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Chi H, Qu B, Prawira A, Richardt T, Maurer L, Hu J, Fu RM, Lempp FA, Zhang Z, Grimm D, Wu X, Urban S, Dao Thi VL. An hepatitis B and D virus infection model using human pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes. EMBO Rep 2024:10.1038/s44319-024-00236-0. [PMID: 39232200 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00236-0] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Current culture systems available for studying hepatitis D virus (HDV) are suboptimal. In this study, we demonstrate that hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are fully permissive to HDV infection across various tested genotypes. When co-infected with the helper hepatitis B virus (HBV) or transduced to express the HBV envelope protein HBsAg, HLCs effectively release infectious progeny virions. We also show that HBsAg-expressing HLCs support the extracellular spread of HDV, thus providing a valuable platform for testing available anti-HDV regimens. By challenging the cells along the differentiation with HDV infection, we have identified CD63 as a potential HDV co-entry factor that was rate-limiting for HDV infection in immature hepatocytes. Given their renewable source and the potential to derive hPSCs from individual patients, we propose HLCs as a promising model for investigating HDV biology. Our findings offer new insights into HDV infection and expand the repertoire of research tools available for the development of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanting Chi
- Schaller Research Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bingqian Qu
- Schaller Research Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - Angga Prawira
- Molecular Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Talisa Richardt
- Molecular Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lars Maurer
- Schaller Research Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, University Hospital Heidelberg, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, BioQuant, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jungen Hu
- Schaller Research Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebecca M Fu
- Schaller Research Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian A Lempp
- Molecular Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Humabs Biomed SA, A Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Zhenfeng Zhang
- Molecular Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- School of Public Health and Emergency Management, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dirk Grimm
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Section Viral Vector Technologies, University Hospital Heidelberg, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, BioQuant, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xianfang Wu
- Infection Biology Program and Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Stephan Urban
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Molecular Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Viet Loan Dao Thi
- Schaller Research Group, Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Chung CY, Sun CP, Tao MH, Wu HL, Wang SH, Yeh SH, Zheng QB, Yuan Q, Xia NS, Ogawa K, Nakashima K, Suzuki T, Chen PJ. Major HBV splice variant encoding a novel protein important for infection. J Hepatol 2024; 80:858-867. [PMID: 38336347 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS HBV expresses more than 10 spliced RNAs from the viral pregenomic RNA, but their functions remain elusive and controversial. To address the function of HBV spliced RNAs, we generated splicing-deficient HBV mutants and conducted experiments to assess the impact of these mutants on HBV infection. METHODS HepG2-NTCP cells, human hepatocyte chimeric FRG mice (hu-FRG mice), and serum from patients with chronic hepatitis B were used for experiments on HBV infection. Additionally, SHifter assays and cryo-electron microscopy were performed. RESULTS We found the infectivity of splicing-deficient HBV was decreased 100-1,000-fold compared with that of wild-type HBV in hu-FRG mice. Another mutant, A487C, which loses the most abundant spliced RNA (SP1), also exhibits severely impaired infectivity. SP1 hypothetically encodes a novel protein HBcSP1 (HBc-Cys) that lacks the C-terminal cysteine from full-length HBc. In the SHifter assay, HBcSP1 was detected in wild-type viral particles at a ratio of about 20-100% vs. conventional HBc, as well as in the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis B, but not in A487C particles. When infection was conducted with a shorter incubation time of 4-8 h at lower PEG concentrations in HepG2-NTCP cells, the entry of the A487C mutant was significantly slower. SP1 cDNA complementation of the A487C mutant succeeded in rescuing its infectivity in hu-FRG mice and HepG2-NTCP cells. Moreover, cryo-electron microscopy revealed a disulfide bond between HBc cysteine 183 and 48 in the HBc intradimer of the A487C capsid, leading to a locked conformation that disfavored viral entry in contrast to the wild-type capsid. CONCLUSIONS Prior studies unveiled the potential integration of the HBc-Cys protein into the HBV capsid. We confirmed the proposal and validated its identity and function during infection. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS HBV SP1 RNA encodes a novel HBc protein (HBcSP1) that lacks the C-terminal cysteine from conventional HBc (HBc-Cys). HBcSP1 was detected in cell culture-derived HBV and confirmed in patients with chronic infection by both immunological and chemical modification assays at 10-50% of capsid. The splicing-deficient mutant HBV (A487C) impaired infectivity in human hepatocyte chimeric mice and viral entry in the HepG2-NTCP cell line. Furthermore, these deficiencies of the splicing-deficient mutant could be rescued by complementation with the SP1-encoded protein HBcSP1. We confirmed and validated the identity and function of HBcSP1 during infection, building on the current model of HBV particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yen Chung
- National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Pu Sun
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mi-Hua Tao
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Lin Wu
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Han Wang
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiou-Hwei Yeh
- National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Qing-Bing Zheng
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, P.R. China
| | - Quan Yuan
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, P.R. China
| | - Ning-Shao Xia
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, P.R. China
| | - Kenji Ogawa
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS), RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | | | | | - Pei-Jer Chen
- National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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3
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Willner E, Kolbe F, Momburg F, Protzer U, Dietz H. Hepatitis B Virus Neutralization with DNA Origami Nanoshells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:25836-25842. [PMID: 38728653 PMCID: PMC11129107 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
We demonstrate the use of DNA origami to create virus-trapping nanoshells that efficiently neutralize hepatitis B virus (HBV) in cell culture. By modification of the shells with a synthetic monoclonal antibody that binds to the HBV envelope, the effective neutralization potency per antibody is increased by approximately 100 times compared to using free antibodies. The improvements in neutralizing the virus are attributed to two factors: first, the shells act as a physical barrier that blocks the virus from interacting with host cells; second, the multivalent binding of the antibodies inside the shells lead to stronger attachment to the trapped virus, a phenomenon known as avidity. Pre-incubation of shells with HBV and simultaneous addition of both components separately to cells lead to comparable levels of neutralization, indicating rapid trapping of the virions by the shells. Our study highlights the potential of the DNA shell system to rationally create antivirals using components that, when used individually, show little to no antiviral effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena
M. Willner
- Department
of Biosciences, School of Natural Sciences and Munich Institute of
Biomedical Engineering, Technical University
of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 11, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Fenna Kolbe
- Institute
of Virology, School of Medicine & Health, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Munich, Trogerstraße 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Momburg
- Translational
Immunity Unit, German Cancer Research Center
(DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute
of Virology, School of Medicine & Health, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Munich, Trogerstraße 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German
Center for Infection Research (DZIF),
Munich Partner Site, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Hendrik Dietz
- Department
of Biosciences, School of Natural Sciences and Munich Institute of
Biomedical Engineering, Technical University
of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 11, 85748 Garching, Germany
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4
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Kupke P, Brucker J, Wettengel JM, Protzer U, Wenzel JJ, Schlitt HJ, Geissler EK, Werner JM. Cytokine Response of Natural Killer Cells to Hepatitis B Virus Infection Depends on Monocyte Co-Stimulation. Viruses 2024; 16:741. [PMID: 38793623 PMCID: PMC11125674 DOI: 10.3390/v16050741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major driver of chronic hepatic inflammation, which regularly leads to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Immediate innate immune cell response is crucial for the rapid clearance of the infection. Here, natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in direct cytotoxicity and the secretion of antiviral cytokines as well as regulatory function. The aim of this study was to further elucidate NK cell responses triggered by an HBV infection. Therefore, we optimized HBV in vitro models that reliably stimulate NK cells using hepatocyte-like HepG2 cells expressing the Na+-taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) and HepaRG cells. Immune cells were acquired from healthy platelet donors. Initially, HepG2-NTCP cells demonstrated higher viral replication compared to HepaRG cells. Co-cultures with immune cells revealed increased production of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α by NK cells, which was no longer evident in isolated NK cells. Likewise, the depletion of monocytes and spatial separation from target cells led to the absence of the antiviral cytokine production of NK cells. Eventually, the combined co-culture of isolated NK cells and monocytes led to a sufficient cytokine response of NK cells, which was also apparent when communication between the two immune cell subpopulations was restricted to soluble factors. In summary, our study demonstrates antiviral cytokine production by NK cells in response to HBV+ HepG2-NTCP cells, which is dependent on monocyte bystander activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Kupke
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Brucker
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jochen M. Wettengel
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine and Health/Helmholtz Munich, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine and Health/Helmholtz Munich, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Jürgen J. Wenzel
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hans J. Schlitt
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Edward K. Geissler
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jens M. Werner
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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5
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Harris JM, Magri A, Faria AR, Tsukuda S, Balfe P, Wing PAC, McKeating JA. Oxygen-dependent histone lysine demethylase 4 restricts hepatitis B virus replication. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105724. [PMID: 38325742 PMCID: PMC10914488 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105724] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cells have evolved strategies to regulate gene expression when oxygen is limited. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) are the major transcriptional regulators of host gene expression. We previously reported that HIFs bind and activate hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA transcription under low oxygen conditions; however, the global cellular response to low oxygen is mediated by a family of oxygenases that work in concert with HIFs. Recent studies have identified a role for chromatin modifiers in sensing cellular oxygen and orchestrating transcriptional responses, but their role in the HBV life cycle is as yet undefined. We demonstrated that histone lysine demethylase 4 (KDM4) can restrict HBV, and pharmacological or oxygen-mediated inhibition of the demethylase increases viral RNAs derived from both episomal and integrated copies of the viral genome. Sequencing studies demonstrated that KDM4 is a major regulator of the hepatic transcriptome, which defines hepatocellular permissivity to HBV infection. We propose a model where HBV exploits cellular oxygen sensors to replicate and persist in the liver. Understanding oxygen-dependent pathways that regulate HBV infection will facilitate the development of physiologically relevant cell-based models that support efficient HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Harris
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrea Magri
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ana Rita Faria
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Senko Tsukuda
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Balfe
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter A C Wing
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Jane A McKeating
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Rogerson T, Xi G, Ampey A, Borman J, Jaroudi S, Pappas D, Linke T. Purification of a recombinant oncolytic virus from clarified cell culture media by anion exchange monolith chromatography. Electrophoresis 2023; 44:1923-1933. [PMID: 37400365 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
The use of viral vectors for vaccine, gene therapy, and oncolytic virotherapy applications has received increased attention in recent years. Large-scale purification of viral vector-based biotherapeutics still presents a significant technical challenge. Chromatography is the primary tool for the purification of biomolecules in the biotechnology industry; however, the majority of chromatography resins currently available have been designed for the purification of proteins. In contrast, convective interaction media monoliths are chromatographic supports that have been designed and successfully utilized for the purification of large biomolecules, including viruses, viruslike particles, and plasmids. We present a case study on the development of a purification method for recombinant Newcastle disease virus directly from clarified cell culture media using strong anion exchange monolith technology (CIMmultus QA, BIA Separations). Resin screening studies showed at least 10 times higher dynamic binding capacity of CIMmultus QA compared to traditional anion exchange chromatography resins. Design of experiments was used to demonstrate a robust operating window for the purification of recombinant virus directly from clarified cell culture without any further pH or conductivity adjustment of the load material. The capture step was successfully scaled up from 1 mL CIMmultus QA columns to the 8 L column scale and achieved a greater than 30-fold reduction in process volume. Compared to the load material, total host cell proteins were reduced by more than 76%, and residual host cell DNA by more than 57% in the elution pool, respectively. Direct loading of clarified cell culture onto a high-capacity monolith stationary phase makes convective flow chromatography an attractive alternative to centrifugation or TFF-based virus purification procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy Rogerson
- Process & Analytical Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceutical Development R&D, AstraZeneca LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Guoling Xi
- Process & Analytical Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceutical Development R&D, AstraZeneca LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Amanda Ampey
- Process & Analytical Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceutical Development R&D, AstraZeneca LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Jon Borman
- Process & Analytical Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceutical Development R&D, AstraZeneca LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Sally Jaroudi
- Process & Analytical Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceutical Development R&D, AstraZeneca LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Dan Pappas
- Manufacturing Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Thomas Linke
- Process & Analytical Sciences, BioPharmaceutical Development, BioPharmaceutical Development R&D, AstraZeneca LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
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7
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Mitosis of Hepatitis B virus-infected cells in vitro results in uninfected daughter cells. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100514. [PMID: 35898957 PMCID: PMC9309680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims The chronicity of HBV (and resultant liver disease) is determined by intrahepatic persistence of the HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), an episomal form that encodes all viral transcripts. Therefore, cccDNA is a key target for new treatments, with the ultimate therapeutic aim being its complete elimination. Although established cccDNA molecules are known to be stable in resting hepatocytes, we aimed to understand their fate in dividing cells using in vitro models. Methods We infected HepG2-NTCP and HepaRG-NTCP cells with HBV and induced mitosis by passaging cells. We measured cccDNA copy number (by precise PCR assays) and HBV-expressing cells (by immunofluorescence) with wild-type HBV. We used reporter viruses expressing luciferase or RFP to track number of HBV-expressing cells over time after mitosis induction using luciferase assays and live imaging, respectively. Results In all cases, we observed dramatic reductions in cccDNA levels, HBV-positive cell numbers, and cccDNA-dependent protein expression after each round of cell mitosis. The rates of reduction were highly consistent with mathematical models of a complete cccDNA loss in (as opposed to dilution into) daughter cells. Conclusions Our results are concordant with previous animal models of HBV infection and show that HBV persistence can be efficiently overcome by inducing cell mitosis. These results support therapeutic approaches that induce liver turnover (e.g. immune modulators) in addition to direct-acting antiviral therapies to achieve hepatitis B cure. Lay summary Chronic hepatitis B affects 300 million people (killing 884,000 per year) and is incurable. To cure it, we need to clear the HBV genome from the liver. In this study, we looked at how the virus behaves after a cell divides. We found that it completely clears the virus, making 2 new uninfected cells. Our work informs new approaches to develop cures for chronic hepatitis B infections. HBV persists over decades in the liver, leading to chronic inflammation and serious liver disease. Controversy exists over the fate of viral DNA after cell mitosis, which is crucial to understanding viral persistence. We find here that 2 completely uninfected daughter cells are generated when infected cells undergo mitosis. Our results suggest that therapies that induce turnover of infected cells could facilitate the clearance of chronic HBV infection.
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8
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Hossain T, Romal S, Mahmoudi T. Production of Recombinant Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Detection of HBV in Infected Human Liver Organoids. Bio Protoc 2022; 12:e4392. [PMID: 35800100 PMCID: PMC9081489 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The absence of long term, primary untransformed in vitro models that support hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and replication have hampered HBV pre-clinical research, which was reflected in the absence of a curative therapy until recently. One of the limitations for in vitro HBV research has been the absence of high titer and pure recombinant HBV stocks, which, as we describe here, can be generated using simple, and reproducible protocols. In addition to infection of more conventional in vitro and in vivo liver model systems, recombinant high titer purified HBV stocks can also be used to efficiently infect differentiated human liver organoids, whose generation, maintenance, and infection is discussed in detail in a companion organoid protocol. Here, we also describe the protocols for the detection of specific viral read-outs, including HBV DNA in the supernatant of the cultures, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) from intracellular DNA preparations, and HBV viral proteins and viral RNA, which can be detected within the cells, demonstrating the presence of a complete viral replication cycle in infected liver organoids. Although an evolving platform, the human liver organoid model system presents great potential as an exciting new tool to study HBV infection and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in primary cells, when combined with the use of high-titer and pure recombinant HBV stock for infection. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvir Hossain
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Shahla Romal
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Tokameh Mahmoudi
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands
,Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands
,Department of Urology, Erasmus University Medical Center, The Netherlands
,
*For correspondence:
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9
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Jo E, Kim H, König A, Yang J, Yoon SK, Windisch MP. Determination of infectious hepatitis B virus particles by an end-point dilution assay identifies a novel class of inhibitors. Antiviral Res 2021; 196:105195. [PMID: 34736995 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The quantification of infectious virus particles is fundamental to perform in vitro virology studies. To determine the number of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome-containing particles in vitro, the genome equivalents (GEq) are measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR). However, in addition to infectious virions, HBV DNA-containing, non-infectious HBV particles are also produced in vitro, which can lead to an over-estimation of the number of infectious HBV particles when analyzed by qPCR. Here, we establish an end-point dilution assay that can precisely determine the number of infectious HBV particles. The cell-based HBV infection assay uses a 384-well plate format and enables the calculation of the 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) in a semi-automated manner. Cell culture-derived HBV (HBVcc), produced by either stable HBV-replicating cells (HepAD38) or HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells, as well as patient-derived HBV sera were serially diluted and used to infect naïve target cells. Applying the end-point dilution assay, we infected HepG2-NTCP cells with PEG precipitated HBV derived from HepAD38-and HepG2-NTCPsec+ cell supernatants, calculated the TCID50/mL, converted to plaque-forming units (PFUs), and generated the specific infectivity (ratio of PFU/GEq). As a result, a TCID50/mL of 7.22 × 106 and 2.16 × 106, and the specific infectivity of 1/13,816 and 1/8798 were calculated for HepAD38 and HepG2-NTCPsec+ cell supernatants, respectively. The specific infectivity further increased by approximately 2-fold after removal of non-infectious "naked" particles by immunoprecipitation. Purification of HepAD38 cell supernatants by heparin columns increased the TCID50/mL and specific infectivity by 18- and 15-fold, respectively. Interestingly, non-purified patient-derived HBV sera from two individuals had a specific infectivity of 1/88 and 1/3609. After converting TCID50 to multiplicity of infection (MOI) values, we inoculated HepG2-NTCP cells with HBVcc based on GEq or MOI values and demonstrated that MOI-based infection leads to more reproducible infection rates. Furthermore, the assay was validated using serially diluted lamivudine, an HBV replication inhibitor, inhibiting HBV DNA secretion and infectious viral progeny by approx. 56- and 470-fold, respectively. Interestingly, we identified dexmedetomidine (DMM), an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, inhibiting the secretion of infectious viral progeny by approx. 6-fold, without interfering in the secretion of HBV DNA. Taken together, we developed an assay that is suitable for the standard quantification of infectious HBV particles. We identified DMM as a novel inhibitor that exclusively interferes with the secretion of infectious HBV particles without affecting the secretion of HBV genomes. This end-point dilution assay enables the precise determination of the number of infectious HBV particles, assessment of the specific infectivity and stability of HBV particles, and identification of novel classes of HBV inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunji Jo
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Discovery Biology Division, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyeong-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - Hyun Kim
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Discovery Biology Division, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyeong-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, 217, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea.
| | - Alexander König
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Discovery Biology Division, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyeong-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - Jaewon Yang
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Discovery Biology Division, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyeong-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - Seung Kew Yoon
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea; Catholic University Liver Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Marc P Windisch
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Discovery Biology Division, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyeong-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, 217, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea.
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