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Shrestha B, Yang S, Griffith L, Ma J, Wang F, Liu H, Zhao Q, Du Y, Zhang J, Chang J, Guo JT. Discovery of hepatitis B virus subviral particle biogenesis inhibitors from a bioactive compound library. Antiviral Res 2024; 228:105955. [PMID: 38964614 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105955] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
High levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) in the blood of chronic HBV carriers are considered to drive the exhaustion of antigen-specific T and B lymphocytes and thus responsible for the persistence of infection. Accordingly, therapeutic elimination of HBsAg may facilitate the activation of adaptive antiviral immune responses against HBV and achieve a functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. We discovered recently that an amphipathic alpha helix spanning W156 to R169 of HBV small envelope (S) protein plays an essential role in the morphogenesis of subviral particles (SVPs) and metabolism of S protein. We thus hypothesized that pharmacological disruption of SVP morphogenesis may induce intracellular degradation of S protein and reduce HBsAg secretion. To identify inhibitors of SVP biogenesis, we screened 4417 bioactive compounds with a HepG2-derived cell line expressing HBV S protein and efficiently secreting small spherical SVPs. The screen identified 24 compounds that reduced intracellular SVPs and secreted HBsAg in a concentration-dependent manner. However, 18 of those compounds inhibited the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg in HBV replicon transfected HepG2 cells at similar efficiency, suggesting each of those compounds may disrupt a common cellular function required for the synthesis and/or secretion of these viral proteins. Interestingly, lycorine more efficiently inhibited the secretion of HBsAg in HepG2 cells transfected with HBV replicons, HepG2.2.15 cells and HBV infected - HepG2 cells expressing sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). The structure activity relationship and antiviral mechanism of lycorine against HBV have been determined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sisi Yang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Julia Ma
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Fuxuan Wang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Hui Liu
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Yanming Du
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA.
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Zhang J, Wang Q, Yuan W, Li J, Yuan Q, Zhang J, Xia N, Wang Y, Li J, Tong S. Both middle and large envelope proteins can mediate neutralization of hepatitis B virus infectivity by anti-preS2 antibodies: escape by naturally occurring preS2 deletions. J Virol 2024:e0192923. [PMID: 39078152 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01929-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) expresses co-terminal large (L), middle (M), and small (S) envelope proteins containing preS1/preS2/S, preS2/S, and S domain alone, respectively. S and preS1 domains mediate sequential virion attachment to heparan sulfate proteoglycans and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), respectively, which can be blocked by anti-S and anti-preS1 antibodies. How anti-preS2 antibodies neutralize HBV infectivity remains enigmatic. The late stage of chronic HBV infection often selects for mutated preS2 translation initiation codon to prevent M protein expression, or in-frame preS2 deletions to shorten both L and M proteins. When introduced to infectious clone of genotype C or D, both M-minus mutations and most 5' preS2 deletions sustained virion production. Such mutant progeny viral particles were infectious in NTCP-reconstituted HepG2 cells. Neutralization experiments were performed on the genotype D clone. Although remaining susceptible to anti-preS1 and anti-S neutralizing antibodies, M-minus mutants were only partially neutralized by two anti-preS2 antibodies tested while preS2 deletion mutants were resistant. By infection experiments using viral particles with lost versus increased M protein expression, or a neutralization escaping preS2 deletion only present on L or M protein, we found that both full-length L and M proteins contributed to virus neutralization by the two anti-preS2 antibodies. Thus, immune escape could be a driving force for the selection of M-minus mutations, and especially preS2 deletions. The fact that both L and M proteins could mediate neutralization by anti-preS2 antibodies may shed light on the underlying molecular mechanism.IMPORTANCEThe large (L), middle (M), and small (S) envelope proteins of hepatitis B virus (HBV) contain preS1/preS2/S, preS2/S, and S domain alone, respectively. The discovery of heparan sulfate proteoglycans and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as the low- and high-affinity HBV receptors could explain neutralizing potential of anti-S and anti-preS1 antibodies, respectively, but how anti-preS2 neutralizing antibodies work remains enigmatic. In this study, we found two M-minus mutants in the context of genotype D partially escaped two anti-preS2 neutralizing antibodies in NTCP-reconstituted HepG2 cells, while several naturally occurring preS2 deletion mutants escaped both antibodies. By point mutations to eliminate or enhance M protein expression, and by introducing preS2 deletion selectively to L or M protein, we found binding of anti-preS2 antibodies to both L and M proteins contributed to neutralization of wild-type HBV infectivity. Our finding may shed light on the possible mechanism(s) whereby anti-preS2 antibodies neutralize HBV infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianru Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqing Yuan
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 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, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 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, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Lee J, Kim J, Lee R, Lee E, An H, Kwon Y, Jin H, Pack C, Kim I, Yoon Y, Park G, Jwa E, Kwon JH, Namgoong J, Song G, Hwang S, Tak E, Lee S. SOD1 inhibition enhances sorafenib efficacy in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma by modulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and ROS-mediated cell death. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18533. [PMID: 39034442 PMCID: PMC11260765 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection significantly elevates the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with the HBV X protein (HBx) playing a crucial role in cancer progression. Sorafenib, the primary therapy for advanced HCC, shows limited effectiveness in HBV-infected patients due to HBx-related resistance. Numerous studies have explored combination therapies to overcome this resistance. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), known for its anticancer effects and its inhibition of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), is hypothesized to counteract sorafenib (SF) resistance in HBV-positive HCCs. Our research demonstrates that combining DDC with SF significantly reduces HBx and SOD1 expressions in HBV-positive HCC cells and human tissues. This combination therapy disrupts the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway and promotes apoptosis by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. These cellular changes lead to reduced tumour viability and enhanced sensitivity to SF, as evidenced by the synergistic suppression of tumour growth in xenograft models. Additionally, DDC-mediated suppression of SOD1 further enhances SF sensitivity in HBV-positive HCC cells and xenografted animals, thereby inhibiting cancer progression more effectively. These findings suggest that the DDC-SF combination could serve as a promising strategy for overcoming SF resistance in HBV-related HCC, potentially optimizing therapy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jooyoung Lee
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, AMIST, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Jiye Kim
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, AMIST, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Ryunjin Lee
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, AMIST, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Eunkyeong Lee
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, AMIST, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Hye‐In An
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, AMIST, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Yong‐Jae Kwon
- Department of Surgery, Gangneung Asan HospitalUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Hana Jin
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Chan‐Gi Pack
- Convergence Medicine Research Center (CREDIT)Asan Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical CenterSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Inki Kim
- Convergence Medicine Research Center (CREDIT)Asan Institute for Life Sciences, ASAN Medical CenterSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Young‐In Yoon
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Gil‐Chun Park
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Eun‐Kyoung Jwa
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Jae Hyun Kwon
- Department of Surgery, Hallym University Sacred Heart HospitalHallym University College of MedicineAnyangSouth Korea
| | - Jung‐Man Namgoong
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Gi‐Won Song
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Shin Hwang
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Eunyoung Tak
- Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, AMIST, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Sung‐Gyu Lee
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
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4
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Tu T, Wettengel J, Xia Y, Testoni B, Littlejohn M, Le Bert N, Ebert G, Verrier ER, Tavis JE, Cohen C. Major open questions in the hepatitis B and D field - Proceedings of the inaugural International emerging hepatitis B and hepatitis D researchers workshop. Virology 2024; 595:110089. [PMID: 38640789 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110089] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
The early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) of scientific communities represent the forefront of research and the future direction in which a field takes. The opinions of this key demographic are not commonly aggregated to audit fields and precisely demonstrate where challenges lie for the future. To address this, we initiated the inaugural International Emerging Researchers Workshop for the global Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D scientific community (75 individuals). The cohort was split into small discussion groups and the significant problems, challenges, and future directions were assessed. Here, we summarise the outcome of these discussions and outline the future directions suggested by the EMCR community. We show an effective approach to gauging and accumulating the ideas of EMCRs and provide a succinct summary of the significant gaps remaining in the Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tu
- Storr Liver Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| | - Jochen Wettengel
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA; Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich /Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner Site, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, China; Pingyuan Laboratory, Henan, China
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard, Lyon, France; Hepatology Institute of Lyon, France
| | - Margaret Littlejohn
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Department of Infectious Disease, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nina Le Bert
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Gregor Ebert
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich /Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eloi R Verrier
- University of Strasbourg, Inserm, Institute for Translational Medicine and Liver Disease, UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - John E Tavis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine and the Saint Louis University Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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Zhang T, Yang J, Gao H, Wu Y, Zhao X, Zhao H, Xie X, Yang L, Li Y, Wu Q. Progress of Infection and Replication Systems of Hepatitis B Virus. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1711-1721. [PMID: 38898948 PMCID: PMC11184603 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00147] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Despite the long-standing availability of effective prophylaxis, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a formidable public health threat. Antiviral treatments can limit viral propagation, but prolonged therapy is necessary to control HBV replication. Robust in vitro models of HBV infection are indispensable prerequisites for elucidating viral pathogenesis, delineating virus-host interplay and developing novel therapeutic, preventative countermeasures. Buoyed by advances in molecular techniques and tissue culture systems, investigators have engineered numerous in vitro models of the HBV life cycle. However, all current platforms harbor limitations in the recapitulation of natural infection. In this article, we comprehensively review the HBV life cycle, provide an overview of existing in vitro HBV infection and replication systems, and succinctly present the benefits and caveats in each model with the primary objective of constructing refined experimental models that closely mimic native viral infection and offering robust support for the ambitious "elimination of hepatitis by 2030" initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Zhang
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Juan Yang
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - He Gao
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Yuwei Wu
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Xinqiang Xie
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Lingshuang Yang
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Ying Li
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
| | - Qingping Wu
- National
Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition
and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory
of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Southern China, Institute of Microbiology,
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China
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Prescott NA, Mansisidor A, Bram Y, Biaco T, Rendleman J, Faulkner SC, Lemmon AA, Lim C, Hamard PJ, Koche RP, Risca VI, Schwartz RE, David Y. A nucleosome switch primes Hepatitis B Virus infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.03.03.531011. [PMID: 38915612 PMCID: PMC11195122 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.03.531011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an incurable global health threat responsible for causing liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. During the genesis of infection, HBV establishes an independent minichromosome consisting of the viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) genome and host histones. The viral X gene must be expressed immediately upon infection to induce degradation of the host silencing factor, Smc5/6. However, the relationship between cccDNA chromatinization and X gene transcription remains poorly understood. Establishing a reconstituted viral minichromosome platform, we found that nucleosome occupancy in cccDNA drives X transcription. We corroborated these findings in cells and further showed that the chromatin destabilizing molecule CBL137 inhibits X transcription and HBV infection in hepatocytes. Our results shed light on a long-standing paradox and represent a potential new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Prescott
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andrés Mansisidor
- Laboratory of Genome Architecture and Dynamics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Yaron Bram
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Tracy Biaco
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Justin Rendleman
- Laboratory of Genome Architecture and Dynamics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah C. Faulkner
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Abigail A. Lemmon
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Christine Lim
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Pierre-Jacques Hamard
- Epigenetics Research Innovation Lab, Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Richard P. Koche
- Epigenetics Research Innovation Lab, Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Viviana I. Risca
- Laboratory of Genome Architecture and Dynamics, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Robert E. Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yael David
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY 10065, USA
- Lead Contact
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Carpentier A. Cell Culture Models for Hepatitis B and D Viruses Infection: Old Challenges, New Developments and Future Strategies. Viruses 2024; 16:716. [PMID: 38793598 PMCID: PMC11125795 DOI: 10.3390/v16050716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis B and D Virus (HBV and HDV) co-infection is responsible for the most severe form of viral Hepatitis, the Hepatitis Delta. Despite an efficient vaccine against HBV, the HBV/HDV infection remains a global health burden. Notably, no efficient curative treatment exists against any of these viruses. While physiologically distinct, HBV and HDV life cycles are closely linked. HDV is a deficient virus that relies on HBV to fulfil is viral cycle. As a result, the cellular response to HDV also influences HBV replication. In vitro studying of HBV and HDV infection and co-infection rely on various cell culture models that differ greatly in terms of biological relevance and amenability to classical virology experiments. Here, we review the various cell culture models available to scientists to decipher HBV and HDV virology and host-pathogen interactions. We discuss their relevance and how they may help address the remaining questions, with one objective in mind: the development of new therapeutic approaches allowing viral clearance in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Carpentier
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between Hannover Medical School (MHH) and Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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8
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Watanabe T, Hayashi S, Zhaoyu Y, Inada H, Nagaoka K, Tateyama M, Tanaka Y. A novel, small anti-HBV compound reduces HBsAg and HBV-DNA by destabilizing HBV-RNA. J Gastroenterol 2024; 59:315-328. [PMID: 38315437 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-023-02070-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, standard treatments for chronic hepatitis B such as nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs), effectively reduce hepatitis B virus (HBV) loads but rarely result in a functional cure (defined as sustained HBsAg loss). We report the discovery of a novel, 4-pyridone compound, SAG-524, a potent and orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of HBV replication. METHODS The antiviral characteristics and selectivity of SAG-524 and its derivative compound against HBV were evaluated in HBV-infection assays and HBV-infected chimeric urokinase-type plasminogen activator/severe combined immunodeficiency mice with humanized livers (PXB mice), alone or in combination with entecavir. Toxicity studies were conducted in mice and monkeys. RESULTS SAG-524 reduced HBV-DNA (IC50 = 0.92 nM) and HBsAg (IC50 = 1.4 nM) in the supernatant of the HepG2.2.15 cells. SAG-524 selectively destabilized HBV-RNA via PAPD5, but not GAPDH or albumin mRNA, by shortening the poly(A) tail. PAPD5 may also be involved in HBV regulation via ELAVL1. In a study of HBV-infected PXB mice, SAG-524 produced potent reductions of serum HBsAg and HBcrAg, and the minimum effective dose was estimated to be 6 mg/kg/day. The combination therapy with entecavir greatly reduced HBsAg and cccDNA in the liver due to reduction of human hepatocytes with good tolerability. Administration of SAG-524 to monkeys, up to 1000 mg/kg/day for two weeks, led to no significant toxicity, as determined by blood tests and pathological images. CONCLUSIONS We have identified SAG-524 as novel and orally bioavailable HBV-RNA destabilizers which can reduce HBsAg and HBV-DNA levels, and possibly contribute a functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehisa Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Sanae Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yan Zhaoyu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hiroki Inada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Katsuya Nagaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Masakuni Tateyama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Nagoya, Japan.
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9
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Blanchet M, Angelo L, Tétreault Y, Khabir M, Sureau C, Vaillant A, Labonté P. HepG2BD: A Novel and Versatile Cell Line with Inducible HDV Replication and Constitutive HBV Expression. Viruses 2024; 16:532. [PMID: 38675875 PMCID: PMC11053718 DOI: 10.3390/v16040532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) present an increased risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison to HBV mono-infected individuals. Although HDV only replicates in individuals coinfected or superinfected with HBV, there is currently no in vitro model that can stably express both viruses simultaneously, mimicking the chronic infections seen in HBV/HDV patients. Here, we present the HepG2BD cell line as a novel in vitro culture system for long-term replication of HBV and HDV. HepG2BD cells derive from HepG2.2.15 cells in which a 2 kb HDV cDNA sequence was inserted into the adeno-associated virus safe harbor integration site 1 (AAVS1) using CRISPR-Cas9. A Tet-Off promoter was placed 5' of the genomic HDV sequence for reliable initiation/repression of viral replication and secretion. HBV and HDV replication were then thoroughly characterized. Of note, non-dividing cells adopt a hepatocyte-like morphology associated with an increased production of both HDV and HBV virions. Finally, HDV seems to negatively interfere with HBV in this model system. Altogether, HepG2BD cells will be instrumental to evaluate, in vitro, the fundamental HBV-HDV interplay during simultaneous chronic replication as well as for antivirals screening targeting both viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Blanchet
- INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada; (L.A.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
- Replicor Inc., Montréal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada;
| | - Léna Angelo
- INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada; (L.A.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
| | - Yasmine Tétreault
- INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada; (L.A.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
| | - Marwa Khabir
- INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada; (L.A.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
| | | | | | - Patrick Labonté
- INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada; (L.A.); (Y.T.); (M.K.)
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10
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Smekalova EM, Martinez MG, Combe E, Kumar A, Dejene S, Leboeuf D, Chen CY, Dorkin JR, Shuang LS, Kieft S, Young L, Barrera LA, Packer MS, Ciaramella G, Testoni B, Gregoire F, Zoulim F. Cytosine base editing inhibits hepatitis B virus replication and reduces HBsAg expression in vitro and in vivo. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102112. [PMID: 38292874 PMCID: PMC10825689 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global health problem due to the lack of treatments that prevent viral rebound from HBV covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA. In addition, HBV DNA integrates in the human genome, serving as a source of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression, which impairs anti-HBV immune responses. Cytosine base editors (CBEs) enable precise conversion of a cytosine into a thymine within DNA. In this study, CBEs were used to introduce stop codons in HBV genes, HBs and Precore. Transfection with mRNA encoding a CBE and a combination of two guide RNAs led to robust cccDNA editing and sustained reduction of the viral markers in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells and primary human hepatocytes. Furthermore, base editing efficiently reduced HBsAg expression from HBV sequences integrated within the genome of the PLC/PRF/5 and HepG2.2.15 cell lines. Finally, in the HBV minicircle mouse model, using lipid nanoparticulate delivery, we demonstrated antiviral efficacy of the base editing approach with a >3log10 reduction in serum HBV DNA and >2log10 reduction in HBsAg, and 4/5 mice showing HBsAg loss. Combined, these data indicate that base editing can introduce mutations in both cccDNA and integrated HBV DNA, abrogating HBV replication and silencing viral protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria G. Martinez
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR 5286, 69008 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Emmanuel Combe
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR 5286, 69008 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Anuj Kumar
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR 5286, 69008 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR 5286, 69008 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | | | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR 5286, 69008 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Institute of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
- Hepatology Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), 69004 Lyon, France
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11
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Fukuoka M, Kodama T, Murai K, Hikita H, Sometani E, Sung J, Shimoda A, Shigeno S, Motooka D, Nishio A, Furuta K, Tatsumi T, Yusa K, Takehara T. Genome-wide loss-of-function genetic screen identifies INSIG2 as the vulnerability of hepatitis B virus-integrated hepatoma cells. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:859-870. [PMID: 38287498 PMCID: PMC10920982 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16070] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
There are approximately 250 million people chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide. Although HBV is often integrated into the host genome and promotes hepatocarcinogenesis, vulnerability of HBV integration in liver cancer cells has not been clarified. The aim of our study is to identify vulnerability factors for HBV-associated hepatocarcinoma. Loss-of-function screening was undertaken in HepG2 and HBV-integrated HepG2.2.15 cells expressing SpCas9 using a pooled genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) library. Genes whose guide RNA (gRNA) abundance significantly decreased in HepG2.2.15 cells but not in HepG2 cells were extracted using the MAGeCK algorithm. We identified four genes (BCL2L1, VPS37A, INSIG2, and CFLAR) that showed significant reductions of gRNA abundance and thus potentially involved in the vulnerability of HBV-integrated cancer cells. Among them, siRNA-mediated mRNA inhibition or CRISPR-mediated genetic deletion of INSIG2 significantly impaired cell proliferation in HepG2.2.15 cells but not in HepG2 cells. Its inhibitory effect was alleviated by cotransfection of siRNAs targeting HBV. INSIG2 inhibition suppressed the pathways related to cell cycle and DNA replication, downregulated cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) levels, and delayed the G1 -to-S transition in HepG2.2.15 cells. CDK2 inhibitor suppressed cell cycle progression in HepG2.2.15 cells and INSIG2 inhibition did not suppress cell proliferation in the presence of CDK2 inhibitor. In conclusion, INSIG2 inhibition induced cell cycle arrest in HBV-integrated hepatoma cells in a CDK2-dependent manner, and thus INSIG2 might be a vulnerability factor for HBV-associated liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Fukuoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Kazuhiro Murai
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Emi Sometani
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Jihyun Sung
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Akiyoshi Shimoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Satoshi Shigeno
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial DiseasesOsaka UniversitySuitaJapan
| | - Akira Nishio
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Kunimaro Furuta
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
| | - Kosuke Yusa
- Stem Cell Genetics, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical SciencesKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaOsakaJapan
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12
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Lam AM, Dugyala RR, Sheraz M, Liu F, Thi EP, Graves IE, Cuconati A, Steuer HM, Ardzinski A, Overholt N, Mason JD, Gotchev D, Cole AG, Harasym TO, Sofia MJ. Preclinical Antiviral and Safety Profiling of the HBV RNA Destabilizer AB-161. Viruses 2024; 16:323. [PMID: 38543689 PMCID: PMC10975527 DOI: 10.3390/v16030323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
HBV RNA destabilizers are a class of small-molecule compounds that target the noncanonical poly(A) RNA polymerases PAPD5 and PAPD7, resulting in HBV RNA degradation and the suppression of viral proteins including the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). AB-161 is a next-generation HBV RNA destabilizer with potent antiviral activity, inhibiting HBsAg expressed from cccDNA and integrated HBV DNA in HBV cell-based models. AB-161 exhibits broad HBV genotype coverage, maintains activity against variants resistant to nucleoside analogs, and shows additive effects on HBV replication when combined with other classes of HBV inhibitors. In AAV-HBV-transduced mice, the dose-dependent reduction of HBsAg correlated with concentrations of AB-161 in the liver reaching above its effective concentration mediating 90% inhibition (EC90), compared to concentrations in plasma which were substantially below its EC90, indicating that high liver exposure drives antiviral activities. In preclinical 13-week safety studies, minor non-adverse delays in sensory nerve conductance velocity were noted in the high-dose groups in rats and dogs. However, all nerve conduction metrics remained within physiologically normal ranges, with no neurobehavioral or histopathological findings. Despite the improved neurotoxicity profile, microscopic findings associated with male reproductive toxicity were detected in dogs, which subsequently led to the discontinuation of AB-161's clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M. Lam
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, USA; (R.R.D.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (E.P.T.); (I.E.G.); (A.C.); (H.M.S.); (A.A.); (N.O.); (J.D.M.); (D.G.); (A.G.C.); (T.O.H.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael J. Sofia
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, USA; (R.R.D.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (E.P.T.); (I.E.G.); (A.C.); (H.M.S.); (A.A.); (N.O.); (J.D.M.); (D.G.); (A.G.C.); (T.O.H.)
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13
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Sun X, Song L, Lin L, Ding A, Wang C, Ma X, Zhou S, Cai J, Tang H. Development of tenofovir monobenzyl ester phosphonoamidate prodrugs with improved anti-hepatitis B virus activity and intrahepatic tenofovir enrichment. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 99:117607. [PMID: 38246114 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117607] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Various tenofovir (TFV) prodrugs have been developed by introducing masking groups to the hydroxyls of the monophosphonate group to enhance intestinal absorption efficiency and therapeutic effects. However, the reported TFV prodrugs have drawbacks such as low bioavailability, systemic toxicity caused by their breakdown in non-targeted tissues, and potential low intracellular conversion efficiency. In the present study, we developed a class of TFV monobenzyl ester phosphonoamidate prodrugs without substitutions on the benzene ring. Compared with previous TFV prodrugs, compounds 3a and 3b developed in the present study showed higher anti-hepatitis B virus activity, stronger stability and higher levels of intrahepatic enrichment of the metabolic product (TFV), indicating the potential of these compounds as novel prodrugs with high efficiency and low systemic toxicity for the treatment of hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xizheng Sun
- Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaian 223003, Jiangsu, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Li Song
- Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaian 223003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ling Lin
- Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaian 223003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Aizhong Ding
- Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaian 223003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunjian Wang
- Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaian 223003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaohui Ma
- Tasly Academy, Tasly Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Tianjin 300410, China
| | - Shuiping Zhou
- Tasly Academy, Tasly Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Tianjin 300410, China
| | - Jinyong Cai
- Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaian 223003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hai Tang
- Jiangsu Tasly Diyi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Huaian 223003, Jiangsu, China.
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14
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Tian R, Yang D, Xu B, Deng R, Xue B, Wang L, Li H, Liu Q, Wang X, Tang S, Wan M, Pei H, Zhu H. Establishment of cell culture model and humanized mouse model of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0274523. [PMID: 38018998 PMCID: PMC10783038 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02745-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Approximately 257 million people worldwide have been infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and HBV infection can cause chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. The lack of suitable and effective infection models has greatly limited research in HBV-related fields for a long time, and it is still not possible to discover a method to completely and effectively remove the HBV genome. We have constructed a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HLCZ01, that can support the complete life cycle of HBV. This model can mimic the long-term stable infection of HBV in the natural state and can replace primary human hepatocytes for the development of human liver chimeric mice. This model will be a powerful tool for research in the field of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renyun Tian
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Di Yang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Biaoming Xu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Rilin Deng
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Binbin Xue
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Luoling Wang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Huiyi Li
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Songqing Tang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengyu Wan
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Hua Pei
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology,School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China
| | - Haizhen Zhu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education,Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology,School of Basic Medicine and Life Science, The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China
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15
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Sun Y, Tang D, Li N, Wang Y, Yang M, Shen C. Development of a Rapid Epstein-Barr Virus Detection System Based on Recombinase Polymerase Amplification and a Lateral Flow Assay. Viruses 2024; 16:106. [PMID: 38257806 PMCID: PMC10818573 DOI: 10.3390/v16010106] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The quality of cellular products used in biological research can directly impact the ability to obtain accurate results. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a latent virus that spreads extensively worldwide, and cell lines used in experiments may carry EBV and pose an infection risk. The presence of EBV in a single cell line can contaminate other cell lines used in the same laboratory, affecting experimental results. We developed three EBV detection systems: (1) a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection system, (2) a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)-based detection system, and (3) a combined RPA-lateral flow assay (LFA) detection system. The minimum EBV detection limits were 1 × 103 copy numbers for the RPA-based and RPA-LFA systems and 1 × 104 copy numbers for the PCR-based system. Both the PCR and RPA detection systems were applied to 192 cell lines, and the results were consistent with those obtained by the EBV assay methods specified in the pharmaceutical industry standards of the People's Republic of China. A total of 10 EBV-positive cell lines were identified. The combined RPA-LFA system is simple to operate, allowing for rapid result visualization. This system can be implemented in laboratories and cell banks as part of a daily quality control strategy to ensure cell quality and experimental safety and may represent a potential new technique for the rapid detection of EBV in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China;
- China Center for Type Culture Collection, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (D.T.); (N.L.); (Y.W.)
| | - Danni Tang
- China Center for Type Culture Collection, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (D.T.); (N.L.); (Y.W.)
| | - Nan Li
- China Center for Type Culture Collection, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (D.T.); (N.L.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yudong Wang
- China Center for Type Culture Collection, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (D.T.); (N.L.); (Y.W.)
| | - Meimei Yang
- China Center for Type Culture Collection, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (D.T.); (N.L.); (Y.W.)
| | - Chao Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China;
- China Center for Type Culture Collection, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; (D.T.); (N.L.); (Y.W.)
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16
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Xia Y, Park SB, Liang TJ. Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cells for Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2837:1-9. [PMID: 39044070 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4027-2_1] [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] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B, the leading cause of liver diseases worldwide, is a result of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Due to its obligate intracellular life cycle, culture systems for efficient HBV replication are vital. Although basic and translational research on HBV has been performed for many years, conventional hepatocellular culture systems are not optimal. These studies have greatly benefited from recent improvements in cell culture models based on stem cell technology for HBV replication and infection studies. Here we describe a protocol for the differentiation of human stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and subsequent HBV infection. HLCs are capable of expressing hepatocyte markers and host factors important for hepatic function maintenance. These cells fully support HBV infection and virus-host interactions. Stem cell-derived HLCs provide a new tool for antiviral drug screening and development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - T Jake Liang
- National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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17
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Yang S, Chang J, Zhang J, Guo JT. A Particle Gel Assay for Detection of Intracellular Hepatitis B Virus Subviral Particles in Cultured Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2837:89-97. [PMID: 39044077 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4027-2_8] [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] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is due to the failure of host immune system to resolve the viral infection. Accordingly, restoration or reconstitution of a functional antiviral immune response to HBV is essential to achieve durable control of HBV replication leading to a functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Noninfectious subviral particles (SVPs), comprised of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), are the predominant viral products secreted by HBV-infected hepatocytes. The high levels of SVPs in the circulation induce immune tolerance and contribute to the establishment of chronic HBV infection. The current standard-of-care medications for CHB efficiently suppress HBV replication but fail to reduce the levels of HBsAg in majority of treated patients. Further understanding the mechanisms underlying SVP morphogenesis, secretion and regulation by viral and host cellular factors are critical for the discovery of therapeutics that can inhibit SVP production and/or induce the degradation of HBV envelope proteins. We describe herein a protocol for intracellular SVP detection by a native agarose gel electrophoresis-based particle gel assy. The method is suitable for quantitative detection of intracellular HBV SVPs and can be applied in dissecting the molecular mechanism of SVP morphogenesis and the discovery of antiviral agents targeting SVP formation in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA.
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18
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Chen H, Cao D, Han N, Zhang M, Jiang W, Wang X, Zeng Q, Tang H. Hepatitis B Virus-Encoded MicroRNA (HBV-miR-3) Inhibits FIH-1 Expression to Promote Tumor Angiogenesis in HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:2337-2353. [PMID: 38163053 PMCID: PMC10757782 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s436926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a solid tumor with a rich blood supply, and anti-angiogenesis has important clinical significance. Hepatitis B Virus-Encoded MicroRNA 3 (HBV-miR-3) has recently been reported to be involved in HCC development. In this study, we aim to elucidate the role of HBV-miR-3 in promoting HBV-related HCC angiogenesis through Factor Inhibiting Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (FIH-1). Results By analyzing HBV-related HCC tissue samples, we found that high expression of HBV-miR-3 was associated with poor overall survival and HBV-miR-3 expression was significantly correlated with VEGFR2 and FIH-1 expressions. In vitro, HBV-miR-3 agomir repressed FIH-1 expression and promoted HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling activation in HepG2 cells, resulting in increased HUVEC lumen formation in HepG2-HUVEC co-culture model. Conversely, HBV-miR-3 antagomir induced FIH-1 expression and inhibited HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling activation in HepG2.2.15 cells, resulting in decreased HUVEC lumen formation in HepG2.2.15-HUVEC co-culture model. The effect of HBV-miR-3 to HCC angiogenesis was also confirmed by a mouse tumor bearing model. We also confirmed that HBV-miR-3 repressed FIH-1 expression via targeting the 3'-UTR of FIH-1 mRNA by luciferase activity assay. Conclusion HBV-miR-3 was related to HCC patients' overall survival and it promoted angiogenesis by repressing FIH-1 expression. HBV-miR-3 may be a new marker for predicting prognosis and a novel target for anti-angiogenic treatment of HBV-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Chen
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dan Cao
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ning Han
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qinmin Zeng
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China
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Du X, Shi X, Han M, Gao X, Wang C, Jiang C, Pu C. SCD1 inhibits HBV replication by regulating autophagy under high lipid conditions. Virus Genes 2023; 59:801-816. [PMID: 37644346 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-023-02028-5] [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: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant public health concern worldwide. Several metabolic processes regulate HBV DNA replication, including autophagy and lipid metabolism. In this study, we clarified the effect of lipids on HBV replication and elucidated possible mechanisms. We discovered that lipid metabolic gene expression levels were negatively correlated with the HBV DNA in plasma. Our data showed that fatty acid stimulation significantly reduced HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) levels in HepG2.2.15 cells, which are human hepatoma cell cultures transfected with HBV DNA. The Stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1)-autophagy pathway has also been implicated in inhibiting HBV replication by fatty acids stimulation. SCD1 knockdown deregulates the inhibitory effect of fatty acids on HBV by enhancing autophagy. When 3 methyladenine (3MA) was added, the inhibitory effects of specific autophagy inhibitors eliminated the positive effects of SCD1 knockdown on HBV replication. Our results indicate that SCD1 participates in the regulation of inhibition of HBV replication by fatty acids stimulation through regulating autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Xiaoyi Shi
- Graduate School of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China
| | - Mei Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Xiaoyun Gao
- Department of Geriatric, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Graduate School of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China
| | - Chunmeng Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Chunwen Pu
- Department of Biobank, The Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China.
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20
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Nayak S, Gowda J, Abbas SA, Kim H, Han SB. Recent Advances in the Development of Sulfamoyl-Based Hepatitis B Virus Nucleocapsid Assembly Modulators. Viruses 2023; 15:2367. [PMID: 38140607 PMCID: PMC10747759 DOI: 10.3390/v15122367] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the primary contributor to severe liver ailments, encompassing conditions such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Globally, 257 million people are affected by HBV annually and 887,000 deaths are attributed to it, representing a substantial health burden. Regrettably, none of the existing therapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) have achieved satisfactory clinical cure rates. This issue stems from the existence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which is difficult to eliminate from the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. HBV genetic material is composed of partially double-stranded DNA that forms complexes with viral polymerase inside an icosahedral capsid composed of a dimeric core protein. The HBV core protein, consisting of 183 to 185 amino acids, plays integral roles in multiple essential functions within the HBV replication process. In this review, we describe the effects of sulfamoyl-based carboxamide capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) on capsid assembly, which can suppress HBV replication and disrupt the production of new cccDNA. We present research on classical, first-generation sulfamoyl benzocarboxamide CAMs, elucidating their structural composition and antiviral efficacy. Additionally, we explore newly identified sulfamoyl-based CAMs, including sulfamoyl bicyclic carboxamides, sulfamoyl aromatic heterocyclic carboxamides, sulfamoyl aliphatic heterocyclic carboxamides, cyclic sulfonamides, and non-carboxamide sulfomoyl-based CAMs. We believe that certain molecules derived from sulfamoyl groups have the potential to be developed into essential components of a well-suited combination therapy, ultimately yielding superior clinical efficacy outcomes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesha Nayak
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Jayaraj Gowda
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Syed Azeem Abbas
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Kim
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Bong Han
- Therapeutics and Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
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21
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Yu J, Li W, Hou GJ, Sun DP, Yang Y, Yuan SX, Dai ZH, Yin HZ, Sun SH, Huang G, Zhou WP, Yang F. Circular RNA cFAM210A, degradable by HBx, inhibits HCC tumorigenesis by suppressing YBX1 transactivation. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2390-2401. [PMID: 37907737 PMCID: PMC10689457 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01108-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B protein x (HBx) has been reported to promote tumorigenesis in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the mechanism awaits further investigation. In this study, we found that cFAM210A (a circular RNA derived from the third exon of transcript NM_001098801 of the FAM210A gene; CircBase ID: hsa_circ_0003979) can be silenced by HBx. cFAM210A expression was downregulated and negatively correlated with tumorigenesis in patients with HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, cFAM210A reduced the proliferation, stemness, and tumorigenicity of HCC cells. Mechanistically, HBx increased the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) level of cFAM210A by promoting the expression of RBM15 (an m6A methyltransferase), thus inducing the degradation of cFAM210A via the YTHDF2-HRSP12-RNase P/MRP pathway. cFAM210A bound to YBX1 and inhibited its phosphorylation, suppressing its transactivation function toward MET. These findings suggest the important role of circular RNAs in HBx-induced hepatocarcinogenesis and identify cFAM210A a potential target in the prevention and treatment of HBV-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yu
- The Department of General Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Li
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo-Jun Hou
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Da-Peng Sun
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng-Xian Yuan
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Hui Dai
- The Department of Medical Genetics, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao-Zan Yin
- The Department of Medical Genetics, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Han Sun
- The Department of Medical Genetics, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Huang
- The Department of General Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wei-Ping Zhou
- The Third Department of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fu Yang
- The Department of Medical Genetics, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Bioprotection, Shanghai, 200433, China.
- Key Laboratory of Biological Defense, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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22
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Qin B, Shen S, Lai J, Yang W, Feng L, Ding J. Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) replication and antigen expression by Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. oil emulsion. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1193775. [PMID: 37560319 PMCID: PMC10408445 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1193775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The seeds of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. (BJ) have been traditionally used to treat various types of cancers for many years in China. In this study, we systematically investigated a BJ oil emulsion (BJOE) produced from BJ seeds with the purpose of evaluating its antiviral effect against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods HepG2.215 (a wild-type HBV cell line), HepG2, and Huh7, transfected with wildtype (WT) or lamivudine-resistance mutant (LMV-MT) HBV replicon plasmids, were treated with different doses of BJOE and then used for pharmacodynamic evaluation. Cell viability was determined using CCK8 assay. The levels of HBsAg/HBeAg in cell cultured supernatant, HBcAg in cell lysis solution, and HBV DNA in both were evaluated. Results BJOE at ≤5 mg/ml was nontoxic to carcinoma cell lines, but could significantly inhibit WT/LMV-MT HBV replication and HBs/e/c antigen expression in a dose-dependent manner by upregulating interleukin-6 (IL-6), demonstrating that it possesses moderate anti-HBV activity. As one of the major components of BJOE, bruceine B was found to play a dominant role in IL-6 induction and HBV inhibition. Discussion Our results demonstrated that BJOE suppressed HBV replication by stimulating IL-6, indicating that it has promising clinical therapeutic potential for both WT and LMV-MT HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Qin
- Clinical Laboratory, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, China
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Shu Shen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
- Department of Gynecology, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Juan Lai
- GeneMind Biosciences Company Limited, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Yang
- GeneMind Biosciences Company Limited, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lili Feng
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Jiefeng Ding
- Clinical Laboratory, Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Shaoxing, China
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
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23
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Lee GS, Purdy MA, Choi Y. Cell Culture Systems for Studying Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D Virus Infections. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1527. [PMID: 37511902 PMCID: PMC10381383 DOI: 10.3390/life13071527] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections cause liver disease, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV infection remains a major global health problem. In 2019, 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B and about 5% of them were co-infected with HDV. In vitro cell culture systems are instrumental in the development of therapeutic targets. Cell culture systems contribute to identifying molecular mechanisms for HBV and HDV propagation, finding drug targets for antiviral therapies, and testing antiviral agents. Current HBV therapeutics, such as nucleoside analogs, effectively suppress viral replication but are not curative. Additionally, no effective treatment for HDV infection is currently available. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop therapies to treat both viral infections. A robust in vitro cell culture system supporting HBV and HDV infections (HBV/HDV) is a critical prerequisite to studying HBV/HDV pathogenesis, the complete life cycle of HBV/HDV infections, and consequently identifying new therapeutics. However, the lack of an efficient cell culture system hampers the development of novel antiviral strategies for HBV/HDV infections. In vitro cell culture models have evolved with significant improvements over several decades. Recently, the development of the HepG2-NTCP sec+ cell line, expressing the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide receptor (NTCP) and self-assembling co-cultured primary human hepatocytes (SACC-PHHs) has opened new perspectives for a better understanding of HBV and HDV lifecycles and the development of specific antiviral drug targets against HBV/HDV infections. We address various cell culture systems along with different cell lines and how these cell culture systems can be used to provide better tools for HBV and HDV studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Sanghee Lee
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Michael A Purdy
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Youkyung Choi
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
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24
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Zhang J, Zhang Y, Khanal S, Cao D, Zhao J, Dang X, Nguyen LNT, Schank M, Wu XY, Jiang Y, Ning S, Wang L, El Gazzar M, Moorman JP, Guo H, Yao ZQ. Synthetic gRNA/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein targeting HBV DNA inhibits viral replication. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28952. [PMID: 37455550 PMCID: PMC10977344 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28952] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA (cccDNA), which serves as a template for viral replication and integration of HBV DNA into the host cell genome, sustains liver pathogenesis and constitutes an intractable barrier to the eradication of chronic HBV infection. The current antiviral therapy for HBV infection, using nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs), can suppress HBV replication but cannot eliminate integrated HBV DNA and episomal cccDNA. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 is a powerful genetic tool that can edit integrated HBV DNA and minichromosomal cccDNA for gene therapy, but its expression and delivery require a viral vector, which poses safety concerns for therapeutic applications in humans. In the present study, we used synthetic guide RNA (gRNA)/Cas9-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) as a nonviral formulation to develop a novel CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene therapy for eradicating HBV infection. We designed a series of gRNAs targeting multiple specific HBV genes and tested their antiviral efficacy and cytotoxicity in different HBV cellular models. Transfection of stably HBV-infected human hepatoma cell line HepG2.2.15 with HBV-specific gRNA/Cas9 RNPs resulted in a substantial reduction in HBV transcripts. Specifically, gRNA5 and/or gRNA9 RNPs significantly reduced HBV cccDNA, total HBV DNA, pregenomic RNA, and HBV antigen (HBsAg, HBeAg) levels. T7 endonuclease 1 (T7E1) cleavage assay and DNA sequencing confirmed specific HBV gene cleavage and mutations at or around the gRNA target sites. Notably, this gene-editing system did not alter cellular viability or proliferation in the treated cells. Because of their rapid DNA cleavage capability, low off-target effects, low risk of insertional mutagenesis, and readiness for use in clinical application, these results suggest that synthetic gRNA/Cas9 RNP-based gene-editing can be utilized as a promising therapeutic drug for eradicating chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Zhang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Yi Zhang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Sushant Khanal
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Dechao Cao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Juan Zhao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Xindi Dang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Lam Ngoc Thao Nguyen
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Madison Schank
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Xiao Y. Wu
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Yong Jiang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Shunbin Ning
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Ling Wang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Mohamed El Gazzar
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Jonathan P. Moorman
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- HCV/HBV/HIV Program, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Zhi Q. Yao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
- HCV/HBV/HIV Program, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614
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25
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Yao Q, Peng B, Li C, Li X, Chen M, Zhou Z, Tang D, He J, Wu Y, Sun Y, Li W. SLF2 Interacts with the SMC5/6 Complex to Direct Hepatitis B Virus Episomal DNA to Promyelocytic Leukemia Bodies for Transcriptional Repression. J Virol 2023:e0032823. [PMID: 37338350 PMCID: PMC10373549 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00328-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects approximately 300 million people worldwide, and permanently repressing transcription of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the episomal viral DNA reservoir, is an attractive approach toward curing HBV. However, the mechanism underlying cccDNA transcription is only partially understood. In this study, by illuminating cccDNA of wild-type HBV (HBV-WT) and transcriptionally inactive HBV that bears a deficient HBV X gene (HBV-ΔX), we found that the HBV-ΔX cccDNA more frequently colocalizes with promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies than that of HBV-WT cccDNA. A small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen targeting 91 PML body-related proteins identified SMC5-SMC6 localization factor 2 (SLF2) as a host restriction factor of cccDNA transcription, and subsequent studies showed that SLF2 mediates HBV cccDNA entrapment in PML bodies by interacting with the SMC5/6 complex. We further showed that the region of SLF2 comprising residues 590 to 710 interacts with and recruits the SMC5/6 complex to PML bodies, and the C-terminal domain of SLF2 containing this region is necessary for repression of cccDNA transcription. Our findings shed new light on cellular mechanisms that inhibit HBV infection and lend further support for targeting the HBx pathway to repress HBV activity. IMPORTANCE Chronic HBV infection remains a major public health problem worldwide. Current antiviral treatments rarely cure the infection, as they cannot clear the viral reservoir, cccDNA, in the nucleus. Therefore, permanently silencing HBV cccDNA transcription represents a promising approach for a cure of HBV infection. Our study provides new insights into the cellular mechanisms that restrict HBV infection, revealing the role of SLF2 in directing HBV cccDNA to PML bodies for transcriptional repression. These findings have important implications for the development of antiviral therapies against HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyan Yao
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Peng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuelei Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingyi Chen
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongmin Zhou
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dingbin Tang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiabei He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yumeng Wu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yinyan Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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26
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Li J, Li J, Chen S, Xu W, Zhang J, Tong S. Clinical isolates of hepatitis B virus genotype C have higher in vitro transmission efficiency than genotype B isolates. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28879. [PMID: 37314050 PMCID: PMC10404337 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Serum samples were collected from 54 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive Chinese patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) subgenotype B2 or C2. They were compared for transmission efficiency using same volume of samples or infectivity using same genome copy number. Adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) during inoculation did not increase infectivity of fresh samples but markedly increased infectivity following prolonged sample storage. Differentiated HepaRG cells infected without PEG produced more hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and higher HBsAg/HBeAg ratio than sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP)-reconstituted HepG2 cells infected with PEG. They better supported replication of core promoter mutant in contrast to wild-type (WT) virus by HepG2/NTCP cells. Overall, subgenotype C2 samples had higher viral load than B2 samples, and in general produced more HBeAg, HBsAg, and replicative DNA following same-volume inoculation. Precore mutant was more prevalent in subgenotype B2 and had reduced transmission efficiency. When same genome copy number of viral particles was inoculated, viral signals were not necessarily higher for three WT C2 isolates than four WT B2 isolates. Using viral particles generated from cloned HBV genome, three WT C2 isolates showed slightly reduced infectivity than three B2 isolates. In conclusion, subgenotype C2 serum samples had higher transmission efficiency than B2 isolates in association with higher viral load and lower prevalence of precore mutant, but not necessarily higher infectivity. PEG-independent infection by HBV viremic serum samples is probably attributed to a labile host factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province 710061, China
| | - Jisu Li
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA
| | - Shiqi Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Weicheng Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province 710061, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Shuping Tong
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA
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27
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Liu CH, Tai CJ, Kuo YT, Chang SS, Lin LT. Combination of Oncolytic Measles Virus and Ursolic Acid Synergistically Induces Oncolysis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Viruses 2023; 15:1294. [PMID: 37376594 DOI: 10.3390/v15061294] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a difficult-to-treat cancer due to late diagnosis and limited curative treatment options. Developing more effective therapeutic strategies is essential for the management of HCC. Oncolytic virotherapy is a novel treatment modality for cancers, and its combination with small molecules merits further exploration. In this study, we combined oncolytic measles virus (MV) with the natural triterpenoid compound ursolic acid (UA) and evaluated their combination effect against HCC cells, including those harboring hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. We found that the combination of MV and UA synergistically induced more cell death in Huh-7 HCC cells through enhanced apoptosis. In addition, increased oxidative stress and loss of mitochondrial potential were observed in the treated cells, indicating dysregulation of the mitochondria-dependent pathway. Similar synergistic cytotoxic effects were also found in HCC cells harboring HBV or HCV genomes. These findings underscore the potential of oncolytic MV and UA combination for further development as a treatment strategy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hsuan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Chen-Jei Tai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Clinical Drug Development of Herbal Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Kuo
- Department of Medical Imaging, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Shong Chang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Taipei City Hospital Yang-Ming Branch, Taipei 111, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Tzung Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
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28
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Zhou Z, Li C, Tan Z, Sun G, Peng B, Ren T, He J, Wang Y, Sun Y, Wang F, Li W. A spatiotemporally controlled recombinant cccDNA mouse model for studying HBV and developing drugs against the virus. Antiviral Res 2023:105642. [PMID: 37253400 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105642] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA is the template for hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. The lack of small animal models for characterizing chronic HBV infection has hampered research progress in HBV pathogenesis and drug development. Here, we generated a spatiotemporally controlled recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) mouse model by combining Cre/loxP-mediated DNA recombination with the liver-specific "Tet-on/Cre" system. The mouse model harbors three transgenes: a single copy of the HBV genome (integrated at the Rosa26 locus, RHBV), H11-albumin-rtTA (spatiotemporal conditional module), and (tetO)7-Cre (tetracycline response element), and is named as RHTC mouse. By supplying the RHTC mice with doxycycline (DOX)-containing drinking water for two days, the animals generate rcccDNA in hepatocytes, and the rcccDNA supports active HBV gene expression and can maintain HBV viremia persistence for over 60 weeks. Persistent HBV gene expression induces intrahepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and dysplastic pathology, which closely mirrors the disease progression in clinical patients. Bepirovirsen, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting all HBV RNA species, showed dose-dependent antiviral effects in the RHTC mouse model. The spatiotemporally controlled rcccDNA mouse is convenient and reliable, providing versatile small animal model for studying cccDNA-centric HBV biology as well as evaluating antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongmin Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate Program in School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zexi Tan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guoliang Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate Program in School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Peng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate Program in School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tengfei Ren
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiabei He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yixue Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yinyan Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fengchao Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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29
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Doan PTB, Nio K, Shimakami T, Kuroki K, Li YY, Sugimoto S, Takayama H, Okada H, Kaneko S, Honda M, Yamashita T. Super-Resolution Microscopy Analysis of Hepatitis B Viral cccDNA and Host Factors. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051178. [PMID: 37243264 DOI: 10.3390/v15051178] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cannot be cured completely because of the persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). We previously found that the host gene dedicator of cytokinesis 11 (DOCK11) was required for HBV persistence. In this study, we further investigated the mechanism that links DOCK11 to other host genes in the regulation of cccDNA transcription. cccDNA levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in stable HBV-producing cell lines and HBV-infected PXB-cells®. Interactions between DOCK11 and other host genes were identified by super-resolution microscopy, immunoblotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. FISH facilitated the subcellular localization of key HBV nucleic acids. Interestingly, although DOCK11 partially colocalized with histone proteins, such as H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, and nonhistone proteins, such as RNA Pol II, it played limited roles in histone modification and RNA transcription. DOCK11 was functionally involved in regulating the subnuclear distribution of host factors and/or cccDNA, resulting in an increase in cccDNA closely located to H3K4me3 and RNA Pol II for activating cccDNA transcription. Thus, it was suggested that the association of cccDNA-bound Pol II and H3K4me3 required the assistance of DOCK11. DOCK11 facilitated the association of cccDNA with H3K4me3 and RNA Pol II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Thi Bich Doan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Kouki Nio
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Shimakami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Kuroki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Ying-Yi Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Saiho Sugimoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hideo Takayama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Hikari Okada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Masao Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
| | - Taro Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-Machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Japan
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30
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Sharma S, Rawal P, Kaur S, Puria R. Liver organoids as a primary human model to study HBV-mediated Hepatocellular carcinoma. A review. Exp Cell Res 2023; 428:113618. [PMID: 37142202 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is the prevailing cause of chronic liver disease, which progresses to Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 75% of cases. It represents a serious health concern being the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Treatments available to date fail to provide a complete cure with high chances of recurrence and related side effects. The lack of reliable, reproducible, and scalable in vitro modeling systems that could recapitulate the viral life cycle and represent virus-host interactions has hindered the development of effective treatments so far. The present review provides insights into the current in-vivo and in-vitro models used for studying HBV and their major limitations. We highlight the use of three-dimensional liver organoids as a novel and suitable platform for modeling HBV infection and HBV-mediated HCC. HBV organoids can be expanded, genetically altered, patient-derived, tested for drug discovery, and biobanked. This review also provides the general guidelines for culturing HBV organoids and highlights their several prospects for HBV drug discovery and screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Sharma
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Preety Rawal
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India.
| | - Rekha Puria
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India.
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31
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Bhat S, Ahanger IA, Kazim SN. Forthcoming Developments in Models to Study the Hepatitis B Virus Replication Cycle, Pathogenesis, and Pharmacological Advancements. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:14273-14289. [PMID: 37125123 PMCID: PMC10134252 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma are all manifestations of chronic hepatitis B. Its pathogenesis and molecular mechanism remain mysterious. As medical science progresses, different models are being used to study the disease from the physiological and molecular levels. Animal models have played an unprecedented role in achieving in-depth knowledge of the disease while posing no risk of harming humans throughout the study. The scarcity of acceptable animal models has slowed progress in hepatitis B virus (HBV) research and preclinical testing of antiviral medicines since HBV has a narrow species tropism and exclusively infects humans and higher primates. The development of human chimeric mice was supported by a better understanding of the obstacles to interspecies transmission, which has substantially opened the way for HBV research in vivo and the evaluation of possible chronic hepatitis B therapeutics. Animal models are cumbersome to handle, not accessible, and expensive. Hence, it is herculean to investigate the HBV replication cycle in animal models. Therefore, it becomes essential to build a splendid in vitro cell culture system to demonstrate the mechanisms attained by the HBV for its multiplication and sustenance. We also addressed the advantages and caveats associated with different models in examining HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad
Ahmad Bhat
- Centre
for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Ishfaq Ahmad Ahanger
- Centre
for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
- Clinical
Biochemistry University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Syed Naqui Kazim
- Centre
for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
- Phone: +91 9953621758.
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32
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Guo H, Urban S, Wang W. In vitro cell culture models to study hepatitis B and D virus infection. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1169770. [PMID: 37089540 PMCID: PMC10113554 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1169770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) can cause a major global health burden. Current medication regimens can repress viral replication and help to control disease progression, but a complete cure is hardly achieved due to the difficulties to eradicate viral templates (cccDNA and integrates). To develop novel curative antiviral therapies for HBV/HDV infection, it is vital to precisely understand the details of the molecular biology of both viruses and the virus-host interactions. One important prerequisite for gaining this aim is the availability of suitable in vitro models that support HBV/HDV infection, replicate both viruses via their authentic template and allow to adequately study host cell responses. The discovery of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) receptor as the most crucial host factor promoted HBV/HDV research to a new era. Recently, the structure of human NTCP was solved, gaining a deeper understanding of HBV recognition as the bona fide receptor. After decades of continuous efforts, new progress has been achieved in the development of cell culture models supporting HBV/HDV study. This review summarizes the cell culture models currently available, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each model, and highlights their future applications in HBV and HDV research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Guo
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Wenshi Wang, ; Stephan Urban,
| | - Wenshi Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Wenshi Wang, ; Stephan Urban,
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33
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Yan B, Liu Y, Chen YC, Liu F. A RNase P Ribozyme Inhibits Gene Expression and Replication of Hepatitis B Virus in Cultured Cells. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030654. [PMID: 36985227 PMCID: PMC10058342 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), an international public health concern, is a leading viral cause of liver disease, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Sequence-specific ribozymes derived from ribonuclease P (RNase P) catalytic RNA are being explored for gene targeting applications. In this study, we engineered an active RNase P ribozyme, M1-S-A, targeting the overlapping region of HBV S mRNA, pre-S/L mRNA, and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), all deemed essential for viral infection. Ribozyme M1-S-A cleaved the S mRNA sequence efficiently in vitro. We studied the effect of RNase P ribozyme on HBV gene expression and replication using the human hepatocyte HepG2.2.15 culture model that harbors an HBV genome and supports HBV replication. In these cultured cells, the expression of M1-S-A resulted in a reduction of more than 80% in both HBV RNA and protein levels and an inhibition of about 300-fold in the capsid-associated HBV DNA levels when compared to the cells that did not express any ribozymes. In control experiments, cells expressing an inactive control ribozyme displayed little impact on HBV RNA and protein levels, and on capsid-associated viral DNA levels. Our study signifies that RNase P ribozyme can suppress HBV gene expression and replication, implying the promise of RNase P ribozymes for anti-HBV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yan
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yujun Liu
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yuan-Chuan Chen
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Fenyong Liu
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(510)-643-2436; Fax: +1-(510)-643-9955
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34
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Liu L, Lv Z, Wang M, Zhang D, Liu D, Zhu F. HBV Enhances Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Reducing Ferroptosis via SRSF2-Mediated Abnormal PCLAF Splicing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043263. [PMID: 36834680 PMCID: PMC9967099 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal human cancers. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection accounts for nearly 50% of HCC cases. Recent studies indicate that HBV infection induces resistance to sorafenib, the first-line systemic treatment for advanced HCC for more than a decade, from 2007 to 2020. Our previous research shows that variant 1 (tv1) of proliferating cell nuclear antigen clamp-associated factor (PCLAF), overexpressed in HCC, protects against doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. However, there are no reports on the relevance of PCLAF in sorafenib resistance in HBV-related HCC. In this article, we found that PCLAF levels were higher in HBV-related HCC than in non-virus-related HCC using bioinformatics analysis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of clinical samples and the splicing reporter minigene assay using HCC cells revealed that PCLAF tv1 was elevated by HBV. Furthermore, HBV promoted the splicing of PCLAF tv1 by downregulating serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 2 (SRSF2), which hindered the inclusion of PCLAF exon 3 through a putative cis-element (116-123), "GATTCCTG". The CCK-8 assay showed that HBV decreased cell susceptibility to sorafenib through SRSF2/PCLAF tv1. HBV reduced ferroptosis by decreasing intracellular Fe2+ levels and activating GPX4 expression via the SRSF2/PCLAF tv1 axis, according to a mechanism study. Suppressed ferroptosis, on the other hand, contributed to HBV-mediated sorafenib resistance through SRSF2/PCLAF tv1. These data suggested that HBV regulated PCLAF abnormal alternative splicing by suppressing SRSF2. HBV caused sorafenib resistance by reducing ferroptosis via the SRSF2/PCLAF tv1 axis. As a result, the SRSF2/PCLAF tv1 axis may be a prospective molecular therapeutic target in HBV-related HCC, as well as a predictor of sorafenib resistance. The inhibition of the SRSF2/PCLAF tv1 axis may be crucial in the emergence of systemic chemotherapy resistance in HBV-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Fan Zhu
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-189-4290-0238
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35
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Sarfaraz N, Somarowthu S, Bouchard MJ. The interplay of long noncoding RNAs and hepatitis B virus. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28058. [PMID: 35946066 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections remain a major global health burden with an estimated 296 million people living with a chronic infection and 884,000 HBV-related deaths annually. Notably, patients with a chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection are at a 30-fold greater risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer, which is the 3rd deadliest cancer worldwide. Several groups have assessed HBV-related aberrant expression of host-cell long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and how altered expression of specific lncRNAs affects HBV replication and progression to associated disease states. Given the challenges in establishing effective HBV models and analyzing transcriptomic data, this review focuses on lncRNA expression data primarily collected from clinical patient samples and primary human hepatocytes, with the subsequent mechanism of action analysis in cell lines or other model systems. Ultimately, understanding HBV-induced lncRNA-expression dysregulation could lead to new treatments and biomarkers for HBV infection and its associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Sarfaraz
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Srinivas Somarowthu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael J Bouchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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36
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Pregenomic RNA Launch Hepatitis B Virus Replication System Facilitates the Mechanistic Study of Antiviral Agents and Drug-Resistant Variants on Covalently Closed Circular DNA Synthesis. J Virol 2022; 96:e0115022. [PMID: 36448800 PMCID: PMC9769369 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01150-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicates its genomic DNA by reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate, termed pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), within nucleocapsid. It had been shown that transfection of in vitro-transcribed pgRNA initiated viral replication in human hepatoma cells. We demonstrated here that viral capsids, single-stranded DNA, relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) became detectable sequentially at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h post-pgRNA transfection into Huh7.5 cells. The levels of viral DNA replication intermediates and cccDNA peaked at 24 and 48 h post-pgRNA transfection, respectively. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) became detectable in culture medium at day 4 posttransfection. Interestingly, the early robust viral DNA replication and cccDNA synthesis did not depend on the expression of HBV X protein (HBx), whereas HBsAg production was strictly dependent on viral DNA replication and expression of HBx, consistent with the essential role of HBx in the transcriptional activation of cccDNA minichromosomes. While the robust and synchronized HBV replication within 48 h post-pgRNA transfection is particularly suitable for the precise mapping of the HBV replication steps, from capsid assembly to cccDNA formation, targeted by distinct antiviral agents, the treatment of cells starting at 48 h post-pgRNA transfection allows the assessment of antiviral agents on mature nucleocapsid uncoating, cccDNA synthesis, and transcription, as well as viral RNA stability. Moreover, the pgRNA launch system could be used to readily assess the impacts of drug-resistant variants on cccDNA formation and other replication steps in the viral life cycle. IMPORTANCE Hepadnaviral pgRNA not only serves as a template for reverse transcriptional replication of viral DNA but also expresses core protein and DNA polymerase to support viral genome replication and cccDNA synthesis. Not surprisingly, cytoplasmic expression of duck hepatitis B virus pgRNA initiated viral replication leading to infectious virion secretion. However, HBV replication and antiviral mechanism were studied primarily in human hepatoma cells transiently or stably transfected with plasmid-based HBV replicons. The presence of large amounts of transfected HBV DNA or transgenes in cellular chromosomes hampered the robust analyses of HBV replication and cccDNA function. As demonstrated here, the pgRNA launch HBV replication system permits the accurate mapping of antiviral target and investigation of cccDNA biosynthesis and transcription using secreted HBsAg as a convenient quantitative marker. The effect of drug-resistant variants on viral capsid assembly, genome replication, and cccDNA biosynthesis and function can also be assessed using this system.
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37
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Proteomic overview of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and generation of the spectral library. Sci Data 2022; 9:732. [PMID: 36446815 PMCID: PMC9708666 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01845-x] [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: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell lines are extensively used tools, therefore a comprehensive proteomic overview of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and an extensive spectral library for data independent acquisition (DIA) quantification are necessary. Here, we present the proteome of nine commonly used HCC cell lines covering 9,208 protein groups, and the HCC spectral library containing 253,921 precursors, 168,811 peptides and 10,098 protein groups. The proteomic overview reveals the heterogeneity between different cell lines, and the similarity in proliferation and metastasis characteristics and drug targets-expression with tumour tissues. The HCC spectral library generating consumed 108 hours' runtime for data dependent acquisition (DDA) of 48 runs, 24 hours' runtime for database searching by MaxQuant version 2.0.3.0, and 1 hour' runtime for processing by SpectronautTM version 15.2. The HCC spectral library supports quantification of 7,637 protein groups of triples 2-hour DIA analysis of HepG2 and discovering biological alteration. This study provides valuable resources for HCC cell lines and efficient DIA quantification on LC-Orbitrap platform, further help to explore the molecular mechanism and candidate therapeutic targets.
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38
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Yu X, Chen Y, Cui L, Yang K, Wang X, Lei L, Zhang Y, Kong X, Lao W, Li Z, Liu Y, Li Y, Bi C, Wu C, Zhai A. CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 as biomarkers of liver injury caused by chronic hepatitis B. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1052917. [PMID: 36504808 PMCID: PMC9730243 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1052917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a significant global health problem, leading to recurrent inflammation and liver-damaging diseases such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, although diagnostic markers for CHB are well established, the indicators for predicting liver injury caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection still need to be further explored. Thus, the identification of credible infectious indicators is urgently needed to facilitate timely clinical intervention and avoid the progression of disease malignancy. Methods The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database GSE83148 data set was used to explore the hub genes for HBV infection. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to identify the impact of HBV infection on the expression of hub gene at the cell level. At the same time, serum samples and clinical information were collected from healthy, HBV-free and CHB patients. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to verify the results of cell experiments and Pearson correlation analysis was used to clarify hub genes correlation with HBV infection indicators and liver injury-related indicators. Finally, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database was used to analyze the differences in the expression of hub gene in liver injury diseases. Results Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 were identified as hub genes in HBV infection. After HBV infection, the expression of the four chemokines was significantly increased and the concentrations secreted into serum were also increased. Moreover, the four chemokines were significantly correlated with HBV infection-related indicators and liver injury-related indicators, which were positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and negatively correlated with AST/ALT ratio and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). In addition, the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than in normal tissues. Conclusion Using a combination of bioinformatics, cell experiments, and clinical correlation analysis, this study showed that CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 can be used as serum biomarkers to forecast liver injury caused by HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lele Cui
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kaming Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xumeng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China,Department of Microbiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Linyuan Lei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanping Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinyi Kong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wanwen Lao
- Department of Endocrinology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhenlin Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuetong Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Changlong Bi
- Department of Endocrinology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Changlong Bi,
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China,Chao Wu,
| | - Aixia Zhai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China,Aixia Zhai, ;
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Canonical WNT Signaling Activated by WNT7B Contributes to L-HBs-Mediated Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inhibiting Mitophagy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235781. [PMID: 36497264 PMCID: PMC9741164 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death globally, with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection accounting for over half of all cases. HBV leads to the development of HCC according to a body of literature. Our previous research and other studies also suggest that HBV causes chemotherapeutic treatment resistance, however, the mechanism is uncertain. The WNT family, which encodes secreted signaling molecules, has been linked to carcinogenesis in a variety of malignancies, including HCC. However, little is known regarding WNT7B, a WNT ligand, in the development of HCC and HBV-induced chemoresistance. In this study, the bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of clinical samples revealed that WNT7B was overexpressed in HBV-associated HCC tissues versus nontumor liver tissues, which was related to HCC patient survival. Further study in vitro showed that WNT7B and its receptor frizzled-4 (FZD4) were upregulated in response to large hepatitis B surface antigens (L-HBs). L-HBs increased canonical WNT signaling in HCC cells through WNT7B/FZD4. According to functional experiments, WNT7B enhanced the cell proliferation and metastasis in HCC. In vivo and in vitro studies investigated whether L-HBs induced sorafenib resistance by WNT7B in HCC. Interestingly, L-HBs suppressed sorafenib-induced mitophagy by increasing WNT7B/CTNNB1 signaling, resulting in chemoresistance. The findings revealed that WNT7B could be a promising molecular therapeutic target as well as a predictor of sorafenib resistance in HBV-related HCC. The suppression of HBV structural proteins such as L-HBs may play a crucial role in systemic chemotherapy resistance in HBV-associated HCC.
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40
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Liu L, Huang Y, Fu Y, Rao J, Zeng F, Ji M, Xu X, Zhu J, Du W, Liu Z. Hepatitis B virus promotes hepatocellular carcinoma development by activating GP73 to repress the innate immune response. Infect Agent Cancer 2022; 17:52. [PMID: 36195933 PMCID: PMC9533540 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-022-00462-y] [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: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic infection in the clinic. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is closely linked to HBV infection. Serum Golgi protein 73 (GP73) increases during HBV infection. However, the role of GP73 during HBV infection and the occurrence of HBV-related HCC is still poorly understood. Methods The underlying role of HBV-induced GP73 in regulating HCC development was investigated in this study. GP73 expression in HBV-related clinical HCC tissues and in HBV-infected hepatoma cells and primary human hepatocytes was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, ELISAs, Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Tumorigenicity of GP73 overexpressed cells was detected by flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, xenograft nude mouse analyses and sphere formation assays. The effects of GP73 and HBV infection on host innate immune responses in hepatocytes were further investigated by Western blotting and qRT-PCR analysis. Results Initially, we confirmed that HBV-positive HCC tissues had significantly higher expression of GP73. Ectopic expression of the HBV gene could induce GP73 expression in primary human hepatocytes and hepatoma cells in vitro. In addition, we discovered that GP73 promotes HCC in both normal liver cells and hepatoma cells. We also found that ectopic expression of HBV genes increases GP73 expression, suppressing the host's innate immune responses in hepatocytes. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that HBV facilitates HCC development by activating GP73 to repress the host's innate immune response. This study adds to our understanding of the pathogenesis of HBV infection-induced HCC. The findings also provide preclinical support for GP73 as a potential HCC prevention or treatment target. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13027-022-00462-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Department of Respiratory, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Institution of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yanping Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Department of Respiratory, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Institution of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yanan Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Department of Respiratory, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Institution of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Jingjing Rao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Department of Respiratory, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Institution of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Feng Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Department of Respiratory, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Institution of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Manshan Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Jianyong Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Department of Respiratory, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.
| | - Weixing Du
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Department of Respiratory, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.
| | - Zhixin Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Department of Respiratory, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China. .,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China. .,Institution of Virology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.
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Han K, Theodore D, McMullen G, Swayze E, McCaleb M, Billioud G, Wieland S, Hood S, Paff M, Bennett CF, Kwoh TJ. Preclinical and Phase 1 Assessment of Antisense Oligonucleotide Bepirovirsen in Hepatitis B Virus-Transgenic Mice and Healthy Human Volunteers: Support for Clinical Dose Selection and Evaluation of Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Single and Multiple Doses. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2022; 11:1191-1202. [PMID: 35971951 DOI: 10.1002/cpdd.1154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Dose-dependent reductions in hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA, DNA, and viral proteins following bepirovirsen administration were observed in HepG2.2.15 cells. In HBV-transgenic mice treated at 50 mg/kg/wk, hepatic HBV RNA and DNA were reduced by 90% and 99%, respectively. Subsequently, a phase 1 first-in-human study assessed pharmacokinetics and tolerability of single (75-450 mg) and multiple (150-450 mg on days 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, and 22) subcutaneous bepirovirsen doses in 96 healthy volunteers. Bepirovirsen at all dose levels was rapidly absorbed (maximum plasma concentration 3-8 hours after dosing), rapidly distributed to peripheral tissues, and slowly eliminated (median plasma terminal half-life: 22.5-24.6 days across cohorts). Plasma exposure (dose-proportional at 150-450 mg) and concentration-time profiles were similar following the first and sixth doses, suggesting little to no plasma accumulation (steady state achieved by day 22). Renal elimination of full-length bepirovirsen accounted for <2% of the total dose. Across the single and multiple dose cohorts, 197 treatment-emergent adverse events were reported, with 99% and 65% classified as mild in severity and local injection site reactions, respectively. In conclusion, bepirovirsen showed an acceptable safety profile in humans with observed pharmacokinetics consistent with the chemical class, warranting further evaluation of bepirovirsen in chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gina McMullen
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, California, USA
| | - Eric Swayze
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, California, USA
| | | | | | - Stefan Wieland
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - T Jesse Kwoh
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Carlsbad, California, USA
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Liu Y, Park D, Cafiero TR, Bram Y, Chandar V, Tseng A, Gertje HP, Crossland NA, Su L, Schwartz RE, Ploss A. Molecular clones of genetically distinct hepatitis B virus genotypes reveal distinct host and drug treatment responses. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100535. [PMID: 36035359 PMCID: PMC9403497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims HBV exhibits wide genetic diversity with at least 9 genotypes (GTs), which differ in terms of prevalence, geographic distribution, natural history, disease progression, and treatment outcome. However, differences in HBV replicative capacity, gene expression, and infective capability across different GTs remain incompletely understood. Herein, we aimed to study these crucial aspects using newly constructed infectious clones covering the major HBV GTs. Methods The replicative capacity of infectious clones covering HBV GTs A-E was analyzed in cell lines, primary hepatocytes and humanized mice. Host responses and histopathology induced by the different HBV GTs were characterized in hydrodynamically injected mice. Differences in treatment responses to entecavir and various HBV capsid inhibitors were also quantified across the different genetically defined GTs. Results Patient-derived HBV infectious clones replicated robustly both in vitro and in vivo. GTs A and D induce more pronounced intrahepatic and proinflammatory cytokine responses which correlated with faster viral clearance. Notably, all 5 HBV clones robustly produced viral particles following transfection into HepG2 cells, and these particles were infectious in HepG2-NTCP cells, primary human hepatocytes and human chimeric mice. Notably, GT D virus exhibited higher infectivity than GTs A, B, C and E in vitro, although it was comparable to GT A and B in the human liver chimeric mice in vivo. HBV capsid inhibitors were more readily capable of suppressing HBV GTs A, B, D and E than C. Conclusions The infectious clones described here have broad utility as genetic tools that can mechanistically dissect intergenotypic differences in antiviral immunity and pathogenesis and aid in HBV drug development and screening. Lay summary The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major contributor to human morbidity and mortality. HBV can be categorized into a number of genotypes, based on their specific genetic make-up, of which 9 are well known. We isolated and cloned the genomes of 5 of these genotypes and used them to create valuable tools for future research on this clinically important virus.
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Key Words
- AAV, adeno-associated virus
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- BCP, basic core promoter
- CHB, chronic hepatitis B
- CpAM, core protein allosteric modulators
- DR, direct repeat
- ETV, entecavir
- En, enhancer
- GT(s), genotype(s)
- HBV, hepatitis B virus
- HBVcc, cell culture-derived HBV
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HDI, hydrodynamic injection
- IFN, interferon
- IHC, immunohistochemistry
- IL, interleukin
- MOI, multiplicity of infection
- NA, nucleos(t)ide analogue
- NRG, NODRag1−/−IL2RγNULL
- PHH, primiary human hepatocyte
- SVR, sustained virologic response
- cccDNA, covalently closed circular DNA
- dpi, days post infection
- drug development
- genotypes
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis B virus
- host responses
- pgRNA, pre-genomic RNA
- reverse genetics
- viral hepatitis
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhen Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Debby Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Thomas R. Cafiero
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Yaron Bram
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vasuretha Chandar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Tseng
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hans P. Gertje
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lishan Su
- Division of Virology, Pathogenesis and Cancer, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert E. Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Xue B, Li H, Liu S, Feng Q, Xu Y, Deng R, Chen S, Wang J, Li X, Wan M, Tang S, Zhu H. The redox cycling of STAT2 maintains innate immune homeostasis. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111215. [PMID: 35977519 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111215] [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: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferons (IFNs) are essential in antiviral defense, antitumor effects, and immunoregulatory activities. Although methionine oxidation is associated with various physiological and pathophysiological processes in plants, animals, and humans, its role in immunity remains unclear. We find that the redox cycling of signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2) is an intrinsic cellular biological process, and that impairment of the redox status contributes to STAT2 methionine oxidation, inhibiting its activation. IFN protects STAT2 from methionine oxidation through the recruitment of methionine sulfoxide reductase MSRB2, whose enzymatic activity is enhanced by N-acetyltransferase 9 (NAT9), a chaperone of STAT2 defined in this study, upon IFN treatment. Consequently, loss of Nat9 renders mice more susceptible to viral infection. Our study highlights the key function of methionine oxidation in immunity, which provides evidence for the decline of immune function by aging and may provide insights into the clinical applications of IFN in immune-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Xue
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huiyi Li
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shun Liu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qing Feng
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Rilin Deng
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shengwen Chen
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinran Li
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mengyu Wan
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Songqing Tang
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haizhen Zhu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology of College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Research Center of Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Translational Medicine Research Center of Liver Cancer, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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44
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Chen D, Tan X, Chen W, Liu Y, Li C, Wu J, Zheng J, Shen HC, Zhang M, Wu W, Wang L, Xiong J, Dai J, Sun K, Zhang JD, Xiang K, Li B, Ni X, Zhu Q, Gao L, Wang L, Feng S. Discovery of Novel cccDNA Reducers toward the Cure of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10938-10955. [PMID: 35973101 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide disease that causes thousands of deaths per year. Currently, there is no therapeutic that can completely cure already infected HBV patients due to the inability of humans to eliminate covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which serves as the template to (re)initiate an infection even after prolonged viral suppression. Through phenotypic screening, we discovered xanthone series hits as novel HBV cccDNA reducers, and subsequent structure optimization led to the identification of a lead compound with improved antiviral activity and pharmacokinetic profiles. A representative compound 59 demonstrated good potency and oral bioavailability with no cellular toxicity. In an HBVcircle mouse model, compound 59 showed excellent efficacy in significantly reducing HBV antigens, DNA, and intrahepatic cccDNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xuefei Tan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenming Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yongfu Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiamin Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hong C Shen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Meifang Zhang
- Lead Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Waikwong Wu
- Lead Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lin Wang
- pCMC, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- pCMC, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jieyu Dai
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Kai Sun
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jitao David Zhang
- Pharmaceutical Science, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Grenzacherstrasse 124, Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Kunlun Xiang
- Discovery Virology, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Baocun Li
- Discovery Virology, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - XiaoJu Ni
- Discovery Virology, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qihui Zhu
- Discovery Virology, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lu Gao
- Discovery Virology, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li Wang
- Discovery Virology, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Song Feng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, No. 371, Lishizhen Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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Identification of Estradiol Benzoate as an Inhibitor of HBx Using Inducible Stably Transfected HepG2 Cells Expressing HiBiT Tagged HBx. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27155000. [PMID: 35956950 PMCID: PMC9370419 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27155000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
HBx plays a significant role in the cccDNA epigenetic modification regulating the hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle and in hepatocyte proliferation and carcinogenesis. By using the sleeping-beauty transposon system, we constructed a tetracycline-induced HBx-expressing stable cell line, SBHX21. HBx with a HiBiT tag can be quickly detected utilizing a NanoLuc-based HiBiT detection system. By screening a drug library using SBHX21 cells, we identified estradiol benzoate as a novel anti-HBx agent. Estradiol benzoate also markedly reduced the production of HBeAg, HBsAg, HBV pgRNA, and HBV DNA in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that estradiol benzoate could be an anti-HBV agent. Docking model results revealed that estradiol benzoate binds to HBx at TRP87 and TRP107. Collectively, our results suggest that estradiol benzoate inhibits the HBx protein and HBV transcription and replication, which may serve as a novel anti-HBV molecular compound for investigating new treatment strategies for HBV infection.
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Duraisamy GS, Jo E, Huvarova I, Park KHP, Heger Z, Adam V, Růžek D, Windisch MP, Miller AD. Selected ginsenosides interfere efficiently with hepatitis B virus mRNA expression levels and suppress viral surface antigen secretion. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10465. [PMID: 36110238 PMCID: PMC9468399 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10465] [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: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ginsenosides are a class of natural steroid glycosides and triterpene saponins found in Panax ginseng. After screening of a commercial ginsenoside compound library for low cellular cytotoxicity and the ability to mediate efficient reductions in hepatitis B virus (HBV) mRNA expression levels in HepG2.2.15 cells, three ginsenosides (Rg6, Rh4, and Rb3) are selected. Thereafter, using the same cellular model, all three ginsenosides are shown to mediate efficient, selective inhibition of HBV mRNA expression levels, and also interfere with the secretion of both HBV particles and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Drug combination studies are performed in both HepG2.2.15 and HBV-infected HepG2-NTCPsec+ cell models with the selected ginsenosides and lamivudine (LMV), a nucleoside analogue used to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infections. These studies, involving RT-qPCR and ELISA, suggest that Rh4/LMV combinations in particular act synergistically to inhibit the secretion of HBV particles and HBsAg. Therefore, on the assumption that appropriate in vivo data are in future agreement, Rh4, in particular, might be used in combination with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NUCs) to devise an effective, cost-efficient combination therapy for the treatment of patients with CHB infections.
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Clinical impact and mechanisms of hepatitis B virus infection concurrent with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135:1653-1663. [PMID: 35940901 PMCID: PMC9509100 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection is an important threat to global health despite the administration of vaccines and the use of antiviral treatments. In recent years, as the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome has increased, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with CHB has become more common. Both diseases can lead to liver fibrosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma, but the risk of dual etiology, outcome, and CHB combined with NAFLD is not fully elucidated. In this review, we assess the overlapping prevalence of NAFLD and CHB, summarize recent studies of clinical and basic research related to potential interactions, and evaluate the progressive changes of treatments for CHB patients with NAFLD. This review increases the understanding of the relationship and mechanisms of interaction between steatosis and hepatitis B virus infection, and it provides new strategies for the future clinical management and treatment of CHB combined with NAFLD.
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Erken R, Loukachov V, van Dort K, van den Hurk A, Takkenberg RB, de Niet A, Jansen L, Willemse S, Reesink H, Kootstra N. Quantified integrated hepatitis B virus is related to viral activity in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology 2022; 76:196-206. [PMID: 35073596 PMCID: PMC9305117 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS HBV can integrate in the host genome of the hepatocyte and recent findings suggest that integrated HBV contributes to the persistent production of viral proteins. Here, we quantified the levels of integrated HBV in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and analyzed the relation between HBV integration, virological activity (plasma HBV DNA and HBsAg levels), and clinical outcomes. APPROACH AND RESULTS We developed and validated a multistep Arthrobacter luteus (Alu)-PCR that specifically amplifies integrated HBV and RT-Alu-PCR detecting mRNA transcripts derived from integrated HBV. Pretreatment liver biopsy samples and baseline characteristics of 124 patients with CHB either treated for 48 weeks with pegylated interferon plus adefovir or tenofovir or receiving no treatment were available for analysis. Integrated HBV sequences containing open reading frame S and X (but not C) and S and X mRNA transcripts derived from integrated HBV could be detected and quantified in liver biopsies. Integrated HBV levels correlated with HBV DNA, HBsAg, alanine aminotransferase plasma levels, and the liver histology activity index but not to levels of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), plasma pregenomic RNA, or hepatitis B core-related antigen. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that lower baseline HBV integration levels were independently associated with HBsAg loss (functional cure) within 5 years follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Integrated HBV levels are strongly correlated with surrogate markers for virological activity but not to cccDNA levels and are predictive for HBsAg loss. Our data suggest that integrated HBV is closely related to HBV replication and may therefore be an important tool in the evaluation and development of treatment modalities aiming to cure CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Erken
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdam Infection & Immunity InstituteUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands,Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology MetabolismAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Vladimir Loukachov
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdam Infection & Immunity InstituteUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Karel van Dort
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdam Infection & Immunity InstituteUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Anne van den Hurk
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdam Infection & Immunity InstituteUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - R. Bart Takkenberg
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology MetabolismAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Anniki de Niet
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology MetabolismAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Louis Jansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology MetabolismAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Sophie Willemse
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology MetabolismAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Henk Reesink
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | - Neeltje Kootstra
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam UMC, location AMCAmsterdam Infection & Immunity InstituteUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands
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49
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Tan S, Groaz E, Kalkeri R, Ptak R, Korba BE, Herdewijn P. Reshaping an Acyclic Nucleoside Phosphonate into a Selective Anti-hepatitis B Virus Compound. J Med Chem 2022; 65:9396-9417. [PMID: 35754374 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Minor structural modifications of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates can dramatically affect their antiviral properties. This work discloses a shift in the selectivity spectrum of 3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl (HPMP) nucleotides from herpesviruses toward hepatitis B virus (HBV) induced by their acyclic chain 2-substitution with a nonpolar group. Two series of racemic (R,S)-2-methyl-3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl (MHPMP) and (R,S)-2-ethynyl-3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl (EHPMP) nucleotides were initially synthesized. Among these, guanine-containing derivatives exhibited significant anti-HBV activities in the submicromolar range. Enantioenriched MHPMPG and EHPMPG analogues were subsequently obtained by Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation. The (S)-enantiomers possessed an 8- to 26-fold higher potency than the relative (R)-forms. A further comparison of the EC90 values indicated that (S)-EHPMPG inhibited HBV replication more effectively than its 2-methyl analogue. A phosphonodiamidate prodrug of (S)-EHPMPG was thus prepared and found to exert a remarkably high anti-HBV activity (EC50 = 9.27 nM) with excellent selectivity (SI50 > 10,787), proving to be a promising candidate for anti-HBV drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Tan
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elisabetta Groaz
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Raj Kalkeri
- Department of Infectious Disease Research, Drug Development, Southern Research Institute, 431 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701, United States
| | - Roger Ptak
- Department of Infectious Disease Research, Drug Development, Southern Research Institute, 431 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701, United States
| | - Brent E Korba
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, 20057 Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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50
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Spunde K, Vigante B, Dubova UN, Sipola A, Timofejeva I, Zajakina A, Jansons J, Plotniece A, Pajuste K, Sobolev A, Muhamadejev R, Jaudzems K, Duburs G, Kozlovska T. Design and Synthesis of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Capsid Assembly Modulators and Evaluation of Their Activity in Mammalian Cell Model. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070773. [PMID: 35890072 PMCID: PMC9317397 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070773] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) have emerged as a promising class of antiviral agents. We studied the effects of twenty-one newly designed and synthesized CAMs including heteroaryldihydropyrimidine compounds (HAPs), their analogs and standard compounds on hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly. Cytoplasmic expression of the HBV core (HBc) gene driven by the exogenously delivered recombinant alphavirus RNA replicon was used for high level production of the full-length HBc protein in mammalian cells. HBV capsid assembly was assessed by native agarose gel immunoblot analysis, electron microscopy and inhibition of virion secretion in HepG2.2.15 HBV producing cell line. Induced fit docking simulation was applied for modelling the structural relationships of the synthesized compounds and HBc. The most efficient were the HAP class compounds—dihydropyrimidine 5-carboxylic acid n-alkoxyalkyl esters, which induced the formation of incorrectly assembled capsid products and their accumulation within the cells. HBc product accumulation in the cells was not detected with the reference HAP compound Bay 41-4109, suggesting different modes of action. A significant antiviral effect and substantially reduced toxicity were revealed for two of the synthesized compounds. Two new HAP compounds revealed a significant antiviral effect and a favorable toxicity profile that allows these compounds to be considered promising leads and drug candidates for the treatment of HBV infection. The established alphavirus based HBc expression approach allows for the specific selection of capsid assembly modulators directly in the natural cell environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Spunde
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (B.V.)
| | - Brigita Vigante
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (B.V.)
| | - Unda Nelda Dubova
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
| | - Anda Sipola
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Irena Timofejeva
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
| | - Anna Zajakina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
| | - Aiva Plotniece
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Karlis Pajuste
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Arkadij Sobolev
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Ruslan Muhamadejev
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Gunars Duburs
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Tatjana Kozlovska
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
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