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Liu W, Cai S, Pu R, Li Z, Liu D, Zhou X, Yin J, Chen X, Chen L, Wu J, Tan X, Wang X, Cao G. HBV preS Mutations Promote Hepatocarcinogenesis by Inducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Upregulating Inflammatory Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133274. [PMID: 35805045 PMCID: PMC9265300 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Viral mutations at the preS region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) significantly increase the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Compared to HBV preS deletion, the oncogenic effect of preS combo mutation has rarely been investigated. With a cohort including 2114 subjects, we demonstrated that preS combo mutations G2950A/G2951A/A2962G/C2964A and C3116T/T31C significantly increased the risk of HCC in patients without antiviral treatment, whereas preS2 deletion significantly increased the risk of HCC in patients with antiviral treatment. The prevalence of C3116T/T31C (43.61%) was higher than preS2 deletion (7.16%). By using Sleeping Beauty mouse models and in vitro experiments, we found G2950A/G2951A/A2962G/C2964A, C3116T/T31C, and preS2 deletion promoted hepatocarcinogenesis by increasing levels of inflammatory cytokines, activating STAT3 pathway, enhancing endoplasmic reticulum stress, and altering gene expression profiles in inflammation- and metabolism-related pathways. These results suggest that preS combo mutations G2950A/G2951A/A2962G/C2964A and C3116T/T31C had similar oncogenic effects of preS2 deletion and should also be monitored. Abstract This study aimed to elucidate the effects and underlying mechanisms of hepatitis B virus (HBV) preS mutations on hepatocarcinogenesis. The effect of the preS mutations on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence was evaluated using a prospective cohort study with 2114 HBV-infected patients, of whom 612 received antiviral treatments. The oncogenic functions of HBV preS mutations were investigated using cancer cell lines and Sleeping Beauty (SB) mouse models. RNA-sequencing and microarray were applied to identify key molecules involved in the mutant-induced carcinogenesis. Combo mutations G2950A/G2951A/A2962G/C2964A and C3116T/T31C significantly increased HCC risk in patients without antiviral treatment, whereas the preS2 deletion significantly increased HCC risk in patients with antiviral treatment. In SB mice, the preS1/preS2/S mutants induced a higher rate of tumor and higher serum levels of inflammatory cytokines than did wild-type counterpart. The preS1/preS2/S mutants induced altered gene expression profiles in the inflammation- and metabolism-related pathways, activated pathways of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, affected the response to hypoxia, and upregulated the protein level of STAT3. Inhibiting the STAT3 pathway attenuated the effects of the preS1/preS2/S mutants on cell proliferation. G2950A/G2951A/A2962G/C2964A, C3116T/T31C, and preS2 deletion promote hepatocarcinogenesis via inducing ER stress, metabolism alteration, and STAT3 pathways, which might be translated into HCC prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
| | - Shiliang Cai
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
| | - Rui Pu
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
| | - Zixiong Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
| | - Donghong Liu
- Department of Liver Cancer Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China;
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
| | - Jianhua Yin
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital, Xi’an 710032, China;
| | - Xiaojie Tan
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
| | - Xin Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200433, China;
| | - Guangwen Cao
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Rd., Shanghai 200433, China; (W.L.); (S.C.); (R.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (J.Y.); (X.C.); (L.C.); (X.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-21-8187-1060
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Campos-Valdez M, Monroy-Ramírez HC, Armendáriz-Borunda J, Sánchez-Orozco LV. Molecular Mechanisms during Hepatitis B Infection and the Effects of the Virus Variability. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061167. [PMID: 34207116 PMCID: PMC8235420 DOI: 10.3390/v13061167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunopathogenesis and molecular mechanisms involved during a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have made the approaches for research complex, especially concerning the patients’ responses in the course of the early acute stage. The study of molecular bases involved in the viral clearance or persistence of the infection is complicated due to the difficulty to detect patients at the most adequate points of the disease, especially in the time lapse between the onset of the infection and the viral emergence. Despite this, there is valuable data obtained from animal and in vitro models, which have helped to clarify some aspects of the early immune response against HBV infection. The diversity of the HBV (genotypes and variants) has been proven to be associated not only with the development and outcome of the disease but also with the response to treatments. That is why factors involved in the virus evolution need to be considered while studying hepatitis B infection. This review brings together some of the published data to try to explain the immunological and molecular mechanisms involved in the different stages of the infection, clinical outcomes, viral persistence, and the impact of the variants of HBV in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Campos-Valdez
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Instituto de Biología Molecular en Medicina, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, México; (M.C.-V.); (H.C.M.-R.); (J.A.-B.)
| | - Hugo C. Monroy-Ramírez
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Instituto de Biología Molecular en Medicina, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, México; (M.C.-V.); (H.C.M.-R.); (J.A.-B.)
| | - Juan Armendáriz-Borunda
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Instituto de Biología Molecular en Medicina, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, México; (M.C.-V.); (H.C.M.-R.); (J.A.-B.)
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Guadalajara, Zapopan 45201, Jalisco, México
| | - Laura V. Sánchez-Orozco
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Instituto de Biología Molecular en Medicina, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, México; (M.C.-V.); (H.C.M.-R.); (J.A.-B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-33-3954-5677
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Goh ZY, Ren EC, Ko HL. Intracellular interferon signalling pathways as potential regulators of covalently closed circular DNA in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:1369-1391. [PMID: 33911462 PMCID: PMC8047536 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i14.1369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still a major global health threat as 250 million people worldwide continue to be chronically infected with the virus. While patients may be treated with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, this only suppresses HBV titre to sub-detection levels without eliminating the persistent HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) genome. As a result, HBV infection cannot be cured, and the virus reactivates when conditions are favorable. Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines known to induce powerful antiviral mechanisms that clear viruses from infected cells. They have been shown to induce cccDNA clearance, but their use in the treatment of HBV infection is limited as HBV-targeting immune cells are exhausted and HBV has evolved multiple mechanisms to evade and suppress IFN signalling. Thus, to fully utilize IFN-mediated intracellular mechanisms to effectively eliminate HBV, instead of direct IFN administration, novel strategies to sustain IFN-mediated anti-cccDNA and antiviral mechanisms need to be developed. This review will consolidate what is known about how IFNs act to achieve its intracellular antiviral effects and highlight the critical interferon-stimulated gene targets and effector mechanisms with potent anti-cccDNA functions. These include cccDNA degradation by APOBECs and cccDNA silencing and transcription repression by epigenetic modifications. In addition, the mechanisms that HBV employs to disrupt IFN signalling will be discussed. Drugs that have been developed or are in the pipeline for components of the IFN signalling pathway and HBV targets that detract IFN signalling mechanisms will also be identified and discussed for utility in the treatment of HBV infections. Together, these will provide useful insights into design strategies that specifically target cccDNA for the eradication of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yi Goh
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore
- Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme, NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Ee Chee Ren
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
| | - Hui Ling Ko
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138648, Singapore
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Guo Y, Lu H, Xu L, Idris NFB, Li Y, Hu J, Huang A, TU Z. The response of hepatitis B virus genotype to interferon is associated with a mutation in the interferon-stimulated response element. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e18442. [PMID: 31861015 PMCID: PMC6940054 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000018442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variation and genotype of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) are related to the efficiency of interferon alpha (IFN-α)-based antiviral therapy. However, the correlation of variation in interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) and HBV genotype response to IFN-α therapy remains elusive.Differences of ISRE between genotype B and C HBV were explored using the HBV sequences retrieved from GenBank, and further investigated by ISRE region cloning and sequencing from 60 clinical samples post-IFN-α therapy. Additionally, ISRE mutants were constructed and their relation to responsiveness of IFN-α was evaluated by real-time PCR and Southern blot analysis.ISRE pattern between genotype B and C were found based on both clinical sample sequencing and full-length sequence alignment. The primary difference is the fourth base within the ISRE region, with T and C for genotype B and C, respectively. HBV with genotype C-type ISRE had a higher replicative capability as compared to HBV with genotype B-type ISRE after IFN-α treatment in huh7 cells. CONCLUSION:: Preference of ISRE between genotype B and C HBV are distinct. Single nucleotide difference (C to T) within the HBV ISRE region may link to the efficacy of IFN-α therapy to genotype B and C HBV. Therefore, this study provides a clue for the determination of IFN-α therapy response to HBV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Guo
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - He Lu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | | | - Yimin Li
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
| | - Jieli Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ailong Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zeng TU
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Genotypes among HBsAg-negative Subjects in Burkina Faso. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2018; 10:e2018007. [PMID: 29326804 PMCID: PMC5760064 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2018.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The presence of HBV DNA in the liver (with detectable or undetectable HBV DNA in the serum) of individuals tested HBsAg negative by currently available assays is defined occult B Infection (OBI). It remains a potential transmission threat and risk to HBV chronic infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the OBI prevalence among HBsAg negative subjects and to characterize associated genotypes. Methods Blood samples of 219 HBsAg-negative subjects tested by ELISA were collected. HBV DNA was investigated in all samples. Viral loads were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. All samples were screened for HBV markers (anti-HBc, anti-HBe, HBsAg). The Pre-S/S region of the HBV genome was sequenced. The database was analyzed using the SPSS and Epi info software. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the BioEdit and MEGA software. Results Of the 219 samples, 20.1% were anti-HBc positive, 1.8% HBeAg and 22.8% were anti-HBe positive. Fifty-six (56) (25.6%) of the samples had a detectable HBV DNA and viral loads ranging from 4 IU/mL to 13.6 106 IU/mL. Sixteen of them (16/56) had a viral load < 200 IU/mL, resulting in an OBI prevalence of 7.3% (16/219) in our study. The remaining 40 subjects had viral loads > 200 IU/mL, resulting in a “false OBI” prevalence of 18.3% (40/219). HBV genotype E was predominant followed by the quasi-sub-genotype A3. A single “false OBI” strain had the characteristic mutation G145R. Other mutations were observed and all located in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the S gene. Conclusion The study reported a prevalence of 7.3% of occult hepatitis B infection. It confirms the predominance of genotype E and the existence of a subgroup of quasi-sub-genotype A3 of HBV in Burkina Faso. It further provides information on the presence of “false OBI.” This study has found mutations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the pre-S/S gene of HBV.
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Phillips S, Mistry S, Riva A, Cooksley H, Hadzhiolova-Lebeau T, Plavova S, Katzarov K, Simonova M, Zeuzem S, Woffendin C, Chen PJ, Peng CY, Chang TT, Lueth S, De Knegt R, Choi MS, Wedemeyer H, Dao M, Kim CW, Chu HC, Wind-Rotolo M, Williams R, Cooney E, Chokshi S. Peg-Interferon Lambda Treatment Induces Robust Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients. Front Immunol 2017; 8:621. [PMID: 28611778 PMCID: PMC5446997 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
IFN-lambda (IFNλ) is a member of the type III IFN family and is reported to possess anti-pathogen, anti-cancer, and immunomodulatory properties; however, there are limited data regarding its impact on host immune responses in vivo. We performed longitudinal and comprehensive immunosurveillance to assess the ability of pegylated (peg)-IFNλ to augment antiviral host immunity as part of a clinical trial assessing the efficacy of peg-IFNλ in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. These patients were pretreated with directly acting antiviral therapy (entecavir) for 12 weeks with subsequent addition of peg-IFNλ for up to 32 weeks. In a subgroup of patients, the addition of peg-IFNλ provoked high serum levels of antiviral cytokine IL-18. We also observed the enhancement of natural killer cell polyfunctionality and the recovery of a pan-genotypic HBV-specific CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ with maintenance of HBV-specific CD8+ T cell antiviral and cytotoxic activities. It was only in these patients that we observed strong virological control with reductions in both viral replication and HBV antigen levels. Here, we show for the first time that in vivo peg-IFNλ displays significant immunostimulatory properties with improvements in the main effectors mediating anti-HBV immunity. Interestingly, the maintenance in HBV-specific CD8+ T cells in the presence of peg-IFNλ is in contrast to previous studies showing that peg-IFNα treatment for CHB results in a detrimental effect on the functionality of this important antiviral T cell compartment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01204762.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Phillips
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sameer Mistry
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Riva
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Cooksley
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Slava Plavova
- Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Krum Katzarov
- Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Marieta Simonova
- Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Stephan Zeuzem
- Johann Wolfgang, Goethe University Medical Center, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Clive Woffendin
- Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael Dao
- Precision Diagnostic Laboratory, Santa Ana, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Megan Wind-Rotolo
- Research and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Wallingford, CT, United States
| | - Roger Williams
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shilpa Chokshi
- Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Yan Z, Xu T, Su K, Wang C, Yan T, Hua Z, Gu E, Zhu F. Investigation of therapeutic effect of Longchai Formula Granule on chronic hepatitis B patients: A double-blind, controlled and randomized clinical trial. BIO WEB OF CONFERENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1051/bioconf/20170801029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
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Pei RJ, Chen XW, Lu MJ. Control of hepatitis B virus replication by interferons and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:11618-11629. [PMID: 25206268 PMCID: PMC4155354 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i33.11618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major causes of liver diseases, affecting more than 350 million people worldwide. The interferon (IFN)-mediated innate immune responses could restrict HBV replication at the different steps of viral life cycle. Indeed, IFN-α has been successfully used for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, the role of the innate immune response in HBV replication and the mechanism of the anti-HBV effect of IFN-α are not completely explored. In this review, we summarized the currently available knowledge about the IFN-mediated anti-HBV effect in the HBV life cycle and the possible effectors downstream the IFN signaling pathway. The antiviral effect of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in HBV replication is briefly discussed. The strategies exploited by HBV to evade the IFN- and TLR-mediated antiviral actions are summarized.
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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic DNA virus. The HBV genome is prone to variations. Based on genomic variations, HBV is divided into ten genotypes, many subgenotypes and quasispecies. These genotypes, subgenotypes and quasispecies have distinct race and geographic distribution and have been associated with outcome of HBV infection, disease progression and treatment.
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