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Xiang Z, He XL, Zhu CW, Yang JJ, Huang L, Jiang C, Wu J. Animal models of hepatitis E infection: Advances and challenges. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2024; 23:171-180. [PMID: 37852916 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Although most of HEV infections are asymptomatic, some patients will develop the symptoms, especially pregnant women, the elderly, and patients with preexisting liver diseases, who often experience anorexia, nausea, vomiting, malaise, abdominal pain, and jaundice. HEV infection may become chronic in immunosuppressed individuals. In addition, HEV infection can also cause several extrahepatic manifestations. HEV exists in a wide range of hosts in nature and can be transmitted across species. Hence, animals susceptible to HEV can be used as models. The establishment of animal models is of great significance for studying HEV transmission, clinical symptoms, extrahepatic manifestations, and therapeutic strategies, which will help us understand the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of hepatitis E. This review summarized the animal models of HEV, including pigs, monkeys, rabbits, mice, rats, and other animals. For each animal species, we provided a concise summary of the HEV genotypes that they can be infected with, the cross-species transmission pathways, as well as their role in studying extrahepatic manifestations, prevention, and treatment of HEV infection. The advantages and disadvantages of these animal models were also emphasized. This review offers new perspectives to enhance the current understanding of the research landscape surrounding HEV animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Xiang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Xiang-Lin He
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Chuan-Wu Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth People's Hospital of Suzhou, Suzhou 215007, China
| | - Jia-Jia Yang
- Department of Infection Management, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China
| | - Chun Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China.
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Cong C, Xia Y, Gong S, Li T, Liu H, Zhong G, Chen D, Zhao W, Yu W, Yao Y, Liu J, Wei D, Cao H, Huang F. Infectious hepatitis E virus excreted into the vagina. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23500. [PMID: 38441537 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301519rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) persists in the male genital tract that associates with infertility. However, the presence of HEV in the female genital tract is unreported. Vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and cervix uteri were collected to explore the presence of HEV in the female genital tract. HEV RNA and/or antigens were detected in the vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and the cervix uteri of women. The infectivity of HEV excreted into vaginal secretions was further validated in vitro. In addition, HEV replicates in the female genital tract were identified in HEV-infected animal models by vaginal injection or vaginal mucosal infection to imitate sexual transmission. Serious genital tract damage and inflammatory responses with significantly elevated mucosal innate immunity were observed in women or animals with HEV vaginal infection. Results demonstrated HEV replicates in the female genital tract and causes serious histopathological damage and inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Cong
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
| | - Yueping Xia
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
| | - Shilin Gong
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
| | - Tengyuan Li
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
| | - Huichan Liu
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
| | - Guo Zhong
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
| | - Dongxue Chen
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
| | - Wanqiu Zhao
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
| | - Wenhai Yu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, PR China
| | - Yinjie Yao
- Kunming City Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Kunming, PR China
| | - Jiankun Liu
- 920th Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Kunming, PR China
| | - Daqiao Wei
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
| | - Hongcui Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Fen Huang
- School of Medicine, The Academy for Cells and Life Health, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, PR China
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, PR China
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Yu W, Ji H, Long F, Chen S, He Q, Xia Y, Cong C, Yang C, Wei D, Huang F. Inhibition of hepatitis E virus replication by zinc-finger antiviral Protein synergizes with IFN-β. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1219-1229. [PMID: 33894039 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. However, host-HEV interactions have yet to be fully understood. Zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP) is a novel interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene product that inhibits a variety of viruses in synergy with IFN-β. To evaluate the role of ZAP in HEV infection, its expressions in HEV-infected patients and in cell cultures were measured. We report a significant inhibition of ZAP expression in patients with HEV genotype four acute infection. The expression of ZAP in the HEV life cycle was monitored in cultures of HEV-infected cells. Results indicated that the ZAP level decreased significantly after HEV infection. ZAP over-expression inhibited HEV replication, whereas its knockdown by RNA interference significantly increased HEV RNA. These suggest that ZAP serves as an antiviral in HEV infection. Moreover, silencing ZAP decreased IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) phosphorylation in HEV-infected cells treated with poly(I:C), indicating that ZAP synergizes with IFN-β. In conclusion, ZAP is an important anti-HEV host factor and in synergy with IFN-β, inhibits HEV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhai Yu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Hanbin Ji
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Feiyan Long
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Shuangfeng Chen
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Qiuxia He
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Yueping Xia
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Chao Cong
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Chenchen Yang
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Daqiao Wei
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Fen Huang
- Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Kunming, China
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Thakur V, Ratho RK, Kumar S, Saxena SK, Bora I, Thakur P. Viral Hepatitis E and Chronicity: A Growing Public Health Concern. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:577339. [PMID: 33133046 PMCID: PMC7550462 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.577339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E viral infection recently emerges as a global health concern. Over the last decade, the understanding of hepatitis E virus (HEV) had changed with the discovery of new genotypes like genotype-7 and genotype-8 with associated host and mode of infection. Diversification in the mode of hepatitis E infection transmission through blood transfusion, and organ transplants in contrast to classical feco-oral and zoonotic mode is the recent medical concern. The wide spectrum of infection ranging from self-limiting to acute liver failure is now overpowered by HEV genotype-specific chronic infection especially in transplant patients. This concern is further escalated by the extra-hepatic manifestations of HEV targeting the central nervous system (CNS), kidney, heart, and pancreas. However, with the development of advanced efficient cell culture systems and animal models simulating the infection, much clarity toward understanding the pathogenetic mechanism of HEV has been developed. Also this facilitates the development of vaccines research or therapeutics. In this review, we highlight all the novel findings in every aspect of HEV with special emphasis on recently emerging chronic mode of infection with specific diagnosis and treatment regime with an optimistic hope to help virologists and/or liver specialists working in the field of viral hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Thakur
- Department of Virology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Radha Kanta Ratho
- Department of Virology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Swatantra Kumar
- Centre for Advanced Research, Faculty of Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Shailendra K Saxena
- Centre for Advanced Research, Faculty of Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Ishani Bora
- Department of Virology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Pryanka Thakur
- Department of Virology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Scholz J, Falkenhagen A, Bock CT, Johne R. Reverse genetics approaches for hepatitis E virus and related viruses. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 44:121-128. [PMID: 32818718 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. Related viruses have been found in several animal species. Reverse genetics systems (RGSs), which enable the generation of infectious virus from cloned cDNA by transfection of cultured cells or intrahepatic injection into laboratory animals, have been developed for HEV genotypes 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 as well as for avian HEV and rat HEV. However, low virus recovery rates and slow replication in cell cultures are observed for most of the HEV types. Nevertheless, the RGSs enabled the site-directed mutagenesis of single nucleotides, deletion of genome fragments, insertion of sequence tags and a marker gene as well as the generation of chimeric viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Scholz
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Falkenhagen
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claus-Thomas Bock
- Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reimar Johne
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany.
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Sayed IM, Elkhawaga AA, El-Mokhtar MA. In vivo models for studying Hepatitis E virus infection; Updates and applications. Virus Res 2019; 274:197765. [PMID: 31563457 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis globally. HEV belongs to the Hepeviridae family and at least five genotypes (gt) infect humans. Several animal species are reservoirs for different HEV strains, and they are the source of infection for humans. Some HEV strains are species specific, but other strains could cross species and infect many hosts. The study of HEV infection and pathogenesis was hampered due to the lack of an in vitro and in vivo robust model system. The cell culture system has been established for certain HEV strains, especially gt3 and 4, but gt1 strains replicate poorly in vitro. To date, animal models are the best tool for studying HEV infection. Non-human primates (NHPs) and pigs are the main animal models used for studying HEV infection, but ethical and financial concerns restrict the use of NHPs in research. Therefore, new small animal models have been developed which help more progress in HEV research. In this review, we give updates on the animal models used for studying HEV infection, focusing on the applicability of each model in studying different HEV infections, cross-species infection, virus-host interaction, evaluation of anti-HEV therapies and testing potential HEV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
| | - Amal A Elkhawaga
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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Sayed IM. A comment on "Current status of hepatitis E virus infection at a rhesus monkey farm in China". Vet Microbiol 2019; 237:108379. [PMID: 31543286 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Microbiology and Immunology Department, Assiut University, Egypt.
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Hepatitis E virus in Tibetan pigs on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: detection, molecular characterization and infection of BALB/c mice. Arch Virol 2019; 164:2943-2951. [PMID: 31549302 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04410-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This study was performed to investigate the prevalence and genetic variation of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Tibetan pigs and to determine its ability to infect mice. A total of 38 out of 229 (16.59%; 95% CI = 12.00%-22.10%) fecal samples from Tibetan pigs from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in 2018 were positive for HEV RNA, which was detected by RT-nPCR. Significantly different detection rates were observed between samples from diarrheic and clinically healthy animals (OR = 9.56; 95% CI, 2.84-32.14; p < 0.001), suggesting a potential association between HEV infection and diarrhea in Tibetan pigs. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the HEV isolates were clustered into subtypes 4a (31 samples), 4b (1), 4d (2), and 4j (4). HEV-4a was the predominant subtype, indicating that it might be circulating in Tibetan pigs. Nine complete HEV genome sequences obtained from Tibetan pigs were found by phylogenetic analysis to be closely related to those of genotype 4 HEV isolates from humans. Two recombinant events were identified in both HEV-4a strains; a novel recombination breakpoint was first identified at the 3' end of the ORF2 region in the SWU/L9/2018 strain, and a common recombination region was found at the junction of the ORF1 and ORF2 regions in the SWU/31-12/2018 strain. Furthermore, HEV-4a could be detected in all BALB/c mice that were experimentally infected by gavage and contact exposure. The information presented here about the prevalence and genotype diversity of HEV from Tibetan pigs provides important insights into the epidemic features of HEV on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
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Animal Models for Hepatitis E virus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060564. [PMID: 31216711 PMCID: PMC6630473 DOI: 10.3390/v11060564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an underdiagnosed pathogen with approximately 20 million infections each year and currently the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis. HEV was long considered to be confined to developing countries but there is increasing evidence that it is also a medical problem in the Western world. HEV that infects humans belongs to the Orthohepevirus A species of the Hepeviridae family. Novel HEV-like viruses have been observed in a variety of animals and some have been shown to be able to cross the species barrier, causing infection in humans. Several cell culture models for HEV have been established in the past years, but their efficiency is usually relatively low. With the circulation of this virus and related viruses in a variety of species, several different animal models have been developed. In this review, we give an overview of these animal models, indicate their main characteristics, and highlight how they may contribute to our understanding of the basic aspects of the viral life cycle and cross-species infection, the study of pathogenesis, and the evaluation of novel preventative and therapeutic strategies.
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