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Lu X, Li W, Deng R, Zhou B, Yu R, Hou J, Shen S, Sun J, Liu S. Serum hepatitis B virus spliced RNA proportion increases with liver disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29400. [PMID: 38293843 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) spliced RNAs (spRNAs) are ubiquitous in HBV-infected patients; however, their clinical significance remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to explore the relationship between HBV spRNAs and liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients; in vitro cell line assessment was also performed. The serum HBV wild-type RNA (wtRNA) and spRNA levels were individually quantified in a cohort of 279 treatment-naïve, hepatitis B e antigen positive CHB patients with or without cirrhosis. The spRNA proportion was determined as (spRNA × 100%)/(spRNAs + wtRNA). 20 patients' serum samples underwent spRNA species profiling using next-generation sequencing. Serum spRNA species 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were the most common variants. The spRNA proportion varied from 0.00% to 19.02%, with higher levels in HBV genotype C patients than in those with genotype B (1.76% vs. 0.84%, p < 0.001). The spRNA proportion was positively associated with the alanine aminotransferase levels (r = 0.144, p = 0.053) and significantly higher in cirrhotic than in non-cirrhotic patients (1.69% vs. 1.04%, p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed a 2.566-fold higher risk of cirrhosis in patients with elevated spRNA proportion (p = 0.024). In vitro experiments confirmed that spRNAs contributed to hepatic stellate cell activation, which is critical in liver fibrosis development. Therefore, increased HBV spRNA expression poses a risk for liver disease progression. Quantifying serum HBV spRNAs can aid in monitoring liver disease progression. Furthermore, the therapeutic targeting of spRNAs may improve the prognosis of patients with CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research; Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Viral Hepatitis; Guangdong Institute of Hepatology; Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research; Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Viral Hepatitis; Guangdong Institute of Hepatology; Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research; Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Viral Hepatitis; Guangdong Institute of Hepatology; Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research; Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Viral Hepatitis; Guangdong Institute of Hepatology; Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Yu
- Department of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinlin Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research; Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Viral Hepatitis; Guangdong Institute of Hepatology; Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research; Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Viral Hepatitis; Guangdong Institute of Hepatology; Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research; Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Viral Hepatitis; Guangdong Institute of Hepatology; Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research; Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Viral Hepatitis; Guangdong Institute of Hepatology; Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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2
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Zhao L, Lythgoe KA. The social role of defective viral genomes in chronic viral infections: a commentary on Leeks et al. 2023. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:1577-1581. [PMID: 37975505 PMCID: PMC10880559 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lele Zhao
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department for MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Katrina A. Lythgoe
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department for MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Department of BiologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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3
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Sozzi V, McCoullough L, Mason H, Littlejohn M, Revill P. The in vitro replication phenotype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) splice variant Sp1. Virology 2022; 574:65-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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4
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Maslac O, Wagner J, Sozzi V, Mason H, Svarovskaia J, Tan S, Gaggar A, Locarnini S, Yuen L, Littlejohn M, Revill PA. Secreted hepatitis B virus splice variants differ by HBV genotype and across phases of chronic hepatitis B infection. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:604-615. [PMID: 35582878 PMCID: PMC9544302 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is characterized by progression through different phases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and disease. Although not necessary for HBV replication, there is increasing evidence that HBV splice variants are associated with liver disease progression and pathogenesis. However, there have been no studies till date on the frequency or diversity of splice variants for different HBV genotypes across the phases of CHB. Next generation sequencing data from 404 patient samples of HBV genotype A, B, C or D in Phase I, Phase II or Phase IV of CHB was analysed for HBV splice variants using an in house bioinformatics pipeline. HBV splice variants differed in frequency and type by genotype and phase of natural history. Splice variant Sp1 was the most frequently detected (206/404, 51% of patients), followed by Sp13 (151/404 37% of patients). The frequency of variants was generally highest in Phase II (123/165, 75% of patients), a phase typically associated with enhanced immune activation, followed by Phase I (69/99, 70% of patients). Splice variants were associated with reduced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) levels and statistically reduced likelihood of achieving HBsAg loss (functional cure) in Phase II patients for Sp1 and Sp13 (p = .0014 and .0156, respectively). The frequency of HBV splice variants in patient serum differed markedly by HBV genotype and phase of CHB natural history. The increased levels of HBV splice variants detected in CHB phase II patients compared with the higher replicative Phase I in particular warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Maslac
- Division of Molecular Research and DevelopmentVictorian Infectious Diseases Reference LaboratoryPeter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of MicrobiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Josef Wagner
- Division of Molecular Research and DevelopmentVictorian Infectious Diseases Reference LaboratoryPeter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Vitina Sozzi
- Division of Molecular Research and DevelopmentVictorian Infectious Diseases Reference LaboratoryPeter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Hugh Mason
- Division of Molecular Research and DevelopmentVictorian Infectious Diseases Reference LaboratoryPeter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | | | | | | | - Stephen Locarnini
- Division of Molecular Research and DevelopmentVictorian Infectious Diseases Reference LaboratoryPeter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Lilly Yuen
- Division of Molecular Research and DevelopmentVictorian Infectious Diseases Reference LaboratoryPeter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Margaret Littlejohn
- Division of Molecular Research and DevelopmentVictorian Infectious Diseases Reference LaboratoryPeter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of Infectious DiseasesUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Peter A. Revill
- Division of Molecular Research and DevelopmentVictorian Infectious Diseases Reference LaboratoryPeter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of MicrobiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia,Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
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5
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Kremsdorf D, Lekbaby B, Bablon P, Sotty J, Augustin J, Schnuriger A, Pol J, Soussan P. Alternative splicing of viral transcripts: the dark side of HBV. Gut 2021; 70:2373-2382. [PMID: 34535538 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-324554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of alternative splicing is one of the most efficient mechanisms to enlarge the proteomic diversity in eukaryotic organisms. Many viruses hijack the splicing machinery following infection to accomplish their replication cycle. Regarding the HBV, numerous reports have described alternative splicing events of the long viral transcript (pregenomic RNA), which also acts as a template for viral genome replication. Alternative splicing of HBV pregenomic RNAs allows the synthesis of at least 20 spliced variants. In addition, almost all these spliced forms give rise to defective particles, detected in the blood of infected patients. HBV-spliced RNAs have long been unconsidered, probably due to their uneasy detection in comparison to unspliced forms as well as for their dispensable role during viral replication. However, recent data highlighted the relevance of these HBV-spliced variants through (1) the trans-regulation of the alternative splicing of viral transcripts along the course of liver disease; (2) the ability to generate defective particle formation, putative biomarker of the liver disease progression; (3) modulation of viral replication; and (4) their intrinsic propensity to encode for novel viral proteins involved in liver pathogenesis and immune response. Altogether, tricky regulation of HBV alternative splicing may contribute to modulate multiple viral and cellular processes all along the course of HBV-related liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Kremsdorf
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine, Sorbonne Université-Faculté Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Bouchra Lekbaby
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine, Sorbonne Université-Faculté Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Bablon
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine, Sorbonne Université-Faculté Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Jules Sotty
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine, Sorbonne Université-Faculté Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Jérémy Augustin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine, Sorbonne Université-Faculté Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Schnuriger
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine, Sorbonne Université-Faculté Saint Antoine, Paris, France.,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Virologie, GHU Paris-Est, Paris, France
| | - Jonathan Pol
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Metabolomics ann Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Patrick Soussan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U938, Centre de Recherche de Saint Antoine, Sorbonne Université-Faculté Saint Antoine, Paris, France .,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Virologie, GHU Paris-Est, Paris, France
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6
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Abstract
This chapter is the first one to introduce the detection of viral RNA splicing as a new tool for clinical diagnosis of virus infections. These include various infections caused by influenza viruses, human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLV), Torque teno viruses (TTV), parvoviruses, adenoviruses, hepatitis B virus, polyomaviruses, herpesviruses, and papillomaviruses. Detection of viral RNA splicing for active viral gene expression in a clinical sample is a nucleic acid-based detection. The interpretation of the detected viral RNA splicing results is straightforward without concern for carry-over DNA contamination, because the spliced RNA is smaller than its corresponding DNA template. Although many methods can be used, a simple method to detect viral RNA splicing is reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In principle, the detection of spliced RNA transcripts by RT-PCR depends on amplicon selection and primer design. The most common approach is the amplification over the intron regions by a set of primers in flanking exons. A larger product than the predicted size of smaller, spliced RNA is in general an unspliced RNA or contaminating viral genomic DNA. A spliced mRNA always gives a smaller RT-PCR product than its unspliced RNA due to removal of intron sequences by RNA splicing. The contaminating viral DNA can be determined by a minus RT amplification (PCR). Alternatively, specific amplification of a spliced RNA can be obtained by using an exon-exon junction primer because the sequence at exon-exon junction is not present in the unspliced RNA nor in viral genomic DNA.
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7
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Kostyusheva A, Kostyushev D, Brezgin S, Volchkova E, Chulanov V. Clinical Implications of Hepatitis B Virus RNA and Covalently Closed Circular DNA in Monitoring Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Today with a Gaze into the Future: The Field Is Unprepared for a Sterilizing Cure. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E483. [PMID: 30301171 PMCID: PMC6210151 DOI: 10.3390/genes9100483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has long remained a critical global health issue. Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is a persistent form of the HBV genome that maintains HBV chronicity. Decades of extensive research resulted in the two therapeutic options currently available: nucleot(s)ide analogs and interferon (IFN) therapy. A plethora of reliable markers to monitor HBV patients has been established, including the recently discovered encapsidated pregenomic RNA in serum, which can be used to determine treatment end-points and to predict the susceptibility of patients to IFN. Additionally, HBV RNA splice variants and cccDNA and its epigenetic modifications are associated with the clinical course and risks of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver fibrosis. However, new antivirals, including CRISPR/Cas9, APOBEC-mediated degradation of cccDNA, and T-cell therapies aim at completely eliminating HBV, and it is clear that the diagnostic arsenal for defining the long-awaited sterilizing cure is missing. In this review, we discuss the currently available tools for detecting and measuring HBV RNAs and cccDNA, as well as the state-of-the-art in clinical implications of these markers, and debate needs and goals within the context of the sterilizing cure that is soon to come.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sergey Brezgin
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, 111123, Russia.
- National Research Centre, Institute of Immunology, Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 115478, Russia.
| | - Elena Volchkova
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 119146, Russia.
| | - Vladimir Chulanov
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, 111123, Russia.
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 119146, Russia.
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8
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Hepatitis B virus spliced variants are associated with an impaired response to interferon therapy. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16459. [PMID: 26585041 PMCID: PMC4653653 DOI: 10.1038/srep16459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, spliced HBV genomes and splice-generated proteins have been widely described, however, their biological and clinical significance remains to be defined. Here, an elevation of the proportion of HBV spliced variants in the sera of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is shown to correlate with an impaired respond to interferon-α (IFN-α) therapy. Transfection of the constructs encoding the three most dominant species of spliced variants into cells or ectopic expression of the two major spliced protein including HBSP and N-terminal-truncated viral polymerase protein result in strong suppression of IFN-α signaling transduction, while mutation of the major splicing-related sites of HBV attenuates the viral anti-IFN activities in both cell and mouse models. These results have associated the productions of HBV spliced variants with the failure response to IFN therapy and illuminate a novel mechanism where spliced viral products are employed to resist IFN-mediated host defense.
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9
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Kandpal M, Samal J, Biswas B, Negi A, Mishra VC, Tyagi N, Raina V, Vivekanandan P. Enhanced hepatitis B virus (HBV) pre-genomic RNA levels and higher transcription efficiency of defective HBV genomes. J Gen Virol 2015; 96:3109-3117. [PMID: 26242411 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective hepatitis B virus (dHBV) particles contain genomes corresponding to singly spliced HBV RNA. A limited number of studies show that dHBV is present in all chronically HBV-infected patients. Clinical studies have linked dHBV and dHBV gene products to high virus loads and liver damage. The replication characteristics of dHBV genomes remain poorly understood. We found that the splice donor/acceptor sites critical for the formation of dHBV genomes are conserved across HBV genotypes. We report a novel method to create dHBV constructs from corresponding wild-type (WT) HBV constructs. We assessed the transcriptional characteristics of the dHBV constructs with those of the corresponding WT construct using a cell culture model. Interestingly, dHBV constructs had higher pre-genomic RNA levels, transcription efficiency, HBV e antigen levels and intracellular HBV core antigen levels compared with the corresponding WT HBV constructs. Our findings highlight previously unrecognized fundamental molecular characteristics of dHBV genomes and their potential role in the pathogenesis of HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Kandpal
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Jasmine Samal
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Banhi Biswas
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Neetu Tyagi
- Medanta - The Medicity, Gurgaon, Haryana, India
| | - Vimarsh Raina
- Medanta - The Medicity, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.,Bharat Stem Cell, Safe Blood Organisation, New Delhi, India
| | - Perumal Vivekanandan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
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10
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Zeisel MB, Lucifora J, Mason WS, Sureau C, Beck J, Levrero M, Kann M, Knolle PA, Benkirane M, Durantel D, Michel ML, Autran B, Cosset FL, Strick-Marchand H, Trépo C, Kao JH, Carrat F, Lacombe K, Schinazi RF, Barré-Sinoussi F, Delfraissy JF, Zoulim F. Towards an HBV cure: state-of-the-art and unresolved questions--report of the ANRS workshop on HBV cure. Gut 2015; 64:1314-26. [PMID: 25670809 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
HBV infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although HBV infection can be efficiently prevented by vaccination, and treatments are available, to date there is no reliable cure for the >240 million individuals that are chronically infected worldwide. Current treatments can only achieve viral suppression, and lifelong therapy is needed in the majority of infected persons. In the framework of the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis 'HBV Cure' programme, a scientific workshop was held in Paris in June 2014 to define the state-of-the-art and unanswered questions regarding HBV pathobiology, and to develop a concerted strategy towards an HBV cure. This review summarises our current understanding of HBV host-interactions leading to viral persistence, as well as the roadblocks to be overcome to ultimately address unmet medical needs in the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam B Zeisel
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Julie Lucifora
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | | | - Camille Sureau
- INTS, Laboratoire de Virologie Moléculaire, Paris, France
| | - Jürgen Beck
- Department of Internal Medicine 2/Molecular Biology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Massimo Levrero
- Center for Life Nanosciences (CNLS)-IIT/Sapienza, Rome, Italy Laboratory of Gene Expression, Department of Internal Medicine (DMISM), Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Michael Kann
- Université de Bordeaux, Microbiologie fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France CNRS, Microbiologie fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Percy A Knolle
- Technische Universität München, Institut für Molekulare Immunologie, München, Germany
| | - Monsef Benkirane
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, Laboratoire de Virologie Moléculaire, CNRS UPR1142, Montpellier, France
| | - David Durantel
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | - Marie-Louise Michel
- Laboratoire de Pathogenèse des Virus de l'Hépatite B, Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Brigitte Autran
- Laboratory of Immunity and Infection, Inserm U945, Paris, France Laboratory of Immunity and Infection, UPMC University Paris 06, Unité mixte de recherche-S945, Paris, France Inserm, IFR 113, Immunité-Cancer-Infection, Paris, France
| | - François-Loïc Cosset
- CIRI-International Center for Infectiology Research, Team EVIR, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France. Inserm, U1111, Lyon, France Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France. CNRS, UMR5308, Lyon, France LabEx Ecofect, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Christian Trépo
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL), Lyon, France Department of Hepatology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Research, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fabrice Carrat
- Inserm, UMR_S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Karine Lacombe
- Inserm, UMR_S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Saint Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Raymond F Schinazi
- Center for AIDS Research, Emory University School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Françoise Barré-Sinoussi
- Inserm and Unit of Regulation of Retroviral Infections, Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Fabien Zoulim
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL), Lyon, France Department of Hepatology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
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11
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Al-Hanafi N, Monem F. Hepatitis B splice-generated protein antibodies in Syrian chronic hepatitis B patients: incidence and significance. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2014; 14:e13166. [PMID: 24829585 PMCID: PMC4006098 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.13166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested hepatitis B splice-generated protein (HBSP), when expressed, is involved in the pathogenesis of HBV infection. OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate anti-HBSP incidence and association with several HBV infection parameters in a group of Syrian chronic hepatitis B patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty treatment-naïve HBsAg-positive adult chronic hepatitis B patients' sera were included in our prospective targeted study. Liver function, virological and histological tests results were obtained from patients' medical files. Three variants of a 20-mer HBSP-derived peptide were designed based on HBV genome sequences obtained from Syrian patients' sera (GenBank Accession No. JN257148-JN257217). Microtiter plate wells were coated with the synthetic peptides and used to detect anti-HBSP antibodies by an optimized indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples were considered positive when showed optical density (OD) values higher than the cut-off value for at least one peptide variant. RESULTS Seven out of eighty (9%) CHB patients were positive for anti-HBSP antibodies. Mean OD values were not significantly different between HBeAg-positive and -negative patients (P > 0.05). OD values showed weak positive correlation with ALT and AST values (P < 0.05), and weak to moderate positive correlation with liver biopsy staging ranks (P < 0.05). No significant correlation was revealed with viral load values or liver biopsy grading ranks (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We introduced an anti-HBSP antibodies ELISA, designed for locally circulating HBV strains. Correlation observed of Anti-HBSP with liver fibrosis staging regardless of viral replication and liver inflammation suggests anti-HBSP antibodies as possible indicator for HBV-associated liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Al-Hanafi
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
- Corresponding Author: Nour Al-Hanafi, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria. Tel: +963-932990058, Fax: +963-112139441, E-mail:
| | - Fawza Monem
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
- Clinical Laboratories Department, AL-Assad Hospital, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
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12
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Bayliss J, Lim L, Thompson AJV, Desmond P, Angus P, Locarnini S, Revill PA. Hepatitis B virus splicing is enhanced prior to development of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol 2013; 59:1022-8. [PMID: 23811301 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2013.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Revised: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome encodes specific sequence elements which promote splicing of viral DNA. It has been previously suggested that spliced HBV (spHBV) variants promote viral replication and protein production, leading to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we have analysed changes in spHBV over time; providing the first longitudinal analysis of spHBV in relation to the development of HCC. METHODS Serial serum samples were collected from 165 patients with chronic HBV monoinfection, including 58 patients who later developed HCC. Real-time PCR was used to amplify and quantify wt and sp DNA loads. RESULTS spHBV was detected in over 80% of patients with chronic HBV infection. Median serum spHBV levels were significantly higher in HCC patients than HCC-free control patients (p<0.001). Univariate analysis revealed a strong correlation between time to HCC diagnosis and spHBV DNA levels (τ=0.203; p=0.016). Asian HBV genotype (p=0.025) and increased viral load (p<0.001) were also significantly associated with increased spHBV DNA levels. Multiple regression analysis revealed time to diagnosis of HCC, Asian HBV genotypes, and viral load to be associated with increased spHBV DNA (model p<0.001; R(2)=0.189). CONCLUSIONS HBV splicing is a common event during chronic infection and increases prior to diagnosis of HCC. Measurement of HBV splicing may prove a valuable adjunct to be used in the identification of chronically infected patients who are at increased risk of developing HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne Bayliss
- Division of Molecular Research and Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051, Australia.
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Qin B, Zhang B, Zhang X, He T, Xu W, Fu L, Tu C. Substitution rtq267h of hepatitis B virus increases the weight of replication and Lamivudine resistance. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2013; 13:e12160. [PMID: 24348637 PMCID: PMC3842524 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.12160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2013] [Revised: 07/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nucleus(t)ide analogs (NAs), containing Lamivudine (LMV), adefovir dipivoxil (ADV), endeavor (ETV), telbivudine (LdT), and tenofovir (TDF) are widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but long term anti-Hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapy with NAs may give rise to the emergence of drug-resistant viral mutants. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to find and identify some new resistance mutations of HBV from the patients accepted anti-HBV therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS The reverse transcriptase (RT) coding region of HBV was PCR-amplified using HBV DNA extracted from patients' blood samples and sequenced. RESULTS Nineteen substitution mutations were detected. Among them, rtQ267H was often observed in patients receiving LMV administration. This LMV therapy-related mutation was introduced into HBV replication-competent plasmids. The in vitro susceptibility of both wild-type (WT) and mutant-type (MT) HBV to NAs was analyzed by Southern blot, and/or quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The rtQ267H substitution enhanced HBV replication not merely in single-site mutation, but also in multisite mutations. The in vitro susceptibility analysis showed that the existence of rtQ267H in WT and LMV-resistant (LMVr) HBV were responsible for the reduced susceptibility to LMV to varying degrees, and enhanced HBV replication capacity. However, HBV harbored this substitution retained normal susceptibility to ADV, LdT, ETV, and TDF. CONCLUSIONS The result suggested that rtQ267H is a potential adaptive mutation of HBV to LMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Qin
- Shaoxing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Shaoxing, China
- State Key Lab of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Corresponding author: Bo Qin, Shaoxing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shaoxing, China. Tel: +86-57588137362, Fax: +86-57588137333, E-mail:
| | - Bo Zhang
- State Key Lab of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- College of Life Science, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Tingting He
- Shaoxing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Shaoxing, China
| | - Wenying Xu
- Shaoxing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Shaoxing, China
| | - Lijun Fu
- Shaoxing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Shaoxing, China
| | - Chunyu Tu
- Shaoxing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Shaoxing, China
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14
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Tang YW, Stratton CW. Detection of Viral RNA Splicing in Diagnostic Virology. ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY 2013. [PMCID: PMC7120143 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-3970-7_38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wei Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, 10065 New York USA
| | - Charles W. Stratton
- Vanderbilt Clinic, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 22nd Avenue 1301, Nashville, 37232-5310 Tennessee USA
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15
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Bayard F, Godon O, Nalpas B, Costentin C, Zhu R, Soussan P, Vallet-Pichard A, Fontaine H, Mallet V, Pol S, Michel ML. T-cell responses to hepatitis B splice-generated protein of hepatitis B virus and inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in chronic hepatitis B patients. ANRS study: HB EP 02 HBSP-FIBRO. J Viral Hepat 2012; 19:872-80. [PMID: 23121366 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2012.01611.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A new hepatitis B virus (HBV) protein, hepatitis B splice-generated protein (HBSP), has been detected in liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic active hepatitis. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype and functions of peripheral HBSP-specific T cells and to determine whether these T-cell responses may be implicated in liver damage or viral control. Two groups of patients were studied: HBV-infected patients with chronic active hepatitis and HBV-infected patients who were inactive carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen. HBSP-specific T-cell responses were analysed ex vivo and after in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Soluble cytokines and chemokines were analysed in sera and in cell culture supernatants. Few HBSP- or capsid-specific T-cell responses were detected in patients with chronic active hepatitis whereas frequency of HBV-specific T cells was significantly higher in inactive carrier patients. HBSP activated CD8+ and CD4+ T cells that recognized multiple epitopes and secreted inflammatory cytokines. The IL-12 level was significantly lower in sera from asymptomatic carrier patients compared to patients with chronic active hepatitis. IL-12 and IP-10 levels in the sera were significantly and independently correlated with both alanine amino transferase and HBV DNA levels. Our results show that the HBSP protein activates cellular immune responses in HBV-infected patients but has probably no prominent role in liver damage. The pattern of cytokines and chemokines in sera was linked to HBV viral load and was consistent with the level of inflammation during chronic hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bayard
- Département de Virologie, laboratoire de Pathogenèse des Virus de l'hépatite B, Institut Pasteur, France
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16
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Redelsperger F, Lekbaby B, Mandouri Y, Giang E, Duriez M, Desire N, Roque Afonso AM, Brichler S, Dubreuil P, Dobrin A, Perlemuter G, Prevot S, Bacon N, Grange JD, Zatla F, Le Pendeven C, Pol S, Strick-Marchand H, Di Santo J, Kremsdorf D, Soussan P. Production of hepatitis B defective particles is dependent on liver status. Virology 2012; 431:21-8. [PMID: 22664356 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2012.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Defective hepatitis B virus (dHBV) generated from spliced RNA is detected in the sera of HBV-chronic carriers. Our study was designed to determine whether the proportion of dHBV changed during the course of infection, and to investigate whether dHBV might interfere with HBV replication. To achieve this, HBV wild-type and dHBV levels were determined by Q-PCR in sera from 56 untreated chronic patients and 23 acute patients, in sequential samples from 4 treated-patients and from liver-humanized mice after HBV infection. The proportion of dHBV was higher in patients with severe compared to null/moderate liver disease or with acute infection. Follow-up showed that the proportion of dHBV increased during disease progression. By contrast, a low and stable proportion of dHBV was observed in the humanized-mouse model of HBV infection. Our results highlight a regulation of the proportion of dHBV during liver disease progression that is independent of interference with viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Redelsperger
- Inserm U845, Pathogenèse des Hépatites Virales B et Immunothérapie, 156 Rue de Vaugirard, 75015 Paris, France
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17
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Köck J, Rösler C, Zhang J, Blum HE, Nassal M, Thoma C. Human hepatitis B virus production in avian cells is characterized by enhanced RNA splicing and the presence of capsids containing shortened genomes. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37248. [PMID: 22624002 PMCID: PMC3356268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Experimental studies on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication are commonly done with human hepatoma cells to reflect the natural species and tissue tropism of the virus. However, HBV can also replicate, upon transfection of virus coding plasmids, in cells of other species. In such cross-species transfection experiments with chicken LMH hepatoma cells, we previously observed the formation of HBV genomes with aberrant electrophoretic mobility, in addition to the those DNA species commonly seen in human HepG2 hepatoma cells. Here, we report that these aberrant DNA forms are mainly due to excessive splicing of HBV pregenomic RNA and the abundant synthesis of spliced DNA products, equivalent to those also made in human cells, yet at much lower level. Mutation of the common splice acceptor site abolished splicing and in turn enhanced production of DNA from full-length pgRNA in transfected LMH cells. The absence of splicing made other DNA molecules visible, that were shortened due to the lack of sequences in the core protein coding region. Furthermore, there was nearly full-length DNA in the cytoplasm of LMH cells that was not protected in viral capsids. Remarkably, we have previously observed similar shortened genomes and non-protected viral DNA in human HepG2 cells, yet exclusively in the nucleus where uncoating and final release of viral genomes occurs. Hence, two effects reflecting capsid disassembly in the nucleus in human HepG2 cells are seen in the cytoplasm of chicken LMH cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Köck
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- * E-mail: (JK); (CT)
| | - Christine Rösler
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hubert E. Blum
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Nassal
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Thoma
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- * E-mail: (JK); (CT)
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Cox LE, Arslan O, Allain JP. Characterization of hepatitis B virus in Turkish blood donors, and the prevalence of the SP1 splice variant. J Med Virol 2011; 83:1321-5. [PMID: 21678435 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.22118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver that can manifest acutely, or persist chronically as a result of infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Turkey has a moderate endemicity level of HBV infection, and all data published to date has shown this to be of genotype D, predominantly of subgenotype D1. However the sequences of very few full genomes have been published. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular profile of hepatitis B virus in asymptomatic, first-time Turkish blood donors. The results confirm that genotype D, subgenotype D1 is the most prevalent HBV strain in Turkey, accounting for 94% of cases. Subgenotypes D2 and D3 were present as minority strains (4% and 2%, respectively). A singly spliced HBV variant that is capable of forming defective HBV particles and has been associated with apoptosis and activation of T-cell responses was also detected in 52.5% of samples screened, co-circulating with wild type genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Cox
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Blood Centre, Cambridge, UK.
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Ahn YC, Seo JW, Choi JG, Jang WC. Detection of Hepatitis B Virus by LAMP and DHPLC. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY-DAEHAN HWAHAK HOE JEE 2011. [DOI: 10.5012/jkcs.2011.55.2.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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20
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Brechot C, Kremsdorf D, Soussan P, Pineau P, Dejean A, Paterlini-Brechot P, Tiollais P. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): molecular mechanisms and novel paradigms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 58:278-87. [PMID: 20667665 DOI: 10.1016/j.patbio.2010.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Accepted: 05/03/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most HCCs complicate the evolution of an active or inactive cirrhosis. However, some tumors occur on livers with minimal histological changes; the prevalence of such cases varies from one geographical region to the other, being much higher in the Southern half of Africa (around 40% of HCCs) than in Asia, America and Europe, where at least 90% of HCCs are associated in the cirrhosis. This heterogeneity is probably a reflection of different environmental and genetic factors. This review will summarise the current knowledge on the mechanisms involved in HBV-related liver carcinogenesis. It will show in particular how viruses can be viewed as tools to discover and dissect new cellular pathways involved in cancer development and emphasize the potential synergistic effects between HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as between viral infections and other environmental factors, such as alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Brechot
- Inserm U785, Liver Hepatology centre, Paul Brousse Hospital, university Paris-XI, 12, avenue Paul-Vaillant-Couturier, 94804 Villejuif cedex 15, France.
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Chen WN, Chen JY, Lin WS, Lin JY, Lin X. Hepatitis B doubly spliced protein, generated by a 2.2 kb doubly spliced hepatitis B virus RNA, is a pleiotropic activator protein mediating its effects via activator protein-1- and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-binding sites. J Gen Virol 2010; 91:2592-600. [PMID: 20538904 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.022517-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The 2.2 kb doubly spliced defective hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome is frequently detected in the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, the biological significance of this type of defective genome is not well understood. In this study, expression of the hepatitis B doubly spliced protein (HBDSP) was confirmed from the 2.2 kb doubly spliced defective HBV genome, which was isolated and transfected into Huh-7 hepatoma cells. To explore the potential pathogenicity of HBDSP, hepatocellular proteins interacting with HBDSP were screened by a yeast two-hybrid assay. Unexpectedly, HBDSP could transactivate the GAL4-responsive element, and deletion mapping revealed that the fragment located between residues Leu-48 and Gln-75 of HBDSP was crucial for transactivation activity. In Huh-7 hepatoma cells, HBDSP localized predominantly to the cytoplasm and showed transactivating effects on the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter, simian virus 40 enhancer/promoter and HBV regulatory elements including the S1 promoter, S2 promoter, Enhancer I and core upstream regulatory sequences. Further studies revealed that the transactivating activities were mediated by activator protein-1- and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-binding sites. These findings suggest that HBDSP is a pleiotropic activator protein that can potentially serve as an HBV virulence factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Nan Chen
- Key Laboratory of tumor Microbiology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian, PR China
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