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Ratnasiri K, Zheng H, Toh J, Yao Z, Duran V, Donato M, Roederer M, Kamath M, Todd JPM, Gagne M, Foulds KE, Francica JR, Corbett KS, Douek DC, Seder RA, Einav S, Blish CA, Khatri P. Systems immunology of transcriptional responses to viral infection identifies conserved antiviral pathways across macaques and humans. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113706. [PMID: 38294906 PMCID: PMC10915397 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113706] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral pandemics and epidemics pose a significant global threat. While macaque models of viral disease are routinely used, it remains unclear how conserved antiviral responses are between macaques and humans. Therefore, we conducted a cross-species analysis of transcriptomic data from over 6,088 blood samples from macaques and humans infected with one of 31 viruses. Our findings demonstrate that irrespective of primate or viral species, there are conserved antiviral responses that are consistent across infection phase (acute, chronic, or latent) and viral genome type (DNA or RNA viruses). Leveraging longitudinal data from experimental challenges, we identify virus-specific response kinetics such as host responses to Coronaviridae and Orthomyxoviridae infections peaking 1-3 days earlier than responses to Filoviridae and Arenaviridae viral infections. Our results underscore macaque studies as a powerful tool for understanding viral pathogenesis and immune responses that translate to humans, with implications for viral therapeutic development and pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalani Ratnasiri
- Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hong Zheng
- Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jiaying Toh
- Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Zhiyuan Yao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
| | - Veronica Duran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michele Donato
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Mario Roederer
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Megha Kamath
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - John-Paul M Todd
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew Gagne
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kathryn E Foulds
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joseph R Francica
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kizzmekia S Corbett
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Daniel C Douek
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert A Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shirit Einav
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Catherine A Blish
- Stanford Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Purvesh Khatri
- Department of Surgery, Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Center for Biomedical Informatics Research, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Müller M, Herrmann A, Fujita S, Uriu K, Kruth C, Strange A, Kolberg JE, Schneider M, Ito J, Müller MA, Drosten C, Ensser A, Sato K, Sauter D. ORF3c is expressed in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells and inhibits innate sensing by targeting MAVS. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57137. [PMID: 37870297 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357137] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Most SARS-CoV-2 proteins are translated from subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs). While the majority of these sgRNAs are monocistronic, some viral mRNAs encode more than one protein. One example is the ORF3a sgRNA that also encodes ORF3c, an enigmatic 41-amino-acid peptide. Here, we show that ORF3c is expressed in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells and suppresses RIG-I- and MDA5-mediated IFN-β induction. ORF3c interacts with the signaling adaptor MAVS, induces its C-terminal cleavage, and inhibits the interaction of RIG-I with MAVS. The immunosuppressive activity of ORF3c is conserved among members of the subgenus sarbecovirus, including SARS-CoV and coronaviruses isolated from bats. Notably, however, the SARS-CoV-2 delta and kappa variants harbor premature stop codons in ORF3c, demonstrating that this reading frame is not essential for efficient viral replication in vivo and is likely compensated by other viral proteins. In agreement with this, disruption of ORF3c does not significantly affect SARS-CoV-2 replication in CaCo-2, CaLu-3, or Rhinolophus alcyone cells. In summary, we here identify ORF3c as an immune evasion factor of SARS-CoV-2 that suppresses innate sensing in infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Müller
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Herrmann
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Shigeru Fujita
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiya Uriu
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Carolin Kruth
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Adam Strange
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jan E Kolberg
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Markus Schneider
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jumpei Ito
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Marcel A Müller
- Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Armin Ensser
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kei Sato
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Vaccine Design Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
- CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan
| | - Daniel Sauter
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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3
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de Martinis C, Cardillo L, Esposito C, Viscardi M, Barca L, Cavallo S, D'Alessio N, Martella V, Fusco G. First identification of bovine hepacivirus in wild boars. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11678. [PMID: 35804025 PMCID: PMC9270363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15928-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in humans. Humans were long considered the only hosts of Hepacivirus. Recently HCV-like sequences have been found in several animal species. Hepaciviruses are considered species-specific but a wider host range and a zoonotic role has been hypothesized. We report the first detection of bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) sequences in wild boars. A total of 310 wild boars hunted in Campania region were investigated with a pan-hepacivirus nested-PCR protocol for the NS3 gene. Hepacivirus RNA was detected in 5.8% of the animals. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed high homology with BovHepV subtype F, with nucleotide identity of 99%. The positive wild boars were georeferenced, revealing high density of livestock farms, with no clear distinction between animal husbandry and hunting areas. These findings might suggest the ability of BovHepV to cross the host-species barrier and infect wild boars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio de Martinis
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy.
| | - Claudia Esposito
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorella Barca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Calabria Section, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Stefania Cavallo
- Department of Epidemiologic and Biostatistic Regional Observatory (OREB), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aldo Moro" University, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
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4
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Expanded Diversity and Host Range of Bovine Hepacivirus—Genomic and Serological Evidence in Domestic and Wild Ruminant Species. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071457. [PMID: 35891438 PMCID: PMC9319978 DOI: 10.3390/v14071457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) can cause acute as well as persistent infections in cattle. The true clinical relevance of the virus is not yet known. As reliable antibody detection methods are lacking and prevalence studies have only been conducted in cattle and few countries to date, the true distribution, genetic diversity, and host range is probably greatly underestimated. In this study, we applied several RT-PCR methods and a nano-luciferase-based immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assay to analyze bovine serum samples from Bulgaria as well as wild ruminant sera from Germany and the Czech Republic. Using these methods, BovHepV infections were confirmed in Bulgarian cattle, with viral genomes detected in 6.9% and serological reactions against the BovHepV NS3 helicase domain in 10% of bovine serum samples. Genetic analysis demonstrated co-circulation of highly diverse BovHepV strains in Bulgarian cattle, and three novel BovHepV subtypes within the genotype 1 could be defined. Furthermore, application of a nested RT-PCR led to the first description of a BovHepV variant (genotype 2) in a wild ruminant species. The results of this study significantly enhance our knowledge of BovHepV distribution, genetic diversity, and host range.
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Yin M, Wen W, Wang H, Zhao Q, Zhu H, Chen H, Li X, Qian P. Porcine Sapelovirus 3Cpro Inhibits the Production of Type I Interferon. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:852473. [PMID: 35782136 PMCID: PMC9240219 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.852473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) is the causative pathogen of reproductive obstacles, acute diarrhea, respiratory distress, or severe polioencephalomyelitis in swine. Nevertheless, the pathogenicity and pathogenic mechanism of PSV infection are not fully understood, which hinders disease prevention and control. In this study, we found that PSV was sensitive to type I interferon (IFN-β). However, PSV could not activate the IFN-β promoter and induce IFN-β mRNA expression, indicating that PSV has evolved an effective mechanism to block IFN-β production. Further study showed that PSV inhibited the production of IFN-β by cleaving mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) and degrading melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) and TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) through viral 3Cpro. In addition, our study demonstrated that PSV 3Cpro degrades MDA5 and TBK1 through its protease activity and cleaves MAVS through the caspase pathway. Collectively, our results revealed that PSV inhibits the production of type I interferon to escape host antiviral immunity through cleaving and degrading the adaptor molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengge Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Haoyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiongqiong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Hechao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Huanchun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic ProductsAgriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, China
- International Research Center for Animal DiseaseTechnology of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangmin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic ProductsAgriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, China
- International Research Center for Animal DiseaseTechnology of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangmin Li, ; Ping Qian,
| | - Ping Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Development of Veterinary Diagnostic ProductsAgriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, China
- International Research Center for Animal DiseaseTechnology of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangmin Li, ; Ping Qian,
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Viral Interference of Hepatitis C and E Virus Replication in Novel Experimental Co-Infection Systems. Cells 2022; 11:cells11060927. [PMID: 35326378 PMCID: PMC8946046 DOI: 10.3390/cells11060927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) constitutes a global health problem, while hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the major cause of acute viral hepatitis globally. HCV/HEV co-infections have been poorly characterized, as they are hampered by the lack of robust HEV cell culture systems. This study developed experimental models to study HCV/HEV co-infections and investigate viral interference in cells and humanized mice. Methods: We used state-of-the art human hepatocytes tissue culture models to assess HEV and HCV replication in co- or super-transfection settings. Findings were confirmed by co- and super-infection experiments in human hepatocytes and in vivo in human liver chimeric mice. Results: HEV was inhibited by concurrent HCV replication in human hepatocytes. This exclusion phenotype was linked to the protease activity of HCV. These findings were corroborated by the fact that in HEV on HCV super-infected mice, HEV viral loads were reduced in individual mice. Similarly, HCV on HEV super-infected mice showed reduced HCV viral loads. Conclusion: Direct interference of both viruses with HCV NS3/4A as the determinant was observed. In vivo, we detected reduced replication of both viruses after super-infection in individual mice. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of HCV-HEV co-infections and should contribute to its clinical management in the future.
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Tsu BV, Fay EJ, Nguyen KT, Corley MR, Hosuru B, Dominguez VA, Daugherty MD. Running With Scissors: Evolutionary Conflicts Between Viral Proteases and the Host Immune System. Front Immunol 2021; 12:769543. [PMID: 34790204 PMCID: PMC8591160 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.769543] [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: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens encode proteases that serve to antagonize the host immune system. In particular, viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome [(+)ssRNA], including picornaviruses, flaviviruses, and coronaviruses, encode proteases that are not only required for processing viral polyproteins into functional units but also manipulate crucial host cellular processes through their proteolytic activity. Because these proteases must cleave numerous polyprotein sites as well as diverse host targets, evolution of these viral proteases is expected to be highly constrained. However, despite this strong evolutionary constraint, mounting evidence suggests that viral proteases such as picornavirus 3C, flavivirus NS3, and coronavirus 3CL, are engaged in molecular 'arms races' with their targeted host factors, resulting in host- and virus-specific determinants of protease cleavage. In cases where protease-mediated cleavage results in host immune inactivation, recurrent host gene evolution can result in avoidance of cleavage by viral proteases. In other cases, such as recently described examples in NLRP1 and CARD8, hosts have evolved 'tripwire' sequences that mimic protease cleavage sites and activate an immune response upon cleavage. In both cases, host evolution may be responsible for driving viral protease evolution, helping explain why viral proteases and polyprotein sites are divergent among related viruses despite such strong evolutionary constraint. Importantly, these evolutionary conflicts result in diverse protease-host interactions even within closely related host and viral species, thereby contributing to host range, zoonotic potential, and pathogenicity of viral infection. Such examples highlight the importance of examining viral protease-host interactions through an evolutionary lens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Matthew D. Daugherty
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
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In Vitro Comparison of the Internal Ribosomal Entry Site Activity from Rodent Hepacivirus and Pegivirus and Construction of Pseudoparticles. Adv Virol 2021; 2021:5569844. [PMID: 34422054 PMCID: PMC8376455 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5569844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) of rodent hepacivirus (RHV) and pegivirus (RPgV) contains sequence homology to the HCV type III internal ribosome entry sites (IRES). Utilizing a monocistronic expression vector with an RNA polymerase I promoter to drive transcription, we show cell-specific IRES translation and regions within the IRES required for full functionality. Focusing on RHV, we further pseudotyped lentivirus with RHV and showed cell surface expression of the envelope proteins and transduction of murine hepatocytes and we then constructed full-length RHV and RPgV replicons with reporter genes. Using the replicon system, we show that the RHV NS3-4A protease cleaves a mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein reporter. However, liver-derived cells did not readily support the complete viral life cycle.
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9
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Dabrowska A, Milewska A, Ner-Kluza J, Suder P, Pyrc K. Mass Spectrometry versus Conventional Techniques of Protein Detection: Zika Virus NS3 Protease Activity towards Cellular Proteins. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26123732. [PMID: 34207340 PMCID: PMC8234618 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS) used in proteomic approaches is able to detect hundreds of proteins in a single assay. Although undeniable high analytical power of MS, data acquired sometimes lead to confusing results, especially during a search of very selective, unique interactions in complex biological matrices. Here, we would like to show an example of such confusing data, providing an extensive discussion on the observed phenomenon. Our investigations focus on the interaction between the Zika virus NS3 protease, which is essential for virus replication. This enzyme is known for helping to remodel the microenvironment of the infected cells. Several reports show that this protease can process cellular substrates and thereby modify cellular pathways that are important for the virus. Herein, we explored some of the targets of NS3, clearly shown by proteomic techniques, as processed during infection. Unfortunately, we could not confirm the biological relevance of protein targets for viral infections detected by MS. Thus, although mass spectrometry is highly sensitive and useful in many instances, also being able to show directions where cell/virus interaction occurs, we believe that deep recognition of their biological role is essential to receive complete insight into the investigated process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Dabrowska
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.D.); (A.M.)
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Milewska
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.D.); (A.M.)
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Joanna Ner-Kluza
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Piotr Suder
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland;
- Correspondence: (P.S.); (K.P.); Tel.: +48-12-617-50-83 (P.S.); +48-12-664-61-21 (K.P.)
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7a, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (A.D.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: (P.S.); (K.P.); Tel.: +48-12-617-50-83 (P.S.); +48-12-664-61-21 (K.P.)
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10
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Yan J, Zhang Y, Su Y, Tian L, Qin P, Xu X, Zhou Y. microRNA-125a targets MAVS and TRAF6 to modulate interferon signaling and promote HCV infection. Virus Res 2021; 296:198336. [PMID: 33577860 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause chronic lifelong infections in humans, resulting in sustained hepatic inflammation, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The clearance of HCV infections is dependent upon effective and coordinated innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. However, HCV has evolved a range of strategies that enable it to evade or overcome the host immune response, enabling the virus to persist in susceptible hosts through mechanisms that remain to be fully clarified. Herein, we describe a novel mechanism whereby HCV can evade immune surveillance by activating microRNA (miR)-125a. Hepatocytes upregulate miR-125a following HCV infection, and serum from HCV-infected patients similarly exhibits the upregulation of this miRNA. We found that miR-125a is able to target and suppress the expression of two key genes associated with the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway - mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Disrupting the expression of these genes can in turn compromise type I IFN responses to HCV. Together, our data reveal that HCV infection results in the upregulation of miR-125a, which negatively regulates IFN signaling via inhibiting the expression of MAVS and TRAF6, thereby enabling the virus to evade innate antiviral immunity. Targeting this pathway may thus represent an efficient approach to treating HCV and bolstering antiviral immune responses in infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Yan
- Department of Physiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China
| | - Yan Su
- Department of Physiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China
| | - Linlin Tian
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China
| | - Peifang Qin
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China
| | - Xingfeng Xu
- Department of Physiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China
| | - Yali Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541004, Guangxi, China.
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11
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OCIAD1 is a host mitochondrial substrate of the hepatitis C virus NS3-4A protease. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236447. [PMID: 32697788 PMCID: PMC7375614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 3-4A (NS3-4A) protease is a key component of the viral replication complex and the target of protease inhibitors used in current clinical practice. By cleaving and thereby inactivating selected host factors it also plays a role in the persistence and pathogenesis of hepatitis C. Here, we describe ovarian cancer immunoreactive antigen domain containing protein 1 (OCIAD1) as a novel cellular substrate of the HCV NS3-4A protease. OCIAD1 was identified by quantitative proteomics involving stable isotopic labeling using amino acids in cell culture coupled with mass spectrometry. It is a poorly characterized membrane protein believed to be involved in cancer development. OCIAD1 is cleaved by the NS3-4A protease at Cys 38, close to a predicted transmembrane segment. Cleavage was observed in heterologous expression systems, the replicon and cell culture-derived HCV systems, as well as in liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis C. NS3-4A proteases from diverse hepacivirus species efficiently cleaved OCIAD1. The subcellular localization of OCIAD1 on mitochondria was not altered by NS3-4A-mediated cleavage. Interestingly, OCIAD2, a homolog of OCIAD1 with a cysteine residue in a similar position and identical subcellular localization, was not cleaved by NS3-4A. Domain swapping experiments revealed that the sequence surrounding the cleavage site as well as the predicted transmembrane segment contribute to substrate selectivity. Overexpression as well as knock down and rescue experiments did not affect the HCV life cycle in vitro, raising the possibility that OCIAD1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C in vivo.
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12
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B UR, Tandon H, Pradhan MK, Adhikesavan H, Srinivasan N, Das S, Jayaraman N. Potent HCV NS3 Protease Inhibition by a Water-Soluble Phyllanthin Congener. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:11553-11562. [PMID: 32478245 PMCID: PMC7254805 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c00786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
NS3/4A protease of hepatitis C virus (HCV) plays an important role in viral RNA replication. A 1,4-diphenylbutanedicarboxylic acid derivative, namely, phyllanthin, extracted from the leaf of a herbal plant, Phyllanthus amarus, inhibits HCV NS3/4A protease and replication activities. However, the reduced aqueous solubility, high toxicity, and poor oral bioavailability are major impediments with phyllanthin. We herein present a design approach to generate phyllanthin congeners in order to potentiate inhibition activity against protease. The phyllanthin congeners were synthesized by chemical methods and subjected to systematic biological studies. One of the congeners, annotated as D8, is identified as a novel and potent inhibitor of the HCV-NS3/4Aprotease activity in vitro and the viral RNA replication in cell culture. Structural analysis using the computational-based docking approach demonstrated important noncovalent interactions between D8 and the catalytic residues of the viral protease. Furthermore, D8 was found to be significantly nontoxic in cell culture. More importantly, oral administration of D8 in BALB/c mice proved its better tolerability and bioavailability, as compared to native phyllanthin. Taken together, this study reveals a promising candidate for developing anti-HCV therapeutics to control HCV-induced liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uma Reddy B
- Microbiology and
Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
| | - Himani Tandon
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
| | - Manoj K. Pradhan
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
| | | | | | - Saumitra Das
- Microbiology and
Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
- National Institute
of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani 741 251, India
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13
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Ploss A, Kapoor A. Animal Models of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:cshperspect.a036970. [PMID: 31843875 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important and underreported infectious disease, causing chronic infection in ∼71 million people worldwide. The limited host range of HCV, which robustly infects only humans and chimpanzees, has made studying this virus in vivo challenging and hampered the development of a desperately needed vaccine. The restrictions and ethical concerns surrounding biomedical research in chimpanzees has made the search for an animal model all the more important. In this review, we discuss different approaches that are being pursued toward creating small animal models for HCV infection. Although efforts to use a nonhuman primate species besides chimpanzees have proven challenging, important advances have been achieved in a variety of humanized mouse models. However, such models still fall short of the overarching goal to have an immunocompetent, inheritably susceptible in vivo platform in which the immunopathology of HCV could be studied and putative vaccines development. Alternatives to overcome this include virus adaptation, such as murine-tropic HCV strains, or the use of related hepaciviruses, of which many have been recently identified. Of the latter, the rodent/rat hepacivirus from Rattus norvegicus species-1 (RHV-rn1) holds promise as a surrogate virus in fully immunocompetent rats that can inform our understanding of the interaction between the immune response and viral outcomes (i.e., clearance vs. persistence). However, further characterization of these animal models is necessary before their use for gaining new insights into the immunopathogenesis of HCV and for conceptualizing HCV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA
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14
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Moreira-Soto A, Arroyo-Murillo F, Sander AL, Rasche A, Corman V, Tegtmeyer B, Steinmann E, Corrales-Aguilar E, Wieseke N, Avey-Arroyo J, Drexler JF. Cross-order host switches of hepatitis C-related viruses illustrated by a novel hepacivirus from sloths. Virus Evol 2020; 6:veaa033. [PMID: 32704383 PMCID: PMC7368370 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veaa033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The genealogy of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the genus Hepacivirus remains elusive despite numerous recently discovered animal hepaciviruses (HVs). Viruses from evolutionarily ancient mammals might elucidate the HV macro-evolutionary patterns. Here, we investigated sixty-seven two-toed and nine three-toed sloths from Costa Rica for HVs using molecular and serological tools. A novel sloth HV was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in three-toed sloths (2/9, 22.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5.3-55.7). Genomic characterization revealed typical HV features including overall polyprotein gene structure, a type 4 internal ribosomal entry site in the viral 5'-genome terminus, an A-U-rich region and X-tail structure in the viral 3'-genome terminus. Different from other animal HVs, HV seropositivity in two-toed sloths was low at 4.5 per cent (3/67; CI, 1.0-12.9), whereas the RT-PCR-positive three-toed sloths were seronegative. Limited cross-reactivity of the serological assay implied exposure of seropositive two-toed sloths to HVs of unknown origin and recent infections in RT-PCR-positive animals preceding seroconversion. Recent infections were consistent with only 9 nucleotide exchanges between the two sloth HVs, located predominantly within the E1/E2 encoding regions. Translated sequence distances of NS3 and NS5 proteins and host comparisons suggested that the sloth HV represents a novel HV species. Event- and sequence distance-based reconciliations of phylogenies of HVs and of their hosts revealed complex macro-evolutionary patterns, including both long-term evolutionary associations and host switches, most strikingly from rodents into sloths. Ancestral state reconstructions corroborated rodents as predominant sources of HV host switches during the genealogy of extant HVs. Sequence distance comparisons, partial conservation of critical amino acid residues associated with HV entry and selection pressure signatures of host genes encoding entry and antiviral protein orthologs were consistent with HV host switches between genetically divergent mammals, including the projected host switch from rodents into sloths. Structural comparison of HCV and sloth HV E2 proteins suggested conserved modes of hepaciviral entry. Our data corroborate complex macro-evolutionary patterns shaping the genus Hepacivirus, highlight that host switches are possible across highly diverse host taxa, and elucidate a prominent role of rodent hosts during the Hepacivirus genealogy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Moreira-Soto
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany.,Virology-CIET, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Anna-Lena Sander
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Andrea Rasche
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Victor Corman
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Birthe Tegtmeyer
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture Between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | | | - Nicolas Wieseke
- Swarm Intelligence and Complex Systems Group, Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin 10117, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
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15
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Replicons of a Rodent Hepatitis C Model Virus Permit Selection of Highly Permissive Cells. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00733-19. [PMID: 31292246 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00733-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal hepaciviruses represent promising surrogate models for hepatitis C virus (HCV), for which there are no efficient immunocompetent animal models. Experimental infection of laboratory rats with rodent hepacivirus isolated from feral Rattus norvegicus (RHV-rn1) mirrors key aspects of HCV infection in humans, including chronicity, hepatitis, and steatosis. Moreover, RHV has been adapted to infect immunocompetent laboratory mice. RHV in vitro systems have not been developed but would enable detailed studies of the virus life cycle crucial for designing animal experiments to model HCV infection. Here, we established efficient RHV-rn1 selectable subgenomic replicons with and without reporter genes. Rat and mouse liver-derived cells did not readily support the complete RHV life cycle, but replicon-containing cell clones could be selected with and without acquired mutations. Replication was significantly enhanced by mutations in NS4B and NS5A and in cell clones cured of replicon RNA. These mutations increased RHV replication of both mono- and bicistronic constructs, and CpG/UpA-dinucleotide optimization of reporter genes allowed replication. Using the replicon system, we show that the RHV-rn1 NS3-4A protease cleaves a human mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein reporter, providing a sensitive readout for virus replication. RHV-rn1 replication was inhibited by the HCV polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and high concentrations of HCV NS5A antivirals but not by NS3 protease inhibitors. The microRNA-122 antagonist miravirsen inhibited RHV-rn1 replication, demonstrating the importance of this HCV host factor for RHV. These novel RHV in vitro systems will be useful for studies of tropism, molecular virology, and characterization of virus-host interactions, thereby providing important complements to in vivo systems.IMPORTANCE A vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is crucial for global control of this important pathogen, which induces fatal human liver diseases. Vaccine development has been hampered by the lack of immunocompetent animal models. Discovery of rodent hepacivirus (RHV) enabled establishment of novel surrogate animal models. These allow robust infection and reverse genetic and immunization studies of laboratory animals, which develop HCV-like chronicity. Currently, there are no RHV in vitro systems available to study tropism and molecular virology. Here, we established the first culture systems for RHV, recapitulating the intracellular phase of the virus life cycle in vitro These replicon systems enabled identification of replication-enhancing mutations and selection of cells highly permissive to RHV replication, which allow study of virus-host interactions. HCV antivirals targeting NS5A, NS5B, and microRNA-122 efficiently inhibited RHV replication. Hence, several important aspects of HCV replication are shared by the rodent virus system, reinforcing its utility as an HCV model.
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16
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Rasche A, Sander AL, Corman VM, Drexler JF. Evolutionary biology of human hepatitis viruses. J Hepatol 2019; 70:501-520. [PMID: 30472320 PMCID: PMC7114834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis viruses are major threats to human health. During the last decade, highly diverse viruses related to human hepatitis viruses were found in animals other than primates. Herein, we describe both surprising conservation and striking differences of the unique biological properties and infection patterns of human hepatitis viruses and their animal homologues, including transmission routes, liver tropism, oncogenesis, chronicity, pathogenesis and envelopment. We discuss the potential for translation of newly discovered hepatitis viruses into preclinical animal models for drug testing, studies on pathogenesis and vaccine development. Finally, we re-evaluate the evolutionary origins of human hepatitis viruses and discuss the past and present zoonotic potential of their animal homologues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rasche
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Sander
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Max Corman
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, 10117 Berlin, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany.
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17
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Baechlein C, Baron AL, Meyer D, Gorriz-Martin L, Pfankuche VM, Baumgärtner W, Polywka S, Peine S, Fischer N, Rehage J, Becher P. Further characterization of bovine hepacivirus: Antibody response, course of infection, and host tropism. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 66:195-206. [PMID: 30126081 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12999] [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: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) is a recently added member to the growing genus Hepacivirus within the family Flaviviridae. Animal hepaciviruses are rarely characterized so far. Apart from norway rat hepacivirus which represents a promising HCV surrogate model, only equine hepaciviruses have been studied to some extent. BovHepV has been initially identified in bovine samples and was shown to establish persistent infections in cattle. However, consequences of those chronic infections, humoral immune response and the possibility of an extended host spectrum have not been explored so far. Therefore, we here investigated (a) the presence of anti-NS3-antibodies and viral RNA in cattle herds in Germany, (b) the course of infection in cattle, and (c) the host tropism including zoonotic potential of bovine hepaciviruses. Our results show that 19.9% of investigated bovine serum samples had antibodies against BovHepV. In 8.2% of investigated samples, viral RNA was detected. Subsequent genetic analysis revealed a novel genetic cluster of BovHepV variants. For 25 selected cattle in a BovHepV positive herd the presence of viral genomic RNA was monitored over one year in two to three months intervals by RT-PCR in order to discriminate acute versus persistent infection. In persistently infected animals, no serum antibodies were detected. Biochemical analyses could not establish a link between BovHepV infection and liver injury. Apart from a single sample of a pig providing a positive reaction in the antibody test, neither BovHepV-specific antibodies nor viral RNA were detected in porcine, equine or human samples implying a strict host specificity of BovHepV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Baechlein
- Institute of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anna Lena Baron
- Institute of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Denise Meyer
- Institute of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lara Gorriz-Martin
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susanne Polywka
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Peine
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Fischer
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Rehage
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Paul Becher
- Institute of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany
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18
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Hepacivirus A Infection in Horses Defines Distinct Envelope Hypervariable Regions and Elucidates Potential Roles of Viral Strain and Adaptive Immune Status in Determining Envelope Diversity and Infection Outcome. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.00314-18. [PMID: 29976666 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00314-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepacivirus A (also known as nonprimate hepacivirus and equine hepacivirus) is a hepatotropic virus that can cause both transient and persistent infections in horses. The evolution of intrahost viral populations (quasispecies) has not been studied in detail for hepacivirus A, and its roles in immune evasion and persistence are unknown. To address these knowledge gaps, we first evaluated the envelope gene (E1 and E2) diversity of two different hepacivirus A strains (WSU and CU) in longitudinal blood samples from experimentally infected adult horses, juvenile horses (foals), and foals with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Persistent infection with the WSU strain was associated with significantly greater quasispecies diversity than that observed in horses who spontaneously cleared infection (P = 0.0002) or in SCID foals (P < 0.0001). In contrast, the CU strain was able to persist despite significantly lower (P < 0.0001) and relatively static envelope diversity. These findings indicate that envelope diversity is a poor predictor of hepacivirus A infection outcomes and could be dependent on strain-specific factors. Next, entropy analysis was performed on all E1/E2 genes entered into GenBank. This analysis defined three novel hypervariable regions (HVRs) in E2, at residues 391 to 402 (HVR1), 450 to 461 (HVR2), and 550 to 562 (HVR3). For the experimentally infected horses, entropy analysis focusing on the HVRs demonstrated that these regions were under increased selective pressure during persistent infection. Increased diversity in the HVRs was also temporally associated with seroconversion in some horses, suggesting that these regions may be targets of neutralizing antibody and may play a role in immune evasion.IMPORTANCE Hepacivirus C (hepatitis C virus) is estimated to infect 150 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In contrast, its closest relative, hepacivirus A, causes relatively mild disease in horses and is frequently cleared. The relationship between quasispecies evolution and infection outcome has not been explored for hepacivirus A. To address this knowledge gap, we examined envelope gene diversity in horses with resolving and persistent infections. Interestingly, two strain-specific patterns of quasispecies diversity emerged. Persistence of the WSU strain was associated with increased quasispecies diversity and the accumulation of amino acid changes within three novel hypervariable regions following seroconversion. These findings provided evidence that envelope gene mutation is influenced by adaptive immune pressure and may contribute to hepacivirus persistence. However, the CU strain persisted despite relative evolutionary stasis, suggesting that some hepacivirus strains may use alternative mechanisms to persist in the host.
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19
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Ecological drivers of Hepacivirus infection in a neotropical rodent inhabiting landscapes with various degrees of human environmental change. Oecologia 2018; 188:289-302. [PMID: 29936542 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4210-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic environmental change can impact community and population traits such as species diversity and population densities, which have been shown to influence the prevalence of viruses in wildlife reservoirs. In particular, host species resilient to changes in their natural habitat may increase in numbers, which in turn can affect the prevalence of directly transmitted viruses. We have carried out a survey of small mammal communities in three tropical landscapes differing in their degree of environmental change in Central Panama and investigated the effects of community changes on Hepacivirus prevalence. The modification of continuous habitat into partly connected or isolated habitat patches during the past century was linked to changes in species diversity and species assemblages, which was further associated with shifts in the abundance of generalist marsupial (Didelphis marsupialis, Philander opossum) and rodent (Proechimys semispinosus) species. The latter has become dominant in isolated habitat patches and was the only identified Hepacivirus host in our study system. Our analyses suggest that, in addition to the effects of host age and sex, host population density in interaction with sex ratio is a crucial predictor of infection probability. Although we found no significant relationships between species diversity per se and infection probability, the lowest prevalence detected in the landscape with the highest species diversity indicates that shifts in species assemblages (e.g. changes in the presence and abundance of marsupial predators) impact the host's intraspecific contact rates, the probability of virus transmission and, thus, the virus prevalence. Our study additionally provides important data on the influence of human-induced landscape changes on infection probability and, therefore, on virus prevalence in wildlife and emphasizes the importance of a landscape-scale approach with concomitant consideration of the complex interactions between ecological factors.
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20
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Roles of the 5' Untranslated Region of Nonprimate Hepacivirus in Translation Initiation and Viral Replication. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01997-17. [PMID: 29343570 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01997-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The 5' untranslated region (UTR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is composed of four domains (I, II, III, and IV) and a pseudoknot, is essential for translation and viral replication. Equine nonprimate hepacivirus (EHcV) harbors a 5' UTR consisting of a large 5'-terminal domain (I); three additional domains (I', II, and III), which are homologous to domains I, II, and III, respectively, of HCV; and a pseudoknot, in the order listed. In this study, we investigated the roles of the EHcV 5' UTR in translation and viral replication. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity of the EHcV 5' UTR was lower than that of the HCV 5' UTR in several cell lines due to structural differences in domain III. Domains I and III of EHcV were functional in the HCV 5' UTR in terms of IRES activity and the replication of the subgenomic replicon (SGR), although domain II was not exchangeable between EHcV and HCV for SGR replication. Furthermore, the region spanning domains I and I' of EHcV (the 5'-proximal EHcV-specific region) improved RNA stability and provided the HCV SGR with microRNA 122 (miR-122)-independent replication capability, while EHcV domain I alone improved SGR replication and RNA stability irrespective of miR-122. These data suggest that the region spanning EHcV domains I and I' improves RNA stability and viral replication regardless of miR-122 expression. The 5'-proximal EHcV-specific region may represent an inherent mechanism to facilitate viral replication in nonhepatic tissues.IMPORTANCE EHcV is the closest viral homolog to HCV among other hepaciviruses. HCV exhibits a narrow host range and liver-specific tropism, while epidemiological reports suggest that EHcV infects the liver and respiratory organs in horses, donkeys, and dogs. However, the mechanism explaining the differences in host or organ tropism between HCV and EHcV is unknown. In this study, our data suggest that the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of EHcV is composed of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that is functionally exchangeable with HCV IRES elements. Furthermore, the 5'-proximal EHcV-specific region enhances viral replication and RNA stability in a miR-122-independent manner. Our data suggest that the region upstream of domain II in the EHcV 5' UTR contributes to the differences in tissue tropism observed between these hepaciviruses.
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Boukadida C, Fritz M, Blumen B, Fogeron ML, Penin F, Martin A. NS2 proteases from hepatitis C virus and related hepaciviruses share composite active sites and previously unrecognized intrinsic proteolytic activities. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1006863. [PMID: 29415072 PMCID: PMC5819835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the recent years, several homologues with varying degrees of genetic relatedness to hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified in a wide range of mammalian species. HCV infectious life cycle relies on a first critical proteolytic event of its single polyprotein, which is carried out by nonstructural protein 2 (NS2) and allows replicase assembly and genome replication. In this study, we characterized and evaluated the conservation of the proteolytic mode of action and regulatory mechanisms of NS2 across HCV and animal hepaciviruses. We first demonstrated that NS2 from equine, bat, rodent, New and Old World primate hepaciviruses also are cysteine proteases. Using tagged viral protein precursors and catalytic triad mutants, NS2 of equine NPHV and simian GBV-B, which are the most closely and distantly related viruses to HCV, respectively, were shown to function, like HCV NS2 as dimeric proteases with two composite active sites. Consistent with the reported essential role for NS3 N-terminal domain (NS3N) as HCV NS2 protease cofactor via NS3N key hydrophobic surface patch, we showed by gain/loss of function mutagenesis studies that some heterologous hepacivirus NS3N may act as cofactors for HCV NS2 provided that HCV-like hydrophobic residues are conserved. Unprecedently, however, we also observed efficient intrinsic proteolytic activity of NS2 protease in the absence of NS3 moiety in the context of C-terminal tag fusions via flexible linkers both in transiently transfected cells for all hepaciviruses studied and in the context of HCV dicistronic full-length genomes. These findings suggest that NS3N acts as a regulatory rather than essential cofactor for hepacivirus NS2 protease. Overall, unique features of NS2 including enzymatic function as dimers with two composite active sites and additional NS3-independent proteolytic activity are conserved across hepaciviruses regardless of their genetic distances, highlighting their functional significance in hepacivirus life cycle. Despite remarkable progress in the development of therapeutic options, more than 70 million individuals are chronically infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide and major challenges in basic and translational research remain. Phylogenetically-related HCV homologues have recently been identified in the wild in several mammalian species, whose host restriction and potential for zoonosis remain largely unknown. We comparatively characterized the functions and properties of nonstructural proteins 2 (NS2) from several animal hepaciviruses and HCV. We demonstrated that NS2 from animal hepaciviruses, like HCV NS2, are cysteine proteases, which function as dimers with two composite active sites to ensure a key proteolytic event of the single viral polyprotein at the NS2/NS3 junction. In addition to the activation of HCV NS2 protease by NS3 N-terminal domain, our data revealed a novel NS3-independent substrate specificity and efficient intrinsic proteolytic activity of NS2. The conservation of its properties and peculiar mode of action among distantly related hepaciviruses supports an important regulatory role for NS2 protein in the life cycle of these viruses. It also strengthens the value of animal, notably rodent hepaciviruses for the development of surrogate, immunocompetent models of HCV infection to address HCV-associated pathogenesis and vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Boukadida
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot–Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Fritz
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot–Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Brigitte Blumen
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot–Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Laure Fogeron
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Labex Ecofect, UMR 5086 CNRS, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - François Penin
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, Molecular Microbiology and Structural Biochemistry, Labex Ecofect, UMR 5086 CNRS, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Annette Martin
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN, Paris, France
- CNRS UMR 3569, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot–Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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Lei J, Hilgenfeld R. RNA-virus proteases counteracting host innate immunity. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:3190-3210. [PMID: 28850669 PMCID: PMC7163997 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Virus invasion triggers host immune responses, in particular, innate immune responses. Pathogen‐associated molecular patterns of viruses (such as dsRNA, ssRNA, or viral proteins) released during virus replication are detected by the corresponding pattern‐recognition receptors of the host, and innate immune responses are induced. Through production of type‐I and type‐III interferons as well as various other cytokines, the host innate immune system forms the frontline to protect host cells and inhibit virus infection. Not surprisingly, viruses have evolved diverse strategies to counter this antiviral system. In this review, we discuss the multiple strategies used by proteases of positive‐sense single‐stranded RNA viruses of the families Picornaviridae, Coronaviridae, and Flaviviridae, when counteracting host innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lei
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Rolf Hilgenfeld
- Institute of Biochemistry, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems Site, University of Lübeck, Germany
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Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) displays a restricted host species tropism and only humans and chimpanzees are susceptible to infection. A robust immunocompetent animal model is still lacking, hampering mechanistic analysis of virus pathogenesis, immune control, and prophylactic vaccine development. The closest homolog of HCV is the equine nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV), which shares similar features with HCV and thus represents an animal model to study hepacivirus infections in their natural hosts. We aimed to dissect equine immune responses after experimental NPHV infection and conducted challenge experiments to investigate immune protection against secondary NPHV infections. Horses were i.v. injected with NPHV containing plasma. Flow cytometric analysis was used to monitor immune cell frequencies and activation status. All infected horses became viremic after 1 or 2 wk and viremia could be detected in two horses for several weeks followed by a delayed seroconversion and viral clearance. Histopathological examinations of liver biopsies revealed mild, periportally accentuated infiltrations of lymphocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells with some horses displaying subclinical signs of hepatitis. Following viral challenge, an activation of equine immune responses was observed. Importantly, after a primary NPHV infection, horses were protected against rechallenge with the homologous as well as a distinct isolate with only minute amounts of circulating virus being detectable.
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The Role of Type III Interferons in Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Therapy. J Immunol Res 2017; 2017:7232361. [PMID: 28255563 PMCID: PMC5309426 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7232361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The human interferon (IFN) response is a key innate immune mechanism to fight virus infection. IFNs are host-encoded secreted proteins, which induce IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) with antiviral properties. Among the three classes of IFNs, type III IFNs, also called IFN lambdas (IFNLs), are an essential component of the innate immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV). In particular, human polymorphisms in IFNL gene loci correlate with hepatitis C disease progression and with treatment response. To date, the underlying mechanisms remain mostly elusive; however it seems clear that viral infection of the liver induces IFNL responses. As IFNL receptors show a more restricted tissue expression than receptors for other classes of IFNs, IFNL treatment has reduced side effects compared to the classical type I IFN treatment. In HCV therapy, however, IFNL will likely not play an important role as highly effective direct acting antivirals (DAA) exist. Here, we will review our current knowledge on IFNL gene expression, protein properties, signaling, ISG induction, and its implications on HCV infection and treatment. Finally, we will discuss the lessons learnt from the HCV and IFNL field for virus infections beyond hepatitis C.
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