1 ULN), 14 (46.7%) patients had elevated IgA, and 15 (50%) had raised IgM. IgG, IgA, and IgM levels were higher in HBV-ACLF patients than in CHB patients and normal controls. Moreover, IgG, IgA, and IgM levels were positively correlated with Tbil levels but negatively correlated with prothrombin time activity (PTA) levels. Additionally, IgG levels were significantly increased in nonsurviving patients than in surviving HBV-ACLF patients (P = 0.007) and positively correlated with MELD score (r = 0.401, P = 0.028). Also, IgG levels were positively correlated with IL-27 levels in HBV-ACLF patients (r = 0.398, P = 0.029). Furthermore, ROC curve showed that IgG levels could predict the 3-month mortality in HBV-ACLF patients (the area under the ROC curve: 0.752, P = 0.005). Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that serum immunoglobulins were preferentially elevated in HBV-ACLF patients. IgG levels were positively correlated with IL-27 and may predict prognosis in HBV-ACLF patients.
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Anastasiou OE, Widera M, Westhaus S, Timmer L, Korth J, Gerken G, Canbay A, Todt D, Steinmann E, Schwarz T, Timm J, Verheyen J, Ciesek S. Clinical Outcome and Viral Genome Variability of Hepatitis B Virus-Induced Acute Liver Failure. Hepatology 2019; 69:993-1003. [PMID: 30229977 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a frequent cause of acute liver failure (ALF) worldwide. ALF occurs in 0.1%-0.5% of infected patients. The aim of this study was to scrutinize the outcome of patients with HBV-induced ALF and mutational patterns of HBV variants, which might contribute to ALF. From 2005 to 2016, 42 patients were treated for HBV-induced ALF in the University Hospital Essen, Germany. Clinical and virological data from these patients were collected. As a control, 38 patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB) without liver failure were included. The HBV genome was sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Mutations that were found by NGS were analyzed in vitro. Of 42 patients, 8 had ALF without spontaneous recovery (NSR): Seven patients underwent liver transplantation (LT) and one patient died before LT. Of 42 patients, 34 (81%) had spontaneous recovery (SR) and cleared the infection, achieving either anti-HBs seroconversion or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss. HBV genotype (GT)-D was the most frequent GT in patients with ALF. Mutations in HBV core, preS2, and small hepatitis B surface antigen (SHB) were more frequent in patients with ALF-NSR compared with those with ALF-SR or AHB. Amino acid deletions (del; 16-22 and 20-22) in preS2 and SHB mutation L49R were exclusively detected in patients with ALF-NSR. In vitro analyses reveal that these mutations did not influence HBsAg secretion or infectivity. Conclusion: HBV GT-D and increased variability in HBV core, preS2 region, and SHB are associated with a worse clinical outcome of acute HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olympia E Anastasiou
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sandra Westhaus
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lejla Timmer
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Korth
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Guido Gerken
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ali Canbay
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tatjana Schwarz
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Düsseldorf, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jörg Timm
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Düsseldorf, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jens Verheyen
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Role of humoral immunity against hepatitis B virus core antigen in the pathogenesis of acute liver failure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E11369-E11378. [PMID: 30420516 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1809028115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated acute liver failure (ALF) is a dramatic clinical syndrome leading to death or liver transplantation in 80% of cases. Due to the extremely rapid clinical course, the difficulties in obtaining liver specimens, and the lack of an animal model, the pathogenesis of ALF remains largely unknown. Here, we performed a comprehensive genetic and functional characterization of the virus and the host in liver tissue from HBV-associated ALF and compared the results with those of classic acute hepatitis B in chimpanzees. In contrast with acute hepatitis B, HBV strains detected in ALF livers displayed highly mutated HBV core antigen (HBcAg), associated with increased HBcAg expression ex vivo, which was independent of viral replication levels. Combined gene and miRNA expression profiling revealed a dominant B cell disease signature, with extensive intrahepatic production of IgM and IgG in germline configuration exclusively targeting HBcAg with subnanomolar affinities, and complement deposition. Thus, HBV ALF appears to be an anomalous T cell-independent, HBV core-driven B cell disease, which results from the rare and unfortunate encounter between a host with an unusual B cell response and an infecting virus with a highly mutated core antigen.
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50
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Shimizu T, Abu Lila AS, Awata M, Kubo Y, Mima Y, Hashimoto Y, Ando H, Okuhira K, Ishima Y, Ishida T. A Cell Assay for Detecting Anti-PEG Immune Response against PEG-Modified Therapeutics. Pharm Res 2018; 35:223. [DOI: 10.1007/s11095-018-2505-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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