1
|
Zeng Y, Li Z, Shang J, Kang Y. Efficient delivery of HBV NLS siRNAs into HepG2.2.15 cells for HBV inhibition through novel recombinant preS1‑tP proteins. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:1181-1189. [PMID: 29786106 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and related liver complications remain severe public health problems worldwide. Previous investigations have shown that small interfering (si)RNAs can offer an effective strategy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. The present study aimed to develop a novel siRNA‑delivering system of therapeutic HBV nuclear localization sequence (NLS) siRNAs using the recombinant preS1‑truncated protamine (tP) proteins. The preS1 region of the LHB was used in place of scFv to construct the recombinant preS1‑tP proteins, which were applied to deliver siRNAs targeting the HBV NLS to inhibit HBV replication and infection in HepG2.2.15 cells overexpressing sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). The results revealed that HepG2.2.15 cells with stable NTCP expression (HepG2.2.15‑NTCP cells) transfected with the recombinant lentivirus showed increased expression of NTCP genes. The HBV NLS siRNAs significantly suppressed HBV mRNA content and levels of HBsAg and HBeAg in the HepG2.2.15‑NTCP cells. Recombinant preS1‑tP proteins tagged with His and glutathione S‑transferase were found to enter into HepG2.2.15‑NTCP cells and bind with DNA. The HBV NLS siRNAs were delivered into HepG2.2.15‑NTCP cells by recombinant preS1‑tP proteins, which resulted in decreased expression of HBV mRNA, HBsAg and HBeAg, HBV DNA and covalently closed circular DNA in the HepG2.2.15‑NTCP cells. Therefore, the recombinant preS1‑tP proteins successfully delivered NLS siRNAs into HepG2.2.15 cells and repressed HBV infection and replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Zeng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Zixi Li
- Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, P.R. China
| | - Jia Shang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Yi Kang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Moyo B, Bloom K, Scott T, Ely A, Arbuthnot P. Advances with using CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing to treat infections with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Virus Res 2018; 244:311-320. [PMID: 28087399 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infections with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses (HBV and HCV) account for the majority of cases of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies for the infections have limitations and improved efficacy is necessary to prevent complications in carriers of the viruses. In the case of HBV persistence, the replication intermediate comprising covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is particularly problematic. Licensed therapies have little effect on cccDNA and HBV replication relapses following treatment withdrawal. Disabling cccDNA is thus key to curing HBV infections and application of gene editing technology, such as harnessing the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9) system, has curative potential. Several studies have reported good efficacy when employing CRISPR/Cas technologies to disable HBV replication in cultured cells and in hydrodynamically injected mice. Recent advances with HCV drug development have revolutionized treatment of the infection. Nevertheless, individuals may be refractory to treatment. Targeting RNA from HCV with CRISPR/Cas isolated from Francisella novicida may have therapeutic utility. Although preclinical work shows that CRISPR/Cas technology has potential to overcome infection with HBV and HCV, significant challenges need to be met. Ensuring specificity for viral targets and efficient delivery of the gene editing sequences to virus-infected cells are particularly important. The field is at an interesting stage and the future of curative antiviral drug regimens, particularly for treatment of chronic HBV infection, may well entail use of combinations that include derivatives of CRISPR/Cas.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/metabolism
- CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
- DNA Cleavage
- DNA, Circular/genetics
- DNA, Circular/metabolism
- DNA, Viral/genetics
- DNA, Viral/metabolism
- Endonucleases/genetics
- Endonucleases/metabolism
- Hepacivirus/genetics
- Hepacivirus/growth & development
- Hepacivirus/metabolism
- Hepatitis B virus/genetics
- Hepatitis B virus/growth & development
- Hepatitis B virus/metabolism
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/therapy
- Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/therapy
- Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology
- Humans
- Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods
- Patient Safety
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/metabolism
- Virus Replication
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Buhle Moyo
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kristie Bloom
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tristan Scott
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Center for Gene Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Abdullah Ely
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Patrick Arbuthnot
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu D, Liu L, Wang L, Duan S, Song Y, Qu M, Gao N, Wu J, Zhang H, Wu H, Kong W, Yu B, Yu X. Therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells combined with short hairpin RNA on liver injury induced by hepatitis B virus infection. Mol Med Rep 2017; 17:1731-1741. [PMID: 29257255 PMCID: PMC5780118 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.8096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical symptoms of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection include severe liver damage, which is associated with the elimination of the HBV-infected cells by the immune system. It has been suggested that suppression of HBV replication is not sufficient for patients with hepatitis B and the damaged liver function requires restoration. In the present study, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were combined with short hairpin (sh)RNA to treat liver injury and suppress HBV replication in a mouse model. Lx-shRNA157-1694 (an shRNA expression plasmid containing two shRNA expression cassettes) and mouse immortal (mi)MSCs stably expressing shRNA (miMSC-shRNA) were constructed and their suppressive effects on HBV expression were investigated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), ELISA and immunofluorescence. Hepatogenic differentiation of miMSC-shRNA was induced in vitro and confirmed by morphology, reverse transcription-semi-quantitative and -quantitative PCR, urea production and Periodic acid-Schiff staining analyses. miMSCs and the shRNA expression plasmid alone or combined with miMSCs stably expressing shRNA were injected into mice. The former therapeutic regimen successfully suppressed HBV expression in sera and liver tissue, whereas the latter only suppressed HBV expression in liver tissue. Analyses of serum alanine aminotransferase levels, aspartate aminotransferase levels, liver weight/body weight ratio percentage and sirius red staining demonstrated marked amelioration of liver injury in mice treated with both therapeutic regimens. The results of the present study suggest that miMSCs combined with shRNA treatment may alleviate liver injury and suppress HBV expression, thus providing a novel potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver injury induced by HBV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Lin Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Lizheng Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Sizhu Duan
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Yanan Song
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Meng Qu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Nan Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxin Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Haihong Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Hui Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Wei Kong
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Bin Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| | - Xianghui Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Meng ZJ, Yang YD. Potential strategies for "cure" of hepatitis B. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2016; 24:4438-4449. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v24.i33.4438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a worldwide health problem and the main cause of liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. The steady state of hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in HBV infected hepatocytes and virus specific immune tolerance contribute to the chronic persistent infection and hard-to-cure of hepatitis B. The presently available therapeutics for hepatitis B can control viral replication, but rarely eliminate HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) or HBV cccDNA. The "cure" of hepatitis B, which is characterized by the HBsAg loss or HBsAg seroconversion, and cccDNA clearance, has been the goal of researchers for years. In recent years, with the robust progress in understanding the HBV pathogenesis and the rapid development of gene editing technology, the "cure" of hepatitis B becomes prospective. This paper aims to summarize the potential strategies for the "cure" of hepatitis B.
Collapse
|
5
|
Li B, Sun S, Li M, Cheng X, Li H, Kang F, Kang J, Dörnbrack K, Nassal M, Sun D. Suppression of hepatitis B virus antigen production and replication by wild-type HBV dependently replicating HBV shRNA vectors in vitro and in vivo. Antiviral Res 2016; 134:117-129. [PMID: 27591142 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), a small DNA virus that replicates by reverse transcription of a pregenomic (pg) RNA precursor, greatly increases the risk for terminal liver disease. RNA interference (RNAi) based therapy approaches have shown potential to overcome the limited efficacy of current treatments. However, synthetic siRNAs as well as small hairpin (sh) RNAs expressed from non-integrating vectors require repeated applications; integrating vectors suffer from safety concerns. We pursue a new concept by which HBV itself is engineered into a conditionally replicating, wild-type HBV dependent anti-HBV shRNA vector. Beyond sharing HBV's hepatocyte tropism, such a vector would be self-renewing, but only as long as wild-type HBV is present. Here, we realized several important aspects of this concept. We identified two distinct regions in the 3.2 kb HBV genome which tolerate replacement by shRNA expression cassettes without compromising reverse transcription when complemented in vitro by HBV helper constructs or by wild-type HBV; a representative HBV shRNA vector was infectious in cell culture. The vector-encoded shRNAs were active, including on HBV as target. A dual anti-HBV shRNA vector delivered into HBV transgenic mice, which are not susceptible to HBV infection, by a chimeric adenovirus-HBV shuttle reduced serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) up to ∼4-fold, and virus particles up to ∼20-fold. Importantly, a fraction of the circulating particles contained vector-derived DNA, indicating successful complementation in vivo. These data encourage further investigations to prove antiviral efficacy and the predicted self-limiting vector spread in a small animal HBV infection model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baosheng Li
- Chinese PLA Medical School, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100853, Beijing, PR China; The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050082, PR China
| | - Shuo Sun
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050082, PR China; Troop 66220 of PLA, Xingtai, Hebei Province, 054000, PR China
| | - Minran Li
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050082, PR China; The Fourth Department of the Fifth Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, 050017, PR China
| | - Xin Cheng
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050082, PR China
| | - Haijun Li
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050082, PR China
| | - Fubiao Kang
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050082, PR China
| | - Jiwen Kang
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050082, PR China
| | - Katharina Dörnbrack
- Internal Medicine II/Molecular Biology, University Hospital Freiburg, D-79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Nassal
- Internal Medicine II/Molecular Biology, University Hospital Freiburg, D-79106, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Dianxing Sun
- The Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050082, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Albrecht L, Wilson KA, Wetmore SD. Computational Evaluation of Nucleotide Insertion Opposite Expanded and Widened DNA by the Translesion Synthesis Polymerase Dpo4. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21070822. [PMID: 27347908 PMCID: PMC6273265 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21070822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Expanded (x) and widened (y) deoxyribose nucleic acids (DNA) have an extra benzene ring incorporated either horizontally (xDNA) or vertically (yDNA) between a natural pyrimidine base and the deoxyribose, or between the 5- and 6-membered rings of a natural purine. Far-reaching applications for (x,y)DNA include nucleic acid probes and extending the natural genetic code. Since modified nucleobases must encode information that can be passed to the next generation in order to be a useful extension of the genetic code, the ability of translesion (bypass) polymerases to replicate modified bases is an active area of research. The common model bypass polymerase DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4) has been previously shown to successfully replicate and extend past a single modified nucleobase on a template DNA strand. In the current study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to evaluate the accommodation of expanded/widened nucleobases in the Dpo4 active site, providing the first structural information on the replication of (x,y)DNA. Our results indicate that the Dpo4 catalytic (palm) domain is not significantly impacted by the (x,y)DNA bases. Instead, the template strand is displaced to accommodate the increased C1’–C1’ base-pair distance. The structural insights unveiled in the present work not only increase our fundamental understanding of Dpo4 replication, but also reveal the process by which Dpo4 replicates (x,y)DNA, and thereby will contribute to the optimization of high fidelity and efficient polymerases for the replication of modified nucleobases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Albrecht
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge Alberta, AB T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Katie A Wilson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge Alberta, AB T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Stacey D Wetmore
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge Alberta, AB T1K 3M4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Meng Z, Zhang X, Pei R, Zhang E, Kemper T, Vollmer J, Davis HL, Glebe D, Gerlich W, Roggendorf M, Lu M. Combination therapy including CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and entecavir induces early viral response and enhanced inhibition of viral replication in a woodchuck model of chronic hepadnaviral infection. Antiviral Res 2015; 125:14-24. [PMID: 26585244 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) stimulate immune cells via TLR9 and are potentially useful immunomodulators for the treatment of chronic viral infections. In the present study, different classes of CpGs were tested for their capacities for innate immune activation and antiviral activities in the woodchuck model. A class P CpG ODN was found to stimulate interferon (IFN) production in woodchuck peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro, and following subcutaneous administration in vivo, it was observed to induce IFN and MxA expression in woodchuck PBMCs. Combination treatment with CpG ODN and entecavir (ETV) led to effective suppression of the woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) load in the woodchucks, with early viral responses and inhibition of replication. The woodchuck hepatitis surface antigen (WHsAg) serum concentrations were strongly decreased by CpG and ETV together but not by either agent alone, indicating synergistic effects. However, viral control post-treatment was still transient, similar to that observed with ETV alone. Significantly elevated levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) but not of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in some of the woodchucks receiving CpG ODN were noted, but these increases were resolved before the completion of treatment and were not associated with an elevated serum bilirubin level or coagulation disorders, suggesting the absence of a significant safety concern.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongji Meng
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rongjuan Pei
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ejuan Zhang
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thekla Kemper
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jörg Vollmer
- Pfizer Oligonucleotides Therapeutics Unit, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Wolfram Gerlich
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Roggendorf
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|