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Nepal S, Holmstrom ED. Single-molecule-binding studies of antivirals targeting the hepatitis C virus core protein. J Virol 2023; 97:e0089223. [PMID: 37772835 PMCID: PMC10617558 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00892-23] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The hepatitis C virus is associated with nearly 300,000 deaths annually. At the core of the virus is an RNA-protein complex called the nucleocapsid, which consists of the viral genome and many copies of the core protein. Because the assembly of the nucleocapsid is a critical step in viral replication, a considerable amount of effort has been devoted to identifying antiviral therapeutics that can bind to the core protein and disrupt assembly. Although several candidates have been identified, little is known about how they interact with the core protein or how those interactions alter the structure and thus the function of this viral protein. Our work biochemically characterizes several of these binding interactions, highlighting both similarities and differences as well as strengths and weaknesses. These insights bolster the notion that this viral protein is a viable target for novel therapeutics and will help to guide future developments of these candidate antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudip Nepal
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Erik D. Holmstrom
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
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Kanda T, Matsumoto N, Ishii T, Arima S, Shibuya S, Honda M, Sasaki-Tanaka R, Masuzaki R, Kanezawa S, Nishizawa T, Gon Y, Ogawa M, Kogure H. Chronic Hepatitis C: Acute Exacerbation and Alanine Aminotransferase Flare. Viruses 2023; 15:183. [PMID: 36680223 PMCID: PMC9861769 DOI: 10.3390/v15010183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as extrahepatic manifestations such as malignant lymphoma. Currently, direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) against HCV infection can lead to a sustained virological response (SVR) in almost all HCV-infected patients. In this review article, we discuss acute exacerbation and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare in patients with chronic HCV infection. Although acute liver failure caused by HCV infection is rare, careful attention should be paid to the cases with ALT elevation during the natural course of chronic HCV infection. HCV genotype 2 infection, the use of rituximab, and a higher dose of corticosteroid are factors associated with HCV acute exacerbation and ALT flare. Treatment regimens for cancer have been interrupted or changed due to ALT flare due to HCV infection in some patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. The pathogenesis of HCV acute exacerbation and ALT flare could involve cellular as well as humoral immune responses. In the DAA era, the earlier introduction of DAAs may prevent chronic HCV-infected patients with acute exacerbation and ALT flare from developing into a more severe form, although DAAs may not be effective for all of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Kanda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Naoki Matsumoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Tomotaka Ishii
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Shuhei Arima
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Shinji Shibuya
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Masayuki Honda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Reina Sasaki-Tanaka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Ryota Masuzaki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Shini Kanezawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Nishizawa
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Gon
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ogawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Kogure
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
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Rao A, Rule JA, Cerro-Chiang G, Stravitz RT, McGuire BM, Lee G, Fontana RJ, Lee WM. Role of Hepatitis C Infection in Acute Liver Injury/Acute Liver Failure in North America. Dig Dis Sci 2023; 68:304-311. [PMID: 35546205 PMCID: PMC9094131 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-022-07524-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While hepatitis A and B are well-known causes of acute liver failure (ALF), few well-documented cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (absent preexisting liver disease or other liver insults) have been described that result in ALF. We reviewed the Acute Liver Failure Study Group registry for evidence of HCV as a primary or contributing cause to ALF. METHODS From January 1998 to January 2017, 2,332 patients with ALF (INR ≥ 1.5, any degree of hepatic encephalopathy) and 667 with acute liver injury (ALI; INR ≥ 2.0, no hepatic encephalopathy) were enrolled. Anti-HCV testing was done routinely, with confirmatory RT-PCR testing for HCV RNA where necessary. RESULTS A total of 136 patients were anti-HCV-antibody positive, as follows: 56 HCV RNA negative, 65 HCV RNA positive, and 8 with no result nor sera available for testing. Only three subjects with ALI/ALF were determined to represent acute HCV infection. Case 1: 47-year-old female with morbid obesity (BMI 52.4) developed ALF and recovered, experiencing anti-HCV seroconversion. Case 2: 37-year-old female using cocaine presented with ALI and fully recovered. Case 3: 54-year-old female developed ALF requiring transplantation and was anti-HCV negative but viremic prior to transplant experiencing anti-HCV seroconversion thereafter. Among 1636 APAP overdose patients, the 52 with concomitant chronic HCV had higher 3-week mortality than the 1584 without HCV (31% vs 17%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS ALI/ALF solely related to acute hepatitis C infection is very rare. Chronic HCV infection, found in at least 65 (2.2%) of ALI/ALF patients studied, contributed to more severe outcomes in APAP ALI/ALF; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT000518440. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT000518440.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Rao
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5959 Harry Hines Blvd. Ste. 420, Dallas, TX, 75390-8887, USA
| | - Jody A Rule
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5959 Harry Hines Blvd. Ste. 420, Dallas, TX, 75390-8887, USA
| | - Giuliana Cerro-Chiang
- Division of Pulmonary Critical Care, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Richard T Stravitz
- Lee-Hume Transplant Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Brendan M McGuire
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Goo Lee
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Robert J Fontana
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - William M Lee
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5959 Harry Hines Blvd. Ste. 420, Dallas, TX, 75390-8887, USA.
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Independent evolution of multi-dominant viral genome species observed in a hepatitis C virus carrier. Biochem Biophys Rep 2022; 32:101327. [PMID: 36072891 PMCID: PMC9441305 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The viral genome quasispecies composition of hepatitis C virus (HCV) could have important implications to viral pathogenesis and resistance to anti-viral treatment. The purpose of the present study was to profile the HCV RNA quasispecies. We developed a strategy to determine the full-length HCV genome sequences co-existing within a single patient serum by using next-generation sequencing technologies. The isolated viral clones were divided into the groups that can be distinguished by core amino acid 70 substitution. Subsequently, we determined HCV full-length genome sequences of three independent dominant species co-existing in the sequential serum with a 7-year interval. From phylogenetic analysis, these dominant species evolved independently. Our study demonstrated that multiple dominant species co-existed in patient sera and evolved independently. HCV RNA genome forms quasispecies which may contribute viral pathogenesis. A strategy was established to determine the full-length HCV genome sequences co-existing within the sera of a single patient. Multiple dominant viral species co-existed in patient sera and evolved independently.
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Schwoerer MP, Ploss A. Barriers to hepatitis C virus infection in mice. Curr Opin Virol 2022; 56:101273. [PMID: 36244239 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2022.101273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is unable to infect mice, a fact that has severely limited their use as small-animal models for HCV pathogenesis and as tools for HCV vaccine development. HCV is blocked at various stages of its life cycle in mouse cells, due to incompatibility with host factors, the presence of dominant restriction factors, and effective immune responses. Molecular mechanisms for several such blocks have been characterized. The stepwise understanding of these limitations in mice will enable the development of an immunocompetent mouse that can fully support HCV infection and exhibit disease similar to that of infected humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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6
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Shah R, Barclay ST, Peters ES, Fox R, Gunson R, Bradley-Stewart A, Shepherd SJ, MacLean A, Tong L, van Vliet VJE, Ngan Chiu Bong M, Filipe A, Thomson EC, Davis C. Characterisation of a Hepatitis C Virus Subtype 2a Cluster in Scottish PWID with a Suboptimal Response to Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir Treatment. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081678. [PMID: 36016300 PMCID: PMC9416734 DOI: 10.3390/v14081678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionised the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), allowing the World Health Organisation (WHO) to set a target of eliminating HCV by 2030. In this study we aimed to investigate glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (GP) treatment outcomes in a cohort of patients with genotype 2a infection. METHODS Clinical data and plasma samples were collected in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. Next generation whole genome sequencing and replicon assays were carried out at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. RESULTS 132 cases infected with genotype 2a HCV were identified. The SVR rate for this group was 91% (112/123) following treatment with GP. An NS5A polymorphism, L31M, was detected in all cases of g2a infection, and L31M+R353K in individuals that failed treatment. The results showed that R353K was present in 90% of individuals in the Glasgow genotype 2a phylogenetic cluster but in less than 5% of all HCV subtype 2a published sequences. In vitro efficacy of pibrentasvir against sub-genomic replicon constructs containing these mutations showed a 2-fold increase in IC50 compared to wildtype. CONCLUSION This study describes a cluster of HCV genotype 2a infection associated with a lower-than-expected SVR rate following GP treatment in association with the NS5A mutations L31M+R353K.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Shah
- Thomson Group, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (R.G.); (L.T.); (V.J.E.v.V.); (M.N.C.B.); (A.F.); (E.C.T.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (C.D.)
| | - Stephen T. Barclay
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Departments of Hepatology and Virology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK; (S.T.B.); (E.S.P.); (R.F.); (A.B.-S.); (S.J.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Erica S. Peters
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Departments of Hepatology and Virology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK; (S.T.B.); (E.S.P.); (R.F.); (A.B.-S.); (S.J.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Ray Fox
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Departments of Hepatology and Virology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK; (S.T.B.); (E.S.P.); (R.F.); (A.B.-S.); (S.J.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Rory Gunson
- Thomson Group, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (R.G.); (L.T.); (V.J.E.v.V.); (M.N.C.B.); (A.F.); (E.C.T.)
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Departments of Hepatology and Virology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK; (S.T.B.); (E.S.P.); (R.F.); (A.B.-S.); (S.J.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Amanda Bradley-Stewart
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Departments of Hepatology and Virology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK; (S.T.B.); (E.S.P.); (R.F.); (A.B.-S.); (S.J.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Samantha J. Shepherd
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Departments of Hepatology and Virology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK; (S.T.B.); (E.S.P.); (R.F.); (A.B.-S.); (S.J.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Alasdair MacLean
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Departments of Hepatology and Virology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK; (S.T.B.); (E.S.P.); (R.F.); (A.B.-S.); (S.J.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Lily Tong
- Thomson Group, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (R.G.); (L.T.); (V.J.E.v.V.); (M.N.C.B.); (A.F.); (E.C.T.)
| | - Vera Jannie Elisabeth van Vliet
- Thomson Group, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (R.G.); (L.T.); (V.J.E.v.V.); (M.N.C.B.); (A.F.); (E.C.T.)
| | - Michael Ngan Chiu Bong
- Thomson Group, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (R.G.); (L.T.); (V.J.E.v.V.); (M.N.C.B.); (A.F.); (E.C.T.)
| | - Ana Filipe
- Thomson Group, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (R.G.); (L.T.); (V.J.E.v.V.); (M.N.C.B.); (A.F.); (E.C.T.)
| | - Emma C. Thomson
- Thomson Group, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (R.G.); (L.T.); (V.J.E.v.V.); (M.N.C.B.); (A.F.); (E.C.T.)
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Departments of Hepatology and Virology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK; (S.T.B.); (E.S.P.); (R.F.); (A.B.-S.); (S.J.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Chris Davis
- Thomson Group, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (R.G.); (L.T.); (V.J.E.v.V.); (M.N.C.B.); (A.F.); (E.C.T.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (C.D.)
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Cultivation of Cells in a Physiological Plasmax Medium Increases Mitochondrial Respiratory Capacity and Reduces Replication Levels of RNA Viruses. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 11:antiox11010097. [PMID: 35052601 PMCID: PMC8772912 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11010097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in metabolic pathways are often associated with the development of various pathologies including cancer, inflammatory diseases, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Identification of the particular metabolic events that are dysregulated may yield strategies for pharmacologic intervention. However, such studies are hampered by the use of classic cell media that do not reflect the metabolite composition that exists in blood plasma and which cause non-physiological adaptations in cultured cells. In recent years two groups presented media that aim to reflect the composition of human plasma, namely human plasma-like medium (HPLM) and Plasmax. Here we describe that, in four different mammalian cell lines, Plasmax enhances mitochondrial respiration. This is associated with the formation of vast mitochondrial networks and enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, cells cultivated in Plasmax displayed significantly less lysosomes than when any standard media were used. Finally, cells cultivated in Plasmax support replication of various RNA viruses, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) influenza A virus (IAV), severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and several others, albeit at lower levels and with delayed kinetics. In conclusion, studies of metabolism in the context of viral infections, especially those concerning mitochondria, lysosomes, or redox systems, should be performed in Plasmax medium.
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Echeverría N, Comas V, Aldunate F, Perbolianachis P, Moreno P, Cristina J. In the era of rapid mRNA-based vaccines: Why is there no effective hepatitis C virus vaccine yet? World J Hepatol 2021; 13:1234-1268. [PMID: 34786164 PMCID: PMC8568586 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i10.1234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is responsible for no less than 71 million people chronically infected and is one of the most frequent indications for liver transplantation worldwide. Despite direct-acting antiviral therapies fuel optimism in controlling HCV infections, there are several obstacles regarding treatment accessibility and reinfection continues to remain a possibility. Indeed, the majority of new HCV infections in developed countries occur in people who inject drugs and are more plausible to get reinfected. To achieve global epidemic control of this virus the development of an effective prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine becomes a must. The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic led to auspicious vaccine development against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, which has renewed interest on fighting HCV epidemic with vaccination. The aim of this review is to highlight the current situation of HCV vaccine candidates designed to prevent and/or to reduce HCV infectious cases and their complications. We will emphasize on some of the crossroads encountered during vaccine development against this insidious virus, together with some key aspects of HCV immunology which have, so far, hampered the progress in this area. The main focus will be on nucleic acid-based as well as recombinant viral vector-based vaccine candidates as the most novel vaccine approaches, some of which have been recently and successfully employed for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Finally, some ideas will be presented on which methods to explore for the design of live-attenuated vaccines against HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Echeverría
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Victoria Comas
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Fabián Aldunate
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Paula Perbolianachis
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Pilar Moreno
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay
| | - Juan Cristina
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
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Hepatitis C virus infection restricts human LINE-1 retrotransposition in hepatoma cells. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009496. [PMID: 33872335 PMCID: PMC8084336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons are autonomous transposable elements that can affect gene expression and genome integrity. Potential consequences of exogenous viral infections for L1 activity have not been studied to date. Here, we report that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes a significant increase of endogenous L1-encoded ORF1 protein (L1ORF1p) levels and translocation of L1ORF1p to HCV assembly sites at lipid droplets. HCV replication interferes with retrotransposition of engineered L1 reporter elements, which correlates with HCV RNA-induced formation of stress granules and can be partially rescued by knockdown of the stress granule protein G3BP1. Upon HCV infection, L1ORF1p localizes to stress granules, associates with HCV core in an RNA-dependent manner and translocates to lipid droplets. While HCV infection has a negative effect on L1 mobilization, L1ORF1p neither restricts nor promotes HCV infection. In summary, our data demonstrate that HCV infection causes an increase of endogenous L1 protein levels and that the observed restriction of retrotransposition of engineered L1 reporter elements is caused by sequestration of L1ORF1p in HCV-induced stress granules. Members of the Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 (LINE-1, L1) class of retrotransposons account for ~17% of the human genome and include ~100–150 intact L1 loci that are still functional. L1 mobilization is known to affect genomic integrity, thereby leading to disease-causing mutations, but little is known about the impact of exogenous viral infections on L1 and vice versa. While L1 retrotransposition is controlled by various mechanisms including CpG methylation, hypomethylation of L1 has been observed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Here, we demonstrate molecular interactions between HCV and L1 elements. HCV infection stably increases cellular levels of the L1-encoded ORF1 protein (L1ORF1p). HCV core and L1ORF1p interact in ribonucleoprotein complexes that traffic to lipid droplets. Despite its redistribution to HCV assembly sites, L1ORF1p is dispensable for HCV infection. In contrast, retrotransposition of engineered L1 reporter elements is restricted by HCV, correlating with an increased formation of L1ORF1p-containing cytoplasmic stress granules. Thus, our data provide first insights into the molecular interplay of endogenous transposable elements and exogenous viruses that might contribute to disease progression in vivo.
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Vassilaki N, Frakolaki E, Kalliampakou KI, Sakellariou P, Kotta-Loizou I, Bartenschlager R, Mavromara P. A Novel Cis-Acting RNA Structural Element Embedded in the Core Coding Region of the Hepatitis C Virus Genome Directs Internal Translation Initiation of the Overlapping Core+1 ORF. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186974. [PMID: 32972019 PMCID: PMC7554737 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome translation is initiated via an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) embedded in the 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR). We have earlier shown that the conserved RNA stem-loops (SL) SL47 and SL87 of the HCV core-encoding region are important for viral genome translation in cell culture and in vivo. Moreover, we have reported that an open reading frame overlapping the core gene in the +1 frame (core+1 ORF) encodes alternative translation products, including a protein initiated at the internal AUG codons 85/87 of this frame (nt 597-599 and 603-605), downstream of SL87, which is designated core+1/Short (core+1/S). Here, we provide evidence for SL47 and SL87 possessing a novel cis-acting element that directs the internal translation initiation of core+1/S. Firstly, using a bicistronic dual luciferase reporter system and RNA-transfection experiments, we found that nucleotides 344-596 of the HCV genotype-1a and -2a genomes support translation initiation at the core+1 frame AUG codons 85/87, when present in the sense but not the opposite orientation. Secondly, site-directed mutagenesis combined with an analysis of ribosome-HCV RNA association elucidated that SL47 and SL87 are essential for this alternative translation mechanism. Finally, experiments using cells transfected with JFH1 replicons or infected with virus-like particles showed that core+1/S expression is independent from the 5'UTR IRES and does not utilize the polyprotein initiation codon, but it requires intact SL47 and SL87 structures. Thus, SL47 and SL87, apart from their role in viral polyprotein translation, are necessary elements for mediating the internal translation initiation of the alternative core+1/S ORF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niki Vassilaki
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece; (E.F.); (K.I.K.); (P.S.); (I.K.-L.)
- Correspondence: (N.V.); (P.M.)
| | - Efseveia Frakolaki
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece; (E.F.); (K.I.K.); (P.S.); (I.K.-L.)
| | - Katerina I. Kalliampakou
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece; (E.F.); (K.I.K.); (P.S.); (I.K.-L.)
| | - Panagiotis Sakellariou
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece; (E.F.); (K.I.K.); (P.S.); (I.K.-L.)
| | - Ioly Kotta-Loizou
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece; (E.F.); (K.I.K.); (P.S.); (I.K.-L.)
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Penelope Mavromara
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute (HPI), 11521 Athens, Greece; (E.F.); (K.I.K.); (P.S.); (I.K.-L.)
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Virology, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Thrace, Greece
- Correspondence: (N.V.); (P.M.)
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11
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Khan S, Soni S, Veerapu NS. HCV Replicon Systems: Workhorses of Drug Discovery and Resistance. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:325. [PMID: 32714881 PMCID: PMC7344236 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized the state-of-the art treatment of HCV infections, with sustained virologic response rates above 90%. However, viral variants harboring substitutions referred to as resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) may be present in baseline levels and confer resistance to DAAs, thereby posing a major challenge for HCV treatment. HCV replicons have been the primary tools for discovering and evaluating the inhibitory activity of DAAs against viral replication. Interest in replicon systems has further grown as they have become indispensable for discovering genotype-specific and cross-genotype RASs. Here, we review functional replicon systems for HCV, how these replicon systems have contributed to the development of DAAs, and the characteristics and distribution of RASs for DAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaheen Khan
- Virology Section, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, India
| | - Shalini Soni
- Virology Section, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, India
| | - Naga Suresh Veerapu
- Virology Section, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, India
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12
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Nijmeijer BM, Eder J, Langedijk CJM, Kaptein TM, Meeussen S, Zimmermann P, Ribeiro CMS, Geijtenbeek TBH. Syndecan 4 Upregulation on Activated Langerhans Cells Counteracts Langerin Restriction to Facilitate Hepatitis C Virus Transmission. Front Immunol 2020; 11:503. [PMID: 32292405 PMCID: PMC7118926 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and high reinfections are a major concern amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV-1 and HIV-negative MSM. Immune activation and/or HIV-1 coinfection enhance HCV susceptibility via sexual contact, suggesting that changes in immune cells or external factors are involved in increased susceptibility. Activation of anal mucosal Langerhans cells (LCs) has been implicated in increased HCV susceptibility as activated but not immature LCs efficiently retain and transmit HCV to other cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of transmission remains unclear. Here we identified the Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Syndecan 4 as the molecular switch, controlling HCV transmission by LCs. Syndecan 4 was highly upregulated upon activation of LCs and interference with Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans or silencing of Syndecan 4 abrogated HCV transmission. These data strongly suggest that Syndecan 4 mediates HCV transmission by activated LCs. Notably, our data also identified the C-type lectin receptor langerin as a restriction factor for HCV infection and transmission. Langerin expression abrogated HCV infection in HCV permissive cells, whereas langerin expression on the Syndecan 4 expressing cell line strongly decreased HCV transmission to a target hepatoma cell line. These data suggest that the balanced interplay between langerin restriction and Syndecan 4 transmission determines HCV dissemination. Silencing of langerin enhanced HCV transmission whereas silencing Syndecan 4 on activated LCs decreased transmission. Blocking Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans abrogated HCV transmission by LCs ex vivo identifying Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans and Syndecan 4 as potential targets to prevent sexual transmission of HCV. Thus, our data strongly suggest that the interplay between receptors promotes or restricts transmission and further indicate that Syndecan 4 is the molecular switch controlling HCV susceptibility after sexual contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadien M. Nijmeijer
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Julia Eder
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Catharina J. M. Langedijk
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tanja M. Kaptein
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sofie Meeussen
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascale Zimmermann
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2018, Aix-Marseille Université, Inserm, CNRS, Institut Paoli Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - Carla M. S. Ribeiro
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Teunis B. H. Geijtenbeek
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Cell Culture Studies of the Efficacy and Barrier to Resistance of Sofosbuvir-Velpatasvir and Glecaprevir-Pibrentasvir against Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes 2a, 2b, and 2c. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01888-19. [PMID: 31818814 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01888-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of highly efficient therapies with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection offers exceptional opportunities to globally control this deadly disease. For achieving this ambitious goal, it is essential to prevent antiviral resistance against the most optimal first-line and retreatment DAA choices. We performed independent comparisons of the efficacy and barrier to resistance of pangenotypic DAA regimens for HCV genotype 2 infections, using previously and newly developed efficient cell culture-adapted strains of subtypes 2a, 2b, and 2c. With the applied experimental cell culture conditions, combination treatment with the sofosbuvir-velpatasvir or glecaprevir-pibrentasvir DAA regimen was efficient in eradicating HCV infections; in contrast, single-drug treatments frequently led to viral escape. Sequence analysis of drug targets from recovered viruses revealed known resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) emerging in the NS3 protease or NS5A after treatment failure. These RAS were genetically stable after viral passage, and viruses with these RAS exhibited significant phenotypic resistance. After sofosbuvir treatment failure, only a genotype 2a virus harbored NS5B RAS S282T and thus had decreased susceptibility to nucleotide analogs (nucs). However, in most cases, viral escape from sofosbuvir led to other NS5B substitutions but drug susceptibility was maintained, and in one case, no changes in NS5B were detected. For a genotype 2b virus, after treatment failure with sofosbuvir-velpatasvir, the efficacy of retreatment with glecaprevir-pibrentasvir was maintained due to the high barrier to resistance and low cross-resistance of pibrentasvir. Our findings suggest the slight superiority of glecaprevir-pibrentasvir against genotype 2b in culture, which could have potential therapeutic interest meriting more definitive investigations in the clinic.
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14
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Genome-Wide Mutagenesis of Hepatitis C Virus Reveals Ability of Genome To Overcome Detrimental Mutations. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.01327-19. [PMID: 31723027 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01327-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
To gain insight into the impact of mutations on the viability of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, we created a set of full-genome mutant libraries, differing from the parent sequence as well as each other, by using a random mutagenesis approach; the proportion of mutations increased across these libraries with declining template amount or dATP concentration. The replication efficiencies of full-genome mutant libraries ranged between 71 and 329 focus-forming units (FFU) per 105 Huh7.5 cells. Mutant libraries with low proportions of mutations demonstrated low replication capabilities, whereas those with high proportions of mutations had their replication capabilities restored. Hepatoma cells transfected with selected mutant libraries, with low (4 mutations per 10,000 bp copied), moderate (33 mutations), and high (66 mutations) proportions of mutations, and their progeny were subjected to serial passage. Predominant virus variants (mutants) from these mutant libraries (Mutantl, Mutantm, and Mutanth, respectively) were evaluated for changes in growth kinetics and particle-to-FFU unit ratio, virus protein expression, and modulation of host cell protein synthesis. Mutantm and Mutantl variants produced >3.0-log-higher extracellular progeny per ml than the parent, and Mutanth produced progeny at a rate 1.0-log lower. More than 80% of the mutations were in a nonstructural part of the mutant genomes, the majority were nonsynonymous, and a moderate to large proportion were in the conserved regions. Our results suggest that the HCV genome has the ability to overcome lethal/deleterious mutations because of the high reproduction rate but highly selects for random, beneficial mutations.IMPORTANCE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in vivo displays high genetic heterogeneity, which is partly due to the high reproduction and random substitutions during error-prone genome replication. It is difficult to introduce random substitutions in vitro because of limitations in inducing mutagenesis from the 5' end to the 3' end of the genome. Our study has overcome this limitation. We synthesized full-length genomes with few to several random mutations in the background of an HCV clone that can recapitulate all steps of the life cycle. Our study provides evidence of the capability of the HCV genome to overcome deleterious mutations and remain viable. Mutants that emerged from the libraries had diverse phenotype profiles compared to the parent, and putative adaptive mutations mapped to segments of the conserved nonstructural genome. We demonstrate the potential utility of our system for the study of sequence variation that ensures the survival and adaptation of HCV.
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15
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The Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 18 Promotes Hepatitis C Virus Production by Increasing Viral Infectivity. Mediators Inflamm 2019; 2019:3124745. [PMID: 31871427 PMCID: PMC6906844 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3124745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) is involved in immunoregulation and response to interferon- (IFN-) based treatment in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). We investigated whether and how its upregulation alters HCV infection. Methods Overexpression of wild-type (USP18 WT) or catalytically inactive mutant (USP18 C64S) USP18 was examined for effects on HCV replication in the absence and presence of IFNα or IFNλ using both the HCV-infective model and replicon cells. The IFN signaling pathway was assessed via STAT1 phosphorylation (western blot) and downstream ISG expression (real-time PCR). Mechanistic roles were sought by quantifying microRNA-122 levels and J6/JFH1 infectivity of Huh7.5 cells. Results We found that overexpression of either USP18 WT or USP18 C64S stimulated HCV production and blunted the anti-HCV effect of IFNα and IFNλ in the infective model but not in the replicon system. Overexpressed USP18 showed no effect on Jak/STAT signaling nor on microRNA-122 expression. However, USP18 upregulation markedly increased J6/JFH1 infectivity and promoted the expression of the key HCV entry factor CD81 on Huh7.5 cells. Conclusions USP18 stimulates HCV production and blunts the effect of both type I and III IFNs by fostering a cellular environment characterized by upregulation of CD81, promoting virus entry and infectivity.
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16
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Wakita T. Cell Culture Systems of HCV Using JFH-1 and Other Strains. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2019; 9:cshperspect.a036806. [PMID: 31501261 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is seen worldwide and is a significant cause of severe chronic liver diseases. Recently, a large number of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been developed against HCV infection, resulting in significant improvements in treatment efficacy. Rapid progress in HCV research has been largely dependent on the development of HCV culture systems and small animal infection models. In the development of HCV cell culture systems, the discovery of the JFH-1 clone, an HCV strain isolated from a fulminant hepatitis C patient, was a key finding. The JFH-1 strain was the first infectious HCV strain belonging to genotype 2a. JFH-1 replicated efficiently in cultured cell lines without acquiring adaptive mutations, providing the secretion of infectious viral particles into the culture medium. Recently, other HCV strains also were reported to be infectious in cultured cells with adaptive viral mutations, but genotype-1b infectious HCV clones and virus culture systems for clinical isolates are still missing. These infectious HCV systems have provided powerful tools to study the viral life cycle, to construct antiviral strategies, and to develop effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaji Wakita
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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17
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Hatanaka T, Naganuma A, Tateyama Y, Yoshinari F, Hoshino T, Sato K, Hmwe SS, Aizaki H, Wakita T, Kakizaki S, Uraoka T. Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir for Acute Hepatitis C Virus Monoinfection Associated with a High Risk of Acute Liver Failure. Intern Med 2019; 58:2969-2975. [PMID: 31243225 PMCID: PMC6859401 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2982-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A 72-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital with yellow discoloration of the sclera and liver dysfunction. He was diagnosed with acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on the basis of HCV-RNA positivity and anti-HCV seroconversion. A transjugular liver biopsy confirmed submassive hepatic necrosis. Five days after admission, no flapping tremor was observed, and the prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) and total bilirubin level showed increases of 1.70 and 17.8 mg/dL, respectively. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was determined to be 25, and the risk of acute liver failure (ALF) was estimated to be 48% according to the Japan Hepatic Encephalopathy Prediction Model. Considering that rapid HCV clearance and temporary suppression of the immune response would prevent ALF, we prescribed oral ledipasvir (LDV) 90 mg and sofosbuvir (SOF) 400 mg for 12 weeks and intravenously injected methylprednisolone 1 g for 3 days. His PT-INR promptly improved, although the total bilirubin level increased to 30.3 mg/dL. Plasma bilirubin absorption was performed three times, and the total bilirubin level gradually decreased. HCV-RNA was still detectable at six weeks after the start of LDV/SOF therapy and finally undetectable at eight weeks. There were no adverse events associated with LDV/SOF. The patient was discharged 73 days after admission. A sustained virological response was achieved at 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. The findings from this case suggest that LDV/SOF therapy can be a promising option for acute HCV monoinfection associated with a high risk of ALF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Hatanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gunma Saiseikai Maebashi Hospital, Japan
| | - Atsushi Naganuma
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Japan
| | - Yumeo Tateyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Japan
| | - Fukiko Yoshinari
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Japan
| | - Takashi Hoshino
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Takasaki General Medical Center, Japan
| | - Ken Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Su Su Hmwe
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Hideki Aizaki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Satoru Kakizaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Toshio Uraoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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18
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Dvory-Sobol H, Han B, Lu J, Yu M, Beran RK, Cheng G, Martin R, Svarovskaia E, Mo H. In vitro resistance profile of hepatitis C virus NS5A inhibitor velpatasvir in genotypes 1 to 6. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:991-1001. [PMID: 31009123 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Velpatasvir is a pan-genotypic hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitor, which is used with sofosbuvir for treatment of infection with HCV genotypes 1-6. In vitro resistance studies were performed to characterize NS5A changes that might confer reduced velpatasvir susceptibility in vivo. Resistance selection studies using HCV replicon cells for subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a identified NS5A resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) at nine positions, most often 28M/S/T, 31F/I/M/P/V and 93D/H/N/S. In subtype 1a, RASs were selected at positions 31 and/or 93, while in subtype 1b, replicons with two or more RASs at positions 31, 54 or 93 were selected. Y93H was selected in subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a and 4a. In subtype 5a or 6a, L31P or P32L/Q was selected, respectively. Velpatasvir susceptibility of 358 replicons from genotypes 1 to 6 containing one or more NS5A RASs was also evaluated. The majority (63%) of subtypes 1a and 1b single RAS-containing replicons retained susceptibility to velpatasvir (<2.5-fold change in EC50 ). High levels of resistance to velpatasvir were observed for six single mutants in subtype 1a, including M28G, A92K, Y93H/N/R/W and for one mutant, A92K, in subtype 1b. Most single mutants in subtypes 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a and 5a displayed low levels of reduced velpatasvir susceptibility. High-level resistance was observed for C92T and Y93H/N in subtype 2b, Y93H/S in 3a, and L31V and P32A/L/Q/R in 6a, and several double mutants in these subtypes. Overall, velpatasvir maintained activity against most common RASs that are known to confer resistance to first-generation NS5A inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bin Han
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California
| | - Julia Lu
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California
| | - Mei Yu
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California
| | | | | | | | | | - Hongmei Mo
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California
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In Vitro Susceptibility of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 through 6 Clinical Isolates to the Pangenotypic NS3/4A Inhibitor Voxilaprevir. J Clin Microbiol 2019; 57:JCM.01844-18. [PMID: 30728196 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01844-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Voxilaprevir is a direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) that targets the NS3/4A protease of hepatitis C virus (HCV). High sequence diversity of HCV and inadequate drug exposure during unsuccessful treatment may lead to the accumulation of variants with reduced susceptibility to DAAs, including NS3/4A protease inhibitors such as voxilaprevir. The voxilaprevir susceptibility of clinical and laboratory strains of HCV was assessed. The NS3 protease regions of viruses belonging to 6 genotypes and 29 subtypes from 345 DAA-naive or -experienced (including protease inhibitor) patients and 344 genotype 1 to 6 replicons bearing engineered NS3 resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) were tested in transient-transfection assays. The median voxilaprevir 50% effective concentration against NS3 from protease inhibitor-naive patient samples ranged from 0.38 nM for genotype 1 to 5.8 nM for genotype 3. Voxilaprevir susceptibilities of HCV replicons with NS3 RASs were dependent on subtype background and the type and number of substitutions introduced. The majority of RASs known to confer resistance to other protease inhibitors had little to no impact on voxilaprevir susceptibility, except A156L, T, or V in genotype 1 to 4 which conferred >100-fold reductions but exhibited low replication capacity in most genotypes. These data support the use of voxilaprevir in combination with other DAAs in DAA-naive and DAA-experienced patients infected with any subtype of HCV.
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20
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Nijmeijer BM, Sarrami‐Forooshani R, Steba GS, Schreurs RRCE, Koekkoek SM, Molenkamp R, Schinkel J, Reiss P, Siegenbeek van Heukelom ML, van der Valk M, Ribeiro CMS, Geijtenbeek TBH. HIV-1 exposure and immune activation enhance sexual transmission of Hepatitis C virus by primary Langerhans cells. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22:e25268. [PMID: 30932366 PMCID: PMC6442005 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The significant rise in incidence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) living with HIV-1 suggests that HCV under specific circumstances is transmitted via sexual contact. During sexual transmission HCV has to cross the epithelial barrier to either directly enter the blood stream or indirectly via mucosal immune cells. However, the mechanisms of sexual transmission of HCV remain unclear. We investigated the role of Langerhans cells (LCs) in HCV susceptibility during sexual contact as LCs are among the first cells in mucosal tissues to encounter invading viruses. METHODS We investigated the phenotype of primary LCs in anal biopsies from MSM living with HIV-1. To investigate the role of primary LCs in HCV infection and transmission, we have used both isolated primary skin LCs and the ex vivo tissue transmission model. RESULTS Our data identified an important role for mucosal LCs in facilitating HCV transmission after HIV-1 exposure or immune activation. LCs were detected within mucosal anal tissues obtained from HIV-1 positive MSM biopsies. In order to perform functional studies, we used primary LCs from skin, which have a similar phenotype as mucosal LCs. Immature LCs were neither infected nor transmitted HCV to hepatocytes. Notably, exposure to HIV-1 significantly increased HCV transmission by LCs in the ex vivo transmission model. HIV-1 replication was crucial for the increased HCV transmission as HIV-1 inhibitors significantly reduced HIV-1-induced HCV transmission. Moreover, tissue immune activation of LCs also increased HCV transmission to target cells. CONCLUSIONS Thus, our data strongly indicate that HIV-1 or immune activation in MSM leads to capture of HCV by mucosal LCs, which might facilitate transmission to other cells or allow entry of HCV into the blood. This novel transmission mechanism by LCs also implicates that the activation state of LCs is an important cellular determinant for HCV susceptibility after sexual contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadien M Nijmeijer
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam Infection and Immunity InstituteAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ramin Sarrami‐Forooshani
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam Infection and Immunity InstituteAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Gaby S Steba
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyClinical Virology LaboratoryAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Renée RCE Schreurs
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam Infection and Immunity InstituteAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Sylvie M Koekkoek
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyClinical Virology LaboratoryAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Richard Molenkamp
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyClinical Virology LaboratoryAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Janke Schinkel
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyClinical Virology LaboratoryAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Peter Reiss
- Department of Global HealthAmsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and DevelopmentAmsterdam University Medical Centers HIV Monitoring FoundationAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of Internal MedicineAmsterdam Infection and Immunity InstituteAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Matthijs L Siegenbeek van Heukelom
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of Internal MedicineAmsterdam Infection and Immunity InstituteAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of DermatologyAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Marc van der Valk
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of Internal MedicineAmsterdam Infection and Immunity InstituteAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Carla MS Ribeiro
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam Infection and Immunity InstituteAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Teunis BH Geijtenbeek
- Department of Experimental ImmunologyAmsterdam Infection and Immunity InstituteAmsterdam University Medical CentersUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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21
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Roder AE, Vazquez C, Horner SM. The acidic domain of the hepatitis C virus NS4A protein is required for viral assembly and envelopment through interactions with the viral E1 glycoprotein. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007163. [PMID: 30730994 PMCID: PMC6382253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) assembly and envelopment are coordinated by a complex protein interaction network that includes most of the viral structural and nonstructural proteins. While the nonstructural protein 4A (NS4A) is known to be important for viral particle production, the specific function of NS4A in this process is not well understood. We performed mutagenesis of the C-terminal acidic domain of NS4A and found that mutation of several of these amino acids prevented the formation of the viral envelope, and therefore the production of infectious virions, without affecting viral RNA replication. In an overexpression system, we found that NS4A interacted with several viral proteins known to coordinate envelopment, including the viral E1 glycoprotein. One of the NS4A C-terminal mutations, Y45F, disrupted the interaction of NS4A with E1. Specifically, NS4A interacted with the first hydrophobic region of E1, a region previously described as regulating viral particle production. Indeed, we found that an E1 mutation in this region, D72A, also disrupted the interaction of NS4A with E1. Supernatants from HCV NS4A Y45F transfected cells had significantly reduced levels of HCV RNA, however they contained equivalent levels of Core protein. Interestingly, the Core protein secreted from these cells formed high order oligomers with a density matching the infectious virus secreted from wild-type cells. These results suggest that this Y45F mutation in NS4A causes secretion of low-density Core particles lacking genomic HCV RNA. These results corroborate previous findings showing that the E1 D72A mutation also causes secretion of Core complexes lacking genomic HCV RNA, and therefore suggest that the interaction between NS4A and E1 is involved in the incorporation of viral RNA into infectious HCV particles. Our findings define a new role for NS4A in the HCV lifecycle and help elucidate the protein interactions necessary for production of infectious virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison E Roder
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Christine Vazquez
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Stacy M Horner
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
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Similarities and Differences Between HCV Pseudoparticle (HCVpp) and Cell Culture HCV (HCVcc) in the Study of HCV. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1911:33-45. [PMID: 30593616 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8976-8_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
For a long time, the study of the HCV infectious cycle has been a major challenge for researchers because of the difficulties in generating an efficient cell culture system leading to a productive viral infection. The development of HCVpp and later on HCVcc model allowing for functional studies of HCV in cell culture completely revolutionized HCV research. The aim of this review is to provide the reader with a brief overview of the development of these two models. We describe the advantages of each model as well as their limitations in the study of the HCV life cycle, with a particular emphasis on virus entry. A comparison between these two models is presented in terms of virion composition and their use as tools for the characterization of entry factors, envelope glycoprotein functions, and antibody neutralization. We also compare the production and biosafety level of these two types of viral particles. Globally, this review provides a general description of the most adequate applications for HCVpp and HCVcc in HCV research.
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Murayama A, Fujiwara K, Yamada N, Shiina M, Aly HH, Masaki T, Muramatsu M, Wakita T, Kato T. Evaluation of antiviral effects of novel NS5A inhibitors in hepatitis C virus cell culture system with full-genome infectious clones. Antiviral Res 2018; 158:161-170. [PMID: 30118732 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.08.008] [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: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are known to have potent anti-viral effects; however, these inhibitors have limited activities on strains with resistant-associated substitutions or non-genotype 1 strains. To overcome these shortcomings, novel NS5A inhibitors have been developed and approved for clinical application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-viral effect of novel NS5A inhibitors (derivatives of odalasvir) on HCV genotype 2 strains in a cell culture system. Chimeric JFH-1 viruses replaced with NS5A of genotypes 1 and 2 were utilized to assess the genotype-specific potencies of NS5A inhibitors. We also examined full-genome infectious clones of JFH-1, J6cc, and J8cc to confirm the effects of NS5A inhibitors on genotype 2 strains. All chimeric viruses were capable of replication at similar levels in cell culture. We examined the anti-viral effects of derivatives of the novel NS5A inhibitor and compared with the first-generation NS5A inhibitor, daclatasvir (DCV). These compounds inhibited replication of chimeric JFH-1 viruses with NS5A of genotypes 1 and 2 at low concentrations in comparison with DCV. The EC50 values of J6cc and J8cc to these compounds were more than 100-fold lower than that of DCV. By long-term culture in the presence of these compounds, we obtained highly resistant variants and identified the responsible substitutions. In conclusion, novel NS5A inhibitors displayed improved potency against HCV genotype 2 strains compared with DCV. However, the activity of these compounds was impaired by emerging resistance-associated substitutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asako Murayama
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Norie Yamada
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaaki Shiina
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shin-Yurigaoka General Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hussein Hassan Aly
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Masaki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masamichi Muramatsu
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanobu Kato
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
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Ramirez S, Bukh J. Current status and future development of infectious cell-culture models for the major genotypes of hepatitis C virus: Essential tools in testing of antivirals and emerging vaccine strategies. Antiviral Res 2018; 158:264-287. [PMID: 30059723 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the relevant scientific advances that led to the development of infectious cell culture systems for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with the corresponding challenges and successes. We also provide an overview of how these systems have contributed to the study of antiviral compounds and their relevance for the development of a much-needed vaccine against this major human pathogen. An efficient infectious system to study HCV in vitro, using human hepatoma derived cells, has only been available since 2005, and was limited to a single isolate, named JFH1, until 2012. Successive developments have been slow and cumbersome, as each available system has been the result of a systematic effort for discovering adaptive mutations conferring culture replication and propagation to patient consensus clones that are inherently non-viable in vitro. High genetic heterogeneity is a paramount characteristic of this virus, and as such, it should preferably be reflected in basic, translational, and clinical studies. The limited number of efficient viral culture systems, in the context of the vast genetic diversity of HCV, continues to represent a major hindrance for the study of this virus, posing a significant barrier towards studies of antivirals (particularly of resistance) and for advancing vaccine development. Intensive research efforts, driven by isolate-specific culture adaptation, have only led to efficient full-length infectious culture systems for a few strains of HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 6. Hence research aimed at identifying novel strategies that will permit universal culture of HCV will be needed to further our understanding of this unique virus causing 400 thousand deaths annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santseharay Ramirez
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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25
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Borgia SM, Hedskog C, Parhy B, Hyland RH, Stamm LM, Brainard DM, Subramanian MG, McHutchison JG, Mo H, Svarovskaia E, Shafran SD. Identification of a Novel Hepatitis C Virus Genotype From Punjab, India: Expanding Classification of Hepatitis C Virus Into 8 Genotypes. J Infect Dis 2018; 218:1722-1729. [DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio M Borgia
- William Osler Health System, Brampton Civic Hospital, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hongmei Mo
- Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California
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26
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Kato T, Hasegawa M, Yamamoto T, Miyazaki T, Suzuki R, Wakita T, Suzuki T, Park EY. Expression of a functional intrabody against hepatitis C virus core protein in Escherichia coli and silkworm pupae. Protein Expr Purif 2018; 150:61-66. [PMID: 29778543 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.05.009] [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: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
It has been shown that the single-domain intrabody 2H9-L against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) capsid (core) protein inhibits the viral propagation and NF-κB promoter activity induced by the HCV core. In this study, 2H9-L fused with the FLAG tag sequence was expressed in both Escherichia coli and silkworm pupae and then purified. In addition, the full-length and its C terminal deletions of the HCV core protein, i.e., 1-123 amino acid residues (C123), 1-152 amino acid residues (C152), 1-177 amino acid residues (C177) and 1-191 amino acid residues (C191), were expressed as fusion proteins with a 6 × His tag at their N-terminus in E. coli and then purified. Approximately 175 and 132 μg of the intrabody were purified from 100 ml of E. coli culture and 10 silkworm pupae, respectively, by affinity chromatography. The C123, C152, C177 and C191 HCV core protein variants were purified to approximately 152, 127, 103 and 155 μg, respectively, from 100 ml of E. coli culture. An ELISA in which the intrabodies were immobilized revealed that the intrabodies purified from both hosts were bound to all HCV core protein variants. However, their binding to the C191 appeared to be weak compared to their bindings to the other HCV core protein variants. When C152 was immobilized in the ELISA, the binding of each intrabody to the core protein was also observed. These purified intrabodies can be used in biochemical analyses of the inhibitory mechanism of HCV propagation and as protein interference reagents, thus providing a potential pathway to developing a new type of antiviral drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Kato
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan; Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Moeko Hasegawa
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Yamamoto
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Takatsugu Miyazaki
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan; Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Suzuki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.
| | - Tetsuro Suzuki
- Department of Virology and Parasitology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Enoch Y Park
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan; Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8529, Japan.
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Burm R, Collignon L, Mesalam AA, Meuleman P. Animal Models to Study Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1032. [PMID: 29867998 PMCID: PMC5960670 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
With more than 71 million chronically infected people, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major global health concern. Although new direct acting antivirals have significantly improved the rate of HCV cure, high therapy cost, potential emergence of drug-resistant viral variants, and unavailability of a protective vaccine represent challenges for complete HCV eradication. Relevant animal models are required, and additional development remains necessary, to effectively study HCV biology, virus–host interactions and for the evaluation of new antiviral approaches and prophylactic vaccines. The chimpanzee, the only non-human primate susceptible to experimental HCV infection, has been used extensively to study HCV infection, particularly to analyze the innate and adaptive immune response upon infection. However, financial, practical, and especially ethical constraints have urged the exploration of alternative small animal models. These include different types of transgenic mice, immunodeficient mice of which the liver is engrafted with human hepatocytes (humanized mice) and, more recently, immunocompetent rodents that are susceptible to infection with viruses that are closely related to HCV. In this review, we provide an overview of the currently available animal models that have proven valuable for the study of HCV, and discuss their main benefits and weaknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani Burm
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Laura Collignon
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Ahmed Atef Mesalam
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.,Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Centre (NRC), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
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28
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Intracellular Hepatitis C Virus Modeling Predicts Infection Dynamics and Viral Protein Mechanisms. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.02098-17. [PMID: 29563295 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02098-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem, with nearly 2 million new infections occurring every year and up to 85% of these infections becoming chronic infections that pose serious long-term health risks. To effectively reduce the prevalence of HCV infection and associated diseases, it is important to understand the intracellular dynamics of the viral life cycle. Here, we present a detailed mathematical model that represents the full hepatitis C virus life cycle. It is the first full HCV model to be fit to acute intracellular infection data and the first to explore the functions of distinct viral proteins, probing multiple hypotheses of cis- and trans-acting mechanisms to provide insights for drug targeting. Model parameters were derived from the literature, experiments, and fitting to experimental intracellular viral RNA, extracellular viral titer, and HCV core and NS3 protein kinetic data from viral inoculation to steady state. Our model predicts higher rates for protein translation and polyprotein cleavage than previous replicon models and demonstrates that the processes of translation and synthesis of viral RNA have the most influence on the levels of the species we tracked in experiments. Overall, our experimental data and the resulting mathematical infection model reveal information about the regulation of core protein during infection, produce specific insights into the roles of the viral core, NS5A, and NS5B proteins, and demonstrate the sensitivities of viral proteins and RNA to distinct reactions within the life cycle.IMPORTANCE We have designed a model for the full life cycle of hepatitis C virus. Past efforts have largely focused on modeling hepatitis C virus replicon systems, in which transfected subgenomic HCV RNA maintains autonomous replication in the absence of virion production or spread. We started with the general structure of these previous replicon models and expanded it to create a model that incorporates the full virus life cycle as well as additional intracellular mechanistic detail. We compared several different hypotheses that have been proposed for different parts of the life cycle and applied the corresponding model variations to infection data to determine which hypotheses are most consistent with the empirical kinetic data. Because the infection data we have collected for this study are a more physiologically relevant representation of a viral life cycle than data obtained from a replicon system, our model can make more accurate predictions about clinical hepatitis C virus infections.
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29
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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] [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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30
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Wang Y, Wang J, Wu S, Zhu H. The unexpected structures of hepatitis C virus envelope proteins. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:1859-1865. [PMID: 28962094 PMCID: PMC5609170 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope proteins are essential not only for maintaining the viral life cycle, but also for evading the host's immune response and in clinical intervention. A thorough understanding of HCV envelope proteins depends on the availability of detailed structural information. Two crystal structures of the E2 core portion and of the E2 ectodomain, and one structure of the N-terminus of E1 ectodomain have shed new light on the complexity of HCV envelope proteins. In addition, the full-length E1-E2 complex has recently been modeled. The present review focuses on these advancements, introduces the recently solved structures and their biological implications and proposes novel ideas for studying the full-length E1-E2 complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Haihong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
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31
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Raj M, Langley M, McArthur SJ, Jean F. Moonlighting glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is required for efficient hepatitis C virus and dengue virus infections in human Huh-7.5.1 cells. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:977-991. [PMID: 28548037 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hijacking of cellular biosynthetic pathways by human enveloped viruses is a shared molecular event essential for the viral lifecycle. In this study, the accumulating evidence of the importance of human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in the host secretory pathway led us to hypothesize that this moonlighting enzyme could play a key role in the lifecycle steps of two important Flaviviridae members, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and dengue virus (DENV). We used short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of human GAPDH in Huh-7.5.1 cells- both pre- and post-HCV infection- to demonstrate that GAPDH is a host factor for HCV infection. siRNA-induced GAPDH knockdown performed pre-HCV infection inhibits HCV core production in infected cells and leads to a decrease in infectivity of the HCV-infected cell supernatants. siRNA-induced GAPDH knockdown performed post-HCV infection does not have an effect on HCV core abundance in infected cells, but does lead to a decrease in infectivity of the HCV-infected cell supernatants. Exogenous expression of V5-tagged human GAPDH, pre- and post-infection, increases the infectivity of HCV-infected cell supernatants, suggesting a role for GAPDH during HCV post-replication steps. Interestingly, siRNA-induced GAPDH knockdown in HCV replicon-harbouring cells had no effect on viral RNA replication. Importantly, we confirmed the important role of GAPDH in the HCV lifecycle using Huh-7-derived stable GAPDH-knockdown clones. Finally, siRNA-induced GAPDH knockdown inhibits intracellular DENV-2 E glycoprotein production in infected cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that the moonlighting enzyme, GAPDH, is an important host factor for HCV infection, and they support its potential role in the DENV lifecycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera Raj
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.,Present address: Canadian Blood Services and the Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Mary Langley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.,Present address: School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Steven J McArthur
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - François Jean
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Tracy B, Shrestha R, Stein L, Bhasin D, Pollinger H, Rubin RA. Liver transplantation for fulminant genotype 2a/c hepatitis C virus marked by a rapid recurrence followed by cure. Transpl Infect Dis 2017; 19. [PMID: 28273391 DOI: 10.1111/tid.12690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Although chronic hepatitis C is still the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States and Europe, acute liver failure caused by hepatitis C is distinctly uncommon and transplantation for fulminant hepatitis C virus (HCV) has not been documented in the United States. We present a case report of fulminant hepatic failure caused by genotype 2a/c HCV not only treated with LT but also complicated by severe, rapid recurrence of HCV within 6 days of transplantation. The risk factor for the initial infection was likely sexual, and there were no explanations for acute hepatitis post-transplant other than recurrent hepatitis C. Treatment with all-oral direct antiviral agents was swiftly initiated during the index hospitalization, leading to resolution of the acute hepatitis and resulting in sustained virologic response. It can only be speculated whether this was an infection with the JFH-1 strain or another similarly virulent genotype 2a/c HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Tracy
- Department of Surgery, Memorial University Medical Center, Savannah, GA, USA
| | - Roshan Shrestha
- Department of Transplantation, Piedmont Transplant Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lance Stein
- Department of Transplantation, Piedmont Transplant Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Devina Bhasin
- Department of Transplantation, Piedmont Transplant Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Harrison Pollinger
- Department of Transplantation, Piedmont Transplant Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Raymond A Rubin
- Department of Transplantation, Piedmont Transplant Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA
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33
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A Novel Inhibitor IDPP Interferes with Entry and Egress of HCV by Targeting Glycoprotein E1 in a Genotype-Specific Manner. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44676. [PMID: 28333153 PMCID: PMC5363083 DOI: 10.1038/srep44676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in curing chronic hepatitis C (CHC), the high economic burden to therapy, viral drug resistance, difficult to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and patient groups are still of concern. To address this unmet medical needs, we devised strategies to identify novel viral interventions through target-free high-throughput screening of small molecules utilizing a phenotypic-based HCV infection assay. Thereby, a very potent (EC50 46 ± 26 pM) iminodipyridinopyrimidine (IDPP) drug candidate was selected, and confirmed in primary human hepatocytes (EC50 0.5 nM). IDPP mainly targets a post-attachment step of HCV without affecting endosomal acidification, prevents the secretion of infectious particles and viral cell-to-cell spread. The putative molecular target of IDPP is glycoprotein E1, as revealed by selection for viral drug resistance (Gly-257-Arg). IDPP was synergistic in combination with FDA-approved HCV drugs and inhibited pre-existing resistant HCV strains induced by today's therapies. Interestingly, IDPP exclusively inhibited HCV genotype 2. However, we identified the genotype-specificity determining region in E1 and generated HCV genotype 1 susceptible to IDPP by changing one amino acid in E1 (Gln-257-Gly). Together, our results indicate an opportunity to provide an alternative treatment option for CHC and will shed light on the poorly understood function of HCV glycoprotein E1.
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34
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Kofahi HM, Taylor NGA, Hirasawa K, Grant MD, Russell RS. Hepatitis C Virus Infection of Cultured Human Hepatoma Cells Causes Apoptosis and Pyroptosis in Both Infected and Bystander Cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37433. [PMID: 27974850 PMCID: PMC5156923 DOI: 10.1038/srep37433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at high risk of developing progressive liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). How HCV infection causes liver destruction has been of significant interest for many years, and apoptosis has been proposed as one operative mechanism. In this study, we employed a tissue culture-adapted strain of HCV (JFH1T) to test effects of HCV infection on induction of programmed cell death (PCD) in Huh-7.5 cells. We found that HCV infection reduced the proliferation rate and induced caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in the infected cell population. However, in addition to apoptosis, we also observed infected cells undergoing caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis, which was induced by NLRP3 inflammasome activation. By co-culturing HCV-infected Huh-7.5 cells with an HCV-non-permissive cell line, we also demonstrated induction of both apoptosis and pyroptosis in uninfected cells. Bystander apoptosis, but not bystander pyroptosis, required cell-cell contact between infected and bystander cells. In summary, these findings provide new information on mechanisms of cell death in response to HCV infection. The observation that both apoptosis and pyroptosis can be induced in bystander cells extends our understanding of HCV-induced pathogenesis in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Kofahi
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - N G A Taylor
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - K Hirasawa
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - M D Grant
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - R S Russell
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland A1B 3V6, Canada
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35
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A Library of Infectious Hepatitis C Viruses with Engineered Mutations in the E2 Gene Reveals Growth-Adaptive Mutations That Modulate Interactions with Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I. J Virol 2016; 90:10499-10512. [PMID: 27630236 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01011-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While natural hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in highly diverse quasispecies of related viruses over time, mutations accumulate more slowly in tissue culture, in part because of the inefficiency of replication in cells. To create a highly diverse population of HCV particles in cell culture and identify novel growth-enhancing mutations, we engineered a library of infectious HCV with all codons represented at most positions in the ectodomain of the E2 gene. We identified many putative growth-adaptive mutations and selected nine highly represented E2 mutants for further study: Q412R, T416R, S449P, T563V, A579R, L619T, V626S, K632T, and L644I. We evaluated these mutants for changes in particle-to-infectious-unit ratio, sensitivity to neutralizing antibody or CD81 large extracellular loop (CD81-LEL) inhibition, entry factor usage, and buoyant density profiles. Q412R, T416R, S449P, T563V, and L619T were neutralized more efficiently by anti-E2 antibodies and T416R, T563V, and L619T by CD81-LEL. Remarkably, all nine variants showed reduced dependence on scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) for infection. This shift from SR-BI usage did not correlate with a change in the buoyant density profiles of the variants, suggesting an altered E2-SR-BI interaction rather than changes in the virus-associated lipoprotein-E2 interaction. Our results demonstrate that residues influencing SR-BI usage are distributed across E2 and support the development of large-scale mutagenesis studies to identify viral variants with unique functional properties. IMPORTANCE Characterizing variant viruses can reveal new information about the life cycle of HCV and the roles played by different viral genes. However, it is difficult to recapitulate high levels of diversity in the laboratory because of limitations in the HCV culture system. To overcome this limitation, we engineered a library of mutations into the E2 gene in the context of an infectious clone of the virus. We used this library of viruses to identify nine mutations that enhance the growth rate of HCV. These growth-enhancing mutations reduced the dependence on a key entry receptor, SR-BI. By generating a highly diverse library of infectious HCV, we mapped regions of the E2 protein that influence a key virus-host interaction and provide proof of principle for the generation of large-scale mutant libraries for the study of pathogens with great sequence variability.
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The 2016 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award: Innovative hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicons leading to drug development for hepatitis C cure. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2016; 59:1198-1201. [PMID: 27785725 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-016-0313-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Bukh J. The history of hepatitis C virus (HCV): Basic research reveals unique features in phylogeny, evolution and the viral life cycle with new perspectives for epidemic control. J Hepatol 2016; 65:S2-S21. [PMID: 27641985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989 permitted basic research to unravel critical components of a complex life cycle for this important human pathogen. HCV is a highly divergent group of viruses classified in 7 major genotypes and a great number of subtypes, and circulating in infected individuals as a continuously evolving quasispecies destined to escape host immune responses and applied antivirals. Despite the inability to culture patient viruses directly in the laboratory, efforts to define the infectious genome of HCV resulted in development of experimental recombinant in vivo and in vitro systems, including replicons and infectious cultures in human hepatoma cell lines. And HCV has become a model virus defining new paradigms in virology, immunology and biology. For example, HCV research discovered that a virus could be completely dependent on microRNA for its replication since microRNA-122 is critical for the HCV life cycle. A number of other host molecules critical for HCV entry and replication have been identified. Thus, basic HCV research revealed important molecules for development of host targeting agents (HTA). The identification and characterization of HCV encoded proteins and their functional units contributed to the development of highly effective direct acting antivirals (DAA) against the NS3 protease, NS5A and the NS5B polymerase. In combination, these inhibitors have since 2014 permitted interferon-free therapy with cure rates above 90% among patients with chronic HCV infection; however, viral resistance represents a challenge. Worldwide control of HCV will most likely require the development of a prophylactic vaccine, and numerous candidates have been pursued. Research characterizing features critical for antibody-based virus neutralization and T cell based virus elimination from infected cells is essential for this effort. If the world community promotes an ambitious approach by applying current DAA broadly, continues to develop alternative viral- and host- targeted antivirals to combat resistant variants, and invests in the development of a vaccine, it would be possible to eradicate HCV. This would prevent about 500 thousand deaths annually. However, given the nature of HCV, the millions of new infections annually, a high chronicity rate, and with over 150 million individuals with chronic infection (which are frequently unidentified), this effort remains a major challenge for basic researchers, clinicians and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Research Centre, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Zhou N, Han Z, Hartman-Neumann S, DeGray B, Ueland J, Vellucci V, Hernandez D, McPhee F. Characterization of NS5A polymorphisms and their impact on response rates in patients with HCV genotype 2 treated with daclatasvir-based regimens. J Antimicrob Chemother 2016; 71:3495-3505. [PMID: 27605597 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkw336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Daclatasvir (DCV) is a pan-genotypic non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) inhibitor that is approved for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT)1 and GT3 in the USA and GT1, GT3 and GT4 in Europe. We set out to examine the impact of daclatasvir-based regimens on the sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with GT2 infection with respect to GT2 subtype and NS5A polymorphisms at amino acid positions associated with daclatasvir resistance. METHODS Analyses were performed on 283 GT2 NS5A sequences from five daclatasvir regimen-based clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT-01257204, NCT-01359644, NCT-02032875, NCT-02032888 and NCT-01616524) and 143 NS5A sequences from the Los Alamos HCV database. Susceptibility analyses of substitutions at amino acid positions associated with daclatasvir resistance and patient-derived NS5A sequences were performed using an in vitro HCV replication assay. RESULTS Of 13 GT2 subtypes identified from 426 NS5A sequences, the most prevalent were GT2a (32%), GT2b (48%) and GT2c (10%). The most prevalent NS5A polymorphism was L31M (GT2a = 88%; GT2b = 59%; GT2c = 10%). Substitutions identified in 96% of GT2 NS5A sequences exhibited daclatasvir EC50 values ranging from 0.005 to 20 nM when tested in vitro. A similar range in daclatasvir EC50 values was observed for 16 diverse GT2 patient-derived NS5A sequences (EC50 = 0.005-60 nM). Depending on the daclatasvir-based regimen studied (daclatasvir/interferon-based or daclatasvir/sofosbuvir-based), SVR rates ranged from 90% to 100% in GT2 patients with the most prevalent baseline NS5A-L31M polymorphism, compared with from 96% to 100% without this polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS High SVR rates were achieved in patients infected with GT2 treated with daclatasvir-based regimens irrespective of GT2 subtype or baseline NS5A polymorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Zhou
- Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Zhou Han
- Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | | | - Brenda DeGray
- Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Joseph Ueland
- Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | | | | | - Fiona McPhee
- Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
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Matsumura T, Sugiyama N, Murayama A, Yamada N, Shiina M, Asabe S, Wakita T, Imawari M, Kato T. Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 attenuates infection of hepatitis C virus. Hepatol Res 2016; 46:924-32. [PMID: 26606891 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM Although recent studies indicate that supplementation with vitamin D (VD) potentiates a sustained viral response by interferon-based therapy to chronic hepatitis C, detailed mechanisms are not fully defined. The production of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide, has been demonstrated to be part of the VD-dependent antimicrobial pathway in innate immunity. Cathelicidin is known to directly kill or inhibit the growth of microbial pathogens including mycobacteria and viruses. METHODS We used a hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell culture system to clarify the anti-HCV effects of the human cathelicidin, LL-37. HuH-7 cells were administrated with LL-37 and infected with cell culture-generated HCV (HCVcc). HCV propagation was estimated by measuring the level of HCV core antigen (Ag). RESULTS Treatment with LL-37 resulted in decreased intra- and extracellular levels of HCV core Ag, suggesting inhibition of HCV propagation. To assess the effects of LL-37 on HCV replication, JFH-1 subgenomic replicon RNA-transfected cells were treated with LL-37. However, inhibition of HCV replication was not detected by this assay. To clarify the effects on HCV infection, we treated HCVcc with LL-37 and removed the antimicrobial peptide prior to use of the virus in infection. This exposure of HCVcc to LL-37 diminished the infectivity titers in a dose-dependent fashion. Iodixanol density gradient analysis revealed that the peak fraction of infectivity titer was eliminated by LL-37 treatment. CONCLUSION The VD-associated antimicrobial peptide LL-37 attenuated the infectivity of HCV. This anti-HCV effect of LL-37 may explain the contribution of VD to the improved efficacy of interferon-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Matsumura
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo
| | - Nao Sugiyama
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo
| | - Asako Murayama
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo
| | - Norie Yamada
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo
| | - Masaaki Shiina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shin-Yurigaoka General Hospital, Kawasaki
| | - Shinichi Asabe
- Division of Gastroenterology, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo
| | - Michio Imawari
- Research Institute for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Shin-Yurigaoka General Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Takanobu Kato
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo
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Chou WW, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Tsai YS, Hsieh MY, Huang CI, Huang JF, Tsai PC, Hsi E, Juo SHH, Tsai WL, Chuang WL, Yu ML, Dai CY. MicroRNA let-7g cooperates with interferon/ribavirin to repress hepatitis C virus replication. J Mol Med (Berl) 2016; 94:311-320. [PMID: 26489607 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-015-1348-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNA) have been implicated in HCV infection. The present study analyzed the effects of let-7g on HCV infection in vitro, in clinical tissue and serum samples. Here, we show that the expression of let-7g in serum and liver tissue is significantly higher in patients with sustained virologic response (SVR). We show that interferon (IFN)/ribavirin (RBV) induces let-7g expression through p38/AP-1 signaling. Overexpression of let-7g reduced HCV gene or core protein level and inhibited the HCV viral load. The let-7g and IFN/RBV have additively inhibitory effect on HCV replication. These data implicate let-7g as a new therapeutic drug to additively cooperate with IFN/RBV to repress HCV replication. Key messages: let-7g expression is increased in serum and liver tissue of patients with SVR. Interferon/ribavirin induces let-7g expression through p38/AP-1 signaling. Overexpression of let-7g can repress HCV replication. Let-7g additively cooperates with interferon/ribavirin to repress HCV replication. Lin28B silencing can reverse let-7g expression and repress HCV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wen Chou
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Feng Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lun Yeh
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shan Tsai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yen Hsieh
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Ching-I Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Jee-Fu Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chien Tsai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Edward Hsi
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Genome Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Suh-Hang Hank Juo
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Genome Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Lun Tsai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Long Chuang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Lipid Science and Aging Research, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Center for Lipid Science and Aging Research, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yen Dai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Center for Lipid Science and Aging Research, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Fourati S, Pawlotsky JM. Virologic Tools for HCV Drug Resistance Testing. Viruses 2015; 7:6346-59. [PMID: 26690198 PMCID: PMC4690865 DOI: 10.3390/v7122941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in molecular biology have led to the development of new antiviral drugs that target specific steps of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) lifecycle. These drugs, collectively termed direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), include non-structural (NS) HCV protein inhibitors, NS3/4A protease inhibitors, NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors (nucleotide analogues and non-nucleoside inhibitors), and NS5A inhibitors. Due to the high genetic variability of HCV, the outcome of DAA-based therapies may be altered by the selection of amino-acid substitutions located within the targeted proteins, which affect viral susceptibility to the administered compounds. At the drug developmental stage, preclinical and clinical characterization of HCV resistance to new drugs in development is mandatory. In the clinical setting, accurate diagnostic tools have become available to monitor drug resistance in patients who receive treatment with DAAs. In this review, we describe tools available to investigate drug resistance in preclinical studies, clinical trials and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slim Fourati
- National Reference Center for Viral Hepatitis B, C, and D; Department of Virology, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris-Est and INSERM U955, Créteil 94010, France.
| | - Jean-Michel Pawlotsky
- National Reference Center for Viral Hepatitis B, C, and D; Department of Virology, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris-Est and INSERM U955, Créteil 94010, France.
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Ye F, Xin Z, Han W, Fan J, Yin B, Wu S, Yang W, Yuan J, Qiang B, Sun W, Peng X. Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of the Hepatitis C Virus Replicon High-Permissive and Low-Permissive Cell Lines. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142082. [PMID: 26544179 PMCID: PMC4636247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of severe hepatitis. The molecular mechanisms underlying HCV replication and pathogenesis remain unclear. The development of the subgenome replicon model system significantly enhanced study of HCV. However, the permissiveness of the HCV subgenome replicon greatly differs among different hepatoma cell lines. Proteomic analysis of different permissive cell lines might provide new clues in understanding HCV replication. In this study, to detect potential candidates that might account for the differences in HCV replication. Label-free and iTRAQ labeling were used to analyze the differentially expressed protein profiles between Huh7.5.1 wt and HepG2 cells. A total of 4919 proteins were quantified in which 114 proteins were commonly identified as differentially expressed by both quantitative methods. A total of 37 differential proteins were validated by qRT-PCR. The differential expression of Glutathione S-transferase P (GSTP1), Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1 (UCHL1), carboxylesterase 1 (CES1), vimentin, Proteasome activator complex subunit1 (PSME1), and Cathepsin B (CTSB) were verified by western blot. And over-expression of CTSB or knock-down of vimentin induced significant changes to HCV RNA levels. Additionally, we demonstrated that CTSB was able to inhibit HCV replication and viral protein translation. These results highlight the potential role of CTSB and vimentin in virus replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ye
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongshuai Xin
- Division of Hormone, National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Han
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Fan
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yin
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shuzhen Wu
- Core facility of instrument, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Yang
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangang Yuan
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Boqin Qiang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Core facility of instrument, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (XP); (WS)
| | - Xiaozhong Peng
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (XP); (WS)
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Substitutions at NS3 Residue 155, 156, or 168 of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes 2 to 6 Induce Complex Patterns of Protease Inhibitor Resistance. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:7426-36. [PMID: 26392503 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01953-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Various protease inhibitors (PIs) currently are becoming available for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV). For genotype 1, substitutions at NS3 protease positions 155, 156, and 168 are the main determinants of PI resistance. For other genotypes, similar substitutions were selected during PI treatment but were not characterized systematically. To elucidate the impact of key PI resistance substitutions on genotypes 2 to 6, we engineered the substitutions R155A/E/G/H/K/Q/T, A156G/S/T/V, and D/Q168A/E/G/H/N/V into HCV recombinants expressing genotype 2 to 6 proteases. We evaluated viral fitness and sensitivity to nine PIs (telaprevir, boceprevir, simeprevir, asunaprevir, vaniprevir, faldaprevir, paritaprevir, deldeprevir, and grazoprevir) in Huh7.5 cells. We found that most variants showed decreased fitness compared to that of the original viruses. Overall, R155K, A156G/S, and D/Q168A/E/H/N/V variants showed the highest fitness; however, genotype 4 position 168 variants showed strong fitness impairment. Most variants tested were resistant to several PIs. Resistance levels varied significantly depending on the specific substitution, genotype, and PI. For telaprevir and boceprevir, specific 155 and 156, but not 168, variants proved resistant. For the remaining PIs, most genotype 2, 4, 5, and 6, but not genotype 3, variants showed various resistance levels. Overall, grazoprevir (MK-5172) had the highest efficacy against original viruses and variants. This is the first comprehensive study revealing the impact of described key PI resistance substitutions on fitness and PI resistance of HCV genotypes 2 to 6. In conclusion, the studied substitutions induced resistance to a panel of clinically relevant PIs, including the newer PIs paritaprevir, deldeprevir, and grazoprevir. We discovered complex patterns of resistance, with the impact of substitutions varying from increased sensitivity to high resistance.
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Tasaka-Fujita M, Sugiyama N, Kang W, Masaki T, Masaski T, Murayama A, Yamada N, Sugiyama R, Tsukuda S, Watashi K, Asahina Y, Sakamoto N, Wakita T, Shin EC, Kato T. Amino Acid Polymorphisms in Hepatitis C Virus Core Affect Infectious Virus Production and Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Molecule Expression. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13994. [PMID: 26365522 PMCID: PMC4568458 DOI: 10.1038/srep13994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acid (aa) polymorphisms in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b core protein have been reported to be a potent predictor for poor response to interferon (IFN)-based therapy and a risk factor for hepatocarcinogenesis. We investigated the effects of these polymorphisms with genotype 1b/2a chimeric viruses that contained polymorphisms of Arg/Gln at aa 70 and Leu/Met at aa 91. We found that infectious virus production was reduced in cells transfected with chimeric virus RNA that had Gln at aa 70 (aa70Q) compared with RNA with Arg at aa 70 (aa70R). Using flow cytometry analysis, we confirmed that HCV core protein accumulated in aa70Q clone transfected cells, and it caused a reduction in cell-surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules induced by IFN treatment through enhanced protein kinase R phosphorylation. We could not detect any effects due to the polymorphism at aa 91. In conclusion, the polymorphism at aa 70 was associated with efficiency of infectious virus production, and this deteriorated virus production in strains with aa70Q resulted in the intracellular accumulation of HCV proteins and attenuation of MHC class I molecule expression. These observations may explain the strain-associated resistance to IFN-based therapy and hepatocarcinogenesis of HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Tasaka-Fujita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.,Center for Interprofessional Education, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Nao Sugiyama
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Wonseok Kang
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Takahiro Masaki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | | | - Asako Murayama
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Norie Yamada
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Sugiyama
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Senko Tsukuda
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Asahina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.,Department of Liver Disease Control, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Takanobu Kato
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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45
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Lu L, An Y, Zou J, Gu L, Zhao Z, Zhang X, Li C, Kurihara C, Hokari R, Itakura J, Kurosaki M, Izumi N, Fu Y, Nakano T, Kato T, Negro F, Chen G. The evolutionary patterns of hepatitis C virus subtype 2a and 6a isolates linked to an outbreak in China in 2012. Virology 2015; 485:431-8. [PMID: 26343863 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED An HCV outbreak occurred in 2012 in China, affecting hundreds of patients. We characterized HCV subtype 2a and 6a sequences from 60 and 102 patients, respectively, and co-analyzed them with 82 local controls and 103 calibrating references. The close grouping of the patients׳ sequences contrasted sharply with the diversity of local controls. Scaled by the calibrating references, the emergence of patients׳ isolates was estimated at 2-5 years before sampling. In contrast, the controls intermingled with the calibrating references that were much older. For both subtypes, the major and minor clusters could be defined, with the closeness to indicate linked transmission. CONCLUSION HCV sequences from the study patients grouped into three subtype 2a and two subtype 6a clusters, in addition to three 6a solitary branches, representing descendants of eight earlier strains that were distinct and otherwise sporadic. Due to iatrogenic transmission through reusing needles, five strains were highly selected and preferentially spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Lu
- Laboratory for Hepatology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; The Center for Viral Oncology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States of America.
| | - Yuling An
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ji Zou
- Laboratory for Hepatology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Gu
- Laboratory for Hepatology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhixin Zhao
- Laboratory for Hepatology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Laboratory for Hepatology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunhua Li
- The Center for Viral Oncology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States of America
| | - Chie Kurihara
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ryota Hokari
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Jun Itakura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Kurosaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Namiki Izumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yongshui Fu
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tatsunori Nakano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fujita Health University, Nanakuri Sanatorium, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | - Takanobu Kato
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Francesco Negro
- Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and of Clinical pathology, University, Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Guihua Chen
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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46
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Graw F, Martin DN, Perelson AS, Uprichard SL, Dahari H. Quantification of Hepatitis C Virus Cell-to-Cell Spread Using a Stochastic Modeling Approach. J Virol 2015; 89:6551-61. [PMID: 25833046 PMCID: PMC4468510 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00016-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED It has been proposed that viral cell-to-cell transmission plays a role in establishing and maintaining chronic infections. Thus, understanding the mechanisms and kinetics of cell-to-cell spread is fundamental to elucidating the dynamics of infection and may provide insight into factors that determine chronicity. Because hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads from cell to cell and has a chronicity rate of up to 80% in exposed individuals, we examined the dynamics of HCV cell-to-cell spread in vitro and quantified the effect of inhibiting individual host factors. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we performed HCV spread assays and assessed the appropriateness of different stochastic models for describing HCV focus expansion. To evaluate the effect of blocking specific host cell factors on HCV cell-to-cell transmission, assays were performed in the presence of blocking antibodies and/or small-molecule inhibitors targeting different cellular HCV entry factors. In all experiments, HCV-positive cells were identified by immunohistochemical staining and the number of HCV-positive cells per focus was assessed to determine focus size. We found that HCV focus expansion can best be explained by mathematical models assuming focus size-dependent growth. Consistent with previous reports suggesting that some factors impact HCV cell-to-cell spread to different extents, modeling results estimate a hierarchy of efficacies for blocking HCV cell-to-cell spread when targeting different host factors (e.g., CLDN1 > NPC1L1 > TfR1). This approach can be adapted to describe focus expansion dynamics under a variety of experimental conditions as a means to quantify cell-to-cell transmission and assess the impact of cellular factors, viral factors, and antivirals. IMPORTANCE The ability of viruses to efficiently spread by direct cell-to-cell transmission is thought to play an important role in the establishment and maintenance of viral persistence. As such, elucidating the dynamics of cell-to-cell spread and quantifying the effect of blocking the factors involved has important implications for the design of potent antiviral strategies and controlling viral escape. Mathematical modeling has been widely used to understand HCV infection dynamics and treatment response; however, these models typically assume only cell-free virus infection mechanisms. Here, we used stochastic models describing focus expansion as a means to understand and quantify the dynamics of HCV cell-to-cell spread in vitro and determined the degree to which cell-to-cell spread is reduced when individual HCV entry factors are blocked. The results demonstrate the ability of this approach to recapitulate and quantify cell-to-cell transmission, as well as the impact of specific factors and potential antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Graw
- Center for Modeling and Simulation in the Biosciences, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Danyelle N Martin
- Program for Experimental and Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Alan S Perelson
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Susan L Uprichard
- Program for Experimental and Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Harel Dahari
- Program for Experimental and Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
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47
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Pérez-Vilaró G, Fernández-Carrillo C, Mensa L, Miquel R, Sanjuan X, Forns X, Pérez-del-Pulgar S, Díez J. Hepatitis C virus infection inhibits P-body granule formation in human livers. J Hepatol 2015; 62:785-90. [PMID: 25463546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Decoding the myriad of interactions that hepatitis C virus (HCV) establishes with infected cells is mandatory to obtain a complete understanding of HCV biology and its associated pathogenesis. We and others have previously found that HCV infection disrupts the formation of P-bodies in cell culture. These are cytoplasmic RNA granules with key roles in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Therefore, P-body disruption might have consequences beyond viral propagation. However, whether P-body disruption occurs also in vivo is unknown. Aim of this study was to address this important issue. METHODS Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liver biopsies from four groups of patients (healthy donors, patients with non-virus related liver inflammation, HCV- and HBV-infected patients) were immunostained to detect DDX6 and Dcp1, two core P-body components. Changes in the localization of these proteins were assessed by confocal microscopy. RESULTS HCV specifically inhibited P-body formation in hepatocytes from human livers regardless of viral genotype, inflammation grade or whether the infection was recent or long established. Importantly, this alteration was reversed once HCV was eliminated by therapy. Furthermore, we observed in vivo an unexpected heterogeneity in P-body composition, which might reflect functional specializations. CONCLUSIONS This is the first comprehensive in vivo P-body analysis that links a pathogenic condition to P-body alterations. Because of their role in gene expression, the alteration of P-bodies should be further studied to understand fully complex HCV-associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Mensa
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Miquel
- Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Sanjuan
- Scientific and Technical Services, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Advanced Light Microscopy Unit, Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Forns
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Juana Díez
- Molecular Virology, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
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48
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Interferon-λ4 is a cell-autonomous type III interferon associated with pre-treatment hepatitis C virus burden. Virology 2015; 476:334-340. [PMID: 25577150 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Genetic variants surrounding the interferon-λ3 (IFNL3) gene are strongly associated with clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV). A variant (rs368234815 TT/ΔG) upstream of IFNL3 was recently implicated to control expression of a novel gene termed IFNL4. We conducted genetic analysis of rs368234815 in a chronic HCV patient cohort and molecular studies of IFNL4 in primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). Analysis of PHHs that are heterozygous at rs368234815 revealed that the IFNL4 transcript isoform is rare, accounting for 2% of transcripts arising from the IFNL4 locus. Nevertheless, IFNL4 over-expression inhibited replication of multiple Flaviviridae and IFNL4 anti-viral potency required the IFNL receptor. In contrast to IFNL3, IFNL4 was inefficiently secreted and appeared to act in a cell-autonomous manner. Genetic analysis revealed associations of rs368234815 with sustained virological response and pre-treatment viral load. The findings suggest that IFNL4 is an atypical IFNL whose activity may be maladaptive to clearance of HCV infection.
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49
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Jiang Y, Bao H, Ge Y, Tang W, Cheng D, Luo K, Gong G, Gong R. Therapeutic targeting of GSK3β enhances the Nrf2 antioxidant response and confers hepatic cytoprotection in hepatitis C. Gut 2015; 64:168-79. [PMID: 24811996 PMCID: PMC4263291 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Impaired adaptive response to oxidative injuries is a fundamental mechanism central to the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3β is an indispensable regulator of the oxidative stress response. However, the exact role of GSK3β in CHC is uncertain and was examined. DESIGN GSK3β and Nrf2 signalling pathways were examined in JFH1 HCV infected Huh7.5.1 hepatocytes, and also in liver biopsy specimens from CHC patients. RESULTS HCV infection elicited prominent Nrf2 antioxidant response in hepatocytes, marked by elevated expression of the Nrf2-dependent molecule haem oxygenase-1 and subsequent protection from apoptotic cell death. Inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK3β seems to be essential and sufficient for HCV-induced Nrf2 response. Mechanistically, GSK3β associated and physically interacted with Nrf2 in hepatocytes. In silico analysis revealed that Nrf2 encompasses multiple GSK3β phosphorylation consensus motifs, denoting Nrf2 as a cognate substrate of GSK3β. In the presence of TGFβ1, the HCV-induced GSK3β phosphorylation was blunted via a protein phosphatase 1-dependent mechanism and the cytoprotective Nrf2 response drastically impaired. This effect was counteracted by lithium, a selective inhibitor of GSK3β. In liver biopsy specimens from CHC patients, the expression of phosphorylated GSK3β positively correlated with Nrf2 expression and was inversely associated with the degree of liver injury. Moreover, CHC patients who received long-term lithium carbonate therapy primarily for concomitant psychiatric disorders exhibited much less liver injury, associated with enhanced hepatic expression of Nrf2. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of GSK3β exerts hepatoprotection in CHC possibly through its direct regulation of Nrf2 antioxidant response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfang Jiang
- Liver Diseases Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital,
Central South University, Changsha, China,Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown
University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Hui Bao
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown
University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Yan Ge
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown
University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Wei Tang
- Liver Diseases Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital,
Central South University, Changsha, China,Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown
University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Du Cheng
- Liver Diseases Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital,
Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Kaizhong Luo
- Liver Diseases Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital,
Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guozhong Gong
- Liver Diseases Research Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital,
Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rujun Gong
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown
University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA
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50
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Montaldo C, Mattei S, Baiocchini A, Rotiroti N, Del Nonno F, Pucillo LP, Cozzolino AM, Battistelli C, Amicone L, Ippolito G, van Noort V, Conigliaro A, Alonzi T, Tripodi M, Mancone C. Spike-in SILAC proteomic approach reveals the vitronectin as an early molecular signature of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C infections with hepatic iron overload. Proteomics 2014; 14:1107-15. [PMID: 24616218 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201300422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced iron overload has been shown to promote liver fibrosis, steatosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The zonal-restricted histological distribution of pathological iron deposits has hampered the attempt to perform large-scale in vivo molecular investigations on the comorbidity between iron and HCV. Diagnostic and prognostic markers are not yet available to assess iron overload-induced liver fibrogenesis and progression in HCV infections. Here, by means of Spike-in SILAC proteomic approach, we first unveiled a specific membrane protein expression signature of HCV cell cultures in the presence of iron overload. Computational analysis of proteomic dataset highlighted the hepatocytic vitronectin expression as the most promising specific biomarker for iron-associated fibrogenesis in HCV infections. Next, the robustness of our in vitro findings was challenged in human liver biopsies by immunohistochemistry and yielded two major results: (i) hepatocytic vitronectin expression is associated to liver fibrogenesis in HCV-infected patients with iron overload; (ii) hepatic vitronectin expression was found to discriminate also the transition between mild to moderate fibrosis in HCV-infected patients without iron overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Montaldo
- Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; "L. Spallanzani" National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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