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Koumba Mavoungou DS, Bohou Kombila L, Longo Pendy NM, Koumba Moukouama SE, Lekana-Douki SE, Maganga GD, Leroy EM, Aghokeng AF, N’dilimabaka N. Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Bat Hepatitis B Viruses in Bat Species Living in Gabon. Viruses 2024; 16:1015. [PMID: 39066178 PMCID: PMC11281422 DOI: 10.3390/v16071015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leads to around 800,000 deaths yearly and is considered to be a major public health problem worldwide. However, HBV origins remain poorly understood. Here, we looked for bat HBV (BtHBV) in different bat species in Gabon to investigate the role of these animals as carriers of ancestral hepadnaviruses because these viruses are much more diverse in bats than in other host species. DNA was extracted from 859 bat livers belonging to 11 species collected in caves and villages in the southeast of Gabon and analyzed using PCRs targeting the surface gene. Positive samples were sequenced using the Sanger method. BtHBV DNA was detected in 64 (7.4%) individuals belonging to eight species mainly collected in caves. Thirty-six (36) sequences among the 37 obtained after sequencing were phylogenetically close to the RBHBV strain recently isolated in Gabonese bats, while the remaining sequence was close to a rodent HBV strain isolated in America. The generalized linear mixed model showed that the variable species best explained the occurrence of BtHBV infection in bats. The discovery of a BtHBV strain homologous to a rodent strain in bats raises the possibility that these animals may be carriers of ancestral hepadnaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle S. Koumba Mavoungou
- Unité Emergence des Maladies Virales, Département de Virologie, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon; (D.S.K.M.); (L.B.K.); (S.E.K.M.); (S.E.L.-D.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Linda Bohou Kombila
- Unité Emergence des Maladies Virales, Département de Virologie, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon; (D.S.K.M.); (L.B.K.); (S.E.K.M.); (S.E.L.-D.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Neil M. Longo Pendy
- Unité Ecologie des Systèmes Vectoriels, Département de parasitologie, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon;
| | - Schedy E. Koumba Moukouama
- Unité Emergence des Maladies Virales, Département de Virologie, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon; (D.S.K.M.); (L.B.K.); (S.E.K.M.); (S.E.L.-D.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Sonia Etenna Lekana-Douki
- Unité Emergence des Maladies Virales, Département de Virologie, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon; (D.S.K.M.); (L.B.K.); (S.E.K.M.); (S.E.L.-D.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Gaël D. Maganga
- Unité Emergence des Maladies Virales, Département de Virologie, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon; (D.S.K.M.); (L.B.K.); (S.E.K.M.); (S.E.L.-D.); (G.D.M.)
- Institut National Supérieur d’Agronomie et de Biotechnologies (INSAB), Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku (USTM), Franceville BP 941, Gabon
| | - Eric M. Leroy
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), (Université de Montpellier-IRD 224-CNRS5290), 34394 Montpellier, France; (E.M.L.); (A.F.A.)
| | - Avelin F. Aghokeng
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs, Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC), (Université de Montpellier-IRD 224-CNRS5290), 34394 Montpellier, France; (E.M.L.); (A.F.A.)
| | - Nadine N’dilimabaka
- Unité Emergence des Maladies Virales, Département de Virologie, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville BP 769, Gabon; (D.S.K.M.); (L.B.K.); (S.E.K.M.); (S.E.L.-D.); (G.D.M.)
- Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku (USTM), Franceville BP 901, Gabon
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2
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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.
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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.
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3
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Yang L, Zhou D, Martin K, Wu J, Chen M, Lu M, Yang D, Protzer U, Roggendorf M, Song J. Aborted infection of human sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (hNTCP) expressing woodchuck hepatocytes with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Virus Genes 2023; 59:823-830. [PMID: 37728707 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-023-02031-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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Due to the limited host range of HBV, research progress has been hindered by the absence of a suitable animal model. The natural history of woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infection in woodchuck closely mirrors that of HBV infection in human, making this species a promising candidate for establishing both in vivo and in vitro HBV infection models. Therefore, this animal may be a valuable species to evaluate HBV vaccines and anti-HBV drugs. A significant milestone in HBV and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection is the discovery of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as the functional receptor. In an effort to enhance susceptibility to HBV infection, we introduced hNTCP into the woodchuck hepatocytes by multiple approaches including transduction of vLentivirus-hNTCP in woodchuck hepatocytes, transfection of p-lentivirus-hNTCP-eGFP plasmids into these cells, as well as transduction of vAdenovirus-hNTCP-eGFP. Encouragingly, our findings demonstrated the successful introduction of hNTCP into woodchuck hepatocytes. However, it was observed that these hNTCP-expressing hepatocytes were only susceptible to HDV infection but not HBV. This suggests the presence of additional crucial factors mediating early-stage HBV infection that are subject to stringent species-specific restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yang
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Zhou
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Kächele Martin
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingfa Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jingjiao Song
- Experimental Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
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4
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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.
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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.
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5
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Colón-Thillet R, Stone D, Loprieno MA, Klouser L, Roychoudhury P, Santo TK, Xie H, Stensland L, Upham SL, Pepper G, Huang ML, Aubert M, Jerome KR. Liver-Humanized NSG-PiZ Mice Support the Study of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Antiviral Therapies. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0517622. [PMID: 37199630 PMCID: PMC10269919 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05176-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a pathogen of major public health importance that is largely incurable once a chronic infection is established. Only humans and great apes are fully permissive to HBV infection, and this species restriction has impacted HBV research by limiting the utility of small animal models. To combat HBV species restrictions and enable more in vivo studies, liver-humanized mouse models have been developed that are permissive to HBV infection and replication. Unfortunately, these models can be difficult to establish and are expensive commercially, which has limited their academic use. As an alternative mouse model to study HBV, we evaluated liver-humanized NSG-PiZ mice and showed that they are fully permissive to HBV. HBV selectively replicates in human hepatocytes within chimeric livers, and HBV-positive (HBV+) mice secrete infectious virions and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) into blood while also harboring covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). HBV+ mice develop chronic infections lasting at least 169 days, which should enable the study of new curative therapies targeting chronic HBV, and respond to entecavir therapy. Furthermore, HBV+ human hepatocytes in NSG-PiZ mice can be transduced by AAV3b and AAV.LK03 vectors, which should enable the study of gene therapies that target HBV. In summary, our data demonstrate that liver-humanized NSG-PiZ mice can be used as a robust and cost-effective alternative to existing chronic hepatitis B (CHB) models and may enable more academic research labs to study HBV disease pathogenesis and antiviral therapy. IMPORTANCE Liver-humanized mouse models have become the gold standard for the in vivo study of hepatitis B virus (HBV), yet their complexity and cost have prohibited widespread use of existing models in research. Here, we show that the NSG-PiZ liver-humanized mouse model, which is relatively inexpensive and simple to establish, can support chronic HBV infection. Infected mice are fully permissive to hepatitis B, supporting both active replication and spread, and can be used to study novel antiviral therapies. This model is a viable and cost-effective alternative to other liver-humanized mouse models that are used to study HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Colón-Thillet
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Daniel Stone
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michelle A. Loprieno
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lindsay Klouser
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Pavitra Roychoudhury
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tracy K. Santo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hong Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laurence Stensland
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sarah L. Upham
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gregory Pepper
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Meei-Li Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Martine Aubert
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Keith R. Jerome
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Yan H, Wang C. Key Factors for "Fishing" NTCP as a Functional Receptor for HBV and HDV. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020512. [PMID: 36851726 PMCID: PMC9959848 DOI: 10.3390/v15020512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
About ten years ago, Wenhui Li's research group in China identified the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a bile acid transporter predominantly expressed in the liver, as a functional receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its satellite hepatitis delta virus (HDV) through biochemical and genetic studies. This finding unraveled a longtime mystery in the HBV field and led to the establishment of efficient and easy-to-use HBV infection models, which paved the way for the in-depth study of the HBV entry mechanism and facilitated the development of therapeutics against HBV and HDV. The whole picture of the complex HBV entry process became clear upon the follow-up studies over the years, including the recent resolution found for the NTCP structure. As one of the first authors of the 2012 eLife paper on NTCP identification, here, I (H. Y.) share our experience on the bumpy and exciting journey of receptor hunting, particularly on the photo-cross-linking study and some detailed descriptions of the "fishing" process and summarize the key factors for our successful receptor identification. This review may also provide helpful insights for identifying a protein target by peptide or protein baits through cross-linking and immunoprecipitation.
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Distinct evolutionary trajectories of SARS-CoV-2-interacting proteins in bats and primates identify important host determinants of COVID-19. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2206610119. [PMID: 35947637 PMCID: PMC9436378 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2206610119] [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] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a coronavirus that spilled over from the bat reservoir. However, the host genetic determinants that drive SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 severity are largely unknown. Understanding how cellular proteins interacting with SARS-CoV-2 have evolved in primates and bats is of primary importance to decipher differences in the infection outcome between humans and the viral reservoir in bats. Here, we performed comparative functional genetic analyses of hundreds of SARS-CoV-2-interacting proteins to study virus–host interface adaptation over millions of years, pointing to genes similarly—or differentially—engaged in evolutionary arms races and that may be at the basis of in vivo pathogenic differences. The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a coronavirus that spilled over from the bat reservoir. Despite numerous clinical trials and vaccines, the burden remains immense, and the host determinants of SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 severity remain largely unknown. Signatures of positive selection detected by comparative functional genetic analyses in primate and bat genomes can uncover important and specific adaptations that occurred at virus–host interfaces. We performed high-throughput evolutionary analyses of 334 SARS-CoV-2-interacting proteins to identify SARS-CoV adaptive loci and uncover functional differences between modern humans, primates, and bats. Using DGINN (Detection of Genetic INNovation), we identified 38 bat and 81 primate proteins with marks of positive selection. Seventeen genes, including the ACE2 receptor, present adaptive marks in both mammalian orders, suggesting common virus–host interfaces and past epidemics of coronaviruses shaping their genomes. Yet, 84 genes presented distinct adaptations in bats and primates. Notably, residues involved in ubiquitination and phosphorylation of the inflammatory RIPK1 have rapidly evolved in bats but not primates, suggesting different inflammation regulation versus humans. Furthermore, we discovered residues with typical virus–host arms race marks in primates, such as in the entry factor TMPRSS2 or the autophagy adaptor FYCO1, pointing to host-specific in vivo interfaces that may be drug targets. Finally, we found that FYCO1 sites under adaptation in primates are those associated with severe COVID-19, supporting their importance in pathogenesis and replication. Overall, we identified adaptations involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection in bats and primates, enlightening modern genetic determinants of virus susceptibility and severity.
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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.
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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.
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9
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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: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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.
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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.
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10
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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.
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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
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11
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Wyżewski Z, Świtlik W, Mielcarska MB, Gregorczyk-Zboroch KP. The Role of Bcl-xL Protein in Viral Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041956. [PMID: 33669408 PMCID: PMC7920434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bcl-xL represents a family of proteins responsible for the regulation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Due to its anti-apoptotic activity, Bcl-xL co-determines the viability of various virally infected cells. Their survival may determine the effectiveness of viral replication and spread, dynamics of systemic infection, and viral pathogenesis. In this paper, we have reviewed the role of Bcl-xL in the context of host infection by eight different RNA and DNA viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A virus (IAV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1), Maraba virus (MRBV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and coronavirus (CoV). We have described an influence of viral infection on the intracellular level of Bcl-xL and discussed the impact of Bcl-xL-dependent cell survival control on infection-accompanying pathogenic events such as tissue damage or oncogenesis. We have also presented anti-viral treatment strategies based on the pharmacological regulation of Bcl-xL expression or activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Wyżewski
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48 728-208-338
| | - Weronika Świtlik
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Matylda Barbara Mielcarska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.M.); (K.P.G.-Z.)
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12
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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: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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.
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13
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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.
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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
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14
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Highly diversified shrew hepatitis B viruses corroborate ancient origins and divergent infection patterns of mammalian hepadnaviruses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:17007-17012. [PMID: 31371507 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1908072116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Shrews, insectivorous small mammals, pertain to an ancient mammalian order. We screened 693 European and African shrews for hepatitis B virus (HBV) homologs to elucidate the enigmatic genealogy of HBV. Shrews host HBVs at low prevalence (2.5%) across a broad geographic and host range. The phylogenetically divergent shrew HBVs comprise separate species termed crowned shrew HBV (CSHBV) and musk shrew HBV (MSHBV), each containing distinct genotypes. Recombination events across host orders, evolutionary reconstructions, and antigenic divergence of shrew HBVs corroborated ancient origins of mammalian HBVs dating back about 80 million years. Resurrected CSHBV replicated in human hepatoma cells, but human- and tupaia-derived primary hepatocytes were resistant to hepatitis D viruses pseudotyped with CSHBV surface proteins. Functional characterization of the shrew sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), CSHBV/MSHBV surface peptide binding patterns, and infection experiments revealed lack of Ntcp-mediated entry of shrew HBV. Contrastingly, HBV entry was enabled by the shrew Ntcp. Shrew HBVs universally showed mutations in their genomic preCore domains impeding hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) production and resembling those observed in HBeAg-negative human HBV. Deep sequencing and in situ hybridization suggest that HBeAg-negative shrew HBVs cause intense hepatotropic monoinfections and low within-host genomic heterogeneity. Geographical clustering and low MSHBV/CSHBV-specific seroprevalence suggest focal transmission and high virulence of shrew HBVs. HBeAg negativity is thus an ancient HBV infection pattern, whereas Ntcp usage for entry is not evolutionarily conserved. Shrew infection models relying on CSHBV/MSHBV revertants and human HBV will allow comparative assessments of HBeAg-mediated HBV pathogenesis, entry, and species barriers.
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15
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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.
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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
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