1
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Damodaran A, Zachariah SM, Nair SC. Novel therapeutic approaches for the management of hepatitis infections. Ther Deliv 2024; 15:211-232. [PMID: 38410933 DOI: 10.4155/tde-2023-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) & hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a substantial reason for morbidity and mortality around the world. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is connected with an enhanced risk of liver cirrhosis, liver decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conventional therapy do face certain challenges, for example, poor tolerability and the growth of active resistance. Thus, novel treatment procedures are essential to accomplish the initiation of strong and stable antiviral immune reactions of the individuals. This review explores the current nanotechnology-based carriers for drug and vaccine delivery to treat HBV and HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswin Damodaran
- Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Subin Mary Zachariah
- Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
| | - Sreeja Chandrasekharan Nair
- Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi, Kerala, 682041, India
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2
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Soriano V, Aguilera A, Benito R, González-Díez R, Miró E, Liendo P, Rodríguez-Diaz JC, Cabezas T, Richart A, Ramos JM, Barea L, Álvarez C, Treviño A, Gómez-Gallego F, Corral O, de Mendoza C. Susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection in adults living in Spain. Liver Int 2023; 43:1015-1020. [PMID: 36809581 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15548] [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: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A protective hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine has been available for four decades. Universal HBV vaccination of infants is recommended by the WHO since the 1990s. Furthermore, HBV immunization is advised for all adults with high-risk behaviours and no seroprotection. However, HBV vaccine coverage remains globally suboptimal. The advent of new more efficacious trivalent HBV vaccines has renewed the interest in HBV vaccination. At present, the extent of current HBV susceptibility in adults remains unknown in Spain. METHODS HBV serological markers were assessed on a large and representative sample of adults in Spain, including blood donors and individuals belonging to high-risk groups. Serum HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs were tested in specimens collected during the last couple of years. RESULTS From 13 859 consecutive adults tested at seven cities across the Spanish geography, overall 166 (1.2%) had positive HBsAg. Past HBV infection was recognized in 14% and prior vaccine immunization in 24%. Unexpectedly, 37% of blood donors and 63% of persons belonging to high-risk groups had no serum HBV markers and therefore were potentially HBV susceptible. CONCLUSION Roughly 60% of adults living in Spain seem to be HBV susceptible. Waning immunity might be more common than expected. Hence, HBV serological testing should be performed at least once in all adults regardless of risk exposures. HBV vaccine full courses or boosters should be administered to all adults lacking serological evidence of HBV protection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Aguilera
- Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago & GI-1209 USC, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rafael Benito
- Hospital Universitario Lozano Blesa & Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alberto Richart
- Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Luisa Barea
- Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Álvarez
- Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Octavio Corral
- Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Puerta de Hierro University Hospital & Research Institute, Majadahonda, Spain
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3
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Vyas AK, Jindal A. Letter: sPD-1 as a predictor for HBsAg seroconversion-shed light on inactive carriers with chronic hepatsitis B. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 55:1056. [PMID: 35362129 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashish K Vyas
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India
| | - Ankur Jindal
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
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4
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Belyhun Y, Liebert UG, Maier M. Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus among HIV co-infected and mono-infected cohorts in Northwest Ethiopia. Virol J 2022; 19:53. [PMID: 35331278 PMCID: PMC8944073 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01774-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a particular concern in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. In Ethiopia, detailed clinical and virological descriptions of HBV prevailing during HIV co-infection and symptomatic liver disease patients are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate HBV virological characteristics from Ethiopian HBV/HIV co-infected and HBV mono-infected individuals. METHODS A total of 4105 sera from HIV positive individuals, liver disease patients, and blood donors were screened serologically for HBV. The overlapping polymerase/surface genome region of HBV from 180 infected individuals was extracted, amplified, and sequenced for genotypic analysis. RESULTS The HBsAg seroprevalence was detected 43% in liver disease patients, 8.4% in blood donors, and 6.7% in HIV/HBV co-infected individuals. The occult HBV prevalence was 3.7% in HIV/HBV co-infected individuals and 2.8% in blood donors with an overall prevalence rate of 3.4%. A phylogenetic analysis showed three HBV genotypes; A (61.1%), D (38.3%) and E (0.6%). Genotype A belongs to subtypes A1 (99.1%) and A9 (0.9%), but genotype D showed heterogeneous subtypes; D2 (63.8%) followed by D4 (21.7%), D1 (8.7%), D3 (4.3%), and D10 (1.4%). CONCLUSIONS The HIV/HBV co-infected individuals and blood donors showed lower HBsAg seroprevalence compared to liver diseases patients. Occult HBV prevalence showed no difference between HIV/HBV co-infected and blood donor groups. This study demonstrated predominance distribution of HBV subtypes A1 and D2 in northwest Ethiopia. The observed virological characteristics could contribute for evidence-based management of viral hepatitis in Ethiopia where antiretroviral therapy guidelines do not cater for viral hepatitis screening during HIV co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeshambel Belyhun
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany. .,School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Uwe Gerd Liebert
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Melanie Maier
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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5
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Lin CN, Chan KR, Ooi EE, Chiou MT, Hoang M, Hsueh PR, Ooi PT. Animal Coronavirus Diseases: Parallels with COVID-19 in Humans. Viruses 2021; 13:1507. [PMID: 34452372 PMCID: PMC8402828 DOI: 10.3390/v13081507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus in humans, has expanded globally over the past year. COVID-19 remains an important subject of intensive research owing to its huge impact on economic and public health globally. Based on historical archives, the first coronavirus-related disease recorded was possibly animal-related, a case of feline infectious peritonitis described as early as 1912. Despite over a century of documented coronaviruses in animals, the global animal industry still suffers from outbreaks. Knowledge and experience handling animal coronaviruses provide a valuable tool to complement our understanding of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we present an overview of coronaviruses, clinical signs, COVID-19 in animals, genome organization and recombination, immunopathogenesis, transmission, viral shedding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. By drawing parallels between COVID-19 in animals and humans, we provide perspectives on the pathophysiological mechanisms by which coronaviruses cause diseases in both animals and humans, providing a critical basis for the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics against these deadly viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Nan Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan;
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Kuan Rong Chan
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (K.R.C.); (E.E.O.)
| | - Eng Eong Ooi
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (K.R.C.); (E.E.O.)
- Viral Research and Experimental Medicine Centre (ViREMiCS), SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Ming-Tang Chiou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan;
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
| | - Minh Hoang
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam;
| | - Po-Ren Hsueh
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404332, Taiwan
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
| | - Peck Toung Ooi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
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6
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Ahmed RA, Almofti YA, Abd-elrahman KA. Structural Analysis of the Polymerase Protein for Multiepitopes Vaccine Prediction against Hepatitis B Virus. BIOSCIENCES BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH ASIA 2021; 18:125-146. [DOI: 10.13005/bbra/2902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. DNA polymerase protein of HBV is the immunogenic protein inducing immune response against B and T cells. The aim of this study wasto develop multi-epitope vaccine fromthe polymerase protein elicitingimmune responses.The predicted vaccine comprises epitopes against B and T lymphocytesobtained by IEDB server. The predicted epitopes were linked via suitable spacers (linkers). The 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 was used as an adjuvant at amino terminal and His-tag at the carboxyl terminal of the vaccine construct. The candidate vaccine contains 457aa and was potentially antigenic and nonallergic. Vaccine molecular weightwas 50.03 KDa with pI of 10.04. The instability index was 25.78 and GRAVY was -0.354 indicating stability andhydrophilicity of the chimeric vaccine,respectively.Vaccine structure (Secondary and tertiary structures) were predicted, refined and used for molecular docking with TLR4.The docking with TLR4 provided energy scores of -1458.7 and -1410.3 for chain A and B, respectively, demonstrated strong binding between the chimeric vaccine and TLR4 chains.The vaccine provided favorable solubility compared to E. coli proteins. Stability via disulfide bonds engineering was predicted to reduce the entropy and mobility regions invaccine construct. Molecular dynamics simulation wasperformed to strengthen the prediction. In silicomolecular cloning was usedto guarantee the efficient clonabilityof the vaccine and translation within suitable vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolla Abdalkader Ahmed
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of laboratory science, Omdurman Ahlia University, Khartoum- Sudan
| | - Yassir A. Almofti
- Department of Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri, Khartoum- Sudan
| | - Khoubieb Ali Abd-elrahman
- 3Department of pharmaceutical technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Medical Science and Technology (MUST) Khartoum- Sudan
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7
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Meier-Stephenson V, Badmalia MD, Mrozowich T, Lau KCK, Schultz SK, Gemmill DL, Osiowy C, van Marle G, Coffin CS, Patel TR. Identification and characterization of a G-quadruplex structure in the pre-core promoter region of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100589. [PMID: 33774051 PMCID: PMC8094906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately 250 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and are at increased risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The HBV genome persists as covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which serves as the template for all HBV mRNA transcripts. Current nucleos(t)ide analogs used to treat HBV do not directly target the HBV cccDNA genome and thus cannot eradicate HBV infection. Here, we report the discovery of a unique G-quadruplex structure in the pre-core promoter region of the HBV genome that is conserved among nearly all genotypes. This region is central to critical steps in the viral life cycle, including the generation of pregenomic RNA, synthesis of core and polymerase proteins, and genome encapsidation; thus, an increased understanding of the HBV pre-core region may lead to the identification of novel anti-HBV cccDNA targets. We utilized biophysical methods (circular dichroism and small-angle X-ray scattering) to characterize the HBV G-quadruplex and the effect of three distinct G to A mutants. We also used microscale thermophoresis to quantify the binding affinity of G-quadruplex and its mutants with a known quadruplex-binding protein (DHX36). To investigate the physiological relevance of HBV G-quadruplex, we employed assays using DHX36 to pull-down cccDNA and compared HBV infection in HepG2 cells transfected with wild-type and mutant HBV plasmids by monitoring the levels of genomic DNA, pregenomic RNA, and antigens. Further evaluation of this critical host-protein interaction site in the HBV cccDNA genome may facilitate the development of novel anti-HBV therapeutics against the resilient cccDNA template.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Meier-Stephenson
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maulik D Badmalia
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tyler Mrozowich
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Keith C K Lau
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah K Schultz
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Darren L Gemmill
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carla Osiowy
- Viral Hepatitis and Bloodborne Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Guido van Marle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carla S Coffin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Trushar R Patel
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; DiscoveryLab, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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8
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Duraisamy GS, Bhosale D, Lipenská I, Huvarova I, Růžek D, Windisch MP, Miller AD. Advanced Therapeutics, Vaccinations, and Precision Medicine in the Treatment and Management of Chronic Hepatitis B Viral Infections; Where Are We and Where Are We Going? Viruses 2020; 12:v12090998. [PMID: 32906840 PMCID: PMC7552065 DOI: 10.3390/v12090998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection is an area of massive unmet clinical need worldwide. In spite of the development of powerful nucleoside/nucleotide analogue (NUC) drugs, and the widespread use of immune stimulators such as interferon-alpha (IFNα) or PEGylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFNα), substantial improvements in CHB standards of care are still required. We believe that the future for CHB treatment now rests with advanced therapeutics, vaccination, and precision medicine, if all are to bring under control this most resilient of virus infections. In spite of a plethora of active drug treatments, anti-viral vaccinations and diagnostic techniques, the management of CHB infection remains unresolved. The reason for this is the very complexity of the virus replication cycle itself, giving rise to multiple potential targets for therapeutic intervention some of which remain very intractable indeed. Our review is focused on discussing the potential impact that advanced therapeutics, vaccinations and precision medicine could have on the future management of CHB infection. We demonstrate that advanced therapeutic approaches for the treatment of CHB, in the form of gene and immune therapies, together with modern vaccination strategies, are now emerging rapidly to tackle the limitations of current therapeutic approaches to CHB treatment in clinic. In addition, precision medicine approaches are now gathering pace too, starting with personalized medicine. On the basis of this, we argue that the time has now come to accelerate the design and creation of precision therapeutic approaches (PTAs) for CHB treatment that are based on advanced diagnostic tools and nanomedicine, and which could maximize CHB disease detection, treatment, and monitoring in ways that could genuinely eliminate CHB infection altogether.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Selvaraj Duraisamy
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic; (G.S.D.); (D.B.); (I.L.); (I.H.); (D.R.)
| | - Dattatry Bhosale
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic; (G.S.D.); (D.B.); (I.L.); (I.H.); (D.R.)
| | - Ivana Lipenská
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic; (G.S.D.); (D.B.); (I.L.); (I.H.); (D.R.)
| | - Ivana Huvarova
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic; (G.S.D.); (D.B.); (I.L.); (I.H.); (D.R.)
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic; (G.S.D.); (D.B.); (I.L.); (I.H.); (D.R.)
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marc P. Windisch
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyeong-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-400, Korea;
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-350, Korea
| | - Andrew D. Miller
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic; (G.S.D.); (D.B.); (I.L.); (I.H.); (D.R.)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1, Černá Pole, CZ-61300 Brno, Czech Republic
- KP Therapeutics (Europe) s.r.o., Purkyňova 649/127, CZ-61200 Brno, Czech Republic
- Correspondence:
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9
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Vyas AK. Letter: programmed death-1-a predictor for anti-viral treatment in chronic hepatitis B. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2020; 52:748. [PMID: 32886375 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar Vyas
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India
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10
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Liu XQ, Ohsaki E, Ueda K. Establishment of a system for finding inhibitors of ε RNA binding with the HBV polymerase. Genes Cells 2020; 25:523-537. [PMID: 32415897 PMCID: PMC7496097 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although several nucleo(s)tide analogs are available for treatment of HBV infection, long‐term treatment with these drugs can lead to the emergence of drug‐resistant viruses. Recent HIV‐1 studies suggest that combination therapies using nucleo(s)tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non‐nucleo(s)tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) could drastically inhibit the viral genome replication of NRTI‐resistant viruses. In order to carry out such combinational therapy against HBV, several new NRTIs and NNRTIs should be developed. Here, we aimed to identify novel NNRTIs targeting the HBV polymerase terminal protein (TP)‐reverse transcriptase (RT) (TP‐RT) domain, which is a critical domain for HBV replication. We expressed and purified the HBV TP‐RT with high purity using an Escherichia coli expression system and established an in vitro ε RNA‐binding assay system. Then, we used TP‐RT in cell‐free assays to screen candidate inhibitors from a chemical compound library, and identified two compounds, 6‐hydroxy‐DL‐DOPA and N‐oleoyldopamine, which inhibited the binding of ε RNA with the HBV polymerase. Furthermore, these drugs reduced HBV DNA levels in cell‐based assays as well by inhibiting packaging of pregenome RNA into capsids. The novel screening system developed herein should open a new pathway the discovery of drugs targeting the HBV TP‐RT domain to treat HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Quan Liu
- Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Eriko Ohsaki
- Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Keiji Ueda
- Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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11
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Wang ZY, Li YQ, Guo ZW, Zhou XH, Lu MD, Xue TC, Gao B. ERK1/2-HNF4α axis is involved in epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibition of HBV replication. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:278-285. [PMID: 31554961 PMCID: PMC7468327 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0302-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenol in green tea, exhibits diverse biological activities. Previous studies show that EGCG could effectively suppress HBV gene expression and replication, but the role of EGCG in HBV replication and its underlying mechanisms, especially the signaling pathways involved, remain unclear. In this study we investigated the mechanisms underlying EGCG inhibition on HBV replication with a focus on the signaling pathways. We showed that EGCG (12.5-50 μM) dose-dependently inhibited HBV gene expression and replication in HepG2.2.15 cells. Similar results were observed in HBV mice receiving EGCG (25 mg· kg-1· d-1, ip) for 5 days. In HepG2.2.15 cells, we showed that EGCG (12.5-50 μM) significantly activate ERK1/2 MAPK signaling, slightly activate p38 MAPK and JAK2/STAT3 signaling, while had no significant effect on the activation of JNK MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and NF-κB signaling. By using specific inhibitors of these signaling pathways, we demonstrated that ERK1/2 signaling pathway, but not other signaling pathways, was involved in EGCG-mediated inhibition of HBV transcription and replication. Furthermore, we showed that EGCG treatment dose-dependently decreased the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) both at the mRNA and protein levels, which could be reversed by pretreatment with the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (20 μM). Moreover, we revealed that EGCG treatment dose-dependently inhibited the activity of HBV core promoter and the following HBV replication. In summary, our results demonstrate that EGCG inhibits HBV gene expression and replication, which involves ERK1/2-mediated downregulation of HNF4α.These data reveal a novel mechanism for EGCG to inhibit HBV gene expression and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yu Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yu-Qi Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Guo
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xing-Hao Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mu-Dan Lu
- Genetic laboratory, the Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Tong-Chun Xue
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Bo Gao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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12
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Muddle and Mechanism of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 17:2621. [PMID: 31653316 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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13
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Li L, Li Y, Xiong Z, Shu W, Yang Y, Guo Z, Gao B. FoxO4 inhibits HBV core promoter activity through ERK-mediated downregulation of HNF4α. Antiviral Res 2019; 170:104568. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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14
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Arikan A, Sayan M, Sanlidag T, Suer K, Akcali S, Guvenir M. Evaluation of the pol/S Gene Overlapping Mutations in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in Northern Cyprus. Pol J Microbiol 2019; 68:317-322. [PMID: 31880877 PMCID: PMC7256834 DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2019-034] [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: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations associated with the pol and the S gene can emerge as a consequence of the high replication capacity and proofreading deficiencies of hepatitis B virus during replication. The current study was constructed to evaluate primary, partial, compensatory and the escape mutations in chronic hepatitis B patients in Northern Cyprus. The samples of HBsAg positive treatment naïve 100 patients were involved in this study. HBV pol gene region was sequenced, amplified and HBV pol/S gene mutations were determined. The samples of thirty-two patients were excluded because of their low viral load (HBV < 1000 ıu/ml). Among the sequenced 68 samples, there was a partial mutation (1.5%) and 36.7% displayed a resistance profile to lamivudine, adevofir, and telbivudine. Immune response escape, vaccine escape, HBIg and diagnosis escape mutations were determined in 24%, 10%, 6%, and 4% samples of the patients, respectively. Additionally, there were six different combined mutations. These data underscored that there is no concern for primary mutations in Northern Cyprus, however, we have identified a compensatory mutation (rtV173M) that may have primary mutation characteristics by combining with other mutation patterns. Additionally, HBsAg escape mutants demonstrated that detection of the S gene together with the pol gene mutations might be beneficial and important to monitor the surveillance of S variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Arikan
- Near East University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Department , Nicosia , Northern Cyprus ; Near East University, Research Center of Experimental Health Sciences , Nicosia , Northern Cyprus
| | - Murat Sayan
- Kocaeli University, Research and Education Hospital, Clinical Laboratory , PCR Unit , Kocaeli ; Near East University, Research Center of Experimental Health Sciences , Nicosia , Northern Cyprus
| | - Tamer Sanlidag
- Near East University, Research Center of Experimental Health Sciences , Nicosia , Northern Cyprus ; Manisa Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Department , Manisa , Turkey
| | - Kaya Suer
- Near East University, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology Department , Nicosia , Northern Cyprus
| | - Sinem Akcali
- Manisa Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Microbiology Department , Manisa , Turkey
| | - Meryem Guvenir
- Near East University, Vocational School of Health Services, Microbiology , Nicosia , Northern Cyprus
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15
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Birkus G, Snyder C, Jordan R, Kobayashi T, Dick R, Puscau V, Li L, Ramirez R, Willkom M, Morikawa Y, Delaney Iv WE, Schmitz U. Anti-HBV activity of retinoid drugs in vitro versus in vivo. Antiviral Res 2019; 169:104538. [PMID: 31226346 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We describe here the anti-HBV activity of natural and synthetic retinoids in primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). The most potent compounds inhibited HBsAg, HBeAg, viral RNA and DNA production by HBV infected cells with EC50 values ranging from 0.4 to 2.6 μM. The activity was independent of PHH donor and HBV genotype used in testing. 13-cis retinoic acid (Accutane) was selected for further evaluation in the PXB chimeric mouse model of HBV infection at doses allowing to achieve Accutane peak serum concentrations near its antiviral EC90 and exposures ∼5-fold higher than a typical clinical dose. While these supraclinical exposures of 100 mg/kg/day were well-tolerated by regular Balb/c mice, PXB mice were more sensitive and even a lower those of 60 mg/kg/day led to significant weight loss. Despite dosing at this maximal tolerated dose for 28 days, Accutane failed to show any anti-HBV activity. RAR target engagement was verified using transcriptome analysis of liver samples from treated versus vehicle groups. However, gene expression changes in PXB liver samples were vastly muted when compared to the in vitro PHH system. When comparing transcriptional changes associated with the conditioning of fresh hepatocytes toward enabling HBV infection, we also observed a large number of changes. Noticeably, a significant number of genes that were up- or down-regulated by the conditioning process were down- or up-regulated by HBV infected PHH treatment with Accutane, respectively. While the lack of efficacy in the PXB model may have many explanations, the observed, opposing transcriptional changes upon conditioning PHH and treating these cultured, HBV-infected PHH with Accutane allow for the possibility that the PHH system may yield artificial anti-HBV hits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Birkus
- IOCB, Flemingovo nám. 542/2, 160 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Chelsea Snyder
- Gilead Sciences, 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94494, USA
| | - Robert Jordan
- Gilead Sciences, 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94494, USA
| | | | - Ryan Dick
- Gilead Sciences, 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94494, USA
| | - Vlad Puscau
- Gilead Sciences, 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94494, USA
| | - Li Li
- Gilead Sciences, 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94494, USA
| | - Ricardo Ramirez
- Gilead Sciences, 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94494, USA
| | | | - Yoshida Morikawa
- Phoenix Bio, 3-4-1, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima City, 739-0046, Japan
| | | | - Uli Schmitz
- Gilead Sciences, 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94494, USA.
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16
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Luo H, Zhang XX, Cao LH, Tan N, Kang Q, Xi HL, Yu M, Xu XY. Serum hepatitis B virus RNA is a predictor of HBeAg seroconversion and virological response with entecavir treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:719-728. [PMID: 30783375 PMCID: PMC6378541 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i6.719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Characteristics of alterations of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA in different chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients still cannot be fully explained. Whether HBV RNA can predict HBeAg seroconversion is still controversial.
AIM To investigate whether HBV RNA can predict virological response or HBeAg seroconversion during entecavir (ETV) treatment when HBV DNA is undetectable.
METHODS The present study evaluated 61 individuals who were diagnosed and treated with long-term ETV monotherapy at the Department of Infectious Diseases of Peking University First Hospital (China) from September 2006 to December 2007. Finally, 30 treatment-naive individuals were included. Serum HBV RNA were extracted from 140 μL serum samples at two time points. Then they were reverse transcribed to cDNA with the HBV-specific primer. The product was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) using TAMARA probes. Statistical analyses were performed with IBM SPSS 20.0.
RESULTS Level of serum HBV RNA at baseline was 4.15 ± 0.90 log10 copies/mL. HBV RNA levels showed no significant difference between the virological response (VR) and partial VR (PVR) groups at baseline (P = 0.940). Serum HBV RNA significantly decreased among patients who achieved a VR during ETV therapy (P < 0.001). The levels of HBV RNA in both HBeAg-positive patients with seroconversion group and those with no seroconversion increased after 24 wk of treatment. Overall, HBV RNA significantly but mildly correlated to HBsAg (r = 0.265, P = 0.041), and HBV RNA was not correlated to HBV DNA (r = 0.242, P = 0.062). Furthermore, serum HBV RNA was an independent indicator for predicting HBeAg seroconversion and virological response. HBeAg seroconversion was more likely in CHB patients with HBV RNA levels below 4.12 log10 copies/mL before treatment.
CONLUSION The level of serum HBV RNA could predict HBeAg seroconversion and PVR during treatment. In the PVR group, the level of serum HBV RNA tends to be increasing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Xia-Xia Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Capital Medical University Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Li-Hua Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Third Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Ning Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Qian Kang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Hong-Li Xi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Xiao-Yuan Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
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17
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Hong Y, Mao D, Wu R, Gao Z, Meng T, Wang R, Liu L, Miao J. Hepatitis B virus S gene therapy with 10-23 DNAzyme delivered by chitosan-g-stearic acid micelles. RSC Adv 2019; 9:15196-15204. [PMID: 35514820 PMCID: PMC9064198 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra00330d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DrzBS, which targets HBV S gene expression, has important research significance and potential application value. CSO-SA is a safe and efficient non-viral gene carrier and CSO-SA/DrzBS micelles are a promising application for anti-HBV gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Hong
- Department of Pharmacy
- the First Affiliated Hospital
- College of Medicine
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310003
| | - Dongsen Mao
- Zhejiang Center of Laboratory Animals
- Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences
- Hangzhou 310007
- P. R. China
| | - Rui Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310058
- P. R. China
| | - Zhe Gao
- Department of Pharmacy
- the First Affiliated Hospital
- College of Medicine
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310003
| | - Tingting Meng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310058
- P. R. China
| | - Rongrong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy
- the First Affiliated Hospital
- College of Medicine
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310003
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Pharmacy
- the First Affiliated Hospital
- College of Medicine
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310003
| | - Jing Miao
- Department of Pharmacy
- the First Affiliated Hospital
- College of Medicine
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310003
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18
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Poonia B, Ayithan N, Nandi M, Masur H, Kottilil S. HBV induces inhibitory FcRL receptor on B cells and dysregulates B cell-T follicular helper cell axis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15296. [PMID: 30333570 PMCID: PMC6193006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33719-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous or treatment induced seroconversion in chronic HBV infection is rare and generation of anti-HBs antibodies is the current goal of HBV therapeutics. Here we investigated B and follicular T helper (Tfh) cell defects that persist in HBV infection despite long-term nucleos(t)ide analog (NUC) treatment and possible mechanisms behind them. RNA sequencing revealed that patient B cells have upregulated expression of multiple inhibitory receptors including members of FcRL family and downregulation of genes involved in antigen presentation. An expansion of atypical memory CD19+CD10−CD27−CD21− subset of B cells, that express high levels of FcRL5, is persistently present in patients. HBs antigen specific IgG response is concentrated in classical memory and not in atypical memory subset, confirming dysfunction of this subset. Activated Tfh, which expressed excessive CD40L upon polyclonal stimulation, were present in patients. Incubation of B cells from healthy individuals with HBV core (HBc) or CD40L resulted in induction of inhibitory receptors FcRL4, FcRL5 and PD-1 on CD19+ cells and resulted in altered B cell phenotypes. Mechanistically, HBc binds B cells and causes proliferation specifically of FcRL5+ B cell subset. Our results provide evidence that HBV directly causes upregulation of inhibitory pathways in B cells resulting in an accumulation of atypical B cells that lack anti-HBs function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhawna Poonia
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Natarajan Ayithan
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Madhuparna Nandi
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Henry Masur
- Critical Care Medicine Department, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Shyam Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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19
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Li X, Zhao J, Yuan Q, Xia N. Detection of HBV Covalently Closed Circular DNA. Viruses 2017; 9:E139. [PMID: 28587292 PMCID: PMC5490816 DOI: 10.3390/v9060139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects approximately 240 million people worldwide and remains a serious public health concern because its complete cure is impossible with current treatments. Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected cells cannot be eliminated by present therapeutics and may result in persistence and relapse. Drug development targeting cccDNA formation and maintenance is hindered by the lack of efficient cccDNA models and reliable cccDNA detection methods. Southern blotting is regarded as the gold standard for quantitative cccDNA detection, but it is complicated and not suitable for high-throughput drug screening, so more sensitive and simple methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, Invader assays, in situ hybridization and surrogates, have been developed for cccDNA detection. However, most methods are not reliable enough, and there are no unified standards for these approaches. This review will summarize available methods for cccDNA detection. It is hoped that more robust methods for cccDNA monitoring will be developed and that standard operation procedures for routine cccDNA detection in scientific research and clinical monitoring will be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Jinghua Zhao
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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20
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Soriano V, Barreiro P, Benitez L, Peña JM, de Mendoza C. New antivirals for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2017; 26:843-851. [DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2017.1333105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Soriano
- Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital & Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Barreiro
- Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital & Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Benitez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro Research Institute, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Jose M. Peña
- Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital & Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro Research Institute, Majadahonda, Spain
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