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Mbisa JL, Lapp Z, Bibby DF, Phillips LT, Manso CF, Packer S, Simmons R, Harris K, Mohan J, Chinnappan L, Leitner T, Bradshaw D. Identification of two novel subtypes of hepatitis C virus genotype 8 and a potential new genotype successfully treated with direct acting antivirals. J Infect Dis 2024:jiae253. [PMID: 38717937 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae253] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a high genetic diversity and is classified into 8 genotypes and over 90 subtypes with some endemic to specific world regions. This could compromise direct-acting antiviral (DAA) efficacy and global HCV elimination. METHODS We characterised HCV subtypes 'rare' to the UK (non-1a/1b/2b/3a/4d) by whole genome sequencing via a national surveillance programme. Genetic analyses to determine the genotype of samples with unresolved genotypes were undertaken by comparison with ICTV HCV reference sequences. RESULTS Two HCV variants were characterised as being closely related to the recently identified genotype 8 (GT8), with >85% pairwise genetic distance similarity to GT8 sequences and within the typical inter-subtype genetic distance range. The individuals infected by the variants were UK residents originally from Pakistan and India. In contrast, a third variant was only confidently identified to be more similar to GT6 compared to other genotypes across 6% of the genome and was isolated from a UK resident originally from Guyana. All three were cured with pangenotypic DAAs (Sofosbuvir + Velpatasvir or Glecaprevir + Pibrentasvir) despite the presence of resistance polymorphisms in NS3 (80 K/168E), NS5A (28 V/30S/62L/92S/93S) and NS5B (159F). CONCLUSIONS This study expands our knowledge of HCV diversity by identifying two new GT8 subtypes and potentially a new genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean L Mbisa
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Bloodborne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, London, UK
| | - Zena Lapp
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Laura T Phillips
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Bloodborne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, London, UK
| | | | | | - Ruth Simmons
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Bloodborne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, London, UK
| | - Kathryn Harris
- Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Jaiganesh Mohan
- Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington, UK
| | - Lalitha Chinnappan
- Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Warrington, UK
| | | | - Daniel Bradshaw
- UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Bloodborne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, London, UK
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2
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Christensen KT, Pierard F, Bonsall D, Bowden R, Barnes E, Florence E, Ansari MA, Nguyen D, de Cesare M, Nevens F, Robaeys G, Schrooten Y, Busschots D, Simmonds P, Vandamme AM, Van Wijngaerden E, Dierckx T, Cuypers L, Van Laethem K. Phylogenetic Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Infections in a Large Belgian Cohort Using Next-Generation Sequencing of Full-Length Genomes. Viruses 2023; 15:2391. [PMID: 38140632 PMCID: PMC10747466 DOI: 10.3390/v15122391] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic in Western countries is primarily perpetuated by the sub-populations of men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs (PWID). Understanding the dynamics of transmission in these communities is crucial for removing the remaining hurdles towards HCV elimination. We sequenced 269 annotated HCV plasma samples using probe enrichment and next-generation sequencing, obtaining 224 open reading frames of HCV (OR497849-OR498072). Maximum likelihood phylogenies were generated on the four most prevalent subtypes in this study (HCV1a, 1b, 3a, 4d) with a subsequent transmission cluster analysis. The highest rate of clustering was observed for HCV4d samples (13/17 (76.47%)). The second highest rate of clustering was observed in HCV1a samples (42/78 (53.85%)) with significant association with HIV-positive MSM. HCV1b and HCV3a had very low rates of clustering (2/83 (2.41%) and (0/29)). The spread of the prevalent subtype HCV1b appears to have been largely curtailed, and we demonstrate the onwards transmission of HCV1a and HCV4d in the HIV-positive MSM population across municipal borders. More systematic data collection and sequencing is needed to allow a better understanding of the HCV transmission among the community of PWID and overcome the remaining barriers for HCV elimination in Belgium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper T. Christensen
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.P.); (Y.S.); (A.-M.V.); (T.D.); (L.C.); (K.V.L.)
| | - Florian Pierard
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.P.); (Y.S.); (A.-M.V.); (T.D.); (L.C.); (K.V.L.)
| | - David Bonsall
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK;
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK; (R.B.); (D.N.); (M.d.C.)
| | - Rory Bowden
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK; (R.B.); (D.N.); (M.d.C.)
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK;
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Eric Florence
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium;
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M. Azim Ansari
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK;
| | - Dung Nguyen
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK; (R.B.); (D.N.); (M.d.C.)
| | - Mariateresa de Cesare
- The Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK; (R.B.); (D.N.); (M.d.C.)
| | - Frederik Nevens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.N.); (G.R.)
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.N.); (G.R.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences—LCRC, UHasselt, Agoralaan, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium;
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, 3600 Genk, Belgium
| | - Yoeri Schrooten
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.P.); (Y.S.); (A.-M.V.); (T.D.); (L.C.); (K.V.L.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dana Busschots
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences—LCRC, UHasselt, Agoralaan, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium;
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, 3600 Genk, Belgium
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK;
| | - Anne-Mieke Vandamme
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.P.); (Y.S.); (A.-M.V.); (T.D.); (L.C.); (K.V.L.)
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eric Van Wijngaerden
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Tim Dierckx
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.P.); (Y.S.); (A.-M.V.); (T.D.); (L.C.); (K.V.L.)
| | - Lize Cuypers
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.P.); (Y.S.); (A.-M.V.); (T.D.); (L.C.); (K.V.L.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristel Van Laethem
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.P.); (Y.S.); (A.-M.V.); (T.D.); (L.C.); (K.V.L.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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3
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Di Stefano M, Ismail MH, Leitner T, Faleo G, Alwazzeh MJ, Mbisa JL, Fiore JR, Santantonio TA. A novel candidate hepatitis C virus genotype 4 subtype identified by next generation sequencing full-genome characterization in a patient from Saudi Arabia. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1285367. [PMID: 38029191 PMCID: PMC10653324 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1285367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global public health concern, being a leading cause of chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The virus is classified into 8 genotypes and 93 subtypes, each displaying distinct geographic distributions. Genotype 4 is the most predominant in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean and is associated with high rates of hepatitis C infection worldwide. This study used next-generation sequencing to fully characterize the HCV genome and identify a novel subtype within genotype 4 isolated from a 64-year-old Saudi man diagnosed with hepatitis C. Methods We analyzed the complete genome of the 141-HCV isolate using whole-genome sequencing. Results Our phylogenetic reconstructions, based on the entire genome of HCV-4 strains, revealed that the 141-HCV isolate formed a distinct group within the genotype 4 classification, providing valuable new insights into the variability of HCV. Conclusion This discovery of a previously unclassified HCV subtype within genotype 4 sheds light on the ongoing evolution and diversity of the virus. Such knowledge has significant implications for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as different subtypes may exhibit varying drug sensitivities and resistance profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariantonietta Di Stefano
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Mona H. Ismail
- Division of Gastroenterology, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thomas Leitner
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Giuseppina Faleo
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Marwan Jabr Alwazzeh
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- Infectious Disease Division, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jean Lutamyo Mbisa
- Antiviral Unit, Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and HIV (BSHSH) Service, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Josè Ramon Fiore
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Teresa Antonia Santantonio
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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4
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Flower B, Hung LM, Mccabe L, Ansari MA, Le Ngoc C, Vo Thi T, Vu Thi Kim H, Nguyen Thi Ngoc P, Phuong LT, Quang VM, Dang Trong T, Le Thi T, Nguyen Bao T, Kingsley C, Smith D, Hoglund RM, Tarning J, Kestelyn E, Pett SL, van Doorn R, Van Nuil JI, Turner H, Thwaites GE, Barnes E, Rahman M, Walker AS, Day JN, Chau NVV, Cooke GS. Efficacy of ultra-short, response-guided sofosbuvir and daclatasvir therapy for hepatitis C in a single-arm mechanistic pilot study. eLife 2023; 12:e81801. [PMID: 36622106 PMCID: PMC9870305 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background World Health Organization has called for research into predictive factors for selecting persons who could be successfully treated with shorter durations of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C. We evaluated early virological response as a means of shortening treatment and explored host, viral and pharmacokinetic contributors to treatment outcome. Methods Duration of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir (SOF/DCV) was determined according to day 2 (D2) virologic response for HCV genotype (gt) 1- or 6-infected adults in Vietnam with mild liver disease. Participants received 4- or 8-week treatment according to whether D2 HCV RNA was above or below 500 IU/ml (standard duration is 12 weeks). Primary endpoint was sustained virological response (SVR12). Those failing therapy were retreated with 12 weeks SOF/DCV. Host IFNL4 genotype and viral sequencing was performed at baseline, with repeat viral sequencing if virological rebound was observed. Levels of SOF, its inactive metabolite GS-331007 and DCV were measured on days 0 and 28. Results Of 52 adults enrolled, 34 received 4 weeks SOF/DCV, 17 got 8 weeks and 1 withdrew. SVR12 was achieved in 21/34 (62%) treated for 4 weeks, and 17/17 (100%) treated for 8 weeks. Overall, 38/51 (75%) were cured with first-line treatment (mean duration 37 days). Despite a high prevalence of putative NS5A-inhibitor resistance-associated substitutions (RASs), all first-line treatment failures cured after retreatment (13/13). We found no evidence treatment failure was associated with host IFNL4 genotype, viral subtype, baseline RAS, SOF or DCV levels. Conclusions Shortened SOF/DCV therapy, with retreatment if needed, reduces DAA use in patients with mild liver disease, while maintaining high cure rates. D2 virologic response alone does not adequately predict SVR12 with 4-week treatment. Funding Funded by the Medical Research Council (Grant MR/P025064/1) and The Global Challenges Research 70 Fund (Wellcome Trust Grant 206/296/Z/17/Z).
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnaby Flower
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Le Manh Hung
- Hospital for Tropical DiseasesHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Leanne Mccabe
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - M Azim Ansari
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Chau Le Ngoc
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Thu Vo Thi
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Hang Vu Thi Kim
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | | | | | - Vo Minh Quang
- Hospital for Tropical DiseasesHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | | | - Thao Le Thi
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Tran Nguyen Bao
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
| | - Cherry Kingsley
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - David Smith
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Richard M Hoglund
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Faculty of Tropical MedicineBangkokThailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Joel Tarning
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Faculty of Tropical MedicineBangkokThailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Evelyne Kestelyn
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Sarah L Pett
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Rogier van Doorn
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHanoiVietnam
| | - Jennifer Ilo Van Nuil
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Hugo Turner
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Guy E Thwaites
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Motiur Rahman
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Ann Sarah Walker
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- The National Institute for Health Research, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Jeremy N Day
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford UniversityOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Graham S Cooke
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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5
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Rafati A, Esmaeili Gouvarchin Ghaleh H, Azarabadi A, Masoudi MR, Afrasiab E, Ghorbani Alvanegh A. Stem cells as an ideal carrier for gene therapy: A new approach to the treatment of hepatitis C virus. Transpl Immunol 2022; 75:101721. [PMID: 36150664 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2022.101721] [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: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Various chemical drugs have been approved for the treatment of patients with hepatitis C, but most of these treatments are costly, and also have an inadequate response and many side effects. Also, there is no effective vaccine for hepatitis C due to its high genetic diversity. In recent decades, clinical trials have grown dramatically regarding the benefits of stem cell therapy as a modulator of immune system responses and anti-inflammatory drugs. The most promising point in stem cell therapy and similar therapies is that patients with chronic pain and severe injuries are offered drug-free treatment or surgery. In the present study, we examine the various dimensions of the use of stem cells with the approach of gene therapy carriers as a new treatment method in the treatment of Hepatitis C. METHODS Search terms were including gene carrier, stem cell therapy, gene therapy, liver disorders, hepatitis C virus. At first, 1000 article titles related to the mentioned keywords for different diseases were found. After removing duplicate titles and items that did not match the scope of the research, articles that met the criteria for entering the research and had usable information were selected. All abstracts of selected articles were studied by researchers. In the initial review, articles related to the title were identified and categorized based on the type of challenge. CONCLUSION Gene therapy, either directly and in vivo or indirectly and in vitro, requires carriers (vectors) to transfer the gene. These carriers are divided into two groups, viral and non-viral. In indirect gene therapy, living cells are isolated from a person's body and genetically modified. Stem cells have the properties to transfer the desired genes to the patient's body, including the ability to proliferate for a long time and differentiate into the tissue cells in which they are located.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Rafati
- Department of Medical Genetics, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | | | - Afsaneh Azarabadi
- Instructor of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences
| | - Mahmood Reza Masoudi
- School of Medical Sciences, Emam Reza Hospital Sirjan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Elmira Afrasiab
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Akbar Ghorbani Alvanegh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran; Human Genetics Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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6
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Christensen KT, Pierard F, Beuselinck K, Bonsall D, Bowden R, Lagrou K, Nevens F, Schrooten Y, Simmonds P, Vandamme AM, Van Wijngaerden E, Dierckx T, Cuypers L, Van Laethem K. Full-genome next-generation sequencing of hepatitis C virus to assess the accuracy of genotyping by the commercial assay LiPA and the prevalence of resistance-associated substitutions in a Belgian cohort. J Clin Virol 2022; 155:105252. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2022.105252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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7
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Stejskal L, Kalemera MD, Lewis CB, Palor M, Walker L, Daviter T, Lees WD, Moss DS, Kremyda-Vlachou M, Kozlakidis Z, Gallo G, Bailey D, Rosenberg W, Illingworth CJR, Shepherd AJ, Grove J. An entropic safety catch controls hepatitis C virus entry and antibody resistance. eLife 2022; 11:e71854. [PMID: 35796426 PMCID: PMC9333995 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71854] [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: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
E1 and E2 (E1E2), the fusion proteins of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), are unlike that of any other virus yet described, and the detailed molecular mechanisms of HCV entry/fusion remain unknown. Hypervariable region-1 (HVR-1) of E2 is a putative intrinsically disordered protein tail. Here, we demonstrate that HVR-1 has an autoinhibitory function that suppresses the activity of E1E2 on free virions; this is dependent on its conformational entropy. Thus, HVR-1 is akin to a safety catch that prevents premature triggering of E1E2 activity. Crucially, this mechanism is turned off by host receptor interactions at the cell surface to allow entry. Mutations that reduce conformational entropy in HVR-1, or genetic deletion of HVR-1, turn off the safety catch to generate hyper-reactive HCV that exhibits enhanced virus entry but is thermally unstable and acutely sensitive to neutralising antibodies. Therefore, the HVR-1 safety catch controls the efficiency of virus entry and maintains resistance to neutralising antibodies. This discovery provides an explanation for the ability of HCV to persist in the face of continual immune assault and represents a novel regulatory mechanism that is likely to be found in other viral fusion machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Stejskal
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck CollegeLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Mphatso D Kalemera
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Charlotte B Lewis
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Machaela Palor
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lucas Walker
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Tina Daviter
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck CollegeLondonUnited Kingdom
- Shared Research Facilities, The Institute of Cancer ResearchLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - William D Lees
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck CollegeLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - David S Moss
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck CollegeLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Zisis Kozlakidis
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health OrganizationLyonFrance
| | | | | | - William Rosenberg
- Division of Medicine, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Christopher JR Illingworth
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchGlasgowUnited Kingdom
- Department of Genetics, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
- Institut für Biologische Physik, Universität zu KölnCologneGermany
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Adrian J Shepherd
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck CollegeLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Joe Grove
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchGlasgowUnited Kingdom
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8
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Aisyah DN, Story A, Kremyda-Vlachou M, Kozlakidis Z, Shalcross L, Hayward A. Assessing hepatitis C virus distribution among vulnerable populations in London using whole genome sequencing: results from the TB-REACH study. Wellcome Open Res 2021. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16907.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Injecting drugs substantially increases the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and is common in vulnerable population groups, such as the homeless and prisoners. Capturing accurate data on relative genotype distribution within these groups is essential to inform strategies to reduce HCV transmission. The aim of this study was to utilise a next-generation whole-genome sequencing method recently validated by Public Health England, in order to produce near complete HCV genomes. Methods: In total, 98 HCV positive patients were recruited from homeless hostels and drug treatment services through the National Health Services (NHS) Find and Treat (F&T) Service between May 2011 and June 2013 in London, UK. Samples were sequenced by Next-generation sequencing, with 88 complete HCV genomes constructed by a de novo assembly pipeline. They were analysed phylogenetically for an estimate of their genetic distance. Results: Of the 88 complete HCV genomes, 50/88 (56.8%) were genotype 1; 32/88 (36.4%) genotype 3; 4/88 (4.5%) genotype 2; and 1/88 (1.1%) for genotypes 4 and 6 each. Subtype 1a had the highest number of samples (51.1%), followed by subtype 3a (35.2%), 1b (5.7%), and 2b (3.4%). Samples collected from drug treatment services had the highest number of genotype 1 (69%); genotypes 4 and 6 were only found from samples collected in homeless shelters. Small clusters of highly related genomic sequences were observed both across and within the vulnerable groups sampled. Conclusions: Subsequent phylogenetic analysis provides a first indication that there are related HCV sequences amongst the three vulnerable population groups, reflecting their overlapping social behaviours. This study is the first presentation of whole genome HCV sequences from such vulnerable groups in London and paves the way for similar research in the future.
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Bradshaw D, Bibby DF, Manso CF, Piorkowska R, Mohamed H, Ledesma J, Bubba L, Chan YT, Ngui SL, Carne S, Mbisa JL. Clinical evaluation of a Hepatitis C Virus whole-genome sequencing pipeline for genotyping and resistance testing. Clin Microbiol Infect 2021; 28:405-409. [PMID: 34245902 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate clinically a hepatitis C virus (HCV) whole-genome, next-generation sequencing (NGS) pipeline that is agnostic to viral genotype. METHODS Performance of the NGS pipeline was assessed through comparison of results with Sanger sequencing (SS) of partial HCV genomes. RESULTS There was 98.7% (376/381) concordance for viral subtype between SS and NGS. The positive and negative per cent agreements for determination of resistance-associated substitutions were 97.8% (95% CI 92.5-99.4%) and 99.9% (95% CI 99.5-100.0%), respectively. The NGS pipeline was also able to detect novel subtypes, mixtures, recombinants, transiently occurring resistance mutations and distinguish re-infection with the same subtype from relapse. DISCUSSION Particular scenarios where NGS may be used include settings without universal access to pan-genotypic antiviral regimens, those infected with a 'rare' subtype or who have been failed by first-line therapy, and in cases of suspected re-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bradshaw
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK.
| | - David F Bibby
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Carmen F Manso
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | | | - Hodan Mohamed
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Juan Ledesma
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Laura Bubba
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Yuen T Chan
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Siew Lin Ngui
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Simon Carne
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Jean L Mbisa
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
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- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
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Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Punjab region, Pakistan, based on a study of 4177 specimens. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 91:104811. [PMID: 33741510 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a heterogenetic infectious agent that affects a huge proportion of population around the globe. Diverse distribution of multiple subtypes of HCV makes it mandatory and remarkably imperative to understand the genotypic distribution in target population. It could serve as an indictive guideline for the improvement of diagnostic methodologies, and development of effective therapies against this viral infection, in order to improve the infected patients' quality of life. This study included HCV infected patients presented to the diagnostic facility of the Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, University of Punjab, Lahore, between 2016 and 2019. During the 4 years of study, samples were collected from 4177 subjects. Our data revealed no significant differences regarding the prevalence of various genotypes between genders in the adult population. Genotyping was carried out by following the Ohno protocol. The obtained results shown that genotype 3a is the most frequent genotype and accounts for 66.29% of cases. Among other genotypes, 1a is 2.11%, 1b is 0.07%, 3b is 1.89%, 5a is 0.02%, while genome of 28.23% patients was untypable; 1.22% of the samples were non-detectable as viremic. An important concern is that this untypable genome in HCV infected patients may indicate possible mutation of HCV.
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