1
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Camps G, Maestro S, Torella L, Herrero D, Usai C, Bilbao-Arribas M, Aldaz A, Olagüe C, Vales A, Suárez-Amarán L, Aldabe R, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G. Protective role of RIPK1 scaffolding against HDV-induced hepatocyte cell death and the significance of cytokines in mice. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011749. [PMID: 38739648 PMCID: PMC11115361 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection represents the most severe form of human viral hepatitis; however, the mechanisms underlying its pathology remain incompletely understood. We recently developed an HDV mouse model by injecting adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) containing replication-competent HBV and HDV genomes. This model replicates many features of human infection, including liver injury. Notably, the extent of liver damage can be diminished with anti-TNF-α treatment. Here, we found that TNF-α is mainly produced by macrophages. Downstream of the TNF-α receptor (TNFR), the receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) serves as a cell fate regulator, playing roles in both cell survival and death pathways. In this study, we explored the function of RIPK1 and other host factors in HDV-induced cell death. We determined that the scaffolding function of RIPK1, and not its kinase activity, offers partial protection against HDV-induced apoptosis. A reduction in RIPK1 expression in hepatocytes through CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing significantly intensifies HDV-induced damage. Contrary to our expectations, the protective effect of RIPK1 was not linked to TNF-α or macrophage activation, as their absence did not alter the extent of damage. Intriguingly, in the absence of RIPK1, macrophages confer a protective role. However, in animals unresponsive to type-I IFNs, RIPK1 downregulation did not exacerbate the damage, suggesting RIPK1's role in shielding hepatocytes from type-I IFN-induced cell death. Interestingly, while the damage extent is similar between IFNα/βR KO and wild type mice in terms of transaminase elevation, their cell death mechanisms differ. In conclusion, our findings reveal that HDV-induced type-I IFN production is central to inducing hepatocyte death, and RIPK1's scaffolding function offers protective benefits. Thus, type-I IFN together with TNF-α, contribute to HDV-induced liver damage. These insights may guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies to mitigate HDV-induced liver damage and halt disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracián Camps
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sheila Maestro
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Laura Torella
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Diego Herrero
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carla Usai
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Martin Bilbao-Arribas
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Aldaz
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Olagüe
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Africa Vales
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Lester Suárez-Amarán
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rafael Aldabe
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, CIMA, University of Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdisNA, Pamplona, Spain
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2
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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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3
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Lombardo D, Franzè MS, Caminiti G, Pollicino T. Hepatitis Delta Virus and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Pathogens 2024; 13:362. [PMID: 38787214 PMCID: PMC11124437 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050362] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a compact, enveloped, circular RNA virus that relies on hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope proteins to initiate a primary infection in hepatocytes, assemble, and secrete new virions. Globally, HDV infection affects an estimated 12 million to 72 million people, carrying a significantly elevated risk of developing cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to an HBV mono-infection. Furthermore, HDV-associated HCC often manifests at a younger age and exhibits more aggressive characteristics. The intricate mechanisms driving the synergistic carcinogenicity of the HDV and HBV are not fully elucidated but are believed to involve chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and the direct oncogenic effects of the HDV. Indeed, recent data highlight that the molecular profile of HCC associated with HDV is unique and distinct from that of HBV-induced HCC. However, the question of whether the HDV is an oncogenic virus remains unanswered. In this review, we comprehensively examined several crucial aspects of the HDV, encompassing its epidemiology, molecular biology, immunology, and the associated risks of liver disease progression and HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Teresa Pollicino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (D.L.); (M.S.F.); (G.C.)
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4
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Khalfi P, Denis Z, McKellar J, Merolla G, Chavey C, Ursic-Bedoya J, Soppa L, Szirovicza L, Hetzel U, Dufourt J, Leyrat C, Goldmann N, Goto K, Verrier E, Baumert TF, Glebe D, Courgnaud V, Gregoire D, Hepojoki J, Majzoub K. Comparative analysis of human, rodent and snake deltavirus replication. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012060. [PMID: 38442126 PMCID: PMC10942263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent discovery of Hepatitis D (HDV)-like viruses across a wide range of taxa led to the establishment of the Kolmioviridae family. Recent studies suggest that kolmiovirids can be satellites of viruses other than Hepatitis B virus (HBV), challenging the strict HBV/HDV-association dogma. Studying whether kolmiovirids are able to replicate in any animal cell they enter is essential to assess their zoonotic potential. Here, we compared replication of three kolmiovirids: HDV, rodent (RDeV) and snake (SDeV) deltavirus in vitro and in vivo. We show that SDeV has the narrowest and RDeV the broadest host cell range. High resolution imaging of cells persistently replicating these viruses revealed nuclear viral hubs with a peculiar RNA-protein organization. Finally, in vivo hydrodynamic delivery of viral replicons showed that both HDV and RDeV, but not SDeV, efficiently replicate in mouse liver, forming massive nuclear viral hubs. Our comparative analysis lays the foundation for the discovery of specific host factors controlling Kolmioviridae host-shifting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Khalfi
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Zoé Denis
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Joe McKellar
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Giovanni Merolla
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Carine Chavey
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - José Ursic-Bedoya
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- Department of hepato-gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, Saint Eloi University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Lena Soppa
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Leonora Szirovicza
- Medicum, Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Udo Hetzel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy Dufourt
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS UMR9004, Montpellier, France
| | - Cedric Leyrat
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Nora Goldmann
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kaku Goto
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eloi Verrier
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF, Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Valérie Courgnaud
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Damien Gregoire
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Medicum, Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karim Majzoub
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
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5
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Chiou WC, Lyu YS, Hsia TL, Chen JC, Lin LC, Chang MF, Hsu MS, Huang C. Ergosterol peroxide blocks HDV infection as a novel entry inhibitor by targeting human NTCP receptor. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116077. [PMID: 38154274 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116077] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus (HDV), which co-infects or superinfects patients with hepatitis B virus, is estimated to affect 74 million people worldwide. Chronic hepatitis D is the most severe form of viral hepatitis and can result in liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, there are no efficient HDV-specific drugs. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel HDV therapies that can achieve a functional cure or even eliminate the viral infection. In the HDV life cycle, agents targeting the entry step of HDV infection preemptively reduce the intrahepatic viral RNA. Human sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (hNTCP), a transporter of bile acids on the plasma membrane of hepatocytes, is an essential entry receptor of HDV and is a promising molecular target against HDV infection. Here, we investigated the effect of ergosterol peroxide (EP) on HDV infection in vitro and in vivo. EP inhibited HDV infection of hNTCP-expressing dHuS-E/2 hepatocytes by interrupting the early fusion/endocytosis step of HDV entry. Furthermore, molecular modeling suggested that EP hinders LHBsAg binding to hNTCP by blocking access to S267 and V263. In addition, we generated hNTCP-expressing transgenic (Tg) C57BL/6 mice using the Cre/loxP system for in vivo study. EP reduced the liver HDV RNA level of HDV-challenged hNTCP-Cre Tg mice. Intriguingly, EP downregulated the mRNA level of liver IFN-γ. We demonstrate that EP is a bona fide HDV entry inhibitor that acts on hNTCP and has the potential for use in HDV therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chung Chiou
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Syuan Lyu
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Lan Hsia
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Chieh Chen
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 600355, Taiwan
| | - Lie-Chwen Lin
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Fu Chang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Shiuan Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei 220216, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan.
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6
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Maya S, Hershkovich L, Cardozo-Ojeda EF, Shirvani-Dastgerdi E, Srinivas J, Shekhtman L, Uprichard SL, Berneshawi AR, Cafiero TR, Dahari H, Ploss A. Hepatitis delta virus RNA decline post-inoculation in human NTCP transgenic mice is biphasic. mBio 2023; 14:e0100823. [PMID: 37436080 PMCID: PMC10470517 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01008-23] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B and delta viruses (HDV) is the most serious form of viral hepatitis due to more severe manifestations of an accelerated progression to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We characterized early HDV kinetics post-inoculation and incorporated mathematical modeling to provide insights into host-HDV dynamics. We analyzed HDV RNA serum viremia in 192 immunocompetent (C57BL/6) and immunodeficient (NRG) mice that did or did not transgenically express the HDV receptor-human sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (hNTCP). Kinetic analysis indicates an unanticipated biphasic decline consisting of a sharp first-phase and slower second-phase decline regardless of immunocompetence. HDV decline after re-inoculation again followed a biphasic decline; however, a steeper second-phase HDV decline was observed in NRG-hNTCP mice compared to NRG mice. HDV-entry inhibitor bulevirtide administration and HDV re-inoculation indicated that viral entry and receptor saturation are not major contributors to clearance, respectively. The biphasic kinetics can be mathematically modeled by assuming the existence of a non-specific-binding compartment with a constant on/off-rate and the steeper second-phase decline by a loss of bound virus that cannot be returned as free virus to circulation. The model predicts that free HDV is cleared with a half-life of 35 minutes (standard error, SE: 6.3), binds to non-specific cells with a rate of 0.05 per hour (SE: 0.01), and returns as free virus with a rate of 0.11 per hour (SE: 0.02). Characterizing early HDV-host kinetics elucidates how quickly HDV is either cleared or bound depending on the immunological background and hNTCP presence. IMPORTANCE The persistence phase of HDV infection has been studied in some animal models; however, the early kinetics of HDV in vivo is incompletely understood. In this study, we characterize an unexpectedly HDV biphasic decline post-inoculation in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mouse models and use mathematical modeling to provide insights into HDV-host dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Maya
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Leeor Hershkovich
- Department of Medicine, The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - E. Fabian Cardozo-Ojeda
- Department of Medicine, The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Jay Srinivas
- Department of Medicine, The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Louis Shekhtman
- Department of Medicine, The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Susan L. Uprichard
- Department of Medicine, The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew R. Berneshawi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Thomas R. Cafiero
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Harel Dahari
- Department of Medicine, The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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7
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Sandmann L, Wedemeyer H. Interferon-based treatment of chronic hepatitis D. Liver Int 2023; 43 Suppl 1:69-79. [PMID: 36002390 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection has been based on the administration of interferon-alfa for more than three decades. First studies to treat HDV-infected patients with type 1 interferons were already performed in the 1980s. Several smaller trials and case series were reported thereafter. During the mid 2000s the use of pegylated interferons for hepatitis D was established. Since then, additional trials were performed in different countries exploring strategies to personalize treatment including extended treatment durations. The overall findings were that about one-quarter to one-third of patients benefit from interferon treatment with persistent suppression of HDV replication. However, only few patients achieve also functional cure of hepatitis B with HBsAg loss. Importantly, several studies indicate that successful interferon treatment is associated with improved clinical long-term outcomes. Still, only a proportion of patients with hepatitis D can be treated with interferons. Even though alternative treatments are currently developed, it is likely that pegylated interferon-alfa will still have an important role in the management of hepatitis D - either alone or in combination. Therefore, better biomarkers are needed to select patients with a high likelihood to benefit from interferon-based treatments. In this review we are discussing basic principles of mode of action of interferon alpha against HDV, summarize previous data on interferon treatment of hepatitis D and give an outlook on potential combinations with novel drugs currently in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sandmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster Resist, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Clinician Scientist Program PRACTIS, Supported by the German Research Foundation DFG, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Excellence Cluster Resist, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 900, Hannover, Germany
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8
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Hoblos R, Kefalakes H. Immunology of hepatitis D virus infection: General concepts and present evidence. Liver Int 2023; 43 Suppl 1:47-59. [PMID: 36074070 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15424] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis D virus induces the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis, affecting over 12 million people worldwide. Chronic HDV infection leads to rapid development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in ~70% of patients within 15 years of infection. Recent evidence suggests that an interplay of different components of the immune system are contributing to viral control and may even be implicated in liver disease pathogenesis. This review will describe general concepts of antiviral immune response and elicit the present evidence concerning the interplay of the hepatitis D virus with the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Hoblos
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Helenie Kefalakes
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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9
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Liu Y, Cafiero TR, Park D, Biswas A, Winer BY, Cho CH, Bram Y, Chandar V, Connell AKO, Gertje HP, Crossland N, Schwartz RE, Ploss A. Targeted viral adaptation generates a simian-tropic hepatitis B virus that infects marmoset cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3582. [PMID: 37328459 PMCID: PMC10276007 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39148-3] [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: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) only infects humans and chimpanzees, posing major challenges for modeling HBV infection and chronic viral hepatitis. The major barrier in establishing HBV infection in non-human primates lies at incompatibilities between HBV and simian orthologues of the HBV receptor, sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP). Through mutagenesis analysis and screening among NTCP orthologues from Old World monkeys, New World monkeys and prosimians, we determined key residues responsible for viral binding and internalization, respectively and identified marmosets as a suitable candidate for HBV infection. Primary marmoset hepatocytes and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells support HBV and more efficient woolly monkey HBV (WMHBV) infection. Adapted chimeric HBV genome harboring residues 1-48 of WMHBV preS1 generated here led to a more efficient infection than wild-type HBV in primary and stem cell derived marmoset hepatocytes. Collectively, our data demonstrate that minimal targeted simianization of HBV can break the species barrier in small NHPs, paving the path for an HBV primate model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhen Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Thomas R Cafiero
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Debby Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Abhishek Biswas
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- Research Computing, Office of Information Technology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Benjamin Y Winer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | | | - Yaron Bram
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Vasuretha Chandar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Aoife K O' Connell
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Hans P Gertje
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Nicholas Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Robert E Schwartz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
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10
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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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11
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Sharma S, Rawal P, Kaur S, Puria R. Liver organoids as a primary human model to study HBV-mediated Hepatocellular carcinoma. A review. Exp Cell Res 2023; 428:113618. [PMID: 37142202 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113618] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is the prevailing cause of chronic liver disease, which progresses to Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 75% of cases. It represents a serious health concern being the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Treatments available to date fail to provide a complete cure with high chances of recurrence and related side effects. The lack of reliable, reproducible, and scalable in vitro modeling systems that could recapitulate the viral life cycle and represent virus-host interactions has hindered the development of effective treatments so far. The present review provides insights into the current in-vivo and in-vitro models used for studying HBV and their major limitations. We highlight the use of three-dimensional liver organoids as a novel and suitable platform for modeling HBV infection and HBV-mediated HCC. HBV organoids can be expanded, genetically altered, patient-derived, tested for drug discovery, and biobanked. This review also provides the general guidelines for culturing HBV organoids and highlights their several prospects for HBV drug discovery and screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Sharma
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Preety Rawal
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India.
| | - Rekha Puria
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India.
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12
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Bhat S, Ahanger IA, Kazim SN. Forthcoming Developments in Models to Study the Hepatitis B Virus Replication Cycle, Pathogenesis, and Pharmacological Advancements. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:14273-14289. [PMID: 37125123 PMCID: PMC10134252 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma are all manifestations of chronic hepatitis B. Its pathogenesis and molecular mechanism remain mysterious. As medical science progresses, different models are being used to study the disease from the physiological and molecular levels. Animal models have played an unprecedented role in achieving in-depth knowledge of the disease while posing no risk of harming humans throughout the study. The scarcity of acceptable animal models has slowed progress in hepatitis B virus (HBV) research and preclinical testing of antiviral medicines since HBV has a narrow species tropism and exclusively infects humans and higher primates. The development of human chimeric mice was supported by a better understanding of the obstacles to interspecies transmission, which has substantially opened the way for HBV research in vivo and the evaluation of possible chronic hepatitis B therapeutics. Animal models are cumbersome to handle, not accessible, and expensive. Hence, it is herculean to investigate the HBV replication cycle in animal models. Therefore, it becomes essential to build a splendid in vitro cell culture system to demonstrate the mechanisms attained by the HBV for its multiplication and sustenance. We also addressed the advantages and caveats associated with different models in examining HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad
Ahmad Bhat
- Centre
for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Ishfaq Ahmad Ahanger
- Centre
for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
- Clinical
Biochemistry University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Syed Naqui Kazim
- Centre
for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
- Phone: +91 9953621758.
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13
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Zhao K, Guo F, Wang J, Zhong Y, Yi J, Teng Y, Xu Z, Zhao L, Li A, Wang Z, Chen X, Cheng X, Xia Y. Limited disassembly of cytoplasmic hepatitis B virus nucleocapsids restricts viral infection in murine hepatic cells. Hepatology 2023; 77:1366-1381. [PMID: 35718932 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Murine hepatic cells cannot support hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection even with supplemental expression of viral receptor, human sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (hNTCP). However, the specific restricted step remains elusive. In this study, we aimed to dissect HBV infection process in murine hepatic cells. APPROACH AND RESULTS Cells expressing hNTCP were inoculated with HBV or hepatitis delta virus (HDV). HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), and different relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) intermediates were produced in vitro . The repair process from rcDNA to cccDNA was assayed by in vitro repair experiments and in mouse with hydrodynamic injection. Southern blotting and in situ hybridization were used to detect HBV DNA. HBV, but not its satellite virus HDV, was restricted from productive infection in murine hepatic cells expressing hNTCP. Transfection of HBV pgRNA could establish HBV replication in human, but not in murine, hepatic cells. HBV replication-competent plasmid, cccDNA, and recombinant cccDNA could support HBV transcription in murine hepatic cells. Different rcDNA intermediates could be repaired to form cccDNA both in vitro and in vivo . In addition, rcDNA could be detected in the nucleus of murine hepatic cells, but cccDNA could not be formed. Interestingly, nuclease sensitivity assay showed that the protein-linked rcDNA isolated from cytoplasm was completely nuclease resistant in murine, but not in human, hepatic cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results imply that the disassembly of cytoplasmic HBV nucleocapsids is restricted in murine hepatic cells. Overcoming this limitation may help to establish an HBV infection mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Fangteng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Youquan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Junzhu Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Yan Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Li Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Aixin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Zichen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
| | - Xinwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology , Wuhan Institute of Virology , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Wuhan , China
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guangzhou , China
| | - Xiaoming Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , 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
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology , Institute of Medical Virology , TaiKang Medical School , Wuhan University , Wuhan , China
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14
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Maya S, Hershkovich L, Cardozo-Ojeda EF, Shirvani-Dastgerdi E, Srinivas J, Shekhtman L, Uprichard SL, Berneshawi AR, Cafiero TR, Dahari H, Ploss A. Hepatitis delta virus RNA decline post inoculation in human NTCP transgenic mice is biphasic. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.17.528964. [PMID: 36824865 PMCID: PMC9949124 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.17.528964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Background and Aims Chronic infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis delta viruses (HDV) is considered the most serious form of viral hepatitis due to more severe manifestations of and accelerated progression to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is no FDA-approved treatment for HDV and current interferon-alpha treatment is suboptimal. We characterized early HDV kinetics post inoculation and incorporated mathematical modeling to provide insights into host-HDV dynamics. Methods We analyzed HDV RNA serum viremia in 192 immunocompetent (C57BL/6) and immunodeficient (NRG) mice that did or did not transgenically express the HDV receptor - human sodium taurocholate co-transporting peptide (hNTCP). Results Kinetic analysis indicates an unanticipated biphasic decline consisting of a sharp first-phase and slower second-phase decline regardless of immunocompetence. HDV decline after re-inoculation again followed a biphasic decline; however, a steeper second-phase HDV decline was observed in NRG-hNTCP mice compared to NRG mice. HDV-entry inhibitor bulevirtide administration and HDV re-inoculation indicated that viral entry and receptor saturation are not major contributors to clearance, respectively. The biphasic kinetics can be mathematically modeled by assuming the existence of a non-specific binding compartment with a constant on/off-rate and the steeper second-phase decline by a loss of bound virus that cannot be returned as free virus to circulation. The model predicts that free HDV is cleared with a half-life of 18 minutes (standard error, SE: 2.4), binds to non-specific cells with a rate of 0.06 hour -1 (SE: 0.03), and returns as free virus with a rate of 0.23 hour -1 (SE: 0.03). Conclusions Understanding early HDV-host kinetics will inform pre-clinical therapeutic kinetic studies on how the efficacy of anti-HDV therapeutics can be affected by early kinetics of viral decline. LAY SUMMARY The persistence phase of HDV infection has been studied in some animal models, however, the early kinetics of HDV in vivo is incompletely understood. In this study, we characterize an unexpectedly HDV biphasic decline post inoculation in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mouse models and use mathematical modeling to provide insights into HDV-host dynamics. Understanding the kinetics of viral clearance in the blood can aid pre-clinical development and testing models for anti-HDV therapeutics.
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15
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Blaney H, Khalid M, Heller T, Koh C. Epidemiology, presentation, and therapeutic approaches for hepatitis D infections. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2023; 21:127-142. [PMID: 36519386 PMCID: PMC9905306 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2159379] [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: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection remains an important global public health problem, with a changing epidemiological landscape over the past decade along with widespread implementation of hepatitis B vaccination and human migration. The landscape of HDV treatments has been changing, with therapies that have been under development for the last decade now in late stage clinical trials. The anticipated availability of these new therapies will hopefully replace the current therapies which are minimally effective. AREAS COVERED This narrative review discusses the clinical course, screening and diagnosis, transmission risk factors, epidemiology, current and investigational therapies, and liver transplantation in HDV. Literature review was performed using PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov and includes relevant articles from 1977 to 2022. EXPERT OPINION HDV infection is an important global public health issue with a true prevalence that is still unknown. The distribution of HDV infection has changed globally with the availability of HBV vaccination and patterns of human migration. As HDV infection is associated with accelerated disease courses and poor outcomes, the global community needs to agree upon a uniform HDV screening strategy to understand the truth of global prevalence such that new therapies can target appropriate individuals as they become available in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Blaney
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mian Khalid
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Theo Heller
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher Koh
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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16
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Lucifora J, Alfaiate D, Pons C, Michelet M, Ramirez R, Fusil F, Amirache F, Rossi A, Legrand AF, Charles E, Vegna S, Farhat R, Rivoire M, Passot G, Gadot N, Testoni B, Bach C, Baumert TF, Hyrina A, Beran RK, Zoulim F, Boonstra A, Büning H, Verrier ER, Cosset FL, Fletcher SP, Salvetti A, Durantel D. Hepatitis D virus interferes with hepatitis B virus RNA production via interferon-dependent and -independent mechanisms. J Hepatol 2023; 78:958-970. [PMID: 36702177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Chronic coinfection with HBV and HDV leads to the most aggressive form of chronic viral hepatitis. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the widely reported observation that HDV interferes with HBV in most coinfected patients. METHODS Patient liver tissues, primary human hepatocytes, HepaRG cells and human liver chimeric mice were used to analyze the effect of HDV on HBV using virological and RNA-sequencing analyses, as well as RNA synthesis, stability and association assays. RESULTS Transcriptomic analyses in cell culture and mouse models of coinfection enabled us to define an HDV-induced signature, mainly composed of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs). We also provide evidence that ISGs are upregulated in chronically HDV/HBV-coinfected patients but not in cells that only express HDV antigen (HDAg). Inhibition of the hepatocyte IFN response partially rescued the levels of HBV parameters. We observed less HBV RNA synthesis upon HDV infection or HDV protein expression. Additionally, HDV infection or expression of HDAg alone specifically accelerated the decay of HBV RNA, and HDAg was associated with HBV RNAs. On the contrary, HDAg expression did not affect other viruses such as HCV or SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that HDV interferes with HBV through both IFN-dependent and IFN-independent mechanisms. Specifically, we uncover a new viral interference mechanism in which proteins of a satellite virus affect the RNA production of its helper virus. Exploiting these findings could pave the way to the development of new therapeutic strategies against HBV. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Although the molecular mechanisms remained unexplored, it has long been known that despite its dependency, HDV decreases HBV viremia in patients. Herein, using in vitro and in vivo models, we showed that HDV interferes with HBV through both IFN-dependent and IFN-independent mechanisms affecting HBV RNA metabolism, and we defined the HDV-induced modulation signature. The mechanisms we uncovered could pave the way for the development of new therapeutic strategies against HBV by mimicking and/or increasing the effect of HDAg on HBV RNA. Additionally, the HDV-induced modulation signature could potentially be correlated with responsiveness to IFN-α treatment, thereby helping to guide management of HBV/HDV-coinfected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lucifora
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | - Dulce Alfaiate
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Caroline Pons
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Maud Michelet
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Floriane Fusil
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Fouzia Amirache
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Axel Rossi
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anne-Flore Legrand
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Emilie Charles
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Serena Vegna
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Rayan Farhat
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Guillaume Passot
- Service de chirurgie générale et Oncologique, Hôpital Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon Et CICLY, EA3738, Université Lyon 1, France
| | - Nicolas Gadot
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Charlotte Bach
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | | | | | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France; Department of Hepatology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Andre Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Gravendijkwal 230, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eloi R Verrier
- Université de Strasbourg, Inserm, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - François-Loïc Cosset
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | | | - Anna Salvetti
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - David Durantel
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France; INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
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17
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Hong X, Kawasawa YI, Menne S, Hu J. Host cell-dependent late entry step as determinant of hepatitis B virus infection. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010633. [PMID: 35714170 PMCID: PMC9246237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a highly restricted host range and cell tropism. Other than the human sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (huNTCP), the HBV entry receptor, host determinants of HBV susceptibility are poorly understood. Woodchucks are naturally infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV), closely related to HBV, but not with HBV. Here, we investigated the capabilities of woodchuck hepatic and human non-hepatic cell lines to support HBV infection. DNA transfection assays indicated that all cells tested supported both HBV and WHV replication steps post entry, including the viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formation, which is essential for establishing and sustaining infection. Ectopic expression of huNTCP rendered one, but not the other, woodchuck hepatic cell line and the non-hepatic human cell line competent to support productive HBV entry, defined here by cccDNA formation during de novo infection. All huNTCP-expressing cell lines tested became susceptible to infection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) that shares the same entry receptor and initial steps of entry with HBV, suggesting that a late entry/trafficking step(s) of HBV infection was defective in one of the two woodchuck cell lines. In addition, the non-susceptible woodchuck hepatic cell line became susceptible to HBV after fusion with human hepatic cells, suggesting the lack of a host cell-dependent factor(s) in these cells. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the two woodchuck cell lines revealed widespread differences in gene expression in multiple biological processes that may contribute to HBV infection. In conclusion, other than huNTCP, neither human- nor hepatocyte-specific factors are essential for productive HBV entry. Furthermore, a late trafficking step(s) during HBV infection, following the shared entry steps with HDV and before cccDNA formation, is subject to host cell regulation and thus, a host determinant of HBV infection. Fundamental studies on, and development of therapies against, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which inflicts hundreds of millions worldwide, are impeded by deficiencies in HBV-susceptible animal models. HBV displays a strict species and cell tropism that are not clearly understood. Here, by studying replication of HBV, and the related woodchuck hepatitis virus, in human and woodchuck hepatic or non-hepatic cells, we found that non-hepatic human cells and some woodchuck hepatic cells could support productive HBV entry after expression of the human cell receptor for HBV. Moreover, by studying the infection of hepatitis D virus, which shares the same entry receptor and initial steps of entry with HBV, we could narrow down a host determinant of HBV infection operating at a late entry/trafficking step(s). Our study thus provides new insights into determinants of HBV host tropism and facilitates the development of HBV-susceptible animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Hong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Yuka Imamura Kawasawa
- Department of Pharmacology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Personalized Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Stephan Menne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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18
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Xi J, Cui X, Liu K, Liu H, Wang J, Hu J. Region-Specific Hepatitis B Virus Genome Exposure from Nucleocapsid Modulated by Capsid Linker Sequence and Inhibitor: Implications for Uncoating. J Virol 2022; 96:e0039922. [PMID: 35389266 PMCID: PMC9044944 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00399-22] [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: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) contains a partially double-stranded, relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome synthesized within a nucleocapsid (NC) in the host cell cytoplasm. The release of RC DNA from the NC, in an ill-defined process called uncoating, to the nucleus is required for its conversion to the covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA, the viral episome serving as the transcriptional template for all viral RNAs necessary for replication and, thus, essential for establishing and sustaining viral infection. In efforts to better understand uncoating, we analyzed HBV core (HBc) mutants that show various levels of nuclear CCC DNA but little to no cytoplasmic RC DNA. We found that RC DNA could be synthesized by these mutants outside the cell, but in contrast to the wild type (wt), the mutant NCs were unable to protect RC DNA from digestion by the endogenous nuclease(s) in cellular lysates or exogenous DNase. Subcellular fractionation suggested that the major RC DNA-degrading activity was membrane associated. Digestion with sequence-specific and nonspecific DNases revealed the exposure of specific regions of RC DNA from the mutant NC. Similarly, treatment of wt NCs with a core inhibitor known to increase CCC DNA by affecting uncoating also led to region-specific exposure of RC DNA. Furthermore, a subpopulation of untreated wild type (wt) mature NCs showed site-specific exposure of RC DNA as well. Competition between RC DNA degradation and its conversion to CCC DNA during NC uncoating thus likely plays an important role in the establishment and persistence of HBV infection and has implications for the development of capsid-targeted antivirals. IMPORTANCE Disassembly of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsid (NC) to release its genomic DNA, in an ill-understood process called uncoating, is required to form the viral nuclear episome in the host cell nucleus, a viral DNA essential for establishing and sustaining HBV infection. The elimination of the HBV nuclear episome remains the holy grail for the development of an HBV cure. We report here that the HBV genomic DNA is exposed in a region-specific manner during uncoating, which is enhanced by mutations of the capsid protein and a capsid-targeted antiviral compound. The exposure of the viral genome can result in its rapid degradation or, alternatively, can enhance the formation of the nuclear episome, thus having a major impact on HBV infection and persistence. These results are thus important for understanding fundamental mechanisms of HBV replication and persistence and for the ongoing pursuit of an HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Xi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiuji Cui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kuancheng Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Haitao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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19
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Usai C, Gill US, Riddell AC, Asselah T, Kennedy P. Review article: emerging insights into the immunopathology, clinical and therapeutic aspects of hepatitis delta virus. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 55:978-993. [PMID: 35292991 PMCID: PMC9314912 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis delta virus (HDV), which causes the most severe form of viral hepatitis, is an obligated hepatitis B (HBV) satellite virus that can either infect naïve subjects simultaneously with HBV (co-infection), or chronically infect HBV carriers (super-infection). An estimated 12 million people are infected by HDV worldwide. AIMS To summarise the most relevant aspects of the molecular biology of HDV, and to discuss the latest understanding of the induced pathology, interactions with the immune system, as well as both approved and investigational treatment options. METHODS References for this review were identified through searches of PubMed with the terms "HDV" "viral hepatitis" "co-infection" and "super-infection," published between 1980 and October 2021 RESULTS: The limited access to the HDV-infected liver has hampered the investigation of the intrahepatic compartment and our understanding of the mechanisms of HDV pathogenesis. In the absence of standardised and sensitive diagnostic tools, HDV is often underdiagnosed and owing to its strong dependence on host cellular factors, the development of direct antiviral agents has been challenging. New therapeutic agents targeting different steps of the viral cycle have recently been investigated, among which bulevirtide (which was conditionally approved by EMA in July 2020) and lonafarnib; both drugs having received orphan drug designation from both the EMA and FDA. CONCLUSIONS The HBV cure programme potentially offers a unique opportunity to enhance HDV treatment strategies. In addition, a more comprehensive analysis of the intrahepatic compartment is mandated to better understand any liver-confined interaction of HDV with the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Usai
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK,Present address:
Unitat mixta d’Investigació IRTA‐UAB en Sanitat AnimalCentre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)Bellaterra08193Spain
| | - Upkar S. Gill
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK,The Royal London HospitalBarts Health NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - Anna C. Riddell
- Division of Infection, Virology DepartmentBarts Health NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm U1149Université́ de ParisParisFrance,Department of Hepatology, AP‐HPHôpital BeaujonClichyFrance
| | - Patrick T. Kennedy
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK,The Royal London HospitalBarts Health NHS TrustLondonUK
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20
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Xu C, Chen J, Chen X. Host Innate Immunity Against Hepatitis Viruses and Viral Immune Evasion. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:740464. [PMID: 34803956 PMCID: PMC8598044 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.740464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis viruses are primary causative agents of hepatitis and represent a major source of public health problems in the world. The host innate immune system forms the first line of defense against hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis viruses are sensed by specific pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) that subsequently trigger the innate immune response and interferon (IFN) production. However, hepatitis viruses evade host immune surveillance via multiple strategies, which help compromise the innate immune response and create a favorable environment for viral replication. Therefore, this article reviews published findings regarding host innate immune sensing and response against hepatitis viruses. Furthermore, we also focus on how hepatitis viruses abrogate the antiviral effects of the host innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chonghui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jizheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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21
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Li Y, Luo G. Human low-density lipoprotein receptor plays an important role in hepatitis B virus infection. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009722. [PMID: 34293069 PMCID: PMC8345860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects more than 240 million people worldwide, resulting in chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV vaccine is effective to prevent new HBV infection but does not offer therapeutic benefit to hepatitis B patients. Neither are current antiviral drugs curative of chronic hepatitis B. A more thorough understanding of HBV infection and replication holds a great promise for identification of novel antiviral drugs and design of optimal strategies towards the ultimate elimination of chronic hepatitis B. Recently, we have developed a robust HBV cell culture system and discovered that human apolipoprotein E (apoE) is enriched on the HBV envelope and promotes HBV infection and production. In the present study, we have determined the role of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in HBV infection. A LDLR-blocking monoclonal antibody potently inhibited HBV infection in HepG2 cells expressing the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as well as in primary human hepatocytes. More importantly, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)-mediated knockdown of LDLR expression and the CRISPR/Cas9-induced knockout of the LDLR gene markedly reduced HBV infection. A recombinant LDLR protein could block heparin-mediated apoE pulldown, suggesting that LDLR may act as an HBV cell attachment receptor via binding to the HBV-associated apoE. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that LDLR plays an important role in HBV infection probably by serving as a virus attachment receptor. Requirement of multiple cell surface receptors and co-receptors for efficient virus infection is exemplified by human immunodeficient virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). In the case of HBV, expression of the NTCP receptor alone in human and murine hepatocytes converted HBV susceptibility albeit at low levels. Recent identification of the glypican 5 (GPC5) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as HBV infection-promoting factors suggests that efficient HBV infection requires multiple cell surface molecules as virus attachment and post-attachment receptors. Here, we provide substantial evidence demonstrating that another cell surface receptor LDLR plays an important role in HBV infection. Downregulation of LDLR expression significantly lowered HBV infection, whereas its upregulation promoted HBV infection. The levels of LDLR expression correlated with HBV cell attachment, suggesting that it serves as an HBV cell attachment receptor. The inhibition of heparin-mediated apoE pulldown by a purified LDLR suggested that LDLR promotes HBV infection probably through its binding to HBV-associated apoE. It is warranted to further determine whether other LDLR family members also play a role in HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Li
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, Peking University Health Science Center School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangxiang Luo
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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22
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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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23
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Zhang X, Wang X, Wu M, Ghildyal R, Yuan Z. Animal Models for the Study of Hepatitis B Virus Pathobiology and Immunity: Past, Present, and Future. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:715450. [PMID: 34335553 PMCID: PMC8322840 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.715450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem that plagues approximately 240 million people. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) often leads to liver inflammation and aberrant repair which results in diseases ranging from liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, to hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its narrow species tropism, researchers have established various in vivo models for HBV or its related viruses which have provided a wealth of knowledge on viral lifecycle, pathogenesis, and immunity. Here we briefly revisit over five decades of endeavor in animal model development for HBV and summarize their advantages and limitations. We also suggest directions for further improvements that are crucial for elucidation of the viral immune-evasion strategies and for development of novel therapeutics for a functional cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Zhang
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomeng Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Reena Ghildyal
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Zhenghong Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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24
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Innate immunity in hepatitis B and D virus infection: consequences for viral persistence, inflammation, and T cell recognition. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 43:535-548. [PMID: 34019142 PMCID: PMC8443521 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-021-00864-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infections with human hepatitis viruses continue to be a major health burden worldwide. Despite the availability of an effective prophylactic vaccine against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and of antiviral agents efficiently suppressing HBV replication, more than 250 million people are currently chronically infected with this hepatotropic DNA virus, and resolution of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is rarely achieved. Moreover, coinfection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV), a human RNA satellite virus requiring the envelope proteins of HBV for productive viral spreading, substantially aggravates the disease course of CHB. The molecular mechanisms by which these viruses interact with each other and with the intrinsic innate responses of the hepatocytes are not fully understood. While HBV appears to avoid innate immune recognition, HDV elicits a strong enhancement of innate responses. Notwithstanding, such induction does not hamper HDV replication but contributes to liver inflammation and pathogenesis. Intriguingly, HDV appears to influence the ability of T cells to recognize infected hepatocytes by boosting antigen presentation. This review focuses on current knowledge regarding how these viruses can shape and counteract the intrinsic innate responses of the hepatocytes, thus affecting the immune system and pathogenesis. Understanding the distinct strategies of persistence that HBV and HDV have evolved is central for advancing the development of curative therapies.
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25
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HDV Pathogenesis: Unravelling Ariadne's Thread. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050778. [PMID: 33924806 PMCID: PMC8145675 DOI: 10.3390/v13050778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) lies in between satellite viruses and viroids, as its unique molecular characteristics and life cycle cannot categorize it according to the standard taxonomy norms for viruses. Being a satellite virus of hepatitis B virus (HBV), HDV requires HBV envelope glycoproteins for its infection cycle and its transmission. HDV pathogenesis varies and depends on the mode of HDV and HBV infection; a simultaneous HDV and HBV infection will lead to an acute hepatitis that will resolve spontaneously in the majority of patients, whereas an HDV super-infection of a chronic HBV carrier will mainly result in the establishment of a chronic HDV infection that may progress towards cirrhosis, liver decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With this review, we aim to unravel Ariadne’s thread into the labyrinth of acute and chronic HDV infection pathogenesis and will provide insights into the complexity of this exciting topic by detailing the different players and mechanisms that shape the clinical outcome.
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26
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Maestro S, Gómez-Echarte N, Camps G, Usai C, Suárez L, Vales Á, Olagüe C, Aldabe R, González-Aseguinolaza G. AAV-HDV: An Attractive Platform for the In Vivo Study of HDV Biology and the Mechanism of Disease Pathogenesis. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050788. [PMID: 33925087 PMCID: PMC8145145 DOI: 10.3390/v13050788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection causes the most severe form of viral hepatitis, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved. We have recently developed an HDV mouse model based on the delivery of HDV replication-competent genomes using adeno-associated vectors (AAV), which developed a liver pathology very similar to the human disease and allowed us to perform mechanistic studies. We have generated different AAV-HDV mutants to eliminate the expression of HDV antigens (HDAgs), and we have characterized them both in vitro and in vivo. We confirmed that S-HDAg is essential for HDV replication and cannot be replaced by L-HDAg or host cellular proteins, and that L-HDAg is essential to produce the HDV infectious particle and inhibits its replication. We have also found that lack of L-HDAg resulted in the increase of S-HDAg expression levels and the exacerbation of liver damage, which was associated with an increment in liver inflammation but did not require T cells. Interestingly, early expression of L-HDAg significantly ameliorated the liver damage induced by the mutant expressing only S-HDAg. In summary, the use of AAV-HDV represents a very attractive platform to interrogate in vivo the role of viral components in the HDV life cycle and to better understand the mechanism of HDV-induced liver pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Maestro
- Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31080 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (Á.V.); (C.O.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nahia Gómez-Echarte
- Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31080 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (Á.V.); (C.O.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gracián Camps
- Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31080 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (Á.V.); (C.O.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carla Usai
- Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31080 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (Á.V.); (C.O.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Lester Suárez
- Suite 110 Research Triangle Park, 20 TW Alexander Drive, AskBio, NC 27709, USA;
| | - África Vales
- Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31080 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (Á.V.); (C.O.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Olagüe
- Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31080 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (Á.V.); (C.O.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rafael Aldabe
- Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31080 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (Á.V.); (C.O.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.A.); (G.G.-A.); Tel.: +34-948194700 (ext 4024) (R.A.); +34-948194700 (ext 4024) (G.G.-A.)
| | - Gloria González-Aseguinolaza
- Programa de Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31080 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (Á.V.); (C.O.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.A.); (G.G.-A.); Tel.: +34-948194700 (ext 4024) (R.A.); +34-948194700 (ext 4024) (G.G.-A.)
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27
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Liu Y, Zhang L, Yan H, Wang Z, Sun G, Song X, Zhou Z, Peng B, Yan L, Wu Q, Li W, Qi X. Design of Dimeric Bile Acid Derivatives as Potent and Selective Human NTCP Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5973-6007. [PMID: 33906348 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Dimeric bile acid derivatives (DBADs) were developed and tested for their anti-HBV and anti-HDV activities as sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) inhibitors. DBADs exhibited strong and persistent potency of NTCP inhibition, whereas diverse linkers and constitutions showed distinct inhibition features. Motif aa157-165 on NTCP was shown to be a possible binding site of DBADs; therefore, we determined DBADs' selectivity among NTCPs from different species. A cyclized DBAD scaffold DBA-41 exhibited a high affinity to human NTCP (hNTCP). Intraperitoneal administration of DBA-41 to hNTCP-tg mice induced serum total bile acid elevation. DBA-41 may serve as a biological tool to study NTCP physiological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Huan Yan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Guoliang Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Xiao Song
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhongmin Zhou
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Bo Peng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Liwei Yan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Qingcui Wu
- 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 100084, China
| | - Xiangbing Qi
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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28
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Abstract
HDV is a small, defective RNA virus that requires the HBsAg of HBV for its assembly, release, and transmission. Chronic HBV/HDV infection often has a severe clinical outcome and is difficult to treat. The important role of a robust virus-specific T cell response for natural viral control has been established for many other chronic viral infections, but the exact role of the T cell response in the control and progression of chronic HDV infection is far less clear. Several recent studies have characterised HDV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses on a peptide level. This review comprehensively summarises all HDV-specific T cell epitopes described to date and describes our current knowledge of the role of T cells in HDV infection. While we now have better tools to study the adaptive anti-HDV-specific T cell response, further efforts are needed to define the HLA restriction of additional HDV-specific T cell epitopes, establish additional HDV-specific MHC tetramers, understand the degree of cross HDV genotype reactivity of individual epitopes and understand the correlation of the HBV- and HDV-specific T cell response, as well as the breadth and specificity of the intrahepatic HDV-specific T cell response.
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Key Words
- ADAR1, adenosine deaminases acting on RNA
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase
- CD4+
- CD8+
- ELISpot, enzyme-linked immune spot assay
- HBV
- HDAg, hepatitis delta antigen
- HDV
- Hepatitis Delta
- ICS, intracellular cytokine staining
- IFN-, interferon-
- L-HDAg, large hepatitis delta antigen
- MAIT, mucosa-associated invariant T cells
- NK cells, natural killer cells
- NTCP, sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide
- PBMCs, peripheral blood mononuclear cells
- PD-1, programmed cell death protein 1
- PTM, post-translational modification
- Peg-IFN-α, pegylated interferon alpha
- S-HDAg, small hepatitis delta antigen
- T cell
- TCF, T cell-specific transcription factor
- TNFα, tumour necrosis factor-α
- Th1, T helper 1
- aa, amino acid(s)
- cccDNA, covalently closed circular DNA
- epitope
- viral escape
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In Vivo Models of HDV Infection: Is Humanizing NTCP Enough? Viruses 2021; 13:v13040588. [PMID: 33807170 PMCID: PMC8065588 DOI: 10.3390/v13040588] [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: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as a hepatitis B (HBV) and delta virus (HDV) entry receptor has encouraged the development of new animal models of infection. This review provides an overview of the different in vivo models that are currently available to study HDV either in the absence or presence of HBV. By presenting new advances and remaining drawbacks, we will discuss human host factors which, in addition to NTCP, need to be investigated or identified to enable a persistent HDV infection in murine hepatocytes. Detailed knowledge on species-specific factors involved in HDV persistence also shall contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies.
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30
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Zhang Z, Urban S. New insights into HDV persistence: The role of interferon response and implications for upcoming novel therapies. J Hepatol 2021; 74:686-699. [PMID: 33276031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis D (CHD), a global health problem, manifests as the most severe form of viral hepatitis. The causative agent, HDV, is the smallest known human virus; it replicates its circular single-stranded RNA genome in the nucleus of hepatocytes. HDV requires HBV-encoded envelope proteins for dissemination and de novo cell entry. However, HDV can also spread through cell division. Following entry into hepatocytes, replicative intermediates of HDV RNA are sensed by the pattern recognition receptor MDA5 (melanoma differentiation antigen 5) resulting in interferon (IFN)-β/λ induction. This IFN response strongly suppresses cell division-mediated spread of HDV genomes, however, it only marginally affects HDV RNA replication in already infected, resting hepatocytes. Monotherapy with IFN-α/λ shows efficacy but rarely results in HDV clearance. Recent molecular insights into key determinants of HDV persistence and the accelerated development of specifically acting antivirals that interfere with the replication cycle have revealed promising new therapeutic perspectives. In this review, we briefly summarise our knowledge on replication/persistence of HDV, the newly discovered HDV-like agents, and the interplay of HDV with the IFN response and its consequences for persistence. Finally, we discuss the possible role of IFNs in combination with upcoming therapies aimed at HDV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfeng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany.
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31
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Giersch K, Hermanussen L, Volz T, Kah J, Allweiss L, Casey J, Sureau C, Dandri M, Lütgehetmann M. Murine hepatocytes do not support persistence of Hepatitis D virus mono-infection in vivo. Liver Int 2021; 41:410-419. [PMID: 32997847 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14677] [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: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS & AIMS As a result of the limited availability of in vivo models for hepatitis D virus (HDV), treatment options for HDV chronically infected patients are still scant. The discovery of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as HDV entry receptor has enabled the development of new infection models. AIM To comparatively assess the efficacy and persistence of HDV mono-infection in murine and human hepatocytes in vivo. METHODS Mice with humanized NTCP (hNTCPed84-87 mice) were generated by editing amino acid residues 84-87 of murine NTCP in C57BL/6J mice. HDV infection was assessed in hNTCPed84-87 mice and in immune deficient uPA/SCID/beige (USB) mice, whose livers were reconstituted with human or murine (hNTCPed84-87 ) hepatocytes. Livers were analysed between 5 and 42 days post-HDV inoculation by qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and RNA in situ hybridization (ISH). RESULTS hNTCPed84-87 mice could be infected with HDV genotype 1 or 3. ISH analysis demonstrated the presence of antigenomic HDV RNA positive murine hepatocytes with both genotypes, proving initiation of HDV replication. Strikingly, murine hepatocytes cleared HDV within 21 days both in immunocompetent hNTCPed84-87 mice and in immunodeficient USB mice xenografted with murine hepatocytes. In contrast, HDV infection remained stable for at least 42 days in human hepatocytes. Intrinsic innate responses were not enhanced in any of the HDV mono-infected cells and livers. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that in addition to NTCP, further species-specific factors limit HDV infection efficacy and persistence in murine hepatocytes. Identifying such species barriers may be crucial to develop novel potential therapeutic targets of HDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Giersch
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lennart Hermanussen
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tassilo Volz
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janine Kah
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lena Allweiss
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - John Casey
- Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Camille Sureau
- Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France
| | - Maura Dandri
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems site, Borstel, Germany
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems site, Borstel, Germany.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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32
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Liu Y, Ruan H, Li Y, Sun G, Liu X, He W, Mao F, He M, Yan L, Zhong G, Yan H, Li W, Zhang Z. Potent and Specific Inhibition of NTCP-Mediated HBV/HDV Infection and Substrate Transporting by a Novel, Oral-Available Cyclosporine A Analogue. J Med Chem 2020; 64:543-565. [PMID: 33369415 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Analogues of the natural product cyclosporine A (CsA) were developed and assessed as antivirals against infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its satellite hepatitis D virus (HDV). An analogue termed 27A exhibits potent inhibition of HBV/HDV infection by specifically blocking viral engagement to its cellular receptor NTCP, while it lacks immunosuppressive activity found in natural CsA. Intraperitoneal injection or oral intake of 27A protects HDV-susceptible mouse model from HDV infection. 27A serves as a promising lead for the development of novel anti-HDV/HBV agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hanying Ruan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ying Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Guoliang Sun
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Peking University, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenhui He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Fengfeng Mao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Miaomiao He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Graduate Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Liwei Yan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Guocai Zhong
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Huan Yan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
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33
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Ferrante ND, Lo Re V. Epidemiology, Natural History, and Treatment of Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection in HIV/Hepatitis B Virus Coinfection. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2020; 17:405-414. [PMID: 32607773 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-020-00508-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Limited data exist on the prevalence, determinants, and outcomes of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection among HIV/hepatitis B virus (HBV)-coinfected persons. This review provides current evidence on the epidemiology, natural history, and treatment of HDV infection in patients with HIV/HBV coinfection and highlights future research needs. RECENT FINDINGS Cross-sectional studies in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia show that the prevalence of HDV among HIV/HBV-coinfected patients ranges from 1.2 to 25%. No studies have evaluated the prevalence of HDV infection among HIV/HBV-coinfected patients in the USA. HDV infection increases the risk of hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma among HIV/HBV-coinfected patients. HDV treatment remains limited to pegylated interferon-alpha, which results in sustained virologic response in fewer than 25%. Data on the epidemiology, natural history, and treatment of HDV among HIV/HBV-coinfected persons remain limited. More research is needed to address these knowledge gaps in order to better manage HDV coinfection in HIV/HBV-coinfected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D Ferrante
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Center for Pharmacoepidemiology Research and Training, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 836 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6021, USA
| | - Vincent Lo Re
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Center for Pharmacoepidemiology Research and Training, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 836 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6021, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Center for AIDS Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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34
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Zhang Z, Urban S. Interplay between Hepatitis D Virus and the Interferon Response. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111334. [PMID: 33233762 PMCID: PMC7699955 DOI: 10.3390/v12111334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis D (CHD) is the most severe form of viral hepatitis, with rapid progression of liver-related diseases and high rates of development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The causative agent, hepatitis D virus (HDV), contains a small (approximately 1.7 kb) highly self-pairing single-strand circular RNA genome that assembles with the HDV antigen to form a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. HDV depends on hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope proteins for envelopment and de novo hepatocyte entry; however, its intracellular RNA replication is autonomous. In addition, HDV can amplify HBV independently through cell division. Cellular innate immune responses, mainly interferon (IFN) response, are crucial for controlling invading viruses, while viruses counteract these responses to favor their propagation. In contrast to HBV, HDV activates profound IFN response through the melanoma differentiation antigen 5 (MDA5) pathway. This cellular response efficiently suppresses cell-division-mediated HDV spread and, to some extent, early stages of HDV de novo infection, but only marginally impairs RNA replication in resting hepatocytes. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on HDV structure, replication, and persistence and subsequently focus on the interplay between HDV and IFN response, including IFN activation, sensing, antiviral effects, and viral countermeasures. Finally, we discuss crosstalk with HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfeng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6221-564-902
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35
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Marchetti AL, Guo H. New Insights on Molecular Mechanism of Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA Formation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112430. [PMID: 33172220 PMCID: PMC7694973 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The chronic factor of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), specifically the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), is a highly stable and active viral episomal genome established in the livers of chronic hepatitis B patients as a constant source of disease. Being able to target and eliminate cccDNA is the end goal for a genuine cure for HBV. Yet how HBV cccDNA is formed from the viral genomic relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) and by what host factors had been long-standing research questions. It is generally acknowledged that HBV hijacks cellular functions to turn the open circular DNA conformation of rcDNA into cccDNA through DNA repair mechanisms. With great efforts from the HBV research community, there have been several recent leaps in our understanding of cccDNA formation. It is our goal in this review to analyze the recent reports showing evidence of cellular factor's involvement in the molecular pathway of cccDNA biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander L. Marchetti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Cancer Virology Program, Hillman Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Cancer Virology Program, Hillman Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Correspondence:
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36
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Mao F, Wang MX, Hou X, Zhou Z, Yan YY, Fang LJ, Tan Z, Fang WY, Liu T, He W, Li C, Xie XB, Lu SQ, Sui J, Wang F, Han J, Wang JS, Li W. NTCP Deficiency Causes Gallbladder Abnormalities in Mice and Human Beings. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 11:831-839. [PMID: 32919083 PMCID: PMC7851344 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fengfeng Mao
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Xuan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinfeng Hou
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongmin Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Yan Yan
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Juan Fang
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zexi Tan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Yuan Fang
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Teng Liu
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Bao Xie
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Qi Lu
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Sui
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengchao Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Han
- University of Victoria-Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jian-She Wang
- The Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China; Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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37
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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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38
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Tham CYL, Kah J, Tan AT, Volz T, Chia A, Giersch K, Ladiges Y, Loglio A, Borghi M, Sureau C, Lampertico P, Lütgehetmann M, Dandri M, Bertoletti A. Hepatitis Delta Virus Acts as an Immunogenic Adjuvant in Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Hepatocytes. CELL REPORTS MEDICINE 2020; 1:100060. [PMID: 33205065 PMCID: PMC7659593 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2020.100060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) to complete its infection cycle and causes severe hepatitis, with limited therapeutic options. To determine the prospect of T cell therapy in HBV/HDV co-infection, we study the impact of HDV on viral antigen processing and presentation. Using in vitro models of HBV/HDV co-infection, we demonstrate that HDV boosts HBV epitope presentation, both in HBV/HDV co-infected and neighboring mono-HBV-infected cells through the upregulation of the antigen processing pathway mediated by IFN-β/λ. Liver biopsies of HBV/HDV patients confirm this upregulation. We then validate in vitro and in a HBV/HDV preclinical mouse model that HDV infection increases the anti-HBV efficacy of T cells with engineered T cell receptors. Thus, by unveiling the effect of HDV on HBV antigen presentation, we provide a framework to better understand HBV/HDV immune pathology, and advocate the utilization of engineered HBV-specific T cells as a potential treatment for HBV/HDV co-infection. HDV infection affects viral antigen processing and presentation HDV boosts HBV epitope presentation on HBV/HDV and mono-HBV-infected hepatocytes Anti-HBV efficacy of T cells engineered with T cell receptors is enhanced by HDV
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Y L Tham
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Janine Kah
- Medical Department, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anthony T Tan
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tassilo Volz
- Medical Department, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adeline Chia
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Katja Giersch
- Medical Department, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Ladiges
- Medical Department, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alessandro Loglio
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - CRC "A.M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Borghi
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - CRC "A.M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, Milan, Italy
| | - Camille Sureau
- Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, INSERM U1134, CNRS, Paris
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - CRC "A.M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, Milan, Italy.,University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- Institute of Microbiology, Virology, and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Partner Site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maura Dandri
- Medical Department, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems Partner Site, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
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39
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Xiang H, Chen Y, Zhang J, Zhang J, Pan D, Liu B, Ouyang L. Discovery of a novel sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) inhibitor: Design, synthesis, and anti-proliferative activities. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2020.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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40
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Luo J, Xi J, Gao L, Hu J. Role of Hepatitis B virus capsid phosphorylation in nucleocapsid disassembly and covalently closed circular DNA formation. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008459. [PMID: 32226051 PMCID: PMC7145273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) delivers a partially double-stranded, relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome in complete virions to the host cell nucleus for conversion to the covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA, which establishes and sustains viral infection. An overlength pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) is then transcribed from CCC DNA and packaged into immature nucleocapsids (NCs) by the viral core (HBc) protein. pgRNA is reverse transcribed to produce RC DNA in mature NCs, which are then enveloped and secreted as complete virions, or delivered to the nucleus to replenish the nuclear CCC DNA pool. RC DNA, whether originating from extracellular virions or intracellular mature NCs, must be released upon NC disassembly (uncoating) for CCC DNA formation. HBc is known to undergo dynamic phosphorylation and dephosphorylation at its C-terminal domain (CTD) to facilitate pgRNA packaging and reverse transcription. Here, two putative phosphorylation sites in the HBc N-terminal domain (NTD), S44 and S49, were targeted for genetic and biochemical analysis to assess their potential roles in viral replication. The NTD mutant that mimics the non-phosphorylated state (N2A) was competent in all steps of viral replication tested from capsid assembly, pgRNA packaging, reverse transcription, to virion secretion, except for a decrease in CCC DNA formation. On the other hand, the phosphor-mimetic mutant N2E showed a defect in the early step of pgRNA packaging but enhanced the late step of mature NC uncoating and consequently, increased CCC DNA formation. N2E also enhanced phosphorylation in CTD and possibly elsewhere in HBc. Furthermore, inhibition of the cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), which is packaged into viral capsids, could block CCC DNA formation. These results prompted us to propose a model whereby rephosphorylation of HBc at both NTD and CTD by the packaged CDK2, following CTD dephosphorylation during NC maturation, facilitates uncoating and CCC DNA formation by destabilizing mature NCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Luo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Ji Xi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lu Gao
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianming Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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41
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Zhou M, Qin B, Deng XS, Zeng XL, Lu Y, Huang ZG, Wu CC, Mou LS. hNTCP‑expressing primary pig hepatocytes are a valuable tool for investigating hepatitis B virus infection and antiviral drugs. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:3820-3828. [PMID: 31485670 PMCID: PMC6755163 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) are the 'gold standard' for investigating hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and antiviral drugs. However, poor availability, variation between batches and ethical issues regarding PHHs limit their applications. The discovery of human sodium taurocholate co‑transporting polypeptide (hNTCP) as a functional HBV receptor has enabled the development of a surrogate model to supplement the use of PHHs. In the present study, the evolutionary distance of seven species was assessed based on single‑copy homologous genes. Based on the evolutionary distance and availability, PHHs and primary rabbit hepatocytes (PRHs) were isolated and infected with hNTCP‑recombinant lentivirus, and susceptibility to HBV infection in the two cell types was tested and compared. In addition, HBV infection efficiency of hNTCP‑expressing PPHs with pooled HBV‑positive serum and purified particles was determined. The potential use of HBV‑infected hNTCP‑expressing PPHs for drug screening was assessed. The results demonstrated that pigs and rabbits are closer to humans in the divergence tree compared with mice and rats, indicating that pigs and rabbits were more likely to facilitate the HBV post‑entry lifecycle. Following hNTCP complementation and HBV infection, PPHs and Huh7D human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, but not PRHs, exhibited increased hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e‑antigen secretion, covalently closed circular DNA formation and infectious particle secretion. hNTCP‑expressing PPHs were susceptible to infection with HBV particles purified from pooled HBV‑positive sera, but were poisoned by raw HBV‑positive sera. The use of HBV‑infected hNTCP‑expressing PPHs for viral entry inhibitor screening was revealed to be applicable and reproducible. In conclusion, hNTCP‑expressing PPHs may be valuable tool for investigating HBV infection and antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhou
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Research and Development Center, Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Bo Qin
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing Hospital of Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, P.R. China
| | - Xue-Song Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Li Zeng
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518049, P.R. China
| | - Ying Lu
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Research and Development Center, Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Gang Huang
- Liver‑Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong 518110, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Chen Wu
- Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China
| | - Li-Sha Mou
- Shenzhen Xenotransplantation Research and Development Center, Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
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42
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Mao F, Liu T, Hou X, Zhao H, He W, Li C, Jing Z, Sui J, Wang F, Liu X, Han J, Borchers CH, Wang JS, Li W. Increased sulfation of bile acids in mice and human subjects with sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide deficiency. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:11853-11862. [PMID: 31201272 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.007179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP, encoded by Slc10a1/SLC10A1) deficiency can result in hypercholanemia but no obvious symptoms in both mice and humans. However, the consequence of and response to long-term hypercholanemia caused by NTCP deficiency remain largely unexplored. Here, we analyzed lifelong dynamics of serum total bile acid (TBA) levels in Slc10a1 -/- mice, and we also assessed changes of TBA levels in 33 young individuals with SLC10A1 loss-of-function variant p.Ser267Phe. We found that overall serum TBA levels tended to decrease gradually with age in both Slc10a1 -/- mice and p.Ser267Phe individuals. Liver mRNA profiling revealed notable transcription alterations in hypercholanemic Slc10a1 -/- mice, including inhibition of bile acid (BA) synthesis, enhancement of BA detoxification, and altered BA transport. Members of the sulfotransferase (SULT) family showed the most dramatic increases in livers of hypercholanemic Slc10a1 -/- mice, and one of their BA sulfates, taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate, significantly increased. Importantly, consistent with the mouse studies, comprehensive profiling of 58 BA species in sera of p.Ser267Phe individuals revealed a markedly increased level of BA sulfates. Together, our findings indicate that the enhanced BA sulfation is a major mechanism for BA detoxification and elimination in both mice and humans with Slc10a1/SLC10A1 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengfeng Mao
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.,National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Teng Liu
- Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200333, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201512, China
| | - Xinfeng Hou
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Hanqing Zhao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenhui He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Cong Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Zhiyi Jing
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jianhua Sui
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.,National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Fengchao Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Jun Han
- UVic-Genome BC Proteomics Centre, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 5N3, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Christoph H Borchers
- UVic-Genome BC Proteomics Centre, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 5N3, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada.,Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3T2, Canada.,Proteomics Centre, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3T2, Canada
| | - Jian-She Wang
- Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China .,Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai 200333, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China .,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100091, China
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Ye X, Tateno C, Thi EP, Kakuni M, Snead NM, Ishida Y, Barnard TR, Sofia MJ, Shimada T, Lee ACH. Hepatitis B Virus Therapeutic Agent ARB-1740 Has Inhibitory Effect on Hepatitis Delta Virus in a New Dually-Infected Humanized Mouse Model. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:738-749. [PMID: 30408957 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infects 10-20 million individuals worldwide and causes severe fulminant hepatitis with high likelihood of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HDV infection cannot occur in the absence of the surface antigen (HBsAg) of the hepatitis B virus. RNA interference is an effective mechanism by which to inhibit viral transcripts, and siRNA therapeutics sharing this mechanism have begun to demonstrate clinical efficacy. Here we assessed the outcome of HBV-targeting siRNA intervention against HDV and compared it to a direct anti-HDV siRNA approach in dually infected humanized mice. Treatment with ARB-1740, a clinical stage HBV-targeting siRNA agent delivered using lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology, effectively reduced HBV viremia by 2.3 log10 and serum HBsAg by 2.6 log10, leading to 1.6 log10 reduction of HDV viremia. In contrast, HDV-targeting siRNA inhibited HDV in both blood and liver compartments without affecting HBV and PEGylated interferon-alpha reduced HBV viremia by 2.0 log10 but had no effect on HDV viremia under these study conditions. These results illustrate the inhibitory effects of siRNAs against these two viral infections and suggest that ARB-1740 may be of therapeutic benefit for hepatitis delta patients, a subpopulation with high unmet medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ye
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Chise Tateno
- PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Emily P. Thi
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Masakazu Kakuni
- PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Nicholas M. Snead
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Yuji Ishida
- PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Trisha R. Barnard
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Michael J. Sofia
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
| | - Takashi Shimada
- PhoenixBio Co., Ltd., 3-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Amy C. H. Lee
- Arbutus Biopharma, 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974, United States
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44
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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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45
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Xu K, Liu S, Zhao X, Zhang X, Fu X, Zhou Y, Xu K, Miao L, Li Z, Li Y, Qiao L, Bao J. Treating hyperuricemia related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats with resveratrol. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 110:844-849. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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46
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Hu J, Lin YY, Chen PJ, Watashi K, Wakita T. Cell and Animal Models for Studying Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Drug Development. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:338-354. [PMID: 30243619 PMCID: PMC6649672 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.06.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Many cell culture and animal models have been used to study hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and its effects in the liver; these have facilitated development of strategies to control and clear chronic HBV infection. We discuss the advantages and limitations of systems for studying HBV and developing antiviral agents, along with recent advances. New and improved model systems are needed. Cell culture systems should be convenient, support efficient HBV infection, and reproduce responses of hepatocytes in the human body. We also need animals that are fully permissive to HBV infection, convenient for study, and recapitulate human immune responses to HBV and effects in the liver. High-throughput screening technologies could facilitate drug development based on findings from cell and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Hu
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
| | - You-Yu Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University.
| | | | - Takaji Wakita
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
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47
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Robust Human and Murine Hepatocyte Culture Models of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Replication. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01255-18. [PMID: 30232184 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01255-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of chronic liver diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV research has been hampered by the lack of robust cell culture and small animal models of HBV infection. The discovery of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as an HBV receptor has been a landmark advance in HBV research in recent years. Ectopic expression of NTCP in nonpermissive HepG2, Huh7, and AML12 cell lines confers HBV susceptibility. However, HBV replication in these human and murine hepatocyte cell lines appeared suboptimal. In the present study, we constructed stable NTCP-expressing HepG2 and AML12 cell lines and found that HBV permissiveness is correlated with NTCP expression. More significantly, we developed robust HBV cell culture models by treating the HBV-infected cells with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and hydrocortisone, which significantly promoted HBV replication and production. Mechanistic studies suggested that hydrocortisone significantly enhanced the transcription and expression of PGC1α and HNF4α, which are known to promote HBV transcription and replication. These new human and murine hepatocyte culture systems of HBV infection and replication will accelerate the determination of molecular aspects underlying HBV infection, replication, and morphogenesis in human and murine hepatocytes. We anticipate that our HBV cell culture models will also facilitate the discovery and development of antiviral drugs towards the ultimate eradication of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.IMPORTANCE HBV research has been greatly hampered by the lack of robust cell culture and small animal models of HBV infection and propagation. The discovery of NTCP as an HBV receptor has greatly impacted the field of HBV research. Although HBV infection of NTCP-expressing human and murine hepatocyte cell lines has been demonstrated, its replication in cell culture appeared inefficient. To further improve cell culture systems of HBV infection and replication, we constructed NTCP-expressing HepG2 and AML12 cell lines that are highly permissive to HBV infection. More significantly, we found that DMSO and hydrocortisone markedly enhanced HBV transcription and replication in human and murine hepatocytes when added to the cell culture medium. These new cell culture models of HBV infection and replication will facilitate HBV research and antiviral drug discovery towards the ultimate elimination of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
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48
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Eller C, Heydmann L, Colpitts CC, Verrier ER, Schuster C, Baumert TF. The functional role of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide NTCP in the life cycle of hepatitis B, C and D viruses. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:3895-3905. [PMID: 30097692 PMCID: PMC7613421 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2892-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B, C and D virus (HBV, HCV and HDV) infections are a major cause of liver disease and cancer worldwide. Despite employing distinct replication strategies, the three viruses are exclusively hepatotropic, and therefore depend on hepatocyte-specific host factors. The sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a transmembrane protein highly expressed in human hepatocytes that mediates the transport of bile acids, plays a key role in HBV and HDV entry into hepatocytes. Recently, NTCP has been shown to modulate HCV infection of hepatocytes by regulating innate antiviral immune responses in the liver. Here, we review the current knowledge of the functional role and the molecular and cellular biology of NTCP in the life cycle of the three major hepatotropic viruses, highlight the impact of NTCP as an antiviral target and discuss future avenues of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Eller
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura Heydmann
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Che C Colpitts
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Eloi R Verrier
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Catherine Schuster
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, 3 Rue Koeberlé, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
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49
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Lee J, Zong L, Krotow A, Qin Y, Jia L, Zhang J, Tong S, Li J. N-Linked Glycosylation Is Not Essential for Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide To Mediate Hepatitis B Virus Infection In Vitro. J Virol 2018; 92:e00732-18. [PMID: 29793953 PMCID: PMC6052319 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00732-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) has been identified as a hepatitis B virus (HBV) receptor, and its overexpression in HepG2 cell lines leads to efficient secretion of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) following challenge with a large dose of cell culture-derived HBV (cHBV) particles. However, NTCP-reconstituted HepG2 cells are inefficiently infected by patient serum-derived HBV (sHBV) and release very little hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) following cHBV infection, unlike differentiated HepaRG cells, which are naturally susceptible to both cHBV and sHBV particles. Here, we investigated whether NTCP could explain the different behaviors of the two cell types. Endogenous NTCP protein from differentiated HepaRG cells was unglycosylated despite wild-type coding sequence. HepaRG cells stably transfected with an epitope-tagged NTCP expression construct displayed higher sHBV but not cHBV susceptibility than cells transfected with the null mutant. Tagged NTCP introduced to both HepG2 and HepaRG cells was glycosylated, with N5 and N11 being sites of N-linked glycosylation. Mutating N5, N11, or both did not alter cell surface availability of NTCP or its subcellular localization, with both the singly glycosylated and nonglycosylated forms still capable of mediating cHBV infection in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, nonglycosylated NTCP is expressed by differentiated HepaRG cells and capable of mediating cHBV infection in HepG2 cells, but it cannot explain differential susceptibility of HepaRG and HepG2/NTCP cells to cHBV versus sHBV infection and different HBsAg/HBeAg ratios following cHBV infection. The responsible host factor(s) remains to be identified.IMPORTANCE HBV can infect differentiated HepaRG cells and also HepG2 cells overexpressing NTCP, the currently accepted HBV receptor. However, HepG2/NTCP cells remain poorly susceptible to patient serum-derived HBV particles and release very little hepatitis B surface antigen following infection by cell culture-derived HBV. We found differentiated HepaRG cells expressed nonglycosylated NTCP despite a wild-type coding sequence. NTCP introduced to HepG2 cells was glycosylated at two N-linked glycosylation sites, but mutating either or both sites failed to prevent infection by cell culture-derived HBV or to confer susceptibility to serum-derived HBV. Overexpressing NTCP in HepRG cells did not increase infection by cell culture-derived HBV or distort the ratio between the two viral antigens. These findings suggest that host factors unique to HepaRG cells are required for efficient infection by serum-derived HBV, and factors other than NTCP contribute to balanced viral antigen production following infection by cell culture-derived HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Lee
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Li Zong
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Alexander Krotow
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Yanli Qin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lucy Jia
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuping Tong
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jisu Li
- Liver Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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50
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Zhang Z, Filzmayer C, Ni Y, Sültmann H, Mutz P, Hiet MS, Vondran FWR, Bartenschlager R, Urban S. Hepatitis D virus replication is sensed by MDA5 and induces IFN-β/λ responses in hepatocytes. J Hepatol 2018. [PMID: 29524530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and D virus (HDV) co-infections cause the most severe form of viral hepatitis. HDV induces an innate immune response, but it is unknown how the host cell senses HDV and if this defense affects HDV replication. We aim to characterize interferon (IFN) activation by HDV, identify the responsible sensor and evaluate the effect of IFN on HDV replication. METHODS HDV and HBV susceptible hepatoma cell lines and primary human hepatocytes (PHH) were used for infection studies. Viral markers and cellular gene expression were analyzed at different time points after infection. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) required for HDV-mediated IFN activation and the impact on HDV replication were studied using stable knock-down or overexpression of the PRRs. RESULTS Microarray analysis revealed that HDV but not HBV infection activated a broad range of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) in HepG2NTCP cells. HDV strongly activated IFN-β and IFN-λ in cell lines and PHH. HDV induced IFN levels remained unaltered upon RIG-I (DDX58) or TLR3 knock-down, but were almost completely abolished upon MDA5 (IFIH1) depletion. Conversely, overexpression of MDA5 but not RIG-I and TLR3 in HuH7.5NTCP cells partially restored ISG induction. During long-term infection, IFN levels gradually diminished in both HepG2NTCP and HepaRGNTCP cell lines. MDA5 depletion had little effect on HDV replication despite dampening HDV-induced IFN response. Moreover, treatment with type I or type III IFNs did not abolish HDV replication. CONCLUSION Active replication of HDV induces an IFN-β/λ response, which is predominantly mediated by MDA5. This IFN response and exogenous IFN treatment have only a moderate effect on HDV replication in vitro indicating the adaption of HDV replication to an IFN-activated state. LAY SUMMARY In contrast to hepatitis B virus, infection with hepatitis D virus induces a strong IFN-β/λ response in innate immune competent cell lines. MDA5 is the key sensor for the recognition of hepatitis D virus replicative intermediates. An IFN-activated state did not prevent hepatitis D virus replication in vitro, indicating that hepatitis D virus is resistant to self-induced innate immune responses and therapeutic IFN treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfeng Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christina Filzmayer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yi Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Holger Sültmann
- Cancer Genome Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pascal Mutz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marie-Sophie Hiet
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- Regenerative Medicine and Experimental Surgery (ReMediES), Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) - Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany.
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