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Yan W, Rao D, Fan F, Liang H, Zhang Z, Dong H. Hepatitis B virus X protein and TGF-β: partners in the carcinogenic journey of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1407434. [PMID: 38962270 PMCID: PMC11220127 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1407434] [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: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B infection is substantially associated with the development of liver cancer globally, with the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases exceeding 50%. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) encodes the Hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein, a pleiotropic regulatory protein necessary for the transcription of the HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) microchromosome. In previous studies, HBV-associated HCC was revealed to be affected by HBx in multiple signaling pathways, resulting in genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications in proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In addition, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has dichotomous potentials at various phases of malignancy as it is a crucial signaling pathway that regulates multiple cellular and physiological processes. In early HCC, TGF-β has a significant antitumor effect, whereas in advanced HCC, it promotes malignant progression. TGF-β interacts with the HBx protein in HCC, regulating the pathogenesis of HCC. This review summarizes the respective and combined functions of HBx and TGB-β in HCC occurrence and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yan
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Province for the Clinical Medicine Research Center of Hepatic Surgery, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Dean Rao
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Province for the Clinical Medicine Research Center of Hepatic Surgery, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Feimu Fan
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Province for the Clinical Medicine Research Center of Hepatic Surgery, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huifang Liang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Province for the Clinical Medicine Research Center of Hepatic Surgery, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, National Health Commission (NHC), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Zunyi Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Province for the Clinical Medicine Research Center of Hepatic Surgery, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hanhua Dong
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Province for the Clinical Medicine Research Center of Hepatic Surgery, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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2
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Fukano K, Wakae K, Nao N, Saito M, Tsubota A, Toyoshima T, Aizaki H, Iijima H, Matsudaira T, Kimura M, Watashi K, Sugiura W, Muramatsu M. A versatile method to profile hepatitis B virus DNA integration. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0328. [PMID: 38051537 PMCID: PMC10697629 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HBV DNA integration into the host genome is frequently found in HBV-associated HCC tissues and is associated with hepatocarcinogenesis. Multiple detection methods, including hybrid capture-sequencing, have identified integration sites and provided clinical implications; however, each has advantages and disadvantages concerning sensitivity, cost, and throughput. Therefore, methods that can comprehensively and cost-effectively detect integration sites with high sensitivity are required. Here, we investigated the efficiency of RAISING (Rapid Amplification of Integration Site without Interference by Genomic DNA contamination) as a simple and inexpensive method to detect viral integration by amplifying HBV-integrated fragments using virus-specific primers covering the entire HBV genome. METHODS AND RESULTS Illumina sequencing of RAISING products from HCC-derived cell lines (PLC/PRF/5 and Hep3B cells) identified HBV-human junction sequences as well as their frequencies. The HBV-human junction profiles identified using RAISING were consistent with those determined using hybrid capture-sequencing, and the representative junctions could be validated by junction-specific nested PCR. The comparison of these detection methods revealed that RAISING-sequencing outperforms hybrid capture-sequencing in concentrating junction sequences. RAISING-sequencing was also demonstrated to determine the sites of de novo integration in HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells, primary human hepatocytes, liver-humanized mice, and clinical specimens. Furthermore, we made use of xenograft mice subcutaneously engrafted with PLC/PRF/5 or Hep3B cells, and HBV-human junctions determined by RAISING-sequencing were detectable in the plasma cell-free DNA using droplet digital PCR. CONCLUSIONS RAISING successfully profiles HBV-human junction sequences with smaller amounts of sequencing data and at a lower cost than hybrid capture-sequencing. This method is expected to aid basic HBV integration and clinical diagnosis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kento Fukano
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kousho Wakae
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naganori Nao
- Division of International Research Promotion, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development, HU-IVReD, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masumichi Saito
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihito Tsubota
- Research Center for Medical Science, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takae Toyoshima
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideki Aizaki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Iijima
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease, Hyogo Medical University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Matsudaira
- Biotechnological Research Support Division, FASMAC Co., Ltd., Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Moto Kimura
- Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wataru Sugiura
- Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masamichi Muramatsu
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Infectious Disease Research, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Japan
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3
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Wagner J, Yuen L, Littlejohn M, Sozzi V, Jackson K, Martin R, Aeschbacher T, Suri V, Tan SK, Feierbach B, Gaggar A, Marcellin P, Buti Ferret M, Janssen HLA, Gane E, Meagher N, Price DJ, Wong D, Thompson AT, Revill PA. Hepatitis B virus haplotype number at baseline is a predictive marker of functional cure during antiviral therapy for patients with genotypes A and D HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 57:509-523. [PMID: 36427857 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS We investigated associations between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome-length haplotype number (HN) at baseline in subjects with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and the likelihood of achieving functional cure during direct-acting antiviral therapy METHOD: We analysed 86 HBeAg-positive baseline samples from patients with HBV genotypes A and D who were enrolled in a Phase II trial of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) to determine if HN was a biomarker of HBsAg loss during therapy. Findings were validated using baseline samples from 181 patients with HBV genotypes A and D from an independent clinical trial utilising TDF or tenofovir alafenamide therapy in HBeAg-positive CHB. RESULTS In the HBeAg-positive test cohort, patients with genotypes A or D and ≤2 haplotypes had a minimum of 21-fold higher likelihood of achieving HBsAg loss on TDF. Baseline HN (p < 0.0001) was a stronger predictor of HBsAg loss on therapy than HBsAg titre (p = 0.03), HBeAg titre (p = 0.0002), or the presence of HBV basal core promoter (A1762T, p = 0.0379 and G1764A, p = 0.0176) or G1896A precore mutations (p = 0.0218). This finding was validated in the independent validation cohort. HN was statistically higher in patients with HBV genotypes B or C infection compared to genotypes A and D. CONCLUSION Baseline HN ≤2 predicts which patients with HBV genotypes A or D will more likely progress to functional cure on current direct-acting antiviral therapy, with greater accuracy than current biomarkers including baseline HBsAg and HBeAg titre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Wagner
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lilly Yuen
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Littlejohn
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vitina Sozzi
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathy Jackson
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ross Martin
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Anuj Gaggar
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California, USA
| | | | - Maria Buti Ferret
- Liver Unit, Valle d'Hebron (Ciberehd) University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Center for Liver Diseases, Toronto General Hospital, University: Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ed Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Niamh Meagher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Price
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Darren Wong
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander T Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter A Revill
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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4
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Yeh SH, Li CL, Lin YY, Ho MC, Wang YC, Tseng ST, Chen PJ. Hepatitis B Virus DNA Integration Drives Carcinogenesis and Provides a New Biomarker for HBV-related HCC. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:921-929. [PMID: 36690297 PMCID: PMC9972564 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA integration is an incidental event in the virus replication cycle and occurs in less than 1% of infected hepatocytes during viral infection. However, HBV DNA is present in the genome of approximately 90% of HBV-related HCCs and is the most common somatic mutation. Whole genome sequencing of liver tissues from chronic hepatitis B patients showed integration occurring at random positions in human chromosomes; however, in the genomes of HBV-related HCC patients, there are integration hotspots. Both the enrichment of the HBV-integration proportion in HCC and the emergence of integration hotspots suggested a strong positive selection of HBV-integrated hepatocytes to progress to HCC. The activation of HBV integration hotspot genes, such as telomerase (TERT) or histone methyltransferase (MLL4/KMT2B), resembles insertional mutagenesis by oncogenic animal retroviruses. These candidate oncogenic genes might shed new light on HBV-related HCC biology and become targets for new cancer therapies. Finally, the HBV integrations in individual HCC contain unique sequences at the junctions, such as virus-host chimera DNA (vh-DNA) presumably being a signature molecule for individual HCC. HBV integration may thus provide a new cell-free tumor DNA biomarker to monitor residual HCC after curative therapies or to track the development of de novo HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiou-Hwei Yeh
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; National Taiwan University Center for Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Ling Li
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - You-Yu Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, National Taiwan University College of Life Science, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chih Ho
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | - Pei-Jer Chen
- National Taiwan University Center for Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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5
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Cai DM, Mei FB, Zhang CJ, An SC, Lv RB, Ren GH, Xiao CC, Long L, Huang TR, Deng W. The Abnormal Proliferation of Hepatocytes is Associated with MC-LR and C-Terminal Truncated HBX Synergistic Disturbance of the Redox Balance. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:1229-1246. [PMID: 36505941 PMCID: PMC9733568 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s389574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the concentrations of MC-LR in drinking water and the synergistic effect of MC-LR and HBV on hepatocellular carcinogenesis through their disturbance of redox balance have not been fully elucidated. Methods We measured the MC-LR concentrations in 168 drinking water samples of areas with a high incidence of HCC. The relationships between MC-LR and both redox status and liver diseases in 177 local residents were analyzed. The hepatoma cell line HepG2 transfected with C-terminal truncated hepatitis B virus X gene (Ct-HBX) were treated with MC-LR. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were assessed with cell activity assays, scratch and transwell assays, and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression-related redox status genes were analyzed with qPCR and Western blotting. Results The average concentration of MC-LR in well water, river water and reservoir water were 57.55 ng/L, 76.74 ng/L and 132.86 ng/L respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The MC-LR levels in drinking water were correlated with liver health status, including hepatitis, clonorchiasis, glutamic pyruvic transaminase abnormalities and hepatitis B surface antigen carriage (all P values < 0.05). The serum MDA increased in subjects who drank reservoir water and were infected with HBV (P < 0.05). In the cell experiment, ROS increased when Ct-HBX-transfected HepG2 cells were treated with MC-LR, followed by a decrease in SOD and GSH and an increase in MDA. MC-LR combined with Ct-HBX promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 cells, upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of MAOA gene, and downregulated UCP2 and GPX1 genes. Conclusion MC-LR and HBV may synergistically affect redox status and play an important role in hepatocarcinoma genesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Mei Cai
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan-Biao Mei
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao-Jun Zhang
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - San-Chun An
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui-Bo Lv
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guan-Hua Ren
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chan-Chan Xiao
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Long Long
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China,Guangxi Cancer Molecular Medicine Engineering Research Center, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian-Ren Huang
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China,Guangxi Cancer Molecular Medicine Engineering Research Center, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Deng
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China,Guangxi Cancer Molecular Medicine Engineering Research Center, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Wei Deng; Tianren Huang, Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 71, Hedi Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China, Email ;
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6
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Fusion HBx from HBV Integrant Affects Hepatocarcinogenesis through Deregulation of ER Stress Response. Virus Res 2022; 315:198787. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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7
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van Buuren N, Ramirez R, Soulette C, Suri V, Han D, May L, Turner S, Parvangada P, Martin R, Chan HLY, Marcellin P, Buti M, Bui N, Bhardwaj N, Gaggar A, Li L, Mo H, Feierbach B. Targeted long-read sequencing reveals clonally expanded HBV-associated chromosomal translocations in patients with chronic hepatitis B. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100449. [PMID: 35295767 PMCID: PMC8918852 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Methods Results Conclusions Lay summary Fresh frozen liver biopsies from patients with CHB were subjected to targeted long-read RNA and DNA sequencing. Inter-chromosomal translocations associated with HBV integration events detected in one-third of patients. Chromosomal translocations were unique to each biopsy sample, suggesting that each originated randomly. A larger fraction of the HBV transcriptome originates from cccDNA in patients who are HBeAg-positive.
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8
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Cui D, Li W, Jiang D, Wu J, Xie J, Wu Y. Advances in Multi-Omics Applications in HBV-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:754709. [PMID: 34660653 PMCID: PMC8514776 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.754709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) specifically infects liver cells, leading to progressive liver cirrhosis and significantly increasing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The maturity of sequencing technology, improvement in bioinformatics data analysis and progress of omics technologies had improved research efficiency. The occurrence and progression of HCC are affected by multisystem and multilevel pathological changes. With the application of single-omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics in tissue and body fluid samples, and even the novel development of multi-omics analysis on a single-cell platform, HBV-associated HCC changes can be better analyzed. The review summarizes the application of single omics and combined analysis of multi-omics data in HBV-associated HCC and proposes the importance of multi-omics analysis in the type of HCC, which provide the possibility for the precise diagnosis and therapy of HBV-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Cui
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Li
- Center of Research Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Daixi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research 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
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
| | - Jue Xie
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingping Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
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9
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Zhuo Z, Rong W, Li H, Li Y, Luo X, Liu Y, Tang X, Zhang L, Su F, Cui H, Xiao F. Long-read sequencing reveals the structural complexity of genomic integration of HBV DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma. NPJ Genom Med 2021; 6:84. [PMID: 34642322 PMCID: PMC8511263 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-021-00245-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The integration of HBV DNA into the human genome can disrupt its structure in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the complexity of HBV genomic integration remains elusive. Here we applied long-read sequencing to precisely elucidate the HBV integration pattern in the human hepatocellular genome. The DNA library was sequenced using the long-read sequencing on GridION and PacBio Sequel II, respectively. The DNA and mRNA were sequenced using next-generation sequencing on Illumina NextSeq. BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) and local scripts were used to analyze HBV integration patterns. We established an analytical strategy based on the long-read sequences, and analyzed the complexity of HBV DNA integration into the hepatocellular genome. A total of 88 integrated breakpoints were identified. HBV DNA integration into human genomic DNA was mainly fragmented with different orientations, rarely with a complete genome. The same HBV integration breakpoints were identified among the three platforms. Most breakpoints were observed at P, X, and S genes in the HBV genome, and observed at introns, intergenic sequences, and exons in the human genome. Tumor tissue harbored a much higher integrated number than the adjacent tissue, and the distribution of HBV integrated into human chromosomes was more concentrated. HBV integration shows different patterns between cancer cells and adjacent normal cells. We for the first time obtained the entire HBV integration pattern through long-read sequencing and demonstrated the value of long-read sequencing in detecting the genomic integration structures of viruses in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongling Zhuo
- Peking University Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China.,The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Clinical Biobank, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weiqi Rong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Hexin Li
- Clinical Biobank, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Li
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuanmei Luo
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaokun Tang
- Clinical Biobank, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Clinical Biobank, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Su
- Clinical Biobank, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyuan Cui
- Department of Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Fei Xiao
- Peking University Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China. .,The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. .,Clinical Biobank, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, National Health Commission, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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10
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Senescence in HBV-, HCV- and NAFLD- Mediated Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Senotherapeutics: Current Evidence and Future Perspective. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184732. [PMID: 34572959 PMCID: PMC8468315 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell senescence constitutes a physiological process that serves as protection from malignant transformation of cells. However, recent scientific discoveries also identify cell senescence as pivotal in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) biology. The review herein aimed to accumulate evidence on senescence as a mediator of HCC occurrence in hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) virus infections, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In HBV infection, the carcinogenic HBV X protein frequently mutates during chronic infection, and subsequently exhibits different effects on senescence. In HCV infection, senescent non-functional T-cells do not effectively clear pre-malignant hepatocytes. Furthermore, the HCV Core protein inhibits the occurrence of normal stress-induced hepatocyte senescence, allowing damaged cells to maintain their proliferative potential. In NAFLD-mediated HCC, current data point towards the gut microbiome and hepatic stellate cell senescence. Additionally, senescence contributes in the development of resistance in targeted therapies, such as sorafenib. Finally, the promising role of senotherapeutics in HCC was also explored. Overall, although we may still be at a primitive stage in fully unraveling the role of senescence in cancer, it seems that understanding and harnessing senescence may have the potential to revolutionize the way we treat hepatocellular cancer.
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Bousali M, Papatheodoridis G, Paraskevis D, Karamitros T. Hepatitis B Virus DNA Integration, Chronic Infections and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1787. [PMID: 34442866 PMCID: PMC8398950 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is an Old World virus with a high mutation rate, which puts its origins in Africa alongside the origins of Homo sapiens, and is a member of the Hepadnaviridae family that is characterized by a unique viral replication cycle. It targets human hepatocytes and can lead to chronic HBV infection either after acute infection via horizontal transmission usually during infancy or childhood or via maternal-fetal transmission. HBV has been found in ~85% of HBV-related Hepatocellular Carcinomas (HCC), and it can integrate the whole or part of its genome into the host genomic DNA. The molecular mechanisms involved in the HBV DNA integration is not yet clear; thus, multiple models have been described with respect to either the relaxed-circular DNA (rcDNA) or the double-stranded linear DNA (dslDNA) of HBV. Various genes have been found to be affected by HBV DNA integration, including cell-proliferation-related genes, oncogenes and long non-coding RNA genes (lincRNAs). The present review summarizes the advances in the research of HBV DNA integration, focusing on the evolutionary and molecular side of the integration events along with the arising clinical aspects in the light of WHO's commitment to eliminate HBV and viral hepatitis by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bousali
- Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics Unit, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece;
| | - George Papatheodoridis
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Laiko” General Hospital of Athens, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece;
| | - Timokratis Karamitros
- Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics Unit, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece;
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
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12
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Zhang C, Xiao C, Ren G, Cai D, Long L, Li J, Li K, Tang Y, Huang T, Deng W. C-terminal-truncated hepatitis B virus X protein promotes hepatocarcinogenesis by activating the MAPK pathway. Microb Pathog 2021; 159:105136. [PMID: 34390769 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE C-terminally truncated hepatitis B virus X (ctHBx) is frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) integrated into their genomes, but the molecular mechanisms of ctHBx-related oncogenic signaling remain unclear. In this study, the effects of ctHBx on HepG2 cells were investigated by measuring ctHBx-induced changes in the cell cycle-related target proteins cell division cycle 25C (cdc25C) and p53 downstream of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS ctHBx lentiviruses were constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells. Then, we investigated HepG2 cell line function by conducting the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, clone formation assay, scratch wound testing, Transwell assays and flow cytometry to examine cell cycle and apoptosis. Western blotting (WB) was performed to detect proteins related to and downstream of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)/p38 MAPK pathway, including cdc25C and p53. RESULTS ctHBx significantly enhanced the proliferation, migration, invasion and colony-forming capability of HepG2 cells. In addition, ctHBx activated the ERK/JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway to regulate cell viability by affecting the expression of cyclin-related proteins, including cdc25C and p53. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that ctHBx promote the formation and development of HCC via regulating MAPK/cdc25C and p53 axis. ctHBx should be the driving factor of HBV-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojun Zhang
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Chanchan Xiao
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Guanhua Ren
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Dongmei Cai
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Long Long
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jilin Li
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Kezhi Li
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yanping Tang
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Tianren Huang
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Wei Deng
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, 71 Hedi Road, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
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Targeted Long-Read Sequencing Reveals Comprehensive Architecture, Burden and Transcriptional Signatures from HBV-Associated Integrations and Translocations in HCC Cell Lines. J Virol 2021; 95:e0029921. [PMID: 34287049 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00299-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can integrate into the chromosomes of infected hepatocytes, creating potentially oncogenic lesions that can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, our current understanding of integrated HBV DNA architecture, burden and transcriptional activity is incomplete due to technical limitations. A combination of genomics approaches was used to describe HBV integrations and corresponding transcriptional signatures in three HCC cell lines: huH-1, PLC/PRF/5 and Hep3B. To generate high coverage long-read sequencing data, a custom panel of HBV-targeting biotinylated oligonucleotide probes was designed. Targeted long-read DNA sequencing captured entire HBV integration events within individual reads, revealing that integrations may include deletions and inversions of viral sequences. Surprisingly, all three HCC cell lines contain integrations that are associated with host chromosomal translocations. In addition, targeted long-read RNA sequencing allowed for the assignment of transcriptional activity to specific integrations and resolved the contribution of overlapping HBV transcripts. HBV transcripts chimeric with host sequences were resolved in their entirety and often included >1000bp of host sequence. This study provides the first comprehensive description of HBV integrations and associated transcriptional activity in three commonly utilized HCC-derived cell lines. The application of novel methods sheds new light on the complexity of these integrations, including HBV bidirectional transcription, nested transcripts, silent integrations and host genomic rearrangements. The observation of multiple HBV-associated chromosomal translocations gives rise to the hypothesis that HBV may be a driver of genetic instability and provides a potential new mechanism for HCC development. Importance HCC-derived cell lines have served as practical models to study HBV biology for decades. These cell lines harbor multiple HBV integrations and express only HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). To date, an accurate description of the integration burden, architecture and transcriptional profile of these cell lines has been limited due to technical constraints. We have developed a targeted long-read sequencing assay which reveals the entire architecture of integrations in these cell lines. In addition, we identified five chromosomal translocations with integrated HBV DNA at the inter-chromosomal junctions. Incorporation of long-read RNA-Seq data indicated that many integrations and translocations were transcriptionally silent. The observation of multiple HBV-associated translocations has strong implications regarding the potential mechanisms for the development of HBV-associated HCC.
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Elpek GO. Molecular pathways in viral hepatitis-associated liver carcinogenesis: An update. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:4890-4917. [PMID: 34307543 PMCID: PMC8283590 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i19.4890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of cancer among primary malignant tumors of the liver and is a consequential cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In recent years, uncovering the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and behavior of this tumor has led to the identification of multiple potential treatment targets. Despite the vast amount of data on this topic, HCC remains a challenging tumor to treat due to its aggressive behavior and complex molecular profile. Therefore, the number of studies aiming to elucidate the mechanisms involved in both carcinogenesis and tumor progression in HCC continues to increase. In this context, the close association of HCC with viral hepatitis has led to numerous studies focusing on the direct or indirect involvement of viruses in the mechanisms contributing to tumor development and behavior. In line with these efforts, this review was undertaken to highlight the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) participate in oncogenesis and tumor progression in HCC and summarize new findings. Cumulative evidence indicates that HBV DNA integration promotes genomic instability, resulting in the overexpression of genes related to cancer development, metastasis, and angiogenesis or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. In addition, genetic variations in HBV itself, especially preS2 deletions, may play a role in malignant transformation. Epigenetic dysregulation caused by both viruses might also contribute to tumor formation and metastasis by modifying the methylation of DNA and histones or altering the expression of microRNAs. Similarly, viral proteins of both HBV and HCV can affect pathways that are important anticancer targets. The effects of these two viruses on the Hippo-Yap-Taz pathway in HCC development and behavior need to be investigated. Additional, comprehensive studies are also needed to determine these viruses' interaction with integrins, farnesoid X, and the apelin system in malignant transformation and tumor progression. Although the relationship of persistent inflammation caused by HBV and HCV hepatitis with carcinogenesis is well defined, further studies are warranted to decipher the relationship among inflammasomes and viruses in carcinogenesis and elucidate the role of virus-microbiota interactions in HCC development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulsum Ozlem Elpek
- Department of Pathology, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya 07070, Turkey
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15
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Distinct Patterns of HBV Integration and TERT Alterations between in Tumor and Non-Tumor Tissue in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137056. [PMID: 34209079 PMCID: PMC8268258 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration into the cellular genome is well known in HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) patients, its biological role still remains uncertain. This study investigated the patterns of HBV integration and correlated them with TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) alterations in paired tumor and non-tumor tissues. Compared to those in non-tumors, tumoral integrations occurred less frequently but with higher read counts and were more preferentially observed in genic regions with significant enrichment of integration into promoters. In HBV-related tumors, TERT promoter was identified as the most frequent site (38.5% (10/26)) of HBV integration. TERT promoter mutation was observed only in tumors (24.2% (8/33)), but not in non-tumors. Only 3.00% (34/1133) of HBV integration sites were shared between tumors and non-tumors. Within the HBV genome, HBV breakpoints were distributed preferentially in the 3' end of HBx, with more tumoral integrations detected in the preS/S region. The major genes that were recurrently affected by HBV integration included TERT and MLL4 for tumors and FN1 for non-tumors. Functional enrichment analysis of tumoral genes with integrations showed enrichment of cancer-associated genes. The patterns and functions of HBV integration are distinct between tumors and non-tumors. Tumoral integration is often enriched into both human-virus regions with oncogenic regulatory function. The characteristic genomic features of HBV integration together with TERT alteration may dysregulate the affected gene function, thereby contributing to hepatocarcinogenesis.
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16
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Zhang D, Zhang K, Protzer U, Zeng C. HBV Integration Induces Complex Interactions between Host and Viral Genomic Functions at the Insertion Site. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:399-408. [PMID: 34221926 PMCID: PMC8237140 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), one of the well-known DNA oncogenic viruses, is the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In infected hepatocytes, HBV DNA can be integrated into the host genome through an insertional mutagenesis process inducing tumorigenesis. Dissection of the genomic features surrounding integration sites will deepen our understanding of mechanisms underlying integration. Moreover, the quantity and biological activity of integration sites may reflect the DNA damage within affected cells or the potential survival benefits they may confer. The well-known human genomic features include repeat elements, particular regions (such as telomeres), and frequently interrupted genes (e.g., telomerase reverse transcriptase [i.e. TERT], lysine methyltransferase 2B [i.e. KMT2B], cyclin E1 [CCNE1], and cyclin A2 [CCNA2]). Consequently, distinct genomic features within diverse integrations differentiate their biological functions. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence has shown that viral proteins produced by integrants may cause cell damage even after the suppression of HBV replication. The integration-derived gene products can also serve as tumor markers, promoting the development of novel therapeutic strategies for HCC. Viral integrants can be single copy or multiple copies of different fragments with complicated rearrangement, which warrants elucidation of the whole viral integrant arrangement in future studies. All of these considerations underlie an urgent need to develop novel methodology and technology for sequence characterization and function evaluation of integration events in chronic hepatitis B-associated disease progression by monitoring both host genomic features and viral integrants. This endeavor may also serve as a promising solution for evaluating the risk of tumorigenesis and as a companion diagnostic for designing therapeutic strategies targeting integration-related disease complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dake Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- SCG Cell Therapy Pte. Ltd, Singapore
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Urlike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich, Germany
| | - Changqing Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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17
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Lin SY, Zhang A, Lian J, Wang J, Chang TT, Lin YJ, Song W, Su YH. Recurrent HBV Integration Targets as Potential Drivers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061294. [PMID: 34071075 PMCID: PMC8224658 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the major etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), frequently with HBV integrating into the host genome. HBV integration, found in 85% of HBV-associated HCC (HBV–HCC) tissue samples, has been suggested to be oncogenic. Here, we investigated the potential of HBV–HCC driver identification via the characterization of recurrently targeted genes (RTGs). A total of 18,596 HBV integration sites from our in-house study and others were analyzed. RTGs were identified by applying three criteria: at least two HCC subjects, reported by at least two studies, and the number of reporting studies. A total of 396 RTGs were identified. Among the 28 most frequent RTGs, defined as affected in at least 10 HCC patients, 23 (82%) were associated with carcinogenesis and 5 (18%) had no known function. Available breakpoint positions from the three most frequent RTGs, TERT, MLL4/KMT2B, and PLEKHG4B, were analyzed. Mutual exclusivity of TERT promoter mutation and HBV integration into TERT was observed. We present an RTG consensus through comprehensive analysis to enable the potential identification and discovery of HCC drivers for drug development and disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selena Y. Lin
- JBS Science, Inc., Doylestown, PA 18902, USA; (S.Y.L.); (J.W.); (W.S.)
| | - Adam Zhang
- The Baruch S. Blumberg Research Institute, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA; (A.Z.); (J.L.)
| | - Jessica Lian
- The Baruch S. Blumberg Research Institute, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA; (A.Z.); (J.L.)
| | - Jeremy Wang
- JBS Science, Inc., Doylestown, PA 18902, USA; (S.Y.L.); (J.W.); (W.S.)
| | - Ting-Tsung Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
| | - Yih-Jyh Lin
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
| | - Wei Song
- JBS Science, Inc., Doylestown, PA 18902, USA; (S.Y.L.); (J.W.); (W.S.)
| | - Ying-Hsiu Su
- The Baruch S. Blumberg Research Institute, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA; (A.Z.); (J.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +215-489-4907
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18
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Jiang Y, Han Q, Zhao H, Zhang J. The Mechanisms of HBV-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2021; 8:435-450. [PMID: 34046368 PMCID: PMC8147889 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s307962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy, and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is its major pathogenic factor. Over the past decades, it has been confirmed that HBV infection could promote disease progression through a variety of mechanisms, ultimately leading to the malignant transformation of liver cells. Many factors have been identified in the pathogenesis of HBV-associated HCC (HBV-HCC), including HBV gene integration, genomic instability caused by mutation, and activation of cancer-promoting signaling pathways. As research in the progression of HBV-HCC progresses, the role of many new mechanisms, such as epigenetics, exosomes, autophagy, metabolic regulation, and immune suppression, is also being continuously explored. The occurrence of HBV-HCC is a complex process caused by interactions across multiple genes and multiple steps, where the synergistic effects of various cancer-promoting mechanisms accelerate the process of disease evolution from inflammation to tumorigenesis. In this review, we aim to provide a brief overview of the mechanisms involved in the occurrence and development of HBV-HCC, which may contribute to a better understanding of the role of HBV in the occurrence and development of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuju Han
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Huajun Zhao
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
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19
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Péneau C, Zucman-Rossi J, Nault JC. Genomics of Viral Hepatitis-Associated Liver Tumors. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1827. [PMID: 33922394 PMCID: PMC8122827 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10091827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-related liver carcinogenesis is one of the main contributors of cancer-related death worldwide mainly due to the impact of chronic hepatitis B and C infections. Three mechanisms have been proposed to explain the oncogenic properties of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection: induction of chronic inflammation and cirrhosis, expression of HBV oncogenic proteins, and insertional mutagenesis into the genome of infected hepatocytes. Hepatitis B insertional mutagenesis modifies the function of cancer driver genes and could promote chromosomal instability. In contrast, hepatitis C virus promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence mainly through cirrhosis development whereas the direct oncogenic role of the virus in human remains debated. Finally, adeno associated virus type 2 (AAV2), a defective DNA virus, has been associated with occurrence of HCC harboring insertional mutagenesis of the virus. Since these tumors developed in a non-cirrhotic context and in the absence of a known etiological factor, AAV2 appears to be the direct cause of tumor development in these patients via a mechanism of insertional mutagenesis altering similar oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes targeted by HBV. A better understanding of virus-related oncogenesis will be helpful to develop new preventive strategies and therapies directed against specific alterations observed in virus-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Péneau
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, F-75006 Paris, France; (C.P.); (J.Z.-R.)
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Équipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Labex OncoImmunology, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, F-75006 Paris, France; (C.P.); (J.Z.-R.)
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Équipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Labex OncoImmunology, F-75006 Paris, France
- Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, APHP, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Charles Nault
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, F-75006 Paris, France; (C.P.); (J.Z.-R.)
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Équipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Labex OncoImmunology, F-75006 Paris, France
- Service d’hépatologie, Hôpital Avicenne, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, F-93000 Bobigny, France
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé Médecine et Biologie Humaine, Université Paris Nord, F-93000 Bobigny, France
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20
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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There are approximately 250 million people in the world that are chronically infected by this virus, resulting in nearly 1 million deaths every year. Many of these patients die from severe liver diseases, including HCC. HBV may induce HCC through the induction of chronic liver inflammation, which can cause oxidative stress and DNA damage. However, many studies also indicated that HBV could induce HCC via the alteration of hepatocellular physiology that may involve genetic and epigenetic changes of the host DNA, the alteration of cellular signaling pathways, and the inhibition of DNA repair mechanisms. This alteration of cellular physiology can lead to the accumulation of DNA damages and the promotion of cell cycles and predispose hepatocytes to oncogenic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Lee
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR-401, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Kuen-Nan Tsai
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR-401, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Jing-Hsiung James Ou
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR-401, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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21
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Sansone V, Le Grazie M, Roselli J, Polvani S, Galli A, Tovoli F, Tarocchi M. Telomerase reactivation is associated with hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2020; 19:420-428. [PMID: 32386990 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and its components play a significant role in cancer progression, but recent data demonstrated that telomeres and telomerase alterations could be found in other diseases; increasing evidence suggests a key role of this enzyme in the fields of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. DATA SOURCES We performed a PubMed search with the following keywords: telomerase, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma by December 2019. We reviewed the relevant publications that analyzed the correlation between telomerase activity and hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. RESULTS Telomerase reactivation plays a significant role in the development and progression of hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors and could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers, as a predictor for prognosis and a promising therapeutic target. CONCLUSIONS Our review summarized the evidence about the critical role of hTERT in cancerous and precancerous lesions of the alteration and its activity in hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Sansone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Marco Le Grazie
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Jenny Roselli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Simone Polvani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Galli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Tovoli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mirko Tarocchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
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22
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Lau KC, Burak KW, Coffin CS. Impact of Hepatitis B Virus Genetic Variation, Integration, and Lymphotropism in Antiviral Treatment and Oncogenesis. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1470. [PMID: 32987867 PMCID: PMC7599633 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection poses a significant global health burden. Although, effective treatment and vaccinations against HBV are available, challenges still exist, particularly in the development of curative therapies. The dynamic nature and unique features of HBV such as viral variants, integration of HBV DNA into host chromosomes, and extrahepatic reservoirs are considerations towards understanding the virus biology and developing improved anti-HBV treatments. In this review, we highlight the importance of these viral characteristics in the context of treatment and oncogenesis. Viral genotype and genetic variants can serve as important predictive factors for therapeutic response and outcomes in addition to oncogenic risk. HBV integration, particularly in coding genes, is implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, we will discuss emerging research that has identified various HBV nucleic acids and infection markers within extrahepatic sites (lymphoid cells). Intriguingly, the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-associated HBV variants and viral integration within the lymphoid cells may contribute towards the development of extrahepatic malignancies. Improved understanding of these HBV characteristics will enhance the development of a cure for chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith C.K. Lau
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
- Calgary Liver Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
| | - Kelly W. Burak
- Calgary Liver Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
| | - Carla S. Coffin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
- Calgary Liver Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
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23
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Zhang H, Dong P, Guo S, Tao C, Chen W, Zhao W, Wang J, Cheung R, Villanueva A, Fan J, Ding H, Schrodi SJ, Zhang D, Zeng C. Hypomethylation in HBV integration regions aids non-invasive surveillance to hepatocellular carcinoma by low-pass genome-wide bisulfite sequencing. BMC Med 2020; 18:200. [PMID: 32741373 PMCID: PMC7397586 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-01667-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation has been demonstrated to be a promising approach for non-invasive cancer diagnosis. However, the high cost of whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) hinders the clinical implementation of a methylation-based cfDNA early detection biomarker. We proposed a novel strategy in low-pass WGBS (~ 5 million reads) to detect methylation changes in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from patients with liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS The effective small sequencing depth were determined by 5 pilot cfDNA samples with relative high-depth WGBS. CfDNA of 51 patients with hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC were conducted using low-pass WGBS. The strategy was validated in an independent WGBS cohort of 32 healthy individuals and 26 early-stage HCC patients. Fifteen paired tumor tissue and buffy coat samples were used to characterize the methylation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration regions and genome distribution of cfDNA. RESULTS A significant enrichment of cfDNA in intergenic and repeat regions, especially in previously reported HBV integration sites were observed, as a feature of cfDNA and the bias of cfDNA release. Methylation profiles nearby HBV integration sites were a better indicator for hypomethylation of tumor genome comparing to Alu and LINE (long interspersed nuclear element) repeats, and were able to facilitate the cfDNA-based HCC prediction. Hypomethylation nearby HBV integration sites (5 kb flanking) was detected in HCC patients, but not in patients with hepatitis and cirrhosis (MethylHBV5k, median:0.61 vs 0.72, P = 0.0003). Methylation levels of integration sites certain candidate regions exhibited an area under the receiver operation curve (AUC) value > 0.85 to discriminate HCC from non-HCC samples. The validation cohort achieved the prediction performance with an AUC of 0.954. CONCLUSIONS Hypomethylation around viral integration sites aids low-pass cfDNA WGBS to serve as a non-invasive approach for early HCC detection, and inspire future efforts on tumor surveillance for oncovirus with integration activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haikun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Peiling Dong
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Shicheng Guo
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Chengcheng Tao
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Wenmin Zhao
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jiakang Wang
- Biology Department, Stonybrook University, Stonybrook, NY, USA
| | - Ramsey Cheung
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Augusto Villanueva
- Liver Cancer Research Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Tisch Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jian Fan
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huiguo Ding
- Department of Hepatology, Beijing You'an Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Steven J Schrodi
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. .,Computation and Informatics in Biology and Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Dake Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Changqing Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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24
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Wong DKH, Cheng SCY, Mak LLY, To EWP, Lo RCL, Cheung TT, Seto WK, Fung J, Man K, Lai CL, Yuen MF. Among Patients with Undetectable Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatocellular Carcinoma, a High Proportion Has Integration of HBV DNA into Hepatocyte DNA and No Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 18:449-456. [PMID: 31252193 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In some individuals with undetectable serum levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA can still be detected in serum or hepatocytes and HBV replicates at low levels-this is called occult HBV infection (OBI). OBI has been associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the incidence of OBI in patients with HCC and other liver diseases. We also investigated whether, in patients with OBI and HCC, HBV DNA has integrated into the DNA of hepatocytes. METHODS We collected clinical information and liver tissues from 110 HBsAg-negative patients (90 with HCC and 20 without HCC; median ages at surgical resection and biopsy collection, 64.1 and 48.6 years, respectively) who underwent liver resection or liver biopsy from November 2002 through July 2017 in Hong Kong. HBV DNA and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) were analyzed and quantified by PCR in liver tissues. Integration of HBV DNA into the DNA of liver cells was detected by Alu-PCR. RESULTS Of the 90 HBsAg-negative patients with HCC, 18 had alcoholic liver disease (20%), 14 had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or steatohepatitis (16%), 2 had primary biliary cholangitis, 2 had recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, 1 had autoimmune hepatitis, and 53 had none of these (59%). Among the 20 patients without HCC, 7 had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or steatohepatitis, 7 had primary biliary cholangitis, and 6 had autoimmune hepatitis. OBI was detected in 62/90 patients with HCC (69%) and 3/20 patients without HCC (15%) (P < .0001). cccDNA was detectable in liver cells of 29 patients with HCC and OBI (47%) and HBV DNA had integrated into DNA of liver cells of 43 patients with HCC and OBI (69%); cccDNA and integrated HBV DNA were not detected in the 3 patients who had OBI without HCC. There were 29 patients with integration of HBV DNA among 33 patients with undetectable cccDNA in liver tissues (88%) and 14 patients with integration of HBV DNA among the 29 patients with cccDNA in liver tissues (48%) (P = .001). HBV DNA was found to integrate near genes associated with hepatocarcinogenesis, such as those encoding telomerase reverse transcriptase, lysine methyltransferase 2B, and cyclin A2. Among the 43 patients with integration of HBV DNA, 39 (91%) did not have cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS In an analysis of clinical data and liver tissues from 90 HBsAg-negative patients with HCC, we found that almost 70% had OBI, of whom 70% had integration of HBV DNA into liver cell DNA; 90% of these patients did not have cirrhosis. HBV DNA integrated near hepatic oncogenes; these integrations might promote development of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Ka-Ho Wong
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Serene Ching Yan Cheng
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Loey Lung-Yi Mak
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Elvis Wai-Pan To
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Regina Cheuk-Lam Lo
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tan-To Cheung
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - James Fung
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kwan Man
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ching-Lung Lai
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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25
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Ruan P, Dai X, Sun J, He C, Huang C, Zhou R, Chemin I. Integration of hepatitis B virus DNA into p21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3) gene in HepG2.2.15 cells. Virus Genes 2020; 56:168-173. [PMID: 31897927 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-019-01725-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Integration of HBV DNA into host chromosomes was found in most of the patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In this study, using inverse nested PCR (invPCR), we found the integration site chrX: 111,009,033, which inserted into the p21-activated kinase 3 (PAK3) gene in HepG2.2.15 cells. The viral-human chimeric transcripts were also observed and, significant differences of the copy numbers of integration site chrX: 111,009,033 (P = 0.012) and intra-cell HBV DNA levels (P = 0.027) were found between the cells with and without H2O2 treatment, respectively. This study may provide a novel insight into the elucidation of etiology of HBV integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ruan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Breast Surgery, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, People's Republic of China. .,INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France.
| | - Xiufang Dai
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunping He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Isabelle Chemin
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France.
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26
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Usman Z, Mijočević H, Karimzadeh H, Däumer M, Al-Mathab M, Bazinet M, Frishman D, Vaillant A, Roggendorf M. Kinetics of hepatitis B surface antigen quasispecies during REP 2139-Ca therapy in HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1454-1464. [PMID: 31323705 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic HBV infection results in various clinical manifestations due to different levels of immune response. In recent years, hepatitis B treatment has improved by long-term administration of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) and peg-interferon. Nucleic acid polymers (NAPs; REP 2139-Ca and REP 2139-Mg) are new antiviral drugs that block the assembly of subviral particles, thus preventing the release of HBsAg and allowing its clearance and restoration of functional control of infection when combined with various immunotherapies. In the REP 102 study (NCT02646189), 9 of 12 patients showed substantial reduction of HBsAg and seroconversion to anti-HBs in response to REP 2139-Ca, whereas 3 of 12 patients did not show responses (>1 log reduction of HBsAg and HBV DNA from baseline). We characterized the dynamic changes of HBV quasispecies (QS) within the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the 'pre-S/S' open reading frame including the 'a' determinant in responders and nonresponders of the REP 102 study and four untreated matched controls. HBV QS complexity at baseline varied slightly between responders and nonresponders (P = .28). However, these responders showed significant decline in viral complexity (P = .001) as REP 2139-Ca therapy progressed but no significant change in complexity was observed among the nonresponders (P = .99). The MHR mutations were more frequently observed in responders than in nonresponders and matched controls. No mutations were observed in 'a' determinant of major QS population which may interfere with the detection of HBsAg by diagnostic assays. No specific mutations were found within the MHR which could explain patients' poor HBsAg response during REP 2139-Ca therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Usman
- Department of Bioinformatics, Technische Universität München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan, Freising, Germany
| | - Hrvoje Mijočević
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hadi Karimzadeh
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Munich-Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Däumer
- Institute of Immunology and Genetics, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Mamun Al-Mathab
- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Dmitrij Frishman
- Department of Bioinformatics, Technische Universität München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan, Freising, Germany.,Laboratory of Bioinformatics, RASA research center, St Petersburg State Polytechnical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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27
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Jin Y, Lee WY, Toh ST, Tennakoon C, Toh HC, Chow PKH, Chung AYF, Chong SS, Ooi LLPJ, Sung WK, Lee CGL. Comprehensive analysis of transcriptome profiles in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Transl Med 2019; 17:273. [PMID: 31429776 PMCID: PMC6701074 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-2025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma is the second most deadly cancer with late presentation and limited treatment options, highlighting an urgent need to better understand HCC to facilitate the identification of early-stage biomarkers and uncover therapeutic targets for the development of novel therapies for HCC. Methods Deep transcriptome sequencing of tumor and paired non-tumor liver tissues was performed to comprehensively evaluate the profiles of both the host and HBV transcripts in HCC patients. Differential gene expression patterns and the dys-regulated genes associated with clinical outcomes were analyzed. Somatic mutations were identified from the sequencing data and the deleterious mutations were predicted. Lastly, human-HBV chimeric transcripts were identified, and their distribution, potential function and expression association were analyzed. Results Expression profiling identified the significantly upregulated TP73 as a nodal molecule modulating expression of apoptotic genes. Approximately 2.5% of dysregulated genes significantly correlated with HCC clinical characteristics. Of the 110 identified genes, those involved in post-translational modification, cell division and/or transcriptional regulation were upregulated, while those involved in redox reactions were downregulated in tumors of patients with poor prognosis. Mutation signature analysis identified that somatic mutations in HCC tumors were mainly non-synonymous, frequently affecting genes in the micro-environment and cancer pathways. Recurrent mutations occur mainly in ribosomal genes. The most frequently mutated genes were generally associated with a poorer clinical prognosis. Lastly, transcriptome sequencing suggest that HBV replication in the tumors of HCC patients is rare. HBV-human fusion transcripts are a common observation, with favored HBV and host insertion sites being the HBx C-terminus and gene introns (in tumors) and introns/intergenic-regions (in non-tumors), respectively. HBV-fused genes in tumors were mainly involved in RNA binding while those in non-tumors tissues varied widely. These observations suggest that while HBV may integrate randomly during chronic infection, selective expression of functional chimeric transcripts may occur during tumorigenesis. Conclusions Transcriptome sequencing of HCC patients reveals key cancer molecules and clinically relevant pathways deregulated/mutated in HCC patients and suggests that while HBV may integrate randomly during chronic infection, selective expression of functional chimeric transcripts likely occur during the process of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jin
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Wai Yeow Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Soo Ting Toh
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | | | - Han Chong Toh
- Division of Medical Sciences, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Level 6, Lab 5, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Pierce Kah-Hoe Chow
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, 169547, Singapore.,Department of Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Alexander Y-F Chung
- Department of Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Samuel S Chong
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - London L-P-J Ooi
- Department of Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169608, Singapore.,Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Wing-Kin Sung
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Computing, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Caroline G-L Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore. .,Division of Medical Sciences, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Level 6, Lab 5, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169610, Singapore. .,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, 169547, Singapore.
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28
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Manne V, Gochanour E, Kowdley KV. Current perspectives into the evaluation and management of hepatitis B: a review. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2019; 8:361-369. [PMID: 31489305 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn.2019.02.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a widespread disease which affects millions of people worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality due to complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathophysiology of hepatitis is critical to diagnosing CHB. Deciding which patients with CHB should be treated is an important decision as treatment can often lead to better outcomes in the appropriate patient population. The nucleos(t)ide analog inhibitors entecavir and tenofovir are currently the mainstay of treatment as they are able to successfully suppress the virus and lead to fewer complications. Novel therapies are currently being developed which may offer a potential cure for this disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignan Manne
- Liver Care Network, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eric Gochanour
- Liver Care Network, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kris V Kowdley
- Liver Care Network, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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29
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Hu X, Jiang J, Ni C, Xu Q, Ye S, Wu J, Ge F, Han Y, Mo Y, Huang D, Yang L. HBV Integration-mediated Cell Apoptosis in HepG2.2.15. J Cancer 2019; 10:4142-4150. [PMID: 31417659 PMCID: PMC6692610 DOI: 10.7150/jca.30493] [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] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the word. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection plays an important role in the development of HCC. However, the mechanisms by which HBV integration affects host cells remain poorly understood. HepG2.2.15 cell line is derived from HCC cell line HepG2 with stable transfection HBV expression. In this study, HepG2.2.15 cells showed decreased proliferation, G1 cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis, when compared to HepG2 cells. HBV capture sequencing was conducted in both genome and transcriptome level, followed by RNA expression sequencing in HepG2.2.15. Here, CAMSAP2/CCDC12/DPP7/OR4F3 were found to be targets for HBV integration in both genome and transcriptome level, accompanied by alteration in their expression when compared to HepG2. Among these genes, DPP7 was the only one gene with HBV integration into its exon, meanwhile DPP7 expression level was also downregulated in HepG2.2.15 as compared to HepG2. Furthermore, DPP7 knockdown resulted in increased apoptosis through upregulation of the Bax/Bcl2 ratio in HepG2 cells. Our results suggest that HBV integration of DPP7 was involved in cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoge Hu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Jiahong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Chao Ni
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.,Department of General surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Qiuran Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Song Ye
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Secondary Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P. R. China
| | - Junjie Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Feimin Ge
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Yong Han
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Yinyuan Mo
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology and Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.,Department of General surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
| | - Liu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China
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30
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Chauhan R, Shimizu Y, Watashi K, Wakita T, Fukasawa M, Michalak TI. Retrotransposon elements among initial sites of hepatitis B virus integration into human genome in the HepG2-NTCP cell infection model. Cancer Genet 2019; 235-236:39-56. [PMID: 31064734 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2019.04.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Integration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA into host's genome is evident in all stages and models of HBV infection. Investigations of the initial virus-host junctions have been just recently initiated since their nature may promote liver oncogenesis immediately following infection. We examined the time-frame and host sites at which HBV integrates in HepG2 cells overexpressing sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) receptor mediating HBV entry. HepG2-NTCP cells were analyzed from 15 min to 13 days post-infection (p.i.). The results showed that except for 15 min p.i., HBV-host integrations were detected at all time points thereafter. At 30 min p.i., virus junctions with retrotransposon SINE and with neuroblastoma breakpoint family member 1 gene were detected. At one-hour p.i., HBV integration with retrotransposon THE-1B-LTR was identified, while virus insertions into proline-rich protein and protein kinase cGMP-dependent type 1 encoding genes were found at 3 h p.i. Fusion with runt-related transcription factor 1 was detected at 24 h p.i. and merges with 9 different genes at 13 day p.i. The data showed that retrotransposon elements are frequent among first-hit sites of HBV insertion. This may suggest a mechanism by which HBV DNA may spread across host's genome from earliest stages of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit Chauhan
- Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research Group, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Science Centre, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Yoshimi Shimizu
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Fukasawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomasz I Michalak
- Molecular Virology and Hepatology Research Group, Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health Science Centre, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada.
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31
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Ruan P, Dai X, Sun J, He C, Huang C, Zhou R, Cao Z, Ye L. Different types of viral‑host junction found in HBV integration breakpoints in HBV‑infected patients. Mol Med Rep 2018; 19:1410-1416. [PMID: 30535432 PMCID: PMC6323230 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study surveyed the characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration in the liver genomes of patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB), carriers of inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving antiviral treatment. 'Short‑read' whole genome sequencing (WGS) with an average of 4,879x coverage for HBV integration was performed in three patients with AHB, two carriers of inactive HBsAg, and 13 patients with CHB receiving antiviral treatment. Conventional polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were used to verify integration breakpoints supported by at least two paired‑end reads, and viral‑host chimeric transcripts were surveyed simultaneously. HBV integration breakpoints were 100% identified with an average of 138.2±379.9 breakpoints per sample. The numbers of HBV integration breakpoints were positively associated with the sequencing depth coverage numbers and levels of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA, respectively (P<0.0001 and P<0.0001). Four types of viral‑host junction in 14 HBV integration breakpoints were detected (two viral junctions mapped in the HBs gene, one in the Precore gene, and others within the HBx gene): Forward simple junction, reverse simple junction, forward and reverse complicated junction, and microhomology were found in many of the junctions. Expression of viral‑human chimeric transcripts was observed in several breakpoints, including the HBs gene. As a result, HBV can integrate into the host gene in the same manner as non‑homologous end joining and microhomology‑mediated end joining with numerous sites, and a close association may exist between HBV integration and patient prognosis. HBx integration may be indispensable for viral‑host chimeric transcription and HBsAg may be produced from integrated DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ruan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Xiufang Dai
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, P.R. China
| | - Jun Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Chunping He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Chao Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Zhuo Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Lan Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
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32
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Huang W, Skanderup AJ, Lee CG. Advances in genomic hepatocellular carcinoma research. Gigascience 2018; 7:5232228. [PMID: 30521023 PMCID: PMC6335342 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giy135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the cancer with the second highest mortality in the world due to its late presentation and limited treatment options. As such, there is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and to develop novel therapies. The availability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data from tumors of liver cancer patients has provided us with invaluable resources to better understand HCC through the integration of data from different sources to facilitate the identification of promising biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Findings Here, we review key insights gleaned from more than 20 NGS studies of HCC tumor samples, comprising approximately 582 whole genomes and 1,211 whole exomes mainly from the East Asian population. Through consolidation of reported somatic mutations from multiple studies, we identified genes with different types of somatic mutations, including single nucleotide variations, insertion/deletions, structural variations, and copy number alterations as well as genes with multiple frequent viral integration. Pathway analysis showed that this curated list of somatic mutations is critically involved in cancer-related pathways, viral carcinogenesis, and signaling pathways. Lastly, we addressed the future directions of HCC research as more NGS datasets become available. Conclusions Our review is a comprehensive resource for the current NGS research in HCC, consolidating published articles, potential gene candidates, and their related biological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitai Huang
- Computational and Systems Biology, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore 138672, Singapore.,Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117456, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Anders Jacobsen Skanderup
- Computational and Systems Biology, Agency for Science Technology and Research, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Caroline G Lee
- Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117456, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore.,Division of Medical Sciences, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Singapore 169547, Singapore
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33
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Yang L, Ye S, Zhao X, Ji L, Zhang Y, Zhou P, Sun J, Guan Y, Han Y, Ni C, Hu X, Liu W, Wang H, Zhou B, Huang J. Molecular Characterization of HBV DNA Integration in Patients with Hepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Cancer 2018; 9:3225-3235. [PMID: 30271481 PMCID: PMC6160693 DOI: 10.7150/jca.26052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Viral DNA integration into the host cell genome is a key mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the molecular characterization and the potential clinical implications of HBV DNA integration into patients suffering from different hepatitis and HCC remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed HBV integrations in patients with hepatitis B and HCC using HBV probe-based capturing and next-generation sequencing. The results revealed that the sizes of the HBV integrations ranged from 28 bp to 3215 bp, including the full-length HBV DNA sequence. The integration breakpoints were preferentially distributed in the viral enhancer, X protein, and core protein regions of the HBV genome. The number of HBV integrations followed an increasing trend from hepatitis to HCC, which was positively correlated with the HBV virus load in patients with hepatitis. The number of HBV integrations in the HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B group was significantly greater than that in the other hepatitis B groups (P < 0.05). However, the relative abundance of HBV integrations was significantly higher in HCC tissues than in the adjacent liver tissues. Interestingly, 61.6% (8/13) of HBV-human DNA integration fragments could be detected at the RNA level. Our results also showed that HBV integration-targeted genes (ITGs) were significantly enriched in many cancer-related pathways, such as MAPK, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, and the hedgehog signaling pathway. Individuals with HBV integrations exhibited shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) than those without HBV integrations in some ITGs including LINC00293 (long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 293; DFS P = 0.008, OS P = 0.009), FSHB (follicle stimulating hormone beta subunit; DFS P = 0.05, OS P = 0.186), and LPHN3 (latrophilin-3; DFS P = 0.493, OS P = 0.033). This study determined the underlying mechanism of HBV DNA integration in liver diseases and laid the foundation for future studies on the pathogenesis of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province and Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical Colleg, Shang Tang Road 158, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, P. R China
| | - Song Ye
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Qing Chun Road 79, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Liyan Ji
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Yinxin Zhang
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Pingyu Zhou
- STD Institute, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Sun
- STD Institute, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanfang Guan
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Yingxin Han
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai. Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.,Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Chao Ni
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province and Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical Colleg, Shang Tang Road 158, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, P. R China
| | - Xiaoge Hu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province and Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical Colleg, Shang Tang Road 158, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, P. R China
| | - Weilong Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, 518112, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, 518112, China
| | - Boping Zhou
- Shenzhen People's Hospital, Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University. Shenzhen, 518109, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai. Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.,Shenzhen People's Hospital, Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University. Shenzhen, 518109, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, 518112, China
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34
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Lee WY, Bachtiar M, Choo CCS, Lee CG. Comprehensive review of Hepatitis B Virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma research through text mining and big data analytics. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 94:353-367. [PMID: 30105774 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PubMed was text mined to glean insights into the role of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from the massive number of publications (9249) available to date. Reports from ∼70 countries identified >1300 human genes associated with either the Core, Surface or X gene in HBV-associated HCC. One hundred and forty-three of these host genes, which can potentially yield 1180 biomolecular interactions, each were reported in at least three different publications to be associated with the same HBV. These 143 genes function in 137 pathways, involved mainly in the cell cycle, apoptosis, inflammation and signalling. Fourteen of these molecules, primarily transcriptional regulators or kinases, play roles in several pathways pertinent to the hallmarks of cancers. 'Chronic' was the most frequent word used across the 9249 abstracts. A key event in chronic HBV infection is the integration of HBV into the host genome. The advent of cost-effective, next-generation sequencing technology facilitated the employment of big-data analytics comprehensively to characterize HBV-host integration within HCC patients. A total of 5331 integration events were reported across seven publications, with most of these integrations observed between the Core/X gene and the introns of genes. Nearly one-quarter of the intergenic integrations are within repeats, especially long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE) repeats. Integrations within 13 genes were each reported by at least three different studies. The human gene with the most HBV integrations observed is the TERT gene where a total of 224 integrations, primarily at its promoter and within the tumour tissue, were reported by six of seven publications. This unique review, which employs state-of-the-art text-mining and data-analytics tools, represents the most complete, systematic and comprehensive review of nearly all the publications associated with HBV-associated HCC research. It provides important resources to either focus future research or develop therapeutic strategies to target key molecules reported to play important roles in key pathways of HCC, through the systematic analyses of the commonly reported molecules associated with the various HBV genes in HCC, including information about the interactions amongst these commonly reported molecules, the pathways in which they reside as well as detailed information regarding the viral and host genes associated with HBV integration in HCC patients. Hence this review, which highlights pathways and key human genes associated with HBV in HCC, may facilitate the deeper elucidation of the role of HBV in hepato-carcinogenesis, potentially leading to timely intervention against this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Yeow Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Maulana Bachtiar
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,Division of Medical Sciences, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Cheryl C S Choo
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,Division of Medical Sciences, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Caroline G Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore.,Division of Medical Sciences, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169610, Singapore.,Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore, 169547, Singapore
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35
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Budzinska MA, Shackel NA, Urban S, Tu T. Cellular Genomic Sites of Hepatitis B Virus DNA Integration. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E365. [PMID: 30037029 PMCID: PMC6071206 DOI: 10.3390/genes9070365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is one of the strongest risk-factors for liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC). One of the reported drivers of HCC is the integration of HBV DNA into the host cell genome, which may induce pro-carcinogenic pathways. These reported pathways include: induction of chromosomal instability; generation of insertional mutagenesis in key cancer-associated genes; transcription of downstream cancer-associated cellular genes; and/or formation of a persistent source of viral protein expression (particularly HBV surface and X proteins). The contribution of each of these specific mechanisms towards carcinogenesis is currently unclear. Here, we review the current knowledge of specific sites of HBV DNA integration into the host genome, which sheds light on these mechanisms. We give an overview of previously-used methods to detect HBV DNA integration and the enrichment of integration events in specific functional and structural cellular genomic sites. Finally, we posit a theoretical model of HBV DNA integration during disease progression and highlight open questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas A Shackel
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2050, Australia.
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia.
- Gastroenterology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia.
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg Hospital University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Tu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg Hospital University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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36
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An P, Xu J, Yu Y, Winkler CA. Host and Viral Genetic Variation in HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Genet 2018; 9:261. [PMID: 30073017 PMCID: PMC6060371 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths globally. The high prevalence of HCC is due in part to the high prevalence of chronic HBV infection and the high mortality rate is due to the lack of biomarkers for early detection and limited treatment options for late stage HCC. The observed individual variance in development of HCC is attributable to differences in HBV genotype and mutations, host predisposing germline genetic variations, the acquisition of tumor-specific somatic mutations, as well as environmental factors. HBV genotype C and mutations in the preS, basic core promoter (BCP) or HBx regions are associated with an increased risk of HCC. Genome-wide association studies have identified common polymorphisms in KIF1B, HLA-DQ, STAT4, and GRIK1 with altered risk of HBV-related HCC. HBV integration into growth control genes (such as TERT), pro-oncogenic genes, or tumor suppressor genes and the oncogenic activity of truncated HBx promote hepatocarcinogenesis. Somatic mutations in the TERT promoter and classic cancer signaling pathways, including Wnt (CTNNB1), cell cycle regulation (TP53), and epigenetic modification (ARID2 and MLL4) are frequently detected in hepatic tumor tissues. The identification of HBV and host variation associated with tumor initiation and progression has clinical utility for improving early diagnosis and prognosis; whereas the identification of somatic mutations driving tumorigenesis hold promise to inform precision treatment for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping An
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Jinghang Xu
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, United States.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanyan Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Cheryl A Winkler
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, United States
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37
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Larsson SB, Tripodi G, Raimondo G, Saitta C, Norkrans G, Pollicino T, Lindh M. Integration of hepatitis B virus DNA in chronically infected patients assessed by Alu-PCR. J Med Virol 2018; 90:1568-1575. [PMID: 29797342 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the main risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Integration of HBV DNA into the human genome has been found in >80% of HBV-related HCC cases. Some studies have, however, found similar integration patterns in tumorous and nontumorous tissues. Thus, the role of integrations for the development of HCC as well as the rate of integration in different stages of infection remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate integrations in patients without HCC, representing different stages of chronic HBV (CHB) infection. Extracted DNA in liver biopsies from 74 patients (one with 2 available biopsies) with CHB infection was analyzed by Alu-PCR. Amplicons were further analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Integration was detected in 39 biopsies (52%) as an amplicon containing both human and HBV sequences by Alu-PCR with one primer targeting a region in the HBV genome. Integrations were found in patients representing the different stages of CHB infection. A majority of the HBV sequences were located upstream or downstream of nucleotide position 1820, which previously has been identified as a common breakpoint in the HBV genome in integrated sequences. Approximately 60% of the HBV integrations were found in noncoding regions of the human genome. Integrations of HBV DNA into the human genome is an event frequently found in mild phases of chronic hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon B Larsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gianluca Tripodi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Saitta
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gunnar Norkrans
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Teresa Pollicino
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Magnus Lindh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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38
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Furuta M, Tanaka H, Shiraishi Y, Unida T, Imamura M, Fujimoto A, Fujita M, Sasaki-Oku A, Maejima K, Nakano K, Kawakami Y, Arihiro K, Aikata H, Ueno M, Hayami S, Ariizumi SI, Yamamoto M, Gotoh K, Ohdan H, Yamaue H, Miyano S, Chayama K, Nakagawa H. Characterization of HBV integration patterns and timing in liver cancer and HBV-infected livers. Oncotarget 2018; 9:25075-25088. [PMID: 29861854 PMCID: PMC5982772 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Integration of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) into the human genome can cause genetic instability, leading to selective advantages for HBV-induced liver cancer. Despite the large number of studies for HBV integration into liver cancer, little is known about the mechanism of initial HBV integration events owing to the limitations of materials and detection methods. We conducted an HBV sequence capture, followed by ultra-deep sequencing, to screen for HBV integrations in 111 liver samples from human-hepatocyte chimeric mice with HBV infection and human clinical samples containing 42 paired samples from non-tumorous and tumorous liver tissues. The HBV infection model using chimeric mice verified the efficiency of our HBV-capture analysis and demonstrated that HBV integration could occur 23 to 49 days after HBV infection via microhomology-mediated end joining and predominantly in mitochondrial DNA. Overall HBV integration sites in clinical samples were significantly enriched in regions annotated as exhibiting open chromatin, a high level of gene expression, and early replication timing in liver cells. These data indicate that HBV integration in liver tissue was biased according to chromatin accessibility, with additional selection pressures in the gene promoters of tumor samples. Moreover, an integrative analysis using paired non-tumorous and tumorous samples and HBV-related transcriptional change revealed the involvement of TERT and MLL4 in clonal selection. We also found frequent and non-tumorous liver-specific HBV integrations in FN1 and HBV-FN1 fusion transcript. Extensive survey of HBV integrations facilitates and improves the understanding of the timing and biology of HBV integration during infection and HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayuko Furuta
- Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiroko Tanaka
- Laboratory of DNA Information Analysis, Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yuichi Shiraishi
- Laboratory of DNA Information Analysis, Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Takuro Unida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Michio Imamura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Akihiro Fujimoto
- Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Masahi Fujita
- Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Aya Sasaki-Oku
- Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Maejima
- Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kaoru Nakano
- Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yoshiiku Kawakami
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Koji Arihiro
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Aikata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Masaki Ueno
- Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8510, Japan
| | - Shinya Hayami
- Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8510, Japan
| | - Shun-Ichi Ariizumi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan
| | - Masakazu Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan
| | - Kunihito Gotoh
- Department of Surgery, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka 537-8511, Japan
| | - Hideki Ohdan
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yamaue
- Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama 641-8510, Japan
| | - Satoru Miyano
- Laboratory of DNA Information Analysis, Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Chayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hidewaki Nakagawa
- Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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Freitas N, Lukash T, Gunewardena S, Chappell B, Slagle BL, Gudima SO. Relative Abundance of Integrant-Derived Viral RNAs in Infected Tissues Harvested from Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Carriers. J Virol 2018; 92:e02221-17. [PMID: 29491161 PMCID: PMC5923063 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02221-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Five matching sets of nonmalignant liver tissues and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples from individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) were examined. The HBV genomic sequences were determined by using overlapping PCR amplicons covering the entire viral genome. Four pairs of tissues were infected with HBV genotype C, while one pair was infected with HBV genotype B. HBV replication markers were found in all tissues. In the majority of HCC samples, the levels of pregenomic/precore RNA (pgRNA) and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) were lower than those in liver tissue counterparts. Regardless of the presence of HBV replication markers, (i) integrant-derived HBV RNAs (id-RNAs) were found in all tissues by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis and were considerably abundant or predominant in 6/10 tissue samples (2 liver and 4 HCC samples), (ii) RNAs that were polyadenylated using the cryptic HBV polyadenylation signal and therefore could be produced by HBV replication or derived from integrated HBV DNA were found in 5/10 samples (3 liver and 2 HCC samples) and were considerably abundant species in 3/10 tissues (2 livers and 1 HCC), and (iii) cccDNA-transcribed RNAs polyadenylated near position 1931 were not abundant in 7/10 tissues (2 liver and 5 HCC samples) and were predominant in only two liver samples. Subsequent RNA sequencing analysis of selected liver/HCC samples also showed relative abundance of id-RNAs in most of the examined tissues. Our findings suggesting that id-RNAs could represent a significant source of HBV envelope proteins, which is independent of viral replication, are discussed in the context of the possible contribution of id-RNAs to the HBV life cycle.IMPORTANCE The relative abundance of integrant-derived HBV RNAs (id-RNAs) in chronically infected tissues suggest that id-RNAs coding for the envelope proteins may facilitate the production of a considerable fraction of surface antigens (HBsAg) in infected cells bearing HBV integrants. If the same cells support HBV replication, then a significant fraction of assembled HBV virions could bear id-RNA-derived HBsAg as a major component of their envelopes. Therefore, the infectivity of these HBV virions and their ability to facilitate virus cell-to-cell spread could be determined mainly by the properties of id-RNA-derived envelope proteins and not by the properties of replication-derived HBsAg. These interpretations suggest that id-RNAs may play a role in the maintenance of chronic HBV infection and therefore contribute to the HBV life cycle. Furthermore, the production of HBsAg from id-RNAs independently of viral replication may explain at least in part why treatment with interferon or nucleos(t)ides in most cases fails to achieve a loss of serum HBsAg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Freitas
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Tetyana Lukash
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Sumedha Gunewardena
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Benjamin Chappell
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Betty L Slagle
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Severin O Gudima
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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40
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Naimimohasses S, El Sherif O, Ashfaq M, Nolan N, Iqbal M, McKiernan S, Norris S. Spontaneous Hepatitis B Seroclearance upon Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Case Rep Gastroenterol 2018; 11:797-802. [PMID: 29606938 PMCID: PMC5875296 DOI: 10.1159/000484660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The spontaneous seroclearance of hepatitis B upon development of a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is extremely rare. To date, there has been one published case series reporting hepatitis B seroconversion following HCC resection. We describe two novel cases of spontaneous hepatitis B seroclearance following the development of HCC, prior to resection. Following resection, specimens were HBsAg- and HBcAg-negative in both tumor and peritumor tissues. Although the precise mechanism of this is poorly understood, nonuniform integration of hepatitis B virus DNA within the liver could lead to selective tumorigenesis of HBsAg-producing cells, explaining the observed clearance of serum HBsAg with the development of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Omar El Sherif
- Department of Hepatology, St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mohammad Ashfaq
- Department of Hepatology, St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh Nolan
- Department of Hepatology, St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Masood Iqbal
- Department of Hepatology, St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Susan McKiernan
- Department of Hepatology, St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Suzanne Norris
- Department of Hepatology, St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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41
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Tuna M, Amos CI. Next generation sequencing and its applications in HPV-associated cancers. Oncotarget 2018; 8:8877-8889. [PMID: 27784002 PMCID: PMC5352450 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 18% of all human cancers have a viral etiology, and human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as one of the most prevalent viruses that plays causative role in nearly all cervical cancers and, in addition, in subset of head and neck, anal, penile and vulvar cancers. The recent introduction of next generation sequencing (NGS) and other omics approaches have resulted in comprehensive knowledge on the pathogenesis of HPV-driven tumors. Specifically, these approaches have provided detailed information on genomic HPV integration sites, disrupted genes and pathways, and common and distinct genetic and epigenetic alterations in different human HPV-associated cancers. This review focuses on HPV integration sites, its concomitantly disrupted genes and pathways and its functional consequences in both cervical and head and neck cancers. Integration of NGS data with other omics and clinical data is crucial to better understand the pathophysiology of each individual malignancy and, based on this, to select targets and to design effective personalized treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musaffe Tuna
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon
| | - Christopher I Amos
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon
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42
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Oxidative stress, a trigger of hepatitis C and B virus-induced liver carcinogenesis. Oncotarget 2018; 8:3895-3932. [PMID: 27965466 PMCID: PMC5354803 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Virally induced liver cancer usually evolves over long periods of time in the context of a strongly oxidative microenvironment, characterized by chronic liver inflammation and regeneration processes. They ultimately lead to oncogenic mutations in many cellular signaling cascades that drive cell growth and proliferation. Oxidative stress, induced by hepatitis viruses, therefore is one of the factors that drives the neoplastic transformation process in the liver. This review summarizes current knowledge on oxidative stress and oxidative stress responses induced by human hepatitis B and C viruses. It focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which these viruses activate cellular enzymes/systems that generate or scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and control cellular redox homeostasis. The impact of an altered cellular redox homeostasis on the initiation and establishment of chronic viral infection, as well as on the course and outcome of liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis will be discussed The review neither discusses reactive nitrogen species, although their metabolism is interferes with that of ROS, nor antioxidants as potential therapeutic remedies against viral infections, both subjects meriting an independent review.
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43
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Tornesello ML, Buonaguro L, Izzo F, Buonaguro FM. Molecular alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections. Oncotarget 2018; 7:25087-102. [PMID: 26943571 PMCID: PMC5041890 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infections with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C viruses (HCV) are the leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Both viruses encode multifunctional regulatory proteins activating several oncogenic pathways, which induce accumulation of multiple genetic alterations in the infected hepatocytes. Gene mutations in HBV- and HCV-induced HCCs frequently impair the TP53, Wnt/b-catenin, RAS/RAF/MAPK kinase and AKT/mTOR pathways, which represent important anti-cancer targets. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of primary liver cancer, with particular emphasis on the host genetic variations identified by high-throughput technologies. In addition, we discuss the importance of genetic alterations, such as mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter, for the diagnosis, prognosis, and tumor stratification for development of more effective treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Department of Research, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale" - IRCCS, Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Department of Research, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale" - IRCCS, Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Hepato-Biliary Surgery Department, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale" - IRCCS, Napoli, Italy
| | - Franco M Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Department of Research, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale" - IRCCS, Napoli, Italy
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44
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A Novel Long Non-Coding RNA in the hTERT Promoter Region Regulates hTERT Expression. Noncoding RNA 2017; 4:ncrna4010001. [PMID: 29657298 PMCID: PMC5890388 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna4010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel antisense transcript was identified in the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter region, suggesting that the hTERT promoter is bidirectional. This transcript, named hTERT antisense promoter-associated (hTAPAS) RNA, is a 1.6 kb long non-coding RNA. hTAPAS transcription is initiated 167 nucleotides upstream of the hTERT transcription start site and is present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Surprisingly, we observed that a large fraction of the hTERT polyadenylated RNA is localized in the nucleus, suggesting this might be an additional means of regulating the cellular abundance of hTERT protein. Both hTAPAS and hTERT are expressed in immortalized B-cells and human embryonic stem cells but are not detected in normal somatic cells. hTAPAS expression inversely correlates with hTERT expression in different types of cancer samples. Moreover, hTAPAS expression is not promoted by an hTERT promoter mutation (-124 C>T). Antisense-oligonucleotide mediated knockdown of hTAPAS results in an increase in hTERT expression. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of hTAPAS down regulates hTERT expression, suggesting a negative role in hTERT gene regulation. These observations provide insights into hTAPAS as a novel player that negatively regulates hTERT expression and may be involved in telomere length homeostasis.
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45
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Yang X, Wu L, Lin J, Wang A, Wan X, Wu Y, Robson SC, Sang X, Zhao H. Distinct hepatitis B virus integration patterns in hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent normal liver tissue. Int J Cancer 2017; 140:1324-1330. [PMID: 27943263 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the main etiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). During chronic infection, HBV DNA can integrate into the human genome, and this has been postulated as a possible mechanism of HBV-induced HCC. In this study we used 2199 HBV integration sites from Dr.VIS v2.0 and mapped them to the human genome (hg19) to obtain viral integration sites (VIS) related to protein-coding and non-protein-coding genes. In total, we found 1,377 and 767 VIS within close proximity to protein coding genes and noncoding genes, respectively. Genes affected more than two times included 23.1% of protein-coding genes and 24.7% of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA). Only 4.8% of VIS were shared between HCC and non-tumor tissues. HBV integrations were more common in chromosomes 5, 8, 10, and 19 in HCC tissue and chromosomes 1 and 2 in non-tumorous tissue. The number of integration sites on each chromosome correlated with the number of fragile sites in non-tumorous tissue but not in HCC tissue. Functional enrichment analysis of the protein-coding genes containing or in close proximity to HBV integration sites in HCC tissue showed an enrichment of cancer related gene ontology terms. Additionally, the most frequently associated lncRNA genes were related to telomere maintenance, protein modification processes, and chromosome localization. Thus, HBV may have preferred integration sites in the human genome that serve a critical role in HCC development. These results show that HCC treatment may benefit from the development of next generation anti-viral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Liangcai Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Jianzhen Lin
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Anqiang Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Xueshuai Wan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Medicine, Liver Center and The Transplant Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Department of Surgery, Liver Center and The Transplant Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Simon C Robson
- Department of Medicine, Liver Center and The Transplant Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Department of Surgery, Liver Center and The Transplant Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Xinting Sang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China.,Center of Translational Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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46
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Ghouri YA, Mian I, Rowe JH. Review of hepatocellular carcinoma: Epidemiology, etiology, and carcinogenesis. J Carcinog 2017; 16:1. [PMID: 28694740 PMCID: PMC5490340 DOI: 10.4103/jcar.jcar_9_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 505] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the 1970s, the epidemic of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has spread beyond the Eastern Asian predominance and has been increasing in Northern hemisphere, especially in the United States (US) and Western Europe. It occurs more commonly in males in the fourth and fifth decades of life. Among all cancers, HCC is one of the fastest growing causes of death in the US and poses a significant economic burden on healthcare. Chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus and alcohol accounts for the majority of HCC cases. Incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been on the risem and it has also been associated with the development of HCC. Its pathogenesis varies based on the underlying etiological factor although majority of cases develop in the setting of background cirrhosis. Carcinogenesis of HCC includes angiogenesis, chronic inflammation, and tumor macroenvironment and microenvironment. There is a significant role of both intrinsic genetic risk factors and extrinsic influences such as alcohol or viral infections that lead to the development of HCC. Understanding its etiopathogenesis helps select appropriate diagnostic tests and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yezaz Ahmed Ghouri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Idrees Mian
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie H Rowe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
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47
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The spatial organization of intra-tumour heterogeneity and evolutionary trajectories of metastases in hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Commun 2017; 8:4565. [PMID: 28240289 PMCID: PMC5333358 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has one of the poorest survival rates among cancers. Using multi-regional sampling of nine resected HCC with different aetiologies, here we construct phylogenetic relationships of these sectors, showing diverse levels of genetic sharing, spanning early to late diversification. Unlike the variegated pattern found in colorectal cancers, a large proportion of HCC display a clear isolation-by-distance pattern where spatially closer sectors are genetically more similar. Two resected intra-hepatic metastases showed genetic divergence occurring before and after primary tumour diversification, respectively. Metastatic tumours had much higher variability than their primary tumours, suggesting that intra-hepatic metastasis is accompanied by rapid diversification at the distant location. The presence of co-existing mutations offers the possibility of drug repositioning for HCC treatment. Taken together, these insights into intra-tumour heterogeneity allow for a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary trajectories of HCC and suggest novel avenues for personalized therapy.
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48
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Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Exhibits Dominant Control of the Tumor Genome and Transcriptome in Virus-Associated Merkel Cell Carcinoma. mBio 2017; 8:mBio.02079-16. [PMID: 28049147 PMCID: PMC5210499 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02079-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus is the primary etiological agent of the aggressive skin cancer Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Recent studies have revealed that UV radiation is the primary mechanism for somatic mutagenesis in nonviral forms of MCC. Here, we analyze the whole transcriptomes and genomes of primary MCC tumors. Our study reveals that virus-associated tumors have minimally altered genomes compared to non-virus-associated tumors, which are dominated by UV-mediated mutations. Although virus-associated tumors contain relatively small mutation burdens, they exhibit a distinct mutation signature with observable transcriptionally biased kataegic events. In addition, viral integration sites overlap focal genome amplifications in virus-associated tumors, suggesting a potential mechanism for these events. Collectively, our studies indicate that Merkel cell polyomavirus is capable of hijacking cellular processes and driving tumorigenesis to the same severity as tens of thousands of somatic genome alterations. A variety of mutagenic processes that shape the evolution of tumors are critical determinants of disease outcome. Here, we sequenced the entire genome of virus-positive and virus-negative primary Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs), revealing distinct mutation spectra and corresponding expression profiles. Our studies highlight the strong effect that Merkel cell polyomavirus has on the divergent development of viral MCC compared to the somatic alterations that typically drive nonviral tumorigenesis. A more comprehensive understanding of the distinct mutagenic processes operative in viral and nonviral MCCs has implications for the effective treatment of these tumors.
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49
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Niu ZS, Niu XJ, Wang WH. Genetic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma: An update. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:9069-9095. [PMID: 27895396 PMCID: PMC5107590 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i41.9069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although recent advances in therapeutic approaches for treating HCC have improved the prognoses of patients with HCC, this cancer is still associated with a poor survival rate mainly due to late diagnosis. Therefore, a diagnosis must be made sufficiently early to perform curative and effective treatments. There is a need for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of HCC because these mechanisms are critical for making early diagnoses and developing novel therapeutic strategies. Over the past decade, much progress has been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatocarcinogenesis. In particular, recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have revealed numerous genetic alterations, including recurrently mutated genes and dysregulated signaling pathways in HCC. A better understanding of the genetic alterations in HCC could contribute to identifying potential driver mutations and discovering novel therapeutic targets in the future. In this article, we summarize the current advances in research on the genetic alterations, including genomic instability, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, somatic mutations and deregulated signaling pathways, implicated in the initiation and progression of HCC. We also attempt to elucidate some of the genetic mechanisms that contribute to making early diagnoses of and developing molecularly targeted therapies for HCC.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Genomic Instability
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Mutation
- Patient Selection
- Phenotype
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Precision Medicine
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Signal Transduction
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50
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Zhang AY, Lai CL, Poon RTP, Huang FY, Seto WK, Fung J, Wong DKH, Yuen MF. Hepatitis B virus full-length genomic mutations and quasispecies in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 31:1638-45. [PMID: 26905957 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.13316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Hepatitis B virus (HBV) full-length genomic mutations and quasispecies characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated. METHODS Hepatitis B virus DNA was extracted from the tumor and non-tumor tissues of 16 HCC patients. Overlapping DNA fragments covering the entire HBV genome were amplified and sequenced. To study HBV sequence at the quasispecies level, the preS region was amplified and clonally sequenced. HBV mutation profiles, quasispecies complexity and diversity, and phylogenetic characteristics were assessed. RESULTS Fourteen patients had full-length HBV amplification. Hot-spot mutations at HBx aa130-131 and pre-S deletions were detected in 13 (93%) and 6 (43%) patients, respectively. Deletions in the X/preC/C regions were more frequently detected in the tumor than in the non-tumor tissues (P = 0.031). Compared with the non-tumor tissues, the tumor tissues had a lower quasispecies complexity (P = 0.014 and 0.043, at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively) and diversity (P = 0.048 and 0.022, at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis showed that HBV sequences derived from tumor and non-tumor tissues were separately clustered, suggesting the occurrence of compartmentalization, which was confirmed by the correlation coefficient testing on both the number and length of branches of viral populations (all P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis B virus mutation patterns in HCC tumor tissues and non-tumor tissues were different. HBV quasispecies within the preS region were compartmentalized, and tumor tissues had a lower genome complexity and diversity. Our study suggests HBV evolution is conditioned by the differential host cellular environment in HCC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Ye Zhang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ching-Lung Lai
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ronnie Tung-Ping Poon
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fung-Yu Huang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - James Fung
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Danny Ka-Ho Wong
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Man-Fung Yuen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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