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Liu T, He Q, Yang X, Li Y, Yuan D, Lu Q, Tang T, Guan G, Zheng L, Zhang H, Xia C, Yin X, Wei G, Chen X, Lu F, Wang L. An Immunocompetent Mongolian Gerbil Model for Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 1 Infection. Gastroenterology 2024; 167:750-763.e10. [PMID: 38582270 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis E virus (HEV), primarily genotype 1 (HEV-1), causes approximately 20.1 million infections, 44,000 deaths, and 3000 stillbirths annually. Current evidence indicates that HEV-1 is only transmitted in humans. Here, we evaluated whether Mongolian gerbils can serve as animal models for HEV-1 infection. METHODS Mongolian gerbils were used for HEV-1 and hepatitis E virus genotype 3 infection experiments. HEV infection parameters, including detection of HEV RNA and HEV antigen, liver function assessment, and histopathology, were evaluated. RESULTS We adapted a clinical isolate of HEV-1 for Mongolian gerbils by serial passaging in feces of aged male gerbils. The gerbil-adapted strain obtained at passage 3 induced a robust, acute HEV infection, characterized by stable fecal virus shedding, elevated liver enzymes, histopathologic changes in the liver, and seroconversion to anti-HEV. An infectious complementary DNA clone of the adapted virus was generated. HEV-1-infected pregnant gerbils showed a high rate of maternal mortality and vertical transmission. HEV RNA or antigens were detected in the liver, kidney, intestine, placenta, testis, and fetus liver. Liver and placental transcriptomic analyses indicated activation of host immunity. Tacrolimus prolonged HEV-1 infection, whereas ribavirin cleared infection. The protective efficacy of a licensed HEV vaccine was validated using this model. CONCLUSIONS HEV-1 efficiently infected Mongolian gerbils. This HEV-1 infection model will be valuable for investigating hepatitis E immunopathogenesis and evaluating vaccines and antivirals against HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxu Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuebao Li
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Disen Yuan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghui Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Tang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Guiwen Guan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Liwei Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - He Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Changyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Guochao Wei
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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2
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Kennedy MJ, Fernbach S, Scheel TKH. Animal hepacivirus models for hepatitis C virus immune responses and pathology. J Hepatol 2024; 81:184-186. [PMID: 38664157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Kennedy
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Sonja Fernbach
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Troels K H Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
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Lanave G, Pellegrini F, Triggiano F, De Giglio O, Lucente MS, Diakoudi G, Catella C, Gentile A, Tardugno R, Fracchiolla G, Martella V, Camero M. In Vitro Virucidal Activity of Different Essential Oils against Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Used as Surrogate of Human Hepatitis C Virus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:514. [PMID: 38927181 PMCID: PMC11201044 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13060514] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major hepatotropic virus that affects humans with increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes abortion, calf mortality and poor reproductive performance in cattle. Due the difficulties of in vitro cultivation for HCV, BVDV has been used as surrogate for in vitro assessment of the efficacy of antivirals. Essential oils (EOs) display antiviral and virucidal activity on several viral pathogens. In this study, the virucidal activity of five EOs, Salvia officinalis L. EO (SEO), Melissa officinalis L. EO (MEO), Citrus lemon EO (LEO), Rosmarinus officinalis L. EO (REO) and Thymus vulgaris L. EO (TEO) against BVDV was evaluated in vitro at different concentrations for several time contacts. MEO and LEO were able to considerably inactivate BVDV with a time- and dose-dependent fashion. MEO and LEO at the highest concentrations decreased viral titer by 2.00 and 2.25 log10 TCID50/50 μL at 8 h contact time, respectively. SEO, REO and TEO displayed mild virucidal activity at the highest concentrations for 8 h contact times. In this study, the virucidal efficacies of MEO and LEO against BVDV were observed regardless of compound concentration and contact time. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential use of MEO and LEO as surface disinfectants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Francesco Pellegrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Francesco Triggiano
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.T.); (O.D.G.)
| | - Osvalda De Giglio
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (F.T.); (O.D.G.)
| | - Maria Stella Lucente
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Georgia Diakoudi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Cristiana Catella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Arturo Gentile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Roberta Tardugno
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.T.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Fracchiolla
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.T.); (G.F.)
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (G.L.); (F.P.); (M.S.L.); (G.D.); (C.C.); (A.G.); (V.M.)
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4
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Collignon L, Holmbeck K, Just A, Verhoye L, Velázquez-Moctezuma R, Fahnøe U, Carlsen THR, Law M, Prentoe J, Scheel TKH, Gottwein JM, Meuleman P, Bukh J. JFH1-based Core-NS2 genotype variants of HCV with genetic stability in vivo and in vitro: Important tools in the evaluation of virus neutralization. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00854. [PMID: 38652584 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS HCV infection continues to be a major global health burden despite effective antiviral treatments. The urgent need for a protective vaccine is hindered by the scarcity of suitable HCV-permissive animal models tractable in vaccination and challenge studies. Currently, only antibody neutralization studies in infectious cell culture systems or studies of protection by passive immunization of human liver chimeric mice offer the possibility to evaluate the effect of vaccine-induced antibodies. However, differences between culture-permissive and in vivo-permissive viruses make it a challenge to compare analyses between platforms. To address this problem, we aimed at developing genotype-specific virus variants with genetic stability both in vitro and in vivo. APPROACH AND RESULTS We demonstrated infection of human liver chimeric mice with cell culture-adapted HCV JFH1-based Core-NS2 recombinants of genotype 1-6, with a panel of 10 virus strains used extensively in neutralization and receptor studies. Clonal re-engineering of mouse-selected mutations resulted in virus variants with robust replication both in Huh7.5 cells and human liver chimeric mice, with genetic stability. Furthermore, we showed that, overall, these virus variants have similar in vitro neutralization profiles as their parent strains and demonstrated their use for in vivo neutralization studies. CONCLUSIONS These mouse-selected HCV recombinants enable the triage of new vaccine-relevant antibodies in vitro and further allow characterization of protection from infection in vivo using identical viruses in human liver chimeric mice. As such, these viruses will serve as important resources in testing novel antibodies and can thus guide strategies to develop an efficient protective vaccine against HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Collignon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Kenn Holmbeck
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ashley Just
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lieven Verhoye
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Rodrigo Velázquez-Moctezuma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas H R Carlsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jannick Prentoe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Troels K H Scheel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judith M Gottwein
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Jens Bukh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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5
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Krishna C, Tervi A, Saffern M, Wilson EA, Yoo SK, Mars N, Roudko V, Cho BA, Jones SE, Vaninov N, Selvan ME, Gümüş ZH, Lenz TL, Merad M, Boffetta P, Martínez-Jiménez F, Ollila HM, Samstein RM, Chowell D. An immunogenetic basis for lung cancer risk. Science 2024; 383:eadi3808. [PMID: 38386728 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi3808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Cancer risk is influenced by inherited mutations, DNA replication errors, and environmental factors. However, the influence of genetic variation in immunosurveillance on cancer risk is not well understood. Leveraging population-level data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen, we show that heterozygosity at the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-II loci is associated with reduced lung cancer risk in smokers. Fine-mapping implicated amino acid heterozygosity in the HLA-II peptide binding groove in reduced lung cancer risk, and single-cell analyses showed that smoking drives enrichment of proinflammatory lung macrophages and HLA-II+ epithelial cells. In lung cancer, widespread loss of HLA-II heterozygosity (LOH) favored loss of alleles with larger neopeptide repertoires. Thus, our findings nominate genetic variation in immunosurveillance as a critical risk factor for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirag Krishna
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Anniina Tervi
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Miriam Saffern
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Eric A Wilson
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Seong-Keun Yoo
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nina Mars
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Vladimir Roudko
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Byuri Angela Cho
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Samuel Edward Jones
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
| | - Natalie Vaninov
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Myvizhi Esai Selvan
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zeynep H Gümüş
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Center for Thoracic Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Tobias L Lenz
- Research Unit for Evolutionary Immunogenomics, Department of Biology, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Merad
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Human Immune Monitoring Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Paolo Boffetta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, New York, NY 11794, USA
| | - Francisco Martínez-Jiménez
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona 08035, Spain
- Hartwig Medical Foundation, Amsterdam 1098 XH, the Netherlands
| | - Hanna M Ollila
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Robert M Samstein
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Center for Thoracic Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Diego Chowell
- The Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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6
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Gridley J, Holland B, Salinas E, Trivedi S, Dravid P, Elrod E, Jin F, Kumari A, Batista MN, Thapa M, Rice CM, Marcotrigiano J, Kapoor A, Grakoui A. Concerted synergy between viral-specific IgG and CD8 + T cells is critical for clearance of an HCV-related rodent hepacivirus. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00717. [PMID: 38214558 PMCID: PMC11239798 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Evidence assessing the role of B cells and their antibodies, or lack thereof, in the spontaneous resolution of acute HCV infection is conflicting. Utilization of a strictly hepatotropic, HCV-related rodent hepacivirus (RHV) model circumvents many of the challenges facing the field in characterizing the immunological correlates of dichotomous infection outcomes. This study seeks to elucidate the importance of B cells in the clearance of acute RHV infection. APPROACH AND RESULTS µMT mice were infected i.v. with RHV and found to develop chronic infection for over a year. Wild-type (WT) mice depleted of B cells also exhibited persistent viremia that resolved only upon B cell resurgence. The persistent infection developed by B1-8i and AID cre/cre mice revealed that antigen-specific, class-switched B cells or their antibodies were crucial for viral resolution. Virus-specific CD8 + and CD4 + T cells were characterized in these mice using newly developed major histocompatibility complex class I and II tetramers and ex vivo peptide stimulation. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was purified from the serum of RHV- or lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus Armstrong-infected mice after viral clearance and passively transferred to AID cre/cre recipients, revealing viral clearance only in αRHV IgG recipients. Further, the transfer of αRHV IgG into B cell-depleted recipients also induced viral resolution. This ability of RHV-specific IgG to induce viral clearance was found to require the concomitant presence of CD8 + T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate a cooperative interdependence between immunoglobulins and the T cell compartment that is required for RHV resolution. Thus, HCV vaccine regimens should aim to simultaneously elicit robust HCV-specific antibody and T cell responses for optimal protective efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sheetal Trivedi
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Piyush Dravid
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mariana N. Batista
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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7
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Bravo-San Pedro JM, Aranda F, Buqué A, Galluzzi L. Preface. Methods Cell Biol 2024; 185:xvii-xxiv. [PMID: 38556455 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-679x(24)00112-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Bravo-San Pedro
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Aranda
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aitziber Buqué
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States; Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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8
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Brown AJ, Won JJ, Wolfisberg R, Fahnøe U, Catanzaro N, West A, Moreira FR, Nogueira Batista M, Ferris MT, Linnertz CL, Leist SR, Nguyen C, De la Cruz G, Midkiff BR, Xia Y, Evangelista MD, Montgomery SA, Billerbeck E, Bukh J, Scheel TK, Rice CM, Sheahan TP. Host genetic variation guides hepacivirus clearance, chronicity, and liver fibrosis in mice. Hepatology 2024; 79:183-197. [PMID: 37540195 PMCID: PMC10718216 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Human genetic variation is thought to guide the outcome of HCV infection, but model systems within which to dissect these host genetic mechanisms are limited. Norway rat hepacivirus, closely related to HCV, causes chronic liver infection in rats but causes acute self-limiting hepatitis in typical strains of laboratory mice, which resolves in 2 weeks. The Collaborative Cross (CC) is a robust mouse genetics resource comprised of a panel of recombinant inbred strains, which model the complexity of the human genome and provide a system within which to understand diseases driven by complex allelic variation. APPROACH RESULTS We infected a panel of CC strains with Norway rat hepacivirus and identified several that failed to clear the virus after 4 weeks. Strains displayed an array of virologic phenotypes ranging from delayed clearance (CC046) to chronicity (CC071, CC080) with viremia for at least 10 months. Body weight loss, hepatocyte infection frequency, viral evolution, T-cell recruitment to the liver, liver inflammation, and the capacity to develop liver fibrosis varied among infected CC strains. CONCLUSIONS These models recapitulate many aspects of HCV infection in humans and demonstrate that host genetic variation affects a multitude of viruses and host phenotypes. These models can be used to better understand the molecular mechanisms that drive hepacivirus clearance and chronicity, the virus and host interactions that promote chronic disease manifestations like liver fibrosis, therapeutic and vaccine performance, and how these factors are affected by host genetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane J. Brown
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - John J. Won
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Raphael Wolfisberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicholas Catanzaro
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ande West
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Fernando R. Moreira
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mariana Nogueira Batista
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Martin T. Ferris
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Colton L. Linnertz
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah R. Leist
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cameron Nguyen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gabriela De la Cruz
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bentley R. Midkiff
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yongjuan Xia
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mia D. Evangelista
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephanie A. Montgomery
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eva Billerbeck
- Department of Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Hepatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Troels K.H. Scheel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Timothy P. Sheahan
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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9
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Bravo-San Pedro JM, Aranda F, Buqué A, Galluzzi L. Animal models of disease: Achievements and challenges. Methods Cell Biol 2024; 188:xv-xxi. [PMID: 38880531 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-679x(24)00164-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Bravo-San Pedro
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Aranda
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aitziber Buqué
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States; Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
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10
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Zou H, Cao Y, Hao P, Jin Z, Ding R, Bai X, Zhang K, Xue Y. New insights into the downregulation of cytochrome P450 2E1 via nuclear factor κB-dependent pathways in immune-mediated liver injury. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22641. [PMID: 38046176 PMCID: PMC10687058 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The extent of immune-mediated hepatic damage (such as in viral hepatitis) is characterised by the downregulation of cytochrome P450s (CYPs), a class of drug-metabolising enzymes. However, whether this downregulation aids liver cells in maintaining their homeostasis or whether the damage is aggravated remains largely unexplored. Herein, we evaluated the effects of phosphorylation mediated by the protein kinase C (PKC)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and nitration mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) on the downregulation of CYP2E1 during immune-mediated liver injury. Additionally, we investigated the regulatory mechanism mediated by the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). The rat model of immune-mediated liver injury was replicated by administering a single i.v. injection of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG, 125 mg/kg) vaccine and three i.p. injections of ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (25, 50, 100 mg/kg/d, days 11, 12, and 13); blood was then collected on day 14. Subsequently, the livers were extracted to identify the different pharmacokinetic and biochemical indicators involved in the process. Our study reports new findings on the dependence between PKC-mediated CREB phosphorylation in the anti-inflammatory pathway and nitration emergency induced by iNOS in pro-inflammatory pathways in the NF-κB pathway. The interaction of these two pathways leads to the downregulation and recovery of CYP2E1, thus alleviating inflammation and nitration stress. Our results confirm that BCG-mediated downregulation of CYP2E1 is linked to iNOS-induced nitration and PKC/NF-κB-mediated CREB phosphorylation, and that NF-κB is an important molecular target in this process. These findings suggest that the downregulation of CYP2E1 may be an autonomous process characteristic of liver cells, helping them adapt to environmental changes, alleviate further hypoxia in inflamed tissues, and minimise exposure to toxic and harmful metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqiong Zou
- Institute of Pharmacokinetics and Liver Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Baotou Medical College, No. 31 Jianshe Road, Donghe District, Baotou 014060, China
| | - Yingying Cao
- Institute of Pharmacokinetics and Liver Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Baotou Medical College, No. 31 Jianshe Road, Donghe District, Baotou 014060, China
| | - Peipei Hao
- Institute of Pharmacokinetics and Liver Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Baotou Medical College, No. 31 Jianshe Road, Donghe District, Baotou 014060, China
| | - Ziqi Jin
- Institute of Pharmacokinetics and Liver Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Baotou Medical College, No. 31 Jianshe Road, Donghe District, Baotou 014060, China
| | - Ruifeng Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, Baotou Medical College, No. 41 linyin Road, Kundurun District, Baotou 014010, China
| | - Xuefeng Bai
- Department of Pathology, Baotou Cancer Hospital, No. 18 Tuanjie Street, Qingshan District, Baotou 014000, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Institute of Pharmacokinetics and Liver Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Baotou Medical College, No. 31 Jianshe Road, Donghe District, Baotou 014060, China
| | - Yongzhi Xue
- Institute of Pharmacokinetics and Liver Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Baotou Medical College, No. 31 Jianshe Road, Donghe District, Baotou 014060, China
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11
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Dravid P, Murthy S, Attia Z, Cassady C, Chandra R, Trivedi S, Vyas A, Gridley J, Holland B, Kumari A, Grakoui A, Cullen JM, Walker CM, Sharma H, Kapoor A. Phenotype and fate of liver-resident CD8 T cells during acute and chronic hepacivirus infection. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011697. [PMID: 37812637 PMCID: PMC10602381 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune correlates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance and control remain poorly defined due to the lack of an informative animal model. We recently described acute and chronic rodent HCV-like virus (RHV) infections in lab mice. Here, we developed MHC class I and class II tetramers to characterize the serial changes in RHV-specific CD8 and CD4 T cells during acute and chronic infection in C57BL/6J mice. RHV infection induced rapid expansion of T cells targeting viral structural and nonstructural proteins. After virus clearance, the virus-specific T cells transitioned from effectors to long-lived liver-resident memory T cells (TRM). The effector and memory CD8 and CD4 T cells primarily produced Th1 cytokines, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2, upon ex vivo antigen stimulation, and their phenotype and transcriptome differed significantly between the liver and spleen. Rapid clearance of RHV reinfection coincided with the proliferation of virus-specific CD8 TRM cells in the liver. Chronic RHV infection was associated with the exhaustion of CD8 T cells (Tex) and the development of severe liver diseases. Interestingly, the virus-specific CD8 Tex cells continued proliferation in the liver despite the persistent high-titer viremia and retained partial antiviral functions, as evident from their ability to degranulate and produce IFN-γ upon ex vivo antigen stimulation. Thus, RHV infection in mice provides a unique model to study the function and fate of liver-resident T cells during acute and chronic hepatotropic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush Dravid
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Satyapramod Murthy
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Zayed Attia
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Cole Cassady
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Rahul Chandra
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sheetal Trivedi
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ashish Vyas
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - John Gridley
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Brantley Holland
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Anuradha Kumari
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Arash Grakoui
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John M. Cullen
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Walker
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Himanshu Sharma
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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12
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Humblin E, Korpas I, Lu J, Filipescu D, van der Heide V, Goldstein S, Vaidya A, Soares-Schanoski A, Casati B, Selvan ME, Gümüş ZH, Wieland A, Corrado M, Cohen-Gould L, Bernstein E, Homann D, Chipuk J, Kamphorst AO. Sustained CD28 costimulation is required for self-renewal and differentiation of TCF-1 + PD-1 + CD8 T cells. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadg0878. [PMID: 37624910 PMCID: PMC10805182 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adg0878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
During persistent antigen stimulation, such as in chronic infections and cancer, CD8 T cells differentiate into a hypofunctional programmed death protein 1-positive (PD-1+) exhausted state. Exhausted CD8 T cell responses are maintained by precursors (Tpex) that express the transcription factor T cell factor 1 (TCF-1) and high levels of the costimulatory molecule CD28. Here, we demonstrate that sustained CD28 costimulation is required for maintenance of antiviral T cells during chronic infection. Low-level CD28 engagement preserved mitochondrial fitness and self-renewal of Tpex, whereas stronger CD28 signaling enhanced glycolysis and promoted Tpex differentiation into TCF-1neg exhausted CD8 T cells (Tex). Furthermore, enhanced differentiation by CD28 engagement did not reduce the Tpex pool. Together, these findings demonstrate that continuous CD28 engagement is needed to sustain PD-1+ CD8 T cells and suggest that increasing CD28 signaling promotes Tpex differentiation into more functional effector-like Tex, possibly without compromising long-term responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Humblin
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Isabel Korpas
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jiahua Lu
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Dan Filipescu
- Department of Oncological Sciences, ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Verena van der Heide
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Simon Goldstein
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Abishek Vaidya
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Alessandra Soares-Schanoski
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Beatrice Casati
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Zeynep H. Gümüş
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Andreas Wieland
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, OSUCCC – James, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Mauro Corrado
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD); Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC) and Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Leona Cohen-Gould
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Emily Bernstein
- Department of Oncological Sciences, ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Dirk Homann
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
- Diabetes Obesity Metabolism Institute, ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jerry Chipuk
- Department of Oncological Sciences, ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Alice O. Kamphorst
- Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount sinai - ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, ISMMS; New York, NY 10029, USA
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13
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Wolfisberg R, Holmbeck K, Billerbeck E, Thorselius CE, Batista MN, Fahnøe U, Lundsgaard EA, Kennedy MJ, Nielsen L, Rice CM, Bukh J, Scheel TKH. Molecular Determinants of Mouse Adaptation of Rat Hepacivirus. J Virol 2023; 97:e0181222. [PMID: 36971565 PMCID: PMC10134885 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01812-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of robust immunocompetent animal models for hepatitis C virus (HCV) impedes vaccine development and studies of immune responses. Norway rat hepacivirus (NrHV) infection in rats shares HCV-defining characteristics, including hepatotropism, chronicity, immune responses, and aspects of liver pathology. To exploit genetic variants and research tools, we previously adapted NrHV to prolonged infection in laboratory mice. Through intrahepatic RNA inoculation of molecular clones of the identified variants, we here characterized four mutations in the envelope proteins responsible for mouse adaptation, including one disrupting a glycosylation site. These mutations led to high-titer viremia, similar to that observed in rats. In 4-week-old mice, infection was cleared after around 5 weeks compared to 2 to 3 weeks for nonadapted virus. In contrast, the mutations led to persistent but attenuated infection in rats, and they partially reverted, accompanied by an increase in viremia. Attenuated infection in rat but not mouse hepatoma cells demonstrated that the characterized mutations were indeed mouse adaptive rather than generally adaptive across species and that species determinants and not immune interactions were responsible for attenuation in rats. Unlike persistent NrHV infection in rats, acute resolving infection in mice was not associated with the development of neutralizing antibodies. Finally, infection of scavenger receptor B-I (SR-BI) knockout mice suggested that adaptation to mouse SR-BI was not a primary function of the identified mutations. Rather, the virus may have adapted to lower dependency on SR-BI, thereby potentially surpassing species-specific differences. In conclusion, we identified specific determinants of NrHV mouse adaptation, suggesting species-specific interactions during entry. IMPORTANCE A prophylactic vaccine is required to achieve the World Health Organization's objective for hepatitis C virus elimination as a serious public health threat. However, the lack of robust immunocompetent animal models supporting hepatitis C virus infection impedes vaccine development as well as studies of immune responses and viral evasion. Hepatitis C virus-related hepaciviruses were discovered in a number of animal species and provide useful surrogate infection models. Norway rat hepacivirus is of particular interest, as it enables studies in rats, an immunocompetent and widely used small laboratory animal model. Its adaptation to robust infection also in laboratory mice provides access to a broader set of mouse genetic lines and comprehensive research tools. The presented mouse-adapted infectious clones will be of utility for reverse genetic studies, and the Norway rat hepacivirus mouse model will facilitate studies of hepacivirus infection for in-depth characterization of virus-host interactions, immune responses, and liver pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Wolfisberg
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Kenn Holmbeck
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Eva Billerbeck
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Caroline E. Thorselius
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Mariana N. Batista
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Emma A. Lundsgaard
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Matthew J. Kennedy
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Troels K. H. Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CO-HEP, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
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14
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Vieyres G, Pietschmann T. The role of human lipoproteins for hepatitis C virus persistence. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 60:101327. [PMID: 37031484 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic virus that establishes a chronic infection in most individuals. Effective treatments are available; however, many patients are not aware of their infection. Consequently, they do not receive treatment and HCV transmission remains high, particularly among groups at high risk of exposure such as people who inject intravenous drugs. A prophylactic vaccine may reduce HCV transmission, but is currently not available. HCV has evolved immune evasion strategies, which facilitate persistence and complicate development of a protective vaccine. The peculiar association of HCV particles with human lipoproteins is thought to facilitate evasion from humoral immune response and viral homing to liver cells. A better understanding of these aspects provides the basis for development of protective vaccination strategies. Here, we review key information about the composition of HCV particles, the mechanisms mediating lipoprotein incorporation, and the functional consequences of this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Vieyres
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany; Integrative Analysis of Pathogen-Induced Compartments, Leibniz ScienceCampus InterACt, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Hanover, Germany.
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15
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Lopez-Scarim J, Nambiar SM, Billerbeck E. Studying T Cell Responses to Hepatotropic Viruses in the Liver Microenvironment. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:681. [PMID: 36992265 PMCID: PMC10056334 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells play an important role in the clearance of hepatotropic viruses but may also cause liver injury and contribute to disease progression in chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections which affect millions of people worldwide. The liver provides a unique microenvironment of immunological tolerance and hepatic immune regulation can modulate the functional properties of T cell subsets and influence the outcome of a virus infection. Extensive research over the last years has advanced our understanding of hepatic conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and unconventional T cell subsets and their functions in the liver environment during acute and chronic viral infections. The recent development of new small animal models and technological advances should further increase our knowledge of hepatic immunological mechanisms. Here we provide an overview of the existing models to study hepatic T cells and review the current knowledge about the distinct roles of heterogeneous T cell populations during acute and chronic viral hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eva Billerbeck
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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16
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Ren X, Wang D, Zhang G, Zhou T, Wei Z, Yang Y, Zheng Y, Lei X, Tao W, Wang A, Li M, Flavell RA, Zhu S. Nucleic DHX9 cooperates with STAT1 to transcribe interferon-stimulated genes. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd5005. [PMID: 36735791 PMCID: PMC9897671 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add5005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
RNA helicase DHX9 has been extensively characterized as a transcriptional regulator, which is consistent with its mostly nucleic localization. It is also involved in recognizing RNA viruses in the cytoplasm. However, there is no in vivo data to support the antiviral role of DHX9; meanwhile, as a nuclear protein, if and how nucleic DHX9 promotes antiviral immunity remains largely unknown. Here, we generated myeloid-specific and hepatocyte-specific DHX9 knockout mice and confirmed that DHX9 is crucial for host resistance to RNA virus infections in vivo. By additional knockout MAVS or STAT1 in DHX9-deficient mice, we demonstrated that nucleic DHX9 plays a positive role in regulating interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression downstream of type I interferon. Mechanistically, upon interferon stimulation, DHX9 is directly bound to STAT1 and recruits Pol II to the ISG promoter region to participate in STAT1-mediated transcription of ISGs. Collectively, these findings uncover an important role for nucleic DHX9 in antiviral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxing Ren
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510145 Guangzhou, China
| | - Decai Wang
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Guorong Zhang
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Tingyue Zhou
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Zheng Wei
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yunjiang Zheng
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Xuqiu Lei
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Wanyin Tao
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Anmin Wang
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Mingsong Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510145 Guangzhou, China
| | - Richard A. Flavell
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shu Zhu
- Department of Digestive Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001 Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology and the CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
- School of Data Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
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17
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Wolfisberg R, Thorselius CE, Salinas E, Elrod E, Trivedi S, Nielsen L, Fahnøe U, Kapoor A, Grakoui A, Rice CM, Bukh J, Holmbeck K, Scheel TKH. Neutralization and receptor use of infectious culture-derived rat hepacivirus as a model for HCV. Hepatology 2022; 76:1506-1519. [PMID: 35445423 PMCID: PMC9585093 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Lack of tractable immunocompetent animal models amenable to robust experimental challenge impedes vaccine efforts for HCV. Infection with rodent hepacivirus from Rattus norvegicus (RHV-rn1) in rats shares HCV-defining characteristics, including liver tropism, chronicity, and pathology. RHV in vitro cultivation would facilitate genetic studies on particle production, host factor interactions, and evaluation of antibody neutralization guiding HCV vaccine approaches. APPROACH AND RESULTS We report an infectious reverse genetic cell culture system for RHV-rn1 using highly permissive rat hepatoma cells and adaptive mutations in the E2, NS4B, and NS5A viral proteins. Cell culture-derived RHV-rn1 particles (RHVcc) share hallmark biophysical characteristics of HCV and are infectious in mice and rats. Culture adaptive mutations attenuated RHVcc in immunocompetent rats, and the mutations reverted following prolonged infection, but not in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, suggesting that adaptive immune pressure is a primary driver of reversion. Accordingly, sera from RHVcc-infected SCID mice or the early acute phase of immunocompetent mice and rats were infectious in culture. We further established an in vitro RHVcc neutralization assay, and observed neutralizing activity of rat sera specifically from the chronic phase of infection. Finally, we found that scavenger receptor class B type I promoted RHV-rn1 entry in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS The RHV-rn1 infectious cell culture system enables studies of humoral immune responses against hepacivirus infection. Moreover, recapitulation of the entire RHV-rn1 infectious cycle in cell culture will facilitate reverse genetic studies and the exploration of tropism and virus-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Wolfisberg
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Caroline E. Thorselius
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Eduardo Salinas
- Emory Vaccine CenterDivision of Microbiology and ImmunologyYerkes Research Primate CenterEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA,Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Elizabeth Elrod
- Emory Vaccine CenterDivision of Microbiology and ImmunologyYerkes Research Primate CenterEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA,Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Sheetal Trivedi
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Arash Grakoui
- Emory Vaccine CenterDivision of Microbiology and ImmunologyYerkes Research Primate CenterEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA,Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious DiseaseThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Kenn Holmbeck
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Troels K. H. Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C ProgramDepartment of Infectious DiseasesHvidovre HospitalCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark,Laboratory of Virology and Infectious DiseaseThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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18
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Gömer A, Delarocque J, Puff C, Nocke MK, Reinecke B, Baumgärtner W, Cavalleri JMV, Feige K, Steinmann E, Todt D. Dose-Dependent Hepacivirus Infection Reveals Linkage between Infectious Dose and Immune Response. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0168622. [PMID: 35993785 PMCID: PMC9602444 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01686-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 70 million people worldwide are still infected with the hepatitis C virus 30 years after its discovery, underscoring the need for a vaccine. To develop an effective prophylactic vaccine, detailed knowledge of the correlates of protection and an immunocompetent surrogate model are needed. In this study, we describe the minimum dose required for robust equine hepacivirus (EqHV) infection in equids and examined how this relates to duration of infection, seroconversion, and transcriptomic responses. To investigate mechanisms of hepaciviral persistence, immune response, and immune-mediated pathology, we inoculated eight EqHV naive horses with doses ranging from 1-2 copies to 1.3 × 106 RNA copies per inoculation. We characterized infection kinetics, pathology, and transcriptomic responses via next generation sequencing. The minimal infectious dose of EqHV in horses was estimated at 13 RNA copies, whereas 6 to 7 copies were insufficient to cause infection. Peak viremia did not correlate with infectious dose, while seroconversion and duration of infection appeared to be affected. Notably, seroconversion was undetectable in the low-dose infections within the surveillance period (40 to 50 days). In addition, transcriptomic analysis revealed a nearly dose-dependent effect, with greater immune activation and inflammatory response observed in high-dose infections than in low-dose infections. Interestingly, inoculation with 6-7 copies of RNA that did not result in productive infection, but was associated with a strong immune response, similar to that observed in the high-dose infections. IMPORTANCE We demonstrate that the EqHV dose of infection plays an important role for inducing immune responses, possibly linked to early clearance in high-dose and prolonged viremia in low-dose infections. In particular, pathways associated with innate and adaptive immune responses, as well as inflammatory responses, were more strongly upregulated in high-dose infections than in lower doses. Hence, inoculation with low doses may enable EqHV to evade strong immune responses in the early phase and therefore promote robust, long-lasting infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Gömer
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Julien Delarocque
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christina Puff
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Maximilian K. Nocke
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Birthe Reinecke
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hanover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Jessika M. V. Cavalleri
- Clinical Section of Equine Internal Medicine, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karsten Feige
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena, Germany
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19
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Donnison T, McGregor J, Chinnakannan S, Hutchings C, Center RJ, Poumbourios P, Klenerman P, Drummer HE, Barnes E. A pan-genotype hepatitis C virus viral vector vaccine generates T cells and neutralizing antibodies in mice. Hepatology 2022; 76:1190-1202. [PMID: 35313015 PMCID: PMC9790311 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS A prophylactic vaccine targeting multiple HCV genotypes (gt) is urgently required to meet World Health Organization elimination targets. Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV, and each may contribute to protective immunity. However, current vaccine candidates generate either nAbs or T cells targeting genetically variable epitopes and have failed to show efficacy in human trials. We have previously shown that a simian adenovirus vector (ChAdOx1) encoding conserved sequences across gt1-6 (ChAd-Gt1-6), and separately gt-1a E2 protein with variable regions deleted (E2Δ123HMW ), generates pan-genotypic T cells and nAbs, respectively. We now aim to develop a vaccine to generate both viral-specific B- and T-cell responses concurrently. APPROACH AND RESULTS We show that vaccinating with ChAd-Gt1-6 and E2Δ123HMW sequentially in mice generates T-cell and antibody (Ab) responses comparable to either vaccine given alone. We encoded E2Δ123 in ChAdOx1 (ChAd-E2Δ123) and show that this, given with an E2Δ123HMW protein boost, induces greater CD81-E2 inhibitory and HCV-pseudoparticle nAb titers compared to the E2Δ123HMW prime boost. We developed bivalent viral vector vaccines (ChAdOx1 and modified vaccinia Ankara [MVA]) encoding both Gt1-6 and E2Δ123 immunogens (Gt1-6-E2Δ123) generating polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and nAb titers in prime/boost strategies. This approach generated nAb responses comparable to monovalent E2Δ123 ChAd/MVA vaccines and superior to three doses of recombinant E2Δ123HMW protein, while also generating high-magnitude T-cell responses. CONCLUSIONS These data are an important step forward for the development of a pan-genotype HCV vaccine to elicit T cells and nAbs for future assessment in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Donnison
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Joey McGregor
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Senthil Chinnakannan
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Claire Hutchings
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rob J Center
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pantelis Poumbourios
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Heidi E Drummer
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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20
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Schwoerer MP, Ploss A. Barriers to hepatitis C virus infection in mice. Curr Opin Virol 2022; 56:101273. [PMID: 36244239 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2022.101273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is unable to infect mice, a fact that has severely limited their use as small-animal models for HCV pathogenesis and as tools for HCV vaccine development. HCV is blocked at various stages of its life cycle in mouse cells, due to incompatibility with host factors, the presence of dominant restriction factors, and effective immune responses. Molecular mechanisms for several such blocks have been characterized. The stepwise understanding of these limitations in mice will enable the development of an immunocompetent mouse that can fully support HCV infection and exhibit disease similar to that of infected humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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21
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Severe Acute Hepatitis Outbreaks Associated with a Novel Hepacivirus in Rhizomys pruinosus in Hainan, China. J Virol 2022; 96:e0078222. [PMID: 36005760 PMCID: PMC9472637 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00782-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Hepacivirus have a broad range of hosts, with at least 14 species identified. To date, a highly pathogenic hepacivirus causing severe disease in animals has not been found. Here, by using high-throughput sequencing, a new hepacivirus was identified as the dominant and highly pathogenic virus in severe acute hepatitis outbreaks in bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus), with ≈80% mortality; this virus emerged in February 2020 in two bamboo rat farms in China. Hepaciviral genome copies in bamboo rat liver were significantly higher than in other organs. Genomic sequences of hepacivirus strains from 12 sick bamboo rats were found to share 85.3 to 100% nucleotide (nt) identity and 94.9 to 100% amino acid (aa) identity and to share 79.7 to 87.8% nt and 90.4 to 97.8% aa identities with previously reported bamboo rat hepaciviruses of Vietnam and China. Sequence analysis further revealed the simultaneous circulation of genetically divergent hepacivirus variants within the two outbreaks. Phylogenetic analysis showed that hepacivirus strains from the present and previous studies formed an independent clade comprised of at least two genotypes, clearly different from all other known species, suggesting a novel species within the genus Hepacivirus. This is the first report of a non-human-infecting hepacivirus causing potentially fatal infection of bamboo rats, and the associated hepatitis in the animals potentially can be used to develop a surrogate model for the study of hepatitis C virus infection in humans and for the development of therapeutic strategies. IMPORTANCE Members of the genus Hepacivirus have a broad host range, with at least 14 species identified, but none is highly pathogenic to its host except for hepatitis C virus, which causes severe liver diseases in humans. In this study, a new liver-tropic hepacivirus species was identified by high-throughput sequencing as the pathogen associated with two outbreaks of severely acute hepatitis in hoary bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus) on two farms in Hainan Province, China; this is the first reported highly pathogenic animal hepacivirus to our knowledge. Further phylogenetic analysis suggested that the hepaciviruses derived from hoary bamboo rats in either the current or previous studies represent a novel species within the genus Hepacivirus. This finding is a breakthrough that has significantly updated our understanding about the pathogenicity of animal hepaciviruses, and the hepacivirus-associated hepatitis in bamboo rats may have a use as an animal infection model to understand HCV infection and develop therapeutic strategies.
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22
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Raus S, Lopez-Scarim J, Luthy J, Billerbeck E. Hepatic iNKT cells produce type 2 cytokines and restrain antiviral T cells during acute hepacivirus infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:953151. [PMID: 36159876 PMCID: PMC9501689 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.953151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a curable disease, but the absence of a vaccine remains a major problem in infection prevention. The lack of small animal models and limited access to human liver tissue impede the study of hepatic antiviral immunity and the development of new vaccine strategies. We recently developed an immune-competent mouse model using an HCV-related rodent hepacivirus which shares immunological features with human viral hepatitis. In this study, we used this new model to investigate the role of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells during hepacivirus infection in vivo. These cells are enriched in the liver, however their role in viral hepatitis is not well defined. Using high-dimensional flow cytometry and NKT cell deficient mice we analyzed a potential role of iNKT cells in mediating viral clearance, liver pathology or immune-regulation during hepacivirus infection. In addition, we identified new immune-dominant MHC class I restricted viral epitopes and analyzed the impact of iNKT cells on virus-specific CD8+ T cells. We found that rodent hepacivirus infection induced the activation of iNKT cell subsets with a mixed NKT1/NKT2 signature and significant production of type 2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) during acute infection. While iNKT cells were dispensable for viral clearance, the lack of these cells caused higher levels of liver injury during infection. In addition, the absence of iNKT cells resulted in increased effector functions of hepatic antiviral T cells. In conclusion, our study reports a regulatory role of hepatic iNKT cells during hepacivirus infection in vivo. Specifically, our data suggest that iNKT cells skewed towards type 2 immunity limit liver injury during acute infection by mechanisms that include the regulation of effector functions of virus-specific T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svjetlana Raus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Jarrett Lopez-Scarim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Joshua Luthy
- BD Life Sciences - FlowJo, Ashland, OR, United States
| | - Eva Billerbeck
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Eva Billerbeck,
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23
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English K, Tan SY, Kwan R, Holz LE, Sierro F, McGuffog C, Kaisho T, Heath WR, MacDonald KPA, McCaughan GW, Bowen DG, Bertolino P. The liver contains distinct interconnected networks of
CX3CR1
+
macrophages,
XCR1
+
type 1 and
CD301a
+
type 2 conventional dendritic cells embedded within portal tracts. Immunol Cell Biol 2022; 100:394-408. [PMID: 35718354 PMCID: PMC9541163 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Portal tracts are key intrahepatic structures where leukocytes accumulate during immune responses. They contain the blood inflow, which includes portal blood from the gut, and lymphatic and biliary outflow of the liver, and as such represent a key interface for potential pathogen entry to the liver. Myeloid cells residing in the interstitium of the portal tract might play an important role in the surveillance or prevention of pathogen dissemination; however, the exact composition and localization of this population has not been explored fully. Our in‐depth characterization of portal tract myeloid cells revealed that in addition to T lymphocytes, portal tracts contain a heterogeneous population of MHCIIhigh myeloid cells with potential antigen presenting cell (APC) function. These include a previously unreported subset of CSF1R‐dependent CX3CR1+ macrophages that phenotypically and morphologically resemble liver capsular macrophages, as well as the two main dendritic cell subsets (cDC1 and cDC2). These cells are not randomly distributed, but each subset forms interconnected networks intertwined with specific components of the portal tract. The CX3CR1+ cells were preferentially detected along the outer border of the portal tracts, and also in the portal interstitium adjacent to the portal vein, bile duct, lymphatic vessels and hepatic artery. cDC1s abounded along the lymphatic vessels, while cDC2s mostly surrounded the biliary tree. The specific distributions of these discrete subsets predict that they may serve distinct functions in this compartment. Overall, our findings suggest that portal tracts and their embedded cellular networks of myeloid cells form a distinctive lymphoid compartment in the liver that has the potential to orchestrate immune responses in this organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran English
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Sioh Yang Tan
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Rain Kwan
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Lauren E Holz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Frederic Sierro
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Claire McGuffog
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Tsuneyasu Kaisho
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medicine Wakayama Medical University Wakayama Japan
| | - William R Heath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Kelli PA MacDonald
- Antigen Presentation and Immunoregulation Laboratory QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Geoffrey W McCaughan
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - David G Bowen
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Patrick Bertolino
- Centenary Institute and University of Sydney, AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney NSW Australia
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24
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Identification and Genetic Characterization of Bovine Hepacivirus in China: A Large Scale Epidemiological Study. Virol Sin 2022; 37:223-228. [PMID: 35537981 PMCID: PMC9170970 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.02.003] [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: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) is a novel virus that was recently discovered in Ghana and Germany in 2015. Until now, this virus has been identified in cattle population worldwide and is classified into subtypes A–G. To fully understand the epidemic situation and genetic characteristic of BovHepV in China, a total of 612 cattle serum samples were collected from 20 farms in seven provinces and municipality in China between 2018 and 2020 and were tested for the presence of BovHepV RNA via semi-nested PCR. The results demonstrated that 49 (8.0%) samples were BovHepV RNA-positive. It is noted that BovHepV infection in yak was confirmed for the first time. BovHepV was detected in all the seven provinces, with the positive rate ranging from 3.1% to 13.3%, which indicates a wide geographical distribution pattern of BovHepV in China. Sequencing results revealed that 5′ UTR of the 49 field BovHepV strains have a nucleotide similarity of 96.3%–100% between each other and 93.9%–100% with previously reported BovHepV strains. In addition, genetic analysis identified five critical nucleotide sites in 5′ UTR to distinguish different subtypes, which was further verified by genomic sequencing and nucleotide similarity analysis. All the 49 Chinese field BovHepV strains were classified into subtype G and this subtype is only determined in cattle in China currently. This study will provide insights for us to better understand the epidemiology and genetic diversity of BovHepV. BovHepV was detected in seven provinces in China between 2018 and 2020. BovHepV was prevalent in cattle with the positive rate ranging from 3.1% to 13.3%. Five critical nucleotide sites in 5′ UTR could distinguish BovHepV subtypes. The Chinese field BovHepV strains were classified into subtype G.
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25
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Gömer A, Brown RJP, Pfaender S, Deterding K, Reuter G, Orton R, Seitz S, Bock CT, Cavalleri JMV, Pietschmann T, Wedemeyer H, Steinmann E, Todt D. OUP accepted manuscript. Virus Evol 2022; 8:veac007. [PMID: 35242360 PMCID: PMC8887644 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Even 30 years after the discovery of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in humans there is still no vaccine available. Reasons for this include the high mutation rate of HCV, which allows the virus to escape immune recognition and the absence of an immunocompetent animal model for vaccine development. Phylogenetically distinct hepaciviruses (genus Hepacivirus, family Flaviviridae) have been isolated from diverse species, each with a narrow host range: the equine hepacivirus (EqHV) is the closest known relative of HCV. In this study, we used amplicon-based deep-sequencing to investigate the viral intra-host population composition of the genomic regions encoding the surface glycoproteins E1 and E2. Patterns of E1E2 substitutional evolution were compared in longitudinally sampled EqHV-positive sera of naturally and experimentally infected horses and HCV-positive patients. Intra-host virus diversity was higher in chronically than in acutely infected horses, a pattern which was similar in the HCV-infected patients. However, overall glycoprotein variability was higher in HCV compared to EqHV. Additionally, selection pressure in HCV populations was higher, especially within the N-terminal region of E2, corresponding to the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) in HCV. An alignment of glycoprotein sequences from diverse hepaciviruses identified the HVR1 as a unique characteristic of HCV: hepaciviruses from non-human species lack this region. Together, these data indicate that EqHV infection of horses could represent a powerful surrogate animal model to gain insights into hepaciviral evolution and HCVs HVR1-mediated immune evasion strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephanie Pfaender
- Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, Hannover 30625, Germany
- German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Gábor Reuter
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., Pécs 7624, Hungary
| | | | - Stefan Seitz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - C- Thomas Bock
- Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Jessika M V Cavalleri
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute of Experimental Virology, Hannover 30625, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover 30625, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, Hannover 30625, Germany
- German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, Bochum 44801, Germany
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The Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)—Small Animal Model for Hepacivirus Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122421. [PMID: 34960690 PMCID: PMC8708279 DOI: 10.3390/v13122421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which is frequently persistent. The lack of efficient vaccines against HCV and the unavailability of or limited compliance with existing antiviral therapies is problematic for health care systems worldwide. Improved small animal models would support further hepacivirus research, including development of vaccines and novel antivirals. The recent discovery of several mammalian hepaciviruses may facilitate such research. In this study, we demonstrated that bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) were susceptible to bank vole-associated Hepacivirus F and Hepacivirus J strains, based on the detection of hepaciviral RNA in 52 of 55 experimentally inoculated voles. In contrast, interferon α/β receptor deficient C57/Bl6 mice were resistant to infection with both bank vole hepaciviruses (BvHVs). The highest viral genome loads in infected voles were detected in the liver, and viral RNA was visualized by in situ hybridization in hepatocytes, confirming a marked hepatotropism. Furthermore, liver lesions in infected voles resembled those of HCV infection in humans. In conclusion, infection with both BvHVs in their natural hosts shares striking similarities to HCV infection in humans and may represent promising small animal models for this important human disease.
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Nicolay W, Moeller R, Kahl S, Vondran FWR, Pietschmann T, Kunz S, Gerold G. Characterization of RNA Sensing Pathways in Hepatoma Cell Lines and Primary Human Hepatocytes. Cells 2021; 10:3019. [PMID: 34831243 PMCID: PMC8616302 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is targeted by several human pathogenic RNA viruses for viral replication and dissemination; despite this, the extent of innate immune sensing of RNA viruses by human hepatocytes is insufficiently understood to date. In particular, for highly human tropic viruses such as hepatitis C virus, cell culture models are needed to study immune sensing. However, several human hepatoma cell lines have impaired RNA sensing pathways and fail to mimic innate immune responses in the human liver. Here we compare the RNA sensing properties of six human hepatoma cell lines, namely Huh-6, Huh-7, HepG2, HepG2-HFL, Hep3B, and HepaRG, with primary human hepatocytes. We show that primary liver cells sense RNA through retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) like receptor (RLR) and Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) pathways. Of the tested cell lines, Hep3B cells most closely mimicked the RLR and TLR3 mediated sensing in primary hepatocytes. This was shown by the expression of RLRs and TLR3 as well as the expression and release of bioactive interferon in primary hepatocytes and Hep3B cells. Our work shows that Hep3B cells partially mimic RNA sensing in primary hepatocytes and thus can serve as in vitro model to study innate immunity to RNA viruses in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Nicolay
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Rebecca Moeller
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
- Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), Institute of Biochemistry & Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sina Kahl
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Florian W. R. Vondran
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), 30100 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
| | - Stefan Kunz
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Gisa Gerold
- TWINCORE—Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute for Experimental Virology, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (W.N.); (R.M.); (S.K.); (T.P.)
- Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), Institute of Biochemistry & Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, SE-90185 Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, SE-90185 Umeå, Sweden
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Echeverría N, Comas V, Aldunate F, Perbolianachis P, Moreno P, Cristina J. In the era of rapid mRNA-based vaccines: Why is there no effective hepatitis C virus vaccine yet? World J Hepatol 2021; 13:1234-1268. [PMID: 34786164 PMCID: PMC8568586 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i10.1234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is responsible for no less than 71 million people chronically infected and is one of the most frequent indications for liver transplantation worldwide. Despite direct-acting antiviral therapies fuel optimism in controlling HCV infections, there are several obstacles regarding treatment accessibility and reinfection continues to remain a possibility. Indeed, the majority of new HCV infections in developed countries occur in people who inject drugs and are more plausible to get reinfected. To achieve global epidemic control of this virus the development of an effective prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine becomes a must. The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic led to auspicious vaccine development against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, which has renewed interest on fighting HCV epidemic with vaccination. The aim of this review is to highlight the current situation of HCV vaccine candidates designed to prevent and/or to reduce HCV infectious cases and their complications. We will emphasize on some of the crossroads encountered during vaccine development against this insidious virus, together with some key aspects of HCV immunology which have, so far, hampered the progress in this area. The main focus will be on nucleic acid-based as well as recombinant viral vector-based vaccine candidates as the most novel vaccine approaches, some of which have been recently and successfully employed for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Finally, some ideas will be presented on which methods to explore for the design of live-attenuated vaccines against HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Echeverría
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Victoria Comas
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Fabián Aldunate
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Paula Perbolianachis
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Pilar Moreno
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Juan Cristina
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
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In Vitro Comparison of the Internal Ribosomal Entry Site Activity from Rodent Hepacivirus and Pegivirus and Construction of Pseudoparticles. Adv Virol 2021; 2021:5569844. [PMID: 34422054 PMCID: PMC8376455 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5569844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) of rodent hepacivirus (RHV) and pegivirus (RPgV) contains sequence homology to the HCV type III internal ribosome entry sites (IRES). Utilizing a monocistronic expression vector with an RNA polymerase I promoter to drive transcription, we show cell-specific IRES translation and regions within the IRES required for full functionality. Focusing on RHV, we further pseudotyped lentivirus with RHV and showed cell surface expression of the envelope proteins and transduction of murine hepatocytes and we then constructed full-length RHV and RPgV replicons with reporter genes. Using the replicon system, we show that the RHV NS3-4A protease cleaves a mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein reporter. However, liver-derived cells did not readily support the complete viral life cycle.
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Hartlage AS, Kapoor A. Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine Research: Time to Put Up or Shut Up. Viruses 2021; 13:1596. [PMID: 34452460 PMCID: PMC8402855 DOI: 10.3390/v13081596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Unless urgently needed to prevent a pandemic, the development of a viral vaccine should follow a rigorous scientific approach. Each vaccine candidate should be designed considering the in-depth knowledge of protective immunity, followed by preclinical studies to assess immunogenicity and safety, and lastly, the evaluation of selected vaccines in human clinical trials. The recently concluded first phase II clinical trial of a human hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine followed this approach. Still, despite promising preclinical results, it failed to protect against chronic infection, raising grave concerns about our understanding of protective immunity. This setback, combined with the lack of HCV animal models and availability of new highly effective antivirals, has fueled ongoing discussions of using a controlled human infection model (CHIM) to test new HCV vaccine candidates. Before taking on such an approach, however, we must carefully weigh all the ethical and health consequences of human infection in the absence of a complete understanding of HCV immunity and pathogenesis. We know that there are significant gaps in our knowledge of adaptive immunity necessary to prevent chronic HCV infection. This review discusses our current understanding of HCV immunity and the critical gaps that should be filled before embarking upon new HCV vaccine trials. We discuss the importance of T cells, neutralizing antibodies, and HCV genetic diversity. We address if and how the animal HCV-like viruses can be used for conceptualizing effective HCV vaccines and what we have learned so far from these HCV surrogates. Finally, we propose a logical but narrow path forward for HCV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S. Hartlage
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
- Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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Lenart M, Kluczewska A, Szaflarska A, Rutkowska-Zapała M, Wąsik M, Ziemiańska-Pięta A, Kobylarz K, Pituch-Noworolska A, Siedlar M. Selective downregulation of natural killer activating receptors on NK cells and upregulation of PD-1 expression on T cells in children with severe and/or recurrent Herpes simplex virus infections. Immunobiology 2021; 226:152097. [PMID: 34015527 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2021.152097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Severe, recurrent or atypical Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are still posing clinical and diagnostic problem in clinical immunology facilities. However, the molecular background of this disorder is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of activating receptors on NK cells (CD16, NKp46, NKG2D, NKp80, 2B4, CD48 and NTB-A) and checkpoint molecule PD-1 on T lymphocytes and NK cells, in patients with severe and/or recurrent infections with HSV and age-matched healthy control subjects. As a result, we noticed that patients with severe and/or recurrent infection with HSV had significantly lower percentage of CD16brightCD56dim and higher percentage of CD16dimCD56bright NK cell subsets, when compared to control subjects, which may be associated with abnormal NK cell maturation during chronic HSV infection. Patients had also significantly downregulated expression of CD16 receptor on CD16bright NK cells. The expression of activating receptors was significantly reduced on patients' NK cells - either both the percentage of NK cells expressing the receptor and MFI of its expression (NKp46, NKp80 and 2B4 on CD16brightCD56dim cells and NKp46 on CD16dimCD56bright cells) or only MFI (NKG2D on both NK cell subsets). It should be noted that the reduction of receptor expression was limited to NK cells, since there was no differences in the percentage of receptor-positive cells or MFI on T cells. However, NTB-A receptor was the only one which expression was not only simultaneously changed in patients' NK and T cells, but also significantly upregulated on CD16dimCD56bright NK cell and CD8+ cell subsets. Patients had also upregulated proportion of CD4+ T cells expressing PD-1. Thus, we suggest that an increased percentage of PD-1+ cells may represent an independent indirect mechanism of downregulation of antiviral response, separate from the reduction of NK cell activating receptors expression. Altogether, our studies indicate two possible mechanisms which may promote perpetuation of HSV infection: 1) selective inhibition of activating receptors on NK cells, but not on T cells, and 2) upregulation of checkpoint molecule PD-1 on CD4+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Lenart
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Kluczewska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Szaflarska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Rutkowska-Zapała
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, Krakow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Wąsik
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Ziemiańska-Pięta
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kobylarz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Pituch-Noworolska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maciej Siedlar
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, Krakow, Poland.
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Structure-Based and Rational Design of a Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050837. [PMID: 34063143 PMCID: PMC8148096 DOI: 10.3390/v13050837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine is a critical yet unfulfilled step in addressing the global disease burden of HCV. While decades of research have led to numerous clinical and pre-clinical vaccine candidates, these efforts have been hindered by factors including HCV antigenic variability and immune evasion. Structure-based and rational vaccine design approaches have capitalized on insights regarding the immune response to HCV and the structures of antibody-bound envelope glycoproteins. Despite successes with other viruses, designing an immunogen based on HCV glycoproteins that can elicit broadly protective immunity against HCV infection is an ongoing challenge. Here, we describe HCV vaccine design approaches where immunogens were selected and optimized through analysis of available structures, identification of conserved epitopes targeted by neutralizing antibodies, or both. Several designs have elicited immune responses against HCV in vivo, revealing correlates of HCV antigen immunogenicity and breadth of induced responses. Recent studies have elucidated the functional, dynamic and immunological features of key regions of the viral envelope glycoproteins, which can inform next-generation immunogen design efforts. These insights and design strategies represent promising pathways to HCV vaccine development, which can be further informed by successful immunogen designs generated for other viruses.
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Burns EA, Muhsen IN, Anand K, Xu J, Umoru G, Arain AN, Abdelrahim M. Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Cancer Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. J Immunother 2021; 44:132-139. [PMID: 33480637 PMCID: PMC7946380 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There have been unique adverse events reported with targeted blockade of programmed death-1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA4), including immune mediated toxicities. Recently, there have been reports of hepatitis B reactivation (HBVr) occurring with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, which may result in treatment delays, interruptions, or discontinuation. This retrospective literature review and analysis of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) queried reported cases of "Hepatitis B reactivation" reported with the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors "Pembrolizumab," "Atezolizumab," "Nivolumab," "Durvalumab," "Avelumab," and "Ipilimumab" from initial FDA approval to June 30, 2020. Disproportionality signal analysis was determined by calculating a reporting odds ratio (ROR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The ROR was considered significant when the lower and upper limits of the 95% CI were >1 and confirmed by the Fisher exact test (P<0.05). Pembrolizumab had a strong signal associated with HBVr, with a ROR of 2.32 (95% CI: 1.11-4.28) (P=0.013) and was the only statistically significant finding. There were no reports of HBVr with Ipilimumab or Avelumab. Additional prospective studies should be conducted to validate the findings of this retrospective pharmacovigilance analysis to determine the risk of HBVr in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kartik Anand
- Department of Oncology, Great Plains Health, North Platte, NE
| | - Jiaqiong Xu
- Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Research Institute
| | | | | | - Maen Abdelrahim
- Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Outpatient Center
- Cockrell Center of Advanced Therapeutics Phase I Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Outpatient Center
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Institute of Academic Medicine, Houston, TX
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Abstract
Preclinical testing of novel therapeutics for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) requires suitable animal models. Equids host homologs of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Because coinfections of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV occur in humans, we screened 2,917 specimens from equids from five continents for HBV. We discovered a distinct HBV species (Equid HBV, EqHBV) in 3.2% of donkeys and zebras by PCR and antibodies against EqHBV in 5.4% of donkeys and zebras. Molecular, histopathological, and biochemical analyses revealed that infection patterns of EqHBV resembled those of HBV in humans, including hepatotropism, moderate liver damage, evolutionary stasis, and potential horizontal virus transmission. Naturally infected donkeys showed chronic infections resembling CHB with high viral loads of up to 2.6 × 109 mean copies per milliliter serum for >6 mo and weak antibody responses. Antibodies against Equid HCV were codetected in 26.5% of donkeys seropositive for EqHBV, corroborating susceptibility to both hepatitis viruses. Deltavirus pseudotypes carrying EqHBV surface proteins were unable to infect human cells via the HBV receptor NTCP (Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide), suggesting alternative viral entry mechanisms. Both HBV and EqHBV deltavirus pseudotypes infected primary horse hepatocytes in vitro, supporting a broad host range for EqHBV among equids and suggesting that horses might be suitable for EqHBV and HBV infections in vivo. Evolutionary analyses suggested that EqHBV originated in Africa several thousand years ago, commensurate with the domestication of donkeys. In sum, EqHBV naturally infects diverse equids and mimics HBV infection patterns. Equids provide a unique opportunity for preclinical testing of novel therapeutics for CHB and to investigate HBV/HCV interplay upon coinfection.
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Padariya M, Kalathiya U, Mikac S, Dziubek K, Tovar Fernandez MC, Sroka E, Fahraeus R, Sznarkowska A. Viruses, cancer and non-self recognition. Open Biol 2021; 11:200348. [PMID: 33784856 PMCID: PMC8061760 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-host interactions form an essential part of every aspect of life, and this review is aimed at looking at the balance between the host and persistent viruses with a focus on the immune system. The virus-host interaction is like a cat-and-mouse game and viruses have developed ingenious mechanisms to manipulate cellular pathways, most notably the major histocompatibility (MHC) class I pathway, to reside within infected cell while evading detection and destruction by the immune system. However, some of the signals sensing and responding to viral infection are derived from viruses and the fact that certain viruses can prevent the infection of others, highlights a more complex coexistence between the host and the viral microbiota. Viral immune evasion strategies also illustrate that processes whereby cells detect and present non-self genetic material to the immune system are interlinked with other cellular pathways. Immune evasion is a target also for cancer cells and a more detailed look at the interfaces between viral factors and components of the MHC class I peptide-loading complex indicates that these interfaces are also targets for cancer mutations. In terms of the immune checkpoint, however, viral and cancer strategies appear different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monikaben Padariya
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Umesh Kalathiya
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sara Mikac
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dziubek
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Maria C. Tovar Fernandez
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Ewa Sroka
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Robin Fahraeus
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
- Inserm UMRS1131, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, Université Paris 7, Hôpital St. Louis, F-75010 Paris, France
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 65653 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Building 6M, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alicja Sznarkowska
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
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Wyżewski Z, Świtlik W, Mielcarska MB, Gregorczyk-Zboroch KP. The Role of Bcl-xL Protein in Viral Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041956. [PMID: 33669408 PMCID: PMC7920434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bcl-xL represents a family of proteins responsible for the regulation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Due to its anti-apoptotic activity, Bcl-xL co-determines the viability of various virally infected cells. Their survival may determine the effectiveness of viral replication and spread, dynamics of systemic infection, and viral pathogenesis. In this paper, we have reviewed the role of Bcl-xL in the context of host infection by eight different RNA and DNA viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A virus (IAV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1), Maraba virus (MRBV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and coronavirus (CoV). We have described an influence of viral infection on the intracellular level of Bcl-xL and discussed the impact of Bcl-xL-dependent cell survival control on infection-accompanying pathogenic events such as tissue damage or oncogenesis. We have also presented anti-viral treatment strategies based on the pharmacological regulation of Bcl-xL expression or activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Wyżewski
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48 728-208-338
| | - Weronika Świtlik
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Matylda Barbara Mielcarska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.M.); (K.P.G.-Z.)
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Rivas-Estilla AM, Lozano-Sepulveda SA. Where is the focus on hepatitis C research after the introduction of DAAs: To Understand, knowledge, prevent or cure hepatitis C? Ann Hepatol 2021; 19:119-120. [PMID: 32138868 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Rivas-Estilla
- Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, NL, México.
| | - Sonia A Lozano-Sepulveda
- Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, NL, México
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Thimme R. T cell immunity to hepatitis C virus: Lessons for a prophylactic vaccine. J Hepatol 2021; 74:220-229. [PMID: 33002569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is consensus that HCV-specific T cells play a central role in the outcome (clearance vs. persistence) of acute infection and that they contribute to protection against the establishment of persistence after reinfection. However, these T cells often fail and the virus can persist, largely as a result of T cell exhaustion and the emergence of viral escape mutations. Importantly, HCV cure by direct-acting antivirals does not lead to a complete reversion of T cell exhaustion and thus HCV reinfections can occur. The current lack of detailed knowledge about the immunological determinants of viral clearance, persistence and protective immunity is a major roadblock to the development of a prophylactic T cell vaccine. This minireview highlights the basic concepts of successful T cell immunity, major mechanisms of T cell failure and how our understanding of these concepts can be translated into a prophylactic vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Germany.
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Bletsa M, Vrancken B, Gryseels S, Boonen I, Fikatas A, Li Y, Laudisoit A, Lequime S, Bryja J, Makundi R, Meheretu Y, Akaibe BD, Mbalitini SG, Van de Perre F, Van Houtte N, Těšíková J, Wollants E, Van Ranst M, Pybus OG, Drexler JF, Verheyen E, Leirs H, Gouy de Bellocq J, Lemey P. Molecular detection and genomic characterization of diverse hepaciviruses in African rodents. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab036. [PMID: 34221451 PMCID: PMC8242229 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV; genus Hepacivirus) represents a major public health problem, infecting about three per cent of the human population. Because no animal reservoir carrying closely related hepaciviruses has been identified, the zoonotic origins of HCV still remain unresolved. Motivated by recent findings of divergent hepaciviruses in rodents and a plausible African origin of HCV genotypes, we have screened a large collection of small mammals samples from seven sub-Saharan African countries. Out of 4,303 samples screened, eighty were found positive for the presence of hepaciviruses in twenty-nine different host species. We, here, report fifty-six novel genomes that considerably increase the diversity of three divergent rodent hepacivirus lineages. Furthermore, we provide strong evidence for hepacivirus co-infections in rodents, which were exclusively found in four sampled species of brush-furred mice. We also detect evidence of recombination within specific host lineages. Our study expands the available hepacivirus genomic data and contributes insights into the relatively deep evolutionary history of these pathogens in rodents. Overall, our results emphasize the importance of rodents as a potential hepacivirus reservoir and as models for investigating HCV infection dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Bletsa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Vrancken
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ine Boonen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Antonios Fikatas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yiqiao Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Sebastian Lequime
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Josef Bryja
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rhodes Makundi
- Pest Management Center -Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Yonas Meheretu
- Department of Biology and Institute of Mountain Research & Development, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Benjamin Dudu Akaibe
- Department of Ecology and Animal Resource Management, Faculty of Science, Biodiversity Monitoring Center, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Sylvestre Gambalemoke Mbalitini
- Department of Ecology and Animal Resource Management, Faculty of Science, Biodiversity Monitoring Center, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Frederik Van de Perre
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Natalie Van Houtte
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jana Těšíková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Elke Wollants
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Van Ranst
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oliver G Pybus
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany
| | - Erik Verheyen
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny-Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Philippe Lemey
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Smith S, Honegger JR, Walker C. T-Cell Immunity against the Hepatitis C Virus: A Persistent Research Priority in an Era of Highly Effective Therapy. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a036954. [PMID: 32205413 PMCID: PMC7778213 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 70% of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections become chronic, indicating that the virus is exceptionally well adapted to persist in humans with otherwise normal immune function. Robust, lifelong replication of this small RNA virus does not require a generalized failure of immunity. HCV effectively subverts innate and adaptive host defenses while leaving immunity against other viruses intact. Here, the role of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in control of HCV infection and their failure to prevent virus persistence in most individuals are reviewed. Two issues of practical importance remain priorities in an era of highly effective antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. First, the characteristics of successful T-cell responses that promote resolution of HCV infection are considered, as they will underpin development of vaccines that prevent HCV persistence. Second, defects in T-cell immunity that facilitate HCV persistence and whether they are reversed after antiviral cure to provide protection from reinfection are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Smith
- The Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43004, USA
| | - Jonathan R. Honegger
- The Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43004, USA
| | - Christopher Walker
- The Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43004, USA
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41
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Toor SM, Saleh R, Sasidharan Nair V, Taha RZ, Elkord E. T-cell responses and therapies against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunology 2021; 162:30-43. [PMID: 32935333 PMCID: PMC7730020 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus strain. Some studies suggest that COVID-19 could be an immune-related disease, and failure of effective immune responses in initial stages of viral infection could contribute to systemic inflammation and tissue damage, leading to worse disease outcomes. T cells can act as a double-edge sword with both pro- and anti-roles in the progression of COVID-19. Thus, better understanding of their roles in immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial. T cells primarily react to the spike protein on the coronavirus to initiate antiviral immunity; however, T-cell responses can be suboptimal, impaired or excessive in severe COVID-19 patients. This review focuses on the multifaceted roles of T cells in COVID-19 pathogenesis and rationalizes their significance in eliciting appropriate antiviral immune responses in COVID-19 patients and unexposed individuals. In addition, we summarize the potential therapeutic approaches related to T cells to treat COVID-19 patients. These include adoptive T-cell therapies, vaccines activating T-cell responses, recombinant cytokines, Th1 activators and Th17 blockers, and potential utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs to improve antiviral T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman M. Toor
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)Qatar Foundation (QF)P.O. Box: 34110DohaQatar
| | - Reem Saleh
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)Qatar Foundation (QF)P.O. Box: 34110DohaQatar
| | - Varun Sasidharan Nair
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)Qatar Foundation (QF)P.O. Box: 34110DohaQatar
| | - Rowaida Z. Taha
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)Qatar Foundation (QF)P.O. Box: 34110DohaQatar
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)Qatar Foundation (QF)P.O. Box: 34110DohaQatar
- Biomedical Research CenterSchool of Science, Engineering and EnvironmentUniversity of SalfordManchesterUK
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42
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Brown RJP, Tegtmeyer B, Sheldon J, Khera T, Anggakusuma, Todt D, Vieyres G, Weller R, Joecks S, Zhang Y, Sake S, Bankwitz D, Welsch K, Ginkel C, Engelmann M, Gerold G, Steinmann E, Yuan Q, Ott M, Vondran FWR, Krey T, Ströh LJ, Miskey C, Ivics Z, Herder V, Baumgärtner W, Lauber C, Seifert M, Tarr AW, McClure CP, Randall G, Baktash Y, Ploss A, Thi VLD, Michailidis E, Saeed M, Verhoye L, Meuleman P, Goedecke N, Wirth D, Rice CM, Pietschmann T. Liver-expressed Cd302 and Cr1l limit hepatitis C virus cross-species transmission to mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabd3233. [PMID: 33148654 PMCID: PMC7673688 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd3233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has no animal reservoir, infecting only humans. To investigate species barrier determinants limiting infection of rodents, murine liver complementary DNA library screening was performed, identifying transmembrane proteins Cd302 and Cr1l as potent restrictors of HCV propagation. Combined ectopic expression in human hepatoma cells impeded HCV uptake and cooperatively mediated transcriptional dysregulation of a noncanonical program of immunity genes. Murine hepatocyte expression of both factors was constitutive and not interferon inducible, while differences in liver expression and the ability to restrict HCV were observed between the murine orthologs and their human counterparts. Genetic ablation of endogenous Cd302 expression in human HCV entry factor transgenic mice increased hepatocyte permissiveness for an adapted HCV strain and dysregulated expression of metabolic process and host defense genes. These findings highlight human-mouse differences in liver-intrinsic antiviral immunity and facilitate the development of next-generation murine models for preclinical testing of HCV vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J P Brown
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul Ehrlich Institute, 63225 Langen, Germany.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Birthe Tegtmeyer
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Julie Sheldon
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Tanvi Khera
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Anggakusuma
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Research and Development, uniQure Biopharma, BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Daniel Todt
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Bochum, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gabrielle Vieyres
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Romy Weller
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Joecks
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Yudi Zhang
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Svenja Sake
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dorothea Bankwitz
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathrin Welsch
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Corinne Ginkel
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Engelmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gisa Gerold
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Qinggong Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas Krey
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Center of Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luisa J Ströh
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Csaba Miskey
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Herder
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Chris Lauber
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Seifert
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander W Tarr
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Life Sciences and NIHR Nottingham BRC, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - C Patrick McClure
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Life Sciences and NIHR Nottingham BRC, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Glenn Randall
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60439, USA
| | - Yasmine Baktash
- Instituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas (I2SysBio), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Carrer del Catedràtic Agustín Escardino 9, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Viet Loan Dao Thi
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Schaller Research Group at Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eleftherios Michailidis
- Schaller Research Group at Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mohsan Saeed
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Lieven Verhoye
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Natascha Goedecke
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Division Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wirth
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Division Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Charles M Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Twincore, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Braunschweig, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Regev A, Avigan MI, Kiazand A, Vierling JM, Lewis JH, Omokaro SO, Di Bisceglie AM, Fontana RJ, Bonkovsky HL, Freston JW, Uetrecht JP, Miller ED, Pehlivanov ND, Haque SA, Harrison MJ, Kullak-Ublick GA, Li H, Patel NN, Patwardhan M, Price KD, Watkins PB, Chalasani NP. Best practices for detection, assessment and management of suspected immune-mediated liver injury caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors during drug development. J Autoimmun 2020; 114:102514. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Kokkonos KG, Fossat N, Nielsen L, Holm C, Hepkema WM, Bukh J, Scheel TKH. Evolutionary selection of pestivirus variants with altered or no microRNA dependency. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:5555-5571. [PMID: 32374844 PMCID: PMC7261151 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa300] [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: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Host microRNA (miRNA) dependency is a hallmark of the human pathogen hepatitis C virus (HCV) and was also described for the related pestiviruses, which are important livestock pathogens. The liver-specific miR-122 binds within the HCV 5′ untranslated region (UTR), whereas the broadly expressed let-7 and miR-17 families bind two sites (S1 and S2, respectively) in the pestiviral 3′ UTR. Here, we dissected the mechanism of miRNA dependency of the pestivirus bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Argonaute 2 (AGO2) and miR-17 binding were essential for viral replication, whereas let-7 binding was mainly required for full translational efficiency. Furthermore, using seed site randomized genomes and evolutionary selection experiments, we found that tropism could be redirected to different miRNAs. AGO cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) experiments and miRNA antagonism demonstrated that these alternative variants bound and depended on the corresponding miRNAs. Interestingly, we also identified miRNA-independent variants that were obtained through acquisition of compensatory mutations near the genomic 3′ terminus. Rescue experiments demonstrated that miRNA binding and 3′ mutagenesis contribute to replication through mutually exclusive mechanisms. Altogether, our findings suggest that pestiviruses, although capable of miRNA-independent replication, took advantage of miRNAs as essential host factors, suggesting a favorable path during evolutionary adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos G Kokkonos
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Nicolas Fossat
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Christina Holm
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Wytske M Hepkema
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Troels K H Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre 2650, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.,Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
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45
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Kemming J, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C. Adaptive Immune Response against Hepatitis C Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165644. [PMID: 32781731 PMCID: PMC7460648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A functional adaptive immune response is the major determinant for clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, in the majority of patients, this response fails and persistent infection evolves. Here, we dissect the HCV-specific key players of adaptive immunity, namely B cells and T cells, and describe factors that affect infection outcome. Once chronic infection is established, continuous exposure to HCV antigens affects functionality, phenotype, transcriptional program, metabolism, and the epigenetics of the adaptive immune cells. In addition, viral escape mutations contribute to the failure of adaptive antiviral immunity. Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) can mediate HCV clearance in almost all patients with chronic HCV infection, however, defects in adaptive immune cell populations remain, only limited functional memory is obtained and reinfection of cured individuals is possible. Thus, to avoid potential reinfection and achieve global elimination of HCV infections, a prophylactic vaccine is needed. Recent vaccine trials could induce HCV-specific immunity but failed to protect from persistent infection. Thus, lessons from natural protection from persistent infection, DAA-mediated cure, and non-protective vaccination trials might lead the way to successful vaccination strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Kemming
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
| | - Christoph Neumann-Haefelin
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-761-270-32800
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Elia G, Caringella F, Lanave G, Martella V, Losurdo M, Tittarelli M, Colitti B, Decaro N, Buonavoglia C. Genetic heterogeneity of bovine hepacivirus in Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2731-2740. [PMID: 32426936 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Viruses similar to human hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the Hepacivirus genus have been identified in several animal hosts, including cattle. Since its first discovery in Germany, bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) has been described in several countries globally. However, limited data are available on BovHepV epidemiology and genetic variability. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of BovHepV in Italy. Viral RNA was identified in 37 (0.15%) of 24,820 bovine sera, with titres ranging from 1.09 × 103 to 8.27 × 106 RNA copies/ml. Upon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 5'UTR and NS3 genomic portions, the Italian BovHepV strains segregated into at least four distinct subtypes (A, B, C and F) that are also co-circulating globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Elia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | | | - Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - Michele Losurdo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - Manuela Tittarelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Teramo, Italy
| | - Barbara Colitti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Torino, Grugliasco (Torino), Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - Canio Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
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Immune checkpoint inhibitors: a physiology-driven approach to the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019. Eur J Cancer 2020; 135:62-65. [PMID: 32544799 PMCID: PMC7269953 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
While confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have exceeded 4.7 million globally, scientists are pushing forward with efforts to develop vaccines and treatments in an attempt to slow the pandemic and lessen the disease's damage. Although no proven effective therapies for treating patients with COVID-19 or for managing their complications currently exist, the rapidly expanding knowledge regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and its interplay with hosts provides a significant number of potential drug targets and the potential to repurpose drugs already tested in other diseases. Herein, we report the biological rationale of immune-activating drugs and a brief summary of literature data on the potential therapeutic value of immune checkpoint inhibitors that have been recently tested beyond cancer treatment for their potential to restore cellular immunocompetence.
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48
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Animal Models Used in Hepatitis C Virus Research. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113869. [PMID: 32485887 PMCID: PMC7312079 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The narrow range of species permissive to infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) presents a unique challenge to the development of useful animal models for studying HCV, as well as host immune responses and development of chronic infection and disease. Following earlier studies in chimpanzees, several unique approaches have been pursued to develop useful animal models for research while avoiding the important ethical concerns and costs inherent in research with chimpanzees. Genetically related hepatotropic viruses that infect animals are being used as surrogates for HCV in research studies; chimeras of these surrogate viruses harboring specific regions of the HCV genome are being developed to improve their utility for vaccine testing. Concurrently, genetically humanized mice are being developed and continually advanced using human factors known to be involved in virus entry and replication. Further, xenotransplantation of human hepatocytes into mice allows for the direct study of HCV infection in human liver tissue in a small animal model. The current advances in each of these approaches are discussed in the present review.
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Priming of Antiviral CD8 T Cells without Effector Function by a Persistently Replicating Hepatitis C-Like Virus. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00035-20. [PMID: 32102885 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00035-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-competent animal models for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are nonexistent, impeding studies of host-virus interactions and vaccine development. Experimental infection of laboratory rats with a rodent hepacivirus isolated from Rattus norvegicus (RHV) is a promising surrogate model due to its recapitulation of HCV-like chronicity. However, several aspects of rat RHV infection remain unclear, for instance, how RHV evades host adaptive immunity to establish persistent infection. Here, we analyzed the induction, differentiation, and functionality of RHV-specific CD8 T cell responses that are essential for protection against viral persistence. Virus-specific CD8 T cells targeting dominant and subdominant major histocompatibility complex class I epitopes proliferated considerably in liver after RHV infection. These populations endured long term yet never acquired antiviral effector functions or selected for viral escape mutations. This was accompanied by the persistent upregulation of programmed cell death-1 and absent memory cell formation, consistent with a dysfunctional phenotype. Remarkably, transient suppression of RHV viremia with a direct-acting antiviral led to the priming of CD8 T cells with partial effector function, driving the selection of a viral escape variant. These data demonstrate an intrinsic abnormality within CD8 T cells primed by rat RHV infection, an effect that is governed at least partially by the magnitude of early virus replication. Thus, this model could be useful in investigating mechanisms of CD8 T cell subversion, leading to the persistence of hepatotropic pathogens such as HCV.IMPORTANCE Development of vaccines against hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major cause of cirrhosis and cancer, has been stymied by a lack of animal models. The recent discovery of an HCV-like rodent hepacivirus (RHV) enabled the development of such a model in rats. This platform recapitulates HCV hepatotropism and viral chronicity necessary for vaccine testing. Currently, there are few descriptions of RHV-specific responses and why they fail to prevent persistent infection in this model. Here, we show that RHV-specific CD8 T cells, while induced early at high magnitude, do not develop into functional effectors capable of controlling virus. This defect was partially alleviated by short-term treatment with an HCV antiviral. Thus, like HCV, RHV triggers dysfunction of virus-specific CD8 T cells that are vital for infection resolution. Additional study of this evasion strategy and how to mitigate it could enhance our understanding of hepatotropic viral infections and lead to improved vaccines and therapeutics.
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Ploss A, Kapoor A. Animal Models of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:cshperspect.a036970. [PMID: 31843875 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important and underreported infectious disease, causing chronic infection in ∼71 million people worldwide. The limited host range of HCV, which robustly infects only humans and chimpanzees, has made studying this virus in vivo challenging and hampered the development of a desperately needed vaccine. The restrictions and ethical concerns surrounding biomedical research in chimpanzees has made the search for an animal model all the more important. In this review, we discuss different approaches that are being pursued toward creating small animal models for HCV infection. Although efforts to use a nonhuman primate species besides chimpanzees have proven challenging, important advances have been achieved in a variety of humanized mouse models. However, such models still fall short of the overarching goal to have an immunocompetent, inheritably susceptible in vivo platform in which the immunopathology of HCV could be studied and putative vaccines development. Alternatives to overcome this include virus adaptation, such as murine-tropic HCV strains, or the use of related hepaciviruses, of which many have been recently identified. Of the latter, the rodent/rat hepacivirus from Rattus norvegicus species-1 (RHV-rn1) holds promise as a surrogate virus in fully immunocompetent rats that can inform our understanding of the interaction between the immune response and viral outcomes (i.e., clearance vs. persistence). However, further characterization of these animal models is necessary before their use for gaining new insights into the immunopathogenesis of HCV and for conceptualizing HCV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA
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