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Hasturk B, Eren F. A therapeutic approach for the hepatitis C virus: in silico design of an antisense oligonucleotide-based candidate capsid inhibitor. Virus Genes 2024; 60:446-454. [PMID: 39083128 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-024-02088-1] [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: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs have been shown to effectively reduce viral load and cure a high proportion of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. However, costs associated with the course of therapy and any possible adverse effects should also be considered. It is important to acknowledge, moreover, that certain groups may not be eligible for treatment. Given that there is currently no approved vaccine for HCV infection, the need for an effective, safe, and accessible treatment remains a crucial priority. The aim of this study is to develop an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based therapeutic drug that can inhibit HCV capsid. After analyzing 817 HCV capsid protein mRNA sequences using the NCBI Virus Data Portal, a conserved region of 7 nucleotides (nt) was identified in all genotypes (1-7). However, because of its high GC% content, this region is not a suitable target for ASO. Conversely, the other highly conserved region, which is only 8 nt long, was preserved in 801 datasets after removing missing and differing sequence data. The candidate ASO was then investigated using computer simulations to assess its potential. Thus, it is possible that the ASO sequence consisting of 8 nt could be a viable therapeutic target for the inhibition of HCV capsid. Furthermore, the 7 nt sequence, which is conserved in all datasets, may be targeted using alternative strategies in lieu of ASO-based targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Hasturk
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Institute of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatih Eren
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Liver Research Unit, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Dwivedi M, Dwivedi A, Mukherjee D. An Insight into Hepatitis C Virus: In Search of Promising Drug Targets. Curr Drug Targets 2023; 24:1127-1138. [PMID: 37907492 DOI: 10.2174/0113894501265769231020031857] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a global health concern, chronically infecting over 70 million people worldwide. HCV is a bloodborne pathogen that primarily affects the liver, and chronic HCV infection can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure over time. There is an urgent need for more effective approaches to prevent and treat HCV. This review summarizes current knowledge on the virology, transmission, diagnosis, and management of HCV infection. It also provides an in-depth analysis of HCV proteins as promising targets for antiviral drug and vaccine development. Specific HCV proteins discussed as potential drug targets include the NS5B polymerase, NS3/4A protease, entry receptors like CD81, and core proteins. The implications of HCV proteins as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are also explored. Current direct-acting antiviral therapies are effective but have cost, genotype specificity, and resistance limitations. This review aims to synthesize essential information on HCV biology and pathogenesis to inform future research on improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies against this global infectious disease threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Dwivedi
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Gomtinagar Extension, Lucknow- 226028, India
| | - Aditya Dwivedi
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Gomtinagar Extension, Lucknow- 226028, India
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The Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes on Oxidative Stress Markers and Catalase Activity. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:6676057. [PMID: 33708335 PMCID: PMC7932765 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6676057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. Chronic HCV infections are usually associated with increased oxidative stress in the liver tissue. The intensity of oxidative stress may be a detrimental factor in liver injury and may determine the severity of the disease. The aim of the present case-control study was to determine the level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), protein oxidative modification (AOPP), and catalase activity in sera of patients infected with HCV, in relation to different HCV genotypes and viral load. Considering the HCV patients with chronic hepatitis C (52) and control subject (50) recruitment, the study was designed as a case-control-type. The HCV RNA isolation, viral load, and HCV genotyping were performed according to the standard protocols. A significant difference compared to control healthy subjects was reported for TBAR (p < 0.001), AOPP (p = 0.001), and catalase activity (p = 0.007). In a gender-based comparison, a significantly higher level of AOPP for females was reported (p < 0.001). As stratified by HCV genotype, the most common was HCV-1 (HCV-1a and HCV 1b), with the overall participation of more than 60%, followed by genotype 3, while the least represented was genotype 2. No significant difference was documented among genotypes in regard to oxidative stress markers, although somewhat higher TBARS level, but not significant, was registered in patients infected with genotype 1b. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the concentration of HCV genome copies and AOPP (r = 0.344; p = 0.012). A high level of HCV viral load was more likely to have a higher TBARS, but still without statistical significance (p = 0.072). In conclusion, the results obtained confirmed an imbalance between the ROS production and antioxidative defense system in HCV-infected patients. Since oxidative stress may have a profound influence on disease progression, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis, our results may meet the aspirations of mandatory introduction of antioxidants as early HCV therapy to counteract ROS consequences.
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Gardinali NR, Guimarães JR, Melgaço JG, Kevorkian YB, Bottino FDO, Vieira YR, da Silva ACDA, Pinto DP, da Fonseca LB, Vilhena LS, Uiechi E, da Silva MCC, Moran J, Marchevsky RS, Cruz OG, Otonel RAA, Alfieri AA, de Oliveira JM, Gaspar AMC, Pinto MA. Cynomolgus monkeys are successfully and persistently infected with hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3) after long-term immunosuppressive therapy. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174070. [PMID: 28328941 PMCID: PMC5362194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies found that hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3) infection was associated with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in immunocompromised patients. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between the host immunosuppressive status and the occurrence of HEV-related chronic hepatitis. Here we describe a successful experimental study, using cynomolgus monkeys previously treated with tacrolimus, a potent calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant, and infected with a Brazilian HEV-3 strain isolated from naturally infected pigs. HEV infected monkeys were followed up during 160 days post infection (dpi) by clinical signs; virological, biochemical and haematological parameters; and liver histopathology. The tacrolimus blood levels were monitored throughout the experiment. Immunosuppression was confirmed by clinical and laboratorial findings, such as: moderate weight loss, alopecia, and herpes virus opportunistic infection. In this study, chronic HEV infection was characterized by the mild increase of liver enzymes serum levels; persistent RNA viremia and viral faecal shedding; and liver histopathology. Three out of four immunosuppressed monkeys showed recurrent HEV RNA detection in liver samples, evident hepatocellular ballooning degeneration, mild to severe macro and microvesicular steatosis (zone 1), scattered hepatocellular apoptosis, and lobular focal inflammation. At 69 dpi, liver biopsies of all infected monkeys revealed evident ballooning degeneration (zone 3), discrete hepatocellular apoptosis, and at most mild portal and intra-acinar focal inflammation. At 160 dpi, the three chronically HEV infected monkeys showed microscopic features (piecemeal necrosis) corresponding to chronic hepatitis in absence of fibrosis and cirrhosis in liver parenchyma. Within 4-months follow up, the tacrolimus-immunosuppressed cynomolgus monkeys infected with a Brazilian swine HEV-3 strain exhibited more severe hepatic lesions progressing to chronic hepatitis without liver fibrosis, similarly as shown in tacrolimus-immunosuppressed solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The cause-effect relationship between HEV infection and tacrolimus treatment was confirmed in this experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Rovaris Gardinali
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Juliana Rodrigues Guimarães
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana Gil Melgaço
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yohan Britto Kevorkian
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda de Oliveira Bottino
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yasmine Rangel Vieira
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aline Campos de Azevedo da Silva
- Serviço de Equivalência e Farmacocinética –SEFAR, Vice-Presidência de Produção e Inovação em Saúde–VPPIS, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Douglas Pereira Pinto
- Serviço de Equivalência e Farmacocinética –SEFAR, Vice-Presidência de Produção e Inovação em Saúde–VPPIS, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Laís Bastos da Fonseca
- Serviço de Equivalência e Farmacocinética –SEFAR, Vice-Presidência de Produção e Inovação em Saúde–VPPIS, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro Schiavo Vilhena
- Serviço de Equivalência e Farmacocinética –SEFAR, Vice-Presidência de Produção e Inovação em Saúde–VPPIS, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Cristina Carlan da Silva
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Patógenos (Virologia Molecular), Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas-CCNH, Universidade Federal do ABC-UFABC, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julio Moran
- Dr. Julio Moran Laboratories, Ebmatingen, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Renato Sérgio Marchevsky
- Laboratório de Neurovirulência, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Amauri Alcindo Alfieri
- Laboratório de Virologia Animal, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Mendes de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Coimbra Gaspar
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Alves Pinto
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Du L, Tang H. miRNA antagonism and direct-acting antivirals: could this be a novel combination treatment against HCV? Future Virol 2016. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2016-0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lingyao Du
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, & Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy & Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, & Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
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