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Cui Q, Li W, Wang D, Wang S, Liu A, Zhang G, Yang Y, Ge T, He G, Yu J. Immune signature and phagocytosis of circulating DC subsets in healthy adults during aging. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111715. [PMID: 38382263 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111715] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DC) play a pivotal role in the onset and progression of immunosenescence-associated diseases, serving as a link between innate and adaptive immunity. Thus, there is a need to establish reference ranges for DC subset levels in healthy adults and investigate the potential impact of age on DC subset levels and phagocytic activity. Single-platform multi-color flow cytometry was performed to assess the proportions of circulating conventional type 1 DC (cDC1), conventional type 2 DC (cDC2), and plasmacytoid DC (pDC), as well as the percentages of CD80, CD86, CD83, PD-L1, and CD32 in cDC1, cDC2, and pDC. Reference ranges were established based on age and gender, and the percentage of circulating DC subsets in different age groups was compared. In addition, circulating DC were enriched using a magnetic bead sorting kit and co-cultured with polystyrene (PS) beads, categorized by age groups, followed by the evaluation of PS bead phagocytosis using light microscopy and flow cytometry. The results indicated that the percentages of circulating cDC1, cDC2, and CD32+cDC2 decreased with age (P < 0.05) and revealed age-related impairment in phagocytic percentage of cDC2 (P < 0.05). These findings provide a deeper understanding of the impact of age on the phenotype and phagocytic activity of DC subsets, shedding light on their role and function in immunosenescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Cui
- Central Laboratory, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Graduate School of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Wentao Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China; Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Central Laboratory, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Graduate School of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuangcui Wang
- Central Laboratory, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Graduate School of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Aqing Liu
- Central Laboratory, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Graduate School of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Guan Zhang
- Central Laboratory, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Graduate School of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanjie Yang
- Central Laboratory, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Graduate School of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Ting Ge
- Central Laboratory, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Graduate School of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Guixin He
- Central Laboratory, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Graduate School of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianchun Yu
- Central Laboratory, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China.
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Lteif M, Pallardy M, Turbica I. Antibodies internalization mechanisms by dendritic cells and their role in therapeutic antibody immunogenicity. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2250340. [PMID: 37985174 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250340] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Internalization and processing by antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) are critical steps for initiating a T-cell response to therapeutic antibodies. Consequences are the production of neutralizing antidrug antibodies altering the clinical response, the presence of immune complexes, and, in some rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the knowledge of cellular uptake mechanisms of antibodies in DCs. The uptake of antibodies could be directly related to their immunogenicity by regulating the quantity of materials entering the DCs in relation to antibody structure. Here, we summarize the latest insights into cellular uptake mechanisms and pathways in DCs. We highlight the approaches to study endocytosis, the impact of endocytosis routes on T-cell response, and discuss the link between how DCs internalize therapeutic antibodies and the potential mechanisms that could give rise to immunogenicity. Understanding these processes could help in developing assays to evaluate the immunogenicity potential of biotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lteif
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Inflammation, Microbiome and Immunosurveillance, Orsay, France
| | - Marc Pallardy
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Inflammation, Microbiome and Immunosurveillance, Orsay, France
| | - Isabelle Turbica
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Inflammation, Microbiome and Immunosurveillance, Orsay, France
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Zheng JR, Wang ZL, Feng B. Hepatitis B functional cure and immune response. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1075916. [PMID: 36466821 PMCID: PMC9714500 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1075916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus, which damage to hepatocytes is not direct, but through the immune system. HBV specific CD4+ T cells can induce HBV specific B cells and CD8+ T cells. HBV specific B cells produce antibodies to control HBV infection, while HBV specific CD8+ T cells destroy infected hepatocytes. One of the reasons for the chronicity of HBV infection is that it cannot effectively activate adoptive immunity and the function of virus specific immune cells is exhausted. Among them, virus antigens (including HBV surface antigen, e antigen, core antigen, etc.) can inhibit the function of immune cells and induce immune tolerance. Long term nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) treatment and inactive HBsAg carriers with low HBsAg level may "wake up" immune cells with abnormal function due to the decrease of viral antigen level in blood and liver, and the specific immune function of HBV will recover to a certain extent, thus becoming the "dominant population" for functional cure. In turn, the functional cure will further promote the recovery of HBV specific immune function, which is also the theoretical basis for complete cure of hepatitis B. In the future, the complete cure of chronic HBV infection must be the combination of three drugs: inhibiting virus replication, reducing surface antigen levels and specific immune regulation, among which specific immunotherapy is indispensable. Here we review the relationship, mechanism and clinical significance between the cure of hepatitis B and immune system.
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Jia YJ, Xia JY, Jiang FY, Li Y, Chen G, Zhu B. Antigenic epitope screening and functional modification of mannose enhance the efficacy of largemouth bass virus subunit vaccines. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2022; 45:1635-1643. [PMID: 35841600 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Major capsid protein (MCP) can be used as a subunit vaccine against largemouth bass virus (LMBV). However, subunit vaccines usually have low immunogenicity. Here, to identify the major immunogenicity determinant region of the MCP gene, we truncated the MCP of the LMBV gene into four parts (MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3 and MCP-4). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to identify the antigenicity of these four truncated MCP proteins. Then, the highly antigenic truncated protein was modified with mannose and connected with functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as carriers. Largemouth basses were immunized by bath immersion, challenged with LMBV on the 28th day after immunization and evaluated for related immune indicators. The results indicated that the MCP-2 protein could induce a higher antibody titre than the other truncated MCP proteins. We found that the levels of immune-related genes (TNF-α, CD40, IgM, IFNγ and IL-10) in the spleen and kidney were significantly increased in the MCP-2 and MCP-2-Man groups. ELISA results showed that the antibody content in the serum increased significantly in the MCP-2 group 7 days post-vaccination and increased with days in all the vaccinated groups, with the highest observed on the 21st day. Notably, the MCP-2-Man vaccine (10 mg L-1 ) showed durability of immunoprotection efficacy that could protect largemouth basses from LMBV challenge, and the immune protection rate reached 78.94%. These results suggest that MCP-2 might be the major immunogenicity determinant region of LMBV and that the mannose-modified MCP-2 vaccine can induce stronger adaptive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jun Jia
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jun-Yao Xia
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Fu-Yi Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Guo Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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Li M, Gao Y, Yang L, Lin Y, Deng W, Jiang T, Bi X, Lu Y, Zhang L, Shen G, Liu R, Wu S, Chang M, Xu M, Hu L, Song R, Jiang Y, Yi W, Xie Y. Dynamic changes of cytokine profiles and virological markers during 48 weeks of entecavir treatment for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1024333. [PMID: 36203581 PMCID: PMC9531241 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1024333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to investigate the kinetic changes of serum, virological, and immunological markers during entecavir (ETV) antiviral therapy and to explore whether these indicators can predict the antiviral efficacy of ETV in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.MethodsHBeAg-positive CHB patients were enrolled and treated with ETV 0.5 mg/day. Clinical biochemical, virological, and serological tests were performed at baseline and every 12 weeks during the 48-week treatment. Plasma levels of cytokines (Flt-3L, IFN-α2, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-6, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, and TNF-α) were measured at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. Analysis of the trends of these clinical indicators in ETV antiviral therapy was performed.ResultsA total of 105 HBeAg-positive CHB patients were enrolled, and 100 of them completed 48 weeks of ETV treatment and follow-up. After 48 weeks of treatment, hepatitis B s antigen (HBsAg) decline ≥ 1 log10 was found in seven patients, but no patient achieved HBsAg disappearance. serological HBeAg disappeared in 13 patients, and serological HBeAg transformed in 3 patients. The baseline HBsAg and HBeAg levels, HBV DNA load, IL-10, and TGF-β1 levels in the complete virological response group were lower than those in the incomplete virological response group, while the ALT level in the complete virological response group was higher than that in the incomplete virological response group. Both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis showed that baseline biochemical indexes, virological indexes, and cytokine levels had no correlation with the complete virological response at 48 weeks. In multivariate analysis, low baseline HBV DNA load, and HBeAg and IL-10 levels were significantly associated with ALT normalization after 48 weeks of ETV treatment (HBeAg OR = 1.003, 95% CI 1.001–1.006, p = 0.007; HBV DNA OR = 0.184, 95% CI 0.046–0.739, p = 0.017; IL-10 OR = 0.040, 95% CI 0.972–0.999, p = 0.040).ConclusionCytokine levels changed dynamically during ETV antiviral therapy. Low baseline HBV DNA load, and HBeAg and IL-10 levels were significantly associated with ALT normalization after 48 weeks of ETV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanjiao Gao
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanjie Lin
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Deng
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyue Bi
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Shen
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruyu Liu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuling Wu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chang
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengjiao Xu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Leiping Hu
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Song
- Department of Infectious Disease, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Rui Song, ; Yuyong Jiang, ; Wei Yi, ; Yao Xie,
| | - Yuyong Jiang
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Rui Song, ; Yuyong Jiang, ; Wei Yi, ; Yao Xie,
| | - Wei Yi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Rui Song, ; Yuyong Jiang, ; Wei Yi, ; Yao Xie,
| | - Yao Xie
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Hepatology Division 2, Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Rui Song, ; Yuyong Jiang, ; Wei Yi, ; Yao Xie,
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Jin J, Liu Y, Xu X, Wang Z, Niu J. The association between Fc gamma RIIb expression levels and chronic hepatitis B virus infection progression. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1235. [PMID: 34879827 PMCID: PMC8653572 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06918-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fc gamma receptor IIb (FcγRIIb) is an important inhibitory receptor that plays vital roles in regulating various immune response processes and the pathogenesis of many infectious diseases. The purpose of our research was to evaluate FcγRIIb expression in serum and liver biopsy specimens from hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients and to explore the association of FcγRIIb with chronic HBV infection. METHODS Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to measure the serum FcγRIIb levels in 119 HBV-infected patients and 24 healthy controls. An immunohistochemical method was then employed to identify FcγRIIb expression in biopsy specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The integrated optical density (IOD) value was measured to represent FcγRIIb expression levels. RESULTS Serum FcγRIIb levels were decreased in CHB patients compared to controls (P < 0.001). The FcγRIIb levels in the CHB patient group were remarkably lower than those in the HBV carrier group (P < 0.001). In addition, FcγRIIb levels were negatively associated with AST and ALT (r = -0.3936, P = 0.0063; r = -0.3459, P = 0.0097, respectively). The IOD values of FcγRIIb expression in the moderate and severe CHB groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively). The FcγRIIb level tended to be lower with pathological changes related to hepatitis. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that FcγRIIb had negative correlations with AST and ALT (r = -0.688, P = 0.0016; r = -0.686, P = 0.0017, respectively) but a positive association with the platelet count (r = 0.6464, P = 0.0038). CONCLUSIONS FcγRIIb levels are significantly related to chronic HBV infection and the progression of CHB. Changes in FcγRIIb may affect the progression of liver inflammation and fibrosis in CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglan Jin
- Department of Hepatology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xin Min Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuwei Liu
- Department of Hepatology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xin Min Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaotong Xu
- Department of Hepatology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xin Min Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongfeng Wang
- Department of Hepatology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xin Min Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Junqi Niu
- Department of Hepatology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xin Min Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, People's Republic of China.
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Tsounis EP, Tourkochristou E, Mouzaki A, Triantos C. Toward a new era of hepatitis B virus therapeutics: The pursuit of a functional cure. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:2727-2757. [PMID: 34135551 PMCID: PMC8173382 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i21.2727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, although preventable by vaccination, remains a global health problem and a major cause of chronic liver disease. Although current treatment strategies suppress viral replication very efficiently, the optimal endpoint of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is rarely achieved. Moreover, the thorny problems of persistent chromatin-like covalently closed circular DNA and the presence of integrated HBV DNA in the host genome are ignored. Therefore, the scientific community has focused on developing innovative therapeutic approaches to achieve a functional cure of HBV, defined as undetectable HBV DNA and HBsAg loss over a limited treatment period. A deeper understanding of the HBV life cycle has led to the introduction of novel direct-acting antivirals that exert their function through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of viral entry, transcriptional silencing, epigenetic manipulation, interference with capsid assembly, and disruption of HBsAg release. In parallel, another category of new drugs aims to restore dysregulated immune function in chronic hepatitis B accompanied by lethargic cellular and humoral responses. Stimulation of innate immunity by pattern-recognition receptor agonists leads to upregulation of antiviral cytokine expression and appears to contribute to HBV containment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive transfer of genetically engineered T cells are breakthrough technologies currently being explored that may elicit potent HBV-specific T-cell responses. In addition, several clinical trials are attempting to clarify the role of therapeutic vaccination in this setting. Ultimately, it is increasingly recognized that elimination of HBV requires a treatment regimen based on a combination of multiple drugs. This review describes the rationale for progressive therapeutic interventions and discusses the latest findings in the field of HBV therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthymios P Tsounis
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Evanthia Tourkochristou
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Athanasia Mouzaki
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Christos Triantos
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
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Maepa MB, Bloom K, Ely A, Arbuthnot P. Hepatitis B virus: promising drug targets and therapeutic implications. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:451-466. [PMID: 33843412 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1915990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Current therapy for infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) rarely clears the virus, and viremia commonly resurges following treatment withdrawal. To prevent serious complications of the infection, research has been aimed at identifying new viral and host targets that can be exploited to inactivate HBV replication.Areas covered: This paper reviews the use of these new molecular targets to advance anti-HBV therapy. Emphasis is on appraising data from pre-clinical and early clinical studies described in journal articles published during the past 10 years and available from PubMed.Expert opinion: The wide range of viral and host factors that can be targeted to disable HBV is impressive and improved insight into HBV molecular biology continues to provide the basis for new drug design. In addition to candidate therapies that have direct or indirect actions on HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), compounds that inhibit HBsAg secretion, viral entry, destabilize viral RNA and effect enhanced immune responses to HBV show promise. Preclinical and clinical evaluation of drug candidates, as well as investigating use of treatment combinations, are encouraging. The field is poised at an interesting stage and indications are that reliably achieving functional cure from HBV infection is a tangible goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohube Betty Maepa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kristie Bloom
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Abdullah Ely
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Patrick Arbuthnot
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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George R, Ma A, Motyka B, Shi YE, Liu Q, Griebel P. A dendritic cell-targeted chimeric hepatitis B virus immunotherapeutic vaccine induces both cellular and humoral immune responses in vivo. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 16:779-792. [PMID: 31687875 PMCID: PMC7227651 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1689081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimigen® HBV Immunotherapeutic Vaccine (C-HBV), a recombinant chimeric fusion protein comprising hepatitis B virus (HBV) S1 and S2 surface antigen fragments, Core antigen and a murine monoclonal antibody heavy chain fragment (Fc), was designed and produced in Sf9 insect cells. C-HBV targets the host immune system through specific receptors present on dendritic cells (DCs) which facilitates antigen internalization, processing, and presentation on MHC class I and II to induce both cellular and humoral immune responses against HBV antigens. T cell responses, previously assessed by ex vivo antigen presentation assays using human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived DCs and T cells from uninfected and HBV chronic-infected donors, demonstrated that C-HBV was highly immunogenic. A vaccine dose response study was performed in sheep to analyze the immunogenicity of C-HBV in vivo. Sheep (n = 8/group) received three consecutive subcutaneous injections of each dose of C-HBV at four-week intervals. Analysis of serum antibody levels confirmed C-HBV induced a dose-dependent antibody response to C-HBV and S1/S2-Core. Kinetics of the S1/S2-Core specific antibody response was similar to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific antibody responses induced by ENGERIX-B. Analysis of cell-mediated immune responses (CMI) confirmed C-HBV induced both dose-dependent S1/S2-Core-specific lymphocyte proliferative responses and IFN-γ secretion. These responses were stronger with blood lymphocytes than with cells isolated from the lymph node draining the vaccination site. No correlation was seen between antibody titers and CMI. The results confirm C-HBV is an effective delivery vehicle for the induction of T cell responses and may be an appropriate candidate for immunotherapy for chronic HBV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allan Ma
- Akshaya Bio Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bruce Motyka
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Yuenian Eric Shi
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Philip Griebel
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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