1
|
Research Progress on the Mechanism of Persistent Low-Level HBsAg Expression in the Serum of Patients with Chronic HBV Infection. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:1372705. [PMID: 35465353 PMCID: PMC9020929 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1372705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Among HBV-infected persons, there is a group of people with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) showing persistently low levels of expression. The production of low-level HBsAg does not mean a good outcome of chronic HBV infection. Patients still have virus replication and sustained liver damage, and they have the potential to transmit the infection. This risk poses a challenge to clinical diagnosis and blood transfusion safety and is a major concern of experts. However, the mechanism behind persistent low-level HBsAg expression in serum is not completely clear, and complete virus clearance by the host is vital. In this review, we summarize the research progress on the mechanism behind low-level expression of HBsAg in patients with chronic HBV infection in recent years.
Collapse
|
2
|
Ou G, He L, Wang L, Song J, Lai X, Tian X, Wang L, Zhang K, Zhang X, Deng J, Zhuang H, Xiang K, Li T. The Genotype (A to H) Dependent N-terminal Sequence of HBV Large Surface Protein Affects Viral Replication, Secretion and Infectivity. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:687785. [PMID: 34305848 PMCID: PMC8299529 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.687785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variability has significant impacts on biological characteristics and pathogenicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV), in which the N-terminal sequence of the presurface 1 (preS1) region of HBV large surface protein (LHBs) displays genotype (GT) dependent genetic heterogeneity. However, the influence of this heterogeneity on its biological roles is largely unknown. By analyzing 6560 full-length genome sequences of GTA-GTH downloaded from HBVdb database, the preS1 N-terminal sequences were divided into four representative types, namely C-type (representative of GTA, GTB, and GTC), H-type (GTF and GTH), E-type (GTE and GTG), and D-type (GTD), respectively. We artificially substituted the preS1 N-termini of GTC and GTD plasmids or viral strains with each sequence of the four representative types. The roles of preS1 N-terminus on HBV replication, secretion and infectivity were investigated using HepG2 or HepG2-NTCP cells. In the transfection experiments, the results showed that the extracellular HBsAg levels and HBsAg secretion coefficients in D- and E-type strains were significantly higher than those in C- and H-type strains. D-type strain produced more extracellular HBV DNA than C-type strain. We further observed that D-, H-, and E-type strains increased the levels of intracellular replicative HBV DNAs, comparing with C-type strain. In the infection experiments, the levels of extracellular HBeAg, intracellular HBV total RNA and pgRNA/preC mRNA in D- and E-type strains were markedly higher than C and H-type ones. Our data suggest that the preS1 N-termini affect HBV replication, secretion and infectivity in a genotype dependent manner. The C- and H-type strains prefer to attenuate HBsAg secretion, while the strains of D- and E-type promoted infectivity. The existence and function of the intergenotypic shift of preS1 in naturally occurring recombination requires further investigation, as the data we acquired are mostly related to recombinant preS1 region between N-terminus of preS1 from genotypes A-H and the remaining preS1 portion of GTC or GTD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guomin Ou
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyuan He
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luwei Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Song
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyuan Lai
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xuechao Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Deng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Kuanhui Xiang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li J, Li J, Chen S, Yuan Q, Zhang J, Wu J, Jiang Q, Wang Q, Xia NS, Zhang J, Tong S. Naturally occurring 5' preS1 deletions markedly enhance replication and infectivity of HBV genotype B and genotype C. Gut 2021; 70:575-584. [PMID: 32571971 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-320096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Deletion of 15-nucleotide or 18-nucleotide (nt) covering preS1 ATG frequently arises during chronic infection with HBV genotypes B and C. Since the second ATG is 33nt downstream, they truncate large (L) envelope protein by 11 residues like wild-type genotype D. This study characterised their functional consequences. METHODS HBV genomes with or without deletion were amplified from a patient with advanced liver fibrosis and assembled into replication competent 1.1mer construct. Deletion, insertion or point mutation was introduced to additional clones of different genotypes. Viral particles concentrated from transfected HepG2 cells were inoculated to sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP)-reconstituted HepG2 (HepG2/NTCP) cells or differentiated HepaRG cells, and HBV RNA, DNA, proteins were monitored. RESULTS From transfected HepG2 cells, the 15-nt and 18-nt deletions increased HBV RNA, replicative DNA and extracellular virions. When same number of viral particles was inoculated to HepG2/NTCP cells, the deletion mutants showed higher infectivity. Conversely, HBV infectivity was diminished by putting back the 18nt into naturally occurring genotype C deletion mutants and by adding 33nt to genotype D. Infectivity of full-length genotype C clones was also enhanced by mutating the first ATG codon of the preS1 region but diminished by mutating the second in-frame ATG. Removing N-terminal 11 residues from preS1 peptide 2-59 of genotype C potentiated inhibition of HBV infection and enhanced binding to HepG2/NTCP cells. CONCLUSIONS The 15-nt and 18-nt deletions somehow increase HBV RNA, replicative DNA and virion production. Shortened L protein is more efficient at mediating HBV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jisu Li
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Shiqi Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Publich Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingwen Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qirong Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianru Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning-Shao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Publich Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuping Tong
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA .,Department of Pathobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jiang B, Wen X, Wu Q, Bender D, Carra G, Basic M, Kubesch A, Peiffer KH, Boller K, Hildt E. The N-Terminus Makes the Difference: Impact of Genotype-Specific Disparities in the N-Terminal Part of The Hepatitis B Virus Large Surface Protein on Morphogenesis of Viral and Subviral Particles. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081898. [PMID: 32823751 PMCID: PMC7463600 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The N-terminus of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) large surface protein (LHB) differs with respect to genotypes. Compared to the amino terminus of genotype (Gt)D, in GtA, GtB and GtC, an additional identical 11 amino acids (aa) are found, while GtE and GtG share another similar 10 aa. Variants of GtB and GtC affecting this N-terminal part are associated with hepatoma formation. Deletion of these amino-terminal 11 aa in GtA reduces the amount of LHBs and changes subcellular accumulation (GtA-like pattern) to a dispersed distribution (GtD-like pattern). Vice versa, the fusion of the GtA-derived N-terminal 11 aa to GtD causes a GtA-like phenotype. However, insertion of the corresponding GtE-derived 10 aa to GtD has no effect. Deletion of these 11aa decreases filament size while neither the number of released viral genomes nor virion size and infectivity are affected. A negative regulatory element (aa 2–8) and a dominant positive regulatory element (aa 9–11) affecting the amount of LHBs were identified. The fusion of this motif to eGFP revealed that the effect on protein amount and subcellular distribution is not restricted to LHBs. These data identify a novel region in the N-terminus of LHBs affecting the amount and subcellular distribution of LHBs and identify release-promoting and -inhibiting aa residues within this motive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingfu Jiang
- Division of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (B.J.); (X.W.); (Q.W.); (D.B.); (G.C.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (K.-H.P.)
| | - Xingjian Wen
- Division of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (B.J.); (X.W.); (Q.W.); (D.B.); (G.C.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (K.-H.P.)
| | - Qingyan Wu
- Division of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (B.J.); (X.W.); (Q.W.); (D.B.); (G.C.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (K.-H.P.)
| | - Daniela Bender
- Division of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (B.J.); (X.W.); (Q.W.); (D.B.); (G.C.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (K.-H.P.)
| | - Gert Carra
- Division of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (B.J.); (X.W.); (Q.W.); (D.B.); (G.C.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (K.-H.P.)
| | - Michael Basic
- Division of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (B.J.); (X.W.); (Q.W.); (D.B.); (G.C.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (K.-H.P.)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, J. W. Goethe University, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Alica Kubesch
- Division of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (B.J.); (X.W.); (Q.W.); (D.B.); (G.C.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (K.-H.P.)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, J. W. Goethe University, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kai-Henrik Peiffer
- Division of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (B.J.); (X.W.); (Q.W.); (D.B.); (G.C.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (K.-H.P.)
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, J. W. Goethe University, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Klaus Boller
- Department of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany;
| | - Eberhard Hildt
- Division of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (B.J.); (X.W.); (Q.W.); (D.B.); (G.C.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (K.-H.P.)
- TTU Hepatitis, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +496103772140
| |
Collapse
|