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Sallam M, Khalil R. Contemporary Insights into Hepatitis C Virus: A Comprehensive Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1035. [PMID: 38930417 PMCID: PMC11205832 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant global health challenge. Approximately 50 million people were living with chronic hepatitis C based on the World Health Organization as of 2024, contributing extensively to global morbidity and mortality. The advent and approval of several direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens significantly improved HCV treatment, offering potentially high rates of cure for chronic hepatitis C. However, the promising aim of eventual HCV eradication remains challenging. Key challenges include the variability in DAA access across different regions, slightly variable response rates to DAAs across diverse patient populations and HCV genotypes/subtypes, and the emergence of resistance-associated substitutions (RASs), potentially conferring resistance to DAAs. Therefore, periodic reassessment of current HCV knowledge is needed. An up-to-date review on HCV is also necessitated based on the observed shifts in HCV epidemiological trends, continuous development and approval of therapeutic strategies, and changes in public health policies. Thus, the current comprehensive review aimed to integrate the latest knowledge on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, treatment options and preventive strategies for HCV, with a particular focus on the current challenges associated with RASs and ongoing efforts in vaccine development. This review sought to provide healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers with the necessary insights to address the HCV burden more effectively. We aimed to highlight the progress made in managing and preventing HCV infection and to highlight the persistent barriers challenging the prevention of HCV infection. The overarching goal was to align with global health objectives towards reducing the burden of chronic hepatitis, aiming for its eventual elimination as a public health threat by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Sallam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Roaa Khalil
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
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2
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Mertowska P, Smolak K, Mertowski S, Grywalska E. Immunomodulatory Role of Interferons in Viral and Bacterial Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10115. [PMID: 37373262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferons are a group of immunomodulatory substances produced by the human immune system in response to the presence of pathogens, especially during viral and bacterial infections. Their remarkably diverse mechanisms of action help the immune system fight infections by activating hundreds of genes involved in signal transduction pathways. In this review, we focus on discussing the interplay between the IFN system and seven medically important and challenging viruses (herpes simplex virus (HSV), influenza, hepatitis C virus (HCV), lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and SARS-CoV coronavirus) to highlight the diversity of viral strategies. In addition, the available data also suggest that IFNs play an important role in the course of bacterial infections. Research is currently underway to identify and elucidate the exact role of specific genes and effector pathways in generating the antimicrobial response mediated by IFNs. Despite the numerous studies on the role of interferons in antimicrobial responses, many interdisciplinary studies are still needed to understand and optimize their use in personalized therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Mertowska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Konrad Smolak
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Sebastian Mertowski
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewelina Grywalska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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3
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Insight into the Prospects for Tumor Therapy Based on Photodynamic Immunotherapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15111359. [DOI: 10.3390/ph15111359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignancy is one of the common diseases with high mortality worldwide and the most important obstacle to improving the overall life expectancy of the population in the 21st century. Currently, single or combined treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, are still the mainstream regimens for tumor treatment, but they all present significant side effects on normal tissues and organs, such as organ hypofunction, energy metabolism disorders, and various concurrent diseases. Based on this, theranostic measures for the highly selective killing of tumor cells have always been a hot area in cancer-related fields, among which photodynamic therapy (PDT) is expected to be an ideal candidate for practical clinical application due to its precise targeting and excellent safety performance, so-called PDT refers to a therapeutic method mainly composed of photosensitizers (PSs), laser light, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Photoimmunotherapy (PIT), a combination of PDT and immunotherapy, can induce systemic antitumor immune responses and inhibit continuing growth and distant metastasis of residual tumor cells, demonstrating a promising application prospect. This article reviews the types of immune responses that occur in the host after PDT treatment, including innate and adaptive immunity. To further help PIT-related drugs improve their pharmacokinetic properties and bioavailability, we highlight the potential improvement of photodynamic immunotherapy from three aspects: immunostimulatory agents, tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) as well as different immune cells. Finally, we focus on recent advances in various strategies and shed light on their corresponding mechanisms of immune activation and possible clinical applications such as cancer vaccines. Having discovered the inherent potential of PDT and the mechanisms that PDT triggers host immune responses, a variety of immunotherapeutic strategies have been investigated in parallel with approaches to improve PDT efficiency. However, it remains to be further elucidated under what conditions the immune effect induced by PDT can achieve tumor immunosuppression and to what extent PDT-induced antitumor immunity will lead to complete tumor rejection. Currently, PIT presents several outstanding intractable challenges, such as the aggregation ability of PSs locally in tumors, deep tissue penetration ability of laser light, immune escape, and biological toxicity, and it is hoped that these issues raised will help to point out the direction of preclinical research on PIT and accelerate its transition to clinical practice.
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4
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Hepatitis Viruses Control Host Immune Responses by Modifying the Exosomal Biogenesis Pathway and Cargo. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810862. [PMID: 36142773 PMCID: PMC9505460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810862] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of smart immune evasion mechanisms is crucial for the establishment of acute and chronic viral hepatitis. Hepatitis is a major health problem worldwide arising from different causes, such as pathogens, metabolic disorders, and xenotoxins, with the five hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV) representing the majority of the cases. Most of the hepatitis viruses are considered enveloped. Recently, it was reported that the non-enveloped HAV and HEV are, in reality, quasi-enveloped viruses exploiting exosomal-like biogenesis mechanisms for budding. Regardless, all hepatitis viruses use exosomes to egress, regulate, and eventually escape from the host immune system, revealing another key function of exosomes apart from their recognised role in intercellular communication. This review will discuss how the hepatitis viruses exploit exosome biogenesis and transport capacity to establish successful infection and spread. Then, we will outline the contribution of exosomes in viral persistence and liver disease progression.
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Toll-like Receptor Response to Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Recent Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105475. [PMID: 35628287 PMCID: PMC9141274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major global health burden, causing chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are evolutionarily conserved pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns and activate downstream signaling to induce proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production. An increasing number of studies have suggested the importance of TLR responses in the outcome of HCV infection. However, the exact role of innate immune responses, including TLR response, in controlling chronic HCV infection remains to be established. A proper understanding of the TLR response in HCV infection is essential for devising new therapeutic approaches against HCV infection. In this review, we discuss the progress made in our understanding of the host innate immune response to HCV infection, with a particular focus on the TLR response. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms adopted by HCV to avoid immune surveillance mediated by TLRs.
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Saraceni C, Birk J. A Review of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Immunopathogenesis. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:409-418. [PMID: 34221927 PMCID: PMC8237136 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2020.00095] [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: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the advances in therapy, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) still represent a significant global health burden, both as major causes of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death worldwide. HBV is capable of incorporating its covalently closed circular DNA into the host cell's hepatocyte genome, making it rather difficult to eradicate its chronic stage. Successful viral clearance depends on the complex interactions between the virus and host's innate and adaptive immune response. One encouraging fact on hepatitis B is the development and effective distribution of the HBV vaccine. This has significantly reduced the spread of this virus. HCV is a RNA virus with high mutagenic capacity, thus enabling it to evade the immune system and have a high rate of chronic progression. High levels of HCV heterogeneity and its mutagenic capacity have made it difficult to create an effective vaccine. The recent advent of direct acting antivirals has ushered in a new era in hepatitis C therapy. Sustained virologic response is achieved with DAAs in 85-99% of cases. However, this still leads to a large population of treatment failures, so further advances in therapy are still needed. This article reviews the immunopathogenesis of HBV and HCV, their properties contributing to host immune system avoidance, chronic disease progression, vaccine efficacy and limitations, as well as treatment options and common pitfalls of said therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Saraceni
- Correspondence to: Corey Saraceni, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-8074, USA. Tel: +1-203-733-7408, Fax: +1-860-679-3159, E-mail:
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7
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Robichon K, Maiwald T, Schilling M, Schneider A, Willemsen J, Salopiata F, Teusel M, Kreutz C, Ehlting C, Huang J, Chakraborty S, Huang X, Damm G, Seehofer D, Lang PA, Bode JG, Binder M, Bartenschlager R, Timmer J, Klingmüller U. Identification of Interleukin1β as an Amplifier of Interferon alpha-induced Antiviral Responses. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008461. [PMID: 33002089 PMCID: PMC7553310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The induction of an interferon-mediated response is the first line of defense against pathogens such as viruses. Yet, the dynamics and extent of interferon alpha (IFNα)-induced antiviral genes vary remarkably and comprise three expression clusters: early, intermediate and late. By mathematical modeling based on time-resolved quantitative data, we identified mRNA stability as well as a negative regulatory loop as key mechanisms endogenously controlling the expression dynamics of IFNα-induced antiviral genes in hepatocytes. Guided by the mathematical model, we uncovered that this regulatory loop is mediated by the transcription factor IRF2 and showed that knock-down of IRF2 results in enhanced expression of early, intermediate and late IFNα-induced antiviral genes. Co-stimulation experiments with different pro-inflammatory cytokines revealed that this amplified expression dynamics of the early, intermediate and late IFNα-induced antiviral genes can also be achieved by co-application of IFNα and interleukin1 beta (IL1β). Consistently, we found that IL1β enhances IFNα-mediated repression of viral replication. Conversely, we observed that in IL1β receptor knock-out mice replication of viruses sensitive to IFNα is increased. Thus, IL1β is capable to potentiate IFNα-induced antiviral responses and could be exploited to improve antiviral therapies. Innate immune responses contribute to the control of viral infections and the induction of interferon alpha (IFNα)-mediated antiviral responses is an important component. However, IFNα induces a multitude of antiviral response genes and the expression dynamics of these genes can be classified as early, intermediate and late. Here we show, based on a mathematical modeling approach, that mRNA stability as well as the negative regulator IRF2 control the expression dynamics of IFNα-induced antiviral genes. Knock-down of IRF2 resulted in the amplified IFNα-mediated induction of the antiviral genes and this amplified expression of antiviral genes could be functionally mimicked by co-stimulation with IFNα and IL1β. We observed that co-stimulation with IFNα and IL1β enhanced the repression of virus replication and that knock-out of the IL1 receptor in mice resulted in increased replication of a virus sensitive to IFNα. In sum, our studies identified IL1β as an important amplifier of IFNα-induced antiviral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Robichon
- Division Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tim Maiwald
- Institute for Physics, University of Freiburg, Germany.,FDM-Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modeling, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marcel Schilling
- Division Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annette Schneider
- Division Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joschka Willemsen
- Research Group "Dynamics of Early Viral Infection and the Innate Antiviral Response", Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Salopiata
- Division Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melissa Teusel
- Division Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clemens Kreutz
- Institute for Physics, University of Freiburg, Germany.,Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Ehlting
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, University Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sajib Chakraborty
- Division Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Xiaoyun Huang
- Division Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg Damm
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany and Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Seehofer
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany and Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp A Lang
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, University Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Johannes G Bode
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marco Binder
- Research Group "Dynamics of Early Viral Infection and the Innate Antiviral Response", Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens Timmer
- Institute for Physics, University of Freiburg, Germany.,FDM-Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modeling, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ursula Klingmüller
- Division Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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8
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Abstract
The human liver is an organ with a diverse array of immunologic functions. Its unique anatomic position that leads to it receiving all the mesenteric venous blood, combined with its unique micro anatomy, allows it to serve as a sentinel for the body's immune system. Hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells express key molecules that recruit and activate innate and adaptive immunity. Additionally, a diverse array of lymphoid and myeloid immune cells resides within and traffics to the liver in specific circumstances. Derangement of these trafficking mechanisms underlies the pathophysiology of autoimmune liver diseases, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and liver transplantation. Here, we review these pathways and interactions along with potential targets that have been identified to be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
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Impact of IFN-Free and IFN-Based Treatment on Blood Myeloid Dendritic Cell, Monocyte, Slan-DC, and Activated T Lymphocyte Dynamics during HCV Infection. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:2781350. [PMID: 32258171 PMCID: PMC7102477 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2781350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection leads to the activation of innate immunity, a key component in HCV fibrosis. In the past, the use of IFN-based treatment regimens did not permit an adequate evaluation of the impact of HCV clearance on immune cells, because of their antiviral and immunomodulatory properties. The recent development of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, which is associated with high rates of sustained virological response, enables a more accurate analysis of the immunological modifications following HCV eradication. We studied the dynamics of blood myeloid dendritic cells, monocytes, slan-DCs, and T lymphocytes during IFN-free and IFN-based regimens in hepatitis C virus infection.
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Raja R, Baral S, Dixit NM. Interferon at the cellular, individual, and population level in hepatitis C virus infection: Its role in the interferon-free treatment era. Immunol Rev 2019; 285:55-71. [PMID: 30129199 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The advent of powerful direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C. DAAs cure nearly all patients with short duration, oral treatments. Significant efforts are now underway to optimize DAA-based treatments. We discuss the potential role of interferon in this optimization. Clinical studies present compelling evidence that DAAs perform better in treatment-naive individuals than in individuals who previously failed treatment with interferon, a surprising correlation because interferon and DAAs are thought to act independently. Recent mathematical models explore a mechanistic hypothesis underlying this correlation. The hypothesis invokes the action of interferon at the cellular, individual, and population levels. Strong interferon responses prevent the productive infection of cells, reduce viral replication, and impede the development of resistance to DAAs in infected individuals and improve cure rates elicited by DAAs in treated populations. The models develop descriptions of these processes, integrate them into a comprehensive framework, and capture clinical data quantitatively, providing a successful test of the hypothesis. Individuals with strong endogenous interferon responses thus present a promising subpopulation for reducing DAA treatment durations. This review discusses the conceptual advances made by the models, highlights the new insights they unravel, and examines their applicability to optimize DAA-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubesh Raja
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Subhasish Baral
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Narendra M Dixit
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.,Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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Hu P, Wilhelm J, Gerresheim GK, Shalamova LA, Niepmann M. Lnc-ITM2C-1 and GPR55 Are Proviral Host Factors for Hepatitis C Virus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060549. [PMID: 31200545 PMCID: PMC6631246 DOI: 10.3390/v11060549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple host factors are known to play important roles in hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication, in immune responses induced by HCV infection, or in processes that facilitate virus escape from immune clearance, while yet only few studies examined the contribution of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs/lncRs). Using microarrays, we identified lncRNAs with altered expression levels in HCV replicating Huh-7.5 hepatoma cells. Of these, lncR 8(Lnc-ITM2C-1/LOC151484) was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to be upregulated early after HCV infection. After suppressing the expression of lncR 8, HCV RNA and protein were downregulated, confirming a positive correlation between lncR 8 expression and HCV replication. lncR 8 knockdown in Huh-7.5 cells reduced expression of the neighboring gene G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) mRNA level at early times, and leads to increased levels of several Interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) including ISG15, Mx1 and IFITM1. Importantly, the effect of lncR 8 on ISGs and GPR55 precedes its effect on HCV replication. Furthermore, knockdown of GPR55 mRNA induces ISG expression, providing a possible link between lncR 8 and ISGs. We conclude that HCV induces lncR 8 expression, while lncR 8 indirectly favors HCV replication by stimulating expression of its neighboring gene GPR55, which in turn downregulates expression of ISGs. The latter fact is also consistent with an anti-inflammatory role of GPR55. These events may contribute to the failure to eliminate ongoing HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Hu
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Justus-Liebig-University, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Jochen Wilhelm
- Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Gesche K Gerresheim
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Justus-Liebig-University, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Lyudmila A Shalamova
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Justus-Liebig-University, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Michael Niepmann
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Justus-Liebig-University, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
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Cellular Gene Expression during Hepatitis C Virus Replication as Revealed by Ribosome Profiling. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061321. [PMID: 30875926 PMCID: PMC6470931 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects human liver hepatocytes, often leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is believed that chronic infection alters host gene expression and favors HCC development. In particular, HCV replication in Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) derived membranes induces chronic ER stress. How HCV replication affects host mRNA translation and transcription at a genome wide level is not yet known. Methods: We used Riboseq (Ribosome Profiling) to analyze transcriptome and translatome changes in the Huh-7.5 hepatocarcinoma cell line replicating HCV for 6 days. Results: Established viral replication does not cause global changes in host gene expression—only around 30 genes are significantly differentially expressed. Upregulated genes are related to ER stress and HCV replication, and several regulated genes are known to be involved in HCC development. Some mRNAs (PPP1R15A/GADD34, DDIT3/CHOP, and TRIB3) may be subject to upstream open reading frame (uORF) mediated translation control. Transcriptional downregulation mainly affects mitochondrial respiratory chain complex core subunit genes. Conclusion: After establishing HCV replication, the lack of global changes in cellular gene expression indicates an adaptation to chronic infection, while the downregulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain genes indicates how a virus may further contribute to cancer cell-like metabolic reprogramming (“Warburg effect”) even in the hepatocellular carcinoma cells used here.
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Villani R, Vendemiale G, Serviddio G. Molecular Mechanisms Involved in HCC Recurrence after Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010049. [PMID: 30583555 PMCID: PMC6337751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C is associated with a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) because of a direct effect of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) proteins and an indirect oncogenic effect of chronic inflammation and impaired immune response. The treatment of chronic hepatitis C markedly reduces all-cause mortality; in fact, interferon-based treatment has shown a reduction of HCC incidence of more than 70%. The recent introduction of the highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has completely changed the scenario of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with rates of HCV cure over 90%. However, an unexpectedly high incidence of HCC recurrence was observed in patients after DAA treatment (27% versus 0.4–2% in patients who received interferon treatment). The mechanism that underlies the high rate of tumor relapse is currently unknown and is one of the main issues in hepatology. We reviewed the possible mechanisms involved in HCC recurrence after DAA treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/epidemiology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology
- Hepacivirus/drug effects
- Hepacivirus/immunology
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/epidemiology
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/immunology
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology
- Humans
- Incidence
- Interferons/therapeutic use
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/epidemiology
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/virology
- Macrophages/drug effects
- Monocytes/drug effects
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/epidemiology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/immunology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/virology
- Neutrophils/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Villani
- C.U.R.E. University Centre for Liver Disease Research and Treatment, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
| | - Gianluigi Vendemiale
- C.U.R.E. University Centre for Liver Disease Research and Treatment, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Serviddio
- C.U.R.E. University Centre for Liver Disease Research and Treatment, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
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Zhao N, Zheng W, Wu D, Wang X, Yang W, Yuan L, Niu Z, Jiang X, Huang F, Li Z. Clinical value of hepatitis C virus core antigen levels in monitoring acute hepatitis C spontaneous clearance or treatment-induced clearance. J Med Virol 2018; 90:1787-1792. [PMID: 29995318 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM To observe the clinical value of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen (HCcAg) levels in monitoring acute HCV infection in patients with spontaneous clearance (SC) or clearance induced by antiviral therapy. METHODS Patients with iatrogenic HCV infection (n = 104) were enrolled at the Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, between 5 February 2013 and 3 April 2013. All cases were diagnosed with acute HCV infection, enrolled within 90 days of infection, and followed for 12 to 16 weeks. Blood was collected every month. HCV RNA and HCcAg levels were detected. From week 16, patients without SC were treated with pegylated-interferon and the HCV RNA and HCcAg levels were observed monthly. Follow-up was 7.5 (5.0 to 10.4) months. The Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the correlation between HCV RNA and HCcAg. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of baseline HCV RNA and HCcAg levels with SC. RESULTS Ten patients (9.62%) showed SC, with a negative conversion time of 57 (14 to 143) days. During follow-up, HCV RNA and HCcAg expression levels were positively correlated for each patient (except on the sixth month), but the levels of HCV RNA and HCcAg were not associated with HCV infection SC. CONCLUSIONS HCcAg levels could be of value for monitoring the course early HCV infection, but could not predict SC of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuelian Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lin Yuan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhiqiang Niu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaodi Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fen Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhiwei Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shengjing Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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15
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Venugopal V, Padmanabhan P, Raja R, Dixit NM. Modelling how responsiveness to interferon improves interferon-free treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006335. [PMID: 30001324 PMCID: PMC6057683 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for hepatitis C treatment tend to fare better in individuals who are also likely to respond well to interferon-alpha (IFN), a surprising correlation given that DAAs target specific viral proteins whereas IFN triggers a generic antiviral immune response. Here, we posit a causal relationship between IFN-responsiveness and DAA treatment outcome. IFN-responsiveness restricts viral replication, which would prevent the growth of viral variants resistant to DAAs and improve treatment outcome. To test this hypothesis, we developed a multiscale mathematical model integrating IFN-responsiveness at the cellular level, viral kinetics and evolution leading to drug resistance at the individual level, and treatment outcome at the population level. Model predictions quantitatively captured data from over 50 clinical trials demonstrating poorer response to DAAs in previous non-responders to IFN than treatment-naïve individuals, presenting strong evidence supporting the hypothesis. Model predictions additionally described several unexplained clinical observations, viz., the percentages of infected individuals who 1) spontaneously clear HCV, 2) get chronically infected but respond to IFN-based therapy, and 3) fail IFN-based therapy but respond to DAA-based therapy, resulting in a comprehensive understanding of HCV infection and treatment. An implication of the causal relationship is that failure of DAA-based treatments may be averted by adding IFN, a strategy of potential use in settings with limited access to DAAs. A second, wider implication is that individuals with greater IFN-responsiveness would require shorter DAA-based treatment durations, presenting a basis and a promising population for response-guided therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishnu Venugopal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Rubesh Raja
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Narendra M. Dixit
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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16
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Model of the adaptive immune response system against HCV infection reveals potential immunomodulatory agents for combination therapy. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8874. [PMID: 29891859 PMCID: PMC5995896 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27163-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A regulated immune system employs multiple cell types, diverse variety of cytokines and interacting signalling networks against infections. Systems biology offers a promising solution to model and simulate such large populations of interacting components of immune systems holistically. This study focuses on the distinct components of the adaptive immune system and analysis, both individually and in association with HCV infection. The effective and failed adaptive immune response models have been developed followed by interventions/perturbations of various treatment strategies to get better assessment of the treatment responses under varying stimuli. Based on the model predictions, the NK cells, T regulatory cells, IL-10, IL-21, IL-12, IL-2 entities are found to be the most critical determinants of treatment response. The proposed potential immunomodulatory therapeutic interventions include IL-21 treatment, blocking of inhibitory receptors on T-cells and exogenous anti-IL-10 antibody treatment. The relative results showed that these interventions have differential effect on the expression levels of cellular and cytokines entities of the immune response. Notably, IL-21 enhances the expression of NK cells, Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and CD4+ T cells and hence restore the host immune potential. The models presented here provide a starting point for cost-effective analysis and more comprehensive modeling of biological phenomenon.
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17
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Cai C, Koch B, Morikawa K, Suda G, Sakamoto N, Rueschenbaum S, Akhras S, Dietz J, Hildt E, Zeuzem S, Welsch C, Lange CM. Macrophage-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Induce Long-Lasting Immunity Against Hepatitis C Virus Which Is Blunted by Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. Front Immunol 2018; 9:723. [PMID: 29706960 PMCID: PMC5906748 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized as important mediators of intercellular communication. In this study, we aimed to further characterize the role of macrophage-derived EVs in immune responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the potential of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to modulate this modality of innate immunity. To this end, EVs were isolated from interferon-stimulated macrophage cultures or from serum of patients with acute or chronic hepatitis C. EVs were characterized by electron microscopy, flow cytometry, RNA-sequencing, and Western blot analysis. The effect of EVs on replication of HCV was assessed in coculture models. Functional analyses were performed to assess the impact of PUFAs on EV-mediated antiviral immunity. We found that macrophages secreted various cytokines shortly after stimulation with type I and II IFN, which orchestrated a fast but short-lasting antiviral state. This rapid innate immune answer was followed by the production of macrophage-derived EVs, which induced a late, but long-lasting inhibitory effect on HCV replication. Of note, exposure of macrophages to PUFAs, which are important regulators of immune responses, dampened EV-mediated antiviral immune responses. Finally, EVs from patients with hepatitis C exhibited long-lasting antiviral activities during IFN therapy as well. The antiviral effect of EVs from Caucasian and Japanese patients differed, which may be explained by different nutritional uptake of PUFAs. In conclusion, our data indicate that macrophage-derived EVs mediate long-lasting inhibitory effects on HCV replication, which may bridge the time until efficient adaptive immune responses are established, and which can be blunted by PUFAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcong Cai
- Department of Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Benjamin Koch
- Department of Medicine 3, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kenichi Morikawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Goki Suda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Sabrina Rueschenbaum
- Department of Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sami Akhras
- Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Julia Dietz
- Department of Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eberhard Hildt
- Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Department of Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christoph Welsch
- Department of Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christian M Lange
- Department of Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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18
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Bartenschlager R, Baumert TF, Bukh J, Houghton M, Lemon SM, Lindenbach BD, Lohmann V, Moradpour D, Pietschmann T, Rice CM, Thimme R, Wakita T. Critical challenges and emerging opportunities in hepatitis C virus research in an era of potent antiviral therapy: Considerations for scientists and funding agencies. Virus Res 2018; 248:53-62. [PMID: 29477639 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The development and clinical implementation of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Infection with any hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype can now be eliminated in more than 95% of patients with short courses of all-oral, well-tolerated drugs, even in those with advanced liver disease and liver transplant recipients. DAAs have proven so successful that some now consider HCV amenable to eradication, and continued research on the virus of little remaining medical relevance. However, given 400,000 HCV-related deaths annually important challenges remain, including identifying those who are infected, providing access to treatment and reducing its costs. Moreover, HCV infection rarely induces sterilizing immunity, and those who have been cured with DAAs remain at risk for reinfection. Thus, it is very unlikely that global eradication and elimination of the cancer risk associated with HCV infection can be achieved without a vaccine, yet research in that direction receives little attention. Further, over the past two decades HCV research has spearheaded numerous fundamental discoveries in the fields of molecular and cell biology, immunology and microbiology. It will continue to do so, given the unique opportunities afforded by the reagents and knowledge base that have been generated in the development and clinical application of DAAs. Considering these critical challenges and new opportunities, we conclude that funding for HCV research must be sustained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Heidelberg and Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Research Centre, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Stanley M Lemon
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brett D Lindenbach
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Volker Lohmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Darius Moradpour
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Heidelberg and Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany; Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research (a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)), Hannover, Germany
| | - Charles M Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert Thimme
- Center for Medicine, Department of Medicine II, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
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19
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Ow MM, Hegazy D, Warshow UM, Cramp ME. Enhanced natural killer cell activity is found in exposed uninfected recipients of hepatitis C-contaminated blood. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:245-253. [PMID: 29063663 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A minority of injecting drug users, termed exposed uninfected, are resistant to hepatitis C (HCV) infection despite repeated low-dose exposures. We identify for the first time a cohort of blood recipients who remained uninfected despite large-dose exposure to HCV-contaminated blood and characterize immune factors that may confer protection. Of 1340 blood recipients from the English Look Back database who were transfused HCV-contaminated blood, we identified 8 who remained uninfected. In these 8 exposed uninfecteds, we characterized their natural killer (NK) cell populations and HCV-specific T-cell responses. Findings were compared with 10 spontaneous resolvers of HCV infection, 10 patients with chronic HCV infection and 10 healthy controls. Exposed uninfecteds had significantly greater numbers of NK cells with the activating receptor NKp30+ on CD56bright and CD56dim subsets compared with other groups (P < .05). Following interleukin-2 activation, NK cells of exposed uninfecteds had enhanced cytotoxicity that positively correlated with NKp30 expression (P = .02). Differences in NKp80 and KIR2DL3 expression were also observed. HCV-specific T-cell responses were observed in some exposed uninfecteds but of low amplitude. Exposure without infection following transfusion of HCV-contaminated blood is a very rare phenomenon and suggests a high level of resistance to infection. Enhanced NK cell activation and killing, with weak HCV-specific T-cell responses, were observed many years after exposure in uninfected recipients and may contribute to protection from HCV acquisition, although additional protective factors are being sought in this important cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Ow
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Hepatology Research Group, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, UK
| | - D Hegazy
- Hepatology Research Group, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, UK
| | - U M Warshow
- Hepatology Research Group, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, UK
| | - M E Cramp
- Hepatology Research Group, Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, UK.,Southwest Liver Unit, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
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20
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The relationship between human leukocyte antigen-DP/DQ gene polymorphisms and the outcomes of HCV infection in a Chinese population. Virol J 2017; 14:235. [PMID: 29212520 PMCID: PMC5719872 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-017-0901-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-II gene polymorphisms have been reported to be related to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and chronicity. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship of HLA-DP rs9277535 and HLA-DQ rs7453920 with the outcomes of HCV infection. Methods The rs9277535 and rs7453920 were genotyped in 370 subjects with chronic HCV infection, 194 subjects with spontaneous HCV clearance, and 973 subjects with non-HCV infection from the Chinese population using the ABI TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Results Logistic regression analyses showed that the minor allele A of rs7453920 significantly increased the susceptibility of HCV infection in dominant model (adjusted OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04–1.71, P = 0.026) and additive models (adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06–1.60, P = 0.012). Rs9277535 A allele significantly increased the risk of chronic HCV infection in dominant model (adjusted OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.01–2.28, P = 0.046). Haplotype AA showed a higher risk of HCV infection than the most frequent haplotype GG (adjusted OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05–1.78, P = 0.018). Conclusion The HLA-DQ rs7453920 and -DP rs9277535 mutations were significantly associated with HCV infection susceptibility and chronicity, respectively. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12985-017-0901-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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21
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Intrahepatic Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells from HCV-infected patients show an exhausted phenotype but can inhibit HCV replication. Virus Res 2017; 243:31-35. [PMID: 29029951 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistence results from inefficiencies of both innate and adaptive immune responses to eradicate the infection. A functional impairment of circulating Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells was described but few data are available on Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells in the liver that, however, represents the battlefield in the HCV/host interaction. Aim of this work was to compare circulating and intrahepatic Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells in chronic HCV-infected patients (HCVpos) and in HCV-negative (HCVneg) subjects. Phenotypic and functional analysis was performed by flow cytometry. Anti-HCV activity was analyzed by using an in vitro autologous liver culture system. Independently from HCV infection, the liver was enriched of Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells expressing an effector/activated phenotype. In contrast, an enrichment of PD-1 expressing Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells was observed both in the peripheral blood and in the liver of HCVpos patients, probably due to a persistent antigenic stimulation. Moreover, a lower frequency of IFN-γ producing Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells was observed in the liver of HCVpos patients, suggesting a functional impairment in the cytokine production in HCVpos liver. Despite this hypo-responsiveness, intrahepatic Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells are able to exert an anti-HCV activity after specific stimulation. Altogether, our data show that HCV infection induced a dysregulation of intrahepatic Vγ9Vδ2 T cells that maintain their anti-HCV activity after specific stimulation. A study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms of the antiviral activity may be useful to identify new pathways able to improve Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells intrahepatic function during HCV infection.
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Oxidative Stress and Immune Responses During Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Tupaia belangeri. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9848. [PMID: 28852124 PMCID: PMC5575003 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10329-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. To address the molecular basis of HCV pathogenesis using tupaias (Tupaia belangeri), we characterized host responses upon HCV infection. Adult tupaias were infected with HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, or 4a. Viral RNA, alanine aminotransferase, anti-HCV core and anti-nonstructural protein NS3 antibody titres, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and anti-3β-hydroxysterol-Δ24reductase (DHCR24) antibody levels were measured at 2-week intervals from 0 to 41 weeks postinfection. All HCV genotypes established infections and showed intermittent HCV propagation. Moreover, all tupaias produced anti-core and anti-NS3 antibodies. ROS levels in sera and livers were significantly increased, resulting in induction of DHCR24 antibody production. Similarly, lymphocytic infiltration, disturbance of hepatic cords, and initiation of fibrosis were observed in livers from HCV-infected tupaias. Intrahepatic levels of Toll-like receptors 3, 7, and 8 were significantly increased in all HCV-infected tupaias. However, interferon-β was only significantly upregulated in HCV1a- and HCV2a-infected tupaias, accompanied by downregulation of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide. Thus, our findings showed that humoral and innate immune responses to HCV infection, ROS induction, and subsequent increases in DHCR24 auto-antibody production occurred in our tupaia model, providing novel insights into understanding HCV pathogenesis.
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23
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The Path to Cancer and Back: Immune Modulation During Hepatitis C Virus Infection, Progression to Fibrosis and Cancer, and Unexpected Roles of New Antivirals. Transplantation 2017; 101:910-915. [PMID: 28045877 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000001623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects over 130 million individuals worldwide, and it is the number 1 reason for liver transplantation in the United States. HCV infection progresses in a slow chronic fashion eliciting a strong but ineffective immune response, mainly characterized by NK cell dysfunction and T cell exhaustion. The chronic hepatic inflammation leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer in a significant number of patients. In recent years, groundbreaking research has led to the discovery of new HCV-specific direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), which have an unprecedented efficacy to clear the virus, and establish a sustained virological response. Indeed, curing HCV infection with an oral medication is now reality. The effects of DAAs in mitigating the HCV-related complications of liver fibrosis and cancer are yet largely unknown. Nonetheless, recent controversial reports suggest a potential increase in liver cancer recurrence upon use of DAAs. In the current article, we review the most important immune-mediated mechanisms underlying HCV chronicity and the development of liver fibrosis and cancer. Furthermore, we discuss recent concern on use of the new agents.
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24
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Salem ML, Zidan AAA, Attia M, El-Naggar RE, Nassef M, Abou El-Azm AR, El-Bate H, Yussif M, Galal S, Abo Senna M, El Demellawy M. IFN-α-based treatment of patients with chronic HCV show increased levels of cells with myeloid-derived suppressor cell phenotype and of IDO and NOS. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2017; 39:188-198. [PMID: 28472907 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2017.1320670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes chronic hepatitis, which is often associated with suppressed anti-HCV immune responses. We have recently reported accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and suppressed immunity in cancer patients. AIM The main aim of this study was to determine whether chronic HCV patients harbor high of MDSCs in general and in nonresponders to IFN-based therapy in particular as well as to analyze the immune suppressive molecules. METHODS Peripheral blood samples withdrawn from 154 patients with chronic HCV infection and were categorized into responders and nonresponders based on viral titer upon IFN-α treatment. RESULTS The relative and absolute numbers of MDSCs defined as Lin-/HLA-DR-/CD33+/CD11b+ increased in all HCV patients, where they were higher in nonresponders than in responders. Additionally, the levels of MDSCs after 4-6 months of treatment in responders were lower than during the course of treatment. The responders also showed higher levels of IL-2 coincided with increased numbers of dendritic cells (DCs), CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The levels of total NOS and IDO were also higher in nonresponders as compared to responders and healthy controls, while the expression levels of CD3ζ was lower in responders as compared to nonresponders and healthy volunteers. CONCLUSION Chronic HCV patients harbor high numbers of MDSCs, which are higher in nonresponders than in responders. The higher numbers of MDSCs associated with increases in the suppressing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Labib Salem
- a Zoology Department, Immunology and Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science , Tanta University , Tanta , Egypt
| | - Abdel-Aziz A Zidan
- b Zoology Department, Faculty of Science , Damanhour University , Damanhour , Egypt
| | - Mohamed Attia
- c Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine , Tanta University , Tanta , Egypt
| | - Randa E El-Naggar
- a Zoology Department, Immunology and Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science , Tanta University , Tanta , Egypt
| | - Mohamed Nassef
- a Zoology Department, Immunology and Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science , Tanta University , Tanta , Egypt
| | - Abdel Raouf Abou El-Azm
- d Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine , Tanta University , Tanta , Egypt
| | - Hasan El-Bate
- e Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine , Kafrelshheikh University , Kafr Elshheikh , Egypt
| | - Mohamed Yussif
- d Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine , Tanta University , Tanta , Egypt
| | - Sohaila Galal
- a Zoology Department, Immunology and Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science , Tanta University , Tanta , Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abo Senna
- a Zoology Department, Immunology and Biotechnology Unit, Faculty of Science , Tanta University , Tanta , Egypt
| | - Maha El Demellawy
- f City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications , Pharmaceutical and Fermentation Industries Development Center , New Burg El Arab , Egypt
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25
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Tsai WL, Cheng JS, Shu CW, Lai KH, Chan HH, Wu CC, Wu JM, Hsu PI, Chung RT, Chang TH. Asunaprevir Evokes Hepatocytes Innate Immunity to Restrict the Replication of Hepatitis C and Dengue Virus. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:668. [PMID: 28473813 PMCID: PMC5397474 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Type I Interferon-mediated innate immunity against Flaviviridae, such as Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Dengue virus (DENV), involves TLR3, RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) and JAK-STAT signal pathways. Asunaprevir is a newly developed HCV protease inhibitor for HCV treatment. Whether, asunaprevir activates innate immunity to restrict viral infection is unclear. Thus, this study investigates the effect of asunaprevir on innate immunity and its influence on HCV and DENV infection. Huh 7.5.1, Hep-G2 cells, JFH-1 infection model, and DENV-2 infection were used for the analysis. The activity of asunaprevir-regulated innate immunity signal pathway was assessed with IFN-β promoter or IFN-stimulated responsive element (ISRE) reporter assays and immunoblotting of key signal proteins. siRNA-mediated MAVS and TRIF knockdown of cells was performed to assess the effect of asunaprevir-regulated innate immunity against HCV and DENV. Asunaprevir treatment activated ISRE and IFN-β promoter-luciferase activities and signaling proteins in the JAK-STAT, MAVS, and TRIF pathways in Huh 7.5.1 cells. Asunaprevir-mediated signaling activation was decreased in MAVS-knockdown cells. Importantly, both RNA and protein levels of DENV-2 NS3 were decreased in asunaprevir-treated Huh 7.5.1 and HepG2 cells. In MAVS-knockdown cells, the restrictive effect of asunaprevir on HCV and DENV was attenuated. Our findings reveal an unexpected activity of asunaprevir, the activation of MAVS dependent innate immunity to restrict HCV and DENV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lun Tsai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General HospitalKaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Shiung Cheng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General HospitalKaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wen Shu
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard UniversityBoston, MA, USA
| | - Kwok-Hung Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General HospitalKaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Hoi-Hung Chan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General HospitalKaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ching Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General HospitalKaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Mei Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General HospitalKaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ping-I Hsu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General HospitalKaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General HospitalKaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsien Chang
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard UniversityBoston, MA, USA.,Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Chung Hwa University of Medical TechnologyTainan, Taiwan
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26
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Rallón N, García M, García-Samaniego J, Rodríguez N, Cabello A, Restrepo C, Álvarez B, García R, Górgolas M, Benito JM. HCV coinfection contributes to HIV pathogenesis by increasing immune exhaustion in CD8 T-cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173943. [PMID: 28323897 PMCID: PMC5360268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are several contributors to HIV-pathogenesis or insufficient control of the infection. However, whether HIV/HCV-coinfected population exhibits worst evolution of HIV-pathogenesis remains unclear. Recently, some markers of immune exhaustion have been proposed as preferentially upregulated on T-cells during HIV-infection. Herein, we have analyzed T-cell exhaustion together with several other contributors to HIV-pathogenesis that could be affected by HCV-coinfection. Patients and methods Ninety-six patients with chronic HIV-infection (60 HIV-monoinfected and 36 HIV/HCV-coinfected), and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. All patients were untreated for both infections. Several CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets involved in HIV-pathogenesis were investigated. Non-parametric tests were used to establish differences between groups and associations between variables. Multivariate linear regression was used to ascertain the variables independently associated with CD4 counts. Results HIV-patients presented significant differences compared to healthy controls in most of the parameters analyzed. Both HIV and HIV/HCV groups were comparable in terms of age, CD4 counts and HIV-viremia. Compared to HIV group, HIV/HCV group presented significantly higher levels of exhaustion (Tim3+PD1- subset) in total CD8+ T-cells (p = 0.003), and higher levels of exhaustion in CD8+HLADR+CD38+ (p = 0.04), CD8+HLADR-CD38+ (p = 0.009) and CD8+HLADR-CD38- (p = 0.006) subsets of CD8+ T-cells. Interestingly these differences were maintained after adjusting by CD4 counts and HIV-viremia. Conclusions We show a significant impact of HCV-coinfection on CD8 T-cells exhaustion, an important parameter associated with CD8 T-cell dysfunction in the setting of chronic HIV-infection. The relevance of this phenomenon on immunological and/or clinical HIV progression prompts HCV treatment to improve management of coinfected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma Rallón
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Marcial García
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | | | - Noelia Rodríguez
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Alfonso Cabello
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Restrepo
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Beatriz Álvarez
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa García
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Górgolas
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Benito
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
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27
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El-Bendary M, Neamatallah M, Esmat G, Kamel E, Elalfy H, Besheer T, Eldeib D, Eladl AH, El-Setouhy M, El-Gilany AH, El-Waseef A. Associations of human leucocyte antigen class II-DQB1 alleles with hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian population: a multicentre family-based study. J Viral Hepat 2016; 23:961-970. [PMID: 27599887 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C infection is a global pandemic. HLA-DQB1 alleles are believed to have an effective role in immune response against HCV including susceptibility to or protection from this infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of HLA-DQB1 alleles in the outcome of HCV genotype-4 infection through a family-based association study. Egyptian families with HCV (324) were recruited for this study (324 index positive for RNA-HCV, 225 positive relatives representing chronic hepatitis C cases and 582 family members negative for HCV-RNA [control], 63 of whom spontaneously cleared the virus. All subjects were genotyped for HLA-DQB1 alleles by sequence-specific primers (SSP-PCR) and sequence-based typing (SBT) methods. The frequency of DQB1*02:01:01 carriage was significantly higher in infected patients when compared to controls and those who spontaneously cleared virus (OR=5.47, P<.0001 and OR= 6.5234, P<.0001, respectively), and the carriage of the DQB1*03:01:01:01 allele was significantly higher in those who cleared and controls when compared to the infected patients (OR=0.2889, P<.0001 and OR=0.3016, P<.0001, respectively). On the other hand, the frequency of DQB1*06:01:01 and QB1*05:01:01:01 alleles was not associated with infection (comparison of infected and cleared patients showed OR of 2.1598 [P<.01]), but it becomes nonsignificant after adjustments with the Bonferroni formula (PC >0.05) and OR= 1.3523, P>.05, respectively. This study shows that clearance of HCV is associated with DQB1*03:01:01:01 allele and chronicity of HCV infection associated with the risk allele: DQB1*02:01:01.
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Affiliation(s)
- M El-Bendary
- Tropical Medicine & Hepatology, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - M Neamatallah
- Medical Biochemistry, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - G Esmat
- Tropical Medicine & Hepatology, Cairo Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - E Kamel
- Public Health & Preventive Medicine Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - H Elalfy
- Tropical Medicine & Hepatology, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - T Besheer
- Tropical Medicine & Hepatology, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - D Eldeib
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - A-H Eladl
- Internal Medicine Department, Alazhar Faculty of Medicine- Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - M El-Setouhy
- Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A-H El-Gilany
- Public Health & Preventive Medicine Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - A El-Waseef
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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28
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Hartling HJ, Ballegaard VC, Nielsen NS, Gaardbo JC, Nielsen SD. Immune regulation in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Scand J Gastroenterol 2016; 51:1387-97. [PMID: 27436030 DOI: 10.3109/00365521.2016.1170875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The immunological result of infection with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) depends on the delicate balance between a vigorous immune response that may clear the infection, but with a risk of unspecific inflammation and, or a less inflammatory response that leads to chronic infection. In general, exhaustion and impairment of cytotoxic function of HCV-specific T cells and NK cells are found in patients with chronic HCV infection. In contrast, an increase in immune regulatory functions is found primarily in form of increased IL-10 production possibly due to increased level and function of anti-inflammatory Tregs. Thus, the major immune players during chronic HCV infection are characterized by a decrease of cytotoxic function and increase of inhibitory functions. This may be an approach to diminish intrahepatic and systemic inflammation. Finally, there has been increasing awareness of regulatory functions of epigenetic changes in chronic HCV infection. A vast amount of studies have revealed the complexity of immune regulation in chronic HCV infection, but the interplay between immune regulation in virus and host remains incompletely understood. This review provides an overview of regulatory functions of HCV-specific T cells, NK cells, Tregs, IL-10, and TGF-β, as well as epigenetic changes in the setting of chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Jakob Hartling
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
| | - Vibe Cecilie Ballegaard
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
| | - Nick Schou Nielsen
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
| | - Julie Christine Gaardbo
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
| | - Susanne Dam Nielsen
- a Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases , University of Copenhagen , Rigshospitalet , Denmark
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29
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Swann RE, Mandalou P, Robinson MW, Ow MM, Foung SKH, McLauchlan J, Patel AH, Cramp ME. Anti-envelope antibody responses in individuals at high risk of hepatitis C virus who resist infection. J Viral Hepat 2016; 23:873-880. [PMID: 27405885 PMCID: PMC5244678 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Injection drug users uninfected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) despite likely repeated exposure through high-risk behaviour are well documented. Factors preventing infection in these individuals are incompletely understood. Here, we looked for anti-HCV-envelope antibody responses in a cohort of repeatedly exposed but uninfected subjects. Forty-two hepatitis C diagnostic antibody- and RNA-negative injection drug users at high risk of exposure were studied and findings compared to healthy controls and cases with chronic HCV infection. Purified IgGs from sera were tested by ELISA for binding to genotype 1a and 3a envelope glycoproteins E1E2 with further testing for IgG and IgM reactivity against soluble E2. Virus-neutralizing activity was assessed using an HCV pseudoparticle system. Uninfected subjects demonstrated significantly greater IgG and IgM reactivities to envelope glycoproteins than healthy controls with IgG from 6 individuals additionally showing significant neutralization. This study is the first to describe humoral immunological responses targeting the HCV envelope, important for viral neutralization, in exposed uninfected individuals. A subset of these cases also had evidence of viral neutralization via anti-envelope antibodies. In addition to confirming viral exposure, the presence of specific anti-envelope antibodies may be a factor that helps these individuals resist HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. E. Swann
- MRC – University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - P. Mandalou
- Hepatology Research GroupPlymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and DentistryPlymouthUK,South West Liver UnitDerriford HospitalPlymouthUK
| | - M. W. Robinson
- MRC – University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK,School of Biochemistry and ImmunologyTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - M. M. Ow
- Hepatology Research GroupPlymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and DentistryPlymouthUK,South West Liver UnitDerriford HospitalPlymouthUK
| | - S. K. H. Foung
- Department of PathologyStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCAUSA
| | - J. McLauchlan
- MRC – University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - A. H. Patel
- MRC – University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - M. E. Cramp
- Hepatology Research GroupPlymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and DentistryPlymouthUK,South West Liver UnitDerriford HospitalPlymouthUK
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30
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Quarleri JF, Oubiña JR. Hepatitis C virus strategies to evade the specific-T cell response: a possible mission favoring its persistence. Ann Hepatol 2016; 15:17-26. [PMID: 26626636 DOI: 10.5604/16652681.1184193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a small, enveloped RNA virus. The number of HCV-infected individuals worldwide is estimated to be approximately 200 million. The vast majority of HCV infections persist, with up to 80% of all cases leading to chronic hepatitis associated with liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The interaction between HCV and the host have a pivotal role in viral fitness, persistence, pathogenicity, and disease progression. The control of HCV infection requires both effective innate and adaptive immune responses. The HCV clearance during acute infection is associated with an early induction of the innate and a delayed initiation of the adaptive immune responses. However, in the vast majority of acute HCV infections, these responses are overcome and the virus persistence almost inexorably occurs. Recently, several host- and virus-related mechanisms responsible for the failure of both the innate and the adaptive immune responses have been recognized. Among the latter, the wide range of escape mutations to evade the specific-T-and B-cell responses as well as the T cell anergy and the CD8+ T cell exhaustion together with the interference with its function after prolonged virus exposure hold a pivotal role. Other HCV strategies include the modification or manipulation of molecules playing key roles in the induction of the interferon response and its induced effector proteins. In this review, we attempt to gain insights on the main T cell immune evasion strategies used by the virus in order to favor its persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Fabián Quarleri
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Argentina
| | - José Raúl Oubiña
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM), Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Argentina
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31
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Fichter M, Piradashvili K, Pietrzak-Nguyen A, Pretsch L, Kuhn G, Strand S, Knuf M, Zepp F, Wurm FR, Mailänder V, Landfester K, Gehring S. Polymeric hepatitis C virus non-structural protein 5A nanocapsules induce intrahepatic antigen-specific immune responses. Biomaterials 2016; 108:1-12. [PMID: 27614817 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Targeting antigen combined with adjuvants to hepatic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) is essential for the induction of intrahepatic T cellular immunity controlling and resolving viral infections of the liver. Intravenous injection of antigen-loaded nanoparticles is a promising approach for the delivery of antigens to liver APCs. Accordingly, polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) synthesized exclusively of hepatitis C virus non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) and the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) adsorbed to the nanocapsule surface were developed. Aim of the present study was the evaluation of the in vitro and in vivo behavior of MPLA-functionalized NS5A-NCs regarding the interaction with liver dendritic cells (DCs) and the potential to induce intrahepatic immune responses in a mouse model. Maturation of DCs was significantly increased by application of NS5A+MPLA-NCs compared to non-functionalized NS5A-NCs promoting a vigorous expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and a strong secretion of the Th1-related cytokine IL-12. NS5A-NCs were preferentially deposited in DCs and Kupffer cells residing in the liver after intravenous administration. Immunization with NS5A-NCs induced intrahepatic antigen-specific CD4(+) T cellular immune responses determined by the secretion of IFNγ and IL-2. Furthermore, supplementation with MPLA induced significant levels of NS5A-specific antibodies. The application of polymeric nanocapsules synthesized exclusively out of antigen avoids the risk of unintended side effects caused by additional carrier substances. Functionalization with adjuvants like MPLA and the efficient targeting to liver-resident APCs inherits the potential for application of antigen nanocapsules in further vaccination approaches against pathogens affecting the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fichter
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Keti Piradashvili
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anette Pietrzak-Nguyen
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Leah Pretsch
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabor Kuhn
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Strand
- III. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus Knuf
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany; Children's Hospital, Dr. Horst-Schmidt-Kliniken, Ludwig-Erhard-Str. 100, 65199, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Fred Zepp
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Frederik R Wurm
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Mailänder
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Katharina Landfester
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephan Gehring
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
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32
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Zhang Y, El-Far M, Dupuy FP, Abdel-Hakeem MS, He Z, Procopio FA, Shi Y, Haddad EK, Ancuta P, Sekaly RP, Said EA. HCV RNA Activates APCs via TLR7/TLR8 While Virus Selectively Stimulates Macrophages Without Inducing Antiviral Responses. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29447. [PMID: 27385120 PMCID: PMC4935957 DOI: 10.1038/srep29447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate and adaptive immune systems fail to control HCV infection in the majority of infected individuals. HCV is an ssRNA virus, which suggests a role for Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 8 in initiating the anti-viral response. Here we demonstrate that HCV genomic RNA harbours specific sequences that initiate an anti-HCV immune response through TLR7 and TLR8 in various antigen presenting cells. Conversely, HCV particles are detected by macrophages, but not by monocytes and DCs, through a TLR7/8 dependent mechanism; this leads to chloroquine sensitive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, while the antiviral type I Interferon response is not triggered in these cells. Antibodies to DC-SIGN, a c-type lectin selectively expressed by macrophages but not pDCs or mDCs, block the production of cytokines. Novel anti-HCV vaccination strategies should target the induction of TLR7/8 stimulation in APCs in order to establish potent immune responses against HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Zhang
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute-Florida (VGTI-FL), Port Saint Lucie, Florida 3498, USA
| | - Mohamed El-Far
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Franck P Dupuy
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute-Florida (VGTI-FL), Port Saint Lucie, Florida 3498, USA.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mohamed S Abdel-Hakeem
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Zhong He
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute-Florida (VGTI-FL), Port Saint Lucie, Florida 3498, USA
| | - Francesco Andrea Procopio
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute-Florida (VGTI-FL), Port Saint Lucie, Florida 3498, USA
| | - Yu Shi
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute-Florida (VGTI-FL), Port Saint Lucie, Florida 3498, USA
| | - Elias K Haddad
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute-Florida (VGTI-FL), Port Saint Lucie, Florida 3498, USA
| | - Petronela Ancuta
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Rafick-Pierre Sekaly
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute-Florida (VGTI-FL), Port Saint Lucie, Florida 3498, USA.,Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Elias A Said
- Centre de recherche du centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Hôpital Saint-Luc, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman
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33
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Silberstein E, Ulitzky L, Lima LA, Cehan N, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Roingeard P, Taylor DR. HCV-Mediated Apoptosis of Hepatocytes in Culture and Viral Pathogenesis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155708. [PMID: 27280444 PMCID: PMC4900611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is associated with progressive liver injury and subsequent development of fibrosis and cirrhosis. The death of hepatocytes results in the release of cytokines that induce inflammatory and fibrotic responses. The mechanism of liver damage is still under investigation but both apoptosis and immune-mediated processes may play roles. By observing the changes in gene expression patterns in HCV-infected cells, both markers and the causes of HCV-associated liver injury may be elucidated. HCV genotype 1b virus from persistently infected VeroE6 cells induced a strong cytopathic effect when used to infect Huh7.5 hepatoma cells. To determine if this cytopathic effect was a result of apoptosis, ultrastructural changes were observed by electron microscopy and markers of programmed cell death were surveyed. Screening of a human PCR array demonstrated a gene expression profile that contained upregulated markers of apoptosis, including tumor necrosis factor, caspases and caspase activators, Fas, Bcl2-interacting killer (BIK) and tumor suppressor protein, p53, as a result of HCV genotype 1b infection. The genes identified in this study should provide new insights into understanding viral pathogenesis in liver cells and may possibly help to identify novel antiviral and antifibrotic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Silberstein
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, CBER FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20903, United States of America
| | - Laura Ulitzky
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, CBER FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20903, United States of America
| | - Livia Alves Lima
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, CBER FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20903, United States of America
| | - Nicoleta Cehan
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, CBER FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20903, United States of America
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, CBER FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20903, United States of America
| | - Philippe Roingeard
- INSERM U966, Universite Francois Rabelais and CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Deborah R. Taylor
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, CBER FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20903, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Alcohol intake alters immune responses and promotes CNS viral persistence in mice. Behav Brain Res 2016; 312:1-8. [PMID: 27269869 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection leads to progressive liver disease and is associated with a variety of extrahepatic effects, including central nervous system (CNS) damage and neuropsychiatric impairments. Alcohol abuse can exacerbate these adverse effects on brain and behavior, but the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. This study investigated the role of alcohol in regulating viral persistence and CNS immunopathology in mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a model for HCV infections in humans. Female and male BALB/c mice (n=94) were exposed to alcohol (ethanol; EtOH) and water (or water only) using a two-bottle choice paradigm, followed one week later by infection with either LCMV clone 13 (causes chronic infection similar to chronic HCV), LCMV Armstrong (causes acute infection), or vehicle. Mice were monitored for 60days post-infection and continued to receive 24-h access to EtOH and water. Animals infected with LCMV clone 13 drank more EtOH, as compared to those with an acute or no viral infection. Six weeks after infection with LCMV clone 13, mice with EtOH exposure evidenced higher serum viral titers, as compared to mice without EtOH exposure. EtOH intake was also associated with reductions in virus-specific CD8(+) T cell frequencies (particularly CD11a(hi) subsets) and evidence of persistent CNS viremia in chronically infected mice. These findings support the hypothesis that EtOH use and chronic viral infection can result in combined toxic effects accelerating CNS damage and neuropsychiatric dysfunction and suggest that examining the role of EtOH in regulating viral persistence and CNS immunopathology in mice infected with LCMV can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of comorbid alcohol use disorder and chronic viral infection.
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A Potential Inhibitory Profile of Liver CD68+ Cells during HCV Infection as Observed by an Increased CD80 and PD-L1 but Not CD86 Expression. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153191. [PMID: 27065104 PMCID: PMC4827822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim The lack of potent innate immune responses during HCV infection might lead to a delay in initiating adaptive immune responses. Kupffer cells (KCs) and liver-infiltrating monocytes/macrophages (CD68+ cells) are essential to establish effective anti-HCV responses. They express co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86. CD86 upregulation induces activator responses that are then potentially regulated by CD80. The relative levels of expression of CD80, CD86 and the inhibitory molecule, PD-L1, on CD68+ cells modulate T cell activation. A few studies have explored CD80 and PD-L1 expression on KCs and infiltrating monocytes/macrophages in HCV-infected livers, and none investigated CD86 expression in these cells. These studies have identified these cells based on morphology only. We investigated the stimulatory/inhibitory profile of CD68+ cells in HCV-infected livers based on the balance of CD80, CD86 and PD-L1 expression. Methods CD80, CD86 and PD-L1 expression by CD68+ cells in the lobular and portal areas of the liver of chronic HCV-infected (n = 16) and control (n = 14) individuals was investigated using double staining immunohistochemistry. Results The count of CD68+ KCs in the lobular areas of the HCV-infected livers was lower than that in the control (p = 0.041). The frequencies of CD68+CD80+ cells and CD68+PD-L1+ cells in both lobular and total areas of the liver were higher in HCV-infected patients compared with those in the control group (p = 0.001, 0.031 and 0.007 respectively). Moreover, in the lobular areas of the HCV-infected livers, the frequency of CD68+CD80+ cells was higher than that of CD68+CD86+ and CD68+PD-L1+ cells. In addition, the frequencies of CD68+CD80+ and CD68+CD86+ cells were higher in the lobular areas than the portal areas. Conclusions Our results show that CD68+ cells have an inhibitory profile in the HCV-infected livers. This might help explain the delayed T cell response and viral persistence during HCV infection.
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Grady BPX, Nanlohy NM, van Baarle D. HCV monoinfection and HIV/HCV coinfection enhance T-cell immune senescence in injecting drug users early during infection. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2016; 13:10. [PMID: 27034702 PMCID: PMC4815107 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-016-0065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Injecting drug users (IDU) are at premature risk of developing multimorbidity and mortality from causes commonly observed in the elderly. Ageing of the immune system (immune-senescence) can lead to premature morbidity and mortality and can be accelerated by chronic viral infections. Here we investigated the impact of HCV monoinfection and HIV/HCV coinfection on immune parameters in (ex-) IDU. We analyzed telomere length and expression of activation, differentiation and exhaustion markers on T cells at baseline (t = 1) and at follow-up (t = 2) (median interval 16.9 years) in IDU who were: HCV mono-infected (n = 21); HIV/HCV coinfected (n = 23) or multiple exposed but uninfected (MEU) (n = 8). Results The median time interval between t = 1 and t = 2 was 16.9 years. Telomere length within CD4+ and CD8+ T cells decreased significantly over time in all IDU groups (p ≤ 0.012). CD4+ T-cell telomere length in HCV mono-infected IDU was significantly reduced compared to healthy donors at t = 1 (p < 0.008). HIV/HCV coinfected IDU had reduced CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell telomere lengths (p ≤ 0.002) to healthy donors i at t = 1. This was related to persistent levels of immune activation but not due to increased differentiation of T cells over time. Telomere length decrease was observed within all T-cell subsets, but mainly found in immature T cells (CD27+CD57+) (p ≤ 0.015). Conclusions HCV mono-infection and HIV/HCV coinfection enhance T-cell immune-senescence. Our data suggest that this occurred early during infection, which warrants early treatment for both HCV and HIV to reduce immune senescence in later life. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12979-016-0065-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart P X Grady
- Department of Research, Cluster Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nening M Nanlohy
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Debbie van Baarle
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Present address: Department of Immune Mechanisms, Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Naik AS, Palmer BA, Crosbie O, Kenny-Walsh E, Fanning LJ. A single amino acid change in the hypervariable region 1 of hepatitis C virus genotype 4a aids humoral immune escape. J Gen Virol 2016; 97:1345-1349. [PMID: 26945008 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal analysis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has shown that the virus has several adaptive strategies that maintain persistence and infectivity over time. We examined four serum samples from the same chronically infected HCV genotype 4a patient for the presence of IgG antibody-associated virus. RNA was isolated from antibody-associated and antibody-free virions. Subsequent to sequence analysis, 27 aa hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) peptides were used to test the humoral immune escape. We demonstrated that differential peptide binding of Fab was associated with a single amino acid change. We provide direct evidence of natural humoral immune escape by HCV within HVR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amruta S Naik
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Brendan A Palmer
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Orla Crosbie
- Department of Hepatology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Liam J Fanning
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Grassi G, Di Caprio G, Fimia GM, Ippolito G, Tripodi M, Alonzi T. Hepatitis C virus relies on lipoproteins for its life cycle. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:1953-1965. [PMID: 26877603 PMCID: PMC4726671 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i6.1953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects over 150 million people worldwide. In most cases, HCV infection becomes chronic causing liver disease ranging from fibrosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Viral persistence and pathogenesis are due to the ability of HCV to deregulate specific host processes, mainly lipid metabolism and innate immunity. In particular, HCV exploits the lipoprotein machineries for almost all steps of its life cycle. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge concerning the interplay between HCV and lipoprotein metabolism. We discuss the role played by members of lipoproteins in HCV entry, replication and virion production.
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Abdelwahab KS, Ahmed Said ZN. Status of hepatitis C virus vaccination: Recent update. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:862-873. [PMID: 26811632 PMCID: PMC4716084 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i2.862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still a major public health problem worldwide since its first identification in 1989. At the start, HCV infection was post-transfusion viral infection, particularly in developing countries. Recently, due to iv drug abuse, HCV infection became number one health problem in well-developed countries as well. Following acute HCV infection, the innate immune response is triggered in the form of activated coordinated interaction of NK cells, dendritic cells and interferon α. The acquired immune response is then developed in the form of the antibody-mediated immune response (ABIR) and the cell-mediated immune response (CMIR). Both are responsible for clearance of HCV infection in about 15% of infected patients. However, HCV has several mechanisms to evade these antivirus immune reactions. The current review gives an overview of HCV structure, immune response and viral evasion mechanisms. It also evaluates the available preventive and therapeutic vaccines that induce innate, ABIR, CMIR. Moreover, this review highlights the progress in recent HCV vaccination studies either in preclinical or clinical phases. The unsatisfactory identification of HCV infection by the current screening system and the limitations of currently available treatments, including the ineligibility of some chronic HCV patients to such antiviral agents, mandate the development of an effective HCV vaccine.
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Frankova S, Jirsa M, Merta D, Neroldova M, Urbanek P, Senkerikova R, Spicak J, Sperl J. USP18 downregulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells predicts nonresponse to interferon-based triple therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1: a pilot study. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2015; 11:1853-61. [PMID: 26719699 PMCID: PMC4687952 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s94010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Patients with advanced liver fibrosis owing to chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 represent a difficult-to-treat group even if a protease inhibitor is added to pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin. Therefore, only patients with a high chance of cure should be treated with interferon-based treatment. Patients and methods Expression of IFNG, IFNLR1, and interferon-sensitive genes CXCL9, IFI16, IFI27, ISG15, and USP18 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was assessed before and during the initial 12 weeks of treatment. The studied group consisted of 26 treatment-experienced patients of average age of 50 years with advanced liver fibrosis compared to seven healthy volunteers. Fourteen patients were treated with pegylated interferon alpha 2b, ribavirin, and boceprevir and 12 patients with telaprevir. The overall sustained virological response (SVR) rate was 69% (18/26). Results A significant difference in the initial expression (median, interquartile range [IQR]) of CXCL9 2.9×, IQR: 1.7–12.4 vs 1.2×, IQR: 0.5–1.8; (P=0.01) IFNG 7.3×, IQR: 1.7–32.6 vs 0.7×, IQR: 0.4–1.3; P=0.002 and USP18 3.7×, IQR: 2.1–7.7 vs 1.4×, IQR: 0.9–1.6; (P=0.03) was found between the SVR and non-SVR groups. Expression of all analyzed genes was progressively increasing during the first 12 weeks of therapy, but a significant difference between SVR and non-SVR group was found only in USP18 expression at week 12 (P=0.001). Initial expression of four genes predicted SVR in univariate analysis (CXCL9 [OR: 12.00, 95% CI: 1.21–118.89], IFI27 [OR: 12.00, 95% CI: 1.21–118.89], IFNG [OR: 10.50, 95% CI: 1.50–73.67], USP18 [OR: 21.00, 95% CI: 2.05–215.18]). In multivariate analysis, only the initial expression of USP18 was identified as a predictor of SVR (P=0.047). Conclusion Initial expression of USP18 and the course of its activation could be a reliable predictor of SVR achievement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sona Frankova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Jirsa
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dusan Merta
- Department of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena Neroldova
- Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Urbanek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Central Military Hospital, First Medical School, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Renata Senkerikova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Julius Spicak
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Sperl
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
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Gentile I, Maraolo AE, Buonomo AR, Zappulo E, Borgia G. The discovery of sofosbuvir: a revolution for therapy of chronic hepatitis C. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2015; 10:1363-77. [PMID: 26563720 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2015.1094051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide health problem, whose management has been revolutionized after the availability of sofosbuvir, a direct-acting antiviral (DAAs). Sofosbuvir is a HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor. Antiviral regimens including sofosbuvir are associated with success rates >90%, even in the case of "difficult-to-treat" patients such as subjects with liver cirrhosis as well as prior null response to IFN and ribavirin. AREAS COVERED This drug discovery case history focuses on the pre-clinical and clinical development of sofosbuvir. The authors analyze all of the main steps leading to the global approval of sofosbuvir. The paper also highlights the encouraging data from the subsequent trials wherein sofosbuvir was tested in combination with other DAAs (IFN- and often ribavirin-free regimens) and from first real life studies. EXPERT OPINION Sofosbuvir is a very powerful weapon in the new armamentarium against HCV. Thanks to its valuable features including its pangenotypic activity, once-daily oral administration, its excellent tolerability, and safety profile, it represents the backbone of several effective regimens, in combination with IFN or with other DAAs (IFN-free therapies). Regimens including sofosbuvir have quickly become the touchstone for all the novel anti-HCV treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Gentile
- a Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples, Italy +39 08 17 46 31 78 ; +39 08 17 46 31 90 ;
| | - Alberto Enrico Maraolo
- a Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples, Italy +39 08 17 46 31 78 ; +39 08 17 46 31 90 ;
| | - Antonio Riccardo Buonomo
- a Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples, Italy +39 08 17 46 31 78 ; +39 08 17 46 31 90 ;
| | - Emanuela Zappulo
- a Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples, Italy +39 08 17 46 31 78 ; +39 08 17 46 31 90 ;
| | - Guglielmo Borgia
- a Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples, Italy +39 08 17 46 31 78 ; +39 08 17 46 31 90 ;
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Grünvogel O, Esser-Nobis K, Reustle A, Schult P, Müller B, Metz P, Trippler M, Windisch MP, Frese M, Binder M, Fackler O, Bartenschlager R, Ruggieri A, Lohmann V. DDX60L Is an Interferon-Stimulated Gene Product Restricting Hepatitis C Virus Replication in Cell Culture. J Virol 2015; 89:10548-68. [PMID: 26269178 PMCID: PMC4580188 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01297-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED All major types of interferon (IFN) efficiently inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, HCV replication is not sensitive to IFN-γ in the hepatoma cell line Huh6, despite an intact signaling pathway. We performed transcriptome analyses between Huh6 and Huh-7 cells to identify effector genes of the IFN-γ response and thereby identified the DExD/H box helicase DEAD box polypeptide 60-like (DDX60L) as a restriction factor of HCV replication. DDX60L and its homolog DEAD box polypeptide 60 (DDX60) were both induced upon viral infection and IFN treatment in primary human hepatocytes. However, exclusively DDX60L knockdown increased HCV replication in Huh-7 cells and rescued HCV replication from type II IFN as well as type I and III IFN treatment, suggesting that DDX60L is an important effector protein of the innate immune response against HCV. In contrast, we found no impact of DDX60L on replication of hepatitis A virus. DDX60L protein was detectable only upon strong ectopic overexpression, displayed a broad cytoplasmic distribution, but caused cytopathic effects under these conditions. DDX60L knockdown did not alter interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) induction after IFN treatment but inhibited HCV replication upon ectopic expression, suggesting that it is a direct effector of the innate immune response. It most likely inhibits viral RNA replication, since we found neither impact of DDX60L on translation or stability of HCV subgenomic replicons nor additional impact on assembly of infectious virus. Similar to DDX60, DDX60L had a moderate impact on RIG-I dependent activation of innate immunity, suggesting additional functions in the sensing of viral RNA. IMPORTANCE Interferons induce a plethora of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), which are our first line of defense against viral infections. In addition, IFNs have been used in antiviral therapy, in particular against the human pathogen hepatitis C virus (HCV); still, their mechanism of action is not well understood, since diverse, overlapping sets of antagonistic effector ISGs target viruses with different biologies. Our work identifies DDX60L as a novel factor that inhibits replication of HCV. DDX60L expression is regulated similarly to that of its homolog DDX60, but our data suggest that it has distinct functions, since we found no contribution of DDX60 in combatting HCV replication. The identification of novel components of the innate immune response contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the complex mechanisms governing antiviral defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Grünvogel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Esser-Nobis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Reustle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Schult
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Birthe Müller
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Integrative Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philippe Metz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Trippler
- Medical Research Centre, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Marc P Windisch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Frese
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Binder
- Research Group Dynamics of Early Viral Infection and the Innate Antiviral Response, Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Fackler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Integrative Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alessia Ruggieri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Lohmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Dietz J, Lutz T, Knecht G, Gute P, Berkowski C, Lange CM, Khaykin P, Stephan C, Brodt HR, Herrmann E, Zeuzem S, Sarrazin C. Evolution and function of the HCV NS3 protease in patients with acute hepatitis C and HIV coinfection. Virology 2015; 485:213-22. [PMID: 26295281 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the importance of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease in acute hepatitis C. In this prospective study, 82 consecutive patients with acute hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection were enrolled. Individuals were infected with highly related HCV strains and the baseline NS3 quasispecies diversity and complexity was higher compared to a chronic hepatitis C control group (P<0.0001). Both parameters were comparable in patients with spontaneous clearance (n=6) versus treatment-induced SVR (n=5) or development of chronic hepatitis C (n=9). Longitudinal NS3 quasispecies kinetics showed a trend to a decreasing diversity and complexity (P<0.05) within 4 weeks in patients with spontaneous clearance compared to the other groups. The innate immune signalling protein CARDIF was cleaved to a similar extent independent of the outcome. Together with a more pronounced viral load decline (P<0.05), an early decreasing NS3 quasispecies evolution indicates spontaneous clearance of acute hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Dietz
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, J.W. Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Caterina Berkowski
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, J.W. Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Pavel Khaykin
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, J.W. Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christoph Stephan
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, J.W. Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hans-Reinhard Brodt
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, J.W. Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eva Herrmann
- Institute of Biostatistics and Mathematical Modeling, J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, J.W. Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christoph Sarrazin
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, J.W. Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Esser‐Nobis K, Harak C, Schult P, Kusov Y, Lohmann V. Novel perspectives for hepatitis A virus therapy revealed by comparative analysis of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis A virus RNA replication. Hepatology 2015; 62:397-408. [PMID: 25866017 PMCID: PMC7165973 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are two positive-strand RNA viruses sharing a similar biology, but causing opposing infection outcomes, with HAV always being cleared and HCV establishing persistence in the majority of infections. To gain deeper insight into determinants of replication, persistence, and treatment, we established a homogenous cell-culture model allowing a thorough comparison of RNA replication of both viruses. By screening different human liver-derived cell lines with subgenomic reporter replicons of HAV as well as of different HCV genotypes, we found that Huh7-Lunet cells supported HAV- and HCV-RNA replication with similar efficiency and limited interference between both replicases. HAV and HCV replicons were similarly sensitive to interferon (IFN), but differed in their ability to establish persistent replication in cell culture. In contrast to HCV, HAV replicated independently from microRNA-122 and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase IIIα and β (PI4KIII). Both viruses were efficiently inhibited by cyclosporin A and NIM811, a nonimmunosuppressive analog thereof, suggesting an overlapping dependency on cyclophilins for replication. However, analysis of a broader set of inhibitors revealed that, in contrast to HCV, HAV does not depend on cyclophilin A, but rather on adenosine-triphosphate-binding cassette transporters and FK506-binding proteins. Finally, silibinin, but not its modified intravenous formulation, efficiently inhibited HAV genome replication in vitro, suggesting oral silibinin as a potential therapeutic option for HAV infections. CONCLUSION We established a cell-culture model enabling comparative studies on RNA replication of HAV and HCV in a homogenous cellular background with comparable replication efficiency. We thereby identified new host cell targets and potential treatment options for HAV and set the ground for future studies to unravel determinants of clearance and persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Esser‐Nobis
- Department of Infectious DiseasesMolecular Virology, University of HeidelbergGermany
| | - Christian Harak
- Department of Infectious DiseasesMolecular Virology, University of HeidelbergGermany
| | - Philipp Schult
- Department of Infectious DiseasesMolecular Virology, University of HeidelbergGermany
| | - Yuri Kusov
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), University of LübeckGermany
| | - Volker Lohmann
- Department of Infectious DiseasesMolecular Virology, University of HeidelbergGermany
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Kuroishi A, Yasui K, Matsukura H, Tani Y, Furuta RA. Comparison of neutralization profiles for anti-HCV reactive donor samples with or without detectable HCV RNA. Vox Sang 2015; 109:319-26. [PMID: 26095725 DOI: 10.1111/vox.12301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES At Japanese Red Cross (JRC) Blood Centers, all donated blood is screened for hepatitis C virus (HCV) by serological and nucleic acid amplification testing. Donor plasma that tested reactive for anti-HCV by serological test is disqualified even if the donor tests negative for HCV RNA. These test results reflect both true-positive results because of past HCV infection and false-positive results because the cross-reactivity of plasma IgG, which current testing methods are unable to distinguish. To characterize these antibody test results, we examined the neutralizing activity of these plasma samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS Donor plasma samples that tested reactive for anti-HCV by serological test but negative for HCV RNA (n = 43) were analysed for determining their neutralizing activities measured by the inhibition of the cellular entry of pseudoparticles harbouring HCV envelope glycoproteins (HCVpp). RESULTS Strong and broad neutralizing activities against HCVpp entry similar to the samples that tested reactive for anti-HCV serological test and positive for HCV RNA (considered to be derived from individuals with chronic HCV infection) were observed in three of 43 plasma samples from donors who tested anti-HCV reactive but HCV RNA negative. CONCLUSION By examining the neutralizing activities of plasma samples, we identified individuals with a past HCV infection from those in whom we were unable to confirm HCV infection according to the current testing algorithms of JRC, which do not perform anti-HCV confirmatory tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kuroishi
- Japanese Red Cross Kinki Block Blood Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - K Yasui
- Japanese Red Cross Kinki Block Blood Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - H Matsukura
- Japanese Red Cross Kinki Block Blood Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Y Tani
- Japanese Red Cross Kinki Block Blood Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - R A Furuta
- Japanese Red Cross Kinki Block Blood Center, Osaka, Japan
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Pacheco JM, Smoliga GR, O’Donnell V, Brito BP, Stenfeldt C, Rodriguez LL, Arzt J. Persistent Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Infection in the Nasopharynx of Cattle; Tissue-Specific Distribution and Local Cytokine Expression. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125698. [PMID: 25996935 PMCID: PMC4440813 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissues obtained post-mortem from cattle persistently infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) were analyzed to characterize the tissue-specific localization of FMDV and partial transcriptome profiles for selected immunoregulatory cytokines. Analysis of 28 distinct anatomic sites from 21 steers infected with FMDV serotype A, O or SAT2, had the highest prevalence of overall viral detection in the dorsal nasopharynx (80.95%) and dorsal soft palate (71.43%). FMDV was less frequently detected in laryngeal mucosal tissues, oropharyngeal mucosal sites, and lymph nodes draining the pharynx. Immunomicroscopy indicated that within persistently infected mucosal tissues, FMDV antigens were rarely detectable within few epithelial cells in regions of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Transcriptome analysis of persistently infected pharyngeal tissues by qRT-PCR for 14 cytokine genes indicated a general trend of decreased mRNA levels compared to uninfected control animals. Although, statistically significant differences were not observed, greatest suppression of relative expression (RE) was identified for IP-10 (RE = 0.198), IFN-β (RE = 0.269), IL-12 (RE = 0.275), and IL-2 (RE = 0.312). Increased relative expression was detected for IL-6 (RE = 2.065). Overall, this data demonstrates that during the FMDV carrier state in cattle, viral persistence is associated with epithelial cells of the nasopharynx in the upper respiratory tract and decreased levels of mRNA for several immunoregulatory cytokines in the infected tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M. Pacheco
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Plum Island, NY, United States of America
| | - George R. Smoliga
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Plum Island, NY, United States of America
| | - Vivian O’Donnell
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Plum Island, NY, United States of America
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut at Storrs, Storrs, CT, United States of America
| | - Barbara P. Brito
- Center for Animal Diseases Modeling and Surveillance, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Carolina Stenfeldt
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Plum Island, NY, United States of America
| | - Luis L. Rodriguez
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Plum Island, NY, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Arzt
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Plum Island, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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47
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Coccia EM, Battistini A. Early IFN type I response: Learning from microbial evasion strategies. Semin Immunol 2015; 27:85-101. [PMID: 25869307 PMCID: PMC7129383 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferon (IFN) comprises a class of cytokines first discovered more than 50 years ago and initially characterized for their ability to interfere with viral replication and restrict locally viral propagation. As such, their induction downstream of germ-line encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) upon recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) is a hallmark of the host antiviral response. The acknowledgment that several PAMPs, not just of viral origin, may induce IFN, pinpoints at these molecules as a first line of host defense against a number of invading pathogens. Acting in both autocrine and paracrine manner, IFN interferes with viral replication by inducing hundreds of different IFN-stimulated genes with both direct anti-pathogenic as well as immunomodulatory activities, therefore functioning as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. On the other hand an inverse interference to escape the IFN system is largely exploited by pathogens through a number of tactics and tricks aimed at evading, inhibiting or manipulating the IFN pathway, that result in progression of infection or establishment of chronic disease. In this review we discuss the interplay between the IFN system and some selected clinically important and challenging viruses and bacteria, highlighting the wide array of pathogen-triggered molecular mechanisms involved in evasion strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana M Coccia
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Angela Battistini
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, Rome 00161, Italy.
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48
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Obaid A, Ahmad J, Naz A, Awan FM, Paracha RZ, Tareen SHK, Anjum S, Raza A, Baumbach J, Ali A. Modeling and analysis of innate immune responses induced by the host cells against hepatitis C virus infection. Integr Biol (Camb) 2015; 7:544-59. [PMID: 25848650 DOI: 10.1039/c4ib00285g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
An in-depth understanding of complex systems such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and host immunomodulatory response is an open challenge for biologists. In order to understand the mechanisms involved in immune evasion by HCV, we present a simplified formalization of the highly dynamic system consisting of HCV, its replication cycle and host immune responses at the cellular level using hybrid Petri net (HPN). The approach followed in this study comprises of step wise simulation, model validation and analysis of host immune response. This study was performed with an objective of making correlations among viral RNA levels, interferon (IFN) production and interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) induction. The results correlate with the biological data verifying that the model is very useful in predicting the dynamic behavior of the signaling proteins in response to a stimulus. This study implicates that HCV infection is dependent upon several key factors of the host immune response. The effect of host proteins on limiting viral infection is effectively overruled by the viral pathogen. This study also analyzes activity levels of RNase L, miR-122, IFN, ISGs and PKR induction and inhibition of TLR3/RIG1 mediated pathways in response to targeted manipulation in the presence of HCV. The results are in complete agreement at the time of writing with the published expression studies and western blot experiments. Our model also provides some biological insights regarding the role of PKR in the acute infection of HCV. It might help to explain why many patients fail to clear acute HCV infection while others, with low ISG basal levels, clear HCV spontaneously. The described methodology can easily be reproduced, which suitably supports the study of other viral infections in a formal, automated and expressive manner. The Petri net-based modeling approach applied here may provide valuable insights for study design and analyses to evaluate other disease associated integrated pathways in biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Obaid
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12, Islamabad, 44000 Pakistan.
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49
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Welsch C, Haselow K, Gouttenoire J, Schneider M, Morikawa K, Martinez Y, Susser S, Sarrazin C, Zeuzem S, Antes I, Moradpour D, Lange CM. Hepatitis C virus variants resistant to macrocyclic NS3-4A inhibitors subvert IFN-β induction by efficient MAVS cleavage. J Hepatol 2015; 62:779-84. [PMID: 25463536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Revised: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-4A protease is essential for the HCV life cycle and a prime target of antiviral treatment strategies. Protease inhibitors, however, are limited by emergence of resistance-associated amino acid variants (RAVs). The capacity to cleave and inactivate mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) in the RIG-I-signaling pathway is a cardinal feature of NS3-4A, by which HCV blocks induction of interferon-(IFN)-β, thereby promoting viral persistence. Here, we aimed to investigate the impact of NS3-4A RAVs on MAVS cleavage. METHODS The impact of NS3-4A RAVs on MAVS cleavage was assessed using immunoblot analyses, luciferase reporter assays and molecular dynamics simulations to study the underlying molecular principles. IFN-β was quantified in serum from patients with different NS3-4A RAVs. RESULTS We show that macrocyclic NS3-4A RAVS with substitutions at residue D168 of the protease result in an increased capacity of NS3-4A to cleave MAVS and suppress IFN-β induction compared with a comprehensive panel of RAVs and wild type HCV. Mechanistically, we show the reconstitution of a tight network of electrostatic interactions between protease and the peptide substrate that allows much stronger binding of MAVS to D168 RAVs than to the wild-type protease. Accordingly, we could show IFN-β serum levels to be lower in patients with treatment failure due to the selection of D168 variants compared to R155 RAVs. CONCLUSIONS Our data constitutes a proof of concept that the selection of RAVs against specific classes of direct antivirals can lead to the predominance of viral variants with possibly adverse pathogenic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Welsch
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt a.M., Germany; Max-Planck-Institute for Informatics, Computational Biology & Applied Algorithmics, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Katrin Haselow
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt a.M., Germany
| | - Jérôme Gouttenoire
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Markus Schneider
- Technical University Munich, Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS(M)) and Department of Life Science, D-85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Kenichi Morikawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yolanda Martinez
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt a.M., Germany
| | - Simone Susser
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt a.M., Germany
| | - Christoph Sarrazin
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt a.M., Germany
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt a.M., Germany
| | - Iris Antes
- Technical University Munich, Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS(M)) and Department of Life Science, D-85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Darius Moradpour
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christian M Lange
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt a.M., Germany.
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50
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Dynamic Interaction of Stress Granules, DDX3X, and IKK-α Mediates Multiple Functions in Hepatitis C Virus Infection. J Virol 2015; 89:5462-77. [PMID: 25740981 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03197-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX3X is involved in many cellular functions, including innate immunity, and is a pivotal host factor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Recently, we showed that DDX3X specifically recognizes the HCV 3' untranslated region (UTR), leading to the activation of IKK-α and a cascade of lipogenic signaling to facilitate lipid droplet biogenesis and viral assembly (Q. Li, V. Pene, S. Krishnamurthy, H. Cha, and T. J. Liang, Nat Med 19:722-729, 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm.3190). The interaction of DDX3X with HCV core protein seems to be dispensable for its proviral role. In this study, through systematic imaging and biochemical and virologic approaches, we identified a dynamic association between DDX3X and various cellular compartments and viral elements mediating multiple functions of DDX3X in productive HCV infection. Upon HCV infection, the HCV 3'UTR interacts with DDX3X and IKK-α, which redistribute to speckle-like cytoplasmic structures shown to be stress granules (SGs). As viral proteins accumulate in infected cells, DDX3X granules together with SG-associated proteins redistribute and colocalize with HCV core protein around lipid droplets (LDs). IKK-α, however, does not relocate to the LD but translocates to the nucleus. In HCV-infected cells, various HCV nonstructural proteins also interact or colocalize with DDX3X in close proximity to SGs and LDs, consistent with the tight juxtaposition of the replication complex and the assembly site at the surface of LDs. Short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of DDX3X and multiple SG components markedly inhibits HCV infection. Our data suggest that DDX3X initiates a multifaceted cellular program involving dynamic associations with HCV RNA and proteins, IKK-α, SG, and LD surfaces for its crucial role in the HCV life cycle. IMPORTANCE DDX3X is a proviral host factor for HCV infection. Recently, we showed that DDX3X binds to the HCV 3'UTR, activating IKK-α and cellular lipogenesis to facilitate viral assembly (Q. Li et al., Nat Med 19:722-729, 2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm.3190). Here, we report associations of DDX3X with various cellular compartments and viral elements that mediate its multiple functions in the HCV life cycle. Upon infection, the HCV 3'UTR redistributes DDX3X and IKK-α to speckle-like cytoplasmic structures shown to be SGs. Subsequently, interactions between DDX3X, SG, and HCV proteins facilitate the translocation of DDX3X-SG complexes to the LD surface. HCV nonstructural proteins are shown to colocalize with DDX3X in close proximity to SGs and LDs, consistent with the tight juxtaposition of the HCV replication complex and assembly site at the LD surface. Our data demonstrate that DDX3X initiates a multifaceted cellular program involving dynamic associations with HCV elements, IKK-α, SGs, and LDs for its critical role in HCV infection.
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