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Nie H, Li Q, Pan W. The emerging roles of protein arginine methyltransferases in antiviral innate immune signaling pathways. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1322929. [PMID: 38116532 PMCID: PMC10728285 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1322929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The Protein Arginine Methyltransferases (PRMTs) family is involved in various biological processes, including gene transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA translation, and protein stability. Recently, mounting evidence has shown that PRMTs also play critical roles in regulating the host antiviral immune response, either in an enzymatic activity dependent or independent manner. This review aims to provide an overview of the recent findings regarding the function and regulatory mechanisms of PRMTs in the antiviral response. These findings have the potential to aid in the discovery and design of novel therapeutic strategies for viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wei Pan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology of Shandong Province, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
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2
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Oncolytic viruses as emerging therapy against cancers including Oncovirus-induced cancers. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 939:175393. [PMID: 36435236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175393] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There are several human viruses with known potential for causing cancers including, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus, Human T-cell lymphotropic virus, Human papillomavirus, and Merkel cell polyomavirus. Cancer is the second leading cause of death that affects humans worldwide, especially in developing countries. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy can cure about 60% of humans with cancer but recurrent and metastatic diseases remain a major reason for death. In recent years, understanding the molecular characteristics of cancer cells has led to the improvement of therapeutic strategies using novel emerging therapies. Oncolytic viruses with the potential of lysing cancer cells defined the field of oncolytic virology, hence becoming a biotechnology tool rather than just a cause of disease. This study mainly focused on targeting cell proliferation and death pathways in human tumor-inducing viruses by developing innovative therapies for cancer patients based on the natural oncolytic properties of reovirus. To kill tumor cells efficiently and reduce the chance of recurrence both the direct ability of reovirus infection to lyse the tumor cells and the stimulation of a potent host immune response are applied. Hence, bioengineered stem cells can be used as smart carriers to improve the efficacy of oncolytic reovirus and safety profiles.
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Magri A, Harris JM, D'Arienzo V, Minisini R, Jühling F, Wing PAC, Rapetti R, Leutner M, Testoni B, Baumert TF, Zoulim F, Balfe P, Pirisi M, McKeating JA. Inflammatory Gene Expression Associates with Hepatitis B Virus cccDNA- but Not Integrant-Derived Transcripts in HBeAg Negative Disease. Viruses 2022; 14:1070. [PMID: 35632812 PMCID: PMC9146050 DOI: 10.3390/v14051070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem that presents as a spectrum of liver disease, reflecting an interplay between the virus and the host immune system. HBV genomes exist as episomal covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) or chromosomal integrants. The relative contribution of these genomes to the viral transcriptome in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is not well-understood. We developed a qPCR method to estimate the abundance of HBV cccDNA- and integrant-derived viral transcripts and applied this to a cohort of patients diagnosed with CHB in the HBe antigen negative phase of disease. We noted a variable pattern of HBV transcripts from both DNA templates, with preS1/S2 mRNAs predominating and a significant association between increasing age and the expression of integrant-derived mRNAs, but not with inflammatory status. In contrast, cccDNA-derived transcripts were associated with markers of liver inflammation. Analysis of the inflammatory hepatic transcriptome identified 24 genes significantly associated with cccDNA transcriptional activity. Our study uncovers an immune gene signature that associates with HBV cccDNA transcription and increases our understanding of viral persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Magri
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - James M Harris
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | | | - Rosalba Minisini
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Frank Jühling
- Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, University of Strasbourg and Inserm, UMR_S1110, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Peter A C Wing
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 4BH, UK
| | - Rachele Rapetti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Monica Leutner
- Department of Diagnostic Services and Supportive Therapies, ASL Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, 28887 Omegna, Italy
| | - Barbara Testoni
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, University of Strasbourg and Inserm, UMR_S1110, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pôle Hépato-Digestif, Institut Hopitalo-Universitaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, UMR INSERM 1052, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Peter Balfe
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Jane A McKeating
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 4BH, UK
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STAT1 and Its Crucial Role in the Control of Viral Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084095. [PMID: 35456913 PMCID: PMC9028532 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 protein plays a key role in the immune response against viruses and other pathogens by transducing, in the nucleus, the signal from type I, type II and type III IFNs. STAT1 activates the transcription of hundreds of genes, some of which have been well characterized for their antiviral properties. STAT1 gene deletion in mice and complete STAT1 deficiency in humans both cause rapid death from severe infections. STAT1 plays a key role in the immunoglobulin class-switch recombination through the upregulation of T-bet; it also plays a key role in the production of T-bet+ memory B cells that contribute to tissue-resident humoral memory by mounting an IgG response during re-infection. Considering the key role of STAT1 in the antiviral immune response, many viruses, including dangerous viruses such as Ebola and SARS-CoV-2, have developed different mechanisms to inhibit this transcription factor. The search for drugs capable of targeting the viral proteins implicated in both viral replication and IFN/STAT1 inhibition is important for the treatment of the most dangerous viral infections and for future viral pandemics, as shown by the clinical results obtained with Paxlovid in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.
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Tinsley SL, Allen-Petersen BL. PP2A and cancer epigenetics: a therapeutic opportunity waiting to happen. NAR Cancer 2022; 4:zcac002. [PMID: 35118387 PMCID: PMC8807117 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The epigenetic state of chromatin is altered by regulators which influence gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. While several post-translational modifications contribute to chromatin accessibility and transcriptional programs, our understanding of the role that specific phosphorylation sites play is limited. In cancer, kinases and phosphatases are commonly deregulated resulting in increased oncogenic signaling and loss of epigenetic regulation. Aberrant epigenetic states are known to promote cellular plasticity and the development of therapeutic resistance in many cancer types, highlighting the importance of these mechanisms to cancer cell phenotypes. Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a heterotrimeric holoenzyme that targets a diverse array of cellular proteins. The composition of the PP2A complex influences its cellular targets and activity. For this reason, PP2A can be tumor suppressive or oncogenic depending on cellular context. Understanding the nuances of PP2A regulation and its effect on epigenetic alterations can lead to new therapeutic avenues that afford more specificity and contribute to the growth of personalized medicine in the oncology field. In this review, we summarize the known PP2A-regulated substrates and potential phosphorylation sites that contribute to cancer cell epigenetics and possible strategies to therapeutically leverage this phosphatase to suppress tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Tinsley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Liang J, Huang Y, Yang C, Huang S, Xie J, Nong X, Liu J, Zhang Y, Zhang Z. The effect of PPP2CA expression on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and its molecular biological characteristics. J Gastrointest Oncol 2021; 12:3008-3021. [PMID: 35070426 PMCID: PMC8748071 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-21-720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the role of the PPP2CA gene in the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its molecular biological characteristics. METHODS We performed comparison of the expression of PPP2CA in HCC and non-HCC tissues of HCC patients who underwent surgery for the first time in the Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from July 2017 to July 2019, and retrospectively analyzed the relevant clinical data and prognosis. The GSE76427 data set and bioinformatics and public databases were used to compare the expression of PPP2CA between HCC and non-cancer tissues. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed of PPP2CA and its differential genes and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of PPP2CA and its differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was constructed from the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database and visualized by Cytoscape software. RESULTS The immunohistochemistry (IHC) of tissue sections confirmed that PPP2CA was highly expressed in most HCC tissues; the high expression of PPP2CA was significantly correlated with microvascular invasion (MVI) and portal vein tumor thrombi (P<0.05). Participants in the PPP2CA high expression group had worse overall survival (OS; P=0.04) and recurrence-free survival (RFS; P=0.019). The PPP2CA gene and 71 DEGs were mainly enriched in the nuclear division, organelle fission, nuclear chromosome separation, and chromatid separation process, and KEGG analysis revealed enrichment in drug metabolism-cytochrome metabolism of xenobiotics by P450 and cytochrome P450. Finally, through the PPI network, CCNA2, AURKB, TOP2A, NCAPG, MCM2, CDC20, CCMB2, AURKA, and MGST1 were identified as the top 9 highly connected hub genes. CONCLUSIONS The PPP2CA gene is highly expressed in HCC tissues. The high expression of PPP2CA is significantly associated with poor prognosis. Through the analysis of DEGs, GO and KEGG pathway analysis, it was found that PPP2CA may act on liver cancer through multiple targets and multiple pathways, and PPP2CA plays a promoting role in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchang Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Chenglei Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Shen Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jinlong Xie
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xiang Nong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jianyong Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yumei Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Zhiming Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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Altstetter SM, Quitt O, Pinci F, Hornung V, Lucko AM, Wisskirchen K, Jung S, Protzer U. Hepatitis-D Virus Infection Is Not Impaired by Innate Immunity but Increases Cytotoxic T-Cell Activity. Cells 2021; 10:3253. [PMID: 34831475 PMCID: PMC8619298 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113253] [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: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 70 million humans worldwide are affected by chronic hepatitis D, which rapidly leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma due to chronic inflammation. The triggers and consequences of this chronic inflammation, induced by co-infection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV), are poorly understood. Using CRISPR technology, we characterized the recognition of HDV mono- and co-infection by intracellular innate immunity and determined its influence on the viral life cycle and effector T-cell responses using different HBV and HDV permissive hepatoma cell lines. We showed that HDV infection is detected by MDA5 and -after a lag phase -induces a profound type I interferon response in the infected cells. The type I interferon response, however, was not able to suppress HDV replication or spread, thus providing a persistent trigger. Using engineered T-cells directed against the envelope proteins commonly used by HBV and HDV, we found that HDV immune recognition enhanced T-cell cytotoxicity. Interestingly, the T-cell effector function was enhanced independently of antigen presentation. These findings help to explain immune mediated tissue damage in chronic hepatitis D patients and indicate that combining innate triggers with T-cell activating therapies might allow for a curative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Maximilian Altstetter
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München/Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.M.A.); (O.Q.); (A.M.L.); (K.W.)
| | - Oliver Quitt
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München/Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.M.A.); (O.Q.); (A.M.L.); (K.W.)
| | - Francesca Pinci
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians—University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (F.P.); (V.H.)
| | - Veit Hornung
- Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians—University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (F.P.); (V.H.)
| | - Aaron Michael Lucko
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München/Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.M.A.); (O.Q.); (A.M.L.); (K.W.)
| | - Karin Wisskirchen
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München/Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.M.A.); (O.Q.); (A.M.L.); (K.W.)
| | - Stephanie Jung
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München/Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.M.A.); (O.Q.); (A.M.L.); (K.W.)
- Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München/Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.M.A.); (O.Q.); (A.M.L.); (K.W.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, 81675 Munich, Germany
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Yang CL, Qiu X, Lin JY, Chen XY, Zhang YM, Hu XY, Zhong JH, Tang S, Li XY, Xiang BD, Zhang ZM. Potential Role and Clinical Value of PPP2CA in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2021; 9:661-671. [PMID: 34722181 PMCID: PMC8516843 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2020.00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is associated with many cancers. This study aimed to clarify whether PPP2CA, which encodes the alpha isoform of the catalytic subunit of PP2A, plays a role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to identify the potential underlying molecular pathways. METHODS Based on bioinformatics, public databases and our in-house RNA-Seq database, we analyzed the clinical value and molecular mechanism of PPP2CA in HCC. RESULTS Data were analyzed from 2,545 patients with HCC and 1,993 controls without HCC indexed in The Cancer Genome Atlas database, the Gene Expression Omnibus database and our in-house RNA-Seq database. PPP2CA expression was significantly higher in HCC tissue than in non-cancerous tissues (standardized mean difference: 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-0.89). PPP2CA expression was able to differentiate HCC from non-HCC, with an area under the summary receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.75-0.83). Immunohistochemistry of tissue sections confirmed that PPP2CA protein was up-regulated in HCC tissues. High PPP2CA expression in HCC patients was associated with shorter overall, progression-free and disease-free survival. Potential molecular pathways through which PPP2CA may be involved in HCC were determined using miRWalk 2.0 as well as analysis of Gene Ontology categories, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, and protein-protein interaction networks. CONCLUSIONS PPP2CA is up-regulated in HCC and higher expression correlates with worse prognosis. PPP2CA shows potential as a diagnostic marker for HCC. Future studies should examine whether PPP2CA contributes to HCC through the candidate microRNAs, pathways and hub genes identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Lei Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xue Qiu
- The First Clinical Medical School, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jin-Yan Lin
- The First Clinical Medical School, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Chen
- Department of Pathology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yu-Mei Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiao-Yin Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jian-Hong Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shen Tang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xi-Yi Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Bang-De Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Correspondence to: Zhi-Ming Zhang and Bang-De Xiang, Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, He Di Rd #71, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9823-4945 (ZMZ), https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1877-7139 (BDX). Tel: +86-771-533-0855, Fax: +86-771-531-2000, E-mail: (ZMZ), (BDX)
| | - Zhi-Ming Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Correspondence to: Zhi-Ming Zhang and Bang-De Xiang, Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, He Di Rd #71, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9823-4945 (ZMZ), https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1877-7139 (BDX). Tel: +86-771-533-0855, Fax: +86-771-531-2000, E-mail: (ZMZ), (BDX)
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Virus-Induced Tumorigenesis and IFN System. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10100994. [PMID: 34681093 PMCID: PMC8533565 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic viruses favor the development of tumors in mammals by persistent infection and specific cellular pathways modifications by deregulating cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. They counteract the cellular antiviral defense through viral proteins as well as specific cellular effectors involved in virus-induced tumorigenesis. Type I interferons (IFNs) are a family of cytokines critical not only for viral interference but also for their broad range of properties that go beyond the antiviral action. In fact, they can inhibit cell proliferation and modulate differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. However, their principal role is to regulate the development and activity of most effector cells of the innate and adaptive immune responses. Various are the mechanisms by which IFNs exert their effects on immune cells. They can act directly, through IFN receptor triggering, or indirectly by the induction of chemokines, the secretion of further cytokines, or by the stimulation of cells useful for the activation of particular immune cells. All the properties of IFNs are crucial in the host defense against viruses and bacteria, as well as in the immune surveillance against tumors. IFNs may be affected by and, in turn, affect signaling pathways to mediate anti-proliferative and antiviral responses in virus-induced tumorigenic context. New data on cellular and viral microRNAs (miRNAs) machinery, as well as cellular communication and microenvironment modification via classical secretion mechanisms and extracellular vesicles-mediated delivery are reported. Recent research is reviewed on the tumorigenesis induced by specific viruses with RNA or DNA genome, belonging to different families (i.e., HPV, HTLV-1, MCPyV, JCPyV, Herpesviruses, HBV, HCV) and the IFN system involvement.
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Akbar SMF, Al Mahtab M, Cesar Aguilar J, Uddin MH, Khan MSI, Yoshida O, Penton E, Gerardo GN, Hiasa Y. Exploring evidence-based innovative therapy for the treatment of chronic HBV infection: experimental and clinical. EXPLORATION OF MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.37349/emed.2021.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of various vaccines and antimicrobial agents during the 20th century, the control and containment of infectious diseases appeared to be a matter of time. However, studies unveiled the diverse natures of microbes, their lifestyle, and pathogenetic potentials. Since the ground-breaking discovery of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) by Baruch Blumberg and the subsequent development of a vaccine in the early 1980s, the main task of the scientific community has been to develop a proper management strategy for HBV-induced chronic liver diseases. In the early 1980’s, standard interferon (IFN) induced a reduction of HBV DNA levels, followed by the normalization of serum transaminases (alanine aminotransferase, ALT), in some chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, in the course of time, the limitations of standard IFN became evident, and the search for an alternative began. In the late 1980’s, nucleoside analogs entered the arena of CHB treatment as oral drugs with potent antiviral capacities. At the beginning of the 21st century, insights were developed into the scope and limitations of standard IFN, pegylated-IFN as well as nucleoside analogs for treating CHB. Considering the non-cytopathic nature of the HBV, the presence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of the infected hepatocytes and HBV-induced immune-mediated liver damages, a new field of CHB management was initiated by modulating the hosts’ immune system through immune therapy. This review will discuss the nature and design of innovative immune therapy for CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheikh Mohammad Fazle Akbar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime 7910295, Japan
| | - Mamun Al Mahtab
- Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Julio Cesar Aguilar
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | | | - Md. Sakirul Islam Khan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime 7910295, Japan
| | - Osamu Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime 7910295, Japan
| | - Eduardo Penton
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Havana 10600, Cuba
| | | | - Yoichi Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime 7910295, Japan
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Wu F, Lu R, Liu Y, Wang Y, Tian Y, Li Y, Li M, Wang W, Zhang X, Jia X, Dang S. Efficacy and safety of peginterferon alpha monotherapy in Chinese inactive chronic hepatitis B virus carriers. Liver Int 2021; 41:2032-2045. [PMID: 33896094 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The effectiveness and safety of peginterferon alpha (peg-IFN-α) monotherapy in inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers (IHCs) have not been fully evaluated. METHODS This observational study prospectively enrolled 298 IHCs in China from 2015 to 2019. Participants were given the right to choose to either receive peg-IFN-α monotherapy (treatment group, n = 142) or be monitored without treatment (control group, n = 156) according to their wishes. The scheduled treatment duration was 48 weeks. All participants were followed up to 72 weeks. The main efficacy endpoint was hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance at 72 weeks. RESULTS Baseline characteristics were similar between both groups. At 72 weeks, intention-to-treat analysis showed that the rates of HBsAg clearance and seroconversion of the treatment group were 47.9% (68/142) and 36.6% (52/142), respectively, which were significantly higher than the HBsAg clearance rate of 1.9% (3/156) and the seroconversion rate of 0.6% (1/156) in the control group (both P < .001). Baseline HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL, lower HBsAg levels at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks, alanine aminotransferase elevation at 12 weeks, and greater HBsAg reduction from baseline to 12 and 24 weeks were independent predictors of HBsAg clearance. Generally, the therapy was well tolerated. Only five participants discontinued therapy as a result of peg-IFNα-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Peg-IFN-α monotherapy results in high rates of HBsAg clearance and seroconversion and the treatment is safe for IHCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengping Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yixin Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yikai Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Tian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yaping Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoli Jia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuangsuo Dang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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12
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Zhang Z, Wen H, Peng B, Weng J, Zeng F. CDKN2A deregulation in fatty liver disease and its accelerative role in the process of lipogenesis. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21230. [PMID: 33769609 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000683r] [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: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Previous literature has indicated that cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2 A (CDKN2A) is upregulated, while the Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT1 (PIAS1) is downregulated in the liver tissues of obese mice. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between CDKN2A and PIAS1 in the lipogenesis of fatty liver disease. In the C57BL/6J db/db mouse model and hepatocyte model of fatty liver, the expression pattern of CDKN2A, PIAS1, Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) and CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator (CFLAR) was characterized by RNA quantitative and Western blot analysis. The lipogenesis-related genes (Srebp1c and Fas) in the liver tissues and cells were employed in the assessment of lipogenesis in response to gain- or loss-of-function of CDKN2A, PIAS1, PRMT1, and CFLAR, while triglyceride and fat content were evaluated in relation to fat accumulation. Western blot analysis was conducted to determine c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, while the ubiquitination of CFLAR and SUMOylation of PIAS1 was examined by immunoprecipitation. PIAS1 and CFLAR were downregulated, while CDKN2A, PRMT1, and phosphorylation of JNK was elevated in the tissues and cells of the fatty liver models. Our results suggested that CDKN2A enhanced the SUMOylation of PIAS1 to reduce the expression of PIAS1. PRMT1 downregulated CFLAR by triggering its ubiquitination, while CFLAR repressed phosphorylation of JNK. The in vitro and in vivo results indicated that CDKN2A silencing prevented lipogenesis and fat accumulation by impairing the PRMT1-dependent ubiquitination of CFLAR and blocking the phosphorylation of JNK. Taken together, the central observations of our study demonstrate that targeting CDKN2A contributes to the suppression of lipogenesis and fat accumulation in fatty liver disease. The findings of our study highlight the potential of CDKN2A as a promising target against fatty liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Huiqing Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Bangjian Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jun Weng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Fanhong Zeng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
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13
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Goh ZY, Ren EC, Ko HL. Intracellular interferon signalling pathways as potential regulators of covalently closed circular DNA in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:1369-1391. [PMID: 33911462 PMCID: PMC8047536 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i14.1369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still a major global health threat as 250 million people worldwide continue to be chronically infected with the virus. While patients may be treated with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, this only suppresses HBV titre to sub-detection levels without eliminating the persistent HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) genome. As a result, HBV infection cannot be cured, and the virus reactivates when conditions are favorable. Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines known to induce powerful antiviral mechanisms that clear viruses from infected cells. They have been shown to induce cccDNA clearance, but their use in the treatment of HBV infection is limited as HBV-targeting immune cells are exhausted and HBV has evolved multiple mechanisms to evade and suppress IFN signalling. Thus, to fully utilize IFN-mediated intracellular mechanisms to effectively eliminate HBV, instead of direct IFN administration, novel strategies to sustain IFN-mediated anti-cccDNA and antiviral mechanisms need to be developed. This review will consolidate what is known about how IFNs act to achieve its intracellular antiviral effects and highlight the critical interferon-stimulated gene targets and effector mechanisms with potent anti-cccDNA functions. These include cccDNA degradation by APOBECs and cccDNA silencing and transcription repression by epigenetic modifications. In addition, the mechanisms that HBV employs to disrupt IFN signalling will be discussed. Drugs that have been developed or are in the pipeline for components of the IFN signalling pathway and HBV targets that detract IFN signalling mechanisms will also be identified and discussed for utility in the treatment of HBV infections. Together, these will provide useful insights into design strategies that specifically target cccDNA for the eradication of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yi Goh
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore
- Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme, NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Ee Chee Ren
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
| | - Hui Ling Ko
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore
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14
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Jung S, Altstetter SM, Protzer U. Innate immune recognition and modulation in hepatitis D virus infection. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:2781-2791. [PMID: 32550754 PMCID: PMC7284172 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i21.2781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a global health threat with more than 15 million humans affected. Current treatment options are largely unsatisfactory leaving chronically infected humans at high risk to develop liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HDV is the only human satellite virus known. It encodes only two proteins, and requires Hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope protein expression for productive virion release and spread of the infection. How HDV could evolve and why HBV was selected as a helper virus remains unknown. Since the discovery of Na+-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide as the essential uptake receptor for HBV and HDV, we are beginning to understand the interactions of HDV and the immune system. While HBV is mostly regarded a stealth virus, that escapes innate immune recognition, HBV-HDV coinfection is characterized by a strong innate immune response. Cytoplasmic RNA sensor melanoma differentiation antigen 5 has been reported to recognize HDV RNA replication and activate innate immunity. Innate immunity, however, seems not to impair HDV replication while it inhibits HBV. In this review, we describe what is known up-to-date about the interplay between HBV as a helper and HDV’s immune evasion strategy and identify where additional research is required.
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MESH Headings
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology
- Coinfection/complications
- Coinfection/immunology
- Coinfection/pathology
- Coinfection/virology
- Hepatitis B virus/genetics
- Hepatitis B virus/immunology
- Hepatitis B virus/metabolism
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/immunology
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/pathology
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology
- Hepatitis D, Chronic/complications
- Hepatitis D, Chronic/immunology
- Hepatitis D, Chronic/pathology
- Hepatitis D, Chronic/virology
- Hepatitis Delta Virus/genetics
- Hepatitis Delta Virus/immunology
- Hepatitis Delta Virus/metabolism
- Hepatitis delta Antigens/immunology
- Hepatitis delta Antigens/metabolism
- Humans
- Immune Evasion
- Immunity, Innate
- Interferon-Induced Helicase, IFIH1/metabolism
- Liver/immunology
- Liver/pathology
- Liver/virology
- Liver Cirrhosis/immunology
- Liver Cirrhosis/pathology
- Liver Cirrhosis/virology
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/virology
- Organic Anion Transporters, Sodium-Dependent/metabolism
- RNA, Viral/immunology
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- Receptors, Pattern Recognition/immunology
- Receptors, Pattern Recognition/metabolism
- Satellite Viruses/genetics
- Satellite Viruses/immunology
- Satellite Viruses/metabolism
- Symporters/metabolism
- Virus Replication/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Jung
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich D-81675, Germany
| | | | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich D-81675, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich D-81675, Germany
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15
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Lucifora J, Delphin M. Current knowledge on Hepatitis Delta Virus replication. Antiviral Res 2020; 179:104812. [PMID: 32360949 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) that infects liver parenchymal cells is responsible for severe liver diseases and co-infection with Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) leads to the most aggressive form of viral hepatitis. Even tough being different for their viral genome (relaxed circular partially double stranded DNA for HBV and circular RNA for HDV), HBV and HDV are both maintained as episomes in the nucleus of infected cells and use the cellular machinery for the transcription of their viral RNAs. We propose here an update on the current knowledge on HDV replication cycle that may eventually help to identify new antiviral targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lucifora
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, France.
| | - Marion Delphin
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, France
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16
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Megahed FAK, Zhou X, Sun P. The Interactions between HBV and the Innate Immunity of Hepatocytes. Viruses 2020; 12:v12030285. [PMID: 32151000 PMCID: PMC7150781 DOI: 10.3390/v12030285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects ~350 million people and poses a major public health problem worldwide. HBV is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Fewer than 5% of HBV-infected adults (but up to 90% of HBV-infected infants and children) develop chronic HBV infection as indicated by continued, detectable expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for at least 6 months after the initial infection. Increasing evidence indicates that HBV interacts with innate immunity signaling pathways of hepatocytes to suppress innate immunity. However, it is still not clear how HBV avoids monitoring by the innate immunity of hepatocytes and whether the innate immunity of hepatocytes can be effective against HBV if re-triggered. Moreover, a deep understanding of virus-host interactions is important in developing new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HBV infection. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding how HBV represses innate immune recognition, as well as recent progress with respect to in vitro models for studying HBV infection and innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fayed Attia Koutb Megahed
- Stem Cell Research Center, Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China;
- Department of Nucleic Acid Researches, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, General Autority-City of Scientific Researches and Technological Applications, Alexandria 21934, Egypt
| | - Xiaoling Zhou
- Stem Cell Research Center, Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China;
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (P.S.)
| | - Pingnan Sun
- Stem Cell Research Center, Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China;
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (P.S.)
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17
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Lee SY, Choi YM, Oh SJ, Yang SB, Lee J, Choe WH, Kook YH, Kim BJ. rt269I Type of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Leads to HBV e Antigen Negative Infections and Liver Disease Progression via Mitochondrial Stress Mediated Type I Interferon Production in Chronic Patients With Genotype C Infections. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1735. [PMID: 31402915 PMCID: PMC6677150 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus infection is a serious global health problem and causes life-threatening liver disease. In particular, genotype C shows high prevalence and severe liver disease compared with other genotypes. However, the underlying mechanisms regarding virological traits still remain unclear. This study investigated the clinical factors and capacity to modulate Type I interferon (IFN-I) between two HBV polymerase polymorphisms rt269L and rt269I in genotype C. This report compared clinical factors between rt269L and rt269I in 220 Korean chronic patients with genotype C infections. The prevalence of preC mutations between rt269L and rt269I was compared using this study's cohort and the GenBank database. For in vitro and in vivo experiments, transient transfection using HBV genome plasmid and HBV virion infection using HepG2-hNTCP-C4 and HepaRG systems and hydrodynamic injection of HBV genome into mice tails were conducted, respectively. This report's clinical data indicated that rt269I vs. rt269L was more significantly related to HBV e antigen (HBeAg) negative serostatus, lower levels of HBV DNA and HBsAg, and disease progression. Our epidemiological study showed HBeAg negative infections of rt269I infections were attributed to a higher frequency of preC mutations at 1896 (G to A). Our in vitro and in vivo studies also found that rt269I could lead to mitochondrial stress mediated STING dependent IFN-I production, resulting in decreasing HBV replication via the induction of heme-oxygenase-1. In addition, we also found that rt269I could lead to enhanced iNOS mediated NO production in an IFN-I dependent manner. These data demonstrated that rt269I can contribute to HBeAg negative infections and liver disease progression in chronic patients with genotype C infections via mitochondrial stress mediated IFN-I production.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Young Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology and Immunology and Liver Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yu-Min Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology and Immunology and Liver Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Song-Ji Oh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology and Immunology and Liver Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soo-Bin Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology and Immunology and Liver Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - JunHyeok Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology and Immunology and Liver Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won-Hyeok Choe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoon-Hoh Kook
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology and Immunology and Liver Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bum-Joon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology and Immunology and Liver Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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18
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Christen V, Vogel MS, Hettich T, Fent K. A Vitellogenin Antibody in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera): Characterization and Application as Potential Biomarker for Insecticide Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2019; 38:1074-1083. [PMID: 30714192 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The insect yolk precursor vitellogenin is a lipoglycoprotein synthesized and stored in the fat body and secreted into the hemolymph. In honey bees, vitellogenin displays crucial functions in hormone signaling, behavioral transition of nurse bees to foragers, stress resistance, and longevity in workers. Plant protection products such as neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, and organophosphates alter the transcriptional expression of vitellogenin. To assess plant protection product-induced alterations on the protein level, we developed a rabbit polyclonal vitellogenin antibody. After characterization, we assessed its specificity and vitellogenin levels in different tissues of worker bees. The vitellogenin antibody recognized full-length 180-kDa vitellogenin and the lighter fragment of 150 kDa in fat body, hemolymph, and brain. In hemolymph, a band of approximately 75 kDa was detected. Subsequent mass spectrometric analysis (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) confirmed the 180- and 150-kDa bands as vitellogenin. Subsequently, we evaluated vitellogenin expression in brain, fat body, and hemolymph on 24-h exposure of bees to 3 ng/bee to the neonicotinoid clothianidin. Full-length vitellogenin was upregulated 3-fold in the fat body, and the 150-kDa fragment was upregulated in the brain of exposed honey bees, whereas no alteration occurred in the hemolymph. Upregulation of the vitellogenin protein by the neonicotinoid clothianidin is in line with the previously shown induction of its transcript. We conclude that vitellogenin might serve as a potential biomarker for neonicotinoid and other pesticide exposure in bees. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;00:1-10. © 2019 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Christen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Maren Susanne Vogel
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Timm Hettich
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Karl Fent
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollution Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH Zürich), Zürich, Switzerland
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19
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Yao Z, Jia X, Megger DA, Chen J, Liu Y, Li J, Sitek B, Yuan Z. Label-Free Proteomic Analysis of Exosomes Secreted from THP-1-Derived Macrophages Treated with IFN-α Identifies Antiviral Proteins Enriched in Exosomes. J Proteome Res 2018; 18:855-864. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiaofang Jia
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Dominik A. Megger
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 50 Virchowstraße 179, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Jieliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuyi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Barbara Sitek
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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20
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Yang F. Post-translational Modification Control of HBV Biological Processes. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2661. [PMID: 30443247 PMCID: PMC6222169 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus infection remains a global healthy issue that needs to be urgently solved. Novel strategies for anti-viral therapy are based on exploring the effective diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets of diseases caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It is well-established that not only viral proteins themselves but also key factors from the host control the biological processes associated with HBV, including replication, transcription, packaging, and secretion. Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, and ubiquitination, have been shown to control protein activity, regulate protein stability, promote protein interactions and alter protein subcellular localization, leading to the modulation of crucial signaling pathways and affected cellular processes. This review focuses on the functions and effects of diverse PTMs in regulating important processes in the HBV life cycle. The potential roles of PTMs in the pathogenesis of HBV-associated liver diseases are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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21
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Mani SKK, Andrisani O. Interferon signaling during Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection and HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Cytokine 2018; 124:154518. [PMID: 30126685 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis. The World Health Organization estimates that globally 257 million people are chronic HBV carriers at risk of developing liver cancer. Current therapies for prevention and treatment of HCC are inadequate. Although interferon-based treatment strategies hold great promise for combating chronic infection and HCC, many patients do not respond to the IFN-based drugs for reasons not completely understood. Interferon signaling plays key roles in activation of innate and adaptive immunity. However, HBV has evolved various mechanisms to suppress IFN signaling. In this review, we present the basics about HBV infection and interferon signaling. Next, we discuss mechanisms through which HBV downregulates the function -activity and transcription- of the transcription factor STAT1 during acute and chronic infection. STAT1 is activated in response to all types (I/II/III) of interferon signaling and is essential in mediating all types (I/II/III) of interferon responses. Lastly, we discuss emerging evidence from different human cancers linking loss of interferon signaling to aggressive cancer and cancer stem cells. Whether the same occurs during HBV-associated hepatocarcinogenesis is discussed and currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saravana Kumar Kailasam Mani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Ourania Andrisani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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22
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Mutz P, Metz P, Lempp FA, Bender S, Qu B, Schöneweis K, Seitz S, Tu T, Restuccia A, Frankish J, Dächert C, Schusser B, Koschny R, Polychronidis G, Schemmer P, Hoffmann K, Baumert TF, Binder M, Urban S, Bartenschlager R. HBV Bypasses the Innate Immune Response and Does Not Protect HCV From Antiviral Activity of Interferon. Gastroenterology 2018; 154:1791-1804.e22. [PMID: 29410097 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is sensitive to interferon (IFN)-based therapy, whereas hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is not. It is unclear whether HBV escapes detection by the IFN-mediated immune response or actively suppresses it. Moreover, little is known on how HBV and HCV influence each other in coinfected cells. We investigated interactions between HBV and the IFN-mediated immune response using HepaRG cells and primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). We analyzed the effects of HBV on HCV replication, and vice versa, at the single-cell level. METHODS PHHs were isolated from liver resection tissues from HBV-, HCV-, and human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients. Differentiated HepaRG cells overexpressing the HBV receptor sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (dHepaRGNTCP) and PHHs were infected with HBV. Huh7.5 cells were transfected with circular HBV DNA genomes resembling viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), and subsequently infected with HCV; this served as a model of HBV and HCV coinfection. Cells were incubated with IFN inducers, or IFNs, and antiviral response and viral replication were analyzed by immune fluorescence, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and flow cytometry. RESULTS HBV infection of dHepaRGNTCP cells and PHHs neither activated nor inhibited signaling via pattern recognition receptors. Incubation of dHepaRGNTCP cells and PHHs with IFN had little effect on HBV replication or levels of cccDNA. HBV infection of these cells did not inhibit JAK-STAT signaling or up-regulation of IFN-stimulated genes. In coinfected cells, HBV did not prevent IFN-induced suppression of HCV replication. CONCLUSIONS In dHepaRGNTCP cells and PHHs, HBV evades the induction of IFN and IFN-induced antiviral effects. HBV infection does not rescue HCV from the IFN-mediated response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Mutz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; HBIGS graduate school, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philippe Metz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian A Lempp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Silke Bender
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bingqian Qu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katrin Schöneweis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Seitz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Tu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Agnese Restuccia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jamie Frankish
- Research Group "Dynamics of early viral infection and the innate antiviral response", Division Virus-associated carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher Dächert
- Research Group "Dynamics of early viral infection and the innate antiviral response", Division Virus-associated carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Schusser
- Reproductive Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ronald Koschny
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infection and Intoxication, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georgios Polychronidis
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Schemmer
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katrin Hoffmann
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Université de Strasbourg, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marco Binder
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Research Group "Dynamics of early viral infection and the innate antiviral response", Division Virus-associated carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis (F170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; HBIGS graduate school, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Suslov A, Boldanova T, Wang X, Wieland S, Heim MH. Hepatitis B Virus Does Not Interfere With Innate Immune Responses in the Human Liver. Gastroenterology 2018; 154:1778-1790. [PMID: 29408639 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Most viruses are detected at early stages of cell infection and induce an innate immune response mediated by production of interferons (IFNs). IFNs induce expression of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Infection of chimpanzees with hepatitis C virus, but not hepatitis B virus (HBV), induces ISG expression in the liver. HBV might not induce an innate immune response because it is not detected by pattern recognition receptors (the stealth properties of HBV) or because HBV suppresses IFN production or signaling despite detection by pattern recognition receptors. We studied innate immune signaling in liver biopsies from patients with different stages of chronic HBV infection and uninfected individuals (controls). METHODS We obtained liver within 10 minutes after collection from 30 patients with chronic HBV infection (hepatitis B e antigen-positive or -negative, with or without hepatitis) and 42 controls (most with fatty liver disease). The liver tissues were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, HBV RNA quantification, and HBV genotyping; some specimens were incubated with toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands (polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid) or infected with Sendai virus and then analyzed. RESULTS Liver specimens from patients with HBV infection were not expressing more IFN or ISGs than those from control patients, indicating that chronic HBV infection did not activate an innate immune response. However, liver specimens from patients with HBV infection did produce IFN and induce expression of ISGs following activation of TLR3 with poly(I:C) or Sendai virus infections, so the innate immune response is not suppressed in these tissues. CONCLUSION Liver tissues from patients with chronic HBV infection do not have induction of an innate immune response, but this response can be activated by other factors (TLR3 binding, Sendai virus infection) in HBV-infected liver tissue. These findings support the hypothesis that HBV is invisible to pattern recognition receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei Suslov
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tujana Boldanova
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xueya Wang
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Wieland
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Markus H Heim
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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24
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Cheng X, Xia Y, Serti E, Block PD, Chung M, Chayama K, Rehermann B, Liang TJ. Hepatitis B virus evades innate immunity of hepatocytes but activates cytokine production by macrophages. Hepatology 2017; 66:1779-1793. [PMID: 28665004 PMCID: PMC5706781 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects hepatocytes specifically and causes immune-mediated liver damage. How HBV interacts with the innate immunity at the early phase of infection, either with hepatocytes or other cells in the liver, remains controversial. To address this question, we utilized various human cell-culture models and humanized Alb-uPA/SCID mice. All these models were unable to mount an interferon (IFN) response despite robust HBV replication. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in the lack of IFN response, we examined whether HBV actively inhibits innate immune functions of hepatocytes. By treating HBV-infected cells with known inducers of the IFN signaling pathway, we observed no alteration of either sensing or downstream IFN response by HBV. We showed that the DNA innate sensing pathways are poorly active in hepatocytes, consistent with muted innate immune recognition of HBV. Upon exposure to high-level HBV, human macrophages could be activated with increased inflammatory cytokine expressions. CONCLUSION HBV behaves like a "stealth" virus and is not sensed by, nor actively interferes with, the intrinsic innate immunity of infected hepatocytes. Macrophages are capable of sensing HBV, but require exposure to high HBV titers, potentially explaining the long "window period" during acute infection and HBV's propensity to chronic infection. (Hepatology 2017;66:1779-1793).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Cheng
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yuchen Xia
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Elisavet Serti
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Peter Daniel Block
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michelle Chung
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kazuaki Chayama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Barbara Rehermann
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - T. Jake Liang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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25
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Dandri M, Petersen J. Mechanism of Hepatitis B Virus Persistence in Hepatocytes and Its Carcinogenic Potential. Clin Infect Dis 2017; 62 Suppl 4:S281-8. [PMID: 27190317 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciw023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver disease associated with persistent infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to be a major health problem of global impact. Despite the existence of an effective vaccine, at least 240 million people are chronically infected worldwide, and are at risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although chronic HBV infection is considered the main risk factor for liver cancer development, the molecular mechanisms determining persistence of infection and long-term pathogenesis are not fully elucidated but appear to be multifactorial. Current therapeutic regimens based on the use of polymerase inhibitors can efficiently suppress viral replication but are unable to eradicate the infection. This is due both to the persistence of the HBV genome, which forms a stable minichromosome, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes, as well as to the inability of the immune system to efficiently counteract chronic HBV infection. In this regard, the unique replication strategies adopted by HBV and viral protein production also appear to contribute to infection persistence by limiting the effectiveness of innate responses. The availability of improved experimental systems and molecular techniques have started to provide new information about the complex network of interactions that HBV establishes within the hepatocyte and that may contribute to disease progression and tumor development. Thus, this review will mostly focus on events involving the hepatocyte: the only target cell where HBV infection and replication take place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Dandri
- I Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel site
| | - Joerg Petersen
- IFI Institute for Interdisciplinary Medicine, Asklepios Clinic St Georg, Hamburg, Germany
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26
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Romani S, Hosseini SM, Mohebbi SR, Boonstra A, Sharifian A. Differential expression of innate immune response genes in clinical phases of chronic hepatitis B infection. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24:776-788. [PMID: 28218976 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We investigated innate immune gene expression in clinical phases of chronic hepatitis B infection, including immune tolerant (IT), immune active (IA), inactive carrier (IC) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative phases, as well as healthy controls. Expression levels of interferon types I, II and III, their receptor subunits, IRFs, TLRs and other IFN-induced genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were compared. Forty HBsAg-positive treatment-naïve subjects without co-infection with HIV, HCV or HDV were enrolled. To complement the viral load, the expression levels of 37 innate immune genes were measured by qPCR. The highest response of the innate immune system was observed in the IT and HBeAg-negative phases, and the IC phase had the lowest response; 31 of the 37 studied genes reached their maximum mRNA expression levels in the IT and HBeAg-negative phases, and the minimum expression levels of 23 genes were found in the IC phase. The highest mRNA expression levels of IFNs, IFN receptor subunits, IRFs and TLRs genes in all clinical phases were IFN-λ2 and 3, IFN-γR2, IRF7 and TLR7, and the lowest levels of mRNA expression were observed for IFN-α, IFN-λR1, IRF8 and TLR2. We conclude that innate immune response genes are expressed differentially among chronic HBV phases, and this difference may help to develop new precise and noninvasive methods to determine the progression of disease in chronic HBV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Romani
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - S M Hosseini
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - S R Mohebbi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - A Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Sharifian
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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27
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Persistent Loss of Hepatitis B Virus Markers in Serum without Cellular Immunity by Combination of Peginterferon and Entecavir Therapy in Humanized Mice. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.00725-17. [PMID: 28696237 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00725-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleot(s)ide analogues and peginterferon (PEG-IFN) treatment are the only approved therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, complete eradication of the virus, as indicated by persistent loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), is rare among treated patients. This is due to long-term persistence of the HBV genome in infected hepatocytes in the form of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). In this study, we investigated whether administration of a large dose of a nucleoside analogue in combination with PEG-IFN can achieve long-term loss of HBsAg in human hepatocyte chimeric mice. Mice were treated with a high dose of entecavir and/or PEG-IFN for 6 weeks. High-dose combination therapy with both drugs resulted in persistently negative HBV DNA in serum. Although small amounts of HBV DNA and cccDNA (0.1 and 0.01 copy/cell, respectively) remained in the mouse livers, some of the mice remained persistently negative for serum HBV DNA at 13 weeks after cessation of the therapy. Serum HBsAg and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) continued to decrease and eventually became negative at 12 weeks after cessation of the therapy. Analysis of the HBV genome in treated mice showed accumulation of G-to-A hypermutation and CpG III island methylation. Persistent loss of serum HBV DNA and loss of HBV markers by high-dose entecavir and PEG-IFN combination treatment in chimeric mice suggests that control of HBV can be achieved even in the absence of a cellular immune response.
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28
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Tsai KN, Kuo CF, Ou JHJ. Mechanisms of Hepatitis B Virus Persistence. Trends Microbiol 2017; 26:33-42. [PMID: 28823759 PMCID: PMC5741523 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects 250 million people worldwide, resulting in nearly one million deaths annually. Studies in recent years have significantly improved our knowledge on the mechanisms of HBV persistence. HBV uses multiple pathways to harness host innate immunity to enhance its replication. It can also take advantage of the developing immune system and the not-yet-stabilized gut microbiota of young children to facilitate its persistence, and use maternal viral e antigen to educate immunity of the offspring to support its persistence after vertical transmission. The knowledge gained from these recent studies paves the way for the development of new therapies for the treatment of chronic HBV infection, which has so far been very challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuen-Nan Tsai
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Cheng-Fu Kuo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jing-Hsiung James Ou
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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29
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Hepatitis B Virus Activates Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Supporting Hepatocyte Survival and Virus Replication. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 4:339-363. [PMID: 28884137 PMCID: PMC5581872 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma, but molecular mechanisms driving liver disease and carcinogenesis are largely unknown. We therefore studied cellular pathways altered by HBV infection. METHODS We performed gene expression profiling of primary human hepatocytes infected with HBV and proved the results in HBV-replicating cell lines and human liver tissue using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) was examined in HBV-replicating human hepatocytes, HBV-replicating mice, and liver tissue from HBV-infected individuals using Western blotting, STAT3-luciferase reporter assay, and immunohistochemistry. The consequences of STAT3 activation on HBV infection and cell survival were studied by chemical inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation and small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of STAT3. RESULTS Gene expression profiling of HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes detected no interferon response, while genes encoding for acute phase and antiapoptotic proteins were up-regulated. This gene regulation was confirmed in liver tissue samples of patients with chronic HBV infection and in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Pathway analysis revealed activation of STAT3 to be the major regulator. Interleukin-6-dependent and -independent activation of STAT3 was detected in HBV-replicating hepatocytes in cell culture and in vivo. Prevention of STAT3 activation by inhibition of Janus tyrosine kinases as well as small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of STAT3-induced apoptosis and reduced HBV replication and gene expression. CONCLUSIONS HBV activates STAT3 signaling in hepatocytes to foster its own replication but also to prevent apoptosis of infected cells. This very likely supports HBV-related carcinogenesis.
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Key Words
- APR, acute phase response
- Apoptosis
- CRP, C-reactive protein
- DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide
- FCS, fetal calf serum
- HBV pg RNA, hepatitis B pregenomic RNA
- HBV, Hepatitis B virus
- HBVtg, hepatitis B transgenic
- HBeAg, hepatitis B early antigen
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HNF, hepatocyte nuclear factor
- Hepatitis B Virus Infection
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- IFN, interferon
- IL-6, interleukin 6
- IRF3, interferon regulatory factor 3
- NAC, N-acetyl-L-cysteine
- PCR, polymerase chain reaction
- PHH, primary human hepatocyte
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- RT, reverse transcription
- STAT3 Signaling
- STAT3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
- cDNA, complementary DNA
- cRNA, complementary RNA
- cccDNA, covalently closed circular DNA
- mRNA, messenger RNA
- p.i., postinfection
- pSTAT3, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
- pgRNA, pregenomic RNA
- siRNA, small interfering RNA
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30
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Krauskopf J, de Kok TM, Schomaker SJ, Gosink M, Burt DA, Chandler P, Warner RL, Johnson KJ, Caiment F, Kleinjans JC, Aubrecht J. Serum microRNA signatures as "liquid biopsies" for interrogating hepatotoxic mechanisms and liver pathogenesis in human. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177928. [PMID: 28545106 PMCID: PMC5435338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) released into the peripheral circulation upon cellular injury have shown a promise as a new class of tissue-specific biomarkers. We were first to demonstrate that next-generation sequencing analysis of serum from human subjects with acetaminophen-induced liver injury revealed a specific signature of circulating miRNAs. We consequently hypothesized that different types of hepatic liver impairments might feature distinct signatures of circulating miRNAs and that this approach might be useful as minimally invasive diagnostic "liquid biopsies" enabling the interrogation of underlying molecular mechanisms of injury in distant tissues. Therefore we examined serum circulating miRNAs in a total of 72 serum samples from a group of 53 subjects that included patients with accidental acetaminophen overdose, hepatitis B infection, liver cirrhosis and type 2 diabetes as well as gender- and age-matched healthy subjects with no evidence of liver disease. The miRNA signatures were identified using next-generation sequencing that provided analysis for the whole miRNome, including miRNA isoforms. Compared to the healthy subjects, a total of 179 miRNAs showed altered serum levels across the diseased subjects. Although many subjects have elevated alanine aminotransferase suggesting liver impairments, we identified distinct miRNA signatures for different impairments with minimum overlap. Furthermore, the bioinformatics analysis of miRNA signatures revealed relevant molecular pathways associated with the mechanisms of toxicity and or pathogenesis of disease. Interestingly, the high proportion of miRNA isoforms present in the respective signatures indicated a new level of complexity in cellular response to stress or disease. Our study demonstrates for the first time that signatures of circulating miRNAs show specificity for liver injury phenotypes and, once validated, might become useful for diagnosis of organ pathologies as "liquid biopsies".
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Krauskopf
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Theo M. de Kok
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Shelli J. Schomaker
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Mark Gosink
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Deborah A. Burt
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Patricia Chandler
- Clinical Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Roscoe L. Warner
- Pathology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Kent J. Johnson
- Pathology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Florian Caiment
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jos C. Kleinjans
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jiri Aubrecht
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut, United States of America
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31
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Lebossé F, Testoni B, Fresquet J, Facchetti F, Galmozzi E, Fournier M, Hervieu V, Berthillon P, Berby F, Bordes I, Durantel D, Levrero M, Lampertico P, Zoulim F. Intrahepatic innate immune response pathways are downregulated in untreated chronic hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2017; 66:897-909. [PMID: 28043874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence and the pathobiology of chronic HBV (CHB) infections result from the interplay between viral replication and host immune responses. We aimed to comprehensively analyse the expression of intrahepatic host genes as well as serum and liver HBV markers in a large cohort of untreated CHB patients. METHODS One-hundred and five CHB patients untreated at the time of liver biopsy (34 HBeAg[+] and 71 HBeAg[-]) were analysed for the intrahepatic expression profile of 67 genes belonging to multiple innate immunity pathways. Results were correlated to serological (quantification of HBsAg [qHBsAg] and HBV DNA) and intrahepatic viral markers (total HBV DNA, pre-genomic RNA and covalently closed circular HBV DNA). RESULTS Intrahepatic gene expression profiling revealed a strong downregulation of antiviral effectors, interferon stimulated genes, Toll-like and pathogen recognition receptor pathways in CHB patients as compared to non-infected controls, which was not directly correlated to HBV replication. A subset of genes [CXCL10, GBP1, IFITM1, IFNB1, IL10, IL6, ISG15, TLR3, SOCS1, SOCS3] was more repressed in HBeAg(-) respect to HBeAg(+) patients (median of serum HBV DNA 7.9×103vs. 7.9×107IU/ml, respectively). Notably, HBeAg(-) patients with lower qHBsAg (<5×103IU/ml) showed a relief of repression of genes belonging to multiple pathways. CONCLUSIONS Our results show a strong impairment of innate immune responses in the liver of CHB patients. The association of low levels of qHBsAg with gene repression, if confirmed, might prove useful for the identification of patients who would most benefit from immune-modulators and/or HBsAg targeting agents as strategies to restore immune responsiveness. LAY SUMMARY Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections represent a major public health problem worldwide. Over 200 million people are chronically infected and at risk of developing chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and cancer. Our work aimed to understand the molecular consequences of chronic hepatitis B in the infected liver. It was conducted in a large cohort of untreated chronically infected HBV patients and analysed the expression of immunity and liver disease-related genes in the liver, with respect to markers of viral replication and persistence. Our results indicate that chronic HBV infection has a suppressive effect on immune responses, which was more pronounced with high levels of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). These data provide novel insight into the mechanisms of HBV persistence in the liver and suggest that approaches aimed at reducing HBsAg levels, may restore immune responsiveness against the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Lebossé
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France; Department of Hepatology, Croix Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Judith Fresquet
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Floriana Facchetti
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Galmozzi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maëlenn Fournier
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Valérie Hervieu
- University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, 69008 Lyon, France; Department of Pathology, Edouard Heriot Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France
| | | | - Françoise Berby
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Isabelle Bordes
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France
| | - David Durantel
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Massimo Levrero
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France; Department of Hepatology, Croix Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France; Department of Internal Medicine - DMISM and the IIT Center for Life Nanoscience (CLNS), Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008 Lyon, France; Department of Hepatology, Croix Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, 69008 Lyon, France.
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Interplay between the Hepatitis B Virus and Innate Immunity: From an Understanding to the Development of Therapeutic Concepts. Viruses 2017; 9:v9050095. [PMID: 28452930 PMCID: PMC5454408 DOI: 10.3390/v9050095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects hepatocytes, which are the main cell type composing a human liver. However, the liver is enriched with immune cells, particularly innate cells (e.g., myeloid cells, natural killer and natural killer T-cells (NK/NKT), dendritic cells (DCs)), in resting condition. Hence, the study of the interaction between HBV and innate immune cells is instrumental to: (1) better understand the conditions of establishment and maintenance of HBV infections in this secondary lymphoid organ; (2) define the role of these innate immune cells in treatment failure and pathogenesis; and (3) design novel immune-therapeutic concepts based on the activation/restoration of innate cell functions and/or innate effectors. This review will summarize and discuss the current knowledge we have on this interplay between HBV and liver innate immunity.
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33
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Expression of Interferon Effector Gene SART1 Correlates with Interferon Treatment Response against Hepatitis B Infection. Mediators Inflamm 2016; 2016:3894816. [PMID: 28077916 PMCID: PMC5203921 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3894816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon-α (IFN-α) has limited response rate in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The underlying mechanism of differential responsiveness to IFN remains elusive. It has been recently reported that SART1 mediates antiviral effects of IFN-α in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell culture model. In this study, we investigated the role of SART1 in antiviral activity of IFN-α against hepatitis B virus (HBV) using blood and liver biopsy samples from chronic hepatitis B patients treated with pegylated IFN-α and HepG2 cells transfected with cloned HBV DNA. We observed that the basal SART1 expression in liver and PBMCs before IFN treatment was significantly higher in responders than in nonresponders. Furthermore, baseline SART1 expression level positively correlated with the degree of HBV DNA and HBeAg decline after IFN treatment. Mechanistically, silencing SART1 abrogated the antiviral activity of IFN-α, reduced the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) Mx, OAS, and PKR, and attenuated JAK-STAT signaling in HepG2 cells, suggesting that SART1 regulates IFN-mediated antiviral activity through JAK-STAT signaling and ISG expression. Our study elucidates the important role of SART1 in IFN-mediated anti-HBV response and provides new insights into understanding variation of IFN treatment response in CHB patients.
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Zhou Y, Li S, Tang Z, Xu C, Huang S, Wu J, Dittmer U, Dickow J, Sutter K, Lu M, Yang D, Song J. Different antiviral effects of IFNα and IFNβ in an HBV mouse model. Immunobiology 2016; 222:562-570. [PMID: 27839836 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Interferons α and β (IFNα and IFNβ) are type I interferons produced by the host to control pathogen propagation. However, only a minority of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients generate a sustained response after treatment with recombinant IFNα. The anti-HBV effect of IFNβ and the underlying mechanism are not well-understood. Here, we compared the antiviral activities of IFNα and IFNβ by application of IFNα or IFNβ expression plasmids using the well-established HBV hydrodynamic injection (HI) mouse model. Injection of IFNα expression plasmid could significantly reduce HBV serum markers including HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA as well as the number of HBcAg positive cells in the liver, while IFNβ showed only a weak inhibition of HBV replication. In contrast to IFNβ, IFNα resulted in elevated expression levels of IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) as well as the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL6) in the liver. Moreover, IFNβ treated mice showed higher expression levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL10 and TGFβ in the liver compared to IFNα. Our results demonstrated that both IFNα and IFNβ exert antiviral activities against HBV in HI mouse model, but IFNα is more effective than IFNβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China; School of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, PR China.
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China; Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
| | - Zongsheng Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
| | - Chunli Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
| | - Shunmei Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Julia Dickow
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
| | - Jingjiao Song
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
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Wang H, Wu D, Wang X, Chen G, Zhang Y, Yan W, Luo X, Han M, Ning Q. Hepatitis B virus surface protein-induced hPIAS1 transcription requires TAL1, E47, MYOG, NFI, and MAPK signal pathways. Biol Chem 2016; 397:1173-1185. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2015-0290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The protein inhibitor of activated STAT1 (PIAS1) plays important roles in regulating virus-induced chronic hepatitis, but the interaction between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hPIAS1 is not clear. Our aim was to verify if HBV encoding proteins enhance the transcription of hPIAS1 and which cis-elements and transcription factors were involved in the mechanism. In order to do, so a series of molecular biological methods, along with functional and histological studies, were performed. We found that the HBV surface protein (HBs) enhanced hPIAS1 transcription through the activities of TAL1, E47, myogenin (MYOG), and NFI, dependent on the activation of p38MAPK and ERK signaling pathways in vitro, which might contribute to the ineffectiveness of treatment in CHB patients. Furthermore, liver samples from patients with high HBsAg levels and HBV DNA displayed increased hPIAS1 expression and high levels of TAL1, E47, MYOG, and NFI, compared to those patients with low HBsAg levels and HBV DNA, and healthy controls. These findings suggest that the HBs protein-induced hPIAS1 transcription requires TAL1, E47, MYOG, NFI, and MAPK signal pathways. It provides new potential targets for antiviral therapeutic strategies for controlling HBV-associated diseases.
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Tsunematsu S, Suda G, Yamasaki K, Kimura M, Izumi T, Umemura M, Ito J, Sato F, Nakai M, Sho T, Morikawa K, Ogawa K, Tanaka Y, Watashi K, Wakita T, Sakamoto N. Hepatitis B virus X protein impairs α-interferon signaling via up-regulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 and protein phosphatase 2A. J Med Virol 2016; 89:267-275. [PMID: 27459003 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) causes liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Standard therapy includes treatment with interferon (IFN); however, its efficacy is limited. HBV has been reported to impair IFN signaling; however, the mechanism is unclear. Here, the relationship between HBV X protein (HBx) and IFN signaling was investigated by establishing HepG2 cells, stably expressing HBx (HepG2/HBx) via retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. Subsequently, IFN negative-regulator expression and its mechanism were studied. HepG2/HBx cells showed reduced expression of IFN-stimulated genes and expressed higher levels of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) suppressor compared with control cells. Knockdown of SOCS3 and PP2A restored IFN sensitivity. Moreover, HepG2/HBx cells showed higher phosphorylation levels of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 and endoplasmic reticulum stress, which are inducers of SOCS3 and PP2A, respectively. Additionally, HBx-knockdown restored IFN sensitivity in HepG2.2.15.7 cells. It was also confirmed that SOCS3 and PP2A expression levels were up-regulated in the liver of patients with HBV infection. The results of this study demonstrated that HBx impairs IFN signaling via increased expression of SOCS3 and PP2A, a novel mechanistic insight, providing a potential therapeutic target to enhance the efficiency of IFN therapy. J. Med. Virol. 89:267-275, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Tsunematsu
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Goki Suda
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazushi Yamasaki
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Megumi Kimura
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takaaki Izumi
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Machiko Umemura
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Jun Ito
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Fumiyuki Sato
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masato Nakai
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takuya Sho
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Morikawa
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Koji Ogawa
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medicinal Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Zou ZQ, Wang L, Wang K, Yu JG. Innate immune targets of hepatitis B virus infection. World J Hepatol 2016; 8:716-725. [PMID: 27330680 PMCID: PMC4911505 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v8.i17.716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 400 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) globally despite the widespread immunization of HBV vaccine and the development of antiviral therapies. The immunopathogenesis of HBV infection is initiated and driven by complexed interactions between the host immune system and the virus. Host immune responses to viral particles and proteins are regarded as the main determinants of viral clearance or persistent infection and hepatocyte injury. Innate immune system is the first defending line of host preventing from virus invasion. It is acknowledged that HBV has developed active tactics to escape innate immune recognition or actively interfere with innate immune signaling pathways and induce immunosuppression, which favor their replication. HBV reduces the expression of pattern-recognition receptors in the innate immune cells in humans. Also, HBV may interrupt different parts of antiviral signaling pathways, leading to the reduced production of antiviral cytokines such as interferons that contribute to HBV immunopathogenesis. A full comprehension of the mechanisms as to how HBV inactivates various elements of the innate immune response to initiate and maintain a persistent infection can be helpful in designing new immunotherapeutic methods for preventing and eradicating the virus. In this review, we aimed to summarize different branches the innate immune targeted by HBV infection. The review paper provides evidence that multiple components of immune responses should be activated in combination with antiviral therapy to disrupt the tolerance to HBV for eliminating HBV infection.
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Zhang M, Wu X, Lai F, Zhang X, Wu H, Min T. Betaine Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus with an Advantage of Decreasing Resistance to Lamivudine and Interferon α. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2016; 64:4068-4077. [PMID: 27144395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b01180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Betaine (BET) is a native compound known for its ability to protect the liver from toxicants. However, few studies have examined the effects of BET on the most common cause of liver disease, hepatitis B virus (HBV). In this study, the anti-HBV activity of BET was assessed in vitro and in vivo using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Southern blotting. The resistance of HBV to lamivudine and interferon α is challenging in the clinical treatment of HBV. The effect of BET on resistance was also investigated. The results showed that the secretion of HBsAg (HBV surface antigen), HbeAg (HBV e antigen), and HBV DNA in HepG2.2.15 cells was significantly decreased by BET via suppression of GRP78 expression. In duck HBV (DHBV)-infected ducklings, 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg BET significantly reduced serum DHBV DNA, and DHBV DNA did not rebound after the 5 day withdrawal period. BET suppressed HBV DNA rebound produced by the resistance of HBV to lamivudine and decreased the resistance mutation (rtM204V/I) of HBV DNA. Supplementation of BET may improve the anti-HBV effect of interferon α by increasing the expression of antiviral dsRNA-dependent protein kinase induced by the JAK-STAT (JAK = Janus kinase; STAT = signal transducer and activator of transcription) signaling pathway. These results may provide useful information for the clinical application of BET and solution of HBV drug resistance in anti-HBV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaoying Wu
- School of Bioscience and Bioengineering, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
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Honda T. Links between Human LINE-1 Retrotransposons and Hepatitis Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Chem 2016; 4:21. [PMID: 27242996 PMCID: PMC4863659 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2016.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 80% of liver cancers, the third most frequent cause of cancer mortality. The most prevalent risk factors for HCC are infections by hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus. Findings suggest that hepatitis virus-related HCC might be a cancer in which LINE-1 retrotransposon, often termed L1, activity plays a potential role. Firstly, hepatitis viruses can suppress host defense factors that also control L1 mobilization. Secondly, many recent studies also have indicated that hypomethylation of L1 affects the prognosis of HCC patients. Thirdly, endogenous L1 retrotransposition was demonstrated to activate oncogenic pathways in HCC. Fourthly, several L1 chimeric transcripts with host or viral genes are found in hepatitis virus-related HCC. Such lines of evidence suggest a linkage between L1 retrotransposons and hepatitis virus-related HCC. Here, I briefly summarize current understandings of the association between hepatitis virus-related HCC and L1. Then, I discuss potential mechanisms of how hepatitis viruses drive the development of HCC via L1 retrotransposons. An increased understanding of the contribution of L1 to hepatitis virus-related HCC may provide unique insights related to the development of novel therapeutics for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Honda
- Department of Viral Oncology, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto UniversityKyoto, Japan; Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuita, Japan
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Isorce N, Testoni B, Locatelli M, Fresquet J, Rivoire M, Luangsay S, Zoulim F, Durantel D. Antiviral activity of various interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines in non-transformed cultured hepatocytes infected with hepatitis B virus. Antiviral Res 2016; 130:36-45. [PMID: 26971407 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In HBV-infected patients, therapies with nucleoside analogues or IFNα remain ineffective in eradicating the infection. Our aim was to re-analyze the anti-HBV activity of a large panel of IFNs and cytokines in vitro using non-transformed cultured hepatocytes infected with HBV, to identify new immune-therapeutic options. HepaRG cells and primary human hepatocytes were infected with HBV and, when infection was established, treated with various concentrations of different IFNs or inflammatory cytokines. Viral parameters were evaluated by quantifying HBV nucleic acids by qPCR and Southern Blot, and secreted HBV antigens were evaluated using ELISA. The cytokines tested were type-I IFNs, IFNγ, type-III IFNs, TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-18 as well as nucleos(t)ide analogues tenofovir and ribavirin. Cytokines and drugs, with the exception of IL-18 and ribavirin, exhibited a suppressive effect on HBV replication at least as strong as, but often stronger than, IFNα. The cytokine presenting the highest effect on HBV DNA was IL-1β, which exerted its inhibition within picomolar range. Importantly, we noticed differential effects on other parameters (HBV RNA, HBeAg, HBsAg) between both IFNs and inflammatory cytokines, thus suggesting different mechanisms of action. The combination of IL-1β and already used therapies, i.e. IFNα or tenofovir, demonstrated a stronger or similar anti-HBV activity. IL-1β was found to have a very potent antiviral effect against HBV in vitro. HBV was previously shown to promptly inhibit IL-1β production in Kupffer cells. Strategies aiming at unlocking this inhibition and restoring local production of IL-1β may help to further inhibit HBV replication in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Isorce
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), 69424 Lyon Cedex 03, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, 69008 Lyon, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), 69424 Lyon Cedex 03, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, 69008 Lyon, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Maëlle Locatelli
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), 69424 Lyon Cedex 03, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, 69008 Lyon, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Judith Fresquet
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), 69424 Lyon Cedex 03, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, 69008 Lyon, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, 69008 Lyon, France
| | | | - Souphalone Luangsay
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), 69424 Lyon Cedex 03, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, 69008 Lyon, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), 69424 Lyon Cedex 03, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, 69008 Lyon, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, 69008 Lyon, France; Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), Liver Departement of Croix-Rousse Hospital, 69002 Lyon, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 75005 Paris, France.
| | - David Durantel
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), 69424 Lyon Cedex 03, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, 69008 Lyon, France; LabEx DEVweCAN, 69008 Lyon, France.
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Cheng X, Guan W, Sun S, Li B, Li H, Kang F, Kang J, Yang D, Nassal M, Sun D. Stable Human Hepatoma Cell Lines for Efficient Regulated Expression of Nucleoside/Nucleotide Analog Resistant and Vaccine Escape Hepatitis B Virus Variants and Woolly Monkey Hepatitis B Virus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145746. [PMID: 26699621 PMCID: PMC4689378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Due to its error-prone replication via reverse transcription, HBV can rapidly evolve variants that escape vaccination and/or become resistant to CHB treatment with nucleoside/nucleotide analogs (NAs). This is particularly problematic for the first generation NAs lamivudine and adefovir. Though now superseded by more potent NAs, both are still widely used. Furthermore, resistance against the older NAs can contribute to cross-resistance against more advanced NAs. For lack of feasible HBV infection systems, the biology of such variants is not well understood. From the recent discovery of Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as an HBV receptor new in vitro infection systems are emerging, yet access to the required large amounts of virions, in particular variants, remains a limiting factor. Stably HBV producing cell lines address both issues by allowing to study intracellular viral replication and as a permanent source of defined virions. Accordingly, we generated a panel of new tetracycline regulated TetOFF HepG2 hepatoma cell lines which produce six lamivudine and adefovir resistance-associated and two vaccine escape variants of HBV as well as the model virus woolly monkey HBV (WMHBV). The cell line-borne viruses reproduced the expected NA resistance profiles and all were equally sensitive against a non-NA drug. The new cell lines should be valuable to investigate under standardized conditions HBV resistance and cross-resistance. With titers of secreted virions reaching >3x107 viral genome equivalents per ml they should also facilitate exploitation of the new in vitro infection systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Cheng
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Weiwei Guan
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Shuo Sun
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, PR China
- Troop 66220 of PLA, Xingtai of Hebei Province, PR China
| | - Baosheng Li
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Haijun Li
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Fubiao Kang
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Jiwen Kang
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Michael Nassal
- Department of Internal Medicine II / Molecular Biology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- * E-mail: (MN); (SD)
| | - Dianxing Sun
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, PR China
- * E-mail: (MN); (SD)
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Luangsay S, Gruffaz M, Isorce N, Testoni B, Michelet M, Faure-Dupuy S, Maadadi S, Ait-Goughoulte M, Parent R, Rivoire M, Javanbakht H, Lucifora J, Durantel D, Zoulim F. Early inhibition of hepatocyte innate responses by hepatitis B virus. J Hepatol 2015. [PMID: 26216533 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be influenced by early interactions between the virus and hepatocyte innate immune responses. To date, the study of such interactions during the very early step of infection has not been adequately investigated. METHODS We used the HepaRG cell line, as well as primary human hepatocytes to analyze, within 24h of exposure to HBV, either delivered by a physiologic route or baculovirus vector (Bac-HBV), the early modulation of the expression of selected antiviral/pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferon stimulated genes. Experiments were also performed in the presence or absence of innate receptor agonists to investigate early HBV-induced blockade of innate responses. RESULTS We show that hepatocytes themselves could detect HBV, and express innate genes when exposed to either HBV virions or Bac-HBV. Whereas Bac-HBV triggered a strong antiviral cytokine secretion followed by the clearance of replicative intermediates, a physiologic HBV exposure led to an abortive response. The early inhibition of innate response by HBV was mainly evidenced on Toll-like receptor 3 and RIG-I/MDA5 signaling pathways upon engagement with exogenous agonist, leading to a decreased expression of several pro-inflammatory and antiviral cytokine genes. Finally, we demonstrate that this early inhibition of dsRNA-mediated response is due to factor(s) present in the HBV inoculum, but not being HBsAg or HBeAg themselves, and does not require de novo viral protein synthesis and replication. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide strong evidence that HBV viral particles themselves can readily inhibit host innate immune responses upon virion/cell interactions, and may explain, at least partially, the "stealthy" character of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souphalone Luangsay
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Marion Gruffaz
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Nathalie Isorce
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Maud Michelet
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Suzanne Faure-Dupuy
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Sarah Maadadi
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Malika Ait-Goughoulte
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Romain Parent
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Michel Rivoire
- Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon 69008, France; INSERM U1032, 69003 Lyon, France
| | - Hassan Javanbakht
- Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julie Lucifora
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - David Durantel
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France.
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon 69008, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, UCBL, 69008 Lyon, France; Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), 69002 Lyon, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 75005 Paris, France.
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Ganesan M, Zhang J, Bronich T, Poluektova LI, Donohue TM, Tuma DJ, Kharbanda KK, Osna NA. Acetaldehyde accelerates HCV-induced impairment of innate immunity by suppressing methylation reactions in liver cells. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2015; 309:G566-77. [PMID: 26251470 PMCID: PMC6842870 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00183.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol exposure worsens the course and outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Activation of protective antiviral genes is induced by IFN-α signaling, which is altered in liver cells by either HCV or ethanol exposure. However, the mechanisms of the combined effects of HCV and ethanol metabolism in IFN-α signaling modulation are not well elucidated. Here, we explored a possibility that ethanol metabolism potentiates HCV-mediated dysregulation of IFN-α signaling in liver cells via impairment of methylation reactions. HCV-infected Huh7.5 CYP2E1(+) cells and human hepatocytes were exposed to acetaldehyde (Ach)-generating system (AGS) and stimulated with IFN-α to activate IFN-sensitive genes (ISG) via the Jak-STAT-1 pathway. We observed significant suppression of signaling events by Ach. Ach exposure decreased STAT-1 methylation via activation of protein phosphatase 2A and increased the protein inhibitor of activated STAT-1 (PIAS-1)-STAT-1 complex formation in both HCV(+) and HCV(-) cells, preventing ISG activation. Treatment with a promethylating agent, betaine, attenuated all examined Ach-induced defects. Ethanol metabolism-induced changes in ISGs are methylation related and confirmed by in vivo studies on HCV(+) transgenic mice. HCV- and Ach-induced impairment of IFN signaling temporarily increased HCV RNA levels followed by apoptosis of heavily infected cells. We concluded that Ach potentiates the suppressive effects of HCV on activation of ISGs attributable to methylation-dependent dysregulation of IFN-α signaling. A temporary increase in HCV RNA sensitizes the liver cells to Ach-induced apoptosis. Betaine reverses the inhibitory effects of Ach on IFN signaling and thus can be used for treatment of HCV(+) alcohol-abusing patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murali Ganesan
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Jinjin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Tatiana Bronich
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Larisa I Poluektova
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Terrence M Donohue
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Dean J Tuma
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Kusum K Kharbanda
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Natalia A Osna
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska;
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Giersch K, Dandri M. Hepatitis B and Delta Virus: Advances on Studies about Interactions between the Two Viruses and the Infected Hepatocyte. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2015; 3:220-9. [PMID: 26623269 PMCID: PMC4663204 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2015.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 07/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms determining persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and long-term pathogenesis of HBV-associated liver disease appear to be multifactorial. Although viral replication can be efficiently suppressed by the antiviral treatments currently available, viral clearance is generally not achieved since HBV has developed unique replication strategies, enabling persistence of its genome within the infected hepatocytes. Moreover, no direct antiviral therapy exists for the more than 15 million people worldwide that are also coinfected with the hepatitis delta virus (HDV), a defective virus that needs the HBV envelope proteins for propagation. The limited availability of robust HBV and HDV infection systems has hindered the understanding of the complex network of virus-virus and virus-host interactions that are established in the course of infection and slowed down progress in drug development. Since chronic HBV/HDV coinfection leads to the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis, elucidation of the molecular mechanisms regulating virus-host interplay and pathogenesis are urgently needed. This article summarizes the current knowledge regarding the interactions among HBV, HDV, and the infected target cell and discusses the dependence of HDV on HBV activity and possible future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Giersch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maura Dandri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel site, Germany
- Correspondence to: Maura Dandri, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany. Tel: +49-40741052949, Fax: +49-40741057232, E-mail:
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Tan A, Koh S, Bertoletti A. Immune Response in Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2015; 5:a021428. [PMID: 26134480 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a021428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can replicate within hepatocytes without causing direct cell damage. The host immune response is, therefore, not only essential to control the spread of virus infection, but it is also responsible for the inflammatory events causing liver pathologies. In this review, we discuss how HBV deals with host immunity and how we can harness it to achieve virus control and suppress liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Tan
- Program Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857
| | - Sarene Koh
- Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, A*STAR, Singapore 117609
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- Program Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857 Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, A*STAR, Singapore 117609 School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 2TT, United Kingdom
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46
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Rehermann B, Bertoletti A. Immunological aspects of antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections. Hepatology 2015; 61:712-21. [PMID: 25048716 PMCID: PMC4575407 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) cause a large proportion of acute and chronic liver disease worldwide. Over the past decades many immunological studies defined host immune responses that mediate spontaneous clearance of acute HBV and HCV infection. However, host immune responses are also relevant in the context of treatment-induced clearance of chronic HBV and HCV infection. First, the pretreatment level of interferon-stimulated genes as well as genetic determinants of innate immune responses, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms near the IFNL3 gene, are strong predictors of the response to interferon-alpha (IFN-α)-based therapy. Second, IFN-α, which has been a mainstay of HBV and HCV therapy over decades, and ribavirin, which has also been included in interferon-free direct antiviral therapy for HCV, modulate host immune responses. Third, both IFN-α-based and IFN-α-free treatment regimens of HBV and HCV infection alter the short-term and long-term adaptive immune response against these viruses. Finally, treatment studies have not just improved the clinical outcomes, but also provided opportunities to study virus-host interaction. This review summarizes our current knowledge on how a patient's immune response affects the treatment outcome of HBV and HCV infection and how innate and adaptive immune responses themselves are altered by the different treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Rehermann
- Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, DHHSBethesda, MD, USA
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, A* STARSingapore
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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection acquired in adult life is generally self-limited while chronic persistence of the virus is the prevalent outcome when infection is acquired perinatally. Both control of infection and liver cell injury are strictly dependent upon protective immune responses, because hepatocyte damage is the price that the host must pay to get rid of intracellular virus. Resolution of acute hepatitis B is associated with functionally efficient, multispecific antiviral T-cell responses which are preceded by a poor induction of intracellular innate responses at the early stages of infection. Persistent control of infection is provided by long-lasting protective memory, which is probably sustained by continuous stimulation of the immune system by trace amounts of virus which are never totally eliminated, persisting in an occult episomic form in the nucleus of liver cells even after recovery from acute infection. Chronic virus persistence is instead characterized by a lack of protective T-cell memory maturation and by an exhaustion of HBV-specific T-cell responses. Persistent exposure of T cells to high antigen loads is a key determinant of functional T-cell impairment but also other mechanisms can contribute to T-cell inhibition, including the tolerogenic effect of the liver environment. The degree of T-cell impairment is variable and its severity is related to the level of virus replication and antigen load. The antiviral T-cell function is more efficient in patients who can control infection either partially, such as inactive HBsAg carriers with low levels of virus replication, or completely, such as patients who achieve HBsAg loss either spontaneously or after antiviral therapy. Thus, understanding the features of the immune responses associated with control of infection is needed for the successful design of novel immune modulatory therapies based on the reconstitution of efficient antiviral responses in chronic HBV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Ferrari
- Unit of Infectious Disease and Hepatology, Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
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48
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Fiorino S, Bacchi-Reggiani L, Sabbatani S, Grizzi F, di Tommaso L, Masetti M, Fornelli A, Bondi A, de Biase D, Visani M, Cuppini A, Jovine E, Pession A. Possible role of tocopherols in the modulation of host microRNA with potential antiviral activity in patients with hepatitis B virus-related persistent infection: a systematic review. Br J Nutr 2014; 112:1751-68. [PMID: 25325563 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114514002839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a serious global health problem and persistent HBV infection is associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure. Recently, the study of the role of microRNA (miRNA) in the pathogenesis of HBV has gained considerable interest as well as new treatments against this pathogen have been approved. A few studies have investigated the antiviral activity of vitamin E (VE) in chronic HBV carriers. Herein, we review the possible role of tocopherols in the modulation of host miRNA with potential anti-HBV activity. A systematic research of the scientific literature was performed by searching the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases. The keywords used were 'HBV therapy', 'HBV treatment', 'VE antiviral effects', 'tocopherol antiviral activity', 'miRNA antiviral activity' and 'VE microRNA'. Reports describing the role of miRNA in the regulation of HBV life cycle, in vitro and in vivo available studies reporting the effects of VE on miRNA expression profiles and epigenetic networks, and clinical trials reporting the use of VE in patients with HBV-related chronic hepatitis were identified and examined. Based on the clinical results obtained in VE-treated chronic HBV carriers, we provide a reliable hypothesis for the possible role of this vitamin in the modulation of host miRNA profiles perturbed by this viral pathogen and in the regulation of some cellular miRNA with a suggested potential anti-HBV activity. This approach may contribute to the improvement of our understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms involved in HBV infection and increase the possibility of its management and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fiorino
- Unità Operativa di Medicina Interna, Ospedale di Budrio,Via Benni 44,40065Budrio, Bologna,Italy
| | - L Bacchi-Reggiani
- Istituto di Cardiologia, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Università degli Studi di Bologna,Bologna,Italy
| | - S Sabbatani
- Istituto di Malattie Infettive, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Università degli Studi di Bologna,Bologna,Italy
| | - F Grizzi
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center,Rozzano, Milano,Italy
| | - L di Tommaso
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center,Rozzano, Milano,Italy
| | - M Masetti
- Unità Operativa di Chirurgia A, Ospedale Maggiore Bologna,Bologna,Italy
| | - A Fornelli
- Servizio di Anatomia Patologica, Ospedale Maggiore,Bologna,Italy
| | - A Bondi
- Servizio di Anatomia Patologica, Ospedale Maggiore,Bologna,Italy
| | - D de Biase
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale,Università di Bologna, Ospedale Bellaria,Bologna,Italy
| | - M Visani
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie,Università di Bologna,Bologna,Italy
| | - A Cuppini
- Unità Operativa di Medicina Interna, Ospedale di Budrio,Via Benni 44,40065Budrio, Bologna,Italy
| | - E Jovine
- Unità Operativa di Chirurgia A, Ospedale Maggiore Bologna,Bologna,Italy
| | - A Pession
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie,Università di Bologna,Bologna,Italy
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Hepatitis B virus polymerase disrupts K63-linked ubiquitination of STING to block innate cytosolic DNA-sensing pathways. J Virol 2014; 89:2287-300. [PMID: 25505063 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02760-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The cellular innate immune system recognizing pathogen infection is essential for host defense against viruses. In parallel, viruses have developed a variety of strategies to evade the innate immunity. The hepatitis B virus (HBV), a DNA virus that causes chronic hepatitis, has been shown to inhibit RNA helicase RIG-I-mediated interferon (IFN) induction. However, it is still unknown whether HBV could affect the host DNA-sensing pathways. Here we report that in transiently HBV-transfected Huh7 cells, the stably HBV-producing cell line HepAD38, and HBV-infected HepaRG cells and primary human hepatocytes, HBV markedly interfered with IFN-β induction and antiviral immunity mediated by the stimulator of interferon genes (STING), which has been identified as a central factor in foreign DNA recognition and antiviral innate immunity. Screening analysis demonstrated that the viral polymerase (Pol), but not other HBV-encoded proteins, was able to inhibit STING-stimulated interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation and IFN-β induction. Moreover, the reverse transcriptase (RT) and the RNase H (RH) domains of Pol were identified to be responsible for the inhibitory effects. Furthermore, Pol was shown to physically associate with STING and dramatically decrease the K63-linked polyubiquitination of STING via its RT domain without altering the expression level of STING. Taken together, these observations suggest that besides its inherent catalytic function, Pol has a role in suppression of IFN-β production by direct interaction with STING and subsequent disruption of its K63-linked ubiquitination, providing a new mechanism for HBV to counteract the innate DNA-sensing pathways. IMPORTANCE Although whether and how HBV infection induces the innate immune responses are still controversial, it has become increasingly clear that HBV has developed strategies to counteract the pattern recognition receptor-mediated signaling pathways. Previous studies have shown that type I IFN induction activated by the host RNA sensors could be inhibited by HBV. However, it remains unknown whether HBV as a DNA virus utilizes evasion mechanisms against foreign DNA-elicited antiviral signaling. In recent years, the cytosolic DNA sensor and key adaptor STING has been demonstrated to be essential in multiple foreign DNA-elicited innate immune signalings. Here, for the first time, we report STING as a new target of HBV to antagonize IFN induction and identify the viral polymerase responsible for the inhibitory effect, thus providing an additional molecular mechanism by which HBV evades the innate immunity; this implies that in addition to its inherent catalytic function, HBV polymerase is a multifunctional immunomodulatory protein.
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50
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van Campenhout MJH, Janssen HLA. How to achieve immune control in chronic hepatitis B? Hepatol Int 2014; 9:9-16. [PMID: 25788374 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-014-9571-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B infection remains a major global health problem despite the existence of an effective vaccine. The current treatment options are either nucleos(t)ide analog therapy, which inhibits viral replication, or peginterferon-α, which has mainly immunomodulatory effects. However, treatment-induced HBeAg seroconversion with suppressed viral replication is mostly not sustainable, and loss of HBsAg is a rarely achieved endpoint. In addition, the hepatitis B virus persists in hepatocytes even after HBsAg clearance as covalently closed circular DNA is not eliminated from the hepatocytes. Because the course of chronic hepatitis B is determined by an ongoing interaction between the virus and the host immune system, immunomodulation may be the most logical approach in attempting to accomplish control or even cure of chronic hepatitis B. In the last years, methods for measuring the degree of immune control have been a major area of interest, with an important role for monitoring of HBsAg levels. In addition, new immunomodulatory agents are being developed and tested, providing promising options for future treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo J H van Campenhout
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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