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Cowton VM, Dunlop JI, Cole SJ, Swann RE, Patel AH. The Neutralizing Antibody Responses of Individuals That Spontaneously Resolve Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071391. [PMID: 35891372 PMCID: PMC9318067 DOI: 10.3390/v14071391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health problem. In the majority of cases the virus is not cleared by the host immune response and progresses to chronic infection. Studies of the neutralizing antibody responses in individuals that naturally clear infection are limited. Understanding what constitutes a successful antibody response versus one that has 'failed' and resulted in chronic infection is important to understand what type of antibody response would need to be elicited by a protective vaccine. Samples from spontaneous clearers are difficult to obtain therefore studies are often limited. In our study through HCV Research UK, we had access to a cohort of over 200 samples. We identified the samples that contained HCV neutralizing antibodies using ELISA and HCV pseudoparticle (HCVpp) assays. We then utilised mutagenesis and cross-competition analysis to determine the profile of the neutralizing antibody responses. In addition, we analysed a cohort of samples from chronic infection using the same techniques to enable direct comparison of the antibody profiles observed in both cohorts. We conclude that similar profiles are present in both cohorts indicating that it is not the neutralizing antibody response per se that determines the outcome of infection. These data will provide useful information for future HCV vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M. Cowton
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (J.I.D.); (S.J.C.); (R.E.S.); (A.H.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)-141-330-2988
| | - James I. Dunlop
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (J.I.D.); (S.J.C.); (R.E.S.); (A.H.P.)
| | - Sarah J. Cole
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (J.I.D.); (S.J.C.); (R.E.S.); (A.H.P.)
| | - Rachael E. Swann
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (J.I.D.); (S.J.C.); (R.E.S.); (A.H.P.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK
| | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (J.I.D.); (S.J.C.); (R.E.S.); (A.H.P.)
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2
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Ogega CO, Skinner NE, Flyak AI, Clark KE, Board NL, Bjorkman PJ, Crowe JE, Cox AL, Ray SC, Bailey JR. B cell overexpression of FCRL5 and PD-1 is associated with low antibody titers in HCV infection. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010179. [PMID: 34990486 PMCID: PMC8769295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies targeting the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoprotein E2 are associated with delayed disease progression, and these antibodies can also facilitate spontaneous clearance of infection in some individuals. However, many infected people demonstrate low titer and delayed anti-E2 antibody responses. Since a goal of HCV vaccine development is induction of high titers of anti-E2 antibodies, it is important to define the mechanisms underlying these suboptimal antibody responses. By staining lymphocytes with a cocktail of soluble E2 (sE2) glycoproteins, we detected HCV E2-specific (sE2+) B cells directly ex vivo at multiple acute infection timepoints in 29 HCV-infected subjects with a wide range of anti-E2 IgG titers, including 17 persistently infected subjects and 12 subjects with spontaneous clearance of infection. We performed multi-dimensional flow cytometric analysis of sE2+ and E2-nonspecific (sE2-) class-switched B cells (csBC). In sE2+ csBC from both persistence and clearance subjects, frequencies of resting memory B cells (rMBC) were reduced, frequencies of activated MBC (actMBC) and tissue-like MBC (tlMBC) were increased, and expression of FCRL5, an IgG receptor, was significantly upregulated. Across all subjects, plasma anti-E2 IgG levels were positively correlated with frequencies of sE2+ rMBC and sE2+ actMBC, while anti-E2 IgG levels were negatively correlated with levels of FCRL5 expression on sE2+ rMBC and PD-1 expression on sE2+ actMBC. Upregulation of FCRL5 on sE2+ rMBC and upregulation of PD-1 on sE2+ actMBC may limit anti-E2 antibody production in vivo. Strategies that limit upregulation of these molecules could potentially generate higher titers of protective antibodies against HCV or other pathogens. Antiviral immunity relies on production of protective immunoglobulin G (IgG) by B cells, but many hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals have very low levels of HCV-specific IgG in their serum. Elucidating mechanisms underlying this suboptimal IgG expression remains paramount in guiding therapeutic and vaccine strategies. In this study, we developed a highly specific method to capture HCV-specific B cells and characterized their surface protein expression. Two proteins analyzed were Fc receptor-like protein 5 (FCRL5), a cell surface receptor for IgG, and programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), a marker of lymphocyte activation and exhaustion. We measured serum levels of anti-HCV IgG in these subjects and demonstrated that overexpression of FCRL5 and PD-1 on memory B cells was associated with reduced anti-E2 IgG levels. This study uses HCV as a viral model, but the findings may be applicable to many viral infections, and they offer new potential targets to enhance antiviral IgG production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton O. Ogega
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Nicole E. Skinner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrew I. Flyak
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Kaitlyn E. Clark
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Nathan L. Board
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Pamela J. Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology; Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - James E. Crowe
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Andrea L. Cox
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stuart C. Ray
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Justin R. Bailey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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3
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Barros MT, Veletić M, Kanada M, Pierobon M, Vainio S, Balasingham I, Balasubramaniam S. Molecular Communications in Viral Infections Research: Modeling, Experimental Data, and Future Directions. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MOLECULAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND MULTI-SCALE COMMUNICATIONS 2021; 7:121-141. [PMID: 35782714 PMCID: PMC8544950 DOI: 10.1109/tmbmc.2021.3071780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by viral infections each year, and yet, several of them neither have vaccines nor effective treatment during and post-infection. This challenge has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, showing how viruses can quickly spread and impact society as a whole. Novel interdisciplinary techniques must emerge to provide forward-looking strategies to combat viral infections, as well as possible future pandemics. In the past decade, an interdisciplinary area involving bioengineering, nanotechnology and information and communication technology (ICT) has been developed, known as Molecular Communications. This new emerging area uses elements of classical communication systems to molecular signalling and communication found inside and outside biological systems, characterizing the signalling processes between cells and viruses. In this paper, we provide an extensive and detailed discussion on how molecular communications can be integrated into the viral infectious diseases research, and how possible treatment and vaccines can be developed considering molecules as information carriers. We provide a literature review on molecular communications models for viral infection (intra-body and extra-body), a deep analysis on their effects on immune response, how experimental can be used by the molecular communications community, as well as open issues and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Taynnan Barros
- CBIG/BioMediTechTampere University33014TampereFinland
- School of Computer Science and Electronic EngineeringUniversity of EssexColchesterCO4 3SQU.K.
| | - Mladen Veletić
- Intervention CentreOslo University Hospital0424OsloNorway
- Department of Electronic SystemsNorwegian University of Science and Technology7491TrondheimNorway
| | - Masamitsu Kanada
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyInstitute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State UniversityEast LansingMI48824USA
| | - Massimiliano Pierobon
- Department of Computer Science and EngineeringUniversity of Nebraska–LincolnLincolnNE68588USA
| | - Seppo Vainio
- InfoTech OuluKvantum Institute, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Oulu University90570OuluFinland
| | - Ilangko Balasingham
- Intervention CentreOslo University Hospital0424OsloNorway
- Department of Electronic SystemsNorwegian University of Science and Technology7491TrondheimNorway
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Kardani K, Sadat SM, Kardani M, Bolhassani A. The next generation of HCV vaccines: a focus on novel adjuvant development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:839-855. [PMID: 34114513 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1941895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Considerable efforts have been made to treat and prevent acute and chronic infections caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Current treatments are unable to protect people from reinfection. Hence, there is a need for development of both preventive and therapeutic HCV vaccines. Many vaccine candidates are in development to fight against HCV, but their efficacy has so far proven limited partly due to low immunogenicity. AREAS COVERED We explore development of novel and powerful adjuvants to achieve an effective HCV vaccine. The basis for developing strong adjuvants is to understand the innate immunity pathway, which subsequently stimulates humoral and cellular immune responses. We have also investigated immunogenicity of developed adjuvants that have been used in recent studies available in online databases such as PubMed, PMC, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, etc. EXPERT OPINION Adjuvants are used as a part of vaccine formulation to boost vaccine immunogenicity and antigen delivery. Several FDA-approved adjuvants are used in licensed human vaccines. Unfortunately, no adjuvant has yet been proven to boost HCV immune responses to the extent needed for an effective vaccine. One of the promising approaches for developing an effective adjuvant is the combination of various adjuvants to trigger several innate immune responses, leading to activation of adaptive immunity.[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kardani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Sadat
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Kardani
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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5
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Meuleman TJ, Cowton VM, Patel AH, Liskamp RMJ. Design and Synthesis of HCV-E2 Glycoprotein Epitope Mimics in Molecular Construction of Potential Synthetic Vaccines. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020326. [PMID: 33672697 PMCID: PMC7924389 DOI: 10.3390/v13020326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus remains a global threat, despite the availability of highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs. With thousands of new infections annually, the need for a prophylactic vaccine is evident. However, traditional vaccine design has been unable to provide effective vaccines so far. Therefore, alternative strategies need to be investigated. In this work, a chemistry-based approach is explored towards fully synthetic peptide-based vaccines using epitope mimicry, by focusing on highly effective and conserved amino acid sequences in HCV, which, upon antibody binding, inhibit its bio-activity. Continuous and discontinuous epitope mimics were both chemically synthesized based on the HCV-E2 glycoprotein while using designed fully synthetic cyclic peptides. These cyclic epitope mimics were assembled on an orthogonally protected scaffold. The scaffolded epitope mimics have been assessed in immunization experiments to investigate the elicitation of anti-HCV-E2 glycoprotein antibodies. The neutralizing potential of the elicited antibodies was investigated, representing a first step in employing chemically synthesized epitope mimics as a novel strategy towards vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodorus J. Meuleman
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK;
- Enzytag, Daelderweg, 9 6361 HK Nuth, The Netherlands
| | - Vanessa M. Cowton
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Garscube Campus, Sir Michael Stoker Building, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Garscube Campus, Sir Michael Stoker Building, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
- Correspondence: (A.H.P.); (R.M.J.L.)
| | - Rob M. J. Liskamp
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK;
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht UMC, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Cristal Therapeutics, Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (A.H.P.); (R.M.J.L.)
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6
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Immune system control of hepatitis C virus infection. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 46:36-44. [PMID: 33137689 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a global public health problem even though more than 95% of infections can be cured by treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents. Resolution of viremia post antiviral therapy does not lead to protective immunity and therefore reinfections can occur. Immune cell detection of HCV activates signaling pathways that produce interferons and trigger the innate immune response against the virus, preventing HCV replication and spread. Cells in the innate immune system, including natural killer, dendritic, and Kupffer cells, interact with infected hepatocytes and present viral antigens to T and B cells where their effector responses contribute to infection outcome. Despite the immune activation, HCV can evade the host response and establish persistent infection. Plans to understand the correlates of protection and strategies to activate proper innate and adaptive immune responses are needed for development of an effective prophylactic vaccine that stimulates protective immunity and limits HCV transmission.
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7
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Hepatitis C virus vaccine design: focus on the humoral immune response. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:78. [PMID: 32631318 PMCID: PMC7338099 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00669-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent development of safe and highly effective direct-acting antivirals, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant health problem. In 2016, the World Health Organization set out to reduce the rate of new HCV infections by 90% by 2030. Still, global control of the virus does not seem to be achievable in the absence of an effective vaccine. Current approaches to the development of a vaccine against HCV include the production of recombinant proteins, synthetic peptides, DNA vaccines, virus-like particles, and viral vectors expressing various antigens. In this review, we focus on the development of vaccines targeting the humoral immune response against HCV based on the cumulative evidence supporting the important role of neutralizing antibodies in protection against HCV infection. The main targets of HCV-specific neutralizing antibodies are the glycoproteins E1 and E2. Recent advances in the knowledge of HCV glycoprotein structure and their epitopes, as well as the possibility of getting detailed information on the human antibody repertoire generated by the infection, will allow rational structure-based antigen design to target specific germline antibodies. Although obtaining a vaccine capable of inducing sterilizing immunity will be a difficult task, a vaccine that prevents chronic hepatitis C infections, a more realistic goal in the short term, would have a considerable health impact.
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8
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Duncan JD, Urbanowicz RA, Tarr AW, Ball JK. Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine: Challenges and Prospects. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010090. [PMID: 32079254 PMCID: PMC7157504 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes both acute and chronic infection and continues to be a global problem despite advances in antiviral therapeutics. Current treatments fail to prevent reinfection and remain expensive, limiting their use to developed countries, and the asymptomatic nature of acute infection can result in individuals not receiving treatment and unknowingly spreading HCV. A prophylactic vaccine is therefore needed to control this virus. Thirty years since the discovery of HCV, there have been major gains in understanding the molecular biology and elucidating the immunological mechanisms that underpin spontaneous viral clearance, aiding rational vaccine design. This review discusses the challenges facing HCV vaccine design and the most recent and promising candidates being investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Duncan
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Richard A. Urbanowicz
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Alexander W. Tarr
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Jonathan K. Ball
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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9
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Walker MR, Leung P, Eltahla AA, Underwood A, Abayasingam A, Brasher NA, Li H, Wu BR, Maher L, Luciani F, Lloyd AR, Bull RA. Clearance of hepatitis C virus is associated with early and potent but narrowly-directed, Envelope-specific antibodies. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13300. [PMID: 31527718 PMCID: PMC6746763 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49454-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of very few viruses that are either naturally cleared, or alternatively persist to cause chronic disease. Viral diversity and escape, as well as host adaptive immune factors, are believed to control the outcome. To date, there is limited understanding of the critical, early host-pathogen interactions. The asymptomatic nature of early HCV infection generally prevents identification of the transmitted/founder (T/F) virus, and thus the study of host responses directed against the autologous T/F strain. In this study, 14 rare subjects identified from very early in infection (4–45 days) with varied disease outcomes (n = 7 clearers) were examined in regard to the timing, breadth, and magnitude of the neutralizing antibody (nAb) response, as well as evolution of the T/F strain. Clearance was associated with earlier onset and more potent nAb responses appearing at a mean of 71 days post-infection (DPI), but these responses were narrowly directed against the autologous T/F virus or closely related variants. In contrast, a delayed onset of nAbs (mean 425 DPI) was observed in chronic progressors that appear to have targeted longitudinal variants rather than the T/F strain. The nAb responses in the chronic progressors mapped to known CD81 binding epitopes, and were associated with rapid emergence of new viral variants with reduced CD81 binding. We propose that the prolonged period of viremia in the absence of nAbs in these subjects was associated with an increase in viral diversity, affording the virus greater options to escape nAb pressure once it emerged. These findings indicate that timing of the nAb response is essential for clearance. Further investigation of the specificities of the early nAbs and the factors regulating early induction of protective nAbs is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie R Walker
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Preston Leung
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Auda A Eltahla
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alexander Underwood
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Arunasingam Abayasingam
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Brasher
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hui Li
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bing-Ru Wu
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lisa Maher
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fabio Luciani
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rowena A Bull
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia. .,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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10
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Wen B, Zhang J, Liu W, Tang P, Xie T, Huang L, Hu Y, Jin K, Zhang P, Liu Z, Niu L, Qu X. HBV coinfection with HCV alters circulating Tfh cell distribution and impairs HCV neutralizing antibody responses. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:1002-1010. [PMID: 30972873 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection reciprocally influences viral replication and host defence responses. This study aimed to investigate the impact of HBV coinfection on circulating T follicular helper cell (cTfh) distribution and the HCV neutralizing antibody (nAb) response. HCV neutralizing antibody responses were measured in individuals with HCV monoinfection (n = 83) and HBV/HCV coinfection (n = 78) using the HCV pseudoparticle neutralization assay. The frequencies of cTfh cells and their subsets in HCV monoinfection (n = 34) and HBV/HCV coinfection (n = 30) were analysed by flow cytometry. The correlations of clinical parameters, cTfh cells and neutralizing antibody responses were analysed. Compared with HCV monoinfection, the HBV coinfection group showed significantly lower HCV neutralizing antibody responses (P < 0.001) and a decreased frequency of circulating Th1-like Tfh cells (Tfh1) (P = 0.004). In HCV monoinfection, the frequency of the Tfh1 subset was positively correlated with HCV neutralizing antibody responses (R = 0.378, P = 0.03), but this correlation was lost under HBV/HCV coinfection (R = 0.115, P = 0.551). In contrast, the frequency of circulating Th2-like Tfh cells (Tfh2) was negatively correlated with the HCV neutralizing antibody responses (R = 0.404, P = 0.003). Further analysis showed that HBV coinfection enhanced the Tfh2 subset composition within cTfh cells (P < 0.001), which was associated with serum HBsAg in HBV/HCV coinfection (R = 0.521, P = 0.003). As expected, HBsAg also exhibited an inverse association with HCV neutralizing antibody responses in HBV/HCV coinfection (R = 0.59, P < 0.001). In contrast to HCV monoinfection, HBV/HCV coinfection leads to altered cTfh cell distribution and impaired HCV neutralizing antibody responses, which are associated with HBsAg. These findings will be helpful for better understanding the immunopathogenesis of HBV/HCV coinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wen
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Wenpei Liu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China.,Affiliated The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Tang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Liyan Huang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Yabin Hu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Kun Jin
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Ziyan Liu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Niu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaowang Qu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, China.,Affiliated The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
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11
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Zhang J, Liu W, Wen B, Xie T, Tang P, Hu Y, Huang L, Jin K, Zhang P, Liu Z, Niu L, Qu X. Circulating CXCR3 + Tfh cells positively correlate with neutralizing antibody responses in HCV-infected patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10090. [PMID: 31300682 PMCID: PMC6626020 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46533-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) cells have been identified as counterparts of germinal center Tfh (GC Tfh) cells in humans and can support T-dependent B cell maturation and antibody production in vitro. However, the role of cTfh cells in neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses in HCV infection remains unclear. Here, we characterized the phenotype and function of cTfh cells and demonstrated the associations of cTfh cells and their subsets with nAb responses in HCV infection. A total of 38 HCV-infected individuals and 28 healthy controls were enrolled from a pool of injection drug users. The frequency and function of blood Tfh cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The titers and breadths of serum nAbs were measured using HCV pseudo-particle neutralization assays. Herein, we report several key observations. First, HCV infection skewed cTfh toward CXCR3+ cTfh cell differentiation. Second, the frequency of CXCR3+ cTfh cells positively correlated with HCV nAb titers and breadths. Third, CXCR3+ cTfh cells showed higher expression of Tfh-associated molecules (PD-1, ICOS, IL-21, Bcl-6) compared with CXCR3− cTfh cells from individuals with HCV infection. Coculture of cTfh cells and autologous memory B cells in vitro indicated that CXCR3+ cTfh cells show a superior ability to support HCV E2-specific B cell expansion compared with CXCR3− cTfh cells from individuals with HCV infection. HCV infection skews cTfh cells toward CXCR3-biased Tfh cell differentiation, which positively correlates with the magnitude and breadth of the HCV nAb response. It is our hope that these findings will provide insights for the rational design of a nAb-based HCV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Wenpei Liu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China.,Affiliated The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Bo Wen
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ping Tang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Yabin Hu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Liyan Huang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Kun Jin
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ziyan Liu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ling Niu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Xiaowang Qu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China. .,Affiliated The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China.
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12
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Zhang J, Liu W, Xie T, Huang L, Hu Y, Wen B, Tang P, Guo F, Jin K, Zhang P, Niu L, Liu Z, Qu X. Elevated LAG-3 on CD4 + T cells negatively correlates with neutralizing antibody response during HCV infection. Immunol Lett 2019; 212:46-52. [PMID: 31216427 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), an inhibitory molecule, which has been shown co-expressed with multiple inhibitory receptors on CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells and negatively regulates T and NK cell responses during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, whether LAG-3 is involved in the regulation of the antibody response remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the relationship of LAG-3 with neutralizing antibody (nAb) response during HCV infection. A total of 66 HCV-infected individuals and 36 sex- and age-matched healthy controls from a population of intravenous drug users were recruited. Circulating follicular helper T (cTfh) cells and LAG-3-expressing CD4+ T cells, type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells were characterized by flow cytometry. Serum nAb response of HCV-infected individuals was determined using pseudoparticle neutralization assays. We found that HCV infection enhanced LAG-3 expression on CD4+ T cells and exhibited regulatory T cell-like phenotype and inversely associated with the HCV nAb response. Further analysis showed that frequency of CXCR3+ cTfh cells positively correlated with nAb response, however LAG-3+ CD4+ T cells inversely associated with CXCR3+ cTfh cells. This study observed that LAG-3+ CD4+ T cells exhibit a regulatory cell phenotype and negatively associate with the HCV nAb response, implying that LAG-3 may be involved in the negative regulation of humoral immunity during HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Wenpei Liu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China; Affiliated The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Liyan Huang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Yabin Hu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Bo Wen
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ping Tang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Fengfan Guo
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Kun Jin
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ling Niu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Ziyan Liu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China
| | - Xiaowang Qu
- Translational Medicine Institute, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, University of South China, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China; Affiliated The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Southern Medical University, Chenzhou, Hunan, 423000, China.
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13
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Bailey JR, Urbanowicz RA, Ball JK, Law M, Foung SKH. Standardized Method for the Study of Antibody Neutralization of HCV Pseudoparticles (HCVpp). Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1911:441-450. [PMID: 30593644 PMCID: PMC6398441 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8976-8_30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) pseudoparticles (HCVpp) are generated by cotransfection of HCV envelope (E1 and E2) genes along with a retroviral packaging/reporter construct into HEK293T cells. Enveloped particles bearing HCV E1E2 proteins on their surface are released through a retroviral budding process into the supernatant. Viral E1E2 glycoproteins facilitate a single round of receptor-mediated entry of HCVpp into hepatoma cells, which can be quantified by reporter gene expression. These HCVpp have been employed to study mechanisms of HCV entry into hepatoma cells, as well as HCV neutralization by immune sera or HCV-specific monoclonal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R Bailey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Richard A Urbanowicz
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Unit in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jonathan K Ball
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steven K H Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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14
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Underwood AP, Walker MR, Brasher NA, Eltahla AA, Maher L, Luciani F, Lloyd AR, Bull RA. Understanding the Determinants of BnAb Induction in Acute HCV Infection. Viruses 2018; 10:E659. [PMID: 30469363 PMCID: PMC6266478 DOI: 10.3390/v10110659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in curative therapy, hepatitis C virus (HCV) still remains a global threat. In order to achieve global elimination, a prophylactic vaccine should be considered high priority. Previous immunogens used to induce broad neutralising antibodies (BnAbs) have been met with limited success. To improve immunogen design, factors associated with the early development of BnAbs in natural infection must first be understood. In this study, 43 subjects identified with acute HCV were analysed longitudinally using a panel of heterogeneous HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp), to understand the emergence of BnAbs. Compared to those infected with a single genotype, early BnAb development was associated with subjects co-infected with at least 2 HCV subtypes during acute infection. In those that were mono-infected, BnAbs were seen to emerge with increasing viral persistence. If subjects acquired a secondary infection, nAb breadth was seen to boost upon viral re-exposure. Importantly, this data highlights the potential for multivalent and prime-boost vaccine strategies to induce BnAbs against HCV in humans. However, the data also indicate that the infecting genotype may influence the development of BnAbs. Therefore, the choice of antigen will need to be carefully considered in future vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander P Underwood
- School of Medical Sciences and the Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Melanie R Walker
- School of Medical Sciences and the Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Nicholas A Brasher
- School of Medical Sciences and the Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Auda A Eltahla
- School of Medical Sciences and the Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Lisa Maher
- School of Medical Sciences and the Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Fabio Luciani
- School of Medical Sciences and the Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- School of Medical Sciences and the Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Rowena A Bull
- School of Medical Sciences and the Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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15
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Peng H, Zhang L, Feng Y, Tang H, Luo Z, Qi Z, Xia X, Zhao P. A cross-sectional serum investigation of a clustering hepatitis C virus infection in Southwest China. J Med Virol 2018; 91:508-513. [PMID: 30204254 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25315] [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: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Serum samples were collected in a village with a clustering hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HCV antibody, HCV RNA loads, liver function indexes, HCV envelope antibody, and neutralizing activity were assessed. Among 851 adult sera, 342 samples were positive for anti-HCV. Of these positive samples, 254 (74.3%) were HCV RNA positive (≥800 copies/mL). None of the 69 children's sera were positive for HCV antibody or RNA. Among the HCV antibody positive sera, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels increased with the higher virus loads, but decreased when virus loads were higher than 1 × 10 6 copies/mL. HCV envelope antibody and neutralizing antibody levels increased with viral load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Peng
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, China
| | - Longyan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Feng
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghan Luo
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongtian Qi
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, China
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16
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Lambert C, Couteaudier M, Gouzil J, Richard L, Montange T, Betsem E, Rua R, Tobaly-Tapiero J, Lindemann D, Njouom R, Mouinga-Ondémé A, Gessain A, Buseyne F. Potent neutralizing antibodies in humans infected with zoonotic simian foamy viruses target conserved epitopes located in the dimorphic domain of the surface envelope protein. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007293. [PMID: 30296302 PMCID: PMC6193739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human diseases of zoonotic origin are a major public health problem. Simian foamy viruses (SFVs) are complex retroviruses which are currently spilling over to humans. Replication-competent SFVs persist over the lifetime of their human hosts, without spreading to secondary hosts, suggesting the presence of efficient immune control. Accordingly, we aimed to perform an in-depth characterization of neutralizing antibodies raised by humans infected with a zoonotic SFV. We quantified the neutralizing capacity of plasma samples from 58 SFV-infected hunters against primary zoonotic gorilla and chimpanzee SFV strains, and laboratory-adapted chimpanzee SFV. The genotype of the strain infecting each hunter was identified by direct sequencing of the env gene amplified from the buffy coat with genotype-specific primers. Foamy virus vector particles (FVV) enveloped by wild-type and chimeric gorilla SFV were used to map the envelope region targeted by antibodies. Here, we showed high titers of neutralizing antibodies in the plasma of most SFV-infected individuals. Neutralizing antibodies target the dimorphic portion of the envelope protein surface domain. Epitopes recognized by neutralizing antibodies have been conserved during the cospeciation of SFV with their nonhuman primate host. Greater neutralization breadth in plasma samples of SFV-infected humans was statistically associated with smaller SFV-related hematological changes. The neutralization patterns provide evidence for persistent expression of viral proteins and a high prevalence of coinfection. In conclusion, neutralizing antibodies raised against zoonotic SFV target immunodominant and conserved epitopes located in the receptor binding domain. These properties support their potential role in restricting the spread of SFV in the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Lambert
- Unité d’Épidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR CNRS 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, Université Paris Diderot, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Couteaudier
- Unité d’Épidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR CNRS 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Julie Gouzil
- Unité d’Épidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR CNRS 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Léa Richard
- Unité d’Épidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR CNRS 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, Université Paris Diderot, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Montange
- Unité d’Épidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR CNRS 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Edouard Betsem
- Unité d’Épidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR CNRS 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Réjane Rua
- Unité d’Épidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR CNRS 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Joelle Tobaly-Tapiero
- CNRS UMR 7212, INSERM U944, Institut Universitaire d’Hématologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Dirk Lindemann
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty “Carl Gustav Carus”, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Richard Njouom
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Augustin Mouinga-Ondémé
- Unité de Rétrovirologie, Centre International de Recherche Médicale de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Antoine Gessain
- Unité d’Épidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR CNRS 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Florence Buseyne
- Unité d’Épidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR CNRS 3569, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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17
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Cowton VM, Singer JB, Gifford RJ, Patel AH. Predicting the Effectiveness of Hepatitis C Virus Neutralizing Antibodies by Bioinformatic Analysis of Conserved Epitope Residues Using Public Sequence Data. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1470. [PMID: 30013555 PMCID: PMC6036255 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health issue. Although direct-acting antivirals are available to target HCV, there is currently no vaccine. The diversity of the virus is a major obstacle to HCV vaccine development. One approach toward a vaccine is to utilize a strategy to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that target highly-conserved epitopes. The conserved epitopes of bNAbs have been mapped almost exclusively to the E2 glycoprotein. In this study, we have used HCV-GLUE, a bioinformatics resource for HCV sequence data, to investigate the major epitopes targeted by well-characterized bNAbs. Here, we analyze the level of conservation of each epitope by genotype and subtype and consider the most promising bNAbs identified to date for further study as potential vaccine leads. For the most conserved epitopes, we also identify the most prevalent sequence variants in the circulating HCV population. We examine the distribution of E2 sequence data from across the globe and highlight regions with no coverage. Genotype 1 is the most prevalent genotype worldwide, but in many regions, it is not the dominant genotype. We find that the sequence conservation data is very encouraging; several bNAbs have a high level of conservation across all genotypes suggesting that it may be unnecessary to tailor vaccines according to the geographical distribution of genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Garscube Campus, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
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18
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Can Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies Lead to a Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine? Trends Microbiol 2018; 26:854-864. [PMID: 29703495 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
While licensed vaccines elicit protective antibody responses against a variety of viral infections, an effective vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has remained elusive. The extraordinary genetic diversity of HCV and the ability of the virus to evade the immune response have hindered vaccine development efforts. However, recent studies have greatly expanded the number of well characterized broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (bNAbs) against HCV. These bNAbs target relatively conserved HCV epitopes, prevent HCV infection in animal models, and are associated with spontaneous clearance of human HCV infection. In this review, recent high-resolution bNAb epitope mapping and structural analysis of bNAb-epitope complexes that may serve as a guide for vaccine development are discussed along with major obstacles.
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19
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Dussaq AM, Soni A, Willey C, Park SL, Harada S. Hepatitis C Virus Genie: A Web 2.0 Interpretation and Analytics Platform for the Versant Hepatitis C Virus Genotype Line Probe Assay Version 2.0. J Pathol Inform 2017; 8:41. [PMID: 29114435 PMCID: PMC5653960 DOI: 10.4103/jpi.jpi_44_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Context: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotyping at our institution is performed using the Versant HCV genotype 2.0 Line Probe Assay (LiPA). The last steps of this procedure are manual, laborious, and error-prone process that involves the comparison of the banding pattern on a test strip to a physical reference table. Aim: We developed a web-based HCV genotype interpretation platform that utilizes a scanned image to generate the genotypes, thus minimizing interpretation time and reducing error. Subjects and Methods: HCV Genie 2 utilizes a database of banding patterns in conjuncture with image analysis algorithms to determine the genotype for any number of scanned LiPA strips. HCV Genie 2 is built with client-side JavaScript; allowing the program to run in the user' browser rather than on an unknown server, essentially eliminating data and patient privacy concerns. Results: HCV Genie 2 was tested over 2 months and proved identical to human expert interpretation for 148 samples (>1000 bands identified). Manual intervention was required only for two faint bands and one false-positive band; this was done utilizing the built-in-user interface. Utilizing the original method, the trained laboratory technician interpretation time for 16 samples was 13.8 (±0.96) min as compared to 5.0 (±1.09) min with HCV Genie 2, a 63.8% decrease. In addition to the time savings, the new method provides an additional validation step, which decreases the potential for errors. Conclusions: Our institution has moved exclusively to utilize the new techniques and tools described here. Both experienced technicians and the molecular pathologists at our institution prefer the workflow using HCV Genie. It is easier for the technicians to prepare and document, and the pathologists are more rapidly able to review and confirm results. The use of this tool will lead to increase the quality of patient care delivered through this test methodology by decreasing the potential for error. The algorithms developed here can be ported to similar band identification platforms, most directly to other LiPAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex M Dussaq
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Abha Soni
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Christopher Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Seung L Park
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Shuko Harada
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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20
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Desombere I, Mesalam AA, Urbanowicz RA, Van Houtte F, Verhoye L, Keck ZY, Farhoudi A, Vercauteren K, Weening KE, Baumert TF, Patel AH, Foung SKH, Ball J, Leroux-Roels G, Meuleman P. A novel neutralizing human monoclonal antibody broadly abrogates hepatitis C virus infection in vitro and in vivo. Antiviral Res 2017; 148:53-64. [PMID: 29074219 PMCID: PMC5785094 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Infections with hepatitis C virus (HCV) represent a worldwide health burden and a prophylactic vaccine is still not available. Liver transplantation (LT) is often the only option for patients with HCV-induced end-stage liver disease. However, immediately after transplantation, the liver graft becomes infected by circulating virus, resulting in accelerated progression of liver disease. Although the efficacy of HCV treatment using direct-acting antivirals has improved significantly, immune compromised LT-patients and patients with advanced liver disease remain difficult to treat. As an alternative approach, interfering with viral entry could prevent infection of the donor liver. We generated a human monoclonal antibody (mAb), designated 2A5, which targets the HCV envelope. The neutralizing activity of mAb 2A5 was assessed using multiple prototype and patient-derived HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp), cell culture produced HCV (HCVcc), and a human-liver chimeric mouse model. Neutralization levels observed for mAb 2A5 were generally high and mostly superior to those obtained with AP33, a well-characterized HCV-neutralizing monoclonal antibody. Using humanized mice, complete protection was observed after genotype 1a and 4a HCV challenge, while only partial protection was achieved using gt1b and 6a isolates. Epitope mapping revealed that mAb 2A5 binding is conformation-dependent and identified the E2-region spanning amino acids 434 to 446 (epitope II) as the predominant contact domain. CONCLUSION mAb 2A5 shows potent anti-HCV neutralizing activity both in vitro and in vivo and could hence represent a valuable candidate to prevent HCV recurrence in LT-patients. In addition, the detailed identification of the neutralizing epitope can be applied for the design of prophylactic HCV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Desombere
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Ahmed Atef Mesalam
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Richard A Urbanowicz
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK; Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
| | - Freya Van Houtte
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Verhoye
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Zhen-Yong Keck
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Ali Farhoudi
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koen Vercauteren
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Karin E Weening
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg et Pole Hépato-digestif, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Arvind H Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Steven K H Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Jonathan Ball
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK; Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
| | - Geert Leroux-Roels
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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21
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Naik AS, Owsianka A, Palmer BA, O’Halloran CJ, Walsh N, Crosbie O, Kenny-Walsh E, Patel AH, Fanning LJ. Reverse epitope mapping of the E2 glycoprotein in antibody associated hepatitis C virus. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175349. [PMID: 28558001 PMCID: PMC5448734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The humoral immune system responds to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by producing neutralising antibodies (nAb). In this study we generated three HCV pseudoparticles in which E1E2 glycoprotein sequence was targeted by the host humoral immune system. We used patient derived virus free Fabs (VF-Fabs) obtained from HCV genotype 1a (n = 3), genotype 1b (n = 7) and genotype 3a (n = 1) for neutralisation of HCVpp produced in this study both individually and in combination. Based on the available anti-HCV monoclonal nAb mapping information we selected amino acid region 384-619 for conformational epitope mapping. Amongst our notable findings, we observed significant reduction in HCVpp infectivity (p<0.05) when challenged with a combination of inter genotype and subtype VF-Fabs. We also identified five binding motifs targeted by patient derived VF-Fab upon peptide mapping, of which two shared the residues with previously reported epitopes. One epitope lies within an immunodominant HVR1 and two were novel. In summary, we used a reverse epitope mapping strategy to identify preferred epitopes by the host humoral immune system. Additionally, we have combined different VF-Fabs to further reduce the HCVpp infectivity. Our data indicates that combining the antigen specificity of antibodies may be a useful strategy to reduce (in-vitro) infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amruta S. Naik
- Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ania Owsianka
- MRC—University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Nicole Walsh
- Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Orla Crosbie
- Department of Hepatology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC—University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Liam J. Fanning
- Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC-Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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22
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El-Diwany R, Cohen VJ, Mankowski MC, Wasilewski LN, Brady JK, Snider AE, Osburn WO, Murrell B, Ray SC, Bailey JR. Extra-epitopic hepatitis C virus polymorphisms confer resistance to broadly neutralizing antibodies by modulating binding to scavenger receptor B1. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006235. [PMID: 28235087 PMCID: PMC5342271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Broadly-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bNAbs) may guide vaccine development for highly variable viruses including hepatitis C virus (HCV), since they target conserved viral epitopes that could serve as vaccine antigens. However, HCV resistance to bNAbs could reduce the efficacy of a vaccine. HC33.4 and AR4A are two of the most potent anti-HCV human bNAbs characterized to date, binding to highly conserved epitopes near the amino- and carboxy-terminus of HCV envelope (E2) protein, respectively. Given their distinct epitopes, it was surprising that these bNAbs showed similar neutralization profiles across a panel of natural HCV isolates, suggesting that some viral polymorphisms may confer resistance to both bNAbs. To investigate this resistance, we developed a large, diverse panel of natural HCV envelope variants and a novel computational method to identify bNAb resistance polymorphisms in envelope proteins (E1 and E2). By measuring neutralization of a panel of HCV pseudoparticles by 10 μg/mL of each bNAb, we identified E1E2 variants with resistance to one or both bNAbs, despite 100% conservation of the AR4A binding epitope across the panel. We discovered polymorphisms outside of either binding epitope that modulate resistance to both bNAbs by altering E2 binding to the HCV co-receptor, scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1). This study is focused on a mode of neutralization escape not addressed by conventional analysis of epitope conservation, highlighting the contribution of extra-epitopic polymorphisms to bNAb resistance and presenting a novel mechanism by which HCV might persist even in the face of an antibody response targeting multiple conserved epitopes. Generation of an immune response that is protective against a wide variety of naturally occurring isolates is necessary for vaccines against highly variable viruses like hepatitis C virus (HCV). Two broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies, HC33.4 and AR4A, neutralize multiple highly divergent HCV isolates, raising hope that a vaccine against HCV is possible. Previous reports have defined the distinct, highly conserved sites on the viral envelope proteins where these antibodies bind. However, little is known about naturally occurring variation in sensitivity of different HCV isolates to these antibodies. We developed a high throughput assay and computational algorithm to evaluate over 100 naturally occurring HCV variants for their sensitivity to these two antibodies, identifying several resistance polymorphisms to each antibody which do not fall within their mapped binding sites. Furthermore, two of these polymorphisms modulate resistance to both antibodies by enhancing or reducing envelope protein binding to HCV co-receptor scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1). By developing this broadly applicable platform, we have shown the important neutralization resistance conferred by changes distant from antibody binding sites, presenting a potential mechanism by which HCV might persist even in the face of an antibody response targeting multiple conserved sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramy El-Diwany
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Valerie J. Cohen
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Madeleine C. Mankowski
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lisa N. Wasilewski
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jillian K. Brady
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Anna E. Snider
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - William O. Osburn
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ben Murrell
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Stuart C. Ray
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Justin R. Bailey
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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23
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Merat SJ, Molenkamp R, Wagner K, Koekkoek SM, van de Berg D, Yasuda E, Böhne M, Claassen YB, Grady BP, Prins M, Bakker AQ, de Jong MD, Spits H, Schinkel J, Beaumont T. Hepatitis C virus Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies Isolated 25 Years after Spontaneous Clearance. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165047. [PMID: 27776169 PMCID: PMC5077102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is world-wide a major cause of liver related morbidity and mortality. No vaccine is available to prevent HCV infection. To design an effective vaccine, understanding immunity against HCV is necessary. The memory B cell repertoire was characterized from an intravenous drug user who spontaneously cleared HCV infection 25 years ago. CD27+IgG+ memory B cells were immortalized using BCL6 and Bcl-xL. These immortalized B cells were used to study antibody-mediated immunity against the HCV E1E2 glycoproteins. Five E1E2 broadly reactive antibodies were isolated: 3 antibodies showed potent neutralization of genotype 1 to 4 using HCV pseudotyped particles, whereas the other 2 antibodies neutralized genotype 1, 2 and 3 or 1 and 2 only. All antibodies recognized non-linear epitopes on E2. Finally, except for antibody AT12-011, which recognized an epitope consisting of antigenic domain C /AR2 and AR5, all other four antibodies recognized epitope II and domain B. These data show that a subject, who spontaneously cleared HCV infection 25 years ago, still has circulating memory B cells that are able to secrete broadly neutralizing antibodies. Presence of such memory B cells strengthens the argument for undertaking the development of an HCV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Molenkamp
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Section of Clinical Virology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Koen Wagner
- AIMM Therapeutics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sylvie M. Koekkoek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Section of Clinical Virology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Bart P. Grady
- Department of Infectious Diseases Research and Prevention, Cluster of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Prins
- Department of Infectious Diseases Research and Prevention, Cluster of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of infectious diseases, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Menno D. de Jong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Section of Clinical Virology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Janke Schinkel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Section of Clinical Virology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Beaumont
- AIMM Therapeutics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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24
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Wasilewski LN, Ray SC, Bailey JR. Hepatitis C virus resistance to broadly neutralizing antibodies measured using replication-competent virus and pseudoparticles. J Gen Virol 2016; 97:2883-2893. [PMID: 27667373 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of natural variation in neutralization resistance and fitness of diverse hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope (E1E2) variants will be critical to guide rational development of an HCV vaccine. This work has been hindered by inadequate genetic diversity in viral panels and by a lack of standardization of HCV entry assays. Neutralization assays generally use lentiviral pseudoparticles expressing HCV envelope proteins (HCVpp) or chimeric full-length viruses that are replication competent in cell culture (HCVcc). There have been few systematic comparisons of specific infectivities of E1E2-matched HCVcc and HCVpp, and to our knowledge, neutralization of E1E2-matched HCVpp and HCVcc has never been compared using a diverse panel of human broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bNAbs) targeting distinct epitopes. Here, we describe an efficient method for introduction of naturally occurring E1E2 genes into a full-length HCV genome, producing replication-competent chimeric HCVcc. We generated diverse panels of E1E2-matched HCVcc and HCVpp and measured the entry-mediating fitness of E1E2 variants using the two systems. We also compared neutralization of E1E2-matched HCVcc and HCVpp by a diverse panel of human bNAbs targeting epitopes across E1E2. We found no correlation between specific infectivities of E1E2-matched HCVcc versus HCVpp, but found a very strong positive correlation between relative neutralization resistance of these same E1E2-matched HCVcc and HCVpp variants. These results suggest that quantitative comparisons of neutralization resistance of E1E2 variants can be made with confidence using either HCVcc or HCVpp, allowing the use of either or both systems to maximize diversity of neutralization panels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa N Wasilewski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Stuart C Ray
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Justin R Bailey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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