1
|
Zhang H, Liu Y, Liu CD, Wang Z, Guo H. The feasibility of establishing a hamster model for HBV infection: in vitro evidence. mBio 2024:e0261524. [PMID: 39329526 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02615-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant public health burden with no cure currently available. The research to cure HBV has long been hampered by the lack of immunocompetent small animal models capable of supporting HBV infection. Here, we set out to explore the feasibility of the golden Syrian hamster as an immunocompetent small rodent model for HBV infection. We first started with in vitro assessments of the HBV replication cycle in primary hamster hepatocytes (PHaHs) by adenoviral HBV (Ad-HBV) transduction. Our results demonstrated that PHaHs support HBV reverse transcription and subsequent cccDNA formation via the intracellular recycling pathway. Next, with luciferase reporter assays, we confirmed that PHaHs support the activities of all HBV major promoters. Then, we transduced PHaHs with an adenoviral vector expressing HBV receptor human Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide NTCP (Ad-huNTCP), followed by HBV inoculation. While the untransduced PHaHs did not support HBV infection, Ad-huNTCP-transduced PHaHs supported de novo cccDNA formation, viral mRNA transcription, and expression of viral antigens. We then humanized the amino acid (aa) residues of hamster NTCP (haNTCP) critical for HBV entry, aa84-87 and aa157-165, and transfected HepG2 cells with constructs expressing wild-type haNTCP and humanized-haNTCP, H84R/P87N and H84R/P87N/G157K/M160V/M165L, respectively, followed by HBV inoculation. The results showed that the humanization of H84R/P87N alone was sufficient to support HBV infection at a level comparable to that supported by huNTCP. Taken together, the above in vitro evidence supports the future direction of humanizing haNTCP for HBV infection in vivo.IMPORTANCEOne of the biggest challenges in developing an HBV cure is the lack of immunocompetent animal models susceptible to HBV infection. Developing such models in mice has been unsuccessful due to the absence of a functional HBV receptor, human NTCP (huNTCP), and the defect in supporting viral cccDNA formation. In search of alternative models, we report herein multiple lines of in vitro evidence for developing a golden Syrian hamster model for HBV infection. We demonstrate that the primary hamster hepatocytes (PHaHs) support HBV replication, transcription, and cccDNA formation, and PHaHs are susceptible to de novo HBV infection in the presence of huNTCP. Furthermore, expressing hamster NTCP with two humanized residues critical for HBV entry renders HepG2 cells permissive to HBV infection. Thus, our work lays a solid foundation for establishing a gene-edited hamster model that expresses humanized NTCP for HBV infection in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hu Zhang
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Cheng-Der Liu
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zhongde Wang
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu H, Zakrzewicz D, Nosol K, Irobalieva RN, Mukherjee S, Bang-Sørensen R, Goldmann N, Kunz S, Rossi L, Kossiakoff AA, Urban S, Glebe D, Geyer J, Locher KP. Structure of antiviral drug bulevirtide bound to hepatitis B and D virus receptor protein NTCP. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2476. [PMID: 38509088 PMCID: PMC10954734 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46706-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular entry of the hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV/HDV) requires binding of the viral surface polypeptide preS1 to the hepatobiliary transporter Na+-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP). This interaction can be blocked by bulevirtide (BLV, formerly Myrcludex B), a preS1 derivative and approved drug for treating HDV infection. Here, to elucidate the basis of this inhibitory function, we determined a cryo-EM structure of BLV-bound human NTCP. BLV forms two domains, a plug lodged in the bile salt transport tunnel of NTCP and a string that covers the receptor's extracellular surface. The N-terminally attached myristoyl group of BLV interacts with the lipid-exposed surface of NTCP. Our structure reveals how BLV inhibits bile salt transport, rationalizes NTCP mutations that decrease the risk of HBV/HDV infection, and provides a basis for understanding the host specificity of HBV/HDV. Our results provide opportunities for structure-guided development of inhibitors that target HBV/HDV docking to NTCP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Liu
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dariusz Zakrzewicz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kamil Nosol
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Somnath Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rose Bang-Sørensen
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - Giessen-Marburg-Langen Partner Site, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kunz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Rossi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anthony A Kossiakoff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - Giessen-Marburg-Langen Partner Site, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Kaspar P Locher
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Asami J, Park JH, Nomura Y, Kobayashi C, Mifune J, Ishimoto N, Uemura T, Liu K, Sato Y, Zhang Z, Muramatsu M, Wakita T, Drew D, Iwata S, Shimizu T, Watashi K, Park SY, Nomura N, Ohto U. Structural basis of hepatitis B virus receptor binding. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:447-454. [PMID: 38233573 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01191-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a leading cause of developing hepatocellular carcinoma affecting more than 290 million people worldwide, is an enveloped DNA virus specifically infecting hepatocytes. Myristoylated preS1 domain of the HBV large surface protein binds to the host receptor sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), a hepatocellular bile acid transporter, to initiate viral entry. Here, we report the cryogenic-electron microscopy structure of the myristoylated preS1 (residues 2-48) peptide bound to human NTCP. The unexpectedly folded N-terminal half of the peptide embeds deeply into the outward-facing tunnel of NTCP, whereas the C-terminal half formed extensive contacts on the extracellular surface. Our findings reveal an unprecedented induced-fit mechanism for establishing high-affinity virus-host attachment and provide a blueprint for the rational design of anti-HBV drugs targeting virus entry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinta Asami
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jae-Hyun Park
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yayoi Nomura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chisa Kobayashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Junki Mifune
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naito Ishimoto
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tomoko Uemura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kehong Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yumi Sato
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Zhikuan Zhang
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masamichi Muramatsu
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - David Drew
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - So Iwata
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Shimizu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan.
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Sam-Yong Park
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Norimichi Nomura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Umeharu Ohto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang Z, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Lou Y, Ge L, Zhang W, Zhang W, Song F, Huang P. Role of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) in HBV-induced hepatitis: Opportunities for developing novel therapeutics. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 219:115956. [PMID: 38049009 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the HBV virus. It presents a significant challenge for treatment due to its chronic nature and the potential for developing severe complications, including hepatocirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These complications not only cause physical and psychological distress to patients but also impose substantial economic and social burdens on both individuals and society as a whole. The internalization of HBV relies on endocytosis and necessitates the involvement of various proteins, including heparin sulfate proteoglycans, epidermal growth factor receptors, and NTCP. Among these proteins, NTCP is pivotal in HBV internalization and is primarily located in the liver's basement membrane. As a transporter of bile acids, NTCP also serves as a receptor facilitating HBV entry into cells. Numerous molecules have been identified to thwart HBV infection by stifling NTCP activity, although only a handful exhibit low IC50 values. In this systematic review, our primary focus dwells on the structure and regulation of NTCP, as well as the mechanism involved in HBV internalization. We underscore recent drug breakthroughs that specifically target NTCP to combat HBV infection. By shedding light on these advances, this review contributes novel insights into developing effective anti-HBV medications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yutao Lou
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luqi Ge
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wanli Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feifeng Song
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ping Huang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shofa M, Ohkawa A, Kaneko Y, Saito A. Conserved use of the sodium/bile acid cotransporter (NTCP) as an entry receptor by hepatitis B virus and domestic cat hepadnavirus. Antiviral Res 2023; 217:105695. [PMID: 37536428 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The Orthohepadnavirus genus includes hepatitis B virus (HBV) that can cause chronic hepatitis and hepatocarcinoma in humans. Recently, a novel hepadnavirus in cats, domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH), was identified that is genetically close to HBV. DCH infection is associated with chronic hepatitis in cats, suggesting a similarity with HBV pathogenesis and the potential to use DCH as a novel animal model for HBV research. HBV is shown to use the sodium/bile acid cotransporter (NTCP) as a major cell entry receptor, but the equivalent receptor for DCH remains unknown. Here we sought to identify the entry receptor for DCH. HBV- and DCH-derived preS1 peptides efficiently bound to both human and cat NTCPs, and residue 158 of NTCP proteins determined the species-specific binding of the DCH preS1 peptide. Myrcludex B, an HBV entry inhibitor, blocked the binding of the DCH preS1 peptide. Thus, DCH and HBV may share cell entry molecules, suggesting a possibility of inter-species transmission. Furthermore, our study suggests that DCH can be useful as a novel model for HBV research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maya Shofa
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 8892192, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 8891692, Japan
| | - Akiho Ohkawa
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 8892192, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kaneko
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 8892192, Japan; Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 8892192, Japan
| | - Akatsuki Saito
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 8892192, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 8891692, Japan; Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 8892192, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu Y, Cafiero TR, Park D, Biswas A, Winer BY, Cho CH, Bram Y, Chandar V, Connell AKO, Gertje HP, Crossland N, Schwartz RE, Ploss A. Targeted viral adaptation generates a simian-tropic hepatitis B virus that infects marmoset cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3582. [PMID: 37328459 PMCID: PMC10276007 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39148-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) only infects humans and chimpanzees, posing major challenges for modeling HBV infection and chronic viral hepatitis. The major barrier in establishing HBV infection in non-human primates lies at incompatibilities between HBV and simian orthologues of the HBV receptor, sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP). Through mutagenesis analysis and screening among NTCP orthologues from Old World monkeys, New World monkeys and prosimians, we determined key residues responsible for viral binding and internalization, respectively and identified marmosets as a suitable candidate for HBV infection. Primary marmoset hepatocytes and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells support HBV and more efficient woolly monkey HBV (WMHBV) infection. Adapted chimeric HBV genome harboring residues 1-48 of WMHBV preS1 generated here led to a more efficient infection than wild-type HBV in primary and stem cell derived marmoset hepatocytes. Collectively, our data demonstrate that minimal targeted simianization of HBV can break the species barrier in small NHPs, paving the path for an HBV primate model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhen Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Thomas R Cafiero
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Debby Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Abhishek Biswas
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- Research Computing, Office of Information Technology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Benjamin Y Winer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | | | - Yaron Bram
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Vasuretha Chandar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Aoife K O' Connell
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Hans P Gertje
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Nicholas Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Robert E Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zakrzewicz D, Leidolf R, Kunz S, Müller SF, Neubauer A, Leiting S, Goldmann N, Lehmann F, Glebe D, Geyer J. Tyrosine 146 of the Human Na +/Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide (NTCP) Is Essential for Its Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Receptor Function and HBV Entry into Hepatocytes. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061259. [PMID: 35746730 PMCID: PMC9230856 DOI: 10.3390/v14061259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP, gene symbol SLC10A1) is a hepatic bile acid uptake carrier participating in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Apart from its transporter function, NTCP acts as the high-affinity liver-specific receptor for the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which attaches via its preS1-peptide domain of the large surface protein to NTCP, subsequently leading to endocytosis of the virus/NTCP-receptor complex. Although the process of NTCP-dependent HBV infection of hepatocytes has received much attention over the last decade, the precise molecular sites of the virus/NTCP interaction have not been fully identified. Inspection of the primary protein sequence of human NTCP revealed 139YIYSRGIY146 as a highly conserved tyrosine-rich motif. To study the role of Y139, Y141 and Y146 amino acids in NTCP biology, the aforementioned residues were substituted with alanine, phenylalanine or glutamate (mimicking phosphorylation) using site-directed mutagenesis. Similar to wt NTCP, the Y139A, Y141A, Y146A, Y141F, Y146F, and Y146E mutants were expressed at the plasma membrane of HEK293 cells and exhibited intact bile acid transport function. Y146A, Y146E, and Y146F demonstrated transport kinetics comparable to wild-type NTCP with Km values of 57.3–112.4 µM and Vmax values of 6683–7579 pmol/mg protein/min. Only Y141E was transport deficient, most likely due to an intracellular accumulation of the mutant protein. Most importantly, Y146A and Y146E mutation completely abrogated binding of the viral preS1-peptide to NTCP, while the Y146F mutant of NTCP showed some residual binding competence for preS1. Consequently, the NTCP mutants Y146A and Y146E, when expressed in HepG2 hepatoma cells, showed complete loss of susceptibility for in vitro HBV infection. In conclusion, tyrosine 146, and to some extent tyrosine 141, both belonging to the tyrosine-rich motif 139YIYSRGIY146 of human NTCP, are newly identified amino acid residues that play an essential role in the interaction of HBV with its receptor NTCP and, thus, in the process of virus entry into hepatocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Zakrzewicz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-99-38412
| | - Regina Leidolf
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Sebastian Kunz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Simon Franz Müller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Anita Neubauer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Silke Leiting
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen), Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Felix Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen), Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen), Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.G.); (F.L.); (D.G.)
| | - Joachim Geyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (R.L.); (S.K.); (S.F.M.); (A.N.); (S.L.); (J.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Park JH, Iwamoto M, Yun JH, Uchikubo-Kamo T, Son D, Jin Z, Yoshida H, Ohki M, Ishimoto N, Mizutani K, Oshima M, Muramatsu M, Wakita T, Shirouzu M, Liu K, Uemura T, Nomura N, Iwata S, Watashi K, Tame JRH, Nishizawa T, Lee W, Park SY. Structural insights into the HBV receptor and bile acid transporter NTCP. Nature 2022; 606:1027-1031. [PMID: 35580630 PMCID: PMC9242859 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04857-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Around 250 million people are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide1, and 15 million may also carry the satellite virus hepatitis D virus (HDV), which confers even greater risk of severe liver disease2. The HBV receptor has been identified as sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), which interacts directly with the first 48 amino acid residues of the N-myristoylated N-terminal preS1 domain of the viral large protein3. Despite the pressing need for therapeutic agents to counter HBV, the structure of NTCP remains unsolved. This 349-residue protein is closely related to human apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), another member of the solute carrier family SLC10. Crystal structures have been reported of similar bile acid transporters from bacteria4,5, and these models are believed to resemble closely both NTCP and ASBT. Here we have used cryo-electron microscopy to solve the structure of NTCP bound to an antibody, clearly showing that the transporter has no equivalent of the first transmembrane helix found in other SLC10 proteins, and that the N terminus is exposed on the extracellular face. Comparison of our structure with those of related proteins indicates a common mechanism of bile acid transport, but the NTCP structure displays an additional pocket formed by residues that are known to interact with preS1, presenting new opportunities for structure-based drug design. Cryo-electron structures of the hepatitis B virus receptor NTCP show a distinct membrane topology compared with other SLC10 proteins, but a common bile acid transport mechanism that is shared with related mammalian and bacterial proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hyun Park
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masashi Iwamoto
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ji-Hye Yun
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.,PCG-Biotech, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tomomi Uchikubo-Kamo
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Donghwan Son
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Zeyu Jin
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.,Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hisashi Yoshida
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mio Ohki
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Naito Ishimoto
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kenji Mizutani
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mizuki Oshima
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan
| | - Masamichi Muramatsu
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mikako Shirouzu
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kehong Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoko Uemura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Norimichi Nomura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - So Iwata
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Sayo-gun, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Japan.,Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jeremy R H Tame
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Nishizawa
- Laboratory of Biomembrane Dynamics, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Weontae Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea. .,PCG-Biotech, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Sam-Yong Park
- Drug Design Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Asami J, Kimura KT, Fujita-Fujiharu Y, Ishida H, Zhang Z, Nomura Y, Liu K, Uemura T, Sato Y, Ono M, Yamamoto M, Noda T, Shigematsu H, Drew D, Iwata S, Shimizu T, Nomura N, Ohto U. Structure of the bile acid transporter and HBV receptor NTCP. Nature 2022; 606:1021-1026. [PMID: 35580629 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04845-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 290 million people worldwide, is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and results in an estimated 820,000 deaths annually1,2. For HBV infection to be established, a molecular interaction is required between the large glycoproteins of the virus envelope (known as LHBs) and the host entry receptor sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a sodium-dependent bile acid transporter from the blood to hepatocytes3. However, the molecular basis for the virus-transporter interaction is poorly understood. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of human, bovine and rat NTCPs in the apo state, which reveal the presence of a tunnel across the membrane and a possible transport route for the substrate. Moreover, the cryo-electron microscopy structure of human NTCP in the presence of the myristoylated preS1 domain of LHBs, together with mutation and transport assays, suggest a binding mode in which preS1 and the substrate compete for the extracellular opening of the tunnel in NTCP. Our preS1 domain interaction analysis enables a mechanistic interpretation of naturally occurring HBV-insusceptible mutations in human NTCP. Together, our findings provide a structural framework for HBV recognition and a mechanistic understanding of sodium-dependent bile acid translocation by mammalian NTCPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinta Asami
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yoko Fujita-Fujiharu
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | - Hanako Ishida
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Zhikuan Zhang
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yayoi Nomura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kehong Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoko Uemura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yumi Sato
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Ono
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Takeshi Noda
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan
| | | | - David Drew
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - So Iwata
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Sayo-gun, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Shimizu
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norimichi Nomura
- Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Umeharu Ohto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li Y, Zhou J, Li T. Regulation of the HBV Entry Receptor NTCP and its Potential in Hepatitis B Treatment. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:879817. [PMID: 35495620 PMCID: PMC9039015 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.879817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a globally prevalent human DNA virus responsible for more than 250 million cases of chronic liver infection, a condition that can lead to liver inflammation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a transmembrane protein highly expressed in human hepatocytes and a mediator of bile acid transport, has been identified as the receptor responsible for the cellular entry of both HBV and its satellite, hepatitis delta virus (HDV). This has led to significant advances in our understanding of the HBV life cycle, especially the early steps of infection. HepG2-NTCP cells and human NTCP-expressing transgenic mice have been employed as the primary cell culture and animal models, respectively, for the study of HBV, and represent valuable approaches for investigating its basic biology and developing treatments for infection. However, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of NTCP transcription, translation, post-translational modification, and transport are still largely elusive. Improvements in our understanding of NTCP biology would likely facilitate the design of new therapeutic drugs for the prevention of the de novo infection of naïve hepatocytes. In this review, we provide critical findings regarding NTCP biology and discuss important questions that remain unanswered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- *Correspondence: Yan Li, ; Tianliang Li,
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kobayashi C, Watanabe Y, Oshima M, Hirose T, Yamasaki M, Iwamoto M, Iwatsuki M, Asami Y, Kuramochi K, Wakae K, Aizaki H, Muramatsu M, Sureau C, Sunazuka T, Watashi K. Fungal Secondary Metabolite Exophillic Acid Selectively Inhibits the Entry of Hepatitis B and D Viruses. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040764. [PMID: 35458494 PMCID: PMC9026752 DOI: 10.3390/v14040764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Current anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) drugs are suppressive but not curative for HBV infection, so there is considerable demand for the development of new anti-HBV agents. In this study, we found that fungus-derived exophillic acid inhibits HBV infection with a 50% maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.1 µM and a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of >30 µM in primary human hepatocytes. Exophillic acid inhibited preS1-mediated viral attachment to cells but did not affect intracellular HBV replication. Exophillic acid appears to target the host cells to reduce their susceptibility to viral attachment rather than acting on the viral particles. We found that exophillic acid interacted with the HBV receptor, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). Exophillic acid impaired the uptake of bile acid, the original function of NTCP. Consistent with our hypothesis that it affects NTCP, exophillic acid inhibited infection with HBV and hepatitis D virus (HDV), but not that of hepatitis C virus. Moreover, exophillic acid showed a pan-genotypic anti-HBV effect. We thus identified the anti-HBV/HDV activity of exophillic acid and revealed its mode of action. Exophillic acid is expected to be a potential new lead compound for the development of antiviral agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chisa Kobayashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (C.K.); (M.O.); (M.Y.); (M.I.); (K.W.); (H.A.); (M.M.)
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan;
| | - Yoshihiro Watanabe
- Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan; (Y.W.); (T.H.); (M.I.); (Y.A.); (T.S.)
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Mizuki Oshima
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (C.K.); (M.O.); (M.Y.); (M.I.); (K.W.); (H.A.); (M.M.)
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan;
| | - Tomoyasu Hirose
- Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan; (Y.W.); (T.H.); (M.I.); (Y.A.); (T.S.)
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Masako Yamasaki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (C.K.); (M.O.); (M.Y.); (M.I.); (K.W.); (H.A.); (M.M.)
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan;
| | - Masashi Iwamoto
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (C.K.); (M.O.); (M.Y.); (M.I.); (K.W.); (H.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Masato Iwatsuki
- Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan; (Y.W.); (T.H.); (M.I.); (Y.A.); (T.S.)
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Asami
- Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan; (Y.W.); (T.H.); (M.I.); (Y.A.); (T.S.)
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Kouji Kuramochi
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan;
| | - Kousho Wakae
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (C.K.); (M.O.); (M.Y.); (M.I.); (K.W.); (H.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Hideki Aizaki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (C.K.); (M.O.); (M.Y.); (M.I.); (K.W.); (H.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Masamichi Muramatsu
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (C.K.); (M.O.); (M.Y.); (M.I.); (K.W.); (H.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Camille Sureau
- Laboratoire de Virologie Moléculaire, Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, 75739 Paris, France;
| | - Toshiaki Sunazuka
- Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan; (Y.W.); (T.H.); (M.I.); (Y.A.); (T.S.)
- Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (C.K.); (M.O.); (M.Y.); (M.I.); (K.W.); (H.A.); (M.M.)
- Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan;
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- MIRAI, JST, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Multitasking Na+/Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide (NTCP) as a Drug Target for HBV Infection: From Protein Engineering to Drug Discovery. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10010196. [PMID: 35052874 PMCID: PMC8773476 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are among the major public health concerns worldwide with more than 250 million of chronically ill individuals. Many of them are additionally infected with the Hepatitis D virus, a satellite virus to HBV. Chronic infection frequently leads to serious liver diseases including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer. Although current antiviral therapies can control HBV replication and slow down disease progress, there is an unmet medical need to identify therapies to cure this chronic infectious disease. Lately, a noteworthy progress in fighting against HBV has been made by identification of the high-affinity hepatic host receptor for HBV and HDV, namely Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP, gene symbol SLC10A1). Next to its primary function as hepatic uptake transporter for bile acids, NTCP is essential for the cellular entry of HBV and HDV into hepatocytes. Due to this high-ranking discovery, NTCP has become a valuable target for drug development strategies for HBV/HDV-infected patients. In this review, we will focus on a newly predicted three-dimensional NTCP model that was generated using computational approaches and discuss its value in understanding the NTCP’s membrane topology, substrate and virus binding taking place in plasma membranes. We will review existing data on structural, functional, and biological consequences of amino acid residue changes and mutations that lead to loss of NTCP’s transport and virus receptor functions. Finally, we will discuss new directions for future investigations aiming at development of new NTCP-based HBV entry blockers that inhibit HBV tropism in human hepatocytes.
Collapse
|
13
|
Na+-Taurocholate Co-Transporting Polypeptide (NTCP) in Livers, Function, Expression Regulation, and Potential in Hepatitis B Treatment. LIVERS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/livers1040019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has become one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma globally. The discovery of sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a solute carrier, as a key receptor for HBV and hepatitis D virus (HDV) has opened new avenues for HBV treatment. Additionally, it has led researchers to generate hepatoma cell lines (including HepG2-NTCP and Huh-7-NTCP) susceptible to HBV infection in vitro, hence, paving the way to develop and efficiently screen new and novel anti-HBV drugs. This review summarizes the history, function and critical findings regarding NTCP as a viral receptor for HBV/HDV, and it also discusses recently developed drugs targeting NTCP.
Collapse
|
14
|
Kayesh MEH, Kohara M, Tsukiyama-Kohara K. Toll-Like Receptor Response to Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Potential of TLR Agonists as Immunomodulators for Treating Chronic Hepatitis B: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10462. [PMID: 34638802 PMCID: PMC8508807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health problem. The immunopathology of the disease, especially the interplay between HBV and host innate immunity, is poorly understood. Moreover, inconsistent literature on HBV and host innate immunity has led to controversies. However, recently, there has been an increase in the number of studies that have highlighted the link between innate immune responses, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and chronic HBV infection. TLRs are the key sensing molecules that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns and regulate the induction of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby shaping the adaptive immunity. The suppression of TLR response has been reported in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), as well as in other models, including tree shrews, suggesting an association of TLR response in HBV chronicity. Additionally, TLR agonists have been reported to improve the host innate immune response against HBV infection, highlighting the potential of these agonists as immunomodulators for enhancing CHB treatment. In this study, we discuss the current understanding of host innate immune responses during HBV infection, particularly focusing on the TLR response and TLR agonists as immunomodulators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Enamul Hoque Kayesh
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan;
- Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal 8210, Bangladesh
| | - Michinori Kohara
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan;
| | - Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tian J, Li C, Li W. Entry of hepatitis B virus: going beyond NTCP to the nucleus. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 50:97-102. [PMID: 34428726 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major cause of liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV infection begins by low-affinity attachment to hepatocytes and subsequent binding with a specific receptor sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) on sinusoidal-basolateral side of liver parenchymal cells. Following internalization with an unclear mechanism, HBV undergoes uncoating, capsid disassembling and culminates in delivering its genome into the nucleus and forms the covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA. In this review, we briefly summarize the current understanding of HBV entry and discuss some unanswered questions along the entry pathway beyond NTCP binding into the nucleus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Tian
- National Institute of Biological Science, Beijing, 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Cong Li
- National Institute of Biological Science, Beijing, 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Science, Beijing, 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Appelman MD, Wettengel JM, Protzer U, Oude Elferink RPJ, van de Graaf SFJ. Molecular regulation of the hepatic bile acid uptake transporter and HBV entry receptor NTCP. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:158960. [PMID: 33932583 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Transporters expressed by hepatocytes and enterocytes play a critical role in maintaining the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. The sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), exclusively expressed at the basolateral side of hepatocytes, mediates the uptake of conjugated bile acids. In conditions where bile flow is impaired (cholestasis), pharmacological inhibition of NTCP-mediated bile acid influx is suggested to reduce hepatocellular damage due to bile acid overload. Furthermore, NTCP has been shown to play an important role in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection by functioning as receptor for viral entry into hepatocytes. This review provides a summary of current molecular insight into the regulation of NTCP expression at the plasma membrane, hepatic bile acid transport, and NTCP-mediated viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monique D Appelman
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jochen M Wettengel
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Ronald P J Oude Elferink
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stan F J van de Graaf
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang X, Wang X, Wu M, Ghildyal R, Yuan Z. Animal Models for the Study of Hepatitis B Virus Pathobiology and Immunity: Past, Present, and Future. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:715450. [PMID: 34335553 PMCID: PMC8322840 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.715450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem that plagues approximately 240 million people. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) often leads to liver inflammation and aberrant repair which results in diseases ranging from liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, to hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its narrow species tropism, researchers have established various in vivo models for HBV or its related viruses which have provided a wealth of knowledge on viral lifecycle, pathogenesis, and immunity. Here we briefly revisit over five decades of endeavor in animal model development for HBV and summarize their advantages and limitations. We also suggest directions for further improvements that are crucial for elucidation of the viral immune-evasion strategies and for development of novel therapeutics for a functional cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Zhang
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomeng Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Reena Ghildyal
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Liu Y, Maya S, Ploss A. Animal Models of Hepatitis B Virus Infection-Success, Challenges, and Future Directions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050777. [PMID: 33924793 PMCID: PMC8146732 DOI: 10.3390/v13050777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects more than 250 million people worldwide, which greatly increases the risk for terminal liver diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Even though current approved antiviral therapies, including pegylated type I interferon (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogs, can effectively suppress viremia, HBV infection is rarely cured. Since HBV exhibits a narrow species tropism and robustly infects only humans and higher primates, progress in HBV research and preclinical testing of antiviral drugs has been hampered by the scarcity of suitable animal models. Fortunately, a series of surrogate animal models have been developed for the study of HBV. An increased understanding of the barriers towards interspecies transmission has aided in the development of human chimeric mice and has greatly paved the way for HBV research in vivo, and for evaluating potential therapies of chronic hepatitis B. In this review, we summarize the currently available animal models for research of HBV and HBV-related hepadnaviruses, and we discuss challenges and future directions for improvement.
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhuang X, Forde D, Tsukuda S, D'Arienzo V, Mailly L, Harris JM, Wing PAC, Borrmann H, Schilling M, Magri A, Rubio CO, Maidstone RJ, Iqbal M, Garzon M, Minisini R, Pirisi M, Butterworth S, Balfe P, Ray DW, Watashi K, Baumert TF, McKeating JA. Circadian control of hepatitis B virus replication. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1658. [PMID: 33712578 PMCID: PMC7955118 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21821-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver disease and cancer worldwide for which there are no curative therapies. The major challenge in curing infection is eradicating or silencing the covalent closed circular DNA (cccDNA) form of the viral genome. The circadian factors BMAL1/CLOCK and REV-ERB are master regulators of the liver transcriptome and yet their role in HBV replication is unknown. We establish a circadian cycling liver cell-model and demonstrate that REV-ERB directly regulates NTCP-dependent hepatitis B and delta virus particle entry. Importantly, we show that pharmacological activation of REV-ERB inhibits HBV infection in vitro and in human liver chimeric mice. We uncover a role for BMAL1 to bind HBV genomes and increase viral promoter activity. Pharmacological inhibition of BMAL1 through REV-ERB ligands reduces pre-genomic RNA and de novo particle secretion. The presence of conserved E-box motifs among members of the Hepadnaviridae family highlight an evolutionarily conserved role for BMAL1 in regulating this family of small DNA viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Zhuang
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Donall Forde
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Senko Tsukuda
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Japan
| | | | - Laurent Mailly
- University of Strasbourg and Inserm, UMR-S1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
| | - James M Harris
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter A C Wing
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Helene Borrmann
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mirjam Schilling
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrea Magri
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Robert J Maidstone
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mudassar Iqbal
- Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Miguel Garzon
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Rosalba Minisini
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Sam Butterworth
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Peter Balfe
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David W Ray
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Tokyo University of Science Graduate School of Science and Technology, Japan and Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- University of Strasbourg and Inserm, UMR-S1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
- Pôle Hépato-Digestif, Institut Hopitalo-Universitaire (IHU), Hopitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, Strasbourg and Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Jane A McKeating
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wu L, Xu W, Li X, Liu Y, Wang L, Zhu S, Yang F, Xie C, Peng L. The NTCP p.Ser267Phe Variant Is Associated With a Faster Anti-HBV Effect on First-Line Nucleos(t)ide Analog Treatment. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:616858. [PMID: 33716744 PMCID: PMC7943921 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.616858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) acts as a cellular receptor for the hepatitis B virus infection of host hepatocytes. Previously, many studies confirmed that the NTCP p.Ser267Phe variant was a protective factor against HBV-related disease progression. We therefore designed this study to investigate whether the NTCP p.Ser267Phe variant exerts an additive anti-HBV effect in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients on mainstream NAs treatment. After propensity score matching (PSM), a total of 136 CHB patients were included, among whom 68 were heterozygous carriers and 68 were wild-type controls. Proportions of primary nonresponse, partial virological response, virological breakthrough and hepatitis B reactivation and the HBV DNA clearance rate at each time point were compared using the chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier analysis and matched t-tests were also performed to estimate the speed of viral clearance and serum HBV DNA reduction, respectively. The proportion of primary nonresponse was significantly lower in heterozygous carriers than in wild-type controls (p < 0.001), especially in patients using entecavir (p = 0.013). Specifically, heterozygous carriers achieved HBV DNA clearance faster than wild-type controls (log-rank p = 0.0198). HBV DNA levels were reduced more in heterozygous carriers after 12 weeks (p < 0.001) and 24 weeks (p = 0.006) of treatment, especially among patients using ETV. Here, our study demonstrated that heterozygous mutations in rs2296651 enhanced the antiviral response of first-line NAs and helped to explore the possibility of combining NAs and NTCP blockers for a better anti-HBV effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenxiong Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuejun Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fangji Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chan Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Host-Virus Arms Races Drive Elevated Adaptive Evolution in Viral Receptors. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00684-20. [PMID: 32493827 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00684-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral receptors are the cell surface proteins that are hijacked by viruses to initialize their infections. Viral receptors are subject to two conflicting directional forces, namely, negative selection due to functional constraints and positive selection due to host-virus arms races. It remains largely obscure whether negative pleiotropy limits the rate of adaptation in viral receptors. Here, we perform evolutionary analyses of 96 viral receptor genes in primates and find that 41 out of 96 viral receptors experienced adaptive evolution. Many positively selected residues in viral receptors are located at the virus-receptor interfaces. Compared with control proteins, viral receptors exhibit significantly elevated rate of adaptation. Further analyses of genetic polymorphisms in human populations reveal signals of positive selection and balancing selection for 53 and 5 viral receptors, respectively. Moreover, we find that 49 viral receptors experienced different selection pressures in different human populations, indicating that viruses represent an important driver of local adaptation in humans. Our findings suggest that diverse viruses, many of which have not been known to infect nonhuman primates, have maintained antagonistic associations with primates for millions of years, and the host-virus conflicts drive accelerated adaptive evolution in viral receptors.IMPORTANCE Viruses hijack cellular proteins, termed viral receptors, to assist their entry into host cells. While viral receptors experience negative selection to maintain their normal functions, they also undergo positive selection due to an everlasting evolutionary arms race between viruses and hosts. A complete picture on how viral receptors evolve under two conflicting forces is still lacking. In this study, we systematically analyzed the evolution of 96 viral receptors in primates and human populations. We found around half of viral receptors underwent adaptive evolution and exhibit significantly elevated rates of adaptation compared to control genes in primates. We also found signals of past natural selection for 58 viral receptors in human populations. Interestingly, 49 viral receptors experienced different selection pressures in different human populations, indicating that viruses represent an important driver of local adaptation in humans. Our results suggest that host-virus arms races drive accelerated adaptive evolution in viral receptors.
Collapse
|
22
|
Wettengel JM, Burwitz BJ. Innovative HBV Animal Models Based on the Entry Receptor NTCP. Viruses 2020; 12:E828. [PMID: 32751581 PMCID: PMC7472226 DOI: 10.3390/v12080828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a major global health problem, with an estimated 257 million chronically infected patients and almost 1 million deaths per year. The causative agent is hepatitis B virus (HBV), a small, enveloped, partially double-stranded DNA virus. HBV has a strict species specificity, naturally infecting only humans and chimpanzees. Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a bile acid transporter expressed on hepatocytes, has been shown to be one of the key factors in HBV infection, playing a crucial role in the HBV entry process in vitro and in vivo. Variations in the amino acid sequence of NTCP can inhibit HBV infection and, therefore, contributes, in part, to the species barrier. This discovery has revolutionized the search for novel animal models of HBV. Indeed, it was recently shown that variations in the amino acid sequence of NTCP represent the sole species barrier for HBV infection in macaques. Here, we review what is known about HBV entry through the NTCP receptor and highlight how this knowledge has been harnessed to build new animal models for the study of HBV pathogenesis and curative therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jochen M. Wettengel
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany;
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 N.W. 185th Avenue Beaverton, Tanasbourne, OR 97006, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Burwitz
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 N.W. 185th Avenue Beaverton, Tanasbourne, OR 97006, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Yang F, Wu L, Xu W, Liu Y, Zhen L, Ning G, Song J, Jiao Q, Zheng Y, Chen T, Xie C, Peng L. Diverse Effects of the NTCP p.Ser267Phe Variant on Disease Progression During Chronic HBV Infection and on HBV preS1 Variability. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:18. [PMID: 30881922 PMCID: PMC6407604 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) acts as a cellular receptor for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on host hepatocytes. We aim to investigate how the NTCP p.Ser267Phe variant affects HBV-related disease progression and analyze viral genomic variability under a host genetic background carrying the p.Ser267Phe variant. A total of 3187 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients were enrolled and genotyped for the p.Ser267Phe variant. The variant's association with disease progression was evaluated by logistic regression analysis. We also enrolled 83 treatment-naive CHB patients to analyze the variability of the HBV preS1 region. The frequency of the NTCP p.Ser267Phe variant was significantly lower in patients diagnosed with acute-on-chronic liver failure [OR (95% CI) = 0.33 (0.18-0.58), P = 1.34 × 10-4], cirrhosis [OR (95% CI) = 0.47 (0.31-0.72), P = 4.04 × 10-4], and hepatocellular carcinoma [OR (95% CI) = 0.54 (0.34-0.86), P = 9.83 × 10-3] as compared with CHB controls under the additive model after adjustment. Furthermore, the percentage of amino acid mutations in HBV preS1 region was significantly higher in the NTCP p.Ser267Phe heterozygote group than in the NTCP wild type homozygote group (P < 0.05). We herein demonstrate that the NTCP p.Ser267Phe variant is a protective factor reducing CHB patient risk for liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. A host genetic background carrying NTCP p.Ser267Phe exerts selective pressure on the virus, leading to more variability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangji Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lina Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenxiong Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Limin Zhen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Ning
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Jiao
- Department of Severe Liver Disease, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongyuan Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tongtong Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chan Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
A Single Adaptive Mutation in Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide Induced by Hepadnaviruses Determines Virus Species Specificity. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.01432-18. [PMID: 30541857 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01432-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its hepadnavirus relatives infect a wide range of vertebrates, from fish to human. Hepadnaviruses and their hosts have a long history of acquiring adaptive mutations. However, there are no reports providing direct molecular evidence for such a coevolutionary "arms race" between hepadnaviruses and their hosts. Here, we present evidence suggesting that the adaptive evolution of the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), an HBV receptor, has been influenced by virus infection. Evolutionary analysis of the NTCP-encoding genes from 20 mammals showed that most NTCP residues are highly conserved among species, exhibiting evolution under negative selection (dN/dS ratio [ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous evolutionary changes] of <1); this observation implies that the evolution of NTCP is restricted by maintaining its original protein function. However, 0.7% of NTCP amino acid residues exhibit rapid evolution under positive selection (dN/dS ratio of >1). Notably, a substitution at amino acid (aa) 158, a positively selected residue, converting the human NTCP to a monkey-type sequence abrogated the capacity to support HBV infection; conversely, a substitution at this residue converting the monkey Ntcp to the human sequence was sufficient to confer HBV susceptibility. Together, these observations suggested a close association of the aa 158 positive selection with the pressure by virus infection. Moreover, the aa 158 sequence determined attachment of the HBV envelope protein to the host cell, demonstrating the mechanism whereby HBV infection would create positive selection at this NTCP residue. In summary, we provide the first evidence in agreement with the function of hepadnavirus as a driver for inducing adaptive mutation in host receptor.IMPORTANCE HBV and its hepadnavirus relatives infect a wide range of vertebrates, with a long infectious history (hundreds of millions of years). Such a long history generally allows adaptive mutations in hosts to escape from infection while simultaneously allowing adaptive mutations in viruses to overcome host barriers. However, there is no published molecular evidence for such a coevolutionary arms race between hepadnaviruses and hosts. In the present study, we performed coevolutionary phylogenetic analysis between hepadnaviruses and the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), an HBV receptor, combined with virological experimental assays for investigating the biological significance of NTCP sequence variation. Our data provide the first molecular evidence supporting that HBV-related hepadnaviruses drive adaptive evolution in the NTCP sequence, including a mechanistic explanation of how NTCP mutations determine host viral susceptibility. Our novel insights enhance our understanding of how hepadnaviruses evolved with their hosts, permitting the acquisition of strong species specificity.
Collapse
|