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Schefczyk S, Luo X, Liang Y, Hasenberg M, Walkenfort B, Trippler M, Schuhenn J, Sutter K, Lu M, Wedemeyer H, Schmidt HH, Broering R. Tg1.4HBV-s-rec mice, a crossbred hepatitis B virus-transgenic model, develop mild hepatitis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22829. [PMID: 38129531 PMCID: PMC10739827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50090-8] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-transgenic mice exhibit competent innate immunity and are therefore an ideal model for considering intrinsic or cell-based mechanisms in HBV pathophysiology. A highly replicative model that has been little used, let alone characterized, is the Tg1.4HBV-s-rec strain derived from cross breeding of HBV-transgenic mouse models that either accumulate (Alb/HBs, Tg[Alb1-HBV]Bri44) or lack (Tg1.4HBV-s-mut) the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Tg1.4HBV-s-rec hepatocytes secreted HBsAg, Hepatitis B extracellular antigen (HBeAg) and produced HBV virions. Transmission electron microscopy visualised viral particles (Tg1.4HBV-s-rec), nuclear capsid formations (Tg1.4HBV-s-mut and Tg1.4HBV-s-rec) and endoplasmic reticulum malformations (Alb/HBs). Viral replication in Tg1.4HBV-s-rec and Tg1.4HBV-s-mut differed in HBsAg expression and interestingly in the distribution of HBV core antigen (HBcAg) and HBV × protein. While in Tg1.4HBV-s-mut hepatocytes, the HBcAg was located in the cytoplasm, in Tg1.4HBV-s-rec hepatocytes, the HBcAg appeared in the nuclei, suggesting a more productive replication. Finally, Tg1.4HBV-s-rec mice showed symptoms of mild hepatitis, with reduced liver function and elevated serum transaminases, which appeared to be related to natural killer T cell activation. In conclusion, the study of Alb/HBs, Tg1.4HBV-s-mut and their F1 progeny provides a powerful tool to elucidate HBV pathophysiology, especially in the early HBeAg-positive phases of chronic infection and chronic hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schefczyk
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Xufeng Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Lymphoma Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaojie Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Mike Hasenberg
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Imaging Center Essen, Medical Faculty, Germany Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernd Walkenfort
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Imaging Center Essen, Medical Faculty, Germany Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Trippler
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Jonas Schuhenn
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hartmut H Schmidt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Broering
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
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