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Nasimzadeh S, Azaran A, Jalilian S, Makvandi M, Seyedian SS, Keikhaei B, Mehr FJ. Prevalence of occult hepatitis C virus infection in beta-thalassemia major patients in Ahvaz, Iran. Arch Virol 2021; 166:2703-2710. [PMID: 34275067 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05126-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Occult hepatitis C virus infection (OCI) is defined by the presence of HCV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and liver tissue cells despite the absence of HCV RNA in plasma. Currently, OCI is classified into two types: seropositive OCI (anti-HCV positive and serum HCV RNA negative) and seronegative OCI (anti-HCV and serum HCV RNA negative). Beta-thalassemia is described as a blood disorder that decreases the synthesis of hemoglobin. Repeated blood transfusion is the standard treatment for patients with beta-thalassemia major (BTM), and this increases the risk of exposure to infectious agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of OCI among BTM patients. Plasma and PBMCs were collected from 90 BTM patients who were referred to Shafa Hospital in the city of Ahvaz and were screened for HCV antibody using a commercial ELISA kit as the first step. Next, nested RT-PCR was performed on extracts of plasma and PBMCs. HCV RNA from positive PBMCs was sequenced, the sequences were aligned, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed to determine their relationship to reference sequences retrieved from the GenBank database. Seventy-nine out of 90 patients (87.8%) were negative for HCV Ab (seronegative), while 11 patients (12.2%) were seropositive. HCV RNA was found in PBMCs of four patients (66.7%) who were negative for HCV Ab (seronegative) and two patients (33.3%) who were positive for HCV Ab (seropositive). HCV RNA was not detected in plasma samples from these six patients. Six out of 90 BTM patients (6.7%) had OCI. HCV genotyping revealed that all six patients were infected with HCV subtype 3a. We found a high frequency of OCI in BTM patients, which warrants more attention, considering the importance of this infection. Further studies are needed to determine the actual prevalence of OCI in BTM patients in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Nasimzadeh
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Azarakhsh Azaran
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. .,Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
| | - Shahram Jalilian
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Manoochehr Makvandi
- Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Seyed Saeid Seyedian
- Alimentary Tract Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Bijan Keikhaei
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center Research Institute of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Fateme Jahangiri Mehr
- Department of biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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2
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Mahmoudvand S, Shokri S, Azaran A, Seyedian SS, Makvandi M, Mirzaei H, Sheikhrobat SB. Seronegative occult hepatitis C infection among hemodialysis patients: A prevalence study. Ther Apher Dial 2020; 25:218-224. [PMID: 32510846 DOI: 10.1111/1744-9987.13535] [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: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (OCI) among HD patients. Blood samples were taken from 79 HD patients and their sera were evaluated for the presence of anti-HCV. Both the sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were then checked for HCV RNA by nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Anti-HCV was positive among 4/79 (5.1%) of the patients. From 75 patients who were negative for anti-HCV, 71 (94.7%) patients were also negative for HCV RNA in sera samples but five of them were positive for HCV RNA in PBMCs. Totally, out of 79 patients, HCV RNA was detected in PBMCs of five (6.3%) patients, indicating that these patients had OCI. No significant difference was observed between the frequency of OCI and gender (P-value = .6). HCV genotype in all five cases of OCI was genotype 3a. Our study showed prevalence rate of 6.3% OCI infection in HD patients. Regarding the serious complications and the clinical importance of OCI in HD patients, sensitive diagnostic methods for identifying HCV RNA in the PBMCs should be implemented for all HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahab Mahmoudvand
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Somayeh Shokri
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Azarakhsh Azaran
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Seyed S Seyedian
- Alimentary Tract Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Manoochehr Makvandi
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Habibollah Mirzaei
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sheida B Sheikhrobat
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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3
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Onabajo OO, Muchmore B, Prokunina-Olsson L. The IFN-λ4 Conundrum: When a Good Interferon Goes Bad. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2019; 39:636-641. [PMID: 31241411 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2019.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery in 2013, interferon lambda 4 (IFN-λ4) has received a reputation as a paradoxical type III IFN. Difficulties in detecting IFN-λ4, especially in secreted form even led to questions about its existence. However, the genetic ability to generate IFN-λ4, determined by the presence of the rs368234815-ΔG allele, is the strongest predictor of impaired clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in humans. Significant modulation of IFN-λ4 activity by a genetic variant (P70S) supports IFN-λ4, and not other type III IFNs encoded in the same genomic locus, as the primary functional cause of the association with HCV clearance. Although the ability to produce IFN-λ4 is associated with decreased HCV clearance, the recombinant IFN-λ4 is active against HCV and other viruses. These observations present an apparent conundrum-when and how does a presumably good IFN, with anti-HCV activity, interfere with the ability to clear HCV? In this review, we discuss findings that suggest potential mechanisms for explaining this conundrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun O Onabajo
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Brian Muchmore
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Ludmila Prokunina-Olsson
- Laboratory of Translational Genomics, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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4
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Brochado-Kith Ó, Gómez Sanz A, Real LM, Crespo García J, Ryan Murúa P, Macías J, Cabezas González J, Troya J, Pineda JA, Arias Loste MT, Díez Viñas V, Jiménez-Sousa MÁ, Medrano de Dios LM, Cuesta De la Plaza I, Monzón Fernández S, Resino García S, Fernández-Rodríguez A. MicroRNA Profile of HCV Spontaneous Clarified Individuals, Denotes Previous HCV Infection. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8060849. [PMID: 31207946 PMCID: PMC6617112 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8060849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Factors involved in the spontaneous cleareance of a hepatitis C (HCV) infection are related to both HCV and the interaction with the host immune system, but little is known about the consequences after a spontaneous resolution. The main HCV extrahepatic reservoir is the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and their transcriptional profile provides us information of innate and adaptive immune responses against an HCV infection. MicroRNAs regulate the innate and adaptive immune responses, and they are actively involved in the HCV cycle. High Throughput sequencing was used to analyze the miRNA profiles from PBMCs of HCV chronic naïve patients (CHC), individuals that spontaneously clarified HCV (SC), and healthy controls (HC). We did not find any differentially expressed miRNAs between SC and CHC. However, both groups showed similar expression differences (21 miRNAs) with respect to HC. This miRNA signature correctly classifies HCV-exposed (CHC and SC) vs. HC, with the has-miR-21-3p showing the best performance. The potentially targeted molecular pathways by these 21 miRNAs mainly belong to fatty acids pathways, although hippo signaling, extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction, proteoglycans-related, and steroid biosynthesis pathways were also altered. These miRNAs target host genes involved in an HCV infection. Thus, an HCV infection promotes molecular alterations in PBMCs that can be detected after an HCV spontaneous resolution, and the 21-miRNA signature is able to identify HCV-exposed patients (either CHC or SC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Óscar Brochado-Kith
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alicia Gómez Sanz
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis Miguel Real
- Unidad Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario de Valme, 41014 Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Javier Crespo García
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla, 39008 Santander, Spain.
- Institute Valdecilla (IDIVAL), School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain.
| | - Pablo Ryan Murúa
- Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital Infanta Leonor, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute, 28009 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan Macías
- Unidad Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario de Valme, 41014 Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Joaquín Cabezas González
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla, 39008 Santander, Spain.
- Institute Valdecilla (IDIVAL), School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain.
| | - Jesús Troya
- Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital Infanta Leonor, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute, 28009 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan Antonio Pineda
- Unidad Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario de Valme, 41014 Sevilla, Spain.
| | - María Teresa Arias Loste
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla, 39008 Santander, Spain.
- Institute Valdecilla (IDIVAL), School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain.
| | - Victorino Díez Viñas
- Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital Infanta Leonor, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute, 28009 Madrid, Spain.
| | - María Ángeles Jiménez-Sousa
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luz María Medrano de Dios
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Isabel Cuesta De la Plaza
- Bioinformatics Unit, Unidades Comunes Científico Técnicas, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sara Monzón Fernández
- Bioinformatics Unit, Unidades Comunes Científico Técnicas, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Salvador Resino García
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Amanda Fernández-Rodríguez
- Unit of Viral Infection and Immunity, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
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Hanno AFF, Mohiedeen KM, Alshayeb AF, Deghedy A. HCV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as a predictor of the response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C. ALEXANDRIA JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajme.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Akram Deghedy
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine , Egypt
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6
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Kahyesh-Esfandiary R, Sadigh ZA, Esghaei M, Bastani MN, Donyavi T, Najafi A, Fakhim A, Bokharaei-Salim F. Detection of HCV genome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Iranian seropositive and HCV RNA negative in plasma of patients with beta-thalassemia major: Occult HCV infection. J Med Virol 2018; 91:107-114. [PMID: 30091793 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Beta (β) thalassemia major is a genetic blood disorder with a deficiency in the hemoglobin beta chain, requiring blood transfusion therapy. Multiple blood transfusions increase the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Iranian individuals with β-thalassemia major. A total of 164 patients with β-thalassemia major were recruited for this study. HCV RNA testing was done on plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the HCV seropositive samples (with reverse transcriptase-nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] method using primers from the 5'-untranslated region [UTR]), and all HCV RNA positive samples were genotyped by the restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. For confirmation of the HCV genotyping in PBMCs of occult HCV infection [OCI]-positive patients, the PCR products of two different regions of HCV (5'-UTR and nonstructural protein 5B [NS5B]) were sequenced. Of 164 patients, 29.3% were positive for anti-HCV antibodies, and HCV RNA was detected in the plasma specimens of 13.4% patients and in the PBMC samples of 15.2% participants. The genomic HCV-RNA was detected in PBMC samples in 3 (6.3%) of the total 48 individuals who were HCV seropositive, and plasma HCV-RNA negative (occult HCV infection). The subtypes of HCV in the plasma and PBMC samples of three participants were not identical. This study shows that among this group of Iranian patients with β-thalassemia major, 13.4% had active HCV infection and 6.3% had occult HCV infection as evidenced by HCV RNA detected in PBMC specimens. Therefore, the design of a prospective study that focuses on the diagnosis of OCI can be very valuable and provide more information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zohreh-Azita Sadigh
- Human Viral Vaccine Department, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Maryam Esghaei
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Navid Bastani
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Donyavi
- HIV Laboratory of National Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Najafi
- HIV Laboratory of National Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atousa Fakhim
- Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farah Bokharaei-Salim
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,HIV Laboratory of National Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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7
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Dehghani-Dehej F, Sarvari J, Esghaei M, Hosseini SY, Garshasbi S, Kalantari S, Monavari SH, Fakhim A, Keyvani H, Bokharaei-Salim F. Presence of different hepatitis C virus genotypes in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples of Iranian patients with HIV infection. J Med Virol 2018; 90:1343-1351. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Dehghani-Dehej
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology; School of Medicine; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; Shiraz Iran
| | - Jamal Sarvari
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology; School of Medicine; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; Shiraz Iran
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; Shiraz Iran
| | - Maryam Esghaei
- Department of Virology; School of Medicine; Iran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
| | - Seyed Y. Hosseini
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology; School of Medicine; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; Shiraz Iran
| | - Saba Garshasbi
- HIV Laboratory of National Center; Deputy of Health; Iran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
| | - Saeed Kalantari
- Departments of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine; Iran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
| | - Seyed H. Monavari
- Department of Virology; School of Medicine; Iran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
| | - Atousa Fakhim
- Department of Architectural Engineering; Faculty of Engineering; Islamic Azad University; South Tehran Branch; Tehran Iran
| | - Hossein Keyvani
- Department of Virology; School of Medicine; Iran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
| | - Farah Bokharaei-Salim
- Department of Virology; School of Medicine; Iran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
- HIV Laboratory of National Center; Deputy of Health; Iran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
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8
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Mehmood A, Asad MJ, Ovais M, Zaman N, Aziz H, Irfan J, Ahmad I, Raza A. The Absence of HCV RNA and NS5A Protein in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Is a Prognostic Tool for Sustained Virological Response. Viral Immunol 2017; 30:568-575. [DOI: 10.1089/vim.2017.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Azhar Mehmood
- Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, and Radiotherapy, Institute NORI, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Javaid Asad
- Department of Biochemistry, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ovais
- Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, and Radiotherapy, Institute NORI, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Nasib Zaman
- Department of Biochemistry, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Hafsa Aziz
- Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, and Radiotherapy, Institute NORI, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Javaid Irfan
- Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, and Radiotherapy, Institute NORI, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Irshad Ahmad
- Department of Life Sciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abida Raza
- Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, and Radiotherapy, Institute NORI, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Kumthip K, Chusri P, Pantip C, Thongsawat S, O'Brien A, Maneekarn N. Analysis of mutations in the core and NS5A genes of hepatitis C virus in non-responder and relapser patients after treatment with Peg-IFN-α and ribavirin. Virusdisease 2016; 27:55-62. [PMID: 26925445 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-015-0300-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in several regions of HCV genome are shown to correlate with response to interferon (IFN) treatment. Persistence of HCV infection and poor susceptibility to treatment might be contributed by mutations arising within HCV genome which enable the virus to escape from host immune response/IFN treatment. This study investigated mutations in core and NS5A genes of HCV from non-responder and relapser patients after treatment with Peg-IFN-α and ribavirin. Viral RNA was extracted from patient sera and core and NS5A genes were amplified by RT-PCR. Nucleotide sequences of the core and NS5A genes were determined by direct sequencing, and converted to amino acid sequences. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences in the core region, ISDR, PKRBD, and V3 regions within NS5A after treatment were highly conserved when comparing to their corresponding sequences obtained before treatment. Interestingly, when comparing the virus from relapsers to those from non-responders, the number of mutations after treatment in N-terminal region of NS5A of virus from relapsers was significantly higher than those from non-responders (P < 0.05). Amino acid mutations at the N-terminus of NS5A of the virus in relapsers might help the virus to survive and somehow relapse after the cessation of the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kattareeya Kumthip
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Pattranuch Chusri
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Chansom Pantip
- Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Satawat Thongsawat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Amornrat O'Brien
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Niwat Maneekarn
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
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10
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In vitro inhibition of hepatitis C virus by antisense oligonucleotides in PBMC compared to hepatoma cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:196712. [PMID: 24991538 PMCID: PMC4058683 DOI: 10.1155/2014/196712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM To assess the efficiency of phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotide 1 (S-ODN1) on HCV translation inhibition in PBMC compared to hepatoma cells in vitro for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 34 treatment naive HCV patients. IRES domain III and IV sequence variations were tested in 45 clones from 9 HCV patients. PBMC of HCV positive patients were subjected to S-ODN in vitro. Concomitantly HepG2 cells infected by the same patient's serum were also treated with S-ODN1 for 24 and 48 hours. Cellular RNA was tested for HCV plus and minus strands by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS Sequence variations were seen in HCV IRES domain III only while domain IV was conserved among all the tested patient's clones. S-ODN1 successfully inhibited HCV translation in HepG2 cells, while in PBMC inhibition was partial. CONCLUSION HCV IRES domain IV is more conserved than domain IIId in genotype 4 HCV patients. S-ODN against HCV IRES domain IV was not efficient to inhibit HCV translation in PBMC under the study conditions. Further studies testing other S-ODN targeting other HCV IRES domains in PBMC should be done.
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11
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Kamel MM, Romeyia SA, Ali MM, Aziz HA, Abdel-Moneim AS. P selectin and T cell profiles provide verification to understand the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis in HCV and Schistosoma mansoni infections. Microb Pathog 2014; 73:19-24. [PMID: 24881872 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Revised: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Schistosoma mansoni are two major causes of chronic liver disease (CLD). Both immune alteration and thrombocytopenia are common complications in the majority of cirrhotic patients. The current study aimed to monitor the effect of T cell profile and platelets activation on the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis in patients suffered from single or concomitant schistosomiasis and HCV infections. The subjects were divided into 4 groups: Group I, patients infected with schistosomiasis; Group II, patients infected with HCV; Group III, patients with combined liver diseases and Group IV: healthy individuals. All groups were subjected to full clinical evaluation as well as laboratory examination including ELISA anti-HCV antibodies screening, parasitological examination, and complete blood picture as well as flow cytometry for CD41, CD42, CD62P (P selectin), CD63, CD4 and CD8. The platelets count was significantly decreased in HCV and/or schistosoma infected patients compared to controls. The percentage of the total T-lymphocytes and T-helper was significantly reduced in all infected groups, while the percentage of T-cytotoxic was increased. The patients possessed a significantly higher percentage of the platelets activation markers than control group. There were considerable correlations between the platelets counts and P selectin and MFI. Thrombocytopenia was a common finding in patients with CLD. Patients with CLD showed increased platelets activation which may contribute to the occurrence of thrombocytopenia and play a role in the pathogenesis of CLD. Infected patient showed reduction in the cell-mediated-immunity as evidenced by low T -helper cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Salah A Romeyia
- Parasitology Department, Faulty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M Ali
- Hygiene Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Heisham A Aziz
- National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Abdel-Moneim
- Virology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef 62511, Egypt; Microbiology Department, Virology Division, College of Medicine, Taif University, Al-Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
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12
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Ashrafi Hafez A, Baharlou R, Mousavi Nasab SD, Ahmadi Vasmehjani A, Shayestehpour M, Joharinia N, Ahmadi NA. Molecular epidemiology of different hepatitis C genotypes in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in jahrom city of iran. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2014; 14:e16391. [PMID: 24976833 PMCID: PMC4071316 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.16391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is considered essentially hepatotropic, yet the virus compartments have also been found in important extra hepatic sites. Detection of HCV RNA in extra hepatic reservoirs such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is important for determining disease progression and treatment effectiveness. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to determine different HCV genotypes in patients' plasma and PBMC specimens, in Jahrom city of Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS Blood samples of 137 patients with established HCV were collected at the Honari clinic. These patients were anti-HCV and plasma HCV RNA positive. After plasma RNA extraction and obtaining a pellet of approximately 3-5 × 10(6) PBMCs, Real-time PCR was performed, using specific-genotype primers. Finally, data analysis was done by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. RESULTS Subtype 3 was the most common genotype in plasma (57.7%) and PBMCs (51.1%). Subtype 1a was detected in 36.5% and 30.7% of plasma samples and PBMCs, respectively whereas subtype 4 was not detected in any of the cases. There was a genotype difference between plasma and PBMCs of 12.4% of patients. In four patients no genotype was detected in their plasma but genotype 3 was detected in the PBMCs. CONCLUSIONS It is suggested that determination of the target genotype by plasma subtyping for choosing the proper antiviral therapy is essential but may result in therapy failure. HCV genotyping in PBMC samples, along with plasma specimens, might be more beneficial. Therefore determining the HCV genotype in PBMCs, before beginning the therapy is useful due to the possibility of occult infection detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asghar Ashrafi Hafez
- Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Rasoul Baharlou
- Department of Microbiology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, IR Iran
| | | | - Abbas Ahmadi Vasmehjani
- Department of Microbiology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, IR Iran
- Corresponding Author: Abbas Ahmadi Vasmehjani, Department of Microbiology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, IR Iran. Tel: +98-7913336086, Fax: +98-791341509, E-mail:
| | | | - Negar Joharinia
- Department of Microbiology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, IR Iran
| | - Nayeb Ali Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Lab Technology and Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
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Blackard JT, Ma G, Sengupta S, Martin CM, Powell EA, Shata MT, Sherman KE. Evidence of distinct populations of hepatitis C virus in the liver and plasma of patients co-infected with HIV and HCV. J Med Virol 2014; 86:1332-41. [PMID: 24788693 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Viral diversity is an important predictor of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment response and may influence viral pathogenesis. HIV influences HCV variability in the plasma; however, limited data on viral variability are available from distinct tissue/cell compartments in patients co-infected with HIV and HCV. Thus, this exploratory study evaluated diversity of the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of HCV in the plasma and liver for 14 patients co-infected with HIV and HCV. Median intra-patient genetic distances and entropy values were similar in the plasma and liver compartments. Positive immune selection pressure was observed in the plasma for five individuals and in the liver for three individuals. Statistical evidence supporting viral compartmentalization was found in five individuals. Linear regression identified ALT (P = 0.0104) and AST (P = 0.0130) as predictors of viral compartmentalization. A total of 12 signature amino acids that distinguish liver from plasma E1/HVR1 were identified. One signature amino acid was shared by at least two individuals. These findings suggest that HCV compartmentalization is relatively common among patients co-infected with HIV and HCV. These data also imply that evaluating viral diversity, including drug resistance patterns, in the serum/plasma only may not adequately represent viruses replicating with in the liver and, thus, deserves careful consideration in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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14
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Blackard JT, Kong L, Huber AK, Tomer Y. Hepatitis C virus infection of a thyroid cell line: implications for pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus and thyroiditis. Thyroid 2013; 23:863-70. [PMID: 23259732 PMCID: PMC3704108 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2012.0507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroiditis frequently occur in persons with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Treatment with interferon alpha (IFNα) is also associated with significant risk for the development of thyroiditis. To explore HCV-thyroid interactions at a cellular level, we evaluated whether a human thyroid cell line (ML1) could be infected productively with HCV in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS ML1 cells showed robust surface expression of the major HCV receptor CD81. Using a highly sensitive, strand-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, positive-sense and negative-sense HCV RNA were detected in ML1 cell lysates at days 3, 7, and 14 postinfection with HCV. HCV core protein was expressed at high levels in ML1 supernatants at days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 postinfection. The nonstructural protein NS5A was also detected in ML1 cell lysates by Western blotting. HCV entry into ML1 cells was shown to be dependent on the HCV entry factors CD81 and SR-B1/CLA1, while IFNα inhibited HCV replication in ML1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Supernatants from HCV-infected ML1 cells were able to infect fresh ML1 cells productively, suggesting that infectious virions could be transferred from infected to naïve thyroid cells in vivo. Additionally, HCV infection of ML1 cells led to increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, we have demonstrated that HCV can infect human thyroid cells in vitro. These findings strongly suggest that HCV infection of thyrocytes may play a role in the association between chronic HCV infection and thyroid autoimmunity. Furthermore, the thyroid may serve as an extrahepatic reservoir for HCV viral replication, thus contributing to the persistence of viral infection and to the development of thyroid autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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15
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Angulo J, Pino K, Pavez C, Biel F, Labbé P, Miquel JF, Soza A, López-Lastra M. Genetic variations in host IL28B links to the detection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells-associated hepatitis C virus RNA in chronically infected patients. J Viral Hepat 2013; 20:263-72. [PMID: 23490371 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is mainly hepatotropic; however, several reports document the presence of genomic viral RNA in extrahepatic sites including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In this study, the presence of HCV RNA was initially evaluated in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 53 HCV-infected patients who were treated per protocol. PBMC-associated HCV RNA was detectable in 79% of patients. Early virological response to combined pegylated interferon-α (PegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in patients with undetectable levels of PBMCs-associated HCV RNA was 100%, while it was 60% (P = 0.003) in those who had detectable levels of PBMC-associated HCV RNA. A sustained virological response was observed in 35% of patients with detectable PBMC-associated HCV RNA, but was 70% in patients with undetectable levels of PBMC-associated HCV RNA (P = 0.07). In a multivariate analysis incorporating parameters such as HCV genotype, viral load, presence of cirrhosis and absence of PBMC-associated HCV RNA, a significant relationship was observed between the detection of PBMC-associated HCV RNA and the sustained virological response (OR 19.4, 95% CI: 2.1-486.2, P = 0.0061). The association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in IL28B, known predictor of antiviral therapy outcome, and the occurrence of HCV RNA in PBMC in 84 chronically infected patients was then evaluated. Results suggest that the presence of a G allele in rs8099917, known to associate to a poor response to PegIFN/RBV therapy, also predicts an increased association of HCV RNA with PBMC (OR: 3.564; 95% CI: 1.114-11.40, P = 0.0437).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Angulo
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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16
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Blackard JT, Ma G, Welge JA, Martin CM, Sherman KE, Taylor LE, Mayer KH, Jamieson DJ. Analysis of a non-structural gene reveals evidence of possible hepatitis C virus (HCV) compartmentalization. J Med Virol 2012; 84:242-52. [PMID: 22170544 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.22269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Viral diversity is a hallmark of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; however, only limited data are available regarding HCV variability in extrahepatic sites, and none have systematically compared diversity in non-structural and structural genomic regions. Therefore, HCV diversity in the NS5B and envelope 1 (E1) hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) genes was evaluated in matched sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from 13 HCV-infected women. Multiple clonal sequences were compared to evaluate quasispecies diversity and viral compartmentalization in PBMCs. Genetic distances were higher for E1/HVR1 compared to NS5B in both the sera and PBMCs (P = 0.0511 and 0.0284). Genetic distances were higher in serum NS5B compared to PBMC NS5B (P = 0.0003); however, they were not different when comparing E1/HVR1 in sera to PBMCs. By phylogenetic analysis of NS5B, evidence of possible PBMC compartmentalization was observed for one woman, while statistical methods were consistent with PBMC compartmentalization for six women. Evidence of compartmentalization within a non-structural genomic region may suggest that viral adaptation to a unique extracellular microenvironment(s) may be required for efficient replication and could contribute to HCV persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Amini S, Alavian SM, Mostafavi E, Vahabpour R, Bahramali G, Aghasadeghi MR, Arashkia A. Presence of plus-strand HCV RNA in serum and PBMCs as an indicator for relapse and resistance to IFN therapy in patients infected by HCV. Future Virol 2012. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl.12.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between the presence of plus-/minus-strand HCV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum following pegylated IFN/ribavirin therapy with response to therapy in HCV-infected patients. Methods: Forty-three HCV-infected patients who completed 48 weeks of IFN/ribavirin therapy, including 25 sustained virologic responders, 12 resistants and six relapsers, comprised the study population. Plus-/minus-strand HCV RNA was detected by reverse transcription PCR in serum and PBMCs. Results: The frequency of plus-strand HCV RNA was significantly higher in PBMC and serum samples of relapsers and resistants, and this might have important implications in clinical practice and patient management. There was no correlation between presence of plus- and minus-strand HCV RNA and genotypes, except the fact that most of the patients who had plus-strand HCV RNA in PBMCs (60%) and in serum (61.53%) belonged to genotype 1a. Conclusion: Presence of plus-strand HCV RNA in PBMCs and serum after termination of therapy is associated with viral relapse and resistance to IFN/ribavirin treatment in HCV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safieh Amini
- Hepatitis & AIDS Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran
| | - Seyed Moayed Alavian
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology & Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah. University of Medical Sciences & Tehran Hepatitis Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Mostafavi
- Department of Epidemiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouhollah Vahabpour
- Hepatitis & AIDS Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran
| | - Golnaz Bahramali
- Hepatitis & AIDS Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran
| | | | - Arash Arashkia
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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18
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Human Interferon Regulatory Factor 2 Gene Expression is Induced in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection-A Possible Mode of Viral Persistence. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2012; 2:27-34. [PMID: 25755403 PMCID: PMC3940332 DOI: 10.1016/s0973-6883(12)60080-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Accepted: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are a family of transcription factors known to be involved in the modulation of cellular responses to interferons (IFNs) and viral infection. While IRF-1 acts as a positive regulator, IRF-2 is known to repress IFN-mediated gene expression. The increase in the IRF-1/IRF-2 ratio is considered as an important event in the transcriptional activation of IFN-α gene toward development of the cellular antiviral response. OBJECTIVE This study was performed to assess the expression of IRF mRNAs along with the expression level of IFN-α, its receptor (IFNAR-1), and the signal transduction factor (STAT-1) in treatment naive hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected subjects. MATERIALS Thirty-five chronically infected (CHC) patients and 39 voluntary blood donors as controls were included in the study. Quantification of HCV-RNA (ribonucleic acid) and genotyping were done by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization assays, respectively, using patient's serum/plasma. In both controls and patients, the serum level of IFN-α and IFN-α was measured by flow cytometry. Target gene expressions were studied by retro-transcription of respective mRNAs extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) followed by PCR amplification and densitometry. Minus-strand HCV-RNA as a marker of viral replication in PBMCs was detected by an inhouse PCR assay. RESULTS Both IRF-1 and IRF-2 genes were significantly enhanced in CHC than in control subjects (P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation (r (2) = 0.386, P <0.01) was obtained between higher IRF-2 gene expression and increasing level of HCV-RNA. Chronically infected subjects (13%) harboring replicating HCV in PBMCs showed no significant differences in gene expressions than the subjects without HCV in PBMCs. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that HCV modulates host immunity by inducing IRF-2 gene to counteract IRF-1-mediated IFN-α gene expression. Since the IRF-2 gene is known to encode oncogenic protein, the role of IRF-2 in CHC patients developing hepatocellular carcinoma warrants further studies.
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Key Words
- CHC, chronic hepatitis C
- CLD, chronic liver disease
- Gene expression
- HBV, hepatitis B virus
- HBsAg, hepatitis B virus surface antigen
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HCV, hepatitis C virus
- IFN, interferon
- IRES, internal ribosomal entry site
- IRF, interferon regulatory factors
- PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cells
- PCR, polymerase chain reaction
- SVR, sustained virological response
- VCAM, vascular cell adhesion molecule
- hepatitis C virus
- interferon regulatory factor 2
- interferon-alfa
- peripheral blood mononuclear cells
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Ford N, Kirby C, Singh K, Mills EJ, Cooke G, Kamarulzaman A, duCros P. Chronic hepatitis C treatment outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Bull World Health Organ 2012; 90:540-50. [PMID: 22807600 DOI: 10.2471/blt.11.097147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 12/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in low- and middle-income countries and identify factors associated with successful outcomes. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of HCV treatment programmes in low- and middle-income countries. The primary outcome was a sustained virological response (SVR). Factors associated with treatment outcomes were identified by random-effects meta-regression analysis. FINDINGS The analysis involved data on 12 213 patients included in 93 studies from 17 countries. The overall SVR rate was 52% (95% confidence interval, CI: 48-56). For studies in which patients were predominantly infected with genotype 1 or 4 HCV, the pooled SVR rate was 49% (95% CI: 43-55). This was significantly lower than the rate of 59% (95% CI: 54-64) found in studies in which patients were predominantly infected with other genotypes (P = 0.012). Factors associated with successful outcomes included treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, infection with an HCV genotype other than genotype 1 or 4 and the absence of liver damage or human immunodeficiency virus infection at baseline. No significant difference in the SVR rate was observed between weight-adjusted and fixed-dose ribavirin treatment. Overall, 17% (95% CI: 13-23) of adverse events resulted in treatment interruption or dose modification, but only 4% (95% CI: 3-5) resulted in treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSION The outcomes of treatment for HCV infection in low- and middle-income countries were similar to those reported in high-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Ford
- Médecins Sans Frontières, 78 rue de Lausanne, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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20
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HCV infection and B-cell lymphomagenesis. Adv Hematol 2011; 2011:835314. [PMID: 21789042 PMCID: PMC3140784 DOI: 10.1155/2011/835314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2011] [Revised: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been recognized as a major cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. It has been suggested that HCV infects not only hepatocytes but also mononuclear lymphocytes including B cells that express the CD81 molecule, a putative HCV receptor. HCV infection of B cells is the likely cause of B-cell dysregulation disorders such as mixed cryoglobulinemia, rheumatoid factor production, and B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders that may evolve into non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Epidemiological data indicate an association between HCV chronic infection and the occurrence of B-cell NHL, suggesting that chronic HCV infection is associated at least in part with B-cell lymphomagenesis. In this paper, we aim to provide an overview of recent literature, including our own, to elucidate a possible role of HCV chronic infection in B-cell lymphomagenesis.
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Human cell types important for hepatitis C virus replication in vivo and in vitro: old assertions and current evidence. Virol J 2011; 8:346. [PMID: 21745397 PMCID: PMC3142522 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-8-346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a single stranded RNA virus which produces negative strand RNA as a replicative intermediate. We analyzed 75 RT-PCR studies that tested for negative strand HCV RNA in liver and other human tissues. 85% of the studies that investigated extrahepatic replication of HCV found one or more samples positive for replicative RNA. Studies using in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and quasispecies analysis also demonstrated the presence of replicating HCV in various extrahepatic human tissues, and provide evidence that HCV replicates in macrophages, B cells, T cells, and other extrahepatic tissues. We also analyzed both short term and long term in vitro systems used to culture HCV. These systems vary in their purposes and methods, but long term culturing of HCV in B cells, T cells, and other cell types has been used to analyze replication. It is therefore now possible to study HIV-HCV co-infections and HCV replication in vitro.
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22
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Hubbard JJ, Kottilil S. Extra-hepatic replication of the hepatitis C virus: current issues and future directions. Future Virol 2011. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl.11.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Hubbard
- Immunopathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Sciences, Bldg 10, Room 11N204, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Salim FB, Keyvani H, Amiri A, Sefidi FJ, Shakeri R, Zamani F. Distribution of different hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. World J Gastroenterol 2010; 16:2005-9. [PMID: 20419838 PMCID: PMC2860078 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i16.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the presence of mixed infection and discrepancy between hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and liver biopsy specimens.
METHODS: From September 2008 up to April 2009, 133 patients with chronic hepatitis C referred to Firouzgar Hospital for initiation of an antiviral therapy were recruited in the study. Five milliliters of peripheral blood was collected from each patient and liver biopsy was performed in those who gave consent or had indications. HCV genotyping was done using INNO-LiPA™ HCV II in serum, PBMCs, and liver biopsy specimens and then confirmed by sequencing of 5’-UTR fragments.
RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 30.3 ± 17.1 years. Multiple transfusion was seen in 124 (93.2%) of patients. Multiple HCV genotypes were found in 3 (2.3%) of 133 plasma samples, 9 (6.8%) of 133 PBMC samples, and 8 (18.2%) of 44 liver biopsy specimens. It is notable that the different genotypes found in PBMCs were not the same as those found in plasma and liver biopsy specimens.
CONCLUSION: Our study shows that a significant proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis C are affected by multiple HCV genotypes which may not be detectable only in serum of patients.
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Conca P, Tarantino G. Hepatitis C virus lymphotropism and peculiar immunological phenotype: Effects on natural history and antiviral therapy. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15:2305-8. [PMID: 19452570 PMCID: PMC2684594 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.15.2305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been recognized to be both a hepato- and lymphotropic virus. HCV lymphotropism represents an essential lap in the pathogenesis of virus-related autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders, ranging from clonal expansion of B-cells with organ- and non-organ-specific autoantibody production up to overt non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma along a continuous step-by-step model of B-cell lymphomagenesis, where the intermediated mixed cryoglobulinemia could be considered as a stage of suppressible antigen-driven lymphoproliferation. HCV infection of lymphoid cells could set up privileged reservoirs able to interfere with the host viral clearance efficiency and may be implicated in viral recurrence after apparently successful antiviral therapy. The HCV long-lasting extrahepatic replicative state generates an abnormal systemic immunological response, easily detectable by searching simple laboratory and clinical parameters, mainly represented by vasculitis-like skin features and hypocomplementemia. The presence or absence of this hypersensitivity pattern seems to correlate with the antiviral response and could be identified as a novel immunological cofactor. Further research is required to fully verify the real impact on therapeutic choice/regimen.
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Lee YJ. [Treatment of chronic hepatitis C: efficacy of initial treatment of peginterferon alpha-2a versus peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin in naive chronic hepatitis C patients]. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY 2008; 14:443-445. [PMID: 19119239 DOI: 10.3350/kjhep.2008.14.4.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
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26
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Whole blood as an alternative to plasma for detection of hepatitis C virus RNA. J Clin Microbiol 2008; 46:3791-4. [PMID: 18701664 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00045-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are reported to be one of the extrahepatic replication sites contributing to the persistence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Whole-blood and plasma samples from 61 individuals were compared as sources for the detection of HCV RNA. Forty-four of the individuals were receiving antiviral therapy, while 17 were treatment naïve. The quantitation of HCV RNA was done by a sensitive in-house real-time reverse transcription-PCR. When the viral loads in the two types of samples were compared, a correlation coefficient of 0.858 (P < 0.001) was found, indicating that plasma and whole blood are equally acceptable sources for testing for HCV RNA.
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Pugnale P, Herrmann E, Neumann AU, Pawlotsky JM, Schalm SW, Ferrari C, Homburger Y, Zeuzem S, Negro F. Hepatitis C viral kinetics in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells during pegylated interferon-alpha2a/ribavirin therapy. J Hepatol 2008; 48:932-8. [PMID: 18433918 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2008.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2007] [Revised: 02/26/2008] [Accepted: 02/27/2008] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA kinetics in compartments other than plasma may help in understanding HCV replication and identifying clinically significant patterns of treatment response. METHODS After 6 weeks of pegylated interferon-alpha2a/ribavirin therapy, 74 chronic hepatitis C patients were randomized to individualized or standard treatments for another 42 weeks. HCV RNA was quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by TaqMan-based real-time PCR and compared to plasma HCV RNA. RESULTS HCV RNA declines in PBMCs and plasma were comparable during the initial 12 weeks of therapy (Spearman's rank correlation range over different time points, 0.73-0.97). However, a delay of HCV RNA decay in PBMCs, expected if kinetics in PBMCs only reflected kinetics in plasma, was rarely observed. For many patients, HCV RNA decline in PBMCs started as early as in plasma and for some of them the kinetics strongly differed in the two compartments, hinting at a compartment-specific HCV replication and treatment effect. Fast viral decay in PBMCs was associated with sustained virological response, but viral kinetics in PBMCs added only minor predictive information compared with kinetics in plasma. CONCLUSIONS Future kinetics studies of HCV RNA during therapy with new antivirals should take into account their compartment-specific effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Pugnale
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva Medical Center, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Zignego AL, Giannini C, Monti M, Gragnani L. Hepatitis C virus lymphotropism: lessons from a decade of studies. Dig Liver Dis 2007; 39 Suppl 1:S38-45. [PMID: 17936221 DOI: 10.1016/s1590-8658(07)80009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The possibility that HCV infects lymphoid cells has been widely discussed. Evidence in favor of HCV tropism for lymphoid cells derives from a series of data including: (1) the higher sensitivity of testing HCVRNA in PBMC than in serum or plasma samples, with possible detection of HCV RNA-positive PBMC in the absence of HCV viremia; (2) short-term cultures of PBMC which yield a significant increase in the amount of viral RNA on stimulation by mitogens; (3) results of "in situ" methods (i.e. in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence); (4) efficient infection of lymphoid cell lines or PBMC from normal individuals; (5) the persistence of HCV RNA in PBMC obtained from HCV-positive subjects and injected into SCID mice; (6) the long-term persistence of HCV RNA in PBMC in spite of HCV RNA negativity of serum and liver in sustained responder patients after therapy. The principal criticisms concerning effective HCV infection of lymphoid cells arise from technical difficulty in identifying HCV RNA replicative intermediate in these elements. Conflicting data may also result from differences in PBMC infection by different genotypes, samples taken at different stages in the disease process and differences in the sensitivity of detection methods, as well as low replication levels and/or proportion of infected PBMC. Interesting available data about HCV lymphotropism, which is possibly important in influencing the natural history of infection, include: (1) possible preferential viral tropism for specific PBMC subsets; (2) different lymphotropism of different viral strains; (3) selection of distinctive viral strains; (4) identification of putative HCV cell receptors; (5) association between determination of HCV lymphatic infection and t(14; 18) translocation. The clinical correlates of HCV lymphotropism are potentially very numerous, including, first, its role in determining HCV-related lymphoproliferative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Zignego
- Center for Systemic Manifestations of Hepatitis Viruses (MASVE), Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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Blackard JT, Hiasa Y, Smeaton L, Jamieson DJ, Rodriguez I, Mayer KH, Chung RT. Compartmentalization of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during HCV/HIV coinfection. J Infect Dis 2007; 195:1765-73. [PMID: 17492592 PMCID: PMC3210030 DOI: 10.1086/518251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2006] [Accepted: 01/04/2007] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrahepatic replication has important implications for the transmission and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV). We analyzed longitudinal HCV diversity in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum during HCV monoinfection and HCV/HIV coinfection to determine whether distinct amino acid signatures characterized HCV replicating within PBMCs. Analysis of E1-HVR1 sequences demonstrated higher serum genetic distances among HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-coinfected persons. Moreover, consensus PBMC sequences were rarely identical to those in the corresponding serum, suggesting divergence in these 2 compartments. Three of 5 HCV/HIV-coinfected participants showed evidence of HCV compartmentalization in PBMCs. Additionally, signature sequence analysis identified PBMC-specific amino acids in all HCV/HIV-coinfected persons. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify specific amino acids that may distinguish HCV variants replicating in PBMCs. It is provocative to speculate that extrahepatic HCV diversity may be an important determinant of treatment response and thus warrants additional study, particularly during HCV/HIV coinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, and Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
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Blackard JT, Kemmer N, Sherman KE. Extrahepatic replication of HCV: insights into clinical manifestations and biological consequences. Hepatology 2006; 44:15-22. [PMID: 16799966 DOI: 10.1002/hep.21283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
An estimated 170 million persons are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. While hepatocytes are the major site of infection, a broad clinical spectrum of extrahepatic complications and diseases are associated with chronic HCV infection, highlighting the involvement of HCV in a variety of non-hepatic pathogenic processes. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that HCV can replicate efficiently in extrahepatic tissues and cell types, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Nonetheless, laboratory confirmation of HCV replication in extrahepatic sites is fraught with technical challenges, and in vitro systems to investigate extrahepatic replication of HCV are severely limited. Thus, future studies of extrahepatic replication should combine innovative in vitro assays with a prospective cohort design to maximize our understanding of this important phenomenon to the pathogenesis and treatment response rates of HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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El-Awady MK, Youssef SS, Omran MH, Tabll AA, El Garf WT, Salem AM. Soluble egg antigen of Schistosoma Haematobium induces HCV replication in PBMC from patients with chronic HCV infection. BMC Infect Dis 2006. [PMID: 16756654 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-6-91.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study was conducted to examine, in vitro , the effect of soluble egg antigen (SEA) of S. haematobium on intracellular HCV RNA load in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as on cell proliferation in patients with chronic HCV infection. METHODS PBMC from 26 patients with chronic HCV infection were cultured for 72 hours in presence and absence of 50 mug SEA/ml medium. Intracellular HCV RNA quantification of plus and minus strands was assessed before and after stimulation. PBMC from five healthy subjects were cultured for 7 days, flow cytometric analysis of DNA content was used to assess the mitogenic effect of SEA on PBMC proliferation compared to phytoheamaglutinine (PHA). RESULTS Quantification of the intracellular viral load showed increased copy number/cell of both or either viral strands after induction with SEA in 18 of 26 patients (69.2%) thus indicating stimulation of viral replication. Flow cytometric analysis showed that mean +/- S.D. of percent values of cell proliferation was induced from 3.2 +/- 1.5% in un-stimulated cells to 16.7 +/- 2.5 % and 16.84 +/- 1.7 % in cells stimulated with PHA and SEA respectively. CONCLUSION the present study supports earlier reports on SEA proliferative activity on PBMC and provides a strong evidence that the higher morbidity observed in patients co-infected with schistosomiasis and HCV is related, at least in part, to direct stimulation of viral replication by SEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K El-Awady
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
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El-Awady MK, Youssef SS, Omran MH, Tabll AA, El Garf WT, Salem AM. Soluble egg antigen of Schistosoma Haematobium induces HCV replication in PBMC from patients with chronic HCV infection. BMC Infect Dis 2006; 6:91. [PMID: 16756654 PMCID: PMC1550722 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-6-91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2005] [Accepted: 06/06/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study was conducted to examine, in vitro , the effect of soluble egg antigen (SEA) of S. haematobium on intracellular HCV RNA load in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as on cell proliferation in patients with chronic HCV infection. METHODS PBMC from 26 patients with chronic HCV infection were cultured for 72 hours in presence and absence of 50 mug SEA/ml medium. Intracellular HCV RNA quantification of plus and minus strands was assessed before and after stimulation. PBMC from five healthy subjects were cultured for 7 days, flow cytometric analysis of DNA content was used to assess the mitogenic effect of SEA on PBMC proliferation compared to phytoheamaglutinine (PHA). RESULTS Quantification of the intracellular viral load showed increased copy number/cell of both or either viral strands after induction with SEA in 18 of 26 patients (69.2%) thus indicating stimulation of viral replication. Flow cytometric analysis showed that mean +/- S.D. of percent values of cell proliferation was induced from 3.2 +/- 1.5% in un-stimulated cells to 16.7 +/- 2.5 % and 16.84 +/- 1.7 % in cells stimulated with PHA and SEA respectively. CONCLUSION the present study supports earlier reports on SEA proliferative activity on PBMC and provides a strong evidence that the higher morbidity observed in patients co-infected with schistosomiasis and HCV is related, at least in part, to direct stimulation of viral replication by SEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K El-Awady
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center,, El tahrir St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samar S Youssef
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center,, El tahrir St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Moataza H Omran
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center,, El tahrir St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ashraf A Tabll
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center,, El tahrir St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wael T El Garf
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center,, El tahrir St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Salem
- Department of biochemistry, Ain Shams University, El Abassia Sq., Cairo, Egypt
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el-Awady MK, Tabll AA, Redwan ERM, Youssef S, Omran MH, Thakeb F, el-Demellawy M. Flow cytometric detection of hepatitis C virus antigens in infected peripheral blood leukocytes: binding and entry. World J Gastroenterol 2005. [PMID: 16127753 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i33.5203.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM We designed two synthetic-core-specific peptides core 1 (C1) and core 2 (C2), and an E1-specific peptide (E1). We produced specific polyclonal antibodies against these peptides and used the antibodies for detection of HCV antigens on surface and within infected peripheral blood leukocytes. METHODS Peripheral blood from a healthy individual who tested negative for HCV RNA was incubated with HCV type 4 infected serum for 1 h and 24 h at 37 degrees C. Cells were stained by direct and indirect immunofluorescence and measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS After 1 h of incubation, antibodies against C1, C2, and E1 detected HCV antigens on the surface of 27%, 26% and 73% of monocytes respectively, while 10%, 5% and 9% of lymphocytes were positive with anti-C1, anti-C2 and anti-E1 respectively. Only 1-3% of granulocytes showed positive staining with anti-C1, anti-C2 and anti E1 antibodies. After 24 h of incubation, we found no surface staining with anti-C1, anti-C2 or anti-E1. Direct immunostaining using anti-C2 could not detect intracellular HCV antigens, after 1 h of incubation with the virus, while after 24 h of incubation, 28% of infected cells showed positive staining. Only plus strand RNA was detectable intracellularly as early as 1 h after incubation, and remained detectable throughout 48 h post-infection. Interestingly, minus RNA strand could not be detected after 1 h, but became strongly detectable intracellularly after 24 h post-infection. CONCLUSION Monocytes and lymphocytes are the preferred target cells for HCV infection in peripheral blood leukocytes. Our specific anti-core and anti-E1 antibodies are valuable reagents for demonstration of HCV cell cycle. Also, HCV is capable of infecting and replicating in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as confirmed by detection of minus strand HCV RNA as well as intracellular staining of core HCV antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K el-Awady
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center, Tahrir Street, PO 12622, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
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el-Awady MK, Tabll AA, Redwan ERM, Youssef S, Omran MH, Thakeb F, el-Demellawy M. Flow cytometric detection of hepatitis C virus antigens in infected peripheral blood leukocytes: binding and entry. World J Gastroenterol 2005; 11:5203-8. [PMID: 16127753 PMCID: PMC4320396 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i33.5203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM We designed two synthetic-core-specific peptides core 1 (C1) and core 2 (C2), and an E1-specific peptide (E1). We produced specific polyclonal antibodies against these peptides and used the antibodies for detection of HCV antigens on surface and within infected peripheral blood leukocytes. METHODS Peripheral blood from a healthy individual who tested negative for HCV RNA was incubated with HCV type 4 infected serum for 1 h and 24 h at 37 degrees C. Cells were stained by direct and indirect immunofluorescence and measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS After 1 h of incubation, antibodies against C1, C2, and E1 detected HCV antigens on the surface of 27%, 26% and 73% of monocytes respectively, while 10%, 5% and 9% of lymphocytes were positive with anti-C1, anti-C2 and anti-E1 respectively. Only 1-3% of granulocytes showed positive staining with anti-C1, anti-C2 and anti E1 antibodies. After 24 h of incubation, we found no surface staining with anti-C1, anti-C2 or anti-E1. Direct immunostaining using anti-C2 could not detect intracellular HCV antigens, after 1 h of incubation with the virus, while after 24 h of incubation, 28% of infected cells showed positive staining. Only plus strand RNA was detectable intracellularly as early as 1 h after incubation, and remained detectable throughout 48 h post-infection. Interestingly, minus RNA strand could not be detected after 1 h, but became strongly detectable intracellularly after 24 h post-infection. CONCLUSION Monocytes and lymphocytes are the preferred target cells for HCV infection in peripheral blood leukocytes. Our specific anti-core and anti-E1 antibodies are valuable reagents for demonstration of HCV cell cycle. Also, HCV is capable of infecting and replicating in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as confirmed by detection of minus strand HCV RNA as well as intracellular staining of core HCV antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K el-Awady
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center, Tahrir Street, PO 12622, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
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Abstract
As the survival of HIV-infected patients has been lengthening over the past 10 years as a consequence of effective antiretroviral therapy, hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. HCV/HIV coinfection is associated with accelerated progression of liver disease, untoward effects on the immunologic and virologic response to antiretroviral medications, and possibly with a more aggressive course of HIV disease. The results of major trials of combination therapy for HCV in coinfected patients have clearly established the combination of pegylated interferon-alpha with ribavirin as the treatment of choice in this population. However, the effectiveness and tolerability of this regimen remains suboptimal, particularly in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection. This paper reviews the impact of HCV coinfection in HIV-infected patients, outlines current concepts on management and antiviral treatment, and discusses some of the newer agents, currently in the therapeutic pipeline, that are directed against novel molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benigno Rodriguez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals of Cleveland, 2061 Cornell Road, Suite 401, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Piccioli D, Tavarini S, Nuti S, Colombatto P, Brunetto M, Bonino F, Ciccorossi P, Zorat F, Pozzato G, Comar C, Abrignani S, Wack A. Comparable functions of plasmacytoid and monocyte-derived dendritic cells in chronic hepatitis C patients and healthy donors. J Hepatol 2005; 42:61-7. [PMID: 15629508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2004.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2004] [Revised: 09/14/2004] [Accepted: 09/21/2004] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in immune responses through antigen presentation and cytokine secretion. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is able to escape elimination by the immune system and often establishes a chronic infection. To investigate whether DC dysfunction is involved in this process, we have studied monoycte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), which produce large amounts of IFN-alpha, from chronic HCV patients and healthy donors. METHODS We have assessed TNF-alpha and IFN-alpha production by pDCs using intracellular staining after total PBMCs stimulation with unmethylated CG dinucleotides (CpGs). The induction of allogeneic T cell proliferation by immature Mo-DCs was measured using the MLR assay. The up-regulation of maturation markers and the production of TNF-alpha in response to LPS were analyzed using flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS We have detected comparable frequencies of pDCs producing TNF-alpha and IFN-alpha in both chronic HCV patients and healthy donors and we have found that immature Mo-DCs from both patients and donors similarly induce allogeneic T cell proliferation and mature and secrete TNF-alpha in response to LPS. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that both pDC and Mo-DCs are not impaired in HCV infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Piccioli
- Immunology and Virology Department, Chiron Vaccines Research Center, via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Shire N, Koziel MJ. Prediction of Relapse following Treatment for Hepatitis C: Is Whole Blood More than the Sum of Its Parts? Clin Infect Dis 2004; 39:1761-3. [PMID: 15578396 DOI: 10.1086/425619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2004] [Accepted: 08/19/2004] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Fu LJ, Lü SL, Cheng XF, Wang XY. Alterations of HCV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from IFN-treated patients with chronic HCV RNA infection. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2004; 12:610-613. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v12.i3.610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To study HCV RNA and HCV protein expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of alpha 2b interferon on the treatment of HCV RNA in PBMC of patients with chronic hepatitis C.
METHODS: Fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the quantitation of HCV RNA in PBMC and plasma, and immunohistochemistry assay was applied to identify HCV NS3 protein expression in PBMC from 20 patients with chronic hepatitis C; Eight patients with chronic hepatitis C received IFN therapy (5 MU/d, three times/week for 16 wks). HCV RNA load in plasma and PBMC was tested with a quantitative assay before and after treatment for 16 wks and compared with that of the control. The data were analyzed by Wilcoxon 2-sample test and Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS: HCV RNA in plasma was found in 15 of 20 (75%) chronic hepatitis C patients and in PBMC was found in 9 of 20 (45%) by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. HCV NS3 protein expression was found in 7 of 20 (35%) chronic hepatitis C patients by immunohistochemical assay. HCV RNA loads in PBMC was uncorrelated with those in plasma.In 8 patients, there were significant differences of the decreasing of HCV-RNA loads in plasma and PBMC between before and after interferon treatment for 16 wks (aP = 0.0 017, bP = 0.0 059).The loads of HCV in plasma and PBMC in patients were significantly lower than that of controls after interferon treatment for 16 wks (cP = 0.0 042, dP = 0.0 155).
CONCLUSION: HCV can infect, replicate and express in PBMC. HCV RNA loads in PBMC is uncorrelated with those in plasma. HCV RNA in PBMC can be cleaned out by alpha 2b interferon treatment.
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FUJIOKA N, TANAKA T, ARIYASU T, YANAI Y, YAMAMOTO S, YAMAUCHI H, IKEGAMI H, IKEDA M, ORITA K, KURIMOTO M. In vitro effects of interferon-alpha subtypes on the Th1/Th2 balance in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Biomed Res 2004. [DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.25.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a remarkable type of gene regulation based on sequence-specific targeting and degradation of RNA. The term encompasses related pathways found in a broad range of eukaryotic organisms, including fungi, plants, and animals. RNA interference is part of a sophisticated network of interconnected pathways for cellular defense, RNA surveillance, and development and it may become a powerful tool to manipulate gene expression experimentally. RNAi technology is currently being evaluated not only as an extremely powerful instrument for functional genomic analyses, but also as a potentially useful method to develop specific dsRNA based gene-silencing therapeutics. Several laboratories have been interested in using RNAi to control viral infection and many reports in Nature and in Cell show that short interfering (si) RNAs can inhibit infection by HIV-1, polio and hepatitis C viruses in a sequence-specific manner. RNA-based strategies for gene inhibition in mammalian cells have recently been described, which offer the promise of antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan-Chu Wang
- The Center of Diagnosis and Treatment for Infectious Diseases of Chinese PLA, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
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Zhang L, Zhao GZ, Shi LL, Cao L. Mutations in nonstructural 5A gene of hepatitis C virus and its response to interferon alfa. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2003; 11:1135-1138. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v11.i8.1135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the relationship between NS5A2209-2248 sequences and response to interferon therapy, and whether there is an IFN sensitivity determining region(ISDR) in the region of NS5A2209-2248.
METHODS We analyzed 11 patients with chronic HCV 1b infection who had received interferon alfa therapy for six months. Pretreatment serum samples were analyzed. The amino acid sequence of NS5A2209-2248 was determined by direct sequencing of the HCV genome amplified by the polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS Among the 11 patients, only 1 was intermediate type, all the others were wild type. 2 of wild type patients showed complete response. Others were nonresponders. There was no significant difference in nucleotide and amino acid sequences between the two groups.The nucleotide and amino acid sequences changed after IFN treatment in one nonresponder.
CONCLUSION The NS5A2209-2248 region was highly conservative. In Chinease patients with chronic HCV 1b infection, there was no correlation between response to interferon and mutations in the NS5A gene. HCV quasispecies changed after IFN therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110003, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Gui-Zhen Zhao
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110003, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Li-Lan Shi
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110003, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110003, Liaoning Province, China
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Zhang XX, Zhang SY, Liu J, Lu ZM, Wang Y. Expression of hepatitis C virus hypervariable region 1 and its clinical significance. World J Gastroenterol 2003; 9:1003-7. [PMID: 12717846 PMCID: PMC4611362 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i5.1003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To explore the properties of hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) in the envelope 2 gene of hepatitis C virus by analyzing the reactivity of HVR1 fusion proteins from different Chinese HCV strains with sera of patients with chronic hepatitis C and by comparing their reactivity between interferon therapy responders and non-responders.
METHODS: Gene fragments of HVR1 of four HCV strains (three genotype 1b and one genotype 2a) were amplified from pGEMT-E2 plasmids and sub-cloned into pQE40 vectors respectively to construct recombinant expression plasmids which expressed HVR1 fused downstream to DHFR in Escherichia coli strain TG1. The purified DHFR-HVR1 proteins were then used to detect the anti-HVR1 antibodies in 70 serum samples of patients with chronic hepatitis C.
RESULTS: Four DHFR-HVR1 fusion proteins were successfully expressed in E. coli (320-800 ug fusion proteins per 100 ml culture). Each fusion protein (SH1b, BJ1b, SD1b and SD2a) reacted with 72.8% (51/70), 60% (42/70), 48.6% (34/70), and 58.6% (41/70) of the anti-HCV positive patients’ sera respectively by ELISA. 57.1% (4/7) of non responders reacted with all four HVR1 fusion proteins, while only 15.3% (2/13) of responders reacted with all of them. The O.D. values of sera from IFN therapy responders were significantly higher than those of non responders (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The selected HVR1 fusion proteins expressed in E. coli can broadly react with HCV-infected patients’ sera. The intensity and/or quality of the immune response against HCV may be a critical factor determining the response to interferon treatment. With the evolution of virus strains, anti-HVR1 antibodies can not neutralize all the quasispecies. A polyvalent and high immunogenic vaccine comprising a mixture of several HVR1 sequences that cover the reactivity of most HCV isolates may be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai, China
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