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Pierce BG, Felbinger N, Metcalf M, Toth EA, Ofek G, Fuerst TR. Hepatitis C Virus E1E2 Structure, Diversity, and Implications for Vaccine Development. Viruses 2024; 16:803. [PMID: 38793684 PMCID: PMC11125608 DOI: 10.3390/v16050803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major medical health burden and the leading cause of chronic liver disease and cancer worldwide. More than 58 million people are chronically infected with HCV, with 1.5 million new infections occurring each year. An effective HCV vaccine is a major public health and medical need as recognized by the World Health Organization. However, due to the high variability of the virus and its ability to escape the immune response, HCV rapidly accumulates mutations, making vaccine development a formidable challenge. An effective vaccine must elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) in a consistent fashion. After decades of studies from basic research through clinical development, the antigen of choice is considered the E1E2 envelope glycoprotein due to conserved, broadly neutralizing antigenic domains located in the constituent subunits of E1, E2, and the E1E2 heterodimeric complex itself. The challenge has been elicitation of robust humoral and cellular responses leading to broad virus neutralization due to the relatively low immunogenicity of this antigen. In view of this challenge, structure-based vaccine design approaches to stabilize key antigenic domains have been hampered due to the lack of E1E2 atomic-level resolution structures to guide them. Another challenge has been the development of a delivery platform in which a multivalent form of the antigen can be presented in order to elicit a more robust anti-HCV immune response. Recent nanoparticle vaccines are gaining prominence in the field due to their ability to facilitate a controlled multivalent presentation and trafficking to lymph nodes, where they can interact with both the cellular and humoral components of the immune system. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the E1E2 heterodimeric structure to facilitate a rational design approach and the potential for development of a multivalent nanoparticle-based HCV E1E2 vaccine. Both aspects are considered important in the development of an effective HCV vaccine that can effectively address viral diversity and escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G. Pierce
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Nathaniel Felbinger
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Matthew Metcalf
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Eric A. Toth
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
| | - Gilad Ofek
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Thomas R. Fuerst
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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Ogega CO, Skinner NE, Schoenle MV, Wilcox XE, Frumento N, Wright DA, Paul HT, Sinnis-Bourozikas A, Clark KE, Figueroa A, Bjorkman PJ, Ray SC, Flyak AI, Bailey JR. Convergent evolution and targeting of diverse E2 epitopes by human broadly neutralizing antibodies are associated with HCV clearance. Immunity 2024; 57:890-903.e6. [PMID: 38518779 PMCID: PMC11247618 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The early appearance of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) in serum is associated with spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance, but to date, the majority of bNAbs have been isolated from chronically infected donors. Most of these bNAbs use the VH1-69 gene segment and target the envelope glycoprotein E2 front layer. Here, we performed longitudinal B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire analysis on an elite neutralizer who spontaneously cleared multiple HCV infections. We isolated 10,680 E2-reactive B cells, performed BCR sequencing, characterized monoclonal B cell cultures, and isolated bNAbs. In contrast to what has been seen in chronically infected donors, the bNAbs used a variety of VH genes and targeted at least three distinct E2 antigenic sites, including sites previously thought to be non-neutralizing. Diverse front-layer-reactive bNAb lineages evolved convergently, acquiring breadth-enhancing somatic mutations. These findings demonstrate that HCV clearance-associated bNAbs are genetically diverse and bind distinct antigenic sites that should be the target of vaccine-induced bNAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton O Ogega
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicole E Skinner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Marta V Schoenle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Xander E Wilcox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Frumento
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Desiree A Wright
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Harry T Paul
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ariadne Sinnis-Bourozikas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kaitlyn E Clark
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexis Figueroa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pamela J Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Stuart C Ray
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew I Flyak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Justin R Bailey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Lin SH, Wu KT, Wang CC, Huang KT, Hsu LW, Eng HL, Chiu KW. Immune Responses to Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies during Pre-Liver Transplantation Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Recipients Associated with Post-Liver Transplantation Allograft Injury. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:7. [PMID: 38247571 PMCID: PMC10801541 DOI: 10.3390/antib13010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The impact of antibody responses following direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected recipients before and after liver transplantation (LT) is still undetermined. METHODS In this observational cohort study, we aimed to explore the association between changes in anti-HCV antibody titers following pre-LT DAA therapy and allograft injury, including biliary complications (BCs) and acute cellular rejection (ACR). RESULTS A total of 153 cases were enrolled from January 2015 to February 2021. Serum anti-HCV antibody titers were assessed before and after (day 30) LT. Among all recipients, 31/153 (20.3%) had pre-LT DAA therapy (the DAA group) and 122/153 (79.7%) did not undergo pre-LT DAA therapy (the DAA-naïve group). A higher incidence of post-LT BCs was observed in the DAA group (p = 0.028). Compared with the DAA-naïve group, the DAA group had a significantly higher mean level of anti-HCV titer upregulation (p = 0.0024); furthermore, among the recipients with BCs (n = 28) and ACR (n = 41), those in the DAA group exhibited significantly higher mean levels of anti-HCV antibody titer upregulation (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we speculate that the upregulation of anti-HCV antibody titers, which might have been induced via the restoration of HCV-specific immune responses through pre-LT DAA therapy, was associated with post-LT allograft injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Hsien Lin
- Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (K.-T.H.); (L.-W.H.); (H.-L.E.)
| | - Kun-Ta Wu
- E-Da Healthcare Group, E-Da Hospital, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan;
| | - Chih-Chi Wang
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (K.-T.H.); (L.-W.H.); (H.-L.E.)
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Tzu Huang
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (K.-T.H.); (L.-W.H.); (H.-L.E.)
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Li-Wen Hsu
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (K.-T.H.); (L.-W.H.); (H.-L.E.)
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - Hock-Liew Eng
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (K.-T.H.); (L.-W.H.); (H.-L.E.)
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
| | - King-Wah Chiu
- Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (C.-C.W.); (K.-T.H.); (L.-W.H.); (H.-L.E.)
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
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Metcalf MC, Janus BM, Yin R, Wang R, Guest JD, Pozharski E, Law M, Mariuzza RA, Toth EA, Pierce BG, Fuerst TR, Ofek G. Structure of engineered hepatitis C virus E1E2 ectodomain in complex with neutralizing antibodies. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3980. [PMID: 37407593 PMCID: PMC10322937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39659-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major global health burden as the leading causative agent of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. While the main antigenic target for HCV-neutralizing antibodies is the membrane-associated E1E2 surface glycoprotein, the development of effective vaccines has been hindered by complications in the biochemical preparation of soluble E1E2 ectodomains. Here, we present a cryo-EM structure of an engineered, secreted E1E2 ectodomain of genotype 1b in complex with neutralizing antibodies AR4A, HEPC74, and IGH520. Structural characterization of the E1 subunit and C-terminal regions of E2 reveal an overall architecture of E1E2 that concurs with that observed for non-engineered full-length E1E2. Analysis of the AR4A epitope within a region of E2 that bridges between the E2 core and E1 defines the structural basis for its broad neutralization. Our study presents the structure of an E1E2 complex liberated from membrane via a designed scaffold, one that maintains all essential structural features of native E1E2. The study advances the understanding of the E1E2 heterodimer structure, crucial for the rational design of secreted E1E2 antigens in vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Metcalf
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin M Janus
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Rui Yin
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Johnathan D Guest
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Edwin Pozharski
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Roy A Mariuzza
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Eric A Toth
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Brian G Pierce
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Thomas R Fuerst
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Gilad Ofek
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
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Abstract
Recent advances aid the development of vaccines to prevent chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Offersgaard
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judith M Gottwein
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Yélamos MB, Díez C, Gómez J, Hontañón V, Torresano-Felipe F, Berenguer J, González-García J, Ibañez-Samaniego L, Llop E, Olveira A, Martínez J, Resino S, Martínez I. Negative impact of HIV infection on broad-spectrum anti-HCV neutralizing antibody titers in HCV-infected patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 150:113024. [PMID: 35483197 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The current study aimed to assess the impact of HIV on the production of anti-HCV antibodies in HCV-infected individuals with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis before and 36 weeks after the sustained virological response (SVR) induced by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy. METHODS Prospective study on 62 patients (50 HIV/HCV-coinfected and 12 HCV-monoinfected). Plasma anti-E2 and HCV-nAbs were determined respectively by ELISA and microneutralization assays. RESULTS At baseline, the HCV-group had higher anti-E2 levels against Gt1a (p = 0.012), Gt1b (p = 0.023), and Gt4a (p = 0.005) than the HIV/HCV-group. After SVR, anti-E2 titers against Gt1a (p < 0.001), Gt1b (p = 0.001), and Gt4a (p = 0.042) were also higher in the HCV-group than HIV/HCV-group. At 36 weeks post-SVR, plasma anti-E2 titers decreased between 1.3 and 1.9-fold in the HIV/HCV-group (p < 0.001) and between 1.5 and 1.8-fold in the HCV-group (p ≤ 0.001). At baseline, the HCV-group had higher titers of HCV-nAbs against Gt1a (p = 0.022), Gt1b (p = 0.002), Gt2a (p < 0.001), and Gt4a (p < 0.001) than the HIV/HCV-group. After SVR, HCV-nAbs titers against Gt1a (p = 0.014), Gt1b (p < 0.001), Gt2a (p = 0.002), and Gt4a (p = 0.004) were also higher in the HCV-group. At 36 weeks post-SVR, HCV-nAbs decreased between 2.6 and 4.1-fold in the HIV/HCV-group (p < 0.001) and between 1.9 and 4.0-fold in the HCV-group (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS HIV/HCV-coinfected patients produced lower levels of broad-spectrum anti-HCV antibodies than HCV-monoinfected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sepúlveda-Crespo
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Belén Yélamos
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Díez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas/VIH; Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julián Gómez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Hontañón
- Unidad de VIH; Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Torresano-Felipe
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Berenguer
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas/VIH; Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan González-García
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidad de VIH; Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Ibañez-Samaniego
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elva Llop
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Olveira
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Martínez
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Resino
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Isidoro Martínez
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Patel AM, Liu YS, Davies SP, Brown RM, Kelly DA, Scheel-Toellner D, Reynolds GM, Stamataki Z. The Role of B Cells in Adult and Paediatric Liver Injury. Front Immunol 2021; 12:729143. [PMID: 34630404 PMCID: PMC8495195 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.729143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
B lymphocytes are multitasking cells that direct the immune response by producing pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, by presenting processed antigen for T cell activation and co-stimulation, and by turning into antibody-secreting cells. These functions are important to control infection in the liver but can also exacerbate tissue damage and fibrosis as part of persistent inflammation that can lead to end stage disease requiring a transplant. In transplantation, immunosuppression increases the incidence of lymphoma and often this is of B cell origin. In this review we bring together information on liver B cell biology from different liver diseases, including alcohol-related and metabolic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary and primary sclerosing cholangitis, viral hepatitis and, in infants, biliary atresia. We also discuss the impact of B cell depletion therapy in the liver setting. Taken together, our analysis shows that B cells are important in the pathogenesis of liver diseases and that further research is necessary to fully characterise the human liver B cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arzoo M. Patel
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Yuxin S. Liu
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Scott P. Davies
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel M. Brown
- Department of Histopathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Deirdre A. Kelly
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Dagmar Scheel-Toellner
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gary M. Reynolds
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Zania Stamataki
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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8
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Thimme R. T cell immunity to hepatitis C virus: Lessons for a prophylactic vaccine. J Hepatol 2021; 74:220-229. [PMID: 33002569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is consensus that HCV-specific T cells play a central role in the outcome (clearance vs. persistence) of acute infection and that they contribute to protection against the establishment of persistence after reinfection. However, these T cells often fail and the virus can persist, largely as a result of T cell exhaustion and the emergence of viral escape mutations. Importantly, HCV cure by direct-acting antivirals does not lead to a complete reversion of T cell exhaustion and thus HCV reinfections can occur. The current lack of detailed knowledge about the immunological determinants of viral clearance, persistence and protective immunity is a major roadblock to the development of a prophylactic T cell vaccine. This minireview highlights the basic concepts of successful T cell immunity, major mechanisms of T cell failure and how our understanding of these concepts can be translated into a prophylactic vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Germany.
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9
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Kemming J, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C. Adaptive Immune Response against Hepatitis C Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165644. [PMID: 32781731 PMCID: PMC7460648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A functional adaptive immune response is the major determinant for clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, in the majority of patients, this response fails and persistent infection evolves. Here, we dissect the HCV-specific key players of adaptive immunity, namely B cells and T cells, and describe factors that affect infection outcome. Once chronic infection is established, continuous exposure to HCV antigens affects functionality, phenotype, transcriptional program, metabolism, and the epigenetics of the adaptive immune cells. In addition, viral escape mutations contribute to the failure of adaptive antiviral immunity. Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) can mediate HCV clearance in almost all patients with chronic HCV infection, however, defects in adaptive immune cell populations remain, only limited functional memory is obtained and reinfection of cured individuals is possible. Thus, to avoid potential reinfection and achieve global elimination of HCV infections, a prophylactic vaccine is needed. Recent vaccine trials could induce HCV-specific immunity but failed to protect from persistent infection. Thus, lessons from natural protection from persistent infection, DAA-mediated cure, and non-protective vaccination trials might lead the way to successful vaccination strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Kemming
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
| | - Christoph Neumann-Haefelin
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-761-270-32800
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