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Bosch M, Kallin N, Donakonda S, Zhang JD, Wintersteller H, Hegenbarth S, Heim K, Ramirez C, Fürst A, Lattouf EI, Feuerherd M, Chattopadhyay S, Kumpesa N, Griesser V, Hoflack JC, Siebourg-Polster J, Mogler C, Swadling L, Pallett LJ, Meiser P, Manske K, de Almeida GP, Kosinska AD, Sandu I, Schneider A, Steinbacher V, Teng Y, Schnabel J, Theis F, Gehring AJ, Boonstra A, Janssen HLA, Vandenbosch M, Cuypers E, Öllinger R, Engleitner T, Rad R, Steiger K, Oxenius A, Lo WL, Klepsch V, Baier G, Holzmann B, Maini MK, Heeren R, Murray PJ, Thimme R, Herrmann C, Protzer U, Böttcher JP, Zehn D, Wohlleber D, Lauer GM, Hofmann M, Luangsay S, Knolle PA. A liver immune rheostat regulates CD8 T cell immunity in chronic HBV infection. Nature 2024; 631:867-875. [PMID: 38987588 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07630-7] [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: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects 300 million patients worldwide1,2, in whom virus-specific CD8 T cells by still ill-defined mechanisms lose their function and cannot eliminate HBV-infected hepatocytes3-7. Here we demonstrate that a liver immune rheostat renders virus-specific CD8 T cells refractory to activation and leads to their loss of effector functions. In preclinical models of persistent infection with hepatotropic viruses such as HBV, dysfunctional virus-specific CXCR6+ CD8 T cells accumulated in the liver and, as a characteristic hallmark, showed enhanced transcriptional activity of cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) distinct from T cell exhaustion. In patients with chronic hepatitis B, circulating and intrahepatic HBV-specific CXCR6+ CD8 T cells with enhanced CREM expression and transcriptional activity were detected at a frequency of 12-22% of HBV-specific CD8 T cells. Knocking out the inhibitory CREM/ICER isoform in T cells, however, failed to rescue T cell immunity. This indicates that CREM activity was a consequence, rather than the cause, of loss in T cell function, further supported by the observation of enhanced phosphorylation of protein kinase A (PKA) which is upstream of CREM. Indeed, we found that enhanced cAMP-PKA-signalling from increased T cell adenylyl cyclase activity augmented CREM activity and curbed T cell activation and effector function in persistent hepatic infection. Mechanistically, CD8 T cells recognizing their antigen on hepatocytes established close and extensive contact with liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, thereby enhancing adenylyl cyclase-cAMP-PKA signalling in T cells. In these hepatic CD8 T cells, which recognize their antigen on hepatocytes, phosphorylation of key signalling kinases of the T cell receptor signalling pathway was impaired, which rendered them refractory to activation. Thus, close contact with liver sinusoidal endothelial cells curbs the activation and effector function of HBV-specific CD8 T cells that target hepatocytes expressing viral antigens by means of the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP-PKA axis in an immune rheostat-like fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Bosch
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Kallin
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Sainitin Donakonda
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Jitao David Zhang
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hannah Wintersteller
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Silke Hegenbarth
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Heim
- Third Department of Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carlos Ramirez
- Health Data Science Unit, Biomedical Genomics Group, Bioquant, Faculty of Medicine Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Fürst
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Elias Isaac Lattouf
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martin Feuerherd
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sutirtha Chattopadhyay
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Nadine Kumpesa
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vera Griesser
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Christophe Hoflack
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Siebourg-Polster
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carolin Mogler
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Leo Swadling
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Laura J Pallett
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Philippa Meiser
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Manske
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Gustavo P de Almeida
- Institute of Immunology and Animal Physiology, School of Life Science, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna D Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Munich site, Munich, Germany
| | - Ioana Sandu
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Annika Schneider
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Vincent Steinbacher
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Yan Teng
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Schnabel
- Institute of Machine Learning and Biomedical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabian Theis
- Institute of Computational Biology, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Adam J Gehring
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease and Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andre Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michiel Vandenbosch
- Institute of Multimodal Imaging, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Cuypers
- Institute of Multimodal Imaging, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rupert Öllinger
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Engleitner
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional Genomics, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- Comparative Experimental Pathology, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Wan-Lin Lo
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Victoria Klepsch
- Institute of Cell Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gottfried Baier
- Institute of Cell Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bernhard Holzmann
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Mala K Maini
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Ron Heeren
- Institute of Multimodal Imaging, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J Murray
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Third Department of Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carl Herrmann
- Health Data Science Unit, Biomedical Genomics Group, Bioquant, Faculty of Medicine Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Immunology and Animal Physiology, School of Life Science, TUM, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine and Health, TUM, Munich, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan P Böttcher
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Dietmar Zehn
- Institute of Immunology and Animal Physiology, School of Life Science, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk Wohlleber
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Georg M Lauer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maike Hofmann
- Third Department of Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Souphalone Luangsay
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Percy A Knolle
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research, Munich site, Munich, Germany.
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, School of Life Science, TUM, Munich, Germany.
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De Meyer A, Meuleman P. Preclinical animal models to evaluate therapeutic antiviral antibodies. Antiviral Res 2024; 225:105843. [PMID: 38548022 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Despite the availability of effective preventative vaccines and potent small-molecule antiviral drugs, effective non-toxic prophylactic and therapeutic measures are still lacking for many viruses. The use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in an antiviral context could fill this gap and provide effective virus-specific medical interventions. In order to develop these therapeutic antibodies, preclinical animal models are of utmost importance. Due to the variability in viral pathogenesis, immunity and overall characteristics, the most representative animal model for human viral infection differs between virus species. Therefore, throughout the years researchers sought to find the ideal preclinical animal model for each virus. The most used animal models in preclinical research include rodents (mice, ferrets, …) and non-human primates (macaques, chimpanzee, ….). Currently, antibodies are tested for antiviral efficacy against a variety of viruses including different hepatitis viruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and rabies virus. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about the preclinical animal models that are used for the evaluation of therapeutic antibodies for the abovementioned viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amse De Meyer
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Su J, Harati Taji Z, Kosinska AD, Ates Oz E, Xie Z, Bielytskyi P, Shein M, Hagen P, Esmaeili S, Steiger K, Protzer U, Schütz AK. Introducing adjuvant-loaded particulate hepatitis B core antigen as an alternative therapeutic hepatitis B vaccine component. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:100997. [PMID: 38425450 PMCID: PMC10904195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Particulate hepatitis B core antigen (HBcoreAg) is a potent immunogen used as a vaccine carrier platform. HBcoreAg produced in E. coli encapsidates random bacterial RNA (bRNA). Using the heterologous protein-prime, viral-vector-boost therapeutic hepatitis B vaccine TherVacB, we compared the properties of different HBcoreAg forms. We explored how the content of HBcoreAg modulates antigen stability, immunogenicity, and antiviral efficacy. Methods bRNA was removed from HBcoreAg by capsid disassembly, followed by reassembly in the absence or presence of specific nucleic acid-based adjuvants poly I:C or CpG. The morphology and structure of empty, bRNA-containing and adjuvant-loaded HBcoreAg were monitored by electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Empty, bRNA-containing or adjuvant-loaded HBcoreAg were applied together with HBsAg and with or without nucleic acid-based external adjuvants within the TherVacB regimen in both wild-type and HBV-carrier mice. Results While HBcoreAg retained its structure upon bRNA removal, its stability and immunogenicity decreased significantly. Loading HBcoreAg with nucleic acid-based adjuvants re-established stability of the capsid-like antigen. Immunization with poly I:C- or CpG-loaded HBcoreAg induced high antibody titers against co-administered HBsAg. When applied within the TherVacB regimen, they activated vigorous HBcoreAg- and HBsAg-specific T-cell responses in wild-type and HBV-carrier mice, requiring a significantly lower dose of adjuvant compared to externally added adjuvant. Finally, immunization with adjuvant-loaded HBcoreAg mixed with HBsAg led to long-term control of persistent HBV replication in the HBV-carrier mice. Conclusion Adjuvant-loaded HBcoreAg retained capsid integrity and stability, was as immunogenic in vivo as externally adjuvanted HBcoreAg, requiring lower adjuvant levels, and supported immunity against co-administered, non-adjuvanted HBsAg. Thus, adjuvant-loaded HBcoreAg represents a promising novel platform for vaccine development. Impact and implications Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcoreAg) recapitulates the capsid of the HBV that hosts the viral genome. Produced recombinantly, it is not infectious but emerges as a potent immunogen in vaccine development. In this preclinical study, we show that loading HBcoreAg with defined nucleic-acid-based adjuvants on the one hand stabilizes the HBcoreAg with standardized capsid content and, on the other hand, efficiently promotes the immunity of HBcoreAg and a co-administered antigen, allowing for reduced adjuvant doses. Therefore, adjuvant-loaded HBcoreAg not only serves as an encouraging option for therapeutic hepatitis B vaccines, but could also act as an efficient adjuvant delivery system for other types of vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinpeng Su
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Germany
| | - Zahra Harati Taji
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Anna D. Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Germany
| | - Edanur Ates Oz
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Zhe Xie
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Pavlo Bielytskyi
- Bavarian NMR Center, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Mikhail Shein
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Hagen
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Shohreh Esmaeili
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- Comparative Experimental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Germany
| | - Anne K. Schütz
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Bavarian NMR Center, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
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4
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Han W, Shi LZ, Zhang YW, Wang HN. Comment on "Prognostic and Clinical Significance of Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Expression in Breast Cancer: A Meta‑Analysis". Mol Diagn Ther 2024; 28:237-238. [PMID: 38376655 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-024-00700-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Han
- Department of General Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, 215300, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Zhou Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, 215300, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Wei Zhang
- Nursing Department, Kunshan First People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, 215300, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao-Nan Wang
- Oncology Department, Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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Lam AM, Dugyala RR, Sheraz M, Liu F, Thi EP, Graves IE, Cuconati A, Steuer HM, Ardzinski A, Overholt N, Mason JD, Gotchev D, Cole AG, Harasym TO, Sofia MJ. Preclinical Antiviral and Safety Profiling of the HBV RNA Destabilizer AB-161. Viruses 2024; 16:323. [PMID: 38543689 PMCID: PMC10975527 DOI: 10.3390/v16030323] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
HBV RNA destabilizers are a class of small-molecule compounds that target the noncanonical poly(A) RNA polymerases PAPD5 and PAPD7, resulting in HBV RNA degradation and the suppression of viral proteins including the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). AB-161 is a next-generation HBV RNA destabilizer with potent antiviral activity, inhibiting HBsAg expressed from cccDNA and integrated HBV DNA in HBV cell-based models. AB-161 exhibits broad HBV genotype coverage, maintains activity against variants resistant to nucleoside analogs, and shows additive effects on HBV replication when combined with other classes of HBV inhibitors. In AAV-HBV-transduced mice, the dose-dependent reduction of HBsAg correlated with concentrations of AB-161 in the liver reaching above its effective concentration mediating 90% inhibition (EC90), compared to concentrations in plasma which were substantially below its EC90, indicating that high liver exposure drives antiviral activities. In preclinical 13-week safety studies, minor non-adverse delays in sensory nerve conductance velocity were noted in the high-dose groups in rats and dogs. However, all nerve conduction metrics remained within physiologically normal ranges, with no neurobehavioral or histopathological findings. Despite the improved neurotoxicity profile, microscopic findings associated with male reproductive toxicity were detected in dogs, which subsequently led to the discontinuation of AB-161's clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M. Lam
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, USA; (R.R.D.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (E.P.T.); (I.E.G.); (A.C.); (H.M.S.); (A.A.); (N.O.); (J.D.M.); (D.G.); (A.G.C.); (T.O.H.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael J. Sofia
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, USA; (R.R.D.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (E.P.T.); (I.E.G.); (A.C.); (H.M.S.); (A.A.); (N.O.); (J.D.M.); (D.G.); (A.G.C.); (T.O.H.)
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6
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Gotchev D, Dorsey BD, Nguyen D, Kakarla R, Dugan B, Chen S, Gao M, Bailey L, Liu F, Harasym T, Chiu T, Tang S, Lee ACH, Cole AG, Sofia MJ. Structure-Activity Relationships and Discovery of ( S)-6-Isopropyl-2-methoxy-3-(3-methoxypropoxy)-10-oxo-5,10-dihydro-6 H-pyrido[1,2- h][1,7]naphthyridine-9-carboxylic Acid (AB-452), a Novel Orally Available HBV RNA Destabilizer. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1421-1446. [PMID: 38190324 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Approved therapies for hepatitis B virus (HBV) treatment include nucleos(t)ides and interferon alpha (IFN-α) which effectively suppress viral replication, but they rarely lead to cure. Expression of viral proteins, especially surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) from covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and the integrated genome, is believed to contribute to the persistence of HBV. This work focuses on therapies that target the expression of HBV proteins, in particular HBsAg, which differs from current treatments. Here we describe the identification of AB-452, a dihydroquinolizinone (DHQ) analogue. AB-452 is a potent HBV RNA destabilizer by inhibiting PAPD5/7 proteins in vitro with good in vivo efficacy in a chronic HBV mouse model. AB-452 showed acceptable tolerability in 28-day rat and dog toxicity studies, and a high degree of oral exposure in multiple species. Based on its in vitro and in vivo profiles, AB-452 was identified as a clinical development candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitar Gotchev
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Bruce D Dorsey
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Duyan Nguyen
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Ramesh Kakarla
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Benjamin Dugan
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Shuai Chen
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Min Gao
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Laurèn Bailey
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Fei Liu
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Troy Harasym
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Tim Chiu
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Sunny Tang
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Amy C-H Lee
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Andrew G Cole
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Michael J Sofia
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
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Schiller L, Ko C, Kosinska AD, Grimm D, Protzer U. Production and Purification of Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors for the Development of Immune-Competent Mouse Models of Persistent Hepatitis B Virus Replication. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2837:207-218. [PMID: 39044087 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4027-2_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Mice infected with a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying a replication-competent hepatitis B virus genome (rAAV-HBV) via the intravenous route establish a persistent HBV replication in hepatocytes and develop immune tolerance. They serve as models to evaluate antiviral immunity and to assess potential therapeutic approaches for chronic HBV infection. Combining selected HBV variants and different mouse genotypes allows for addressing a broad spectrum of research questions. This chapter describes the basic principles of the rAAV-HBV mouse model, rAAV-HBV production and purification methods, and finally, the in vivo application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Schiller
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine/Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chunkyu Ko
- Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Anna D Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine/Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner sites, Munich and Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner sites, Munich and Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, Medical Faculty, BioQuant, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine/Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner sites, Munich and Heidelberg, Germany.
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8
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Zheng Y, Deng Q. The Cre/loxP-Based Recombinant HBV cccDNA System In Vitro and In Vivo. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2837:185-198. [PMID: 39044085 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4027-2_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) exists as a stable episomal minichromosome in the nucleus of hepatocytes and is responsible for hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence. We recently reported a technique involving recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) of HBV by site-specific DNA recombination. A floxed monomeric HBV genome was engineered into a precursor plasmid (prcccDNA) which was excised via Cre/loxP-mediated DNA recombination to form a 3.3-kb rcccDNA bearing a loxP-chimeric intron. The foreign sequence was efficiently removed during RNA splicing, rendering a functionally seamless insertion. We characterized rcccDNA formation, effective viral transcription, and replication induced by rcccDNA both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we closely simulated chronic hepatitis by using a replication-defective recombinant adenoviral vector to deliver rcccDNA to the transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase, which led to prominent HBV persistence. Here, we describe a detailed protocol about how to construct and evaluate Cre/loxP-based recombinant HBV cccDNA system both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai, China.
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Cui S, Xia T, Zhao J, Ren X, Wu T, Kameni M, Guo X, He L, Guo J, Duperray-Susini A, Levillayer F, Collard JM, Zhong J, Pan L, Tangy F, Vidalain PO, Zhou D, Jiu Y, Faure M, Wei Y. NDP52 mediates an antiviral response to hepatitis B virus infection through Rab9-dependent lysosomal degradation pathway. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8440. [PMID: 38114531 PMCID: PMC10730550 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44201-2] [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: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy receptor NDP52 triggers bacterial autophagy against infection. However, the ability of NDP52 to protect against viral infection has not been established. We show that NDP52 binds to envelope proteins of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and triggers a degradation process that promotes HBV clearance. Inactivating NDP52 in hepatocytes results in decreased targeting of viral envelopes in the lysosome and increased levels of viral replication. NDP52 inhibits HBV at both viral entry and late replication stages. In contrast to NDP52-mediated bacterial autophagy, lysosomal degradation of HBV envelopes is independent of galectin 8 and ATG5. NDP52 forms complex with Rab9 and viral envelope proteins and links HBV to Rab9-dependent lysosomal degradation pathway. These findings reveal that NDP52 acts as a sensor for HBV infection, which mediates a unique antiviral response to eliminate the virus. This work also suggests direct roles for autophagy receptors in other lysosomal degradation pathways than canonical autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhi Cui
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Tian Xia
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Jianjin Zhao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ren
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingtao Wu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Mireille Kameni
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoju Guo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Li He
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingao Guo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Florence Levillayer
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Marc Collard
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Jin Zhong
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Lifeng Pan
- Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Frédéric Tangy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Olivier Vidalain
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR5308, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Dongming Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, 300070, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaming Jiu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China
| | - Mathias Faure
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, INSERM U1111, CNRS UMR5308, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Yu Wei
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, 200031, Shanghai, China.
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France.
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10
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Bailey JT, Moshkani S, Rexhouse C, Cimino JL, Robek MD. CD4 + T cells reverse surface antigen persistence in a mouse model of HBV replication. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0344723. [PMID: 37948314 PMCID: PMC10715182 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03447-23] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a leading causative agent of viral hepatitis. A preventative vaccine has existed for decades, but only limited treatment options are available for people living with chronic HBV. Animal models for studying HBV are constrained due to narrow viral tropism, impeding understanding of the natural immune response to the virus. Here, using a vector to overcome the narrow host range and establish HBV replication in mice, we identified the role of helper T cells in controlling HBV. We show that helper T cells promote the B cell's ability to generate antibodies that remove HBV and its associated surface antigen from the blood and that transfer of purified helper T cells from HBV-immunized mice can reverse the accumulation of virus and antigen, furthering our understanding of the immune response to HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T. Bailey
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Safiehkhatoon Moshkani
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Catherine Rexhouse
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Jesse L. Cimino
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Michael D. Robek
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, USA
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11
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Bei J, Chen Y, Zhang Q, Wang X, Lin L, Huang J, Huang W, Cai M, Cai W, Guo Y, Zhu K. HBV suppresses macrophage immune responses by impairing the TCA cycle through the induction of CS/PDHC hyperacetylation. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0294. [PMID: 37820280 PMCID: PMC10578720 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is now understood that HBV can induce innate and adaptive immune response disorders by affecting immunosuppressive macrophages, resulting in chronic HBV infection. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Dysregulated protein acetylation can reportedly influence the differentiation and functions of innate immune cells by coordinating metabolic signaling. This study aims to assess whether HBV suppresses macrophage-mediated innate immune responses by affecting protein acetylation and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of HBV immune escape. METHODS We investigated the effect of HBV on the acetylation levels of human THP-1 macrophages and identified potential targets of acetylation that play a role in glucose metabolism. Metabolic and immune phenotypes of macrophages were analyzed using metabolomic and flow cytometry techniques. Western blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence were performed to measure the interactions between deacetylase and acetylated targets. Chronic HBV persistent infected mice were established to evaluate the role of activating the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in macrophages for HBV clearance. RESULTS Citrate synthase/pyruvate dehydrogenase complex hyperacetylation in macrophages after HBV stimulation inhibited their enzymatic activities and was associated with impaired TCA cycle and M2-like polarization. HBV downregulated Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) expression in macrophages by means of the toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-NF-κB- peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) axis, resulting in citrate synthase/pyruvate dehydrogenase complex hyperacetylation. In vivo administration of the TCA cycle agonist dichloroacetate inhibited macrophage M2-like polarization and effectively reduced the number of serum HBV DNA copies. CONCLUSIONS HBV-induced citrate synthase/pyruvate dehydrogenase complex hyperacetylation negatively modulates the innate immune response by impairing the TCA cycle of macrophages. This mechanism represents a potential therapeutic target for controlling HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Bei
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ye Chen
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qianbing Zhang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Liteng Lin
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jingjun Huang
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wensou Huang
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Mingyue Cai
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Weiguo Cai
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yongjian Guo
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kangshun Zhu
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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12
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Meng CY, Sun S, Liang Y, Xu H, Zhang C, Zhang M, Wang FS, Fu YX, Peng H. Engineered anti-PDL1 with IFNα targets both immunoinhibitory and activating signals in the liver to break HBV immune tolerance. Gut 2023; 72:1544-1554. [PMID: 36316098 PMCID: PMC10359590 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to develop an anti-PDL1-based interferon (IFN) fusion protein to overcome the chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced immune tolerance, and combine this immunotherapy with a HBV vaccine to achieve the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. DESIGN We designed an anti-PDL1-IFNα heterodimeric fusion protein, in which one arm was derived from anti-PDL1 antibody and the other arm was IFNα, to allow targeted delivery of IFNα into the liver by anti-PDL1 antibody. The effect of the anti-PDL1-IFNα heterodimer on overcoming hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) vaccine resistance was evaluated in chronic HBV carrier mice. RESULTS The anti-PDL1-IFNα heterodimer preferentially targeted the liver and resulted in viral suppression, the PD1/PDL1 immune checkpoint blockade and dendritic cell activation/antigen presentation to activate HBsAg-specific T cells, thus breaking immune tolerance in chronic HBV carrier mice. When an HBsAg vaccine was administered soon after anti-PDL1-IFNα heterodimer treatment, we observed strong anti-HBsAg antibody and HBsAg-specific T cell responses for efficient HBsAg clearance in chronic HBV carrier mice that received the combination treatment but not in those that received either single treatment. CONCLUSIONS Targeting the liver with an engineered anti-PDL1-IFNα heterodimer can break HBV-induced immune tolerance to an HBsAg vaccine, offering a promising translatable therapeutic strategy for the functional cure of CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Yang Meng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shiyu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hairong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Senior Department of Liver Disease, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Xin Fu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Peng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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13
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Zhou Z, Li C, Tan Z, Sun G, Peng B, Ren T, He J, Wang Y, Sun Y, Wang F, Li W. A spatiotemporally controlled recombinant cccDNA mouse model for studying HBV and developing drugs against the virus. Antiviral Res 2023:105642. [PMID: 37253400 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA is the template for hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. The lack of small animal models for characterizing chronic HBV infection has hampered research progress in HBV pathogenesis and drug development. Here, we generated a spatiotemporally controlled recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) mouse model by combining Cre/loxP-mediated DNA recombination with the liver-specific "Tet-on/Cre" system. The mouse model harbors three transgenes: a single copy of the HBV genome (integrated at the Rosa26 locus, RHBV), H11-albumin-rtTA (spatiotemporal conditional module), and (tetO)7-Cre (tetracycline response element), and is named as RHTC mouse. By supplying the RHTC mice with doxycycline (DOX)-containing drinking water for two days, the animals generate rcccDNA in hepatocytes, and the rcccDNA supports active HBV gene expression and can maintain HBV viremia persistence for over 60 weeks. Persistent HBV gene expression induces intrahepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and dysplastic pathology, which closely mirrors the disease progression in clinical patients. Bepirovirsen, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting all HBV RNA species, showed dose-dependent antiviral effects in the RHTC mouse model. The spatiotemporally controlled rcccDNA mouse is convenient and reliable, providing versatile small animal model for studying cccDNA-centric HBV biology as well as evaluating antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongmin Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate Program in School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zexi Tan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guoliang Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate Program in School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Peng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate Program in School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tengfei Ren
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiabei He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yixue Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yinyan Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fengchao Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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14
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Bu Y, Zhao K, Xu Z, Zheng Y, Hua R, Wu C, Zhu C, Xia Y, Cheng X. Antibiotic-induced gut bacteria depletion has no effect on HBV replication in HBV immune tolerance mouse model. Virol Sin 2023:S1995-820X(23)00048-2. [PMID: 37141990 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Commensal microbiota is closely related to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Gut bacteria maturation accelerates HBV immune clearance in hydrodynamic injection (HDI) HBV mouse model. However, the effect of gut bacteria on HBV replication in recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-HBV mouse model with immune tolerance remains obscure. We aim to investigate its role on HBV replication in AAV-HBV mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were administrated with broad-spectrum antibiotic mixtures (ABX) to deplete gut bacteria and intravenously injected with AAV-HBV to establish persistent HBV replication. Gut microbiota community was analyzed by fecal qPCR assay and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. HBV replication markers in blood and liver were determined by ELISA, qPCR assay and Western blot at indicated time points. Immune response in AAV-HBV mouse model was activated through HDI of HBV plasmid or poly(I:C) and then detected by quantifying the percentage of IFN-γ+/CD8+ T cells in the spleen via flow cytometry as well as the splenic IFN-γ mRNA level via qPCR assay. We found that antibiotic exposure remarkably decreased gut bacteria abundance and diversity. Antibiotic treatment failed to alter the levels of serological HBV antigens, intrahepatic HBV RNA transcripts and HBc protein in AAV-HBV mouse model, but contributed to HBsAg increase after breaking of immune tolerance. Overall, our data uncovered that antibiotic-induced gut bacteria depletion has no effect on HBV replication in immune tolerant AAV-HBV mouse model, providing new thoughts for elucidating the correlation between gut bacteria dysbiosis by antibiotic abuse and clinical chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Kaitao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yingcheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Rong Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chuanjian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chengliang Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060; China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Xiaoming Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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15
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Su J, Brunner L, Ates Oz E, Sacherl J, Frank G, Kerth HA, Thiele F, Wiegand M, Mogler C, Aguilar JC, Knolle PA, Collin N, Kosinska AD, Protzer U. Activation of CD4 T cells during prime immunization determines the success of a therapeutic hepatitis B vaccine in HBV-carrier mouse models. J Hepatol 2023; 78:717-730. [PMID: 36634821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We recently developed a heterologous therapeutic vaccination scheme (TherVacB) comprising a particulate protein prime followed by a modified vaccinia-virus Ankara (MVA)-vector boost for the treatment of HBV. However, the key determinants required to overcome HBV-specific immune tolerance remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to study new combination adjuvants and unravel factors that are essential for the antiviral efficacy of TherVacB. METHODS Recombinant hepatitis B surface and core antigen (HBsAg and HBcAg) particles were formulated with different liposome- or oil-in-water emulsion-based combination adjuvants containing saponin QS21 and monophosphoryl lipid A; these formulations were compared to STING-agonist c-di-AMP and conventional aluminium hydroxide formulations. Immunogenicity and the antiviral effects of protein antigen formulations and the MVA-vector boost within TherVacB were evaluated in adeno-associated virus-HBV-infected and HBV-transgenic mice. RESULTS Combination adjuvant formulations preserved HBsAg and HBcAg integrity for ≥12 weeks, promoted human and mouse dendritic cell activation and, within TherVacB, elicited robust HBV-specific antibody and T-cell responses in wild-type and HBV-carrier mice. Combination adjuvants that prime a balanced HBV-specific type 1 and 2 T helper response induced high-titer anti-HBs antibodies, cytotoxic T-cell responses and long-term control of HBV. In the absence of an MVA-vector boost or following selective CD8 T-cell depletion, HBsAg still declined (mediated mainly by anti-HBs antibodies) but HBV replication was not controlled. Selective CD4 T-cell depletion during the priming phase of TherVacB resulted in a complete loss of vaccine-induced immune responses and its therapeutic antiviral effect in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results identify CD4 T-cell activation during the priming phase of TherVacB as a key determinant of HBV-specific antibody and CD8 T-cell responses. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Therapeutic vaccination is a potentially curative treatment option for chronic hepatitis B. However, it remains unclear which factors are essential for breaking immune tolerance in HBV carriers and determining successful outcomes. Our study provides the first direct evidence that efficient priming of HBV-specific CD4 T cells determines the success of therapeutic hepatitis B vaccination in two preclinical HBV-carrier mouse models. Applying an optimal formulation of HBV antigens that activates CD4 and CD8 T cells during prime immunization provided the foundation for an antiviral effect of therapeutic vaccination, while depletion of CD4 T cells led to a complete loss of vaccine-induced antiviral efficacy. Boosting CD8 T cells was important to finally control HBV in these mouse models. Our findings provide important insights into the rational design of therapeutic vaccines for the cure of chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinpeng Su
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Livia Brunner
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, Plan-Les-Ouates, Switzerland
| | - Edanur Ates Oz
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Sacherl
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Helene Anne Kerth
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany; Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Frank Thiele
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marian Wiegand
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Carolin Mogler
- Institute of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julio Cesar Aguilar
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Percy A Knolle
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicolas Collin
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, Plan-Les-Ouates, Switzerland
| | - Anna D Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich / Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany.
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16
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Lopez-Scarim J, Nambiar SM, Billerbeck E. Studying T Cell Responses to Hepatotropic Viruses in the Liver Microenvironment. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:681. [PMID: 36992265 PMCID: PMC10056334 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells play an important role in the clearance of hepatotropic viruses but may also cause liver injury and contribute to disease progression in chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections which affect millions of people worldwide. The liver provides a unique microenvironment of immunological tolerance and hepatic immune regulation can modulate the functional properties of T cell subsets and influence the outcome of a virus infection. Extensive research over the last years has advanced our understanding of hepatic conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and unconventional T cell subsets and their functions in the liver environment during acute and chronic viral infections. The recent development of new small animal models and technological advances should further increase our knowledge of hepatic immunological mechanisms. Here we provide an overview of the existing models to study hepatic T cells and review the current knowledge about the distinct roles of heterogeneous T cell populations during acute and chronic viral hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eva Billerbeck
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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17
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Sacherl J, Kosinska AD, Kemter K, Kächele M, Laumen SC, Kerth HA, Öz EA, Wolff LS, Su J, Essbauer S, Sutter G, Scholz M, Singethan K, Altrichter J, Protzer U. Efficient stabilization of therapeutic hepatitis B vaccine components by amino-acid formulation maintains its potential to break immune tolerance. JHEP Rep 2022; 5:100603. [PMID: 36714793 PMCID: PMC9880034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Induction of potent, HBV-specific immune responses is crucial to control and finally cure HBV. The therapeutic hepatitis B vaccine TherVacB combines protein priming with a Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-vector boost to break immune tolerance in chronic HBV infection. Particulate protein and vector vaccine components, however, require a constant cooling chain for storage and transport, posing logistic and financial challenges to vaccine applications. We aimed to identify an optimal formulation to maintain stability and immunogenicity of the protein and vector components of the vaccine using a systematic approach. Methods We used stabilizing amino acid (SAA)-based formulations to stabilize HBsAg and HBV core particles (HBcAg), and the MVA-vector. We then investigated the effect of lyophilization and short- and long-term high-temperature storage on their integrity. Immunogenicity and safety of the formulated vaccine was validated in HBV-naïve and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-HBV-infected mice. Results In vitro analysis proved the vaccine's stability against thermal stress during lyophilization and the long-term stability of SAA-formulated HBsAg, HBcAg and MVA during thermal stress at 40 °C for 3 months and at 25 °C for 12 months. Vaccination of HBV-naïve and AAV-HBV-infected mice demonstrated that the stabilized vaccine was well tolerated and able to brake immune tolerance established in AAV-HBV mice as efficiently as vaccine components constantly stored at 4 °C/-80 °C. Even after long-term exposure to elevated temperatures, stabilized TherVacB induced high titre HBV-specific antibodies and strong CD8+ T-cell responses, resulting in anti-HBs seroconversion and strong suppression of the virus in HBV-replicating mice. Conclusion SAA-formulation resulted in highly functional and thermostable HBsAg, HBcAg and MVA vaccine components. This will facilitate global vaccine application without the need for cooling chains and is important for the development of prophylactic as well as therapeutic vaccines supporting vaccination campaigns worldwide. Impact and implications Therapeutic vaccination is a promising therapeutic option for chronic hepatitis B that may enable its cure. However, its application requires functional cooling chains during transport and storage that can hardly be guaranteed in many countries with high demand. In this study, the authors developed thermostable vaccine components that are well tolerated and that induce immune responses and control the virus in preclinical mouse models, even after long-term exposure to high surrounding temperatures. This will lower costs and ease application of a therapeutic vaccine and thus be beneficial for the many people affected by hepatitis B around the world.
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Key Words
- AAV, adeno-associated virus
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- CHB, chronic hepatitis B
- CTC, controlled temperature chain
- Ctrl, control
- DLS, dynamic light scattering
- HBcAg
- HBcAg, hepatitis B core antigen
- HBeAg, hepatitis B e antigen
- HBsAg
- HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen
- Heat-stable vaccine
- ICS, intracellular cytokine staining
- IFNα, interferon alpha
- MVA
- MVA, Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara
- NAGE, native agarose gel electrophoresis
- RH, relative humidity
- RT, room temperature
- SAA, stabilizing amino acids
- SEC-HPLC, size exclusion-high performance liquid chromatography
- SPS®
- TCID50, median tissue culture infection dose
- TherVacBCtrl, non-lyophilized
- WHO, World Health Organization
- anti-HBc, hepatitis B core antibodies
- anti-HBs, hepatitis B surface antibodies
- cccDNA, covalently closed circular DNA
- formulation
- hepatitis B virus
- heterologous prime/boost vaccination
- lyophilization
- non-stressed, non-stabilized TherVacB
- stabilization
- stabilizing amino acid-based formulation
- stabilizing excipients
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Sacherl
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna D. Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Martin Kächele
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine C. Laumen
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hélène A. Kerth
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Edanur Ates Öz
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa S. Wolff
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jinpeng Su
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Gerd Sutter
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Katrin Singethan
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
- Corresponding author. Address: Institute of Virology, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany; Tel.: +49-89-4140-6821, fax: +49-89-4140-6823.
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Liu Y, Park D, Cafiero TR, Bram Y, Chandar V, Tseng A, Gertje HP, Crossland NA, Su L, Schwartz RE, Ploss A. Molecular clones of genetically distinct hepatitis B virus genotypes reveal distinct host and drug treatment responses. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100535. [PMID: 36035359 PMCID: PMC9403497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims HBV exhibits wide genetic diversity with at least 9 genotypes (GTs), which differ in terms of prevalence, geographic distribution, natural history, disease progression, and treatment outcome. However, differences in HBV replicative capacity, gene expression, and infective capability across different GTs remain incompletely understood. Herein, we aimed to study these crucial aspects using newly constructed infectious clones covering the major HBV GTs. Methods The replicative capacity of infectious clones covering HBV GTs A-E was analyzed in cell lines, primary hepatocytes and humanized mice. Host responses and histopathology induced by the different HBV GTs were characterized in hydrodynamically injected mice. Differences in treatment responses to entecavir and various HBV capsid inhibitors were also quantified across the different genetically defined GTs. Results Patient-derived HBV infectious clones replicated robustly both in vitro and in vivo. GTs A and D induce more pronounced intrahepatic and proinflammatory cytokine responses which correlated with faster viral clearance. Notably, all 5 HBV clones robustly produced viral particles following transfection into HepG2 cells, and these particles were infectious in HepG2-NTCP cells, primary human hepatocytes and human chimeric mice. Notably, GT D virus exhibited higher infectivity than GTs A, B, C and E in vitro, although it was comparable to GT A and B in the human liver chimeric mice in vivo. HBV capsid inhibitors were more readily capable of suppressing HBV GTs A, B, D and E than C. Conclusions The infectious clones described here have broad utility as genetic tools that can mechanistically dissect intergenotypic differences in antiviral immunity and pathogenesis and aid in HBV drug development and screening. Lay summary The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major contributor to human morbidity and mortality. HBV can be categorized into a number of genotypes, based on their specific genetic make-up, of which 9 are well known. We isolated and cloned the genomes of 5 of these genotypes and used them to create valuable tools for future research on this clinically important virus.
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Key Words
- AAV, adeno-associated virus
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- BCP, basic core promoter
- CHB, chronic hepatitis B
- CpAM, core protein allosteric modulators
- DR, direct repeat
- ETV, entecavir
- En, enhancer
- GT(s), genotype(s)
- HBV, hepatitis B virus
- HBVcc, cell culture-derived HBV
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HDI, hydrodynamic injection
- IFN, interferon
- IHC, immunohistochemistry
- IL, interleukin
- MOI, multiplicity of infection
- NA, nucleos(t)ide analogue
- NRG, NODRag1−/−IL2RγNULL
- PHH, primiary human hepatocyte
- SVR, sustained virologic response
- cccDNA, covalently closed circular DNA
- dpi, days post infection
- drug development
- genotypes
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis B virus
- host responses
- pgRNA, pre-genomic RNA
- reverse genetics
- viral hepatitis
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhen Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Debby Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Thomas R. Cafiero
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Yaron Bram
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vasuretha Chandar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Tseng
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hans P. Gertje
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lishan Su
- Division of Virology, Pathogenesis and Cancer, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert E. Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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19
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Wei L, Cafiero TR, Tseng A, Gertje HP, Berneshawi A, Crossland NA, Ploss A. Conversion of hepatitis B virus relaxed circular to covalently closed circular DNA is supported in murine cells. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100534. [PMID: 36035363 PMCID: PMC9403495 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims HBV has a narrow host restriction, with humans and chimpanzees representing the only known natural hosts. The molecular correlates of resistance in species that are commonly used in biomedical research, such as mice, are currently incompletely understood. Expression of human NTCP (hNTCP) in mouse hepatocytes enables HBV entry, but subsequently covalently closed circular (cccDNA) does not form in most murine cells. It is unknown if this blockade in cccDNA formation is due to deficiency in repair of relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) to cccDNA. Methods Here, we deployed both in vivo and in vitro virological and biochemical approaches to investigate if murine cells contain a complete set of repair factors capable of converting HBV rcDNA to cccDNA. Results We demonstrate that HBV cccDNA does form in murine cell culture or in mice when recombinant rcDNA without a protein adduct is directly introduced into cells. We further show that the murine orthologues of core components in DNA lagging strand synthesis, required for the repair of rcDNA to cccDNA in human cells, can support this crucial step in the HBV life cycle. It is worth noting that recombinant HBV rcDNA substrates, either without a protein adduct or containing neutravidin to mimic HBV polymerase, were used in our study; it remains unclear if the HBV polymerase removal processes are the same in mouse and human cells. Conclusions Collectively, our data suggest that the HBV life cycle is blocked post entry and likely before the repair stage in mouse cells, which yields critical insights that will aid in the construction of a mouse model with inbred susceptibility to HBV infection. Lay summary Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is only known to infect humans and chimpanzees in nature. Mouse models are often used in modeling disease pathogenesis and preclinical research to assess the efficacy and safety of interventions before they are then tested in human participants. However, because mice are not susceptible to HBV infection it is difficult to accurately model human infection (and test potential treatments) in mouse models. Herein, we have shown that mice are able to perform a key step in the HBV life cycle, tightening the net around the possible reason why HBV can not efficiently infect and replicate in mice.
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Key Words
- FEN-1, flap endonuclease 1
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HDD, hydrodynamic delivery
- LIG1, DNA ligase 1
- NA-RrcDNA, neutravidin-recombinant relaxed circular DNA
- PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen
- POLδ, DNA polymerase delta
- RFC, replication factor C
- RrcDNA, recombinant relaxed circular DNA
- animal model
- cccDNA, covalently closed circular DNA
- hNTCP, human sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide
- hepatitis B virus
- rcDNA, relaxed circular DNA
- species tropism
- ssDNA, single-stranded DNA
- viral hepatitis
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Thomas R Cafiero
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Anna Tseng
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hans P Gertje
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew Berneshawi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Nicholas A Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
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20
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PD-L1 Silencing in Liver Using siRNAs Enhances Efficacy of Therapeutic Vaccination for Chronic Hepatitis B. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030470. [PMID: 35327662 PMCID: PMC8946278 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, virus-specific T cells are scarce and partially dysfunctional. Therapeutic vaccination is a promising strategy to induce and activate new virus-specific T cells. In long-term or high-level HBV carriers, however, therapeutic vaccination by itself may not suffice to cure HBV. One reason is the impairment of antiviral T cells by immune checkpoints. In this study, we used small-interfering RNA (siRNA) in combination with a heterologous prime-boost therapeutic vaccination scheme (TherVacB) to interfere with a major immune checkpoint, the interaction of programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PDL-1). In mice persistently replicating HBV after infection with an adeno-associated virus harboring the HBV genome, siRNA targeting PD-L1 resulted in a higher functionality of HBV-specific CD8+ T cells after therapeutic vaccination, and allowed for a more sustained antiviral effect and control of HBV in peripheral blood and in the liver. The antiviral effect was more pronounced if PD-L1 was down-regulated during prime than during boost vaccination. Thus, targeting PD-L1 using siRNA is a promising approach to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic vaccination and finally cure HBV.
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21
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Protocol for chronic hepatitis B virus infection mouse model development by patient-derived orthotopic xenografts. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264266. [PMID: 35196351 PMCID: PMC8865695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background According to the World Health Organization, more than 250 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, and almost 800.000 patients die annually of mediated liver disorders. Therefore, adequate biological test systems are needed that could fully simulate the course of chronic hepatitis B virus infection, including in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods In this study, we will assess the effectiveness of existing protocols for isolation and cultivation of primary cells derived from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in terms of the yield of viable cells and their ability to replicate the hepatitis B virus using isolation and cultivation methods for adhesive primary cells, flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Another part of our study will be devoted to evaluating the effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma grafting methods to obtain patient-derived heterotopic and orthotopic xenograft mouse avatars using animal X-ray irradiation and surgery procedures and in vivo fluorescent signals visualization and measurements. Our study will be completed by histological methods. Discussion This will be the first extensive comparative study of the main modern methods and protocols for isolation and cultivation primary hepatocellular carcinoma cells and tumor engraftment to the mice. All protocols will be optimized and characterized using the: (1) efficiency of the method for isolation cells from removed hepatocellular carcinoma in terms of their quantity and viability; (2) efficiency of the primary cell cultivation protocol in terms of the rate of monolayer formation and hepatitis B virus replication; (3) efficiency of the grafting method in terms of the growth rate and the possibility of hepatitis B virus persistence and replication in mice. The most effective methods will be recommended for use in translational biomedical research.
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22
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Xu Z, Zhao L, Zhong Y, Zhu C, Zhao K, Teng Y, Cheng X, Chen Q, Xia Y. A Novel Mouse Model Harboring Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 13:1001-1017. [PMID: 34896285 PMCID: PMC8873614 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The persistence of viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the major obstacle for antiviral treatment against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Basic and translational studies are largely hampered due to the lack of feasible small animal models to support HBV cccDNA formation. The aim of this study is to establish a novel mouse model harboring cccDNA. METHODS An adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector carrying a replication-deficient HBV1.04-fold genome (AAV-HBV1.04) was constructed. The linear HBV genome starts from nucleotide 403 and ends at 538, which results in the splitting of HBV surface and polymerase genes. Different HBV replication markers were evaluated for AAV-HBV1.04 plasmid-transfected cells, the AAV-HBV1.04 viral vector-transduced cells, and mice injected with the AAV-HBV1.04 viral vector. RESULTS Compared with the previously reported AAV-HBV1.2 construct, direct transfection of AAV-HBV1.04 plasmid failed to produce hepatitis B surface antigen and progeny virus. Interestingly, AAV-HBV1.04 viral vector transduction could result in the formation of cccDNA and the production of all HBV replication markers in vitro and in vivo. The formation of cccDNA could be blocked by ATR (ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein) inhibitors but not HBV reverse transcription inhibitor or capsid inhibitors. The AAV-HBV1.04 mouse supported long-term HBV replication and responded to antiviral treatments. CONCLUSIONS This AAV-HBV1.04 mouse model can support HBV cccDNA formation through ATR-mediated DNA damage response. The de novo formed cccDNA but not the parental AAV vector can lead to the production of hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV progeny. This model will provide a unique platform for studying HBV cccDNA and developing novel antivirals against HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Youquan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengliang Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaitao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoming Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,Wuhan University Center for Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Medical Research Institute, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Yuchen Xia, PhD, Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China. fax: 0086-27-68759222.
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Du Y, Broering R, Li X, Zhang X, Liu J, Yang D, Lu M. In Vivo Mouse Models for Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Their Application. Front Immunol 2021; 12:766534. [PMID: 34777385 PMCID: PMC8586444 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.766534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of effective vaccination, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major challenge worldwide. Research efforts are ongoing to find an effective cure for the estimated 250 million people chronically infected by HBV in recent years. The exceptionally limited host spectrum of HBV has limited the research progress. Thus, different HBV mouse models have been developed and used for studies on infection, immune responses, pathogenesis, and antiviral therapies. However, these mouse models have great limitations as no spread of HBV infection occurs in the mouse liver and no or only very mild hepatitis is present. Thus, the suitability of these mouse models for a given issue and the interpretation of the results need to be critically assessed. This review summarizes the currently available mouse models for HBV research, including hydrodynamic injection, viral vector-mediated transfection, recombinant covalently closed circular DNA (rc-cccDNA), transgenic, and liver humanized mouse models. We systematically discuss the characteristics of each model, with the main focus on hydrodynamic injection mouse model. The usefulness and limitations of each mouse model are discussed based on the published studies. This review summarizes the facts for considerations of the use and suitability of mouse model in future HBV studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqin Du
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Broering
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Xiaoran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of HBV Replicating Hepatocytes Allows for the Monitoring of Anti-Viral Immunity. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112273. [PMID: 34835079 PMCID: PMC8619421 DOI: 10.3390/v13112273] [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: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is complex and not entirely understood so far, including the decisive factors leading to the development of chronic hepatitis B. This lack of a mechanistic understanding of HBV-specific immunity is also caused by a limited number of suitable animal models. Here, we describe the generation of a recombinant adenovirus expressing an HBV 1.3-overlength genome linked to luciferase (Ad-HBV-Luc) allowing for precise analysis of the quantity of infected hepatocytes. This enables sensitive and close-meshed monitoring of HBV-specific CD8 T cells and the onset of anti-viral immunity in mice. A high dose of Ad-HBV-Luc developed into chronic hepatitis B accompanied by dysfunctional CD8 T cells characterized by high expression of PD1 and TOX and low expression of KLRG1 and GzmB. In contrast, a low dose of Ad-HBV-Luc infection resulted in acute hepatitis with CD8 T cell-mediated elimination of HBV-replicating hepatocytes associated with elevated sALT levels and increased numbers of cytotoxic HBV-specific CD8 T cells. Thus, the infectious dose was a critical factor to induce either acute self-limited or chronic HBV infection in mice. Taken together, the new Ad-HBV-Luc vector will allow for highly sensitive and time-resolved analysis of HBV-specific immune responses during acute and chronic infection.
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In Vivo Modelling of Hepatitis B Virus Subgenotype A1 Replication Using Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112247. [PMID: 34835053 PMCID: PMC8618177 DOI: 10.3390/v13112247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The paucity of animal models that simulate the replication of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an impediment to advancing new anti-viral treatments. The work reported here employed recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to model HBV subgenotype A1 and subgenotype D3 replication in vitro and in vivo. Infection with subgenotype A1 is endemic to parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and it is associated with a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Recombinant AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) and 8 (AAV8) vectors bearing greater-than-genome-length sequences of HBV DNA from subgenotype A1 and D3, were produced. Transduced liver-derived cultured cells produced HBV surface antigen and core antigen. Administration of AAV8 carrying HBV subgenotype A1 genome (AAV8-A1) to mice resulted in the sustained production of HBV replication markers over a six-month period, without elevated inflammatory cytokines, expression of interferon response genes or alanine transaminase activity. Markers of replication were generally higher in animals treated with subgenotype D3 genome-bearing AAVs than in those receiving the subgenotype A1-genome-bearing vectors. To validate the use of the AAV8-A1 murine model for anti-HBV drug development, the efficacy of anti-HBV artificial primary-microRNAs was assessed. Significant silencing of HBV markers was observed over a 6-month period after administering AAVs. These data indicate that AAVs conveniently and safely recapitulate the replication of different HBV subgenotypes, and the vectors may be used to assess antivirals’ potency.
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Klopp A, Schreiber S, Kosinska AD, Pulé M, Protzer U, Wisskirchen K. Depletion of T cells via Inducible Caspase 9 Increases Safety of Adoptive T-Cell Therapy Against Chronic Hepatitis B. Front Immunol 2021; 12:734246. [PMID: 34691041 PMCID: PMC8527178 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.734246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell therapy with T cells that are re-directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected cells by virus-specific receptors is a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of chronic hepatitis B and HBV-associated cancer. Due to the high number of target cells, however, side effects such as cytokine release syndrome or hepatotoxicity may limit safety. A safeguard mechanism, which allows depletion of transferred T cells on demand, would thus be an interesting means to increase confidence in this approach. In this study, T cells were generated by retroviral transduction to express either an HBV-specific chimeric antigen receptor (S-CAR) or T-cell receptor (TCR), and in addition either inducible caspase 9 (iC9) or herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) as a safety switch. Real-time cytotoxicity assays using HBV-replicating hepatoma cells as targets revealed that activation of both safety switches stopped cytotoxicity of S-CAR- or TCR-transduced T cells within less than one hour. In vivo, induction of iC9 led to a strong and rapid reduction of transferred S-CAR T cells adoptively transferred into AAV-HBV-infected immune incompetent mice. One to six hours after injection of the iC9 dimerizer, over 90% reduction of S-CAR T cells in the blood and the spleen and of over 99% in the liver was observed, thereby limiting hepatotoxicity and stopping cytokine secretion. Simultaneously, however, the antiviral effect of S-CAR T cells was diminished because remaining S-CAR T cells were mostly non-functional and could not be restimulated with HBsAg. A second induction of iC9 was only able to deplete T cells in the liver. In conclusion, T cells co-expressing iC9 and HBV-specific receptors efficiently recognize and kill HBV-replicating cells. Induction of T-cell death via iC9 proved to be an efficient means to deplete transferred T cells in vitro and in vivo containing unwanted hepatotoxicity.
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MESH Headings
- Adoptive Transfer/adverse effects
- Animals
- Caspase 9/biosynthesis
- Caspase 9/genetics
- Cell Death
- Cell Line
- Coculture Techniques
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enzyme Induction
- Female
- Hepatitis B Antigens/immunology
- Hepatitis B virus/immunology
- Hepatitis B virus/pathogenicity
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/immunology
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/metabolism
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/therapy
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology
- Humans
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/genetics
- Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Simplexvirus/enzymology
- Simplexvirus/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/enzymology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
- Thymidine Kinase/genetics
- Thymidine Kinase/metabolism
- Transduction, Genetic
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Klopp
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Schreiber
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna D. Kosinska
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Pulé
- Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Wisskirchen
- School of Medicine, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
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27
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Yang S, Zeng W, Zhang J, Lu F, Chang J, Guo JT. Restoration of a functional antiviral immune response to chronic HBV infection by reducing viral antigen load: if not sufficient, is it necessary? Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 10:1545-1554. [PMID: 34227927 PMCID: PMC8354158 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1952851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The prolonged viral antigen stimulation is the driving force for the development of immune tolerance to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The sustained reduction of viral proteins may allow for the recovery and efficient activation of HBV-specific T and B cells by immune-stimulating agents, checkpoint blockades and/or therapeutic vaccinations. Recently, several therapeutic approaches have been shown to significantly reduce intrahepatic viral proteins and/or circulating HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) with variable impacts on the host antiviral immune responses in animal models or human clinical trials. It remains to be further investigated whether reduction of viral protein expression or induction of intrahepatic viral protein degradation is more efficacious to break the immune tolerance to chronic HBV infection. It is also of great interest to know if the accelerated clearance of circulating HBsAg by antibodies has a long-term immunological impact on HBV infection and disease progression. Although it is clear that removal of antigen stimulation alone is not sufficient to induce the functional recovery of exhausted T and B cells, accumulating evidence suggests that the reduction of viral antigen load appears to facilitate the therapeutic activation of functional antiviral immunity in chronic HBV carriers. Based on a systematic review of the findings in animal models and clinical studies, the research directions toward discovery and development of more efficacious therapeutic approaches to reinvigorate HBV-specific adaptive immune function and achieve the durable control of chronic HBV infection, i.e. a functional cure, in the vast majority of treated patients are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Yang
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA.,Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanjia Zeng
- Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Doylestown, PA, USA
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28
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Ko C, Su J, Festag J, Bester R, Kosinska AD, Protzer U. Intramolecular recombination enables the formation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) cccDNA in mice after HBV genome transfer using recombinant AAV vectors. Antiviral Res 2021; 194:105140. [PMID: 34284057 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The mouse is not a natural host of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and - despite engraftment of hepatocytes with the HBV receptor - does not support formation of HBV covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA serving as a template for viral transcription and permitting persistent infection. In a recent study, cccDNA formation in mouse hepatocytes has been described following an HBV genome delivery by a recombinant, adeno-associated virus vector (rAAV) (Lucifora et al., 2017). The integrity of HBV cccDNA, its origin and functionality, however, remained open. In this study, we investigated the identity, origin, and functionality of cccDNA established in mice infected with rAAV carrying 1.3-fold overlength HBV genomes. We show that replication of HBV genotypes A, B, C and D can be initiated in mouse livers, and that cccDNA derived from all genotypes is detected. Restriction enzyme and exonuclease digestion as well as sequencing analysis of cccDNA amplicons revealed authentic HBV cccDNA without any detectable alteration compared to cccDNA established after HBV infection of human liver cells. Mouse livers transduced with a core protein-deficient HBV using rAAV still supported cccDNA formation demonstrating that the genesis of cccDNA was independent of HBV replication. When mice were infected with an rAAV-HBV1.3 carrying premature stop codons in the 5' but not in the 3' core protein open reading frame, the stop codon was partially replaced by the wild-type sequence. This strongly indicated that intramolecular recombination, based on >900 identical base pairs residing at the both ends of the HBV1.3 transgene was the origin of cccDNA formation. Accordingly, we observed a constant loss of cccDNA molecules from mouse livers over time, while HBeAg levels increased over the first two weeks after rAAV-HBV1.3 infection and remained constant thereafter, suggesting a minor contribution of the cccDNA molecules formed to viral transcription and protein expression. In summary, our results provide strong evidence that intramolecular recombination of an overlength, linear HBV genome, but not HBV genome recycling, enables cccDNA formation in rAAV-HBV mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunkyu Ko
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinpeng Su
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Festag
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Romina Bester
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna D Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany.
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29
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Khoshdel-Rad N, Zahmatkesh E, Bikmulina P, Peshkova M, Kosheleva N, Bezrukov EA, Sukhanov RB, Solovieva A, Shpichka A, Timashev P, Vosough M. Modeling Hepatotropic Viral Infections: Cells vs. Animals. Cells 2021; 10:1726. [PMID: 34359899 PMCID: PMC8305759 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of an appropriate platform for a better understanding of the molecular basis of hepatitis viruses and the absence of reliable models to identify novel therapeutic agents for a targeted treatment are the two major obstacles for launching efficient clinical protocols in different types of viral hepatitis. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, and the development of model systems for efficient viral replication is necessary for basic and applied studies. Viral hepatitis is a major health issue and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite the extensive efforts that have been made on fundamental and translational research, traditional models are not effective in representing this viral infection in a laboratory. In this review, we discuss in vitro cell-based models and in vivo animal models, with their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the most important findings that have been retrieved from each model are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Khoshdel-Rad
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran; (N.K.-R.); (E.Z.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Ensieh Zahmatkesh
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran; (N.K.-R.); (E.Z.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Polina Bikmulina
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (P.B.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
- World-Class Research Center “Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Maria Peshkova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (P.B.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
- World-Class Research Center “Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Nastasia Kosheleva
- World-Class Research Center “Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- FSBSI ‘Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315 Moscow, Russia
| | - Evgeny A. Bezrukov
- Department of Urology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.B.); (R.B.S.)
| | - Roman B. Sukhanov
- Department of Urology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.B.); (R.B.S.)
| | - Anna Solovieva
- Department of Polymers and Composites, N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia Shpichka
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (P.B.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
- World-Class Research Center “Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Peter Timashev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (P.B.); (M.P.); (A.S.)
- World-Class Research Center “Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Department of Polymers and Composites, N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran; (N.K.-R.); (E.Z.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
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30
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Clark MP, Huynh T, Rao S, Mackiewicz L, Mason H, Romal S, Stutz MD, Ahn SH, Earnest L, Sozzi V, Littlejohn M, Tran BM, Wiedemann N, Vincan E, Torresi J, Netter HJ, Mahmoudi T, Revill P, Pellegrini M, Ebert G. Clinical stage drugs targeting inhibitor of apoptosis proteins purge episomal Hepatitis B viral genome in preclinical models. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:641. [PMID: 34162831 PMCID: PMC8222287 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03924-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A major unmet clinical need is a therapeutic capable of removing hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome from the liver of infected individuals to reduce their risk of developing liver cancer. A strategy to deliver such a therapy could utilize the ability to target and promote apoptosis of infected hepatocytes. Presently there is no clinically relevant strategy that has been shown to effectively remove persistent episomal covalently closed circular HBV DNA (cccDNA) from the nucleus of hepatocytes. We used linearized single genome length HBV DNA of various genotypes to establish a cccDNA-like reservoir in immunocompetent mice and showed that clinical-stage orally administered drugs that antagonize the function of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins can eliminate HBV replication and episomal HBV genome in the liver. Primary human liver organoid models were used to confirm the clinical relevance of these results. This study underscores a clinically tenable strategy for the potential elimination of chronic HBV reservoirs in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle P Clark
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Thao Huynh
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shringar Rao
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Liana Mackiewicz
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Hugh Mason
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shahla Romal
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael D Stutz
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Sang H Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Linda Earnest
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Vitina Sozzi
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Margaret Littlejohn
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bang M Tran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Elizabeth Vincan
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Joseph Torresi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hans J Netter
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Peter Revill
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, The Royal Melbourne Hospital at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marc Pellegrini
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Gregor Ebert
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.
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31
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Advances in dietary polysaccharides as anticancer agents: Structure-activity relationship. Trends Food Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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32
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Liu Y, Maya S, Ploss A. Animal Models of Hepatitis B Virus Infection-Success, Challenges, and Future Directions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050777. [PMID: 33924793 PMCID: PMC8146732 DOI: 10.3390/v13050777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects more than 250 million people worldwide, which greatly increases the risk for terminal liver diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Even though current approved antiviral therapies, including pegylated type I interferon (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogs, can effectively suppress viremia, HBV infection is rarely cured. Since HBV exhibits a narrow species tropism and robustly infects only humans and higher primates, progress in HBV research and preclinical testing of antiviral drugs has been hampered by the scarcity of suitable animal models. Fortunately, a series of surrogate animal models have been developed for the study of HBV. An increased understanding of the barriers towards interspecies transmission has aided in the development of human chimeric mice and has greatly paved the way for HBV research in vivo, and for evaluating potential therapies of chronic hepatitis B. In this review, we summarize the currently available animal models for research of HBV and HBV-related hepadnaviruses, and we discuss challenges and future directions for improvement.
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33
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Kruse RL, Barzi M, Legras X, Pankowicz FP, Furey N, Liao L, Xu J, Bissig-Choisat B, Slagle BL, Bissig KD. A hepatitis B virus transgenic mouse model with a conditional, recombinant, episomal genome. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100252. [PMID: 33733079 PMCID: PMC7940981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Development of new and more effective therapies against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is limited by the lack of suitable small animal models. The HBV transgenic mouse model containing an integrated overlength 1.3-mer construct has yielded crucial insights, but this model unfortunately lacks covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the episomal HBV transcriptional template, and cannot be cured given that HBV is integrated in every cell. Methods To solve these 2 problems, we generated a novel transgenic mouse (HBV1.1X), which generates an excisable circular HBV genome using Cre/LoxP technology. This model possesses a HBV1.1-mer cassette knocked into the ROSA26 locus and is designed for stable expression of viral proteins from birth, like the current HBV transgenic mouse model, before genomic excision with the introduction of Cre recombinase. Results We demonstrated induction of recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA) formation via viral or transgenic Cre expression in HBV1.1X mice, and the ability to regulate HBsAg and HBc expression with Cre in mice. Tamoxifen-inducible Cre could markedly downregulate baseline HBsAg levels from the integrated HBV genome. To demonstrate clearance of HBV from HBV1.1X mice, we administered adenovirus expressing Cre, which permanently and significantly reduced HBsAg and core antigen levels in the murine liver via rcccDNA excision and a subsequent immune response. Conclusions The HBV1.1X model is the first Cre-regulatable HBV transgenic mouse model and should be of value to mimic chronic HBV infection, with neonatal expression and tolerance of HBV antigens, and on-demand modulation of HBV expression. Lay summary Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can only naturally infect humans and chimpanzees. Mouse models have been developed with the HBV genome integrated into mouse chromosomes, but this prevents mice from being cured. We developed a new transgenic mouse model that allows for HBV to be excised from mouse chromosomes to form a recombinant circular DNA molecule resembling the natural circular HBV genome. HBV expression could be reduced in these mice, enabling curative therapies to be tested in this new mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Kruse
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mercedes Barzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xavier Legras
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Francis P Pankowicz
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nika Furey
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lan Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Janming Xu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Beatrice Bissig-Choisat
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Betty L Slagle
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karl-Dimiter Bissig
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Duke Center for Virology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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34
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Hehle V, Beretta M, Bourgine M, Ait-Goughoulte M, Planchais C, Morisse S, Vesin B, Lorin V, Hieu T, Stauffer A, Fiquet O, Dimitrov JD, Michel ML, Ungeheuer MN, Sureau C, Pol S, Di Santo JP, Strick-Marchand H, Pelletier N, Mouquet H. Potent human broadly neutralizing antibodies to hepatitis B virus from natural controllers. J Exp Med 2021; 217:151888. [PMID: 32579155 PMCID: PMC7537403 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare individuals can naturally clear chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and acquire protection from reinfection as conferred by vaccination. To examine the protective humoral response against HBV, we cloned and characterized human antibodies specific to the viral surface glycoproteins (HBsAg) from memory B cells of HBV vaccinees and controllers. We found that human HBV antibodies are encoded by a diverse set of immunoglobulin genes and recognize various conformational HBsAg epitopes. Strikingly, HBsAg-specific memory B cells from natural controllers mainly produced neutralizing antibodies able to cross-react with several viral genotypes. Furthermore, monotherapy with the potent broadly neutralizing antibody Bc1.187 suppressed viremia in vivo in HBV mouse models and led to post-therapy control of the infection in a fraction of animals. Thus, human neutralizing HBsAg antibodies appear to play a key role in the spontaneous control of HBV and represent promising immunotherapeutic tools for achieving HBV functional cure in chronically infected humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Hehle
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1222, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Beretta
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1222, Paris, France
| | - Maryline Bourgine
- Molecular Virology and Vaccinology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Cyril Planchais
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1222, Paris, France
| | - Solen Morisse
- Molecular Virology and Vaccinology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Benjamin Vesin
- Molecular Virology and Vaccinology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Lorin
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1222, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Hieu
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1222, Paris, France
| | | | - Oriane Fiquet
- Innate Immunity Unit, Department of Immunology, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1223, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jordan D Dimitrov
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Marie-Noëlle Ungeheuer
- Investigation Clinique et Accès aux Ressources Biologiques platform, Center for Translational Science, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Camille Sureau
- Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Centre National de la Recherche-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1134, Paris, France
| | - Stanislas Pol
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1223, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Hepatology Department, Cochin Hospital, Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - James P Di Santo
- Innate Immunity Unit, Department of Immunology, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1223, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Strick-Marchand
- Innate Immunity Unit, Department of Immunology, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1223, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Hugo Mouquet
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1222, Paris, France
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Lai F, Wee CYY, Chen Q. Establishment of Humanized Mice for the Study of HBV. Front Immunol 2021; 12:638447. [PMID: 33679796 PMCID: PMC7933441 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.638447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis particularly Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is still an ongoing health issue worldwide. Despite the vast technological advancements in research and development, only HBV vaccines, typically given during early years, are currently available as a preventive measure against acquiring the disease from a secondary source. In general, HBV can be cleared naturally by the human immune system if detected at low levels early. However, long term circulation of HBV in the peripheral blood may be detrimental to the human liver, specifically targeting human hepatocytes for cccDNA integration which inevitably supports HBV life cycle for the purpose of reinfection in healthy cells. Although there is some success in using nucleoside analogs or polyclonal antibodies targeting HBV surface antigens (HBsAg) in patients with acute or chronic HBV+ (CHB), majority of them would either respond only partially or succumb to the disease entirely unless they undergo liver transplants from a fully matched healthy donor and even so may not necessarily guarantee a 100% chance of survival. Indeed, in vitro/ex vivo cultures and various transgenic animal models have already provided us with a good understanding of HBV but they primarily lack human specificity or virus-host interactions in the presence of human immune surveillance. Therefore, the demand of utilizing humanized mice has increased over the last decade as a pre-clinical platform for investigating human-specific immune responses against HBV as well as identifying potential immunotherapeutic strategies in eradicating the virus. Basically, this review covers some of the recent developments and key advantages of humanized mouse models over other conventional transgenic mice platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fritz Lai
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cherry Yong Yi Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Loffredo-Verde E, Bhattacharjee S, Malo A, Festag J, Kosinska AD, Ringelhan M, Rim Sarkar S, Steiger K, Heikenwaelder M, Protzer U, Prazeres da Costa CU. Dynamic, Helminth-Induced Immune Modulation Influences the Outcome of Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. J Infect Dis 2021; 221:1448-1461. [PMID: 31875228 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B develops more frequently in countries with high prevalence of helminth infections. The crosstalk between these 2 major liver-residing pathogens, Schistosoma mansoni and hepatitis B virus (HBV), is barely understood. METHODS We used state-of-the-art models for both acute and chronic HBV infection to study the pathogen-crosstalk during the different immune phases of schistosome infection. RESULTS Although liver pathology caused by schistosome infection was not affected by either acute or chronic HBV infection, S mansoni infection influenced HBV infection outcomes in a phase-dependent manner. Interferon (IFN)-γ secreting, HBV- and schistosome-specific CD8 T cells acted in synergy to reduce HBV-induced pathology during the TH1 phase and chronic phase of schistosomiasis. Consequently, HBV was completely rescued in IFN-γ-deficient or in TH2 phase coinfected mice demonstrating the key role of this cytokine. It is interesting to note that secondary helminth infection on the basis of persistent (chronic) HBV infection increased HBV-specific T-cell frequency and resulted in suppression of virus replication but failed to fully restore T-cell function and eliminate HBV. CONCLUSIONS Thus, schistosome-induced IFN-γ had a prominent antiviral effect that outcompeted immunosuppressive effects of TH2 cytokines, whereas HBV coinfection did not alter schistosome pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Loffredo-Verde
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Sonakshi Bhattacharjee
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Antje Malo
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Festag
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna D Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Marc Ringelhan
- 2nd Medical Department, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabrina Rim Sarkar
- Comparative Experimental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- Comparative Experimental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias Heikenwaelder
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Immunology, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Clarissa U Prazeres da Costa
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
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Advances in Transgenic Mouse Models to Study Infections by Human Pathogenic Viruses. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239289. [PMID: 33291453 PMCID: PMC7730764 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Medical research is changing into direction of precision therapy, thus, sophisticated preclinical models are urgently needed. In human pathogenic virus research, the major technical hurdle is not only to translate discoveries from animals to treatments of humans, but also to overcome the problem of interspecies differences with regard to productive infections and comparable disease development. Transgenic mice provide a basis for research of disease pathogenesis after infection with human-specific viruses. Today, humanized mice can be found at the very heart of this forefront of medical research allowing for recapitulation of disease pathogenesis and drug mechanisms in humans. This review discusses progress in the development and use of transgenic mice for the study of virus-induced human diseases towards identification of new drug innovations to treat and control human pathogenic infectious diseases.
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Hepatitis B virus Core protein nuclear interactome identifies SRSF10 as a host RNA-binding protein restricting HBV RNA production. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008593. [PMID: 33180834 PMCID: PMC7707522 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the existence of a preventive vaccine, chronic infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 250 million people and represents a major global cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Current clinical treatments, in most of cases, do not eliminate viral genome that persists as a DNA episome in the nucleus of hepatocytes and constitutes a stable template for the continuous expression of viral genes. Several studies suggest that, among viral factors, the HBV core protein (HBc), well-known for its structural role in the cytoplasm, could have critical regulatory functions in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. To elucidate these functions, we performed a proteomic analysis of HBc-interacting host-factors in the nucleus of differentiated HepaRG, a surrogate model of human hepatocytes. The HBc interactome was found to consist primarily of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which are involved in various aspects of mRNA metabolism. Among them, we focused our studies on SRSF10, a RBP that was previously shown to regulate alternative splicing (AS) in a phosphorylation-dependent manner and to control stress and DNA damage responses, as well as viral replication. Functional studies combining SRSF10 knockdown and a pharmacological inhibitor of SRSF10 phosphorylation (1C8) showed that SRSF10 behaves as a restriction factor that regulates HBV RNAs levels and that its dephosphorylated form is likely responsible for the anti-viral effect. Surprisingly, neither SRSF10 knock-down nor 1C8 treatment modified the splicing of HBV RNAs but rather modulated the level of nascent HBV RNA. Altogether, our work suggests that in the nucleus of infected cells HBc interacts with multiple RBPs that regulate viral RNA metabolism. Our identification of SRSF10 as a new anti-HBV restriction factor offers new perspectives for the development of new host-targeted antiviral strategies. Chronic infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 250 million of people world-wide and is a major global cause of liver cancer. Current treatments lead to a significant reduction of viremia in patients. However, viral clearance is rarely obtained and the persistence of the HBV genome in the hepatocyte’s nucleus generates a stable source of viral RNAs and subsequently proteins which play important roles in immune escape mechanisms and liver disease progression. Therapies aiming at efficiently and durably eliminating viral gene expression are still required. In this study, we identified the nuclear partners of the HBV Core protein (HBc) to understand how this structural protein, responsible for capsid assembly in the cytoplasm, could also regulate viral gene expression. The HBc interactome was found to consist primarily of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). One of these RBPs, SRSF10, was demonstrated to restrict HBV RNA levels and a drug, able to alter its phosphorylation, behaved as an antiviral compound capable of reducing viral gene expression. Altogether, this study sheds new light on novel regulatory functions of HBc and provides information relevant for the development of antiviral strategies aiming at preventing viral gene expression.
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Burwitz BJ, Zhou Z, Li W. Animal models for the study of human hepatitis B and D virus infection: New insights and progress. Antiviral Res 2020; 182:104898. [PMID: 32758525 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a member of the Hepadnaviridae family and infects hepatocytes, leading to liver pathology in acutely and chronically infected individuals. Co-infection with Hepatitis D virus (HDV), which requires the surface proteins of HBV to replicate, can exacerbate this disease progression. Thus, the >250 million people living with chronic HBV infection, including 13 million co-infected with HDV, would significantly benefit from an effective and affordable curative treatment. Animal models are crucial to the development of innovative disease therapies, a paradigm repeated again and again throughout the fields of immunology, neurology, reproduction, and development. Unfortunately, HBV has a highly-restricted species tropism, infecting limited species including humans, chimpanzees, and treeshrews. The first experimentally controlled studies of HBV infection were following inoculation of human volunteers in 1942, which identified the transmissibility of hepatitis through serum transfer and led to the hypothesis that the etiological agent was viral. Subsequent research in chimpanzees (Desmyter et al., 1971; Lichter, 1969) and later in other species, such as the treeshrews (Walter et al., 1996; Yan et al., 1996), further confirmed the viral origin of hepatitis B. Shortly thereafter, HBV-like viral infections were identified in woodchucks (Summers et al., 1978; Werner et al., 1979) and ducks, and much of our understanding of HBV replication can be attributed to these important models. However, with the exodus of chimpanzees from research and the limited reagents and historical data for treeshrews and other understudied species, there remains an urgent need to identify physiologically relevant models of chronic HBV infection. While large strides have been made in generating such models, particularly over the past two decades, there is still no available model that faithfully recapitulates the immunity and pathogenesis of HBV infection. Here, we discuss recent advancements in the generation of murine and non-human primate (NHP) models of HBV/HDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Burwitz
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA.
| | - Zhongmin Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China.
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Haque M, Lei F, Xiong X, Ren Y, Kumar A, Das JK, Ren X, Fang D, de Figueiredo P, Yang JM, Song J. Stem Cell-Derived Viral Antigen-Specific T Cells Suppress HBV Replication through Production of IFN-γ and TNF-⍺. iScience 2020; 23:101333. [PMID: 32679546 PMCID: PMC7364173 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The viral antigen (Ag)-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), i.e., PSC-CTLs, have the ability to suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. After adoptive transfer, PSC-CTLs can infiltrate into the liver to suppress HBV replication. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which the viral Ag-specific PSC-CTLs provoke the antiviral response remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we generated the functional HBV surface Ag-specific CTLs from the induced PSC (iPSCs), i.e., iPSC-CTLs, and investigated the underlying mechanisms of the CTL-mediated antiviral replication in a murine model. We show that adoptive transfer of HBV surface Ag-specific iPSC-CTLs greatly suppressed HBV replication and prevented HBV surface Ag expression. We further demonstrate that the adoptive transfer significantly increased T cell accumulation and production of antiviral cytokines. These results indicate that stem cell-derived viral Ag-specific CTLs can robustly accumulate in the liver and suppress HBV replication through producing antiviral cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Haque
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, MREB II, Room 3344, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Fengyang Lei
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, MREB II, Room 3344, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Yijie Ren
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, MREB II, Room 3344, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, MREB II, Room 3344, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Jugal Kishore Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, MREB II, Room 3344, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Xingcong Ren
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Deyu Fang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, MREB II, Room 3344, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, MREB II, Room 3344, 8447 Riverside Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
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Michler T, Kosinska AD, Festag J, Bunse T, Su J, Ringelhan M, Imhof H, Grimm D, Steiger K, Mogler C, Heikenwalder M, Michel ML, Guzman CA, Milstein S, Sepp-Lorenzino L, Knolle P, Protzer U. Knockdown of Virus Antigen Expression Increases Therapeutic Vaccine Efficacy in High-Titer Hepatitis B Virus Carrier Mice. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:1762-1775.e9. [PMID: 32001321 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection persists because the virus-specific immune response is dysfunctional. Therapeutic vaccines might be used to end immune tolerance to the virus in patients with chronic infection, but these have not been effective in patients so far. In patients with chronic HBV infection, high levels of virus antigens might prevent induction of HBV-specific immune responses. We investigated whether knocking down expression levels of HBV antigens in liver might increase the efficacy of HBV vaccines in mice. METHODS We performed studies with male C57BL/6 mice that persistently replicate HBV (genotype D, serotype ayw)-either from a transgene or after infection with an adeno-associated virus that transferred an overlength HBV genome-and expressed HB surface antigen at levels relevant to patients. Small hairpin or small interfering (si)RNAs against the common 3'-end of all HBV transcripts were used to knock down antigen expression in mouse hepatocytes. siRNAs were chemically stabilized and conjugated to N-acetylgalactosamine to increase liver uptake. Control mice were given either entecavir or non-HBV-specific siRNAs and vaccine components. Eight to 12 weeks later, mice were immunized twice with a mixture of adjuvanted HBV S and core antigen, followed by a modified Vaccinia virus Ankara vector to induce HBV-specific B- and T-cell responses. Serum and liver samples were collected and analyzed for HBV-specific immune responses, liver damage, and viral parameters. RESULTS In both models of HBV infection, mice that express hepatocyte-specific small hairpin RNAs or that were given subcutaneous injections of siRNAs had reduced levels of HBV antigens, HBV replication, and viremia (1-3 log10 reduction) compared to mice given control RNAs. Vaccination induced production of HBV-neutralizing antibodies and increased numbers and functionality of HBV-specific, CD8+ T cells in mice with low, but not in mice with high, levels of HBV antigen. Mice with initially high titers of HBV and knockdown of HBV antigen expression, but not mice with reduced viremia after administration of entecavir, developed polyfunctional, HBV-specific CD8+ T cells, and HBV was eliminated. CONCLUSIONS In mice with high levels of HBV replication, knockdown of HBV antigen expression along with a therapeutic vaccination strategy, but not knockdown alone, increased numbers of effector T cells and eliminated the virus. These findings indicate that high titers of virus antigens reduce the efficacy of therapeutic vaccination. Anti-HBV siRNAs and therapeutic vaccines are each being tested in clinical trials-their combination might cure chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Michler
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Münich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Münich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Münich, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna D Kosinska
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Münich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Münich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Münich, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Festag
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Münich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Münich, Germany
| | - Till Bunse
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Münich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Münich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Münich, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jinpeng Su
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Münich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Münich, Germany
| | - Marc Ringelhan
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Münich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Münich, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Münich, Germany
| | - Hortenzia Imhof
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Münich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Münich, Germany
| | - Dirk Grimm
- German Center for Infection Research, Münich, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, BioQuant, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, Münich, Germany
| | - Carolin Mogler
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, Münich, Germany
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Carlos A Guzman
- German Center for Infection Research, Münich, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | | | - Percy Knolle
- German Center for Infection Research, Münich, Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Molecular Immunology, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Münich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Münich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Münich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Münich, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Chen CY, Winer BY, Chavez D, Guerra B, Brasky KM, Eng S, Salas E, Tam D, Simmons JH, Abee CR, Delaney WE, Ploss A, Lanford RE, Voitenleitner C. Woolly Monkey-HBV Infection in Squirrel Monkeys as a Surrogate Nonhuman Primate Model of HBV Infection. Hepatol Commun 2020; 4:371-386. [PMID: 32140655 PMCID: PMC7049680 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of curative therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection will likely require new animal models. Here, we evaluate HBV infection in squirrel monkeys based on the high-sequence homology of the HBV receptor, Na+/taurocholate co-transporting peptide (NTCP), between humans and squirrel monkeys. HBV PreS1 peptide was examined for binding human and squirrel monkey NTCP. Immunodeficient Fah -/- , NOD, Rag1 -/- , Il2Rg null (FNRG) mice engrafted with human or squirrel monkey hepatocytes were challenged with HBV or Woolly Monkey HBV (WMHBV). In addition, adult squirrel monkeys were inoculated with HBV, WMHBV, adeno-associated virus containing an infectious genome of HBV (AAV-HBV), and AAV-WMHBV. Finally, neonate squirrel monkeys were assessed for the potential of chronic infection with WMHBV. PreS1 peptide efficiently bound to human and squirrel monkey NTCP but not to mouse or capuchin NTCP. FNRG mice engrafted with squirrel monkey hepatocytes were susceptible to infection by WMHBV but not human HBV. Similarly, adult squirrel monkeys could be infected with WMHBV but not human HBV, whereas chimeric mice engrafted with human hepatocytes were susceptible to HBV but not WMHBV. Infection of squirrel monkeys with AAV-WMHBV yielded maximum viremia of 108 genomes/mL with detectable virus for up to 8 months. Notably, covalently closed circular DNA was detected in the liver of these animals. Infection of neonates with WMHBV led to detectable viremia for up to 6 months. Conclusions: Adult and neonate squirrel monkeys exhibited prolonged WMHBV viremia lasting 6-8 months. This is greater than twice the duration of viremia achieved in other nonhuman primates and suggests that squirrel monkeys may be a suitable model for testing HBV therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Y. Chen
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
| | | | - Deborah Chavez
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
| | - Bernadette Guerra
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
| | - Kathleen M. Brasky
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
| | | | | | - Danny Tam
- Gilead Biosciences, Inc.Foster CityCA
| | - Joe H. Simmons
- Department of Comparative MedicineMichale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research of the University of Texas MD Anderson CenterBastropTX
| | - Christian R. Abee
- Department of Comparative MedicineMichale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research of the University of Texas MD Anderson CenterBastropTX
| | | | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNJ
| | - Robert E. Lanford
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
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Foca A, Dhillon A, Lahlali T, Lucifora J, Salvetti A, Rivoire M, Lee A, Durantel D. Antiviral activity of PLK1-targeting siRNA delivered by lipid nanoparticles in HBV-infected hepatocytes. Antivir Ther 2020; 25:151-162. [PMID: 32496211 DOI: 10.3851/imp3361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A link between HBV and PLK1 was clearly evidenced in HBV-driven carcinogenesis, and we have also recently shown that PLK1 is a proviral factor in the early phases of HBV infection. Moreover, we have shown that BI-2536, a small molecule PLK1 inhibitor, was very efficient at inhibiting HBV DNA neosynthesis, notably by affecting nucleocapsid assembly as a result of the modulation of HBc phosphorylation. Yet, as small molecule kinase inhibitors often feature poor selectivity, a more specific and safer strategy to target PLK1 would be needed for a potential development against chronic HBV infections. METHODS Here, we analysed using both freshly isolated primary human hepatocytes and differentiated HepaRG, the anti-HBV properties of an LNP-encapsulated PLK1-targeting siRNA. Standard assays were used to monitor the effect of LNP siPLK1, or controls (LNP siHBV and LNP siNon-targeting), on HBV replication and cell viability. RESULTS A dose as low as 100 ng/ml of LNP-siPLK1 resulted in a >75% decrease in secreted HBV DNA (viral particles), which was comparable to that obtained with LNP siHBV or 10 µM of tenofovir (TFV), without affecting cell viability. Interestingly, and in contrast to that obtained with TFV, a strong inhibition of viral RNA and HBe/HBsAg secretions was also observed under LNP siPLK1 treatment. This correlated with a significant intracellular decrease of vRNA accumulation, which was independent of any change in cccDNA levels, thus suggesting a transcriptional or post-transcriptional modulation. Such an effect was not obtained with a biochemical approach of PLK1 inhibition, suggesting an enzymatic-independent role of PLK1. CONCLUSIONS This study emphasizes that a specific PLK1 inhibition could help in achieving an improved HBsAg loss in CHB patients, likely in combination with other HBsAg-targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Foca
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, UCBL, Lyon, France
| | | | - Thomas Lahlali
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Julie Lucifora
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Anna Salvetti
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, UCBL, Lyon, France
| | | | - Amy Lee
- Arbutus Biopharma Corporation, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - David Durantel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard (UCBL), UMR_S1052, UCBL, Lyon, France
- Labex DEVweCAN, Lyon, France
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Li F, Wang Z, Hu F, Su L. Cell Culture Models and Animal Models for HBV Study. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1179:109-135. [PMID: 31741335 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9151-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Highly representative and relevant cell and mouse models are required for HBV study, including uncovering its lifecycle, investigation of the viral-host interaction, and development and evaluation of the novel antiviral therapy. During the past 40 years, both HBV cell culture models and animal models have evolved over several generations, each with significant improvement for specific purposes. In one aspect, HBV cell culture models experienced the original noninfection model including HBV plasmid DNA transfection and HBV genome integrated stable cells such as HepG2.2.15 which constitutively produces HBV virus and HepAD38 cells and its derivatives which drug-regulated HBV production. As for HBV infection models, HepaRG cells once dominated the HBV infection field for over a decade, but its complicated and labor-extensive cell differentiation procedures discouraged primary researchers from stepping in the field. The identification of human NTCP as HBV receptor evoked great enthusiasm of the whole HBV field, and its readily adaptive characteristic makes it popular in many HBV laboratories. Recombinant cccDNA (rc-cccDNA) emerged recently aiming to tackle the very basic question of how to eventually eradicate cccDNA without HBV real virus infection. In the other aspect, HBV transgenic mouse was firstly generated in the 1990s, which was helpful to decipher HBV production in vivo. However, the HBV transgenic mice were naturally immune tolerant to HBV viral products. Subsequently, a series of nonintegrated HBV mouse models were generated through plasmid hydrodynamic tail vein injection and viral vector-mediated delivery approaches, and HBV full life cycle was incomplete as cccDNA was not formed from HBV relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA). Human NTCP transgenic mouse still could not support productive HBV infection, and humanized mouse liver with human hepatocytes which supported whole HBV life cycle still dominates HBV infection in vivo, a value but expensive model until now. Other methods to empower mouse to carry HBV cccDNA were also exploited. In this chapter, we summarized the advantages and disadvantages of each model historically and provided protocols for HBV infection in HepG2-NTCP cells, HBV rc-cccDNA transfection in HepG2 cells, and HBV infection in NRG-Fah-/- liver humanized mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Fengyu Hu
- Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lishan Su
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Yarovinsky TO, Mason SW, Menon M, Krady MM, Haslip M, Madina BR, Ma X, Moshkani S, Chiale C, Pal AC, Almassian B, Rose JK, Robek MD, Nakaar V. Virus-like Vesicles Expressing Multiple Antigens for Immunotherapy of Chronic Hepatitis B. iScience 2019; 21:391-402. [PMID: 31704650 PMCID: PMC6889364 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) can initiate chronic hepatitis and liver injury, causing more than 600,000 deaths each year worldwide. Current treatments for chronic hepatitis B are inadequate and leave an unmet need for immunotherapeutic approaches. We designed virus-like vesicles (VLV) as self-amplifying RNA replicons expressing three HBV antigens (polymerase, core, and middle surface) from a single vector (HBV-VLV) to break immune exhaustion despite persistent HBV replication. The HBV-VLV induces HBV-specific T cells in naive mice and renders them resistant to acute challenge with HBV. Using a chronic model of HBV infection, we demonstrate efficacy of HBV-VLV priming in combination with DNA booster immunization, as 40% of treated mice showed a decline of serum HBV surface antigen below the detection limit and marked reduction in liver HBV RNA accompanied by induction of HBsAg-specific CD8 T cells. These results warrant further evaluation of HBV-VLV for immunotherapy of chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timur O Yarovinsky
- CaroGen Corporation, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xianyong Ma
- CaroGen Corporation, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Safiehkhatoon Moshkani
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Carolina Chiale
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | | | | | - John K Rose
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Michael D Robek
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
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Synergy of therapeutic heterologous prime-boost hepatitis B vaccination with CpG-application to improve immune control of persistent HBV infection. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10808. [PMID: 31346211 PMCID: PMC6658704 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47149-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccination against chronic hepatitis B must overcome high viral antigen load and local regulatory mechanisms that promote immune-tolerance in the liver and curtail hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8 T cell immunity. Here, we report that therapeutic heterologous HBcore-protein-prime/Modified-Vaccinia-Virus-Ankara (MVA-HBcore) boost vaccination followed by CpG-application augmented vaccine-induced HBcAg-specific CD8 T cell-function in the liver. In HBV-transgenic as well as AAV-HBV-transduced mice with persistent high-level HBV-replication, the combination of therapeutic vaccination with subsequent CpG-application was synergistic to generate more potent HBV-specific CD8 T cell immunity that improved control of hepatocytes replicating HBV.
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Khan N, Bammidi S, Chattopadhyay S, Jayandharan GR. Combination Suicide Gene Delivery with an Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Encoding Inducible Caspase-9 and a Chemical Inducer of Dimerization Is Effective in a Xenotransplantation Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:1754-1762. [PMID: 31181889 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Current treatment approaches for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have a narrow therapeutic index and alternate modes of treatment are thus required. We have utilized a gene delivery vector containing inducible caspase 9 (iCasp9) gene, which is a synthetic analogue based on the mammalian caspase 9 and fused to a human FK506 binding protein that allows its conditional dimerization to a synthetic, small molecule [chemical inducer of dimerization, AP20187] and results in target cell apoptosis. In our studies, we have tested these synthetic vectors based on an adeno-associated virus platform for their potential anti-tumorigenic effect in human HCC cells in vitro and in a HCC tumor model developed in nude mice. Our data demonstrates that the iCasp9-AP20187 bioconjugate is able to trigger terminal effectors of cellular apoptosis and presents a viable approach for the potential treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nusrat Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology , Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh 20816 , India
| | - Sridhar Bammidi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology , Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh 20816 , India
| | - Sourav Chattopadhyay
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology , Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh 20816 , India
| | - Giridhara R Jayandharan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering , Indian Institute of Technology , Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh 20816 , India
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48
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Heterologous prime-boost immunization with vesiculovirus-based vectors expressing HBV Core antigen induces CD8 + T cell responses in naïve and persistently infected mice and protects from challenge. Antiviral Res 2019; 168:156-167. [PMID: 31153968 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections cause more than 800,000 deaths per year and currently approved treatments do not cure the disease. Because a hallmark of acute infection resolution is the presence of functional CD8+ T cells to the virus, activation of the immune system with therapeutic vaccines represents a potential approach for treating chronic hepatitis B. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of two attenuated vesiculovirus-based platforms expressing HBV Core antigen, the highly attenuated vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) N4CT1 and a unique vaccine platform [virus-like vesicles (VLV)] that is based on a Semliki Forest virus replicon expressing the VSV glycoprotein. We found that heterologous prime-boost immunization with VLV and N4CT1 induced Core-specific CD8+ T cell responses in naïve mice. When immunized mice were later challenged with AAV-HBV, functional Core-specific CD8+ T cells were present in the liver, and mice were protected from establishment of persistent infection. In contrast, when mice with pre-established persistent HBV replication received prime-boost immunization, functional Core-specific CD8+ T cells were found in the spleen but not in the liver. These results highlight the importance of investigating the therapeutic value of different HBV antigens alone and in combination using preclinical animal models, and understanding the correlation between anti-HBV efficacy in these models with human infection.
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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 257 million people globally, resulting in progressively worsening liver disease, manifesting as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The exceptionally narrow species tropism of HBV restricts its natural hosts to humans and non-human primates, including chimpanzees, gorillas, gibbons, and orangutans. The unavailability of completely immunocompetent small-animal models has contributed to the lack of curative therapeutic interventions. Even though surrogates allow the study of closely related viruses, their host genetic backgrounds, immune responses, and molecular virology differ from those of HBV. Various different models, based on either pure murine or xenotransplantation systems, have been introduced over the past years, often making the choice of the optimal model for any given question challenging. Here, we offer a concise review of in vivo model systems employed to study HBV infection and steps in the HBV life cycle or pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Cherry
- Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, W2 1PGLondon, U.K
| | - Harry Gunn
- Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, W2 1PGLondon, U.K
| | - Marcus Dorner
- Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, W2 1PGLondon, U.K
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50
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Thi EP, Dhillon AP, Ardzinski A, Bidirici-Ertekin L, Cobarrubias KD, Cuconati A, Kondratowicz AS, Kwak K, Li AHL, Miller A, Pasetka C, Pei L, Phelps JR, Snead NM, Wang X, Ye X, Sofia MJ, Lee ACH. ARB-1740, a RNA Interference Therapeutic for Chronic Hepatitis B Infection. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:725-737. [PMID: 30403127 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Current approved nucleoside analogue treatments for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are effective at controlling viral titer but are not curative and have minimal impact on the production of viral proteins such as surface antigen (HBsAg), the HBV envelope protein believed to play a role in maintaining the immune tolerant state required for viral persistence. Novel agents are needed to effect HBV cure, and reduction of HBV antigenemia may potentiate activation of effective and long-lasting host immune control. ARB-1740 is a clinical stage RNA interference agent composed of three siRNAs delivered using lipid nanoparticle technology. In a number of cell and animal models of HBV, ARB-1740 caused HBV RNA reduction, leading to inhibition of multiple elements of the viral life cycle including HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcAg viral proteins as well as replication marker HBV DNA. ARB-1740 demonstrated pan-genotypic activity in vitro and in vivo, targeting three distinct highly conserved regions of the HBV genome, and effectively inhibited replication of nucleoside analogue-resistant HBV variants. Combination of ARB-1740 with a capsid inhibitor and pegylated interferon-alpha led to greater liver HBsAg reduction which correlated with more robust induction of innate immune responses in a human chimeric mouse model of HBV. The preclinical profile of ARB-1740 demonstrates the promise of RNA interference and HBV antigen reduction in treatment strategies driving toward a cure for HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily P. Thi
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Ammen P. Dhillon
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Andrzej Ardzinski
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Lale Bidirici-Ertekin
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Kyle D. Cobarrubias
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Andrea Cuconati
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | | | - Kaylyn Kwak
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Alice H. L. Li
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Angela Miller
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Chris Pasetka
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Luying Pei
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Janet R. Phelps
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Nicholas M. Snead
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Xiaohe Wang
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Xin Ye
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Michael J. Sofia
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
| | - Amy C. H. Lee
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 United States
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