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Sallam M, Khalil R. Contemporary Insights into Hepatitis C Virus: A Comprehensive Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1035. [PMID: 38930417 PMCID: PMC11205832 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061035] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant global health challenge. Approximately 50 million people were living with chronic hepatitis C based on the World Health Organization as of 2024, contributing extensively to global morbidity and mortality. The advent and approval of several direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens significantly improved HCV treatment, offering potentially high rates of cure for chronic hepatitis C. However, the promising aim of eventual HCV eradication remains challenging. Key challenges include the variability in DAA access across different regions, slightly variable response rates to DAAs across diverse patient populations and HCV genotypes/subtypes, and the emergence of resistance-associated substitutions (RASs), potentially conferring resistance to DAAs. Therefore, periodic reassessment of current HCV knowledge is needed. An up-to-date review on HCV is also necessitated based on the observed shifts in HCV epidemiological trends, continuous development and approval of therapeutic strategies, and changes in public health policies. Thus, the current comprehensive review aimed to integrate the latest knowledge on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, treatment options and preventive strategies for HCV, with a particular focus on the current challenges associated with RASs and ongoing efforts in vaccine development. This review sought to provide healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers with the necessary insights to address the HCV burden more effectively. We aimed to highlight the progress made in managing and preventing HCV infection and to highlight the persistent barriers challenging the prevention of HCV infection. The overarching goal was to align with global health objectives towards reducing the burden of chronic hepatitis, aiming for its eventual elimination as a public health threat by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Sallam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Roaa Khalil
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
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2
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Pierce BG, Felbinger N, Metcalf M, Toth EA, Ofek G, Fuerst TR. Hepatitis C Virus E1E2 Structure, Diversity, and Implications for Vaccine Development. Viruses 2024; 16:803. [PMID: 38793684 PMCID: PMC11125608 DOI: 10.3390/v16050803] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major medical health burden and the leading cause of chronic liver disease and cancer worldwide. More than 58 million people are chronically infected with HCV, with 1.5 million new infections occurring each year. An effective HCV vaccine is a major public health and medical need as recognized by the World Health Organization. However, due to the high variability of the virus and its ability to escape the immune response, HCV rapidly accumulates mutations, making vaccine development a formidable challenge. An effective vaccine must elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) in a consistent fashion. After decades of studies from basic research through clinical development, the antigen of choice is considered the E1E2 envelope glycoprotein due to conserved, broadly neutralizing antigenic domains located in the constituent subunits of E1, E2, and the E1E2 heterodimeric complex itself. The challenge has been elicitation of robust humoral and cellular responses leading to broad virus neutralization due to the relatively low immunogenicity of this antigen. In view of this challenge, structure-based vaccine design approaches to stabilize key antigenic domains have been hampered due to the lack of E1E2 atomic-level resolution structures to guide them. Another challenge has been the development of a delivery platform in which a multivalent form of the antigen can be presented in order to elicit a more robust anti-HCV immune response. Recent nanoparticle vaccines are gaining prominence in the field due to their ability to facilitate a controlled multivalent presentation and trafficking to lymph nodes, where they can interact with both the cellular and humoral components of the immune system. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the E1E2 heterodimeric structure to facilitate a rational design approach and the potential for development of a multivalent nanoparticle-based HCV E1E2 vaccine. Both aspects are considered important in the development of an effective HCV vaccine that can effectively address viral diversity and escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G. Pierce
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Nathaniel Felbinger
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Matthew Metcalf
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Eric A. Toth
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
| | - Gilad Ofek
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Thomas R. Fuerst
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (B.G.P.); (N.F.); (M.M.); (E.A.T.); (G.O.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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3
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Wang N, Liu Q, Che F, Sun Q, Wang Y, Yang C, Dai Y, Cheng J. Establishment and methodological evaluation of a chemiluminescence assay for detection of anti-envelope protein (E1, E2) antibodies in the serum of hepatitis C virus-infected patients. J Clin Lab Anal 2024; 38:e25011. [PMID: 38491776 PMCID: PMC10943255 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.25011] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To establish a chemiluminescence method for detecting anti-E1 and anti-E2 antibodies in the serum of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS The microplate was coated with recombinant envelope proteins E1 and E2 by indirect method, respectively, and the kits for detecting anti-E1 and anti-E2 antibodies were prepared. The methodological indexes were evaluated. RESULTS The methodological indexes of the kits were as follows: precision test (the variation coefficient of anti-E1 antibody 6.71%-8.95% for within run and 9.91%-12.16% for between run, the variation coefficient of anti-E2 antibody 6.06%-8.44% for within run and 10.77%-13.98% for between run, respectively). The blank limit and detection limit were 1.18 RLIR and 3.16 RLIR for the anti-E1 antibody, and 1.26 RLIR and 3.32 RLIR for the anti-E2 antibody, respectively. The correlation coefficients (r) of anti-E1 and anti-E2 were 0.9963 and 0.9828, the analysis and measurement ranges (AMR) were 1.66-41.28 RLIR and 1.55-19.46 RLIR, and the average recovery was 96.4% and 93.7%, respectively. The rheumatoid factor and other positive serum samples had no interference or cross-reaction to the test, and the kits were stable within 15 months. The positive rates of anti-E1 and anti-E2 antibodies in 45 patients with HCV infection were 35.6% (16/45) and 44.4% (20/45), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The kits for detecting anti-E1 and anti-E2 meet the requirements of methodology, and can be used in screening diagnosis, disease monitoring, prognosis evaluation, disease mechanism, and epidemiological studies of HCV infection. The HCV envelope proteins E1 and E2 have an immune response in HCV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Wang
- School of Laboratory MedicineBengbu Medical CollegeBengbuChina
| | - Qingqing Liu
- School of Laboratory MedicineBengbu Medical CollegeBengbuChina
| | - Feihu Che
- Department of Clinical ResearchThe 903rd Hospital of PLAHangzhouChina
| | - Qingyang Sun
- Department of Clinical ResearchThe 903rd Hospital of PLAHangzhouChina
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Clinical ResearchThe 903rd Hospital of PLAHangzhouChina
| | - Chunli Yang
- Department of Clinical ResearchThe 903rd Hospital of PLAHangzhouChina
| | - Yuzhu Dai
- Department of Clinical ResearchThe 903rd Hospital of PLAHangzhouChina
| | - Jun Cheng
- Department of Clinical ResearchThe 903rd Hospital of PLAHangzhouChina
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Bajpai PS, Collignon L, Sølund C, Madsen LW, Christensen PB, Øvrehus A, Weis N, Holmbeck K, Fahnøe U, Bukh J. Full-length sequence analysis of hepatitis C virus genotype 3b strains and development of an in vivo infectious 3b cDNA clone. J Virol 2023; 97:e0092523. [PMID: 38092564 PMCID: PMC10734419 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00925-23] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE HCV genotype 3b is a difficult-to-treat subtype, associated with accelerated progression of liver disease and resistance to antivirals. Moreover, its prevalence has significantly increased among persons who inject drugs posing a serious risk of transmission in the general population. Thus, more genetic information and antiviral testing systems are required to develop novel therapeutic options for this genotype 3 subtype. We determined the complete genomic sequence and complexity of three genotype 3b isolates, which will be beneficial to study its biology and evolution. Furthermore, we developed a full-length in vivo infectious cDNA clone of genotype 3b and showed its robustness and genetic stability in human-liver chimeric mice. This is, to our knowledge the first reported infectious cDNA clone of HCV genotype 3b and will provide a valuable tool to evaluate antivirals and neutralizing antibodies in vivo, as well as in the development of infectious cell culture systems required for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Shukla Bajpai
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Laura Collignon
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Sølund
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Lone Wulff Madsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Peer Brehm Christensen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anne Øvrehus
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Nina Weis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kenn Holmbeck
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
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5
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Metcalf MC, Janus BM, Yin R, Wang R, Guest JD, Pozharski E, Law M, Mariuzza RA, Toth EA, Pierce BG, Fuerst TR, Ofek G. Structure of engineered hepatitis C virus E1E2 ectodomain in complex with neutralizing antibodies. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3980. [PMID: 37407593 PMCID: PMC10322937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39659-z] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major global health burden as the leading causative agent of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. While the main antigenic target for HCV-neutralizing antibodies is the membrane-associated E1E2 surface glycoprotein, the development of effective vaccines has been hindered by complications in the biochemical preparation of soluble E1E2 ectodomains. Here, we present a cryo-EM structure of an engineered, secreted E1E2 ectodomain of genotype 1b in complex with neutralizing antibodies AR4A, HEPC74, and IGH520. Structural characterization of the E1 subunit and C-terminal regions of E2 reveal an overall architecture of E1E2 that concurs with that observed for non-engineered full-length E1E2. Analysis of the AR4A epitope within a region of E2 that bridges between the E2 core and E1 defines the structural basis for its broad neutralization. Our study presents the structure of an E1E2 complex liberated from membrane via a designed scaffold, one that maintains all essential structural features of native E1E2. The study advances the understanding of the E1E2 heterodimer structure, crucial for the rational design of secreted E1E2 antigens in vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Metcalf
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin M Janus
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Rui Yin
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Johnathan D Guest
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Edwin Pozharski
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Roy A Mariuzza
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Eric A Toth
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Brian G Pierce
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Thomas R Fuerst
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Gilad Ofek
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, USA.
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6
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Mosa A, Campo D, Khudyakov Y, AbouHaidar M, Gehring A, Zahoor A, Ball J, Urbanowicz R, Feld J. Polyvalent immunization elicits a synergistic broadly neutralizing immune response to hypervariable region 1 variants of hepatitis C virus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2220294120. [PMID: 37276424 PMCID: PMC10268328 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220294120] [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: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine is urgently needed. Vaccine development has been hindered by HCV's genetic diversity, particularly within the immunodominant hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). Here, we developed a strategy to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies to HVR1, which had previously been considered infeasible. We first applied a unique information theory-based measure of genetic distance to evaluate phenotypic relatedness between HVR1 variants. These distances were used to model the structure of HVR1's sequence space, which was found to have five major clusters. Variants from each cluster were used to immunize mice individually, and as a pentavalent mixture. Sera obtained following immunization neutralized every variant in a diverse HCVpp panel (n = 10), including those resistant to monovalent immunization, and at higher mean titers (1/ID50 = 435) than a glycoprotein E2 (1/ID50 = 205) vaccine. This synergistic immune response offers a unique approach to overcoming antigenic variability and may be applicable to other highly mutable viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I. Mosa
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, M5G 2C4ON, Canada
| | - David S. Campo
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta30333, Georgia
| | - Yury Khudyakov
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta30333, Georgia
| | - Mounir G. AbouHaidar
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 3G5ON, Canada
| | - Adam J. Gehring
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8ON, Canada
| | - Atif Zahoor
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, M5G 2C4ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan K. Ball
- Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Infections, University of Nottingham, NottinghamNG8 1BB, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A. Urbanowicz
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, LiverpoolCH64 7TE, United Kingdom
| | - Jordan J. Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, M5G 2C4ON, Canada
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7
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Czarnota A, Offersgaard A, Owsianka A, Alzua GP, Bukh J, Gottwein JM, Patel AH, Bieńkowska-Szewczyk K, Grzyb K. Effect of Glycan Shift on Antibodies against Hepatitis C Virus E2 412-425 Epitope Elicited by Chimeric sHBsAg-Based Virus-Like Particles. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0254622. [PMID: 36719195 PMCID: PMC10100762 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02546-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Two of the most important mechanisms of hepatitis C virus (HCV) immune evasion are the high variability of the amino acid sequence and epitope shielding via heavy glycosylation of the envelope (E) proteins. Previously, we showed that chimeric sHBsAg (hepatitis B virus [HBV] small surface antigen)-based virus-like particles (VLPs) carrying highly conserved epitope I from the HCV E2 glycoprotein (sHBsAg_412-425) elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). However, many reports have identified escape mutations for such bnAbs that shift the N-glycosylation site from N417 to N415. This shift effectively masks the recognition of epitope I by antibodies raised against the wild-type glycoprotein. To investigate if glycan-shift-mediated immune evasion could be overcome by targeted vaccination strategies, we designed sHBsAg-based VLPs carrying epitope I with an N417S change (sHBsAg_N417S). Studies in BALB/c mice revealed that both sHBsAg_412-425 and sHBsAg_N417S VLPs were immunogenic, eliciting antibodies that recognized peptides encompassing epitope I regardless of the N417S change. However, we observed substantial differences in E1E2 glycoprotein binding and cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) neutralization between the sera elicited by sHBsAg_412-425 and those elicited by sHBsAg_N417S VLPs. Our results suggest a complex interplay among antibodies targeting epitope I, the E1E2 glycosylation status, and the epitope or global E1E2 conformation. Additionally, we observed striking similarities in the E1E2 glycoprotein binding patterns and HCVcc neutralization between sHBsAg_412-425 sera and AP33, suggesting that the immunization of mice with sHBsAg_412-425 VLPs can elicit AP33-like antibodies. This study emphasizes the role of antibodies against epitope I and represents an initial effort toward designing an antigen that elicits an immune response against epitope I with a glycan shift change. IMPORTANCE Epitope I, located within amino acids 412 to 423 of the HCV E2 glycoprotein, is an important target for an epitope-based HCV vaccine. One interesting feature of epitope I is the N417 glycosylation site, where a single change to S417 or T417 can shift the glycosylation site to position N415. This shift can effectively prevent the binding of broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting epitope I. Aiming to overcome glycan-shift-mediated immune evasion, we constructed sHBsAg_N417S VLPs carrying E2 epitope I, with N417S, and compared them with VLPs carrying wild-type epitope I. We show that antibodies elicited by the sHBsAg-based VLPs presenting two variants of the 412-425 epitope targeted two distinct glycan variants of the HCV E1E2 heterodimer. Our study suggests that due to the conformational flexibility of the E2 glycoprotein and epitope I, future vaccine antigens should elicit antibodies targeting more than one conformation and glycosylation variant of the 412-423 epitope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Czarnota
- Laboratory of Virus Molecular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Offersgaard
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital—Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ania Owsianka
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Garazi Peña Alzua
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital—Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital—Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judith Margarete Gottwein
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital—Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Krystyna Bieńkowska-Szewczyk
- Laboratory of Virus Molecular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Grzyb
- Laboratory of Virus Molecular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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8
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Mechanisms and Consequences of Genetic Variation in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 439:237-264. [PMID: 36592248 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-15640-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important contributor to the global incidence of liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although common for single-stranded RNA viruses, HCV displays a remarkable high level of genetic diversity, produced primarily by the error-prone viral polymerase and host immune pressure. The high genetic heterogeneity of HCV has led to the evolution of several distinct genotypes and subtypes, with important consequences for pathogenesis, and clinical outcomes. Genetic variability constitutes an evasion mechanism against immune suppression, allowing the virus to evolve epitope escape mutants that avoid immune recognition. Thus, heterogeneity and variability of the HCV genome represent a great hindrance for the development of vaccines against HCV. In addition, the high genetic plasticity of HCV allows the virus to rapidly develop antiviral resistance mutations, leading to treatment failure and potentially representing a major hindrance for the cure of chronic HCV patients. In this chapter, we will present the central role that genetic diversity has in the viral life cycle and epidemiology of HCV. Incorporation errors and recombination, both the result of HCV polymerase activity, represent the main mechanisms of HCV evolution. The molecular details of both mechanisms have been only partially clarified and will be presented in the following sections. Finally, we will discuss the major consequences of HCV genetic diversity, namely its capacity to rapidly evolve antiviral and immunological escape variants that represent an important limitation for clearance of acute HCV, for treatment of chronic hepatitis C and for broadly protective vaccines.
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9
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Induction of cross-neutralizing antibodies by a permuted hepatitis C virus glycoprotein nanoparticle vaccine candidate. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7271. [PMID: 36434005 PMCID: PMC9700739 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34961-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects approximately 58 million people and causes ~300,000 deaths yearly. The only target for HCV neutralizing antibodies is the highly sequence diverse E1E2 glycoprotein. Eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies that recognize conserved cross-neutralizing epitopes is important for an effective HCV vaccine. However, most recombinant HCV glycoprotein vaccines, which usually include only E2, induce only weak neutralizing antibody responses. Here, we describe recombinant soluble E1E2 immunogens that were generated by permutation of the E1 and E2 subunits. We displayed the E2E1 immunogens on two-component nanoparticles and these nanoparticles induce significantly more potent neutralizing antibody responses than E2. Next, we generated mosaic nanoparticles co-displaying six different E2E1 immunogens. These mosaic E2E1 nanoparticles elicit significantly improved neutralization compared to monovalent E2E1 nanoparticles. These results provide a roadmap for the generation of an HCV vaccine that induces potent and broad neutralization.
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10
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Gömer A, Delarocque J, Puff C, Nocke MK, Reinecke B, Baumgärtner W, Cavalleri JMV, Feige K, Steinmann E, Todt D. Dose-Dependent Hepacivirus Infection Reveals Linkage between Infectious Dose and Immune Response. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0168622. [PMID: 35993785 PMCID: PMC9602444 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01686-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 70 million people worldwide are still infected with the hepatitis C virus 30 years after its discovery, underscoring the need for a vaccine. To develop an effective prophylactic vaccine, detailed knowledge of the correlates of protection and an immunocompetent surrogate model are needed. In this study, we describe the minimum dose required for robust equine hepacivirus (EqHV) infection in equids and examined how this relates to duration of infection, seroconversion, and transcriptomic responses. To investigate mechanisms of hepaciviral persistence, immune response, and immune-mediated pathology, we inoculated eight EqHV naive horses with doses ranging from 1-2 copies to 1.3 × 106 RNA copies per inoculation. We characterized infection kinetics, pathology, and transcriptomic responses via next generation sequencing. The minimal infectious dose of EqHV in horses was estimated at 13 RNA copies, whereas 6 to 7 copies were insufficient to cause infection. Peak viremia did not correlate with infectious dose, while seroconversion and duration of infection appeared to be affected. Notably, seroconversion was undetectable in the low-dose infections within the surveillance period (40 to 50 days). In addition, transcriptomic analysis revealed a nearly dose-dependent effect, with greater immune activation and inflammatory response observed in high-dose infections than in low-dose infections. Interestingly, inoculation with 6-7 copies of RNA that did not result in productive infection, but was associated with a strong immune response, similar to that observed in the high-dose infections. IMPORTANCE We demonstrate that the EqHV dose of infection plays an important role for inducing immune responses, possibly linked to early clearance in high-dose and prolonged viremia in low-dose infections. In particular, pathways associated with innate and adaptive immune responses, as well as inflammatory responses, were more strongly upregulated in high-dose infections than in lower doses. Hence, inoculation with low doses may enable EqHV to evade strong immune responses in the early phase and therefore promote robust, long-lasting infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Gömer
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Julien Delarocque
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christina Puff
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Maximilian K. Nocke
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Birthe Reinecke
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hanover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Jessika M. V. Cavalleri
- Clinical Section of Equine Internal Medicine, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karsten Feige
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena, Germany
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11
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Pihl AF, Feng S, Offersgaard A, Alzua GP, Augestad EH, Mathiesen CK, Jensen TB, Krarup H, Law M, Prentoe J, Christensen JP, Bukh J, Gottwein JM. Inactivated whole hepatitis C virus vaccine employing a licensed adjuvant elicits cross-genotype neutralizing antibodies in mice. J Hepatol 2022; 76:1051-1061. [PMID: 34990750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS A prophylactic vaccine is required to eliminate HCV as a global public health threat. We developed whole virus inactivated HCV vaccine candidates employing a licensed adjuvant. Further, we investigated the effects of HCV envelope protein modifications (to increase neutralization epitope exposure) on immunogenicity. METHODS Whole virus vaccine antigen was produced in Huh7.5 hepatoma cells, processed using a multistep protocol and formulated with adjuvant (MF-59 analogue AddaVax or aluminium hydroxide). We investigated the capacity of IgG purified from the serum of immunized BALB/c mice to neutralize genotype 1-6 HCV (by virus neutralization assays) and to bind homologous envelope proteins (by ELISA). Viruses used for immunizations were (i) HCV5aHi with strain SA13 envelope proteins and modification of an O-linked glycosylation site in E2 (T385P), (ii) HCV5aHi(T385) with reversion of T385P to T385, featuring the original E2 sequence determined in vivo and (iii) HCV5aHi(ΔHVR1) with deletion of HVR1. For these viruses, epitope exposure was investigated using human monoclonal (AR3A and AR4A) and polyclonal (C211 and H06) antibodies in neutralization assays. RESULTS Processed HCV5aHi formulated with AddaVax induced antibodies that efficiently bound homologous envelope proteins and broadly neutralized cultured genotype 1-6 HCV, with half maximal inhibitory concentrations of between 14 and 192 μg/ml (mean of 36 μg/ml against the homologous virus). Vaccination with aluminium hydroxide was less immunogenic. Compared to HCV5aHi(T385) with the original E2 sequence, HCV5aHi with a modified glycosylation site and HCV5aHi(ΔHVR1) without HVR1 showed increased neutralization epitope exposure but similar immunogenicity. CONCLUSION Using an adjuvant suitable for human use, we developed inactivated whole HCV vaccine candidates that induced broadly neutralizing antibodies, which warrant investigation in further pre-clinical studies. LAY SUMMARY A vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is needed to prevent the estimated 2 million new infections and 400,000 deaths caused by this virus each year. We developed inactivated whole HCV vaccine candidates using adjuvants licensed for human use, which, following immunization of mice, induced antibodies that efficiently neutralized all HCV genotypes with recognized epidemiological importance. HCV variants with modified envelope proteins exhibited similar immunogenicity as the virus with the original envelope proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Finne Pihl
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shan Feng
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Offersgaard
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Garazi Peña Alzua
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elias Honerød Augestad
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Kjaerulff Mathiesen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tanja Bertelsen Jensen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Krarup
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Aalborg University Hospital and Clinical Institute, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Jannick Prentoe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan Pravsgaard Christensen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judith Margarete Gottwein
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, and Department of Immunology and Microbiolgy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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12
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Wang R, Suzuki S, Guest JD, Heller B, Almeda M, Andrianov AK, Marin A, Mariuzza RA, Keck ZY, Foung SKH, Yunus AS, Pierce BG, Toth EA, Ploss A, Fuerst TR. Induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies using a secreted form of the hepatitis C virus E1E2 heterodimer as a vaccine candidate. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112008119. [PMID: 35263223 PMCID: PMC8931252 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112008119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceHepatitis C virus chronically infects approximately 1% of the world's population, making an effective vaccine for hepatitis C virus a major unmet public health need. The membrane-associated E1E2 envelope glycoprotein has been used in clinical studies as a vaccine candidate. However, limited neutralization breadth and difficulty in producing large amounts of homogeneous membrane-associated E1E2 have hampered efforts to develop an E1E2-based vaccine. Our previous work described the design and biochemical validation of a native-like soluble secreted form of E1E2 (sE1E2). Here, we describe the immunogenic characterization of the sE1E2 complex. sE1E2 elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies in immunized mice, with increased neutralization breadth relative to the membrane-associated E1E2, thereby validating this platform as a promising model system for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Wang
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Saori Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Johnathan D. Guest
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Brigitte Heller
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Maricar Almeda
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Alexander K. Andrianov
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Alexander Marin
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Roy A. Mariuzza
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Zhen-Yong Keck
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Steven K. H. Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Abdul S. Yunus
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Brian G. Pierce
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Eric A. Toth
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Thomas R. Fuerst
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
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13
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Bankwitz D, Krey T, Pietschmann T. [Development approaches for vaccines against hepatitis C virus infections]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2022; 65:183-191. [PMID: 35015104 PMCID: PMC8749110 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-021-03477-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Mehr als 10 Jahre nach der Zulassung der ersten direkt wirkenden antiviralen Wirkstoffe zur Behandlung der Hepatitis C bleibt die Inzidenz der Hepatitis-C-Virus-(HCV-)Infektion ungebrochen hoch. In manchen Ländern stecken sich mehr Menschen neu mit dem Virus an, als Patienten durch eine erfolgreiche Therapie geheilt werden. Die Entwicklung eines prophylaktischen Impfstoffes könnte die Transmission des Virus unterbinden und dadurch einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Kontrolle dieser weltweit verbreiteten Infektion leisten. In diesem Artikel werden die besonderen Herausforderungen und die aktuellen Ansätze der HCV-Impfstoffentwicklung dargestellt. HCV ist ein hochgradig diverses und wandlungsfähiges Virus, das zumeist dem Immunsystem entkommt und chronische Infektionen etabliert. Andererseits heilt die HCV-Infektion bei bis zu einem Drittel der exponierten Individuen aus, sodass eine schützende Immunität erreichbar ist. Zahlreiche Untersuchungen zu den Determinanten einer schützenden Immunität gegen HCV zeichnen ein immer kompletteres Bild davon, welche Ziele ein Impfstoff erreichen muss. Sehr wahrscheinlich werden sowohl starke neutralisierende Antikörper als auch wirkungsvolle zytotoxische T‑Zellen gebraucht, um sicher vor einer chronischen Infektion zu schützen. Die Schlüsselfrage ist, welche Ansätze besonders breit wirksame Antikörper und T‑Zellen heranreifen lassen. Dies wird erforderlich sein, um vor der großen Fülle unterschiedlicher HCV-Varianten zu schützen. Die jüngsten Erfolge von mRNA-Impfstoffen öffnen neue Türen auch für die HCV-Impfstoffforschung. Kombiniert mit einem tieferen Verständnis der Struktur und Funktion der viralen Hüllproteine, der Identifizierung kreuzprotektiver Antikörper- und T‑Zellepitope sowie der Nutzung standardisierter Verfahren zur Quantifizierung der Wirksamkeit von Impfkandidaten ergeben sich neue Perspektiven für die Entwicklung eines Impfstoffes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Bankwitz
- Twincore Zentrum für Experimentelle und Klinische Infektionsforschung, Institut für Experimentelle Virologie, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Thomas Krey
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, RESIST Exzellenzcluster EXC2155, Hannover, Deutschland.,Zentrum für Strukturbiologie und Zellbiologie in der Medizin, Institut für Biochemie, Universität Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland.,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partnerstandort Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Braunschweig, Deutschland.,Institut für Virologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Twincore Zentrum für Experimentelle und Klinische Infektionsforschung, Institut für Experimentelle Virologie, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland. .,Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, RESIST Exzellenzcluster EXC2155, Hannover, Deutschland. .,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Partnerstandort Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Deutschland.
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14
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Gömer A, Brown RJP, Pfaender S, Deterding K, Reuter G, Orton R, Seitz S, Bock CT, Cavalleri JMV, Pietschmann T, Wedemeyer H, Steinmann E, Todt D. OUP accepted manuscript. Virus Evol 2022; 8:veac007. [PMID: 35242360 PMCID: PMC8887644 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Even 30 years after the discovery of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in humans there is still no vaccine available. Reasons for this include the high mutation rate of HCV, which allows the virus to escape immune recognition and the absence of an immunocompetent animal model for vaccine development. Phylogenetically distinct hepaciviruses (genus Hepacivirus, family Flaviviridae) have been isolated from diverse species, each with a narrow host range: the equine hepacivirus (EqHV) is the closest known relative of HCV. In this study, we used amplicon-based deep-sequencing to investigate the viral intra-host population composition of the genomic regions encoding the surface glycoproteins E1 and E2. Patterns of E1E2 substitutional evolution were compared in longitudinally sampled EqHV-positive sera of naturally and experimentally infected horses and HCV-positive patients. Intra-host virus diversity was higher in chronically than in acutely infected horses, a pattern which was similar in the HCV-infected patients. However, overall glycoprotein variability was higher in HCV compared to EqHV. Additionally, selection pressure in HCV populations was higher, especially within the N-terminal region of E2, corresponding to the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) in HCV. An alignment of glycoprotein sequences from diverse hepaciviruses identified the HVR1 as a unique characteristic of HCV: hepaciviruses from non-human species lack this region. Together, these data indicate that EqHV infection of horses could represent a powerful surrogate animal model to gain insights into hepaciviral evolution and HCVs HVR1-mediated immune evasion strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephanie Pfaender
- Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | - Katja Deterding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, Hannover 30625, Germany
- German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Gábor Reuter
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti út 12., Pécs 7624, Hungary
| | | | - Stefan Seitz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - C- Thomas Bock
- Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Jessika M V Cavalleri
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Institute of Experimental Virology, Hannover 30625, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover 30625, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, Hannover 30625, Germany
- German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department for Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, Bochum 44801, Germany
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15
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Tomlinson JE, Wolfisberg R, Fahnøe U, Patel RS, Trivedi S, Kumar A, Sharma H, Nielsen L, McDonough SP, Bukh J, Tennant BC, Kapoor A, Rosenberg BR, Rice CM, Divers TJ, Van de Walle GR, Scheel TK. Pathogenesis, MicroRNA-122 Gene-Regulation, and Protective Immune Responses After Acute Equine Hepacivirus Infection. Hepatology 2021; 74:1148-1163. [PMID: 33713356 PMCID: PMC8435542 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) is phylogenetically the closest relative of HCV and shares genome organization, hepatotropism, transient or persistent infection outcome, and the ability to cause hepatitis. Thus, EqHV studies are important to understand equine liver disease and further as an outbred surrogate animal model for HCV pathogenesis and protective immune responses. Here, we aimed to characterize the course of EqHV infection and associated protective immune responses. APPROACH AND RESULTS Seven horses were experimentally inoculated with EqHV, monitored for 6 months, and rechallenged with the same and, subsequently, a heterologous EqHV. Clearance was the primary outcome (6 of 7) and was associated with subclinical hepatitis characterized by lymphocytic infiltrate and individual hepatocyte necrosis. Seroconversion was delayed and antibody titers waned slowly. Clearance of primary infection conferred nonsterilizing immunity, resulting in shortened duration of viremia after rechallenge. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell responses in horses were minimal, although EqHV-specific T cells were identified. Additionally, an interferon-stimulated gene signature was detected in the liver during EqHV infection, similar to acute HCV in humans. EqHV, as HCV, is stimulated by direct binding of the liver-specific microRNA (miR), miR-122. Interestingly, we found that EqHV infection sequesters enough miR-122 to functionally affect gene regulation in the liver. This RNA-based mechanism thus could have consequences for pathology. CONCLUSIONS EqHV infection in horses typically has an acute resolving course, and the protective immune response lasts for at least a year and broadly attenuates subsequent infections. This could have important implications to achieve the primary goal of an HCV vaccine; to prevent chronicity while accepting acute resolving infection after virus exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy E. Tomlinson
- Baker Institute for Animal HealthCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY
| | - Raphael Wolfisberg
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Roosheel S. Patel
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Sheetal Trivedi
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | - Himanshu Sharma
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | - Louise Nielsen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Sean P. McDonough
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Bud C. Tennant
- Department of Clinical SciencesCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and ImmunityResearch Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | - Brad R. Rosenberg
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNY
| | - Charles M. Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious DiseaseThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNY
| | - Thomas J. Divers
- Department of Clinical SciencesCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY
| | | | - Troels K.H. Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO‐HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark,Laboratory of Virology and Infectious DiseaseThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNY
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16
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Augestad EH, Bukh J, Prentoe J. Hepatitis C virus envelope protein dynamics and the link to hypervariable region 1. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 50:69-75. [PMID: 34403905 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Conformational dynamics of viral envelope proteins seem to be involved in mediating evasion from neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) by mechanisms that limit exposure of conserved protein motifs. For hepatitis C virus (HCV), molecular studies have only recently begun to unveil how such dynamics of the envelope protein heterodimer, E1/E2, are linked to viral entry and NAb evasion. Here, we review data suggesting that E1/E2 exists in an equilibrium between theoretical 'open' (NAb-sensitive) and 'closed' (NAb-resistant) conformational states. We describe how this equilibrium is influenced by viral sequence polymorphisms and that it is critically dependent on the N-terminal region of E2, termed hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). Finally, we discuss how it appears that the virus binding site for the HCV entry co-receptor CD81 is less available in 'closed' E1/E2 states and that NAb-resistant viruses require a more intricate entry pathway involving also the entry co-receptor, SR-BI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias H Augestad
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jannick Prentoe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark; Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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17
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Antigenic and immunogenic evaluation of permutations of soluble hepatitis C virus envelope protein E2 and E1 antigens. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255336. [PMID: 34329365 PMCID: PMC8323887 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Yearly, about 1.5 million people become chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and for the 71 million with chronic HCV infection about 400,000 die from related morbidities, including liver cirrhosis and cancer. Effective treatments exist, but challenges including cost-of-treatment and wide-spread undiagnosed infection, necessitates the development of vaccines. Vaccines should induce neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against the HCV envelope (E) transmembrane glycoprotein 2, E2, which partly depends on its interaction partner, E1, for folding. Here, we generated three soluble HCV envelope protein antigens with the transmembrane regions deleted (i.e., fused peptide backbones), termed sE1E2 (E1 followed by E2), sE2E1 (E2 followed by E1), and sE21E (E2 followed by inverted E1). The E1 inversion for sE21E positions C-terminal residues of E1 near C-terminal residues of E2, which is in analogy to how they likely interact in native E1/E2 complexes. Probing conformational E2 epitope binding using HCV patient-derived human monoclonal antibodies, we show that sE21E was superior to sE2E1, which was consistently superior to sE1E2. This correlated with improved induction of NAbs by sE21E compared with sE2E1 and especially compared with sE1E2 in female BALB/c mouse immunizations. The deletion of the 27 N-terminal amino acids of E2, termed hypervariable region 1 (HVR1), conferred slight increases in antigenicity for sE2E1 and sE21E, but severely impaired induction of antibodies able to neutralize in vitro viruses retaining HVR1. Finally, comparing sE21E with sE2 in mouse immunizations, we show similar induction of heterologous NAbs. In summary, we find that C-terminal E2 fusion of E1 or 1E is superior to N-terminal fusion, both in terms of antigenicity and the induction of heterologous NAbs. This has relevance when designing HCV E1E2 vaccine antigens.
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Olesen CH, Augestad EH, Troise F, Bukh J, Prentoe J. In vitro adaptation and characterization of attenuated hypervariable region 1 swap chimeras of hepatitis C virus. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009720. [PMID: 34280245 PMCID: PMC8321405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infects 70 million people worldwide with an estimated annual disease-related mortality of 400,000. A vaccine could prevent spread of this pervasive human pathogen, but has proven difficult to develop, partly due to neutralizing antibody evasion mechanisms that are inherent features of the virus envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2. A central actor is the E2 motif, hypervariable region 1 (HVR1), which protects several non-overlapping neutralization epitopes through an incompletely understood mechanism. Here, we show that introducing different HVR1-isolate sequences into cell-culture infectious JFH1-based H77 (genotype 1a) and J4 (genotype 1b) Core-NS2 recombinants can lead to severe viral attenuation. Culture adaptation of attenuated HVR1-swapped recombinants permitted us to identify E1/E2 substitutions at conserved positions both within and outside HVR1 that increased the infectivity of attenuated HVR1-swapped recombinants but were not adaptive for original recombinants. H77 recombinants with HVR1 from multiple other isolates consistently acquired substitutions at position 348 in E1 and position 385 in HVR1 of E2. Interestingly, HVR1-swapped J4 recombinants primarily acquired other substitutions: F291I (E1), F438V (E2), F447L/V/I (E2) and V710L (E2), indicating a different adaptation pathway. For H77 recombinants, the adaptive E1/E2 substitutions increased sensitivity to the neutralizing monoclonal antibodies AR3A and AR4A, whereas for J4 recombinants, they increased sensitivity to AR3A, while having no effect on sensitivity to AR4A. To evaluate effects of the substitutions on AR3A and AR4A binding, we performed ELISAs on extracted E1/E2 protein and performed immunoprecipitation of relevant viruses. However, extracted E1/E2 protein and immunoprecipitation of HCV particles only reproduced the neutralization phenotypes of the J4 recombinants. Finally, we found that the HVR1-swap E1/E2 substitutions decrease virus entry dependency on co-receptor SR-BI. Our study identifies E1/E2 positions that could be critical for intra-complex HVR1 interactions while emphasizing the need for developing novel tools for molecular studies of E1/E2 interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Holmboe Olesen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elias H. Augestad
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fulvia Troise
- Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate Via Gaetano Salvatore, Napoli, Italy
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jannick Prentoe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Sevvana M, Keck Z, Foung SK, Kuhn RJ. Structural perspectives on HCV humoral immune evasion mechanisms. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 49:92-101. [PMID: 34091143 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistence and pathogenesis are poorly understood. The design of an effective HCV vaccine is challenging despite a robust humoral immune response against closely related strains of HCV. This is primarily because of the huge genetic diversity of HCV and the molecular evolution of various virus escape mechanisms. These mechanisms are steered by the presence of a high mutational rate in HCV, structural plasticity of the immunodominant regions on the virion surface of diverse HCV genotypes, and constant amino acid substitutions on key structural components of HCV envelope glycoproteins. Here, we review the molecular basis of neutralizing antibody (nAb)-mediated immune response against diverse HCV variants, HCV-steered humoral immune evasion strategies and explore the essential structural elements to consider for designing a universal HCV vaccine. Structural perspectives on key escape pathways mediated by a point mutation within the epitope, allosteric modulation of the epitope by distant mutations and glycan shift on envelope glycoproteins will be highlighted (abstract graphic).
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhumati Sevvana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47904, USA; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47904, USA
| | - Zhenyong Keck
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Steven Kh Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Richard J Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47904, USA; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47904, USA.
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20
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LeBlanc EV, Kim Y, Capicciotti CJ, Colpitts CC. Hepatitis C Virus Glycan-Dependent Interactions and the Potential for Novel Preventative Strategies. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060685. [PMID: 34205894 PMCID: PMC8230238 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections continue to be a major contributor to liver disease worldwide. HCV treatment has become highly effective, yet there are still no vaccines or prophylactic strategies available to prevent infection and allow effective management of the global HCV burden. Glycan-dependent interactions are crucial to many aspects of the highly complex HCV entry process, and also modulate immune evasion. This review provides an overview of the roles of viral and cellular glycans in HCV infection and highlights glycan-focused advances in the development of entry inhibitors and vaccines to effectively prevent HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle V. LeBlanc
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (E.V.L.); (Y.K.); (C.J.C.)
| | - Youjin Kim
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (E.V.L.); (Y.K.); (C.J.C.)
| | - Chantelle J. Capicciotti
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (E.V.L.); (Y.K.); (C.J.C.)
- Department of Chemistry, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Che C. Colpitts
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; (E.V.L.); (Y.K.); (C.J.C.)
- Correspondence:
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21
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Structure-Based and Rational Design of a Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050837. [PMID: 34063143 PMCID: PMC8148096 DOI: 10.3390/v13050837] [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: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine is a critical yet unfulfilled step in addressing the global disease burden of HCV. While decades of research have led to numerous clinical and pre-clinical vaccine candidates, these efforts have been hindered by factors including HCV antigenic variability and immune evasion. Structure-based and rational vaccine design approaches have capitalized on insights regarding the immune response to HCV and the structures of antibody-bound envelope glycoproteins. Despite successes with other viruses, designing an immunogen based on HCV glycoproteins that can elicit broadly protective immunity against HCV infection is an ongoing challenge. Here, we describe HCV vaccine design approaches where immunogens were selected and optimized through analysis of available structures, identification of conserved epitopes targeted by neutralizing antibodies, or both. Several designs have elicited immune responses against HCV in vivo, revealing correlates of HCV antigen immunogenicity and breadth of induced responses. Recent studies have elucidated the functional, dynamic and immunological features of key regions of the viral envelope glycoproteins, which can inform next-generation immunogen design efforts. These insights and design strategies represent promising pathways to HCV vaccine development, which can be further informed by successful immunogen designs generated for other viruses.
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22
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From Structural Studies to HCV Vaccine Design. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050833. [PMID: 34064532 PMCID: PMC8147963 DOI: 10.3390/v13050833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious and growing public health problem despite recent developments of antiviral therapeutics. To achieve global elimination of HCV, an effective cross-genotype vaccine is needed. The failure of previous vaccination trials to elicit an effective cross-reactive immune response demands better vaccine antigens to induce a potent cross-neutralizing response to improve vaccine efficacy. HCV E1 and E2 envelope (Env) glycoproteins are the main targets for neutralizing antibodies (nAbs), which aid in HCV clearance and protection. Therefore, a molecular-level understanding of the nAb responses against HCV is imperative for the rational design of cross-genotype vaccine antigens. Here we summarize the recent advances in structural studies of HCV Env and Env-nAb complexes and how they improve our understanding of immune recognition of HCV. We review the structural data defining HCV neutralization epitopes and conformational plasticity of the Env proteins, and the knowledge applicable to rational vaccine design.
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23
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To Include or Occlude: Rational Engineering of HCV Vaccines for Humoral Immunity. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050805. [PMID: 33946211 PMCID: PMC8146105 DOI: 10.3390/v13050805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral agents have proven highly effective at treating existing hepatitis C infections but despite their availability most countries will not reach the World Health Organization targets for elimination of HCV by 2030. A prophylactic vaccine remains a high priority. Whilst early vaccines focused largely on generating T cell immunity, attention is now aimed at vaccines that generate humoral immunity, either alone or in combination with T cell-based vaccines. High-resolution structures of hepatitis C viral glycoproteins and their interaction with monoclonal antibodies isolated from both cleared and chronically infected people, together with advances in vaccine technologies, provide new avenues for vaccine development.
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Velázquez-Moctezuma R, Augestad EH, Castelli M, Holmboe Olesen C, Clementi N, Clementi M, Mancini N, Prentoe J. Mechanisms of Hepatitis C Virus Escape from Vaccine-Relevant Neutralizing Antibodies. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:291. [PMID: 33804732 PMCID: PMC8004074 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of acute and chronic hepatitis. It is estimated that 400,000 people die every year from chronic HCV infection, mostly from severe liver-related diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Although HCV was discovered more than 30 years ago, an efficient prophylactic vaccine is still missing. The HCV glycoprotein complex, E1/E2, is the principal target of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and, thus, is an attractive antigen for B-cell vaccine design. However, the high genetic variability of the virus necessitates the identification of conserved epitopes. Moreover, the high intrinsic mutational capacity of HCV allows the virus to continually escape broadly NAbs (bNAbs), which is likely to cause issues with vaccine-resistant variants. Several studies have assessed the barrier-to-resistance of vaccine-relevant bNAbs in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, recent studies have suggested that escape substitutions can confer antibody resistance not only by direct modification of the epitope but indirectly through allosteric effects, which can be grouped based on the breadth of these effects on antibody susceptibility. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of HCV-specific NAbs, with a special focus on vaccine-relevant bNAbs and their targets. We highlight antibody escape studies pointing out the different methodologies and the escape mutations identified thus far. Finally, we analyze the antibody escape mechanisms of envelope protein escape substitutions and polymorphisms according to the most recent evidence in the HCV field. The accumulated knowledge in identifying bNAb epitopes as well as assessing barriers to resistance and elucidating relevant escape mechanisms may prove critical in the successful development of an HCV B-cell vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Velázquez-Moctezuma
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (R.V.-M.); (E.H.A.); (C.H.O.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Elias H. Augestad
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (R.V.-M.); (E.H.A.); (C.H.O.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Matteo Castelli
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Università “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (M.C.); (N.C.); (M.C.); (N.M.)
| | - Christina Holmboe Olesen
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (R.V.-M.); (E.H.A.); (C.H.O.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Nicola Clementi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Università “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (M.C.); (N.C.); (M.C.); (N.M.)
| | - Massimo Clementi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Università “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (M.C.); (N.C.); (M.C.); (N.M.)
| | - Nicasio Mancini
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Università “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, 20132 Milano, Italy; (M.C.); (N.C.); (M.C.); (N.M.)
| | - Jannick Prentoe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (R.V.-M.); (E.H.A.); (C.H.O.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
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25
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Abstract
Antibody responses in hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been a rather mysterious research topic for many investigators working in the field. Chronic HCV infection is often associated with dysregulation of immune functions particularly in B cells, leading to abnormal lymphoproliferation or the production of autoantibodies that exacerbate inflammation and extrahepatic diseases. When considering the antiviral function of antibody, it was difficult to endorse its role in HCV protection, whereas T-cell response has been shown unequivocally critical for natural recovery. Recent breakthroughs in the study of HCV and antigen-specific antibody responses provide important insights into viral vulnerability to antibodies and the immunogenetic and structural properties of the neutralizing antibodies. The new knowledge reinvigorates HCV vaccine research by illuminating a new path for the rational design of vaccine antigens to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies for protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92109, USA
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26
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Gan J, Mao XR, Zheng SJ, Li JF. Invariant natural killer T cells: Not to be ignored in liver disease. J Dig Dis 2021; 22:136-142. [PMID: 33421264 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.12968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The liver is an important immune organ. Hepatocellular injury can be caused by many factors, which further leads to chronic liver diseases by activating the immune system. Multiple immune cells, such as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells (NKs), natural killer T cells (NKTs), and γδT cells, accumulate and participate in the immune regulation of the liver. NKTs are an indispensable component of immune cells in the liver, and invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) are the main subpopulation of NKTs. iNKTs activated by glycolipid antigen presented on CD1d secrete a series of cytokines and also act on other immune cells through cell-to-cell contact. Studies on the relationship between iNKTs and liver immunity have provided clues to uncover the pathogenesis of liver diseases and develop a promising strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gan
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Xiao Rong Mao
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.,Department of Infectious Disease, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Su Jun Zheng
- Artificial Liver Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Feng Li
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.,Department of Infectious Disease, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.,Institute of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
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27
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Guest JD, Wang R, Elkholy KH, Chagas A, Chao KL, Cleveland TE, Kim YC, Keck ZY, Marin A, Yunus AS, Mariuzza RA, Andrianov AK, Toth EA, Foung SKH, Pierce BG, Fuerst TR. Design of a native-like secreted form of the hepatitis C virus E1E2 heterodimer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2015149118. [PMID: 33431677 PMCID: PMC7826332 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015149118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major worldwide health burden, and a preventive vaccine is needed for global control or eradication of this virus. A substantial hurdle to an effective HCV vaccine is the high variability of the virus, leading to immune escape. The E1E2 glycoprotein complex contains conserved epitopes and elicits neutralizing antibody responses, making it a primary target for HCV vaccine development. However, the E1E2 transmembrane domains that are critical for native assembly make it challenging to produce this complex in a homogenous soluble form that is reflective of its state on the viral envelope. To enable rational design of an E1E2 vaccine, as well as structural characterization efforts, we have designed a soluble, secreted form of E1E2 (sE1E2). As with soluble glycoprotein designs for other viruses, it incorporates a scaffold to enforce assembly in the absence of the transmembrane domains, along with a furin cleavage site to permit native-like heterodimerization. This sE1E2 was found to assemble into a form closer to its expected size than full-length E1E2. Preservation of native structural elements was confirmed by high-affinity binding to a panel of conformationally specific monoclonal antibodies, including two neutralizing antibodies specific to native E1E2 and to its primary receptor, CD81. Finally, sE1E2 was found to elicit robust neutralizing antibodies in vivo. This designed sE1E2 can both provide insights into the determinants of native E1E2 assembly and serve as a platform for production of E1E2 for future structural and vaccine studies, enabling rational optimization of an E1E2-based antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnathan D Guest
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Khadija H Elkholy
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Molecular Biology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Division, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Andrezza Chagas
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Kinlin L Chao
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Thomas E Cleveland
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Biomolecular Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
| | - Young Chang Kim
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Zhen-Yong Keck
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Alexander Marin
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Abdul S Yunus
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Roy A Mariuzza
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Alexander K Andrianov
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Eric A Toth
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Steven K H Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Brian G Pierce
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850;
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Thomas R Fuerst
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850;
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
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Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin-Conjugated Peptides from Hepatitis C Virus Glycoproteins Elicit Neutralizing Antibodies in BALB/c Mice. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:3108157. [PMID: 33532506 PMCID: PMC7834783 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3108157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is available. A major challenge in developing an HCV vaccine is the high diversity of HCV sequences. The purpose of immunization with viral glycoproteins is to induce a potent and long-lasting cellular and humoral immune response. However, this strategy only achieves limited protection, and antigen selection plays a crucial role in vaccine design. In this study, we investigated the humoral immune responses induced by intraperitoneal injection of keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugated with 4 highly conserved peptides, including amino acids [aa]317-325 from E1 and aa418-429, aa502-518, and aa685-693 from E2, or 3 peptides from hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of E2, including the N terminus of HVR1 (N-HVR1, aa384-396), C terminus of HVR1 (C-HVR1, aa397-410), and HVR1 in BALB/c mice. The neutralizing activity against HCV genotypes 1-6 was assessed using the cell culture HCV (HCVcc) system. The results showed that the 4 conserved peptides efficiently induced antibodies with potent neutralizing activity against 3 or 4 genotypes. Antibodies induced by aa685-693 conferred potent protection (>50%) against genotypes 2, 4, and 5. Peptide N-HVR1 elicited antibodies with the most potent neutralization activities against 3 HCV genotypes: TNcc(1a), S52(3a), and ED43(4a). These findings suggested that peptides within HCV glycoproteins could serve as potent immunogens for vaccine design and development.
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29
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Qin Y, Sha R, Feng Y, Huang Y. Comparison of double antigen sandwich and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus antibodies. J Clin Lab Anal 2020; 34:e23481. [PMID: 33245583 PMCID: PMC7676215 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to compare double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect ELISA in the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 176 samples from the Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Xin Jiang Medical University were utilized to comparison. All serum samples were tested using double-antigen sandwich ELISA and indirect ELISA. Cohen's kappa statistics were used to assess the agreement between the two assays, and multivariate analysis was used to evaluate risk factors for the discordance between the double-antigen ELISA and indirect ELISA. RESULTS The positivities of indirect ELISA (Beijing Wantai), double-antigen sandwich ELISA (Beijing Wantai), and indirect ELISA (Beijing Jinhao) were 74.43%, 68.75%, and 73.30%, respectively. The agreement between the indirect ELISA (Beijing Wantai) and double-antigen sandwich ELISA (Beijing Wantai) was high (κ = 0.829;P < .001), and the agreement between the double-antigen sandwich ELISA (Beijing Wantai) and indirect ELISA (Beijing Jinhao) was high (κ = 0.847;P < .001). Variables associated with discordant results between the double-antigen sandwich and indirect ELISA in multivariate analysis were as follows: female (OR:1.462; P < .05), age (<35 years old; OR:3.667; P < .05), and cancer (suffer from malignant tumor; OR:3.621; P < .05). CONCLUSION In detection of HCV, high agreement was found between the double-antigen sandwich ELISA and indirect ELISA. Female, younger age, and suffer from malignant tumor were significant risk factors for the discordance. Based on double-antigen sandwich ELISA has distinct methodological advantages over indirect ELISA. It is recommended for the diagnosis of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya‐Juan Qin
- Clinical Laboratory CenterThe Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Xin Jiang Medical UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Ruo‐cheng Sha
- Clinical Laboratory CenterThe Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Xin Jiang Medical UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Yang‐Chun Feng
- Clinical Laboratory CenterThe Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Xin Jiang Medical UniversityUrumqiChina
| | - Yan‐Chun Huang
- Clinical Laboratory CenterThe Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Xin Jiang Medical UniversityUrumqiChina
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30
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Pierce BG, Keck ZY, Wang R, Lau P, Garagusi K, Elkholy K, Toth EA, Urbanowicz RA, Guest JD, Agnihotri P, Kerzic MC, Marin A, Andrianov AK, Ball JK, Mariuzza RA, Fuerst TR, Foung SKH. Structure-Based Design of Hepatitis C Virus E2 Glycoprotein Improves Serum Binding and Cross-Neutralization. J Virol 2020; 94:e00704-20. [PMID: 32878891 PMCID: PMC7592221 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00704-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
An effective vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major unmet need, and it requires an antigen that elicits immune responses to key conserved epitopes. Based on structures of antibodies targeting HCV envelope glycoprotein E2, we designed immunogens to modulate the structure and dynamics of E2 and favor induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) in the context of a vaccine. These designs include a point mutation in a key conserved antigenic site to stabilize its conformation, as well as redesigns of an immunogenic region to add a new N-glycosylation site and mask it from antibody binding. Designs were experimentally characterized for binding to a panel of human monoclonal antibodies (HMAbs) and the coreceptor CD81 to confirm preservation of epitope structure and preferred antigenicity profile. Selected E2 designs were tested for immunogenicity in mice, with and without hypervariable region 1, which is an immunogenic region associated with viral escape. One of these designs showed improvement in polyclonal immune serum binding to HCV pseudoparticles and neutralization of isolates associated with antibody resistance. These results indicate that antigen optimization through structure-based design of the envelope glycoproteins is a promising route to an effective vaccine for HCV.IMPORTANCE Hepatitis C virus infects approximately 1% of the world's population, and no vaccine is currently available. Due to the high variability of HCV and its ability to actively escape the immune response, a goal of HCV vaccine design is to induce neutralizing antibodies that target conserved epitopes. Here, we performed structure-based design of several epitopes of the HCV E2 envelope glycoprotein to engineer its antigenic properties. Designs were tested in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating alteration of the E2 antigenic profile in several cases, and one design led to improvement of cross-neutralization of heterologous viruses. This represents a proof of concept that rational engineering of HCV envelope glycoproteins can be used to modulate E2 antigenicity and optimize a vaccine for this challenging viral target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G Pierce
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhen-Yong Keck
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Ruixue Wang
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Patrick Lau
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kyle Garagusi
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Khadija Elkholy
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Eric A Toth
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard A Urbanowicz
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Johnathan D Guest
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Pragati Agnihotri
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Melissa C Kerzic
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexander Marin
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexander K Andrianov
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan K Ball
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Roy A Mariuzza
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Thomas R Fuerst
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven K H Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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31
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Mosa AI, AbouHaidar MG, Urbanowicz RA, Tavis JE, Ball JK, Feld JJ. Role of HVR1 sequence similarity in the cross-genotypic neutralization of HCV. Virol J 2020; 17:140. [PMID: 32948191 PMCID: PMC7499410 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-020-01408-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite available treatments, a prophylactic HCV vaccine is needed to achieve elimination targets. HCV vaccine development has faltered largely because the extreme diversity of the virus limits the protective breadth of vaccine elicited antibodies. It is believed that the principle neutralizing epitope in natural infection, HVR1, which is the most variable epitope in HCV, mediates humoral immune escape. So far, efforts to circumvent HVR1 interference in the induction and function of conserved targeting Ab have failed. Efforts to understand factors contributing to cross-neutralization of HVR1 variants have also been limited. Here, following mouse immunizations with two patient-derived HVR1 peptides, we observe cross-genotype neutralization of variants differing at 15/21 positions. Surprisingly, sequence similarity was not associated with cross-neutralization. It appeared neutralization sensitivity was an intrinsic feature of each variant, rather than emergent from the immunogen specific Ab response. These findings provide novel insight into HVR1-mediated immune evasion, with important implications for HCV vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I Mosa
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Mounir G AbouHaidar
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Richard A Urbanowicz
- Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Infections, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - John E Tavis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
| | - Jonathan K Ball
- Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Infections, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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32
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Muñoz-Chimeno M, Cenalmor A, Garcia-Lugo MA, Hernandez M, Rodriguez-Lazaro D, Avellon A. Proline-Rich Hypervariable Region of Hepatitis E Virus: Arranging the Disorder. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091417. [PMID: 32942608 PMCID: PMC7564002 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) hypervariable region (HVR) presents the highest divergence of the entire HEV genome. It is characteristically rich in proline, and so is also known as the “polyproline region” (PPR). HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) exhibits different PPR lengths due to insertions, PPR and/or RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) duplications and deletions. A total of 723 PPR-HEV sequences were analyzed, of which 137 HEV-3 sequences were obtained from clinical specimens (from acute and chronic infection) by Sanger sequencing. Eight swine stool/liver samples were also analyzed. N- and C-terminal fragments were confirmed as being conserved, but they harbored differences between genotypes and were not proline-plentiful regions. The genuine PPR is the intermediate region between them. HEV-3 PPR contains a higher percentage (30.4%) of prolines than other genotypes. We describe for the first time: (1) the specific placement of HEV-3 PPR rearrangements in sites 1 to 14 of the PPR, noting that duplications are more frequently attached to sites 11 and 12 (AAs 74–79 and 113–118, respectively); (2) the cadence of repetitions follows a circular-like pattern of blocks A to J, with F, G, H, and I being the most frequent; (3) a previously unreported insertion homologous to apolipoprotein C1; and (4) the increase in frequency of potential N-glycosylation sites and differences in AAs composition related to duplications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagros Muñoz-Chimeno
- Hepatitis Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.-C.); (A.C.); (M.A.G.-L.)
| | - Alejandro Cenalmor
- Hepatitis Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.-C.); (A.C.); (M.A.G.-L.)
| | - Maira Alejandra Garcia-Lugo
- Hepatitis Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.-C.); (A.C.); (M.A.G.-L.)
| | - Marta Hernandez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Microbiología, Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), 47071 Valladolid, Spain;
- Microbiology Division, Faculty of Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain;
| | | | - Ana Avellon
- Hepatitis Unit, National Center of Microbiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, 28220 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.-C.); (A.C.); (M.A.G.-L.)
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
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33
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A Novel Approach To Display Structural Proteins of Hepatitis C Virus Quasispecies in Patients Reveals a Key Role of E2 HVR1 in Viral Evolution. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00622-20. [PMID: 32554700 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00622-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major worldwide health problem despite development of highly effective direct-acting antivirals. HCV rapidly evolves upon acute infection and generates multiple viral variants (quasispecies), leading to immune evasion and persistent viral infection. Identification of epitopes of broadly neutralizing anti-HCV antibodies (nAbs) is critical to guide HCV vaccine development. In this study, we developed a new reverse genetics system for HCV infection based on trans-complementation of viral structural proteins. The HCV genome (JFH1 strain) lacking the structural protein-coding sequence can be efficiently rescued by ectopic expression of core-E1-E2-p7-NS2 (core-NS2) or core-E1-E2-p7 (core-p7) in trans, leading to production of single-round infectious virions designated HCVΔS. JFH1-based HCVΔS can be also rescued by expressing core-NS2 of other HCV genotypes, rendering it an efficient tool to display the structural proteins of HCV strains of interests. Furthermore, we successfully rescued HCVΔS with structural proteins from clinical isolates. Multiple viral structural proteins with different sensitivities to nAbs were identified from a same patient serum, demonstrating the genetic diversity of HCV quasispecies in vivo Interestingly, the structural protein-coding sequences of highly divergent viral quasispecies from the same patient can be clustered based on their hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) in viral envelope protein E2, which critically dictates the sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. In summary, we developed a novel reverse genetics system that efficiently displays viral structural proteins from HCV clinical isolates, and analysis of quasispecies from the same patient using this system demonstrated that E2 HVR1 is the major determinant of viral evolution in vivo IMPORTANCE A cell culture model that can recapitulate the diversity of HCV quasispecies in patients is important for analysis of neutralizing epitopes and HCV vaccine development. In this study, we developed a new reverse genetics system for HCV infection based on trans-complementation of viral structural proteins (HCVΔS). This system can be used to display structural proteins of HCV strains of multiple genotypes as well as clinical isolates. By using this system, we showed that multiple different HCV structural proteins from a same patient were displayed on HCVΔS. Interestingly, these variant structural proteins within the same patient can be classified according to the sequence of HVR1in E2, which dictates viral sensitivity to nAbs and viral evolution in vivo Our work provided a new tool to study highly divergent HCV quasispecies and shed light on underlying mechanisms driving HCV evolution.
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34
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Augestad EH, Castelli M, Clementi N, Ströh LJ, Krey T, Burioni R, Mancini N, Bukh J, Prentoe J. Global and local envelope protein dynamics of hepatitis C virus determine broad antibody sensitivity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eabb5938. [PMID: 32923643 PMCID: PMC7449684 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb5938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Broad antibody sensitivity differences of hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolates and their ability to persist in the presence of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) remain poorly understood. Here, we show that polymorphisms within glycoprotein E2, including hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) and antigenic site 412 (AS412), broadly affect NAb sensitivity by shifting global envelope protein conformation dynamics between theoretical "closed," neutralization-resistant and "open," neutralization-sensitive states. The conformational space of AS412 was skewed toward β-hairpin-like conformations in closed states, which also depended on HVR1, assigning function to these enigmatic E2 regions. Scavenger receptor class B, type I entry dependency of HCV was associated with NAb resistance and correlated perfectly with decreased virus propensity to interact with HCV co-receptor CD81, indicating that decreased NAb sensitivity resulted in a more complex entry pathway. This link between global E1/E2 states and functionally distinct AS412 conformations has important implications for targeting AS412 in rational HCV vaccine designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias H. Augestad
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matteo Castelli
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Università “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, Milano, 20132, Italy
| | - Nicola Clementi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Università “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, Milano, 20132, Italy
| | - Luisa J. Ströh
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Thomas Krey
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover 30625, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner sites Hannover-Braunschweig and Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Germany
- Center of Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Luebeck, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roberto Burioni
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Università “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, Milano, 20132, Italy
| | - Nicasio Mancini
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Università “Vita-Salute” San Raffaele, Milano, 20132, Italy
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jannick Prentoe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Corresponding author.
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Chen J, Jin L, Wang Z, Wang L, Chen Q, Cui Y, Liu G. N6-methyladenosine regulates PEDV replication and host gene expression. Virology 2020; 548:59-72. [PMID: 32838947 PMCID: PMC7297182 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Methylation of the N6 position of adenosine (m6A) is a widespread RNA modification that is critical for various physiological and pathological processes. Although this modification was also found in the RNA of several viruses almost 40 years ago, its biological functions during viral infection have been elucidated recently. Here, we investigated the effects of viral and host RNA methylation during porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection. The results demonstrated that the m6A modification was abundant in the PEDV genome and the host methyltransferases METTL3 and METTL14 and demethylase FTO were involved in the regulation of viral replication. The knockdown of the methyltransferases increased PEDV replication while silencing the demethylase decreased PEDV output. Moreover, the proteins of the YTHDF family regulated the PEDV replication by affecting the stability of m6A-modified viral RNA. In particular, PEDV infection could trigger an increasement of m6A in host RNA and decrease the expression of FTO. The m6A modification sites in mRNAs and target genes were also altered during PEDV infection. Additionally, part of the host responses to PEDV infection was controlled by m6A modification, which could be reversed by the expression of FTO. Taken together, our results identified the role of m6A modification in PEDV replication and interactions with the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Li Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Zemei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Qingbo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Yaru Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Guangliang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China.
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Vieyres G, Reichert I, Carpentier A, Vondran FWR, Pietschmann T. The ATGL lipase cooperates with ABHD5 to mobilize lipids for hepatitis C virus assembly. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008554. [PMID: 32542055 PMCID: PMC7316345 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid droplets are essential cellular organelles for storage of fatty acids and triglycerides. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) translocates several of its proteins onto their surface and uses them for production of infectious progeny. We recently reported that the lipid droplet-associated α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 5 (ABHD5/CGI-58) participates in HCV assembly by mobilizing lipid droplet-associated lipids. However, ABHD5 itself has no lipase activity and it remained unclear how ABHD5 mediates lipolysis critical for HCV assembly. Here, we identify adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) as ABHD5 effector and new host factor involved in the hepatic lipid droplet degradation as well as in HCV and lipoprotein morphogenesis. Modulation of ATGL protein expression and lipase activity controlled lipid droplet lipolysis and virus production. ABHD4 is a paralog of ABHD5 unable to activate ATGL or support HCV assembly and lipid droplet lipolysis. Grafting ABHD5 residues critical for activation of ATGL onto ABHD4 restored the interaction between lipase and co-lipase and bestowed the pro-viral and lipolytic functions onto the engineered protein. Congruently, mutation of the predicted ABHD5 protein interface to ATGL ablated ABHD5 functions in lipid droplet lipolysis and HCV assembly. Interestingly, minor alleles of ABHD5 and ATGL associated with neutral lipid storage diseases in human, are also impaired in lipid droplet lipolysis and their pro-viral functions. Collectively, these results show that ABHD5 cooperates with ATGL to mobilize triglycerides for HCV infectious virus production. Moreover, viral manipulation of lipid droplet homeostasis via the ABHD5-ATGL axis, akin to natural genetic variation in these proteins, emerges as a possible mechanism by which chronic HCV infection causes liver steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Vieyres
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail: (GV); (TP)
| | - Isabelle Reichert
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Arnaud Carpentier
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian W. R. Vondran
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- ReMediES, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- * E-mail: (GV); (TP)
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Cosset FL, Mialon C, Boson B, Granier C, Denolly S. HCV Interplay with Lipoproteins: Inside or Outside the Cells? Viruses 2020; 12:v12040434. [PMID: 32290553 PMCID: PMC7232430 DOI: 10.3390/v12040434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health issue leading to chronic liver diseases. HCV particles are unique owing to their particular lipid composition, namely the incorporation of neutral lipids and apolipoproteins. The mechanism of association between HCV virion components and these lipoproteins factors remains poorly understood as well as its impact in subsequent steps of the viral life cycle, such as entry into cells. It was proposed that the lipoprotein biogenesis pathway is involved in HCV morphogenesis; yet, recent evidence indicated that HCV particles can mature and evolve biochemically in the extracellular medium after egress. In addition, several viral, cellular and blood components have been shown to influence and regulate this specific association. Finally, this specific structure and composition of HCV particles was found to influence entry into cells as well as their stability and sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Due to its specific particle composition, studying the association of HCV particles with lipoproteins remains an important goal towards the rational design of a protective vaccine.
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38
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Chen F, Nagy K, Chavez D, Willis S, McBride R, Giang E, Honda A, Bukh J, Ordoukhanian P, Zhu J, Frey S, Lanford R, Law M. Antibody Responses to Immunization With HCV Envelope Glycoproteins as a Baseline for B-Cell-Based Vaccine Development. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:1058-1071.e6. [PMID: 31809725 PMCID: PMC7371413 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.11.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We investigated antibody responses to hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens E1 and E2 and the relevance of animal models for vaccine development. We compared antibody responses to vaccination with recombinant E1E2 complex in healthy volunteers, non-human primates (NHPs), and mice. METHODS We analyzed 519 serum samples from participants in a phase 1 vaccine trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00500747) and compared them with serum or plasma samples from C57BL/6J mice (n = 28) and rhesus macaques (n = 4) immunized with the same HCV E1E2 antigen. Blood samples were collected at different time points and analyzed for antibody binding, neutralizing activity, and epitope specificity. Monoclonal antibodies from the immunized NHPs were isolated from single plasmablasts and memory B cells, and their immunogenetic properties were characterized. RESULTS Antibody responses of the volunteers, NHPs, and mice to the non-neutralizing epitopes on the E1 N-terminus and E2 hypervariable region 1 did not differ significantly. Antibodies from volunteers and NHPs that neutralized heterologous strains of HCV primarily interacted with epitopes in the antigen region 3. However, the neutralizing antibodies were not produced in sufficient levels for broad neutralization of diverse HCV isolates. Broadly neutralizing antibodies similar to the human VH1-69 class antibody specific for antigen region 3 were produced in the immunized NHPs. CONCLUSIONS In an analysis of vaccinated volunteers, NHPs, and mice, we found that recombinant E1E2 vaccine antigen induces high-antibody titers that are insufficient to neutralize diverse HCV isolates. Antibodies from volunteers and NHPs bind to the same neutralizing epitopes for virus neutralization. NHPs can therefore be used as a preclinical model to develop HCV vaccines. These findings also provide useful baseline values for development of vaccines designed to induce production of neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Chen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kenna Nagy
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Deborah Chavez
- Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Shelby Willis
- NGS and Microarray Research Cores, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ryan McBride
- NGS and Microarray Research Cores, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Erick Giang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Andrew Honda
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Phillip Ordoukhanian
- NGS and Microarray Research Cores, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Sharon Frey
- Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Robert Lanford
- Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California.
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Stejskal L, Lees WD, Moss DS, Palor M, Bingham RJ, Shepherd AJ, Grove J. Flexibility and intrinsic disorder are conserved features of hepatitis C virus E2 glycoprotein. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007710. [PMID: 32109245 PMCID: PMC7065822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The glycoproteins of hepatitis C virus, E1E2, are unlike any other viral fusion machinery yet described, and are the current focus of immunogen design in HCV vaccine development; thus, making E1E2 both scientifically and medically important. We used pre-existing, but fragmentary, structures to model a complete ectodomain of the major glycoprotein E2 from three strains of HCV. We then performed molecular dynamic simulations to explore the conformational landscape of E2, revealing a number of important features. Despite high sequence divergence, and subtle differences in the models, E2 from different strains behave similarly, possessing a stable core flanked by highly flexible regions, some of which perform essential functions such as receptor binding. Comparison with sequence data suggest that this consistent behaviour is conferred by a network of conserved residues that act as hinge and anchor points throughout E2. The variable regions (HVR-1, HVR-2 and VR-3) exhibit particularly high flexibility, and bioinformatic analysis suggests that HVR-1 is a putative intrinsically disordered protein region. Dynamic cross-correlation analyses demonstrate intramolecular communication and suggest that specific regions, such as HVR-1, can exert influence throughout E2. To support our computational approach we performed small-angle X-ray scattering with purified E2 ectodomain; this data was consistent with our MD experiments, suggesting a compact globular core with peripheral flexible regions. This work captures the dynamic behaviour of E2 and has direct relevance to the interaction of HCV with cell-surface receptors and neutralising antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Stejskal
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
| | - William D. Lees
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
| | - David S. Moss
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Machaela Palor
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Bingham
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian J. Shepherd
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Grove
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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40
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Keck ZY, Pierce BG, Lau P, Lu J, Wang Y, Underwood A, Bull RA, Prentoe J, Velázquez-Moctezuma R, Walker MR, Luciani F, Guest JD, Fauvelle C, Baumert TF, Bukh J, Lloyd AR, Foung SKH. Broadly neutralizing antibodies from an individual that naturally cleared multiple hepatitis C virus infections uncover molecular determinants for E2 targeting and vaccine design. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007772. [PMID: 31100098 PMCID: PMC6542541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cumulative evidence supports a role for neutralizing antibodies contributing to spontaneous viral clearance during acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Information on the timing and specificity of the B cell response associated with clearance is crucial to inform vaccine design. From an individual who cleared three sequential HCV infections with genotypes 1b, 1a and 3a strains, respectively, we employed peripheral B cells to isolate and characterize neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (HMAbs) to HCV after the genotype 1 infections. The majority of isolated antibodies, designated as HMAbs 212, target conformational epitopes on the envelope glycoprotein E2 and bound broadly to genotype 1–6 E1E2 proteins. Further, some of these antibodies showed neutralization potential against cultured genotype 1–6 viruses. Competition studies with defined broadly neutralizing HCV HMAbs to epitopes in distinct clusters, designated antigenic domains B, C, D and E, revealed that the selected HMAbs compete with B, C and D HMAbs, previously isolated from subjects with chronic HCV infections. Epitope mapping studies revealed domain B and C specificity of these HMAbs 212. Sequential serum samples from the studied subject inhibited the binding of HMAbs 212 to autologous E2 and blocked a representative domain D HMAb. The specificity of this antibody response appears similar to that observed during chronic infection, suggesting that the timing and affinity maturation of the antibody response are the critical determinants in successful and repeated viral clearance. While additional studies should be performed for individuals with clearance or persistence of HCV, our results define epitope determinants for antibody E2 targeting with important implications for the development of a B cell vaccine. Studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals spontaneously clearing acute infections provide an opportunity to characterize the specificities of associated protective antibody responses. In an individual who resolved three separate HCV infections with different HCV genotypes, the antibodies induced during these acute infection episodes were similar to those induced during chronic infection. Surprisingly, the earliest detected antibodies were directed against conformational HCV epitopes on the envelope glycoprotein E2 (including polyprotein residues 434–446) known to be targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies. Taken together, the key B-cell determinants in spontaneous clearance are the timing and affinity maturation of broadly neutralizing antibody responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Yong Keck
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Brian G. Pierce
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Patrick Lau
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Janine Lu
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Alexander Underwood
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rowena A. Bull
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jannick Prentoe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rodrigo Velázquez-Moctezuma
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Melanie R. Walker
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fabio Luciani
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Johnathan D. Guest
- University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Catherine Fauvelle
- Inserm U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Inserm U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Pole Hépato-digestif, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Hopitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andrew R. Lloyd
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute and School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Steven K. H. Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Hypervariable region 1 and N-linked glycans of hepatitis C regulate virion neutralization by modulating envelope conformations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:10039-10047. [PMID: 31040211 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1822002116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
About two million new cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections annually underscore the urgent need for a vaccine. However, this effort has proven challenging because HCV evades neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) through molecular features of viral envelope glycoprotein E2, including hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) and N-linked glycans. Here, we observe large variation in the effects of removing individual E2 glycans across HCV strains H77(genotype 1a), J6(2a), and S52(3a) in Huh7.5 cell infections. Also, glycan-mediated effects on neutralization sensitivity were completely HVR1-dependent, and neutralization data were consistent with indirect protection of epitopes, as opposed to direct steric shielding. Indeed, the effect of removing each glycan was similar both in type (protective or sensitizing) and relative strength across four nonoverlapping neutralization epitopes. Temperature-dependent neutralization (e.g., virus breathing) assays indicated that both HVR1 and protective glycans stabilized a closed, difficult to neutralize, envelope conformation. This stabilizing effect was hierarchical as removal of HVR1 fully destabilized closed conformations, irrespective of glycan status, consistent with increased instability at acidic pH and high temperatures. Finally, we observed a strong correlation between neutralization sensitivity and scavenger receptor BI dependency during viral entry. In conclusion, our study indicates that HVR1 and glycans regulate HCV neutralization by shifting the equilibrium between open and closed envelope conformations. This regulation appears tightly linked with scavenger receptor BI dependency, suggesting a role of this receptor in transitions from closed to open conformations during entry. This importance of structural dynamics of HCV envelope glycoproteins has critical implications for vaccine development and suggests that similar phenomena could contribute to immune evasion of other viruses.
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