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Garand M, Huang SSY, Goessling LS, Santillan DA, Santillan MK, Brar A, Wylie TN, Wylie KM, Eghtesady P. A Case of Persistent Human Pegivirus Infection in Two Separate Pregnancies of a Woman. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1925. [PMID: 36296201 PMCID: PMC9610878 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Human pegivirus (HPgV) is best known for persistent, presumably non-pathogenic, infection and a propensity to co-infect with human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis C virus. However, unique attributes, such as the increased risk of malignancy or immune modulation, have been recently recognized for HPgV. We have identified a unique case of a woman with high levels HPgV infection in two pregnancies, which occurred 4 years apart and without evidence of human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis C virus infection. The second pregnancy was complicated by congenital heart disease. A high level of HPgV infection was detected in the maternal blood from different trimesters by RT-PCR and identified as HPgV type 1 genotype 2 in both pregnancies. In the second pregnancy, the decidua and intervillous tissue of the placenta were positive for HPgV by PCR but not the chorion or cord blood (from both pregnancies), suggesting no vertical transmission despite high levels of viremia. The HPgV genome sequence was remarkably conserved over the 4 years. Using VirScan, sera antibodies for HPgV were detected in the first trimester of both pregnancies. We observed the same anti-HPgV antibodies against the non-structural NS5 protein in both pregnancies, suggesting a similar non-E2 protein humoral immune response over time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of persistent HPgV infection involving placental tissues with no clear indication of vertical transmission. Our results reveal a more elaborate viral-host interaction than previously reported, expand our knowledge about tropism, and opens avenues for exploring the replication sites of this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Garand
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Susie S. Y. Huang
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Lisa S. Goessling
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Donna A. Santillan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Mark K. Santillan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Anoop Brar
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Todd N. Wylie
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kristine M. Wylie
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Pirooz Eghtesady
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Stapleton JT. Human Pegivirus Type 1: A Common Human Virus That Is Beneficial in Immune-Mediated Disease? Front Immunol 2022; 13:887760. [PMID: 35707535 PMCID: PMC9190258 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Two groups identified a novel human flavivirus in the mid-1990s. One group named the virus hepatitis G virus (HGV) and the other named it GB Virus type C (GBV-C). Sequence analyses found these two isolates to be the same virus, and subsequent studies found that the virus does not cause hepatitis despite sharing genome organization with hepatitis C virus. Although HGV/GBV-C infection is common and may cause persistent infection in humans, the virus does not appear to directly cause any other known disease state. Thus, the virus was renamed “human pegivirus 1” (HPgV-1) for “persistent G” virus. HPgV-1 is found primarily in lymphocytes and not hepatocytes, and several studies found HPgV-1 infection associated with prolonged survival in people living with HIV. Co-infection of human lymphocytes with HPgV-1 and HIV inhibits HIV replication. Although three viral proteins directly inhibit HIV replication in vitro, the major effects of HPgV-1 leading to reduced HIV-related mortality appear to result from a global reduction in immune activation. HPgV-1 specifically interferes with T cell receptor signaling (TCR) by reducing proximal activation of the lymphocyte specific Src kinase LCK. Although TCR signaling is reduced, T cell activation is not abolished and with sufficient stimulus, T cell functions are enabled. Consequently, HPgV-1 is not associated with immune suppression. The HPgV-1 immunomodulatory effects are associated with beneficial outcomes in other diseases including Ebola virus infection and possibly graft-versus-host-disease following stem cell transplantation. Better understanding of HPgV-1 immune escape and mechanisms of inflammation may identify novel therapies for immune-based diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack T. Stapleton
- Medicine Service, Iowa City Veterans Administration Healthcare, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jack T. Stapleton,
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Samadi M, Salimi V, Haghshenas MR, Miri SM, Mohebbi SR, Ghaemi A. Clinical and molecular aspects of human pegiviruses in the interaction host and infectious agent. Virol J 2022; 19:41. [PMID: 35264187 PMCID: PMC8905790 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01769-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human pegivirus 1 (HPgV-1) is a Positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ ssRNA) virus, discovered in 1995 as a Flaviviridae member, and the closest human virus linked to HCV. In comparison to HCV, HPgV-1 seems to be lymphotropic and connected to the viral group that infects T and B lymphocytes. HPgV-1 infection is not persuasively correlated to any known human disease; nevertheless, multiple studies have reported a connection between chronic HPgV-1 infection and improved survival in HPgV-1/HIV co-infected patients with a delayed and favorable impact on HIV infection development. While the process has not been thoroughly clarified, different mechanisms for these observations have been proposed. HPgV-1 is categorized into seven genotypes and various subtypes. Infection with HPgV-1 is relatively common globally. It can be transferred parenterally, sexually, and through vertical ways, and thereby its co-infection with HIV and HCV is common. In most cases, the clearance of HPgV-1 from the body can be achieved by developing E2 antibodies after infection. Main body In this review, we thoroughly discuss the current knowledge and recent advances in understanding distinct epidemiological, molecular, and clinical aspects of HPgV-1. Conclusion Due to the unique characteristics of the HPgV-1, so advanced research on HPgV-1, particularly in light of HIV co-infection and other diseases, should be conducted to explore the essential mechanisms of HIV clearance and other viruses and thereby suggest novel strategies for viral therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Samadi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Microbiology, Molecular and Cell-Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Vahid Salimi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Haghshenas
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular and Cell-Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Miri
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box: 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Mohebbi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ghaemi
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box: 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.
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Hoffmann R, Ruegamer T, Schaubächer J, Rohrhofer A, Kirmeß P, Fiebig KM, Schmidt B, Eichler J. Exploring Viral Interference Using Peptides: Molecular Determinants of HIV-1 Inhibition by a Peptide Derived from Human Pegivirus-1 Envelope Protein E2. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1290-1296. [PMID: 33378104 PMCID: PMC8248410 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Co-infection with the human pegivirus 1 (HPgV-1) often has a beneficial effect on disease progression in HIV-1-infected individuals. Several HPgV-1 proteins and peptides, including a 20-mer peptide (P6-2) derived from the N-terminal region of the HPgV-1 surface protein E2, have been associated with this phenomenon, which is referred to as viral interference. We identified the cysteine residues, the hydrophobic core tetrapeptide, as well as the C-terminal negative charge as key factors for the HIV-1 inhibitory activity of P6-2. Analysis of mutations in P6-2-resistant HIV-1 indicated a binding site for the peptide in the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120. In fact, P6-2 was shown to bind to soluble gp120, as well as to a peptide presenting the gp120 V3 loop. Furthermore, the HIV-1 inhibitory activity of P6-2 could be revoked by the V3 loop peptide, thus indicating a molecular mechanism that involves interaction of P6-2 with the gp120 V3 loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hoffmann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tamara Ruegamer
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Schaubächer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anette Rohrhofer
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kirmeß
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Karen M Fiebig
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Schmidt
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.,Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jutta Eichler
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
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