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Changes of Gut-Microbiota-Liver Axis in Hepatitis C Virus Infection. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10010055. [PMID: 33451143 PMCID: PMC7828638 DOI: 10.3390/biology10010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Gut microbiota alteration is linked to many health disorders including hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This dysbiosis in turn impacts the coordination between the gut and the liver that is known as the gut–liver-axis. Here, we discuss the latest findings regarding the changes in gut microbiota structure and functionality post HCV infection and its treatment regimens. In addition, we underline the contribution of the microbiota alterations to HCV associated liver complications. Abstract The gut–liver-axis is a bidirectional coordination between the gut, including microbial residents, the gut microbiota, from one side and the liver on the other side. Any disturbance in this crosstalk may lead to a disease status that impacts the functionality of both the gut and the liver. A major cause of liver disorders is hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection that has been illustrated to be associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis at different stages of the disease progression. This dysbiosis may start a cycle of inflammation and metabolic disturbance that impacts the gut and liver health and contributes to the disease progression. This review discusses the latest literature addressing this interplay between the gut microbiota and the liver in HCV infection from both directions. Additionally, we highlight the contribution of gut microbiota to the metabolism of antivirals used in HCV treatment regimens and the impact of these medications on the microbiota composition. This review sheds light on the potential of the gut microbiota manipulation as an alternative therapeutic approach to control the liver complications post HCV infection.
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Petrick JL, Florio AA, Koshiol J, Pfeiffer RM, Yang B, Yu K, Chen CJ, Yang HI, Lee MH, McGlynn KA. Prediagnostic concentrations of circulating bile acids and hepatocellular carcinoma risk: REVEAL-HBV and HCV studies. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:2743-2753. [PMID: 32406072 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the dominant histologic type of liver cancer, accounting for 75% of cases. Growing evidence suggests that the cross-talk between the gut microbiome and metabolome (ie, gut-liver axis) are related to the development of hepatic inflammation, and ultimately, HCC. Bile acids are metabolites, derived from cholesterol and synthesized in the liver, which may have a critical role in regulation of the gut-liver axis. We investigated whether prediagnostic circulating bile acids were associated with HCC risk, using the Risk Evaluation of Viral Load Elevation and Associated Liver Disease/Cancer (REVEAL)-Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and REVEAL-Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) cohorts from Taiwan. Fifteen bile acids were quantitated using liquid chromatography, from 185 cases and 161 matched controls in REVEAL-HBV and 96 cases and 96 matched controls in REVEAL-HCV. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between bile acid levels and HCC were calculated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression. Higher levels of glycine and taurine conjugated primary bile acids were associated with a 2- to 8-fold increased risk of HBV- (eg, glycocholic acid ORQ4vsQ1 = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.48-7.71, Ptrend < .003) and HCV-related HCC (eg, OR = 8.16, 95% CI: 2.21-30.18, Ptrend < .001). However, higher levels of the secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid were inversely associated with HBV-related HCC risk (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.19-0.88, Ptrend = .02). Our study provides evidence that higher concentrations of bile acids-specifically, conjugated primary bile acids-are associated with increased HCC risk. However, our study does not support the hypothesis that higher levels of secondary bile acids increase liver cancer risk; indeed, deoxycholic acid may be associated with a decreased HCC risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Petrick
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrea A Florio
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jill Koshiol
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ruth M Pfeiffer
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Baiyu Yang
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kelly Yu
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Chien-Jen Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwai-I Yang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hsuan Lee
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Katherine A McGlynn
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Lu X, Liu L, Shan W, Kong L, Chen N, Lou Y, Zeng S. The Role of the Sodium-taurocholate Co-transporting Polypeptide (NTCP) and Bile Salt Export Pump (BSEP) in Related Liver Disease. Curr Drug Metab 2019; 20:377-389. [PMID: 31258056 DOI: 10.2174/1389200220666190426152830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sodium Taurocholate Co-transporting Polypeptide (NTCP) and Bile Salt Export Pump (BSEP) play significant roles as membrane transporters because of their presence in the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts. They have emerged as promising drug targets in related liver disease. METHODS We reviewed the literature published over the last 20 years with a focus on NTCP and BSEP. RESULTS This review summarizes the current perception about structure, function, genetic variation, and regulation of NTCP and BSEP, highlights the effects of their defects in some hepatic disorders, and discusses the application prospect of new transcriptional activators in liver diseases. CONCLUSION NTCP and BSEP are important proteins for transportation and homeostasis maintenance of bile acids. Further research is needed to develop new models for determining the structure-function relationship of bile acid transporters and screening for substrates and inhibitors, as well as to gain more information about the regulatory genetic mechanisms involved in the processes of liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Lu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lin Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenya Shan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Limin Kong
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Na Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Lou
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Su Zeng
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
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Rau M, Schmitt J, Berg T, Kremer AE, Stieger B, Spanaus K, Bengsch B, Romero MR, Marin JJ, Keitel V, Klinker H, Tony HP, Müllhaupt B, Geier A. Serum IP-10 levels and increased DPPIV activity are linked to circulating CXCR3+ T cells in cholestatic HCV patients. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208225. [PMID: 30507970 PMCID: PMC6277069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Serum interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) is elevated in cholestatic liver diseases and predicts response to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (DPPIV) cleaves active IP-10 into an inactive form, which inhibits recruitment of CXCR3+ T cells to the liver. In this study the link between IP-10 levels, DPPIV activity in serum and CXCR3+ T cells is analysed in cholestatic and non-cholestatic liver patients. METHODS In serum DPPIV activity (by enzymatic assay), IP-10 (by ELISA) and bile acids (BA) (by enzymatic assay) were analysed in 229 naive HCV genotype (GT) 1 patients and in 16 patients with cholestatic liver disease. In a prospective follow-up (FU) cohort of 27 HCV GT 1 patients peripheral CD3+CXCR3+, CD4+CXCR3+ and CD8+CXCR3+ cells were measured by FACS. RESULTS In 229 HCV patients serum IP-10 levels correlated positively to DPPIV serum activity. Higher IP-10 levels and DPPIV activity were detected in cholestatic and in cirrhotic HCV patients. Increased IP-10 serum levels were associated with therapeutic non-response to antiviral treatment with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin. In the HCV FU cohort elevated IP-10 serum levels and increased BA were associated with higher frequencies of peripheral CD3+CXCR3+, CD4+CXCR3+ and CD8+CXCR3+ T cells. Positive correlation between serum IP-10 levels and DPPIV activity was likewise validated in patients with cholestatic liver diseases. CONCLUSIONS A strong correlation between elevated serum levels of IP-10 and DPPIV activity was seen in different cholestatic patient groups. Furthermore, in cholestatic HCV patients a functional link to increased numbers of peripheral CXCR3+ immune cells could be observed. The source of DPPIV release in cholestatic patients remains open.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Rau
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Schmitt
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas E. Kremer
- Department of Medicine I, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bruno Stieger
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Spanaus
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bertram Bengsch
- Department of Medicine II, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marta R. Romero
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting, CIBERehd, IBSAL, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jose J. Marin
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting, CIBERehd, IBSAL, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Verena Keitel
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty at Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hartwig Klinker
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Tony
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Beat Müllhaupt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Geier
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Enache EL, Sin A, Enache LS, Bancu L. Triplex High-Resolution Melting Assay for the Simultaneous Assessment of IFNL3 rs12979860, ABCB11 rs2287622, and RNF7 rs16851720 Genotypes in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients. J Mol Diagn 2017; 19:857-869. [PMID: 28860020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a leading cause of liver disease. Despite the improved efficacy of new antivirals, their high costs preclude their adoption in resource-limited settings, where CHC prevalence is highest. We developed a triplex high-resolution melting assay for the simultaneous assessment of three genetic polymorphisms related to the response to treatment and development of advanced fibrosis in CHC: IFNL3 rs12979860, ABCB11 rs2287622, and RNF7 rs16851720. We validated the assay in clinical samples from 130 CHC patients treated with classic therapy. The assay showed excellent reproducibility and 100% accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity against the gold standard Sanger sequencing. When added to routine examination data, genotype information significantly improved their performance for prediction of advanced liver fibrosis and sustained virological response (P = 0.041 and P = 0.011, respectively). Correspondingly, the full models had area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of 0.842 (95% CI, 0.773-0.911) and 0.921 (95% CI, 0.870-0.972) and integrated discrimination improvements of 7.5% (95% CI, 2.5%-12.5%; P = 0.003) and 11.5% (95% CI, 5.8%-17.2%; P < 0.001), respectively. This is the first report on a diagnostic test for simultaneous genotyping of IFNL3, ABCB11, and RNF7 in CHC patients. Reliable and inexpensive, the assay should provide useful information for the clinical management of CHC, like identification of patients at risk of rapid disease progression or with high chances of response to classic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena L Enache
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures, Tirgu Mures
| | - Anca Sin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures, Tirgu Mures; Pathology Department, Emergency County Clinical Hospital Tirgu Mures, Tirgu Mures, Romania
| | - Liviu S Enache
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures, Tirgu Mures; Clinical Laboratory, Emergency County Clinical Hospital Tirgu Mures, Tirgu Mures, Romania.
| | - Ligia Bancu
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu Mures, Tirgu Mures; Internal Medicine Department 2, Emergency County Clinical Hospital Tirgu Mures, Tirgu Mures, Romania
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Cook L. Hepatitis C and the Impact of Host Genetics. J Mol Diagn 2017; 19:805-808. [PMID: 28963021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This commentary highlights the article by Enache et al that describes a diagnostic test for simultaneous genotyping of specific single nucleotide polymorphisms in chronic hepatitis C patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Cook
- Clinical Virology Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
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Lei JH, Yang X, Xiao XQ, Chen Z, Peng F. A preliminary investigation on single nucleotide polymorphism rs2287622 of bile salt export pump gene in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Hunan, China. BMC Gastroenterol 2017; 17:42. [PMID: 28292275 PMCID: PMC5351046 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-017-0594-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND European researchers have underscored associations between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2287622 of the hepatobiliary bile salt export pump (BSEP) gene and the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The distributions of SNP rs2287622 are racially specific. This study was aimed to preliminarily investigate the distribution of BSEP gene SNP rs2287622 in the Han patients with chronic HCV-infection (CHC) in Hunan, China. METHODS BSEP gene SNP rs2287622 of 165 CHC patients, 99 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) and 99 healthy individuals were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and nucleotide sequencing. RESULTS The overall frequencies of the C allele of BESP gene SNP rs2287622 in the CHC patients, CHB patients and healthy individuals were 74.2, 72.7 and 74.2%, respectively (P > 0.05). The overall odds ratios (ORs) aiming at predicting CHC risk by comparing the ratios of the frequency distribution of alleles or genotypes in the CHC group with those in the non-CHC group had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). However, the CHC ORs of CC vs TT, TC vs TT and CC + CT vs TT among the individuals aged over 40 years were 2.680, 3.122 and 2.824 respectively (P < 0.05), and the higher risk did not relate to gender, HCV genotypes and presence of HCV-related liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS Among the Han individuals aged over 40 years in Hunan, China, genotype CC or CT of BSEP gene SNP rs2287622 may correlate with higher risk of CHC in comparison with genotype TT. Further study with a larger cohort is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Hua Lei
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Qiang Xiao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
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Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy with concomitant hepatitis C virus infection, Joan C. Edwards SOM, Marshall University. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 27:372-4. [PMID: 25874507 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000000293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterized by pruritus, otherwise unexplained deranged liver enzyme levels, and elevated levels of serum bile acid. ICP has been observed more commonly in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected women than in women with no HCV infection, and some experts advocate testing for HCV infection in all patients with ICP. AIMS The aim of our study was to examine the clinical characteristics of pregnant women with ICP and HCV infection. METHODS We reviewed the records of pregnant women between 18 and 45 years of age over a period of 6 years with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis of HCV infection, ICP, or both. We collected demographic, clinical, and financial data on all the patients and compared them with and without a diagnosis of ICP. RESULTS There were 91 pregnant women with a diagnosis of HCV, and 41 (45%) of these women were diagnosed with ICP. HCV-infected patients with ICP had a significantly higher median viral load compared with those without ICP (495,000 vs. 8000 copies/ml, P<0.001). The median total financial charges spent for the care of ICP patients with HCV infection was significantly higher than that spent on ICP patients without HCV infection ($12,753.00 vs. $8970.00, P=0.01). CONCLUSION We found a high prevalence of ICP among pregnant women infected with HCV, and those with ICP had a higher HCV viral load. Women with suspected ICP should be tested for the presence of HCV.
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Geier A. Hepatitis B virus: the "metabolovirus" highjacks cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. Hepatology 2014; 60:1458-60. [PMID: 24829054 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Geier
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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Dietrich CG, Geier A. Effect of drug transporter pharmacogenetics on cholestasis. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2014; 10:1533-51. [PMID: 25260651 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2014.963553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The liver is the central place for the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics. In the liver cell, oxidation and conjugation of compounds take place, and at the same time, bile formation helps in extrusion of these compounds via the biliary route. A large number of transporters are responsible for drug uptake into the liver cell and excretion into bile or efflux to the sinusoidal blood. AREAS COVERED Genetic variants of these transporters and their transactivators contribute to changes in drug handling and are also responsible for cholestatic syndromes of different severity. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the influence of these genetic changes. The review covers progressive hereditary cholestatic syndromes as well as recurrent or transient cholestatic syndromes such as drug-induced liver injury, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis. EXPERT OPINION Polymorphisms in transporter genes are frequent. For clinically relevant cholestatic syndromes, it often requires a combination of genetic variants or acquired triggers such as pregnancy or drug treatment. In combination with other pathogenetic aspects, genetic variants in drug transporters may contribute to our understanding of not only cholestatic diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis or primary biliary cirrhosis, but also the natural course of chronic liver disease in general.
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Ansaldi F, Orsi A, Sticchi L, Bruzzone B, Icardi G. Hepatitis C virus in the new era: Perspectives in epidemiology, prevention, diagnostics and predictors of response to therapy. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:9633-9652. [PMID: 25110404 PMCID: PMC4123355 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the great successes achieved in the fields of virology and diagnostics, several difficulties affect improvements in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection control and eradication in the new era. New HCV infections still occur, especially in some of the poorest regions of the world, where HCV is endemic and long-term sequelae have a growing economic and health burden. An HCV vaccine is still no available, despite years of researches and discoveries about the natural history of infection and host-virus interactions: several HCV vaccine candidates have been developed in the last years, targeting different HCV antigens or using alternative delivery systems, but viral variability and adaption ability constitute major challenges for vaccine development. Many new antiviral drugs for HCV therapy are in preclinical or early clinical development, but different limitations affect treatment validity. Treatment predictors are important tools, as they provide some guidance for the management of therapy in patients with chronic HCV infection: in particular, the role of host genomics in HCV infection outcomes in the new era of direct-acting antivirals may evolve for new therapeutic targets, representing a chance for modulated and personalized treatment management, when also very potent therapies will be available. In the present review we discuss the most recent data about HCV epidemiology, the new perspectives for the prevention of HCV infection and the most recent evidence regarding HCV diagnosis, therapy and predictors of response to it.
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Erlinger S. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and hepatitis C virus: a criminal conspiracy? Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2014; 38:250-1. [PMID: 24560304 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2013.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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13
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Zimmer V, Lammert F. Role of genetics in diagnosis and therapy of acquired liver disease. Mol Aspects Med 2014; 37:15-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Revised: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Jüngst C, Berg T, Cheng J, Green RM, Jia J, Mason AL, Lammert F. Intrahepatic cholestasis in common chronic liver diseases. Eur J Clin Invest 2013; 43:1069-83. [PMID: 23927644 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Cholestasis represents the consequence of impaired bile formation and decrease in bile flow, generally classified as extra- and intrahepatic. Cholestasis is the pivotal hallmark of the so-called primary cholestatic liver diseases but may also emerge in other forms of chronic liver injury. The aim now was to summarise the current state of knowledge on intrahepatic cholestasis related to chronic liver diseases. METHODS For this overview on intrahepatic cholestasis in chronic liver disorders other than the 'classic' cholestatic liver diseases, selected references were retrieved by literature search in MEDLINE and textbooks were reviewed. All articles were selected that discussed pathophysiological and clinical aspects of intrahepatic cholestasis in the context of alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections as well as drug-induced and granulomatous liver diseases. Titles referring to primary biliary cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis were excluded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Dependent on the aetiology, intrahepatic cholestasis is present at variable frequencies and in different disease stages in chronic liver diseases. Cholestasis secondary to chronic liver injury may denote a severe disease course and development of end-stage liver disease or specific disease variants. These findings indicate that 'secondary intrahepatic cholestasis' (SIC) can occur in the natural course of chronic liver diseases other than the primary cholestatic diseases, in particular in the setting of advanced disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Jüngst
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
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Shlomai A, Halfon P, Goldiner I, Zelber-Sagi S, Halpern Z, Oren R, Bruck R. Serum bile acid levels as a predictor for the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Viral Hepat 2013; 20:95-102. [PMID: 23301544 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2012.01628.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Serum bile acids (SBAs) are commonly elevated in cholestatic liver diseases, but it is unclear if SBA levels are also elevated in noncholestatic chronic liver diseases and whether those levels correlate with disease severity. We analysed SBA levels of 135 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and correlated these levels with the degree of liver fibrosis as determined by liver biopsy. In addition, we assessed the accuracy of SBA levels as a noninvasive predictor for liver fibrosis by its comparison to the patients' FibroTest scores. Two-thirds (90/135 patients, 67%) of the study patients had nonsevere liver fibrosis (Metavir F0-F2), and the others (45/135, 33%) had severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (Metavir F3-F4). The SBA levels were significantly higher in patients with severe fibrosis as compared to nonsevere fibrosis (11.46 ± 10.01 vs 6.37 ± 4.69, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, a receiver operator characteristics curve based on a model that included serum bile acids, age, body mass index, serum AST, glucose and cholesterol levels suggested that this combination reliably predicts the degree of liver fibrosis and is not inferior to the current noninvasive FibroTest score (areas under the curve of 0.837 vs 0.83, respectively, P = 0.87). We conclude that measurement of SBA levels may have a clinical role as a simple noninvasive tool to assess the severity of HCV-induced liver disease. Combined with widely available laboratory parameters, SBA levels can predict disease severity with a high degree of accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Shlomai
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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The bile salt export pump (BSEP) in health and disease. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2012; 36:536-53. [PMID: 22795478 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2012.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Revised: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The bile salt export pump (BSEP) is the major transporter for the secretion of bile acids from hepatocytes into bile in humans. Mutations of BSEP are associated with cholestatic liver diseases of varying severity including progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC-2), benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (BRIC-2) and genetic polymorphisms are linked to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Detailed analysis of these diseases has considerably increased our knowledge about physiology and pathophysiology of bile secretion in humans. This review focuses on expression, localization, and function, short- and long-term regulation of BSEP as well as diseases association and treatment options for BSEP-associated diseases.
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Rau M, Baur K, Geier A. Host genetic variants in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C. Viruses 2012; 4:3281-302. [PMID: 23342360 PMCID: PMC3528266 DOI: 10.3390/v4123281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2012] [Revised: 11/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/17/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) are currently replacing antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C infection. Treatment related side effects are even worse and the emergence of resistant viruses must be avoided because of the direct-antiviral action. Altogether it remains a challenge to take treatment decisions in a clinical setting with cost restrictions. Genetic host factors are hereby essential to implement an individualized treatment concept. In recent years results on different genetic variants have been published with a strong association with therapy response, fibrosis and treatment-related side effects. Polymorphisms of the IL28B gene were identified as accurate predictors for therapy response and spontaneous clearance of HCV infection and are already used for diagnostic decisions. For RBV-induced side effects, such as hemolytic anemia, associations to genetic variants of inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) were described and different SLC28 transporters for RBV-uptake have been successfully analyzed. Fibrosis progression has been associated with variants of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and ABCB11 (bile salt export pump). Cirrhotic patients especially have a high treatment risk and low therapy response, so that personalized antiviral treatment is mandatory. This review focuses on different host genetic variants in the pathogenesis of Hepatitis C at the beginning of a new area of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Rau
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstraße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Katharina Baur
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Andreas Geier
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstraße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany;
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland;
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Müllenbach R, Weber SN, Krawczyk M, Zimmer V, Sarrazin C, Lammert F, Grünhage F. A frequent variant in the human bile salt export pump gene ABCB11 is associated with hepatitis C virus infection, but not liver stiffness in a German population. BMC Gastroenterol 2012; 12:63. [PMID: 22681771 PMCID: PMC3457846 DOI: 10.1186/1471-230x-12-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The human ATP-binding cassette, subfamily B, member 11 (ABCB11) gene encodes the bile salt export pump, which is exclusively expressed at the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. A frequent variant in the coding region, c.1331 T > C, leading to the amino acid exchange p.V444A, has been associated with altered serum bile salt levels in healthy individuals and predisposes homozygous carriers of the [C] allele for obstetric cholestasis. Recently, elevated bile salt levels were shown to be significantly associated with rates and risk of cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with pegylated interferon-α2 and ribavirin, suggesting a potential role for bile salt levels in HCV treatment outcomes and in the fibrogenic evolution of HCV-related liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association of ABCB11 c.1331 T > C with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and fibrosis stages as assessed by non-invasive transient elastography in a German cohort of patients. Methods ABCB11 c.1331 T > C genotype was determined by allelic discrimination assay in 649 HCV infected cases and 413 controls. Overall, 444 cases were staged for fibrotic progression by measurement of liver stiffness. Results Homo- or heterozygous presence of the frequent [C] allele was associated with HCV positivity (OR = 1.41, CI = 1.02 - 1.95, p = 0.037). No association was detectable between the ABCB11 c.1331 T > C genotype and increased liver stiffness. Conclusions Our data confirm that homozygous presence of the major [C] allele of ABCB11 c.1331 T > C is a genetic susceptibility factor for HCV infection, but not for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Müllenbach
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany.
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Chhatwal P, Bankwitz D, Gentzsch J, Frentzen A, Schult P, Lohmann V, Pietschmann T. Bile acids specifically increase hepatitis C virus RNA-replication. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36029. [PMID: 22558311 PMCID: PMC3338857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with high serum levels of bile acids (BAs) respond poorly to IFN therapy. BAs have been shown to increase RNA-replication of genotype 1 but not genotype 2a replicons. Since BAs modulate lipid metabolism including lipoprotein secretion and as HCV depends on lipids and lipoproteins during RNA-replication, virus production and cell entry, BAs may affect multiple steps of the HCV life cycle. Therefore, we analyzed the influence of BAs on individual steps of virus replication. Methods We measured replication of subgenomic genotype (GT) 1b and 2a RNAs as well as full-length GT2a genomes in the presence of BAs using quantitative RT-PCR and luciferase assays. Cell entry was determined using HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp). Virus assembly and release were quantified using a core-specific ELISA. Replicon chimeras were employed to characterize genotype-specific modulation of HCV by BAs. Lunet CD81/GFP-NLS-MAVS cells were used to determine infection of Con1 particles. Results BAs increased RNA-replication of GT1b replicons up to 10-fold but had no effect on subgenomic GT2a replicons both in Huh-7 and HuH6 cells. They did not increase viral RNA translation, virus assembly and release or cell entry. Lowering replication efficiency of GT2a replicons rendered them susceptible to stimulation by BAs. Moreover, replication of full length GT1b with or without replication enhancing mutations and GT2a genomes were also stimulated by BAs. Conclusions Bile acids specifically enhance RNA-replication. This is not limited to GT1, but also holds true for GT2a full length genomes and subgenomic replicons with low replication capacity. The increase of HCV replication by BAs may influence the efficacy of antiviral treatment in vivo and may improve replication of primary HCV genomes in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Chhatwal
- Department of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dorothea Bankwitz
- Department of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Juliane Gentzsch
- Department of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anne Frentzen
- Department of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Philipp Schult
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Lohmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Department of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
This review aims to provide a snapshot of the actual state of knowledge on genetic variants of nuclear receptors (NR) involved in regulating important aspects of liver metabolism. It recapitulates recent evidence for the application of NR in genetic diagnosis of monogenic ("Mendelian") liver disease and their use in clinical diagnosis. Genetic analysis of multifactorial liver diseases such as viral hepatitis or fatty liver disease identifies key players in disease predisposition and progression. Evidence from these analyses points towards a role of NR polymorphisms in common diseases, linking regulatory networks to complex and variable phenotypes. The new insights into NR variants also offer perspectives and cautionary advice for their use as handles towards diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Müllenbach
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany
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Abstract
This review aims to provide a snapshot of the actual state of knowledge on genetic variants of nuclear receptors (NR) involved in regulating important aspects of liver metabolism. It recapitulates recent evidence for the application of NR in genetic diagnosis of monogenic (“Mendelian”) liver disease and their use in clinical diagnosis. Genetic analysis of multifactorial liver diseases such as viral hepatitis or fatty liver disease identifies key players in disease predisposition and progression. Evidence from these analyses points towards a role of NR polymorphisms in common diseases, linking regulatory networks to complex and variable phenotypes. The new insights into NR variants also offer perspectives and cautionary advice for their use as handles towards diagnosis and treatment.
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