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Lin YM, Sun HY, Chiu WT, Su HC, Chien YC, Chong LW, Chang HC, Bai CH, Young KC, Tsao CW. Calcitriol Inhibits HCV Infection via Blockade of Activation of PPAR and Interference with Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation. Viruses 2018; 10:v10020057. [PMID: 29385741 PMCID: PMC5850364 DOI: 10.3390/v10020057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D has been identified as an innate anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) agent but the possible mechanisms for this issue remain unclear. Here, we clarified the mechanisms of calcitriol-mediated inhibition of HCV infection. Calcitriol partially inhibited HCV infection, nitric oxide (NO) release and lipid accumulation in Huh7.5 human hepatoma cells via the activation of vitamin D receptor (VDR). When cells were pretreated with the activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α (Wy14643) and -γ (Ly171883), the calcitriol-mediated HCV suppression was reversed. Otherwise, three individual stimulators of PPAR-α/β/γ blocked the activation of VDR. PPAR-β (linoleic acid) reversed the inhibition of NO release, whereas PPAR-γ (Ly171883) reversed the inhibitions of NO release and lipid accumulation in the presence of calcitriol. The calcitriol-mediated viral suppression, inhibition of NO release and activation of VDR were partially blocked by an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD), kifunensine. Furthermore, calcitriol blocked the HCV-induced expressions of apolipoprotein J and 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein, which was restored by pretreatment of kifunensine. These results indicated that the calcitriol-mediated HCV suppression was associated with the activation of VDR, interference with ERAD process, as well as blockades of PPAR, lipid accumulation and nitrative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Min Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 11101, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-Yu Sun
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
| | - Wen-Tai Chiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Chen Su
- Department of Pharmacy, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan 71004, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Chieh Chien
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
- Department of Long Term Care, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan 71703, Taiwan.
| | - Lee-Won Chong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 11101, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-Chuen Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 11101, Taiwan.
| | - Chyi-Huey Bai
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Kung-Chia Young
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
| | - Chiung-Wen Tsao
- Department of Long Term Care, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan 71703, Taiwan.
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Mosure KW, Knipe JO, Browning M, Arora V, Shu YZ, Phillip T, Mcphee F, Scola P, Balakrishnan A, Soars MG, Santone K, Sinz M. Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and In Vitro Metabolism of Asunaprevir (BMS-650032), a Potent Hepatitis C Virus NS3 Protease Inhibitor. J Pharm Sci 2015; 104:2813-23. [DOI: 10.1002/jps.24356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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3
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Ringelhan M, Reisinger F, Yuan D, Weber A, Heikenwalder M. Modeling human liver cancer heterogeneity: virally induced transgenic models and mouse genetic models of chronic liver inflammation. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PHARMACOLOGY 2014; 67:14.31.1-14.31.17. [PMID: 25446288 DOI: 10.1002/0471141755.ph1431s67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In addition to being the most common primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in humans. Treatment options are limited for this chemoresistant cancer, with liver transplantation and surgical intervention in early stages being the most successful treatments. Drug development over the past 15 years has focused on generating mouse models that mimic the human pathology for HCC. This has enabled the laboratory testing of potentially new human therapeutics. Described in this unit are the classification of HCC and an overview of hepatitis virus-related transgenic and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) that are employed for elucidating the mechanism(s) responsible for the development of HCC, with particular emphasis on genetic, dietary, and environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Ringelhan
- Institute of Virology, München, Germany.,2nd Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), München, Germany
| | | | | | - Achim Weber
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, Zürich, Switzerland
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Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and In Vitro Metabolism of BMS-605339: A Novel HCV NS3 Protease Inhibitor. J Pharm Sci 2014; 103:1891-902. [DOI: 10.1002/jps.23959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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5
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Georgopoulou U, Dimitriadis A, Foka P, Karamichali E, Mamalaki A. Hepcidin and the iron enigma in HCV infection. Virulence 2014; 5:465-76. [PMID: 24626108 PMCID: PMC4063809 DOI: 10.4161/viru.28508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An estimated 30-40% of patients with chronic hepatitis C have elevated serum iron, transferrin saturation, and ferritin levels. Clinical data suggest that iron is a co-morbidity factor for disease progression following HCV infection. Iron is essential for a number of fundamental metabolic processes in cells and organisms. Mammalian iron homeostasis is tightly regulated and this is maintained through the coordinated action of sensory and regulatory networks that modulate the expression of iron-related proteins at the transcriptional and/or posttranscriptional levels. Disturbances of iron homeostasis have been implicated in infectious disease pathogenesis. Viruses, similarly to other pathogens, can escape recognition by the immune system, but they need iron from their host to grow and spread. Hepcidin is a 25-aa peptide, present in human serum and urine and represents the key peptide hormone, which modulates iron homeostasis in the body. It is synthesized predominantly by hepatocytes and its mature form is released in circulation. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the exciting crosstalk of molecular mechanisms and cell signaling pathways by which iron and hepcidin production influences HCV-induced liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urania Georgopoulou
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology; Hellenic Pasteur Institute; Athens, Greece
| | - Alexios Dimitriadis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunobiotechnology; Hellenic Pasteur Institute; Athens, Greece
| | - Pelagia Foka
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology; Hellenic Pasteur Institute; Athens, Greece; Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunobiotechnology; Hellenic Pasteur Institute; Athens, Greece
| | - Eirini Karamichali
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology; Hellenic Pasteur Institute; Athens, Greece
| | - Avgi Mamalaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunobiotechnology; Hellenic Pasteur Institute; Athens, Greece
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Hepatitis C virus modulates lipid regulatory factor Angiopoietin-like 3 gene expression by repressing HNF-1α activity. J Hepatol 2014; 60:30-8. [PMID: 23978712 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2013.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS HCV relies on host lipid metabolism to complete its life cycle and HCV core is crucial to this interaction. Liver secreted ANGPTL-3 is an LXR- and HNF-1α-regulated protein, which plays a key role in lipid metabolism by increasing plasma lipids via inhibition of lipase enzymes. Here we aimed to investigate the modulation of ANGPTL-3 by HCV core and identify the molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to assess ANGPTL-3 mRNA and protein levels in HCV patients, the JFH-1 infectious system and liver cell lines. Transfections, chromatin immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence delineated parts of the molecular mechanisms implicated in the core-mediated regulation of ANGPTL-3 gene expression. RESULTS ANGPTL-3 gene expression was decreased in HCV-infected patients and the JFH-1 infectious system. mRNA and promoter activity levels were down-regulated by core. The response was lost when an HNF-1α element in ANGPTL-3 promoter was mutated, while loss of HNF-1α DNA binding to this site was recorded in the presence of HCV core. HNF-1α mRNA and protein levels were not altered by core. However, trafficking between nucleus and cytoplasm was observed and then blocked by an inhibitor of the HNF-1α-specific kinase Mirk/Dyrk1B. Transactivation of LXR/RXR signalling could not restore core-mediated down-regulation of ANGPTL-3 promoter activity. CONCLUSIONS ANGPTL-3 is negatively regulated by HCV in vivo and in vitro. HCV core represses ANGPTL-3 expression through loss of HNF-1α binding activity and blockage of LXR/RXR transactivation. The putative ensuing increase in serum lipid clearance and uptake by the liver may sustain HCV virus replication and persistence.
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Mechanisms of HCV-induced liver cancer: what did we learn from in vitro and animal studies? Cancer Lett 2013; 345:210-5. [PMID: 23871966 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a cause of liver diseases that range from steatohepatitis, to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The challenge of understanding the pathogenesis of HCV-associated liver cancer is difficult as most standard animal models used in biomedical research are not permissive to HCV infection. Herein, we provide an overview of a number of creative in vivo, mostly in the mouse, and in vitro models that have been developed to advance our understanding of the molecular and cellular effects of HCV on the liver, specifically with their relevance to HCC.
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Uehara T, Kosyk O, Jeannot E, Bradford BU, Tech K, Macdonald JM, Boorman GA, Chatterjee S, Mason RP, Melnyk SB, Tryndyak VP, Pogribny IP, Rusyn I. Acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in HCV transgenic mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2012. [PMID: 23200774 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2012.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The exact etiology of clinical cases of acute liver failure is difficult to ascertain and it is likely that various co-morbidity factors play a role. For example, epidemiological evidence suggests that coexistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increased the risk of acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury, and was associated with an increased risk of progression to acute liver failure. However, little is known about possible mechanisms of enhanced acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in HCV-infected subjects. In this study, we tested a hypothesis that HCV-Tg mice may be more susceptible to acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, and also evaluated the mechanisms of acetaminophen-induced liver damage in wild type and HCV-Tg mice expressing core, E1 and E2 proteins. Male mice were treated with a single dose of acetaminophen (300 or 500 mg/kg in fed animals; or 200 mg/kg in fasted animals; i.g.) and liver and serum endpoints were evaluated at 4 and 24h after dosing. Our results suggest that in fed mice, liver toxicity in HCV-Tg mice is not markedly exaggerated as compared to the wild-type mice. In fasted mice, greater liver injury was observed in HCV-Tg mice. In fed mice dosed with 300 mg/kg acetaminophen, we observed that liver mitochondria in HCV-Tg mice exhibited signs of dysfunction showing the potential mechanism for increased susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeki Uehara
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Alvarez-Lajonchere L, Dueñas-Carrera S. Complete definition of immunological correlates of protection and clearance of hepatitis C virus infection: a relevant pending task for vaccine development. Int Rev Immunol 2012; 31:223-42. [PMID: 22587022 DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2012.680552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects approximately 3% of global population. This pathogen is one of the main causes of chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, as well as the principal reason for liver transplant in Western countries. Therapy against HCV infection is effective in only half of treated patients. There is no vaccine available against HCV. Some vaccine candidates have reached the clinical trials but several factors, including the incomplete definition of immunological correlates of protection and treatment-related clearance have slowed down vaccine development. Precisely, the present review discusses the state of the art in the establishment of parameters related with immunity against HCV. Validity and limitations of the information accumulated from chimpanzees and other animal models, analysis of studies in humans infected with HCV, and relevance of aspects like type, strength, duration, and specificity of immune response related to successful outcome are evaluated in detail. Moreover, the immune responses induced in some clinical trials with vaccine candidates resemble the theoretical immunological correlates, raising questions about the validity of those correlates. When all facts are taken together, complete definition of immunological correlates for protection or treatment-related clearance is an urgent priority. A limited or wrong criterion with respect to this relevant matter might cause incorrect vaccine design and selection of immunization strategies or erroneous clinical evaluation.
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Aprea E, Morisco F, Biasioli F, Vitaglione P, Cappellin L, Soukoulis C, Lembo V, Gasperi F, D'Argenio G, Fogliano V, Caporaso N. Analysis of breath by proton transfer reaction time of flight mass spectrometry in rats with steatohepatitis induced by high-fat diet. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2012; 47:1098-1103. [PMID: 22972777 DOI: 10.1002/jms.3009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Breath testing has been largely used as a diagnostic tool, but the difficulties in data interpretation and sample collection have limited its application. We developed a fast (< 20 s), on-line, non-invasive method for the collection and analysis of exhaled breath in awake rats based on proton transfer reaction time of flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) and applied it to investigate possible relationships between pathologies induced by dietary regime and breath composition. As a case study, we investigated rats with dietary induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and modifications induced by coffee addition to the diet. We considered two different diets (standard and high fat) complemented with two different drinking possibilities (water or decaffeinated coffee) for a total of four groups with four rats each. Several spectrometric peaks were reliable markers for both dietary fat content and coffee supplementation. The high resolution and accuracy of PTR-ToF-MS allowed the identification of related compounds such as methanol, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl sulphone and ammonia. In conclusion, the rapid and minimally invasive breath analysis of awake rats permitted the identification of markers related to diet and specific pathologic conditions and provided a useful tool for broader metabolic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Aprea
- IASMA Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Food Quality and Nutrition Department, Via E. Mach, 1, 38010, S. Michele a/A, Italy.
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11
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Bukh J. Animal models for the study of hepatitis C virus infection and related liver disease. Gastroenterology 2012; 142:1279-1287.e3. [PMID: 22537434 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Revised: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes liver-related death in more than 300,000 people annually. Treatments for patients with chronic HCV are suboptimal, despite the introduction of directly acting antiviral agents. There is no vaccine that prevents HCV infection. Relevant animal models are important for HCV research and development of drugs and vaccines. Chimpanzees are the best model for studies of HCV infection and related innate and adaptive host immune responses. They can be used in immunogenicity and efficacy studies of HCV vaccines. The only small animal models of robust HCV infection are T- and B- cell deficient mice with human chimeric livers. Although these mice cannot be used in studies of adaptive immunity, they have provided new insights into HCV neutralization, interactions between virus and receptors, innate host responses, and therapeutic approaches. Recent progress in developing genetically humanized mice is exciting, but these models only permit studies of specific steps in the HCV life cycle and have limited or no viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
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12
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Choi J. Oxidative stress, endogenous antioxidants, alcohol, and hepatitis C: pathogenic interactions and therapeutic considerations. Free Radic Biol Med 2012; 52:1135-50. [PMID: 22306508 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2011] [Revised: 01/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne pathogen that was identified as an etiologic agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis in 1989. HCV is estimated to have infected at least 170 million people worldwide. The majority of patients infected with HCV do not clear the virus and become chronically infected, and chronic HCV infection increases the risk for hepatic steatosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV induces oxidative/nitrosative stress from multiple sources, including inducible nitric oxide synthase, the mitochondrial electron transport chain, hepatocyte NAD(P)H oxidases, and inflammation, while decreasing glutathione. The cumulative oxidative burden is likely to promote both hepatic and extrahepatic conditions precipitated by HCV through a combination of local and more distal effects of reactive species, and clinical, animal, and in vitro studies strongly point to a role of oxidative/nitrosative stress in HCV-induced pathogenesis. Oxidative stress and hepatopathogenesis induced by HCV are exacerbated by even low doses of alcohol. Alcohol and reactive species may have other effects on hepatitis C patients such as modulation of the host immune system, viral replication, and positive selection of HCV sequence variants that contribute to antiviral resistance. This review summarizes the current understanding of redox interactions of HCV, outlining key experimental findings, directions for future research, and potential applications to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinah Choi
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of California at Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
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Ivanyi-Nagy R, Darlix JL. Fuzziness in the Core of the Human Pathogenic Viruses HCV and HIV. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2012; 725:142-58. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-0659-4_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the third most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. Although major risk factors for the development of HCC have been defined, many aspects of the evolution of hepatocellular carcinogenesis and metastasis are still unknown. Suitable animal models are, therefore, essential to promote our understanding of the molecular, cellular and pathophysiological mechanisms of HCC and for the development of new therapeutic strategies. This Review provides an overview of animal models that are relevant to HCC development, metastasis and treatment. For HCC development, this Review focuses on transgenic mouse models of HBV and HCV infection, which provide experimental evidence that viral genes could initiate or promote liver carcinogenesis. Animal models of HCC metastasis provide platforms to elucidate the mechanisms of HCC metastasis, to study the interaction between the microenvironment and HCC invasion and to conduct intervention studies. In addition, animal models have been developed to investigate the effects of new treatment modalities. The criteria for establishing ideal HCC animal models are also discussed.
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Mizuta T. Can exercise be a new approach for chronic hepatitis C? Hepatol Res 2011; 41:925-7. [PMID: 21951871 DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2011.00885.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiko Mizuta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saga Medical School, Saga, Japan
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Ding CB, Zhang JP, Zhao Y, Peng ZG, Song DQ, Jiang JD. Zebrafish as a potential model organism for drug test against hepatitis C virus. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22921. [PMID: 21857967 PMCID: PMC3152561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 07/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Screening and evaluating anti- hepatitis C virus (HCV) drugs in vivo is difficult worldwide, mainly because of the lack of suitable small animal models. We investigate whether zebrafish could be a model organism for HCV replication. To achieve NS5B-dependent replication an HCV sub-replicon was designed and created with two vectors, one with HCV ns5b and fluorescent rfp genes, and the other containing HCV's 5′UTR, core, 3′UTR and fluorescent gfp genes. The vectors containing sub-replicons were co-injected into zebrafish zygotes. The sub-replicon amplified in liver showing a significant expression of HCV core RNA and protein. The sub-replicon amplification caused no abnormality in development and growth of zebrafish larvae, but induced gene expression change similar to that in human hepatocytes. As the amplified core fluorescence in live zebrafish was detectable microscopically, it rendered us an advantage to select those with replicating sub-replicon for drug experiments. Ribavirin and oxymatrine, two known anti-HCV drugs, inhibited sub-replicon amplification in this model showing reduced levels of HCV core RNA and protein. Technically, this method had a good reproducibility and is easy to operate. Thus, zebrafish might be a model organism to host HCV, and this zebrafish/HCV (sub-replicon) system could be an animal model for anti-HCV drug screening and evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cun-Bao Ding
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- College of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Hebei Polytechnic University, Tangshan, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Pu Zhang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (JDJ); (JPZ)
| | - Ye Zhao
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zong-Gen Peng
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dan-Qing Song
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Dong Jiang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (JDJ); (JPZ)
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Utsunomiya T, Shimada M. Molecular characteristics of non-cancerous liver tissue in non-B non-C hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Res 2011; 41:711-21. [PMID: 21682827 DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2011.00818.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most important risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide, the proportion of HCC patients negative for the hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody, so-called "non-B non-C HCC", is rapidly increasing, especially in Japan. The background liver diseases of non-B non-C HCC patients can be multifactorial, including occult HBV infection and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. It is reasonable to investigate the non-cancerous liver tissues to identify the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the processes of hepatocarcinogenesis of non-B non-C HCC. However, to date, only a few studies have focused on this research concept based on the idea of "field cancerization". This review highlights the potential importance of the molecular analysis of non-cancerous liver tissues to clarify the molecular characteristics in patients with non-B non-C HCC. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the individual predisposition to non-B non-C HCC will lead to improvements in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of this neoplastic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tohru Utsunomiya
- Department of Surgery, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
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Abstract
Cholesterol is an essential molecule for the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This review focuses on the roles of cholesterol in HCV infection and introduces HCV events related to cholesterol metabolism and applications for cholesterol metabolism as a therapeutic target. HCV appears to alter host lipid metabolism into its preferable state, which is clinically recognized as steatosis and hypocholesterolemia. While hepatic fatty acid and triglyceride syntheses are upregulated in chronic hepatitis C patients, no direct evidence of increased hepatic de novo cholesterol biosynthesis has been obtained. Impaired VLDL secretion from hepatocytes is suggested to increase intracellular cholesterol concentrations, which may lead to hypocholesterolemia. Clinically, lower serum cholesterol levels are associated with lower rates of sustained virological responses (SVR) to pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin therapy, but the reason remains unclear. Clinical trials targeting HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, are being conducted using statins. Anti-HCV actions by statins appear to be caused by the inhibition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthesis rather than their cholesterol lowering effects. Other compounds that block various steps of cholesterol metabolic pathways have also been studied to develop new strategies for the complete eradication of this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, Ibaraki, Japan
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Jeannot E, Boorman GA, Kosyk O, Bradford BU, Shymoniak S, Tumurbaatar B, Weinman SA, Melnyk SB, Tryndyak V, Pogribny IP, Rusyn I. Increased incidence of aflatoxin B1-induced liver tumors in hepatitis virus C transgenic mice. Int J Cancer 2011; 130:1347-56. [PMID: 21500192 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.26140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure are common risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of HCC in individuals coexposed to hepatitis C (HCV) or B virus and AFB1 is greater than could be explained by the additive effect; yet, the mechanisms are poorly understood because of the lack of an animal model. Our study investigated the outcomes and mechanisms of combined exposure to HCV and AFB1. We hypothesized that HCV transgenic (HCV-Tg; expressing core, E1, E2 and p7, nucleotides 342-2771) mice will be prone to hepatocarcinogenesis when exposed to AFB1. Neonatal (7 days old) HCV-Tg or C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice were exposed to AFB1 (6 μg/g bw) or tricaprylin vehicle (15 μl/g bw), and male offspring were followed for up to 12 months. No liver lesions were observed in vehicle-treated WT or HCV-Tg mice. Tumors (adenomas or carcinomas) and preneoplastic lesions (hyperplasia or foci) were observed in 22.5% (9 of 40) of AFB1-treated WT mice. In AFB1-treated HCV-Tg mice, the incidence of tumorous or pretumorous lesions was significantly elevated (50%, 18 of 36), with the difference largely due to a 2.5-fold increase in the incidence of adenomas (30.5 vs. 12.5%). Although oxidative stress and steatohepatitis were observed in both AFB1-treated groups, molecular changes indicative of the enhanced inflammatory response and altered lipid metabolism were more pronounced in HCV-Tg mice. In summary, HCV proteins core, E1, E2 and p7 are sufficient to reproduce the cocarcinogenic effect of HCV and AFB1, which is a known clinical phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Jeannot
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7431, USA
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Desai MM, Tumurbataar B, Zhang Y, Chan LNL, Sun J, Chan TS. Aberrant transcription and post-transcriptional processing of hepatitis C virus non-structural genes in transgenic mice. Transgenic Res 2011; 20:1273-84. [PMID: 21347690 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-011-9494-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Since several aspects of the infection remain unresolved, there is a pressing need for a convenient animal model that can mimic the clinical disease and aid the evaluation of treatment strategies. Although some success has been achieved in transgenic approaches for development of rodent models of HCV, transgenic expression of the complete HCV polyprotein or an entire set of the viral non-structural (NS) proteins continues to be a serious challenge. Using northern blot and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), we unraveled two possible mechanisms that can impede HCV NS transgene expression in the mouse liver. Several truncated transcripts are produced from alternate transcription start sites along the HCV NS sequence within the murine environment, in vivo. Translation of these shorter transcripts is blocked either by the positioning of a contextual stop codon or through a shift in the reading frame. In addition, the complete NS transcript undergoes trans-splicing through 5' recombination with a non-transgene-derived, spliced leader sequence that appends a potential stop codon upstream of the translation start. These findings thus demonstrate that HCV NS-derived transgenes are subject to aberrant transcriptional initiation and post-transcriptional processing in the nucleus of a mouse host. Strategies to prevent such aberrant transcription start/RNA processing might be key to the development of a successful HCV transgenic mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayura M Desai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555-1019, USA
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Smirnova OA, Ivanov AV, Ivanova ON, Valuev-Elliston VT, Kochetkov SN. Cell defense systems against oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress: Mechanisms of regulation and the effect of hepatitis C virus. Mol Biol 2011. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893311010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Asahina Y, Tsuchiya K, Tamaki N, Hirayama I, Tanaka T, Sato M, Yasui Y, Hosokawa T, Ueda K, Kuzuya T, Nakanishi H, Itakura J, Takahashi Y, Kurosaki M, Enomoto N, Izumi N. Effect of aging on risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatology 2010; 52:518-27. [PMID: 20683951 DOI: 10.1002/hep.23691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED An increase in the aging population is an impending problem. A large cohort study was carried out to determine the influence of aging and other factors on hepatocarcinogenesis in patients treated with interferon. Biopsy-proven 2547 chronic hepatitis C patients registered at our referral center since 1992 were included. Of these, 2166 were treated with interferon-based therapy. Incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with interferon were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and person-years methods for an average follow-up of 7.5 years. Factors associated with HCC risk were determined by Cox proportional hazard analysis. HCC developed in 177 interferon-treated patients. The risk for HCC depended on age at primary biopsy and increased more than 15-fold after 65 years of age. Even when stratified by stage of fibrosis, the cumulative and annual incidences of HCC were significantly higher in older patients than in younger patients (P < 0.001) at the same stage of fibrosis, except for cirrhosis. Progression of fibrosis over time was significantly accelerated in older patients. The impact of viral eradication on HCC prevention was less significant in older patients than in younger patients. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age, gender, liver fibrosis, liver steatosis, total cholesterol level, fasting blood sugar level, baseline and postinterferon alpha-fetoprotein level, and virological response to interferon were independent risk factors associated with HCC. Aging was the strongest risk factor for a nonvirological response to interferon-based antiviral therapy. CONCLUSION Elderly patients are at a higher risk for HCC. Hepatitis C viral eradication had a smaller effect on hepatocarcinogenesis in older patients. Patients should therefore be identified at an earlier age and treatment should be initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Asahina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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