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Sun B, Andrades Valtueña A, Kocher A, Gao S, Li C, Fu S, Zhang F, Ma P, Yang X, Qiu Y, Zhang Q, Ma J, Chen S, Xiao X, Damchaabadgar S, Li F, Kovalev A, Hu C, Chen X, Wang L, Li W, Zhou Y, Zhu H, Krause J, Herbig A, Cui Y. Origin and dispersal history of Hepatitis B virus in Eastern Eurasia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2951. [PMID: 38580660 PMCID: PMC10997587 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47358-6] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus is a globally distributed pathogen and the history of HBV infection in humans predates 10000 years. However, long-term evolutionary history of HBV in Eastern Eurasia remains elusive. We present 34 ancient HBV genomes dating between approximately 5000 to 400 years ago sourced from 17 sites across Eastern Eurasia. Ten sequences have full coverage, and only two sequences have less than 50% coverage. Our results suggest a potential origin of genotypes B and D in Eastern Asia. We observed a higher level of HBV diversity within Eastern Eurasia compared to Western Eurasia between 5000 and 3000 years ago, characterized by the presence of five different genotypes (A, B, C, D, WENBA), underscoring the significance of human migrations and interactions in the spread of HBV. Our results suggest the possibility of a transition from non-recombinant subgenotypes (B1, B5) to recombinant subgenotypes (B2 - B4). This suggests a shift in epidemiological dynamics within Eastern Eurasia over time. Here, our study elucidates the regional origins of prevalent genotypes and shifts in viral subgenotypes over centuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Aida Andrades Valtueña
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Arthur Kocher
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
- Transmission, Infection, Diversification and Evolution Group, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, 07745, Germany
| | - Shizhu Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Chunxiang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Shuang Fu
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Pengcheng Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Xuan Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Yulan Qiu
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Quanchao Zhang
- School of archaeology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jian Ma
- School of Cultural Heritage, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Shan Chen
- School of Archaeology and Museology, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110136, China
| | - Xiaoming Xiao
- School of Archaeology and Museology, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110136, China
| | | | - Fajun Li
- School of Sociology and Anthropology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Alexey Kovalev
- Department of archaeological heritage preservation, Institute of Archaeology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117292, Russia
| | - Chunbai Hu
- Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Xianglong Chen
- Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Lixin Wang
- Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Wenying Li
- Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Ürümqi, 830011, China
| | - Yawei Zhou
- School of History, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450066, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Johannes Krause
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.
| | - Alexander Herbig
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.
| | - Yinqiu Cui
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
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2
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Caruso S, Edwards SJ. Recently Emerged Novel Henipa-like Viruses: Shining a Spotlight on the Shrew. Viruses 2023; 15:2407. [PMID: 38140648 PMCID: PMC10747904 DOI: 10.3390/v15122407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Henipaviruses are zoonotic viruses, including some highly pathogenic and capable of serious disease and high fatality rates in both animals and humans. Hendra virus and Nipah virus are the most notable henipaviruses, resulting in significant outbreaks across South Asia, South-East Asia, and Australia. Pteropid fruit bats have been identified as key zoonotic reservoirs; however, the increased discovery of henipaviruses outside the geographic distribution of Pteropid fruit bats and the detection of novel henipa-like viruses in other species such as the shrew, rat, and opossum suggest that Pteropid bats are not the sole reservoir for henipaviruses. In this review, we provide an update on henipavirus spillover events and describe the recent detection of novel unclassified henipaviruses, with a strong focus on the shrew and its emerging role as a key host of henipaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah J. Edwards
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Health & Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 5 Portarlington Road, East Geelong, VIC 3219, Australia;
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3
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Strain-specific responsiveness of hepatitis D virus to interferon-alpha treatment. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100673. [PMID: 36908749 PMCID: PMC9996322 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Pegylated interferon alpha (pegIFNα) is commonly used for the treatment of people infected with HDV. However, its mode of action in HDV-infected cells remains elusive and only a minority of people respond to pegIFNα therapy. Herein, we aimed to assess the responsiveness of three different cloned HDV strains to pegIFNα. We used a previously cloned HDV genotype 1 strain (dubbed HDV-1a) that appeared insensitive to interferon-α in vitro, a new HDV strain (HDV-1p) we isolated from an individual achieving later sustained response to IFNα therapy, and one phylogenetically distant genotype 3 strain (HDV-3). Methods PegIFNα was administered to human liver chimeric mice infected with HBV and the different HDV strains or to HBV/HDV infected human hepatocytes isolated from chimeric mice. Virological parameters and host responses were analysed by qPCR, sequencing, immunoblotting, RNA in situ hybridisation and immunofluorescence staining. Results PegIFNα treatment efficiently reduced HDV RNA viraemia (∼2-log) and intrahepatic HDV markers both in mice infected with HBV/HDV-1p and HBV/HDV-3. In contrast, HDV parameters remained unaffected by pegIFNα treatment both in mice (up to 9 weeks) and in isolated cells infected with HBV/HDV-1a. Notably, HBV viraemia was efficiently lowered (∼2-log) and human interferon-stimulated genes similarly induced in all three HBV/HDV-infected mouse groups receiving pegIFNα. Genome sequencing revealed highly conserved ribozyme and L-hepatitis D antigen post-translational modification sites among all three isolates. Conclusions Our comparative study indicates the ability of pegIFNα to lower HDV loads in stably infected human hepatocytes in vivo and the existence of complex virus-specific determinants of IFNα responsiveness. Impact and implications Understanding factors counteracting HDV infections is paramount to develop curative therapies. We compared the responsiveness of three different cloned HDV strains to pegylated interferon alpha in chronically infected mice. The different responsiveness of these HDV isolates to treatment highlights a previously underestimated heterogeneity among HDV strains.
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Key Words
- ADAR, adenosine deaminase
- ADF, adefovir
- AG, antigenomic
- Actb, actin beta
- Antiviral
- BSA, bovine serum albumin
- CHD, chronic hepatitis D
- CK18, cytokeratin 18
- CXCL10, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10
- Eef2, eukaryotic elongation factor
- FCS, foetal calf serum
- GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
- Genotype
- HBsAg, hepatitis B virus surface antigen
- HDAg, hepatitis delta antigen (S, small, L, large)
- HDV
- HLA, human leucocyte antigen
- HSA, uman serum albumin
- Human liver chimeric mice
- IFNα, interferon α
- ISGs, interferon stimulated genes
- LAM, lamivudine
- LLoD, lower limit of detection
- MDA5, melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5
- MOI, multiplicity of infection
- Mavs, mitochondrial antiviral-signalling protein
- MoA, mode of action
- MxA, myxovirus resistance gene A
- NTCP, sodium (Na+) taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide
- NUCs, nucleos(t)ide analogues
- OAS1, 2′-5′-oligoadenylatsynthetase 1
- PEG, polyethylene glycol
- PHHs, primary human hepatocytes
- RNP, ribonucleoprotein
- Resistance
- Rig-I, retinoic acid-inducible gene I
- SCID, severe combined immunodeficiency
- STAT1, signal transducers and activators of transcription 1
- TGFβ, transforming growth factor-β
- USG, uPA/SCID/beige/IL2RG-/-
- casp, caspase
- hAAT, human alpha antitrypsin
- pegIFNα, pegylated interferon alpha
- pgRNA, pregenomic RNA
- qPCR, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction
- uPA, urokinase plasminogen activator
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Harati Taji Z, Bielytskyi P, Shein M, Sani MA, Seitz S, Schütz AK. Transient RNA Interactions Leave a Covalent Imprint on a Viral Capsid Protein. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:8536-8550. [PMID: 35512333 PMCID: PMC9121876 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c12439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of persistent liver infections. Its DNA-based genome is synthesized through reverse transcription of an RNA template inside the assembled capsid shell. In addition to the structured assembly domain, the capsid protein harbors a C-terminal extension that mediates both the enclosure of RNA during capsid assembly and the nuclear entry of the capsid during infection. The arginine-rich motifs within this extension, though common to many viruses, have largely escaped atomic-scale investigation. Here, we leverage solution and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at ambient and cryogenic temperatures, under dynamic nuclear polarization signal enhancement, to investigate the organization of the genome within the capsid. Transient interactions with phosphate groups of the RNA backbone confine the arginine-rich motifs to the interior capsid space. While no secondary structure is induced in the C-terminal extension, interactions with RNA counteract the formation of a disulfide bond, which covalently tethers this peptide arm onto the inner capsid surface. Electrostatic and covalent contributions thus compete in the spatial regulation of capsid architecture. This disulfide switch represents a coupling mechanism between the structured assembly domain of the capsid and the enclosed nucleic acids. In particular, it enables the redox-dependent regulation of the exposure of the C-terminal extension on the capsid surface, which is required for nuclear uptake of the capsid. Phylogenetic analysis of capsid proteins from hepadnaviruses points toward a function of this switch in the persistence of HBV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Harati Taji
- Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85748, Germany.,Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Pavlo Bielytskyi
- Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85748, Germany.,Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Mikhail Shein
- Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85748, Germany.,Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Marc-Antoine Sani
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Stefan Seitz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.,Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Anne K Schütz
- Bavarian NMR Center, Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching 85748, Germany.,Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
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5
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IFITM3 Interacts with the HBV/HDV Receptor NTCP and Modulates Virus Entry and Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040727. [PMID: 35458456 PMCID: PMC9027621 DOI: 10.3390/v14040727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Na+/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP, gene symbol SLC10A1) is both a physiological bile acid transporter and the high-affinity hepatic receptor for the hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV). Virus entry via endocytosis of the virus/NTCP complex involves co-factors, but this process is not fully understood. As part of the innate immunity, interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITM) 1–3 have been characterized as virus entry-restricting factors for many viruses. The present study identified IFITM3 as a novel protein–protein interaction (PPI) partner of NTCP based on membrane yeast-two hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Surprisingly, IFITM3 knockdown significantly reduced in vitro HBV infection rates of NTCP-expressing HuH7 cells and primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). In addition, HuH7-NTCP cells showed significantly lower HDV infection rates, whereas infection with influenza A virus was increased. HBV-derived myr-preS1 peptide binding to HuH7-NTCP cells was intact even under IFITM3 knockdown, suggesting that IFITM3-mediated HBV/HDV infection enhancement occurs in a step subsequent to the viral attachment to NTCP. In conclusion, IFITM3 was identified as a novel NTCP co-factor that significantly affects in vitro infection with HBV and HDV in NTCP-expressing hepatoma cells and PHHs. While there is clear evidence for a direct PPI between IFITM3 and NTCP, the specific mechanism by which this PPI facilitates the infection process remains to be identified in future studies.
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6
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[Ten years of the National Reference Center for hepatitis B viruses and hepatitis D viruses in Giessen, Germany: activities and experiences]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2022; 65:220-227. [PMID: 35015105 PMCID: PMC8813679 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-021-03479-7] [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: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The National Reference Center (NRC) for hepatitis B viruses (HBV) and hepatitis D viruses (HDV) has been located at the Institute of Medical Virology of the Justus Liebig University (JLU) in Giessen, Germany, since its establishment in 2011. This paper describes the NRC's areas of activity and related experience.The NRC offers comprehensive consulting services on all diagnostic and clinical aspects of acute and chronic HBV and HDV infections for the Public Health Service (ÖGD), diagnostic laboratories, clinics, research institutes, and physicians in private practice. Uncertain diagnostic findings can be analyzed and interpreted and epidemiological correlations clarified with the HBV/HDV special diagnostics established at the NRC using state-of-the-art molecular, biochemical, and genetic laboratory tools. The NRC has access to a strain collection of many well-characterized and cloned HBV/HDV isolates, allowing comparative analysis and evaluation of antiviral resistance mutations and immune escape variants. Together with its national and international partner institutions, the NRC initiates and supervises, among other things, interlaboratory studies for the diagnosis of HBV resistance and immune escape for the establishment and validation of international World Health Organization (WHO) standards and for the improvement of quantitative HDV genome determination. The NRC actively participates in current recommendations and guidelines on HBV and HDV and the recommendations of medical societies. It also highlights current HBV/HDV-relevant aspects with contributions in the form of national and international lectures as well as original articles and comments in national and international journals.
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7
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Gerber A, Le Gal F, Dziri S, Alloui C, Roulot D, Dény P, Sureau C, Brichler S, Gordien E. Comprehensive Analysis of Hepatitis Delta Virus Assembly Determinants According to Genotypes: Lessons From a Study of 526 Hepatitis Delta Virus Clinical Strains. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:751531. [PMID: 34867871 PMCID: PMC8636853 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.751531] [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: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection is associated to the most severe viral hepatic disease, including severe acute liver decompensation and progression to cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HDV is a satellite of hepatitis B virus (HBV) that requires the HBV envelope proteins for assembly of HDV virions. HDV and HBV exhibit a large genetic diversity that extends, respectively to eight (HDV-1 to -8) and to ten (HBV/A to/J) genotypes. Molecular determinants of HDV virion assembly consist of a C-terminal Proline-rich domain in the large Hepatitis Delta Antigen (HDAg) protein, also known as the Delta packaging domain (DPD) and of a Tryptophan-rich domain, the HDV matrix domain (HMD) in the C-terminal region of the HBV envelope proteins. In this study, we performed a systematic genotyping of HBV and HDV in a cohort 1,590 HDV-RNA-positive serum samples collected between 2001 to 2014, from patients originated from diverse parts of the world, thus reflecting a large genetic diversity. Among these samples, 526 HBV (HBV/A, B, C, D, E, and G) and HDV (HDV-1, 2, 3, and 5 to -8) genotype couples could be obtained. We provide results of a comprehensive analysis of the amino-acid sequence conservation within the HMD and structural and functional features of the DPD that may account for the yet optimal interactions between HDV and its helper HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athenaïs Gerber
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Université Paris Nord, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,Centre National de Référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France
| | - Frédéric Le Gal
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Université Paris Nord, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,Centre National de Référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,INSERM U955, Équipe 18, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Créteil, France
| | - Samira Dziri
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Université Paris Nord, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,Centre National de Référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France
| | - Chakib Alloui
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Université Paris Nord, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,Centre National de Référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,INSERM U955, Équipe 18, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Créteil, France
| | - Dominique Roulot
- Centre National de Référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,INSERM U955, Équipe 18, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Créteil, France.,Unité d'Hépatologie, Université Paris Nord, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France
| | - Paul Dény
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Université Paris Nord, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,Inserm, U1052 - UMR CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Camille Sureau
- Laboratoire de Virologie Moléculaire, Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France
| | - Ségolène Brichler
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Université Paris Nord, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,Centre National de Référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,INSERM U955, Équipe 18, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Créteil, France
| | - Emmanuel Gordien
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Clinique, Université Paris Nord, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,Centre National de Référence des Hépatites B, C et Delta, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Bobigny, France.,INSERM U955, Équipe 18, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Créteil, France
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8
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Jo WK, Alfonso-Toledo JA, Salas-Rojas M, Almazan-Marin C, Galvez-Romero G, García-Baltazar A, Obregón-Morales C, Rendón-Franco E, Kühne A, Carvalho-Urbieta V, Rasche A, Brünink S, Glebe D, Aguilar-Setién Á, Drexler JF. Natural co-infection of divergent hepatitis B and C virus homologues in carnivores. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:195-203. [PMID: 34606685 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14340] [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: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In humans, co-infection of hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV) is common and aggravates disease outcome. Infection-mediated disease aggravation is poorly understood, partly due to lack of suitable animal models. Carnivores are understudied for hepatitis virus homologues. We investigated Mexican carnivores (ringtails, Bassariscus astutus) for HBV and HCV homologues. Three out of eight animals were infected with a divergent HBV termed ringtail HBV (RtHBV) at high viral loads of 5 × 109 -1.4 × 1010 copies/ml serum. Two of the RtHBV-infected animals were co-infected with a divergent hepacivirus termed ringtail hepacivirus (RtHV) at 4 × 106 -7.5 × 107 copies/ml in strain-specific qRT-PCR assays. Immunofluorescence assays relying on HBV core and RtHV NS3/4a proteins indicated that none of the animals had detectable hepadnavirus core-specific antibodies, whereas one RtHV-infected animal had concomitant RtHV-specific antibodies at 1:800 end-point titre. RtHBV and RtHV complete genomes showed typical HBV and HCV structure and length. All RtHBV genomes were identical, whereas RtHV genomes showed four amino acid substitutions located predominantly in the E1/E2-encoding genomic regions. Both RtHBV (>28% genomic nucleotide sequence distance) and RtHV (>30% partial NS3/NS5B amino acid sequence distance) formed new species within their virus families. Evolutionary analyses showed that RtHBV grouped with HBV homologues from different laurasiatherian hosts (carnivores, bats, and ungulates), whereas RtHV grouped predominantly with rodent-borne viruses. Ancestral state reconstructions showed that RtHV, but not RtHBV, likely emerged via a non-recent host switch involving rodent-borne hepacivirus ancestors. Conserved hepatitis virus infection patterns in naturally infected ringtails indicate that carnivores may be promising animal models to understand HBV/HCV co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy K Jo
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jorge A Alfonso-Toledo
- Unidad de Investigación Médica e Inmunología, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México.,Unidad de Posgrado, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Monica Salas-Rojas
- Unidad de Investigación Médica e Inmunología, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Cenia Almazan-Marin
- Unidad de Investigación Médica e Inmunología, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Guillermo Galvez-Romero
- Unidad de Investigación Médica e Inmunología, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Anahí García-Baltazar
- Unidad de Investigación Médica e Inmunología, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Cirani Obregón-Morales
- Unidad de Investigación Médica e Inmunología, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Emilio Rendón-Franco
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Arne Kühne
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Carvalho-Urbieta
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Rasche
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Brünink
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Glebe
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Álvaro Aguilar-Setién
- Unidad de Investigación Médica e Inmunología, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site Berlin, Germany
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Kirstgen M, Müller SF, Lowjaga KAAT, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Alakurtti S, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Baringhaus KH, Krieg R, Glebe D, Geyer J. Identification of Novel HBV/HDV Entry Inhibitors by Pharmacophore- and QSAR-Guided Virtual Screening. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081489. [PMID: 34452354 PMCID: PMC8402622 DOI: 10.3390/v13081489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatic bile acid transporter Na+/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) was identified in 2012 as the high-affinity hepatic receptor for the hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV). Since then, this carrier has emerged as promising drug target for HBV/HDV virus entry inhibitors, but the synthetic peptide Hepcludex® of high molecular weight is the only approved HDV entry inhibitor so far. The present study aimed to identify small molecules as novel NTCP inhibitors with anti-viral activity. A ligand-based bioinformatic approach was used to generate and validate appropriate pharmacophore and QSAR (quantitative structure–activity relationship) models. Half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for binding inhibition of the HBV/HDV-derived preS1 peptide (as surrogate parameter for virus binding to NTCP) were determined in NTCP-expressing HEK293 cells for 150 compounds of different chemical classes. IC50 values ranged from 2 µM up to >1000 µM. The generated pharmacophore and QSAR models were used for virtual screening of drug-like chemicals from the ZINC15 database (~11 million compounds). The 20 best-performing compounds were then experimentally tested for preS1-peptide binding inhibition in NTCP-HEK293 cells. Among them, four compounds were active and revealed experimental IC50 values for preS1-peptide binding inhibition of 9, 19, 20, and 35 µM, which were comparable to the QSAR-based predictions. All these compounds also significantly inhibited in vitro HDV infection of NTCP-HepG2 cells, without showing any cytotoxicity. The best-performing compound in all assays was ZINC000253533654. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that virtual compound screening based on NTCP-specific pharmacophore and QSAR models can predict novel active hit compounds for the development of HBV/HDV entry inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kirstgen
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (S.F.M.); (K.A.A.T.L.)
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (S.F.M.); (K.A.A.T.L.)
| | - Kira Alessandra Alicia Theresa Lowjaga
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (S.F.M.); (K.A.A.T.L.)
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Felix Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Sami Alakurtti
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (S.A.); (J.Y.-K.)
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Biologinkuja 7, FI-02044 Espoo, Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (S.A.); (J.Y.-K.)
| | | | - Reimar Krieg
- Institute of Anatomy II, University Hospital Jena, Teichgraben 7, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (S.F.M.); (K.A.A.T.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-99-38404; Fax: +49-641-99-38409
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Kirstgen M, Lowjaga KAAT, Müller SF, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Glebe D, Baringhaus KH, Geyer J. Hepatitis D Virus Entry Inhibitors Based on Repurposing Intestinal Bile Acid Reabsorption Inhibitors. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040666. [PMID: 33921515 PMCID: PMC8068820 DOI: 10.3390/v13040666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of Na+/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as high-affinity hepatic entry receptor for the Hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV) opened the field for target-based development of cell-entry inhibitors. However, most of the HBV/HDV entry inhibitors identified so far also interfere with the physiological bile acid transporter function of NTCP. The present study aimed to identify more virus-selective inhibitors of NTCP by screening of 87 propanolamine derivatives from the former development of intestinal bile acid reabsorption inhibitors (BARIs), which interact with the NTCP-homologous intestinal apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT). In NTCP-HEK293 cells, the ability of these compounds to block the HBV/HDV-derived preS1-peptide binding to NTCP (virus receptor function) as well as the taurocholic acid transport via NTCP (bile acid transporter function) were analyzed in parallel. Hits were subsequently validated by performing in vitro HDV infection experiments in NTCP-HepG2 cells. The most potent compounds S985852, A000295231, and S973509 showed in vitro anti-HDV activities with IC50 values of 15, 40, and 70 µM, respectively, while the taurocholic acid uptake inhibition occurred at much higher IC50 values of 24, 780, and 490 µM, respectively. In conclusion, repurposing of compounds from the BARI class as novel HBV/HDV entry inhibitors seems possible and even enables certain virus selectivity based on structure-activity relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kirstgen
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (K.A.A.T.L.); (S.F.M.)
| | - Kira Alessandra Alicia Theresa Lowjaga
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (K.A.A.T.L.); (S.F.M.)
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (K.A.A.T.L.); (S.F.M.)
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Felix Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Giessen-Marburg-Langen Partner Site, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.K.); (K.A.A.T.L.); (S.F.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-99-38404; Fax: +49-641-99-38409
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Abstract
Preclinical testing of novel therapeutics for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) requires suitable animal models. Equids host homologs of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Because coinfections of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV occur in humans, we screened 2,917 specimens from equids from five continents for HBV. We discovered a distinct HBV species (Equid HBV, EqHBV) in 3.2% of donkeys and zebras by PCR and antibodies against EqHBV in 5.4% of donkeys and zebras. Molecular, histopathological, and biochemical analyses revealed that infection patterns of EqHBV resembled those of HBV in humans, including hepatotropism, moderate liver damage, evolutionary stasis, and potential horizontal virus transmission. Naturally infected donkeys showed chronic infections resembling CHB with high viral loads of up to 2.6 × 109 mean copies per milliliter serum for >6 mo and weak antibody responses. Antibodies against Equid HCV were codetected in 26.5% of donkeys seropositive for EqHBV, corroborating susceptibility to both hepatitis viruses. Deltavirus pseudotypes carrying EqHBV surface proteins were unable to infect human cells via the HBV receptor NTCP (Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide), suggesting alternative viral entry mechanisms. Both HBV and EqHBV deltavirus pseudotypes infected primary horse hepatocytes in vitro, supporting a broad host range for EqHBV among equids and suggesting that horses might be suitable for EqHBV and HBV infections in vivo. Evolutionary analyses suggested that EqHBV originated in Africa several thousand years ago, commensurate with the domestication of donkeys. In sum, EqHBV naturally infects diverse equids and mimics HBV infection patterns. Equids provide a unique opportunity for preclinical testing of novel therapeutics for CHB and to investigate HBV/HCV interplay upon coinfection.
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Lowjaga KAAT, Kirstgen M, Müller SF, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Glebe D, Geyer J. Long-term trans-inhibition of the hepatitis B and D virus receptor NTCP by taurolithocholic acid. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G66-G80. [PMID: 33174454 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00263.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human hepatic bile acid transporter Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) represents the liver-specific entry receptor for the hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV). Chronic hepatitis B and D affect several million people worldwide, but treatment options are limited. Recently, HBV/HDV entry inhibitors targeting NTCP have emerged as promising novel drug candidates. Nevertheless, the exact molecular mechanism that NTCP uses to mediate virus binding and entry into hepatocytes is still not completely understood. It is already known that human NTCP mRNA expression is downregulated under cholestasis. Furthermore, incubation of rat hepatocytes with the secondary bile acid taurolithocholic acid (TLC) triggers internalization of the rat Ntcp protein from the plasma membrane. In the present study, the long-term inhibitory effect of TLC on transport function, HBV/HDV receptor function, and membrane expression of human NTCP were analyzed in HepG2 and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells stably overexpressing NTCP. Even after short-pulse preincubation, TLC had a significant long-lasting inhibitory effect on the transport function of NTCP, but the NTCP protein was still present at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, binding of the HBV/HDV myr-preS1 peptide and susceptibility for in vitro HDV infection were significantly reduced by TLC preincubation. We hypothesize that TLC rapidly accumulates in hepatocytes and mediates long-lasting trans-inhibition of the transport and receptor function of NTCP via a particular TLC-binding site at an intracellularly accessible domain of NTCP. Physiologically, this trans-inhibition might protect hepatocytes from toxic overload of bile acids. Pharmacologically, it provides an interesting novel NTCP target site for potential long-acting HBV/HDV entry inhibitors.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The hepatic bile acid transporter NTCP is a high-affinity receptor for hepatitis B and D viruses. This study shows that TLC rapidly accumulates in NTCP-expressing hepatoma cells and mediates long-lasting trans-inhibition of NTCP's transporter and receptor function via an intracellularly accessible domain, without substantially affecting its membrane expression. This domain is a promising novel NTCP target site for pharmacological long-acting HBV/HDV entry inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira A A T Lowjaga
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Kirstgen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simon F Müller
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Felix Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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13
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Abstract
Community protective immunity can affect RNA virus evolution by selecting for new antigenic variants on the scale of years, exemplified by the need of annual evaluation of influenza vaccines. The extent to which this process termed antigenic drift affects coronaviruses remains unknown. Alike the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoV) likely emerged from animal reservoirs as new human pathogens in the past. We therefore analyzed the long-term evolutionary dynamics of the ubiquitous HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 in comparison with human influenza A virus (IAV) subtype H3N2. We focus on viral glycoprotein genes that mediate viral entry into cells and are major targets of host neutralizing antibody responses. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies of publicly available gene datasets representing about three decades of HCoV and IAV evolution showed that all viruses had similar ladder-like tree shapes compatible with antigenic drift, supported by different tree shape statistics. Evolutionary rates inferred in a Bayesian framework were 6.5 × 10-4 (95% highest posterior density (HPD), 5.4-7.5 × 10-4) substitutions per site per year (s/s/y) for HCoV-229E spike (S) genes and 5.7 × 10-4 (95% HPD, 5-6.5 × 10-4) s/s/y for HCoV-OC43 S genes, which were about fourfold lower than the 2.5 × 10-3 (95% HPD, 2.3-2.7 × 10-3) s/s/y rate for IAV hemagglutinin (HA) genes. Coronavirus S genes accumulated about threefold less (P < 0.001) non-synonymous mutations (dN) over time than IAV HA genes. In both IAV and HCoV, the average rate of dN within the receptor binding domains (RBD) was about fivefold higher (P < 0.0001) than in other glycoprotein gene regions. Similarly, most sites showing evidence for positive selection occurred within the RBD (HCoV-229E, 6/14 sites, P < 0.05; HCoV-OC43, 23/38 sites, P < 0.01; IAV, 13/15 sites, P = 0.08). In sum, the evolutionary dynamics of HCoV and IAV showed several similarities, yet amino acid changes potentially representing antigenic drift occurred on a lower scale in endemic HCoV compared to IAV. It seems likely that pandemic SARS-CoV-2 evolution will bear similarities with IAV evolution including accumulation of adaptive changes in the RBD, requiring vaccines to be updated regularly, whereas higher SARS-CoV-2 evolutionary stability resembling endemic HCoV can be expected in the post-pandemic stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy K Jo
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), associated partner Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), associated partner Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Kirstgen M, Lowjaga KAAT, Müller SF, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Alakurtti S, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Glebe D, Geyer J. Selective hepatitis B and D virus entry inhibitors from the group of pentacyclic lupane-type betulin-derived triterpenoids. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21772. [PMID: 33303817 PMCID: PMC7729925 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78618-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Current treatment options against hepatitis B and D virus (HBV/HDV) infections have only limited curative effects. Identification of Na+/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as the high-affinity hepatic receptor for both viruses in 2012 enables target-based development of HBV/HDV cell-entry inhibitors. Many studies already identified appropriate NTCP inhibitors. However, most of them interfere with NTCP’s physiological function as a hepatic bile acid transporter. To overcome this drawback, the present study aimed to find compounds that specifically block HBV/HDV binding to NTCP without affecting its transporter function. A novel assay was conceptualized to screen for both in parallel; virus binding to NTCP (measured via binding of a preS1-derived peptide of the large HBV/HDV envelope protein) and bile acid transport via NTCP. Hits were subsequently validated by in vitro HDV infection studies using NTCP-HepG2 cells. Derivatives of the birch-derived pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid betulin revealed clear NTCP inhibitory potency and selectivity for the virus receptor function of NTCP. Best performing compounds in both aspects were 2, 6, 19, and 25. In conclusion, betulin derivatives show clear structure–activity relationships for potent and selective inhibition of the HBV/HDV virus receptor function of NTCP without tackling its physiological bile acid transport function and therefore are promising drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kirstgen
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kira Alessandra Alicia Theresa Lowjaga
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Nora Goldmann
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Felix Lehmann
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sami Alakurtti
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Biologinkuja 7, P.O. Box 1000, 02044, Espoo, Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, P.O. Box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dieter Glebe
- National Reference Center for Hepatitis B Viruses and D Viruses, Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg (BFS), Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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15
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Glebe D, Goldmann N, Lauber C, Seitz S. HBV evolution and genetic variability: Impact on prevention, treatment and development of antivirals. Antiviral Res 2020; 186:104973. [PMID: 33166575 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a major global health burden with 260 million people being chronically infected and 890,000 dying annually from complications in the course of the infection. HBV is a small enveloped virus with a reverse-transcribed DNA genome that infects hepatocytes and can cause acute and chronic infections of the liver. HBV is endemic in humans and apes representing the prototype member of the viral family Hepadnaviridae and can be divided into 10 genotypes. Hepadnaviruses have been found in all vertebrate classes and constitute an ancient viral family that descended from non-enveloped progenitors more than 360 million years ago. The de novo emergence of the envelope protein gene was accompanied with the liver-tropism and resulted in a tight virus-host association. The oldest HBV genomes so far have been isolated from human remains of the Bronze Age and the Neolithic (~7000 years before present). Despite the remarkable stability of the hepadnaviral genome over geological eras, HBV is able to rapidly evolve within an infected individual under pressure of the immune response or during antiviral treatment. Treatment with currently available antivirals blocking intracellular replication of HBV allows controlling of high viremia and improving liver health during long-term therapy of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but they are not sufficient to cure the disease. New therapy options that cover all HBV genotypes and emerging viral variants will have to be developed soon. In addition to the antiviral treatment of chronically infected patients, continued efforts to expand the global coverage of the currently available HBV vaccine will be one of the key factors for controlling the rising global spread of HBV. Certain improvements of the vaccine (e.g. inclusion of PreS domains) could counteract known problems such as low or no responsiveness of certain risk groups and waning anti-HBs titers leading to occult infections, especially with HBV genotypes E or F. But even with an optimal vaccine and a cure for hepatitis B, global eradication of HBV would be difficult to achieve because of an existing viral reservoir in primates and bats carrying closely related hepadnaviruses with zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Giessen, Heidelberg, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Schubertstr. 81, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Chris Lauber
- Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Research Group Computational Virology, Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, A Joint Venture Between the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the Hannover Medical School, Cluster of Excellence RESIST, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Giessen, Heidelberg, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Seitz
- Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Giessen, Heidelberg, Hannover, Germany.
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16
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Peculiarities in the designations of hepatitis B virus genes, their products, and their antigenic specificities: a potential source of misunderstandings. Virus Genes 2020; 56:109-119. [PMID: 32026198 PMCID: PMC7093336 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-020-01733-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The nomenclature of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genes and their products has developed stepwise, occasionally in an erratic way, creating many misunderstandings, especially among those who do not know the structure of HBV and its genome in detail. One of the most frequent misunderstandings, even presented in leading journals, is the designation of HBV “e”-antigen as envelope or early antigen. Another problem area are the so-called “pre” regions in the HBV genome present upstream of both the core and the surface genes of HBV, inadvertently suggesting that they may be a part of corresponding precursor proteins. Misnomers and misclassifications are frequent in defining the subgenotypes and serological subtypes of HBV. Even the well-established terminology for HBV surface (HBs) or HBV core (HBc) antigen deviates from the conventional virological nomenclature for viral envelopes or capsid proteins/antigens, respectively. Another matter of undesirable variability between publications is the numbering of the nucleotides and the graphical representation of genomic maps. This editorial briefly explains how the nomenclature evolved, what it really means, and suggests how it could be adapted to today’s knowledge.
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17
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Wang Q, Qin Y, Zhang J, Jia L, Fu S, Wang Y, Li J, Tong S. Tracing the evolutionary history of hepadnaviruses in terms of e antigen and middle envelope protein expression or processing. Virus Res 2019; 276:197825. [PMID: 31785305 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the prototype of hepadnaviruses, which can be subgrouped into orthohepadnaviruses infecting mammals, avihehepadnaviruses of birds, metahepadnaviruses of fish, and herpetohepadnaviruses of amphibians and reptiles. The middle (M) envelope protein and e antigen are new additions in the evolution of hepadnaviruses. They are alternative translation products of the transcripts for small (S) envelope and core proteins, respectively. For HBV, e antigen is converted from precore/core protein by removal of N-terminal signal peptide followed by furin-mediated cleavage of the basic C-terminus. This study compared old and newly discovered hepadnaviruses for their envelope protein and e antigen expression or processing. The S protein of bat hepatitis B virus (BHBV) and two metahepadnaviruses is probably myristoylated, in addition to two avihepadnaviruses. While most orthohepadnaviruses express a functional M protein with N-linked glycosylation near the amino-terminus, most metahepadnaviruses and herpetohepadnaviruses probably do not. These viruses and one orthohepadnavirus, the shrew hepatitis B virus, lack an open precore region required for e antigen expression. Potential furin cleavage sites (RXXR sequence) can be found in e antigen precursors of orthohepadnaviruses and avihepadnaviruses. Despite much larger precore/core proteins of avihepadnaviruses and their limited sequence homology with those of orthohepadnaviruses, their proximal RXXR motif can be aligned with a distal RXXR motif for orthohepadnaviruses. Thus, furin or another basic endopeptidase is probably the shared enzyme for hepadnaviral e antigen maturation. A precore-derived cysteine residue is involved in forming intramolecular disulfide bond of HBV e antigen to prevent particle formation, and such a cysteine residue is conserved for both orthohepadnaviruses and avihepadnaviruses. All orthohepadnaviruses have an X gene, while all avihepadnaviruses can express the e antigen. M protein expression appears to be the most recent event in the evolution of hepadnaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianru Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanli Qin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lucy Jia
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Shuwen Fu
- Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongxiang Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jisu Li
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Shuping Tong
- Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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