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Oraby AK, Gardner CL, Needle RF, Kofahi HM, Everard KR, Taylor NGA, Rutihinda SG, Barry JP, Hirasawa K, Georghiou PE, Russell RS. A Novel Small Molecule Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus Propagation in Cell Culture. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0043921. [PMID: 34319169 DOI: 10.1128/Spectrum.00439-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause acute and chronic infection that is associated with considerable liver-related morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there has been a shift in the treatment paradigm with the discovery and approval of agents that target specific proteins vital for viral replication. We employed a cell culture-adapted strain of HCV and human hepatoma-derived cells lines to test the effects of our novel small-molecule compound (AO13) on HCV. Virus inhibition was tested by analyzing RNA replication, protein expression, and virus production in virus-infected cells treated with AO13. Treatment with AO13 inhibited virus spread in cell culture and showed a 100-fold reduction in the levels of infectious virus production. AO13 significantly reduced the level of viral RNA contained within cell culture fluids and reduced the cellular levels of HCV core protein, suggesting that the compound might act on a late step in the viral life cycle. Finally, we observed that AO13 did not affect the release of infectious virus from infected cells. Docking studies and molecular dynamics analyses suggested that AO13 might target the NS5B RNA polymerase, however, real-time RT-PCR analyses of cellular levels of HCV RNA showed only an ∼2-fold reduction in viral RNA levels in the presence of AO13. Taken together, this study revealed that AO13 showed consistent, but low-level antiviral effect against HCV, although the mechanism of action remains unclear. IMPORTANCE The discovery of curative antiviral drugs for a chronic disease such as HCV infection has encouraged drug discovery in the context of other viruses for which no curative drugs currently exist. Since we currently face a novel virus that has caused a pandemic, the need for new antiviral agents is more apparent than ever. We describe here a novel compound that shows a modest antiviral effect against HCV that could serve as a lead compound for future drug development against other important viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
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Sa-Ngiamsuntorn K, Hongeng S, Wongkajornsilp A. Development of Hepatocyte-like Cell Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem cell as a Host for Clinically Isolated Hepatitis C Virus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 42:4A.13.1-4A.13.34. [PMID: 28806853 PMCID: PMC7162336 DOI: 10.1002/cpsc.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This unit describes protocols to develop hepatocyte‐like cells (HLCs) starting from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a natural host for hepatitis C virus (HCV). These include the preparation of MSCs from bone marrow, the reprogramming of MSCs into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and the differentiation of iPSCs into HLCs. This unit also incorporates the characterization of the resulting cells at each stage. Another section entails the preparations of HCV. The sources of HCV are either the clinically isolated HCV (HCVser) and the conventional JFH‐1 genotype. The last section is the infection protocol coupled with the measurement of viral titer. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanit Sa-Ngiamsuntorn
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Rajathevi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Rajathevi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Adisak Wongkajornsilp
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, Thailand
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Sa-Ngiamsuntorn K, Wongkajornsilp A, Phanthong P, Borwornpinyo S, Kitiyanant N, Chantratita W, Hongeng S. A robust model of natural hepatitis C infection using hepatocyte-like cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells as a long-term host. Virol J 2016; 13:59. [PMID: 27044429 PMCID: PMC4820862 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-016-0519-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) could induce chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in human. The use of primary human hepatocyte as a viral host is restrained with the scarcity of tissue supply. A culture model restricted to HCV genotype 2a (JFH-1) has been established using Huh7-derived hepatocyte. Other genotypes including the wild-type virus could not propagate in Huh7, Huh7.5 and Huh7.5.1 cells. METHODS Functional hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) were developed from normal human iPS cells as a host for HCV infection. Mature HLCs were identified for selective hepatocyte markers, CYP450s, HCV associated receptors and HCV essential host factors. HLCs were either transfected with JFH-1 HCV RNA or infected with HCV particles derived from patient serum. The enhancing effect of α-tocopherol and the inhibitory effects of INF-α, ribavirin and sofosbuvir to HCV infection were studied. The HCV viral load and HCV RNA were assayed for the infection efficiency. RESULTS The fully-developed HLCs expressed phase I, II, and III drug-metabolizing enzymes, HCV associated receptors (claudin-1, occludin, CD81, ApoE, ApoB, LDL-R) and HCV essential host factors (miR-122 and SEC14L2) comparable to the primary human hepatocyte. SEC14L2, an α-tocopherol transfer protein, was expressed in HLCs, but not in Huh7 cell, had been implicated in effective HCVser infection. The HLCs permitted not only the replication of HCV RNA, but also the production of HCV particles (HCVcc) released to the culture media. HLCs drove higher propagation of HCVcc derived from JFH-1 than did the classical host Huh7 cells. HLCs infected with either JFH-1 or wild-type HCV expressed HCV core antigen, NS5A, NS5B, NS3 and HCV negative-stand RNA. HLCs allowed entire HCV life cycle derived from either JFH-1, HCVcc or wild-type HCV (genotype 1a, 1b, 3a, 3b, 6f and 6n). Further increasing the HCVser infection in HLCs was achieved by incubating cell with α-tocopherol. The supernatant from infected HLCs could infect both naïve HLC and Huh7 cell. Treating infected HLC with INF-α and ribavirin decreased HCV RNA in both the cellular fraction and the culture medium. The HLCs reacted to HCVcc or wild-type HCV infection by upregulating TNF-α, IL-28B and IL-29. CONCLUSIONS This robust cell culture model for serum-derived HCV using HLCs as host cells provides a remarkable system for investigating HCV life cycle, HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma development and the screening for new anti HCV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanit Sa-Ngiamsuntorn
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Adisak Wongkajornsilp
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
| | - Phetcharat Phanthong
- Stem Cell Research Group, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Suparerk Borwornpinyo
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Narisorn Kitiyanant
- Stem Cell Research Group, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Wasun Chantratita
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama VI Road, Ratchatewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Harwood NMK, Golden-Mason L, Cheng L, Rosen HR, Mengshol JA. HCV-infected cells and differentiation increase monocyte immunoregulatory galectin-9 production. J Leukoc Biol 2015; 99:495-503. [PMID: 26475932 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.5a1214-582r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The lectin galectin-9 may help establish and maintain chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Galectin-9 is elevated in the liver and sera of hepatitis C virus patients, induces apoptosis of hepatitis C virus-specific T cells, and increases inhibitory regulatory T cells. Kupffer cells stain strongly for galectin-9 protein in hepatitis C virus patients. In the current study, we determined stimuli that induce galectin-9 production by monocytes and macrophages in hepatitis C virus infection. With the use of real-time PCR and flow cytometry, we analyzed galectin-9 mRNA and protein from human monocytes cocultured with hepatitis C virus-infected cells or noninfectious hepatitis C virus subgenomic replicon cells. We focused on finding the stimuli for galectin-9 production. Additionally, we measured galectin-9 during monocyte-to-macrophage maturation. Finally, we examined galectin-9 in peripheral monocytes from hepatitis C virus patients using flow cytometry. Galectin-9 mRNA increased 8-fold when primary monocytes were exposed to hepatitis C virus--infected cells. Maximum induction required proximity or contact and did not require IFN-γ or hepatitis C virus virions. Coculture of monocytes with subgenomic replicon cells increased galectin-9 5-fold, and purified exosomes from infected cells stimulated galectin-9 production. Stimulation of monocyte TLR3, -7, and -8 increased galectin-9 production. Differentiation of monocytes to macrophages increased galectin-9, and nonclassic monocytes from hepatitis C virus patients had the highest levels of galectin-9. Hepatitis C virus-infected cells stimulated monocytes to produce galectin-9 in close proximity, possibly, in part, as a result of exosomes and endosomal TLRs. Differentiation of monocytes to macrophages increased galectin-9. Nonclassic monocytes from hepatitis C virus patients express the highest galectin-9 levels, suggesting they may contribute to elevated galectin-9 and adaptive immune inhibition in hepatitis C virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah M K Harwood
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Lucy Golden-Mason
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Linling Cheng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Hugo R Rosen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - John A Mengshol
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
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Teimourpour R, Meshkat Z, Gholoubi A, Nomani H, Rostami S. Viral Load Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus in Huh7.5 Cell Culture System. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2015; 8:e19279. [PMID: 26290686 PMCID: PMC4537521 DOI: 10.5812/jjm.8(5)2015.19279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies using cell culture systems for the replication of hepatitis C virus have opened new research dimensions, and paved the ways for further and detailed studies of the virus in vitro. OBJECTIVES The purpose of the present study was to cultivate hepatitis C virus in a cell culture system and evaluate viral amplification. MATERIALS AND METHODS In order to propagate hepatitis C virus, cloned whole genome of virus, JFH-1, was used. JFH-1 cDNA was introduced into strain JM109 of Escherichia coli and plasmid, containing the viral genome was purified from transformed bacteria. After XbaI digestion, RNA synthesis was induced using T7 RNA polymerase enzyme. Next, eukaryotic cell line Huh 7.5 was transfected by the purified RNA. Finally, Huh-7.5 cell line was infected with replicated virus and viral load was determined using real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). RESULTS The amount of viral load, which was measured using real-time PCR was 17592 IU/mL. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, using cell culture, a high titer (in acceptable range) of infectious hepatitis C virus was produced. This method could be used in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roghayeh Teimourpour
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran
| | - Zahra Meshkat
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran
- Corresponding author: Zahra Meshkat, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box: 9196773117, Mashhad, IR Iran. Tel: +98-5138012453, Fax: +98-5138002287, E-mail:
| | - Aida Gholoubi
- Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran
| | - Hosein Nomani
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran
| | - Sina Rostami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, IR Iran
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Kang W, Sung PS, Park SH, Yoon S, Chang DY, Kim S, Han KH, Kim JK, Rehermann B, Chwae YJ, Shin EC. Hepatitis C virus attenuates interferon-induced major histocompatibility complex class I expression and decreases CD8+ T cell effector functions. Gastroenterology 2014; 146:1351-60.e1-4. [PMID: 24486950 PMCID: PMC4478444 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted CD8(+) T cells are required for clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. MHC class I expression is up-regulated by type I and II interferons (IFNs). However, little is known about the effects of HCV infection on IFN-induced expression of MHC class I. METHODS We used the HCV cell culture system (HCVcc) with the genotype 2a Japanese fulminant hepatitis-1 strain to investigate IFN-induced expression of MHC class I and its regulatory mechanisms. HCVcc-infected Huh-7.5 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, metabolic labeling, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting analyses. Protein kinase R (PKR) was knocked down with lentiviruses that express small hairpin RNAs. The functional effects of MHC class I regulation by HCV were demonstrated in co-culture studies, using HCV-specific CD8(+) T cells. RESULTS Although the baseline level of MHC class I was not affected by HCV infection, IFN-induced expression of MHC class I was notably attenuated in HCV-infected cells. This was associated with replicating HCV RNA, not with viral protein. HCV infection reduced IFN-induced synthesis of MHC class I protein and induced phosphorylation of PKR and eIF2α. IFN-induced MHC class I expression was restored by small hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of PKR in HCV-infected cells. Co-culture of HCV-specific CD8(+) T cells and HCV-infected cells that expressed HLA-A2 demonstrated that HCV infection reduced the effector functions of HCV-specific CD8(+) T cells; these functions were restored by small hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of PKR. CONCLUSIONS IFN-induced expression of MHC class I is attenuated in HCV-infected cells by activation of PKR, which reduces the effector functions of HCV-specific CD8(+) T cells. This appears to be an important mechanism by which HCV circumvents antiviral adaptive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonseok Kang
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea,Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Pil Soo Sung
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Su-Hyung Park
- Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah Yoon
- Department of Microbiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Dong-Yeop Chang
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seungtaek Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang Hyub Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ja Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Barbara Rehermann
- Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yong-Joon Chwae
- Department of Microbiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea.
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Papic N, Maxwell CI, Delker DA, Liu S, Heale BSE, Hagedorn CH. RNA-sequencing analysis of 5' capped RNAs identifies many new differentially expressed genes in acute hepatitis C virus infection. Viruses 2012; 4:581-612. [PMID: 22590687 PMCID: PMC3347324 DOI: 10.3390/v4040581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Revised: 03/31/2012] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the first report of RNA sequencing of 5' capped (Pol II) RNAs isolated from acutely hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected Huh 7.5 cells that provides a general approach to identifying differentially expressed annotated and unannotated genes that participate in viral-host interactions. We identified 100, 684, and 1,844 significantly differentially expressed annotated genes in acutely infected proliferative Huh 7.5 cells at 6, 48, and 72 hours, respectively (fold change ≥ 1.5 and Bonferroni adjusted p-values < 0.05). Most of the differentially expressed genes (>80%) and biological pathways (such as adipocytokine, Notch, Hedgehog and NOD-like receptor signaling) were not identified by previous gene array studies. These genes are critical components of host immune, inflammatory and oncogenic pathways and provide new information regarding changes that may benefit the virus or mediate HCV induced pathology. RNAi knockdown studies of newly identified highly upregulated FUT1 and KLHDC7B genes provide evidence that their gene products regulate and facilitate HCV replication in hepatocytes. Our approach also identified novel Pol II unannotated transcripts that were upregulated. Results further identify new pathways that regulate HCV replication in hepatocytes and suggest that our approach will have general applications in studying viral-host interactions in model systems and clinical biospecimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neven Papic
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 N 1900 E #3C310, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (N.P.); (C.I.M.); (D.A.D.); (S.L.); (B.S.E.H.)
| | - Christopher I. Maxwell
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 N 1900 E #3C310, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (N.P.); (C.I.M.); (D.A.D.); (S.L.); (B.S.E.H.)
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 30 N 1900 E #3C310, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Don A. Delker
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 N 1900 E #3C310, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (N.P.); (C.I.M.); (D.A.D.); (S.L.); (B.S.E.H.)
| | - Shuanghu Liu
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 N 1900 E #3C310, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (N.P.); (C.I.M.); (D.A.D.); (S.L.); (B.S.E.H.)
| | - Bret S. E. Heale
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 N 1900 E #3C310, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (N.P.); (C.I.M.); (D.A.D.); (S.L.); (B.S.E.H.)
| | - Curt H. Hagedorn
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, 30 N 1900 E #3C310, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; (N.P.); (C.I.M.); (D.A.D.); (S.L.); (B.S.E.H.)
- Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Utah, 30 N 1900 E #3C310, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; ; Tel.: +1-801-587-4619; Fax: +1-801-585-0187
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