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Medina C, García AH, Crespo FI, Toro FI, Mayora SJ, De Sanctis JB. A Synopsis of Hepatitis C Virus Treatments and Future Perspectives. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:8255-8276. [PMID: 37886964 PMCID: PMC10605161 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45100521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide public health problem. Chronic infection with HCV can lead to liver cirrhosis or cancer. Although some immune-competent individuals can clear the virus, others develop chronic HCV disease due to viral mutations or an impaired immune response. IFNs type I and III and the signal transduction induced by them are essential for a proper antiviral effect. Research on the viral cycle and immune escape mechanisms has formed the basis of therapeutic strategies to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). The first therapies were based on IFNα; then, IFNα plus ribavirin (IFN-RBV); and then, pegylated-IFNα-RBV (PEGIFNα-RIV) to improve cytokine pharmacokinetics. However, the maximum SVR was 60%, and several significant side effects were observed, decreasing patients' treatment adherence. The development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) significantly enhanced the SVR (>90%), and the compounds were able to inhibit HCV replication without significant side effects, even in paediatric populations. The management of coinfected HBV-HCV and HCV-HIV patients has also improved based on DAA and PEG-IFNα-RBV (HBV-HCV). CD4 cells are crucial for an effective antiviral response. The IFNλ3, IL28B, TNF-α, IL-10, TLR-3, and TLR-9 gene polymorphisms are involved in viral clearance, therapeutic responses, and hepatic pathologies. Future research should focus on searching for strategies to circumvent resistance-associated substitution (RAS) to DAAs, develop new therapeutic schemes for different medical conditions, including organ transplant, and develop vaccines for long-lasting cellular and humoral responses with cross-protection against different HCV genotypes. The goal is to minimise the probability of HCV infection, HCV chronicity and hepatic carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Medina
- Institute of Immunology Dr. Nicolás E. Bianco C., Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1040, Venezuela; (C.M.); (F.I.C.); (F.I.T.); (S.J.M.)
| | - Alexis Hipólito García
- Institute of Immunology Dr. Nicolás E. Bianco C., Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1040, Venezuela; (C.M.); (F.I.C.); (F.I.T.); (S.J.M.)
| | - Francis Isamarg Crespo
- Institute of Immunology Dr. Nicolás E. Bianco C., Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1040, Venezuela; (C.M.); (F.I.C.); (F.I.T.); (S.J.M.)
| | - Félix Isidro Toro
- Institute of Immunology Dr. Nicolás E. Bianco C., Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1040, Venezuela; (C.M.); (F.I.C.); (F.I.T.); (S.J.M.)
| | - Soriuska José Mayora
- Institute of Immunology Dr. Nicolás E. Bianco C., Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1040, Venezuela; (C.M.); (F.I.C.); (F.I.T.); (S.J.M.)
| | - Juan Bautista De Sanctis
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
- The Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (Catrin), Palacky University, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Tornesello AL, Reimer U, Holenya P, Knaute T, Pezzuto F, Izzo F, Buonaguro L, Megna AS, Buonaguro FM, Tornesello ML. Profiling the HCV immune response in patients with chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma by peptide microarray analysis. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:2736-2747. [PMID: 34736375 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666211104093718] [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: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is among the major causes of hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is associated with a significant risk of developing lymphoproliferative disorders. The rate of clinical disease progression is variable depending on multiple host and viral factors, including immune response. METHODS To perform a comprehensive epitope mapping of anti-HCV antibodies in patients suffering from HCV-related liver or lymphoproliferative diseases, we analyzed clinical samples on a peptide microarray platform made of 5952 overlapping 15-mer synthetic peptides derived from the whole HCV proteome. We evaluated the antibody profile of 71 HCV-positive patients diagnosed with HCC, mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), and HCV chronic infection. Antibody reactivity against virus peptides was detected in all HCV-positive patients. Importantly, the signal amplitude varied significantly within and between diverse patient groups. RESULTS Antibody reactivity against C peptides were found generally low in HCV chronically infected asymptomatic subjects and increasingly high in HCC and MC patients. Moreover, we found a statistically significant higher IgG response in HCC and MC patients against specific domains of HCV C, E2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and p7 compared to HCV-positive subjects. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our data suggest that immune response against specific HCV protein domains may represent useful biomarkers of disease progression among HCV-positive patients and suggest that peptide microarrays are good tools for the screening of immunotherapy targets in preclinical HCV research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lucia Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli. Italy
| | - Ulf Reimer
- JPT Peptide Technologies GmbH, Berlin. Germany
| | | | | | - Francesca Pezzuto
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli. Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli. Italy
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Innovative Immunological Models, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli. Italy
| | | | - Franco Maria Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli. Italy
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli. Italy
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Masalova OV, Lesnova EI, Klimova RR, Momotyuk ED, Kozlov VV, Ivanova AM, Payushina OV, Butorina NN, Zakirova NF, Narovlyansky AN, Pronin AV, Ivanov AV, Kushch AA. Genetically Modified Mouse Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Non-Structural Proteins of Hepatitis C Virus Induce Effective Immune Response. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E62. [PMID: 32024236 PMCID: PMC7158691 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease and leads to cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Despite extensive research, there is still no vaccine against HCV. In order to induce an immune response in DBA/2J mice against HCV, we obtained modified mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) simultaneously expressing five nonstructural HCV proteins (NS3-NS5B). The innate immune response to mMSCs was higher than to DNA immunization, with plasmid encoding the same proteins, and to naïve unmodified MSCs. mMSCs triggered strong phagocytic activity, enhanced lymphocyte proliferation, and production of type I and II interferons. The adaptive immune response to mMSCs was also more pronounced than in the case of DNA immunization, as exemplified by a fourfold stronger stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation in response to HCV, a 2.6-fold higher rate of biosynthesis, and a 30-fold higher rate of secretion of IFN-γ, as well as by a 40-fold stronger production of IgG2a antibodies to viral proteins. The immunostimulatory effect of mMSCs was associated with pronounced IL-6 secretion and reduction in the population of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Thus, this is the first example that suggests the feasibility of using mMSCs for the development of an effective anti-HCV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Masalova
- Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; (E.I.L.); (R.R.K.); (E.D.M.); (V.V.K.); (A.M.I.); (A.N.N.); (A.V.P.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Ekaterina I. Lesnova
- Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; (E.I.L.); (R.R.K.); (E.D.M.); (V.V.K.); (A.M.I.); (A.N.N.); (A.V.P.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Regina R. Klimova
- Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; (E.I.L.); (R.R.K.); (E.D.M.); (V.V.K.); (A.M.I.); (A.N.N.); (A.V.P.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Ekaterina D. Momotyuk
- Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; (E.I.L.); (R.R.K.); (E.D.M.); (V.V.K.); (A.M.I.); (A.N.N.); (A.V.P.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Vyacheslav V. Kozlov
- Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; (E.I.L.); (R.R.K.); (E.D.M.); (V.V.K.); (A.M.I.); (A.N.N.); (A.V.P.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Alla M. Ivanova
- Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; (E.I.L.); (R.R.K.); (E.D.M.); (V.V.K.); (A.M.I.); (A.N.N.); (A.V.P.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Olga V. Payushina
- Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow 119991, Russia;
| | - Nina N. Butorina
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119334, Russia;
| | - Natalia F. Zakirova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia;
| | - Alexander N. Narovlyansky
- Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; (E.I.L.); (R.R.K.); (E.D.M.); (V.V.K.); (A.M.I.); (A.N.N.); (A.V.P.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Alexander V. Pronin
- Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; (E.I.L.); (R.R.K.); (E.D.M.); (V.V.K.); (A.M.I.); (A.N.N.); (A.V.P.); (A.A.K.)
| | - Alexander V. Ivanov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia;
| | - Alla A. Kushch
- Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; (E.I.L.); (R.R.K.); (E.D.M.); (V.V.K.); (A.M.I.); (A.N.N.); (A.V.P.); (A.A.K.)
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Guo X, Zhong JY, Li JW. Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Vaccine Development. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2018; 8:195-204. [PMID: 29892184 PMCID: PMC5992307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the twenty-seven years since the discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) the majority of individuals exposed to HCV establish a persistent infection, which is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In developed nations, the cure rates of HCV infection could be over 90% with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens, which has made the great progress in global eradication. However, the cost of these treatments is so expensive that the patients in developing nations, where the disease burden is the most severe, could not afford it, which highly restricted its access. Additionally, the largely asymptomatic nature of infection facilitates continued transmission in risk groups due to limited surveillance. Consequently a protective vaccine and likely emergence of drug-resistant viral variants call for further studies of HCV biology. In the current review, the development and the progress of preventive and therapeutic vaccines against the HCV have been reviewed in the context of peptide vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, HCV-like particle, DNA vaccines and viral vectors expressing HCV genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Guo
- Research Institute of Chemical Defense, No.1 Huaiyin Road, Beijing 102205, China
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 Dali Road, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Jin-Yi Zhong
- Research Institute of Chemical Defense, No.1 Huaiyin Road, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Jun-Wen Li
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 Dali Road, Tianjin 300050, China
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Clarke JL, Paruch L, Dobrica M, Caras I, Tucureanu C, Onu A, Ciulean S, Stavaru C, Eerde A, Wang Y, Steen H, Haugslien S, Petrareanu C, Lazar C, Popescu C, Bock R, Dubuisson J, Branza‐Nichita N. Lettuce-produced hepatitis C virus E1E2 heterodimer triggers immune responses in mice and antibody production after oral vaccination. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2017; 15:1611-1621. [PMID: 28419665 PMCID: PMC5698045 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major etiologic agent for severe liver diseases (e.g. cirrhosis, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma). Approximately 140 million people have chronic HCV infections and about 500 000 die yearly from HCV-related liver pathologies. To date, there is no licensed vaccine available to prevent HCV infection and production of a HCV vaccine remains a major challenge. Here, we report the successful production of the HCV E1E2 heterodimer, an important vaccine candidate, in an edible crop (lettuce, Lactuca sativa) using Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression technology. The wild-type dimer (E1E2) and a variant without an N-glycosylation site in the E2 polypeptide (E1E2∆N6) were expressed, and appropriate N-glycosylation pattern and functionality of the E1E2 dimers were demonstrated. The humoral immune response induced by the HCV proteins was investigated in mice following oral administration of lettuce antigens with or without previous intramuscular prime with the mammalian HEK293T cell-expressed HCV dimer. Immunization by oral feeding only resulted in development of weak serum levels of anti-HCV IgM for both antigens; however, the E1E2∆N6 proteins produced higher amounts of secretory IgA, suggesting improved immunogenic properties of the N-glycosylation mutant. The mice group receiving the intramuscular injection followed by two oral boosts with the lettuce E1E2 dimer developed a systemic but also a mucosal immune response, as demonstrated by the presence of anti-HCV secretory IgA in faeces extracts. In summary, our study demonstrates the feasibility of producing complex viral antigens in lettuce, using plant transient expression technology, with great potential for future low-cost oral vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa Paruch
- NIBIO‐Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | | | - Iuliana Caras
- “Cantacuzino” National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | | | - Adrian Onu
- “Cantacuzino” National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Sonya Ciulean
- “Cantacuzino” National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Crina Stavaru
- “Cantacuzino” National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Andre Eerde
- NIBIO‐Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | - Yanliang Wang
- NIBIO‐Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | - Hege Steen
- NIBIO‐Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | | | | | - Catalin Lazar
- Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian AcademyBucharestRomania
| | | | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Jean Dubuisson
- Center for Infection & Immunity of Lille (CIIL)Inserm U1019CNRS UMR8204Université de LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleLilleFrance
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Gasim GI, Bella A, Adam I. Schistosomiasis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C co-infection. Virol J 2015; 12:19. [PMID: 25889398 PMCID: PMC4323254 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-015-0251-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a significant health problem in more than 70 countries distributed between Africa, Asia and South America, with an infection rate of one in 30 individuals. Data on Schistosomiasis, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection are scarce; however, there is a high prevalence in countries where schistosomiasis is endemic. METHODS A systematic search was performed on published data from 1980-2014. Published papers in the databases Google, Medline, PubMed, and MiPc library were searched using the keywords epidemiology, pathogenesis and outcomes of HBV, HCV and schistosomiasis and data were extracted from the relevant studies. RESULTS The prevalence of HBV/schistosomiasis co-infection in countries where schistosomiasis is endemic was high, ranging between 9.6 to approximately 64% in Egypt, and a maximum of 15.8% among hospitalized patients in Brazil. Concurrent infection between HBV and schistosomiasis is often associated with countries where schistosomiasis is endemic and may lead to chronic liver inflammation. Similarly, HCV infection rates in schistosomiasis populations range from 1% in Ethiopia reaching up to 50% in Egypt. CONCLUSION There is controversy regarding the effects of HBV and HCV on schistosomiasis and vice versa. Vaccination might be a solution to the era of schistosomiasis and co-infection with HBV and HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gasim I Gasim
- Qassim College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Abdelhaleem Bella
- King Fahad Hospital of the University, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ishag Adam
- Qassim College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 102, Khartoum, Sudan.
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Perlman DC, Des Jarlais DC, Feelemyer J. Can HIV and Hepatitis C Virus Infection be Eliminated Among Persons Who Inject Drugs? J Addict Dis 2015; 34:198-205. [PMID: 26075647 PMCID: PMC4550554 DOI: 10.1080/10550887.2015.1059111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are readily transmitted among persons who inject drugs. The HIV and HCV epidemics have expanded rapidly, becoming global health issues. Combined prevention has been implemented to reduce injection and sexual transmission of HIV and HCV among persons who inject drugs. Reductions in risky injection and sexual behavior have led to dramatic reductions in HIV in many countries. Whether comparable reductions in HCV transmission can be achieved has yet to be determined. Eliminating HIV and HCV among persons who inject drugs will require considerable resources and commitment, particularly in low and middle income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Perlman
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, NY
- Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, NY
| | - Don C. Des Jarlais
- Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, NY
| | - Jonathan Feelemyer
- Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, NY
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