1
|
López CAM, Freiberger RN, Sviercz FA, Quarleri J, Delpino MV. HIV-Infected Hepatic Stellate Cells or HCV-Infected Hepatocytes Are Unable to Promote Latency Reversal among HIV-Infected Mononuclear Cells. Pathogens 2024; 13:134. [PMID: 38392872 PMCID: PMC10893349 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020134] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to a common mode of transmission through infected human blood, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is relatively prevalent. In alignment with this, HCV co-infection is associated with an increased size of the HIV reservoir in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-treated individuals. Hence, it is crucial to comprehend the physiological mechanisms governing the latency and reactivation of HIV in reservoirs. Consequently, our study delves into the interplay between HCV/HIV co-infection in liver cells and its impact on the modulation of HIV latency. We utilized the latently infected monocytic cell line (U1) and the latently infected T-cell line (J-Lat) and found that mediators produced by the infection of hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes with HIV and HCV, respectively, were incapable of inducing latency reversal under the studied conditions. This may favor the maintenance of the HIV reservoir size among latently infected mononuclear cells in the liver. Further investigations are essential to elucidate the role of the interaction between liver cells in regulating HIV latency and/or reactivation, providing a physiologically relevant model for comprehending reservoir microenvironments in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jorge Quarleri
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina; (C.A.M.L.); (R.N.F.)
| | - María Victoria Delpino
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida (INBIRS), Facultad de Medicina, Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1121, Argentina; (C.A.M.L.); (R.N.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abdel-Samiee M, Youssef MI, Elghamry F, Bazeed M, Al-Shorbagy M, Shalaby H, Shabana H, Abdelsameea E, Lashin HES, El Zamek HMF, Esam T, Alwaseef MAA, Helmy HA, Almarshad F, Khalaf FA, Yossef BWA, Kassem A, Gabr BM, Abdelfattah A, S AboShabaan H, Aboufarrag GA, Omar MM, Bakeer MS, Imam MS, Ibrahim ES, Kamel SY, Allisy T, Mohammed OS, Farahat A, El-Khayat MM, Sekeen MAH, Zaher EM, Said A, Abuamer A, Elmahdi E. A multicentric and nationwide predictive study role of T cell sub-population in the prevalence and prognosis of cryoglobulinemia among genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C patients. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29248. [PMID: 38108641 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant global health concern. The prevailing genotype of HCV in Egypt is 4a, commonly referred to as GT-4a. A significant proportion exceeding 50% of patients infected with HCV experience extrahepatic manifestations (EHMs), encompassing a diverse range of clinical presentations. These manifestations, including essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), can serve as initial and solitary indicators of the disease. The complete understanding of the pathogenesis of EHM remains unclear, with autoimmune phenomena being recognized as the primary causative factor. In this study, we examined the predictive significance of T-cell subpopulations in relation to the occurrence and prognosis of cryoglobulinemia in HCV patients. A total of 450 CHC genotype four treatment naïve patients were enrolled in this analytic cross-sectional study after thorough clinical, laboratory, and radiological examinations. All patients underwent laboratory investigations, including testing for cryoglobulin antibodies and measurements of CD4 and CD8 levels; two groups were described according to their test results: Group 1 consists of patients who have tested positive for cryoglobulin antibodies and Group 2 consists of patients who have tested negative for cryoglobulin antibodies. The exclusion criteria encompassed individuals with HIV infection or chronic HBV infection. Additionally, pelvi-abdominal ultrasonography was performed. Our study included 450 treatment naïve CHC patients (59% male, mean age 50.8 years). The patients were categorized according to their cryoglobulin antibodys test results into two groups: group A, CHC patients with cryoglobulin antibodies (Abs) negative (364 patients), and group B, CHC patients with cryoglobulin Ab positive (86 patients). Group B demonstrated a higher average age, elevated international normalized ratio, more prolonged duration of HCV infection, lower albumin, higher alanine aminotransferase, higher aspartate aminotransferase, higher bilirubin, lower CD8, lower CD4, and lower CD4:CD8 ratio. In contrast, 27 out of 86 (31.40%) patients in group B had symptoms; 85.8% had purpura and arthralgia, 74.3% had paresthesias, 86.7% had weakness, and 12.2% had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The levels of CD4 and CD8 were found to be decreased in chronic HCV patients with MC. T-cell subpopulation serves as a reliable indicator for assessing the prevalence and prognosis of MC in individuals with genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C. However, additional research is needed to further understand the development and spread of various emerging infectious diseases. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that a critical threshold may exist beyond which EHM reaches a point of no return.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abdel-Samiee
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Mohamed I Youssef
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fathy Elghamry
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Bazeed
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Al-Shorbagy
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Helmy Shalaby
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hossam Shabana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Shaqra University, Dawadmi, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Abdelsameea
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | | | | | - Tarek Esam
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | | | - Housam Ahmed Helmy
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Feras Almarshad
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Shaqra University, Dawadmi, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatma A Khalaf
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | | | - Arafat Kassem
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Basant Mostafa Gabr
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Abdelfattah
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Hind S AboShabaan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | | | - Marwa M Omar
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Saied Bakeer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Imam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Shimaa Y Kamel
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Talaat Allisy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Omima Sayed Mohammed
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ali Farahat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohsen M El-Khayat
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Egypt
| | | | - Eman Mohammed Zaher
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Said
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Abuamer
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Essam Elmahdi
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Shaqra University, Dawadmi, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Internal medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Belyavtsev AN, Shastina NS, Kupriyanov VV, Nikolaeva LI, Melnikova MV, Kolesanova EF, Shimchishina MY, Kapustin IV. Effect of Lipid Components on Immunogenicity of Synthetic Fragment of Hepatitis C Virus NS4A Antigen. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162022030049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
4
|
Modified E2 Glycoprotein of Hepatitis C Virus Enhances Proinflammatory Cytokines and Protective Immune Response. J Virol 2022; 96:e0052322. [PMID: 35612312 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00523-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is characterized by a high number of chronic cases owing to an impairment of innate and adaptive immune responses. CD81 on the cell surface facilitates HCV entry by interacting with the E2 envelope glycoprotein. In addition, CD81/E2 binding on immunity-related cells may also influence host response outcome to HCV infection. Here, we performed site-specific amino acid substitution in the front layer of E2 sequence to reduce CD81 binding and evaluate the potential of the resulting immunogen as an HCV vaccine candidate. The modified sE2 protein (F442NYT), unlike unmodified sE2, exhibited a significant reduction in CD81 binding, induced higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines, repressed anti-inflammatory response in primary monocyte-derived macrophages as antigen-presenting cells, and stimulated CD4+ T cell proliferation. Immunization of BALB/c mice with an E1/sE2F442NYT nucleoside-modified mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccine resulted in improved IgG1-to-IgG2a isotype switching, an increase in neutralizing antibodies against HCV pseudotype virus, a B and T cell proliferative response to antigens, and improved protection against infection with a surrogate recombinant vaccinia virus-expressing HCV E1-E2-NS2aa134-966 challenge model compared to E1/unmodified sE2 mRNA-LNP vaccine. Further investigation of the modified E2 antigen may provide helpful information for HCV vaccine development. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2-CD81 binding dampens protective immune response. We have identified that an alteration of amino acids in the front layer of soluble E2 (sE2) disrupts CD81 interaction and alters the cytokine response. Immunization with modified sE2F442NYT (includes an added potential N-linked glycosylation site and reduces CD81 binding activity)-mRNA-LNP candidate vaccine generates improved proinflammatory response and protective efficacy against a surrogate HCV vaccinia challenge model in mice. The results clearly suggested that HCV E2 exhibits immunoregulatory activity that inhibits induction of robust protective immune responses. Selection of engineered E2 antigen in an mRNA-LNP platform amenable to nucleic acid sequence alterations may open a novel approach for multigenotype HCV vaccine development.
Collapse
|
5
|
Wenyang Huazhuo Tuihuang Formula Inhibits the Th17/Treg Cell Imbalance and Protects against Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:5652172. [PMID: 35399641 PMCID: PMC8986372 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5652172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a group of chronic liver diseases and caused by acute internal and external liver injury. Wenyang Huazhuo Tuihuang (WYHZTH) formula had a good clinical effect on promoting the resolution of jaundice. The aim of this study is to further investigate the mechanism of the WYHZTH formula in the ACLF rat model. Methods The ACLF rat model was constructed by combining human serum albumin with LPS and D-gal. WYHZTH was used to intervene and treat. The cytokines IL-17, IL-23, IL-10, and TGF-β were detected by ELISA and fluorescence-quantitative PCR. Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of Th17 and Treg cells in the peripheral blood and liver tissues of each group of rats. The pathological changes in the liver tissue were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Results Compared with the ACLF group, the WYHZTH formula and Thy significantly decreased the levels of ALT, AST, and CHE in the ACLF group. After drug intervention, apoptosis was significantly reduced. The PCNA expression decreased in the ACLF model group but increased in the WYHZTH or Thy group. Under transmission electron microscope, hepatocytes in the ACLF group showed obvious necrosis. After drug intervention, hepatocyte necrosis was reduced with most of the structure returning to normal. Conclusion This present study demonstrated that WYHZTH formula may protect against acute-on-chronic liver failure, which may be related to the inhibition of Th17/Treg cell imbalance.
Collapse
|
6
|
Virus-Like Particles Containing the E2 Core Domain of Hepatitis C Virus Generate Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies in Guinea Pigs. J Virol 2022; 96:e0167521. [PMID: 34986001 PMCID: PMC8906423 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01675-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A vaccine to prevent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is urgently needed for use alongside direct-acting antiviral drugs to achieve elimination targets. We have previously shown that a soluble recombinant form of the glycoprotein E2 ectodomain (residues 384 to 661) that lacks three variable regions (Δ123) is able to elicit a higher titer of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) than the parental form (receptor-binding domain [RBD]). In this study, we engineered a viral nanoparticle that displays HCV glycoprotein E2 on a duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) small surface antigen (S) scaffold. Four variants of E2-S virus-like particles (VLPs) were constructed: Δ123-S, RBD-S, Δ123A7-S, and RBDA7-S; in the last two, 7 cysteines were replaced with alanines. While all four E2-S variant VLPs display E2 as a surface antigen, the Δ123A7-S and RBDA7-S VLPs were the most efficiently secreted from transfected mammalian cells and displayed epitopes recognized by cross-genotype broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bNMAbs). Both Δ123A7-S and RBDA7-S VLPs were immunogenic in guinea pigs, generating high titers of antibodies reactive to native E2 and able to prevent the interaction between E2 and the cellular receptor CD81. Four out of eight animals immunized with Δ123A7-S elicited neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), with three of those animals generating bNAbs against 7 genotypes. Immune serum generated by animals with NAbs mapped to major neutralization epitopes located at residues 412 to 420 (epitope I) and antigenic region 3. VLPs that display E2 glycoproteins represent a promising vaccine platform for HCV and could be adapted to large-scale manufacturing in yeast systems. IMPORTANCE There is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C virus infection, which affects more than 71 million people globally and is a leading cause of progressive liver disease, including cirrhosis and cancer. Broadly neutralizing antibodies that recognize the E2 envelope glycoprotein can protect against heterologous viral infection and correlate with viral clearance in humans. However, broadly neutralizing antibodies are difficult to generate due to conformational flexibility of the E2 protein and epitope occlusion. Here, we show that a VLP vaccine using the duck hepatitis B virus S antigen fused to HCV glycoprotein E2 assembles into virus-like particles that display epitopes recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies and elicit such antibodies in guinea pigs. This platform represents a novel HCV vaccine candidate amenable to large-scale manufacture at low cost.
Collapse
|
7
|
Farcomeni S, Moretti S, Fimiani C, Sulekova LF, Vescio F, Sernicola L, Maggiorella MT, Remoli AL, Picconi O, Mosca L, Esvan R, Biliotti E, Ciccozzi M, Sgarbanti M, Taliani G, Borsetti A. Short- and Long-Term Immunological Responses in Chronic HCV/HIV Co-Infected Compared to HCV Mono-Infected Patients after DAA Therapy. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111488. [PMID: 34832642 PMCID: PMC8623367 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) treatment, although highly efficacious for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, may not completely reconstitute the HCV-mediated dysregulated immune system, especially in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HCV. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the impact of HCV eradication following DAA therapy on the immune system and liver disease improvement through comparative monitoring of 10 HCV mono-infected and 10 HCV/HIV co-infected patients under combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Early and late longitudinal phenotypic changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) subsets, T-cell activation, differentiation and exhaustion, as well as inflammatory biomarkers, indoleamine 2-3 dioxygenase (IDO) activity, and liver stiffness, APRI and FIB-4 scores were assessed. Materials and Methods: Samples were obtained at baseline (T0), week 1 (T1), week 2 (T2), week 12 (T3, end of treatment, EOT), and month 9 (T4, end of follow-up, 36 weeks post EOT). Results: All patients achieved a sustained virological response (SVR 12) after DAA treatment. Overall, changes of the T-cell immune phenotypes were greater in HCV/HIV co-infected than in HCV mono-infected, due to an increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell percentages and of CD8+ T-cell activation and memory markers, in particular at the end of follow-up. On the other end, HCV mono-infected showed changes in the activation profile and in the memory CD4+ T-cell compartment. In HCV/HIV co-infected, a decrease in the IDO activity by DAA treatment was observed; conversely, in HCV mono-infected, it resulted unmodified. Regarding inflammatory mediators, viral suppression was associated with a reduction in IP-10 levels, while interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-7, interferon (IFN)-β, and interferon (IFN)-γ levels were downregulated during therapy and increased post therapy. A decrease in liver stiffness, APRI, and FIB-4 scores was also observed. Conclusions: Our study suggests that, although patients achieved HCV eradication, the immune activation state in both HCV mono-infected and HCV/HIV co-infected patients remains elevated for a long time after the end of DAA therapy, despite an improvement of liver-specific outcomes, meanwhile highlighting the distinct immunophenotypic and inflammatory biomarker profile between the groups of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Farcomeni
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (L.S.); (M.T.M.); (O.P.)
| | - Sonia Moretti
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (L.S.); (M.T.M.); (O.P.)
| | - Caterina Fimiani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (R.E.)
| | | | - Fenicia Vescio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.V.); (A.L.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Leonardo Sernicola
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (L.S.); (M.T.M.); (O.P.)
| | - Maria T. Maggiorella
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (L.S.); (M.T.M.); (O.P.)
| | - Anna Lisa Remoli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.V.); (A.L.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Orietta Picconi
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (L.S.); (M.T.M.); (O.P.)
| | - Luciana Mosca
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rozenn Esvan
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (R.E.)
| | - Elisa Biliotti
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Policlinico Umberto I, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Sgarbanti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.V.); (A.L.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Gloria Taliani
- Chronic Infectious Diseases Unit, Policlinico Umberto I, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Borsetti
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (S.F.); (S.M.); (L.S.); (M.T.M.); (O.P.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shoukry NH. Towards a Systems Immunology Approach to Understanding Correlates of Protective Immunity against HCV. Viruses 2021; 13:1871. [PMID: 34578451 PMCID: PMC8473057 DOI: 10.3390/v13091871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, tremendous progress has been made in systems biology-based approaches to studying immunity to viral infections and responses to vaccines. These approaches that integrate multiple facets of the immune response, including transcriptomics, serology and immune functions, are now being applied to understand correlates of protective immunity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to inform vaccine development. This review focuses on recent progress in understanding immunity to HCV using systems biology, specifically transcriptomic and epigenetic studies. It also examines proposed strategies moving forward towards an integrated systems immunology approach for predicting and evaluating the efficacy of the next generation of HCV vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naglaa H. Shoukry
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Tour Viger, Local R09.414, 900 Rue St-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada;
- Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gobran ST, Ancuta P, Shoukry NH. A Tale of Two Viruses: Immunological Insights Into HCV/HIV Coinfection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:726419. [PMID: 34456931 PMCID: PMC8387722 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.726419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly 2.3 million individuals worldwide are coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Odds of HCV infection are six times higher in people living with HIV (PLWH) compared to their HIV-negative counterparts, with the highest prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV coinfection has a detrimental impact on the natural history of HCV, including higher rates of HCV persistence following acute infection, higher viral loads, and accelerated progression of liver fibrosis and development of end-stage liver disease compared to HCV monoinfection. Similarly, it has been reported that HCV coinfection impacts HIV disease progression in PLWH receiving anti-retroviral therapies (ART) where HCV coinfection negatively affects the homeostasis of CD4+ T cell counts and facilitates HIV replication and viral reservoir persistence. While ART does not cure HIV, direct acting antivirals (DAA) can now achieve HCV cure in nearly 95% of coinfected individuals. However, little is known about how HCV cure and the subsequent resolution of liver inflammation influence systemic immune activation, immune reconstitution and the latent HIV reservoir. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of HIV/HCV coinfection, the effects of HCV coinfection on HIV disease progression in the context of ART, the impact of HIV on HCV-associated liver morbidity, and the consequences of DAA-mediated HCV cure on immune reconstitution and HIV reservoir persistence in coinfected patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samaa T Gobran
- Centre de Recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Petronela Ancuta
- Centre de Recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Naglaa H Shoukry
- Centre de Recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kardani K, Sadat SM, Kardani M, Bolhassani A. The next generation of HCV vaccines: a focus on novel adjuvant development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:839-855. [PMID: 34114513 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1941895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Considerable efforts have been made to treat and prevent acute and chronic infections caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Current treatments are unable to protect people from reinfection. Hence, there is a need for development of both preventive and therapeutic HCV vaccines. Many vaccine candidates are in development to fight against HCV, but their efficacy has so far proven limited partly due to low immunogenicity. AREAS COVERED We explore development of novel and powerful adjuvants to achieve an effective HCV vaccine. The basis for developing strong adjuvants is to understand the innate immunity pathway, which subsequently stimulates humoral and cellular immune responses. We have also investigated immunogenicity of developed adjuvants that have been used in recent studies available in online databases such as PubMed, PMC, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, etc. EXPERT OPINION Adjuvants are used as a part of vaccine formulation to boost vaccine immunogenicity and antigen delivery. Several FDA-approved adjuvants are used in licensed human vaccines. Unfortunately, no adjuvant has yet been proven to boost HCV immune responses to the extent needed for an effective vaccine. One of the promising approaches for developing an effective adjuvant is the combination of various adjuvants to trigger several innate immune responses, leading to activation of adaptive immunity.[Figure: see text].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kardani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Sadat
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Kardani
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Khanam A, Kottilil S, Wilson E. Reconstitution of T follicular helper-humoral immune axis with elimination of hepatitis C virus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19924. [PMID: 33199783 PMCID: PMC7669852 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77020-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exhaustion of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-specific T cells and abnormal B cell function is a hallmark of chronic HCV infection. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies are effective in achieving sustained virologic response (SVR), however, whether successful DAA treatment reconstitute T follicular helper (TFH)-B cell axis in HCV patients is unclear. Here, we aimed to evaluate the immunological changes in global and HCV-specific CD4 + CXCR5 + TFH, CD4 + CXCR5-T and B cells in 20 HCV patients who achieved SVR with Sofosbuvir and Ledipasvir for 12 weeks and compared with 15 healthy controls (HC). Global and HCV-specific CD4 + CXCR5 + TFH, CD4 + CXCR5-T and CD19 + B cells had significant phenotypic and functional reconstitution post DAA therapy. Reconstitution of effector, central and terminally differentiated memory cell population and increased ICOS and BCL6 expression was seen in HCV patients at SVR12. HCV-specific cytokines were also improved post DAA. Exhausted and regulatory B cells were declined whereas memory B cells were expanded post DAA therapy. Importantly, frequencies of TFH cells were significantly associated with HCV RNA reduction, expansion of memory B and plasmablasts, while negatively associated with exhausted/regulatory B cells. Our results demonstrate that SVR with DAA therapy is effective in the reconstitution of phenotypic and functional abnormalities of TFH-B cell axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arshi Khanam
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, S218, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Shyamasundaran Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, S218, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Eleanor Wilson
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, S218, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Duncan JD, Urbanowicz RA, Tarr AW, Ball JK. Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine: Challenges and Prospects. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010090. [PMID: 32079254 PMCID: PMC7157504 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes both acute and chronic infection and continues to be a global problem despite advances in antiviral therapeutics. Current treatments fail to prevent reinfection and remain expensive, limiting their use to developed countries, and the asymptomatic nature of acute infection can result in individuals not receiving treatment and unknowingly spreading HCV. A prophylactic vaccine is therefore needed to control this virus. Thirty years since the discovery of HCV, there have been major gains in understanding the molecular biology and elucidating the immunological mechanisms that underpin spontaneous viral clearance, aiding rational vaccine design. This review discusses the challenges facing HCV vaccine design and the most recent and promising candidates being investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Duncan
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Richard A. Urbanowicz
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Alexander W. Tarr
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Jonathan K. Ball
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chernykh ER, Oleynik EA, Leplina OY, Starostina NM, Ostanin AA. Dendritic cells in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis C. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND IMMUNITY 2019. [DOI: 10.15789/2220-7619-2019-2-239-252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
15
|
Potent Anti-hepatitis C Virus (HCV) T Cell Immune Responses Induced in Mice Vaccinated with DNA-Launched RNA Replicons and Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara-HCV. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00055-19. [PMID: 30674625 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00055-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) affecting 71 million people worldwide with no licensed vaccines that prevent infection. Here, we have generated four novel alphavirus-based DNA-launched self-amplifying RNA replicon (DREP) vaccines expressing either structural core-E1-E2 or nonstructural p7-NS2-NS3 HCV proteins of genotype 1a placed under the control of an alphavirus promoter, with or without an alphaviral translational enhancer (grouped as DREP-HCV or DREP-e-HCV, respectively). DREP vectors are known to induce cross-priming and further stimulation of immune responses through apoptosis, and here we demonstrate that they efficiently trigger apoptosis-related proteins in transfected cells. Immunization of mice with the DREP vaccines as the priming immunization followed by a heterologous boost with a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing the nearly full-length genome of HCV (MVA-HCV) induced potent and long-lasting HCV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immune responses that were significantly stronger than those of a homologous MVA-HCV prime/boost immunization, with the DREP-e-HCV/MVA-HCV combination the most immunogenic regimen. HCV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were highly polyfunctional, had an effector memory phenotype, and were mainly directed against E1-E2 and NS2-NS3, respectively. Additionally, DREP/MVA-HCV immunization regimens induced higher antibody levels against HCV E2 protein than homologous MVA-HCV immunization. Collectively, these results provided an immunization protocol against HCV by inducing high levels of HCV-specific T cell responses as well as humoral responses. These findings reinforce the combined use of DREP-based vectors and MVA-HCV as promising prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against HCV.IMPORTANCE HCV represents a global health problem as more than 71 million people are chronically infected worldwide. Direct-acting antiviral agents can cure HCV infection in most patients, but due to the high cost of these agents and the emergence of resistant mutants, they do not represent a feasible and affordable strategy to eradicate the virus. Therefore, a vaccine is an urgent goal that requires efforts to understand the correlates of protection for HCV clearance. Here, we describe for the first time the generation of novel vaccines against HCV based on alphavirus DNA replicons expressing HCV antigens. We demonstrate that potent T cell immune responses, as well as humoral immune responses, against HCV can be achieved in mice by using a combined heterologous prime/boost immunization protocol consisting of the administration of alphavirus replicon DNA vectors as the priming immunization followed by a boost with a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector expressing HCV antigens.
Collapse
|
16
|
Hetta HF, Zahran AM, Mansor SG, Abdel-Malek MO, Mekky MA, Abbas WA. Frequency and Implications of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and lymphocyte subsets in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. J Med Virol 2019; 91:1319-1328. [PMID: 30761547 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a pivotal role in tumor immunity and induction of immune tolerance to a variety of antitumor effectors, including T lymphocytes. Herein, we tried to evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of MDSCs and different lymphocyte subsets in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Four groups were enrolled; chronic HCV (CHC; n = 40), HCV-related liver cirrhosis (n = 40), HCV-related HCC (HCV-HCC; n = 75), and healthy control group (n = 20). The percentage of peripheral lymphocytes subsets and total MDSCs with their main two subsets; monocytic (M-MDSCs) and granulocytic (G-MDSCs) was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS The frequency of total MSDCs and M-MDSCs was significantly elevated in HCV-HCC especially patients with advanced stage HCC compared with those with early-stage HCC. The frequency of total MSDCs and M-MDSCs was positively correlated with ALT, AFP, and HCV viral load and negatively correlated with CD8+ T-cell frequency. CD4 + T cells were significantly decreased in HCV-HCC patients. The frequency of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells was negatively correlated with AFP and AST, but not with albumin or HCV viral load. CONCLUSION Taken together, our data suggest that MDSCs, M-MDSCs, and lymphocyte subsets are associated with the development and progression of HCV-related HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helal F Hetta
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Asmaa M Zahran
- Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Shima G Mansor
- Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed O Abdel-Malek
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Mekky
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Wael A Abbas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Manickam C, Reeves RK. A mouse model for hepatitis C virus infection: are we there yet? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 1. [PMID: 30123888 DOI: 10.21037/aoi.2017.11.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cordelia Manickam
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Shoukry NH. Hepatitis C Vaccines, Antibodies, and T Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1480. [PMID: 30002657 PMCID: PMC6031729 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of vaccines that protect against persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remain a public health priority. The broad use of highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is unlikely to achieve HCV elimination without vaccines that can limit viral transmission. Two vaccines targeting either the antibody or the T cell response are currently in preclinical or clinical trials. Next-generation vaccines will likely involve a combination of these two strategies. This review summarizes the state of knowledge about the immune protective role of HCV-specific antibodies and T cells and the current vaccine strategies. In addition, it discusses the potential efficacy of vaccination in DAA-cured individuals. Finally, it summarizes the challenges to vaccine development and the collaborative efforts required to overcome them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naglaa H Shoukry
- Centre de Recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada.,Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lucas M, Deshpande P, James I, Rauch A, Pfafferott K, Gaylard E, Merani S, Plauzolles A, Lucas A, McDonnell W, Kalams S, Pilkinton M, Chastain C, Barnett L, Prosser A, Mallal S, Fitzmaurice K, Drummer H, Ansari MA, Pedergnana V, Barnes E, John M, Kelleher D, Klenerman P, Gaudieri S. Evidence of CD4 + T cell-mediated immune pressure on the Hepatitis C virus genome. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7224. [PMID: 29740042 PMCID: PMC5940905 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25559-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell responses are critical for immune control of infection. Viral adaptation to these responses, via mutations within regions of the virus targeted by CD8+ T cells, is associated with viral persistence. However, identifying viral adaptation to HCV-specific CD4+ T cell responses has been difficult although key to understanding anti-HCV immunity. In this context, HCV sequence and host genotype from a single source HCV genotype 1B cohort (n = 63) were analyzed to identify viral changes associated with specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles, as these variable host molecules determine the set of viral peptides presented to CD4+ T cells. Eight sites across the HCV genome were associated with HLA class II alleles implicated in infection outcome in this cohort (p ≤ 0.01; Fisher’s exact test). We extended this analysis to chronic HCV infection (n = 351) for the common genotypes 1A and 3A. Variation at 38 sites across the HCV genome were associated with specific HLA class II alleles with no overlap between genotypes, suggestive of genotype-specific T cell targets, which has important implications for vaccine design. Here we show evidence of HCV adaptation to HLA class II-restricted CD4+ T cell pressure across the HCV genome in chronic HCV infection without a priori knowledge of CD4+ T cell epitopes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Lucas
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute and School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Immunology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Pathwest, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Pooja Deshpande
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ian James
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andri Rauch
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Bern and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katja Pfafferott
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Elouise Gaylard
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Shahzma Merani
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anne Plauzolles
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Lucas
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Wyatt McDonnell
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Spyros Kalams
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mark Pilkinton
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Cody Chastain
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Louise Barnett
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Amy Prosser
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Simon Mallal
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Karen Fitzmaurice
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Heidi Drummer
- Department of Immunology and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Azim Ansari
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Ellie Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mina John
- Department of Immunology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Pathwest, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Royal Perth Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dermot Kelleher
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia. .,School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia. .,Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Manickam C, Martinot AJ, Jones RA, Varner V, Reeves RK. Hepatic immunopathology during occult hepacivirus re-infection. Virology 2017; 512:48-55. [PMID: 28915405 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite drug advances for Hepatitis C virus (HCV), re-infections remain prevalent in high-risk populations. Unfortunately, the role of preexisting viral immunity and how it modulates re-infection is unclear. GBV-B infection of common marmosets is a useful model to study tissue immune responses in hepacivirus infections, and in this study we re-challenged 4 animals after clearance of primary viremia. Although only low-to-absent viremia was observed following re-challenge, GBV-B viral RNA was detectable in liver, confirming re-infection. Microscopic hepatic lesions indicated severe-to-mild lymphocyte infiltration and fibrosis in 3 out of 4 animals. Further, GBV-B-specific T cells were elevated in animals with moderate-to-severe hepatopathology, and up to 3-fold increases in myeloid dendritic and activated natural killer cells were observed after infection. Our data indicate that occult hepacivirus re-infections occur and that new liver pathology is possible even in the presence of anti-hepacivirus T cells and in the absence of high viremia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cordelia Manickam
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda J Martinot
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rhianna A Jones
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valerie Varner
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Spear TT, Callender GG, Roszkowski JJ, Moxley KM, Simms PE, Foley KC, Murray DC, Scurti GM, Li M, Thomas JT, Langerman A, Garrett-Mayer E, Zhang Y, Nishimura MI. TCR gene-modified T cells can efficiently treat established hepatitis C-associated hepatocellular carcinoma tumors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:293-304. [PMID: 26842125 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1800-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The success in recent clinical trials using T cell receptor (TCR)-genetically engineered T cells to treat melanoma has encouraged the use of this approach toward other malignancies and viral infections. Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is being treated with a new set of successful direct anti-viral agents, potential for virologic breakthrough or relapse by immune escape variants remains. Additionally, many HCV+ patients have HCV-associated disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which does not respond to these novel drugs. Further exploration of other approaches to address HCV infection and its associated disease are highly warranted. Here, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of PBL-derived T cells genetically engineered with a high-affinity, HLA-A2-restricted, HCV NS3:1406-1415-reactive TCR. HCV1406 TCR-transduced T cells can recognize naturally processed antigen and elicit CD8-independent recognition of both peptide-loaded targets and HCV+ human HCC cell lines. Furthermore, these cells can mediate regression of established HCV+ HCC in vivo. Our results suggest that HCV TCR-engineered antigen-reactive T cells may be a plausible immunotherapy option to treat HCV-associated malignancies, such as HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T Spear
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Glenda G Callender
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.,Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | | | - Kelly M Moxley
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA
| | - Patricia E Simms
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Kendra C Foley
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - David C Murray
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Gina M Scurti
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA
| | - Mingli Li
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA
| | - Justin T Thomas
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA.,Biotherapy Center and Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Michael I Nishimura
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. 1st Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA. .,Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA. .,Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29415, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Oliveira IS, Carvalho LP, Schinoni MI, Paraná R, Atta AM, Atta MLBS. Peripheral lymphocyte subsets in chronic hepatitis C: Effects of 12 weeks of antiviral treatment with interferon-alpha plus ribavirin. Microb Pathog 2015; 91:155-60. [PMID: 26718098 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes a quantitative and functional alteration in innate and adaptative immunity. In the present work, we determined by flow-cytometry the profile of blood lymphocyte of untreated HCV patients and in subjects of this group that achieved or not an early virologic response at 12-weeks of treatment with interferon-α plus ribavirin. Twenty-six untreated HCV patients and 20 control healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Untreated HCV patients had a higher proportion of B cell and a lower proportion of CD8(+) T cell and NK cells than healthy individuals did, but the proportions of CD4(+) T cells and Treg cells (CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)) were similar in these patients and controls. Untreated HCV patients presenting cryoglobulinemia had a lower proportion of Treg cells and a lower Treg/NK cell ratio when compared with those without cryoglobulins. Nineteen out of 26 untreated HCV patients remained in the study and were treated with Interferon-α plus ribavirin. At 12-weeks of treatment, 10 of them achieved early virologic response (EVR), whereas 9 were non-responders (NR). EVR patients differed from NR patients in the increase of their proportion of NK cells at 12 weeks of treatment. In conclusion, untreated HCV patients exhibit an altered profile of blood lymphocyte subsets, including a reduction in the proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+)T regulatory cells in patients that present cryoglobulinemia. An early virological response at 12-weeks of treatment with IFN-α plus ribavirin seems to be associated a significant improvement in the proportion of NK cells of HCV treated patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabela S Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Lucas P Carvalho
- Serviço de Imunologia, Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel Schinoni
- Serviço de Gastro-Hepatologia, Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Raymundo Paraná
- Serviço de Gastro-Hepatologia, Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Ajax M Atta
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170115, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo s/n, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Maria Luiza B Sousa Atta
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170115, Rua Barão de Jeremoabo s/n, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kaźmierczak J, Caraballo Cortes K, Bukowska-Ośko I, Radkowski M. Virus-Specific Cellular Response in Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2015; 64:101-10. [PMID: 26429740 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-015-0364-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Studies performed on chimpanzees and humans have revealed that strong, multispecific and sustained CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell immune responses is a major determinant of hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance. However, spontaneous elimination of the virus occurs in minority of infected individuals and cellular response directed against HCV antigens is not persistent in individuals with chronic infection. This review presents characteristics of the HCV-specific T cell response in patients with different clinical course of infection, including acute and chronic infection, persons who spontaneously eliminated HCV and non-infected subjects exposed to HCV. Detection of HCV-specific response, especially in non-infected subjects exposed to HCV, may be indicative of HCV prevalence in population and rate of spontaneous viral clearance. Understanding the mechanisms and role of HCV-specific cellular immune response would contribute to better understanding of HCV epidemiology, immunopathogenesis and may help to design an effective vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Kaźmierczak
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 3c, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Kamila Caraballo Cortes
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 3c, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Bukowska-Ośko
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 3c, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Radkowski
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 3c, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Asghar K, Ashiq MT, Zulfiqar B, Mahroo A, Nasir K, Murad S. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression and activity in patients with hepatitis C virus-induced liver cirrhosis. Exp Ther Med 2014; 9:901-904. [PMID: 25667650 PMCID: PMC4316896 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2014.2146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an immunoregulatory enzyme. It plays a key role in various malignancies, infection and autoimmune diseases. IDO induces immunosuppression through the depletion of tryptophan and its downstream metabolites. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has infected more than 12 million individuals in Pakistan. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression and activity of IDO in HCV-infected patients. The functional enzymatic activity of IDO was measured by colorimetric assay. Serum samples from 100 HCV-infected patients were taken to examine IDO activity and samples from 100 healthy volunteers were used as controls. Liver sections from patients with HCV (n=35) and healthy controls (n=5) were used for immunohistochemical studies. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that IDO was overexpressed in 28 of 35 (80%) cirrhotic liver samples, whereas 5 of 35 (14.2%) cases presented moderate and 2 of 35 (5.7%) cases presented mild expression of IDO. The enzymatic activity of IDO was significantly higher in the serum samples of HCV-infected patients as compared with those in the control. These data indicate that the expression of IDO correlated with the pathogenesis of disease. In summary, it is suggested that the high expression of IDO in the progressively cirrhotic livers of HCV-infected patients might contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. IDO may characterize a novel therapeutic target against HCV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kashif Asghar
- Molecular Immunology Research Group, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - M Taimour Ashiq
- Molecular Immunology Research Group, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Bilal Zulfiqar
- Molecular Immunology Research Group, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Amnah Mahroo
- Molecular Immunology Research Group, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Kaenat Nasir
- Molecular Immunology Research Group, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Sheeba Murad
- Molecular Immunology Research Group, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Hartling HJ, Gaardbo JC, Ronit A, Salem M, Laye M, Clausen MR, Skogstrand K, Gerstoft J, Ullum H, Nielsen SD. Impaired Thymic Output in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Scand J Immunol 2013; 78:378-86. [DOI: 10.1111/sji.12096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - M. Salem
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit; Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen; Denmark
| | - M. Laye
- Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen; Denmark
| | - M. R. Clausen
- Department of Hepatology, Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen; Denmark
| | - K. Skogstrand
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology; Statens Serum Institute; Copenhagen; Denmark
| | - J. Gerstoft
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit; Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen; Denmark
| | - H. Ullum
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen; Denmark
| | - S. D. Nielsen
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit; Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen; Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Doumba PP, Serti E, Boutsikou M, Konstadoulakis MM, Georgopoulou U, Koskinas J. Phenotypic and functional alterations of primary human PBMCs induced by HCV non-enveloped capsid-like particles uptake. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3463-74. [PMID: 23645326 PMCID: PMC11113332 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1344-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus non-enveloped particles circulate in the serum of HCV-infected patients and are believed to be involved in viral persistence. It was previously demonstrated that recombinant HCVne particles can efficiently enter T cells. In this study we investigated the effect of this entry on the phenotype and function of PBMCs, focused on the CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. We have generated recombinant HCVne in the absence of other viral proteins. PBMCs from healthy donors were sampled after incubation either with HCVne or the control at different time points. Levels of expression of CD107a, CD25, CTLA-4, and T regulatory cells were estimated and cytokine expression and secretion were also monitored. Peripheral T cells expressed elevated CD127. The intracellular expression of the inhibitory marker CTLA-4 (CD152) increased significantly on peripheral T cells at late hours post-treatment, compared to the respective non-treated group. Despite the fact that there was an initial immune response due to HCVne uptake, T cells were driven to a partial exhausted phenotype. A significant induction of CD4+CD25+(hi)CD127-regulatory T cells at late hours was observed. Consistently, Foxp3+CD4+ T cells were also increased. In parallel, a significant transcriptional activation and increased secretion of IL-2, IL-10, and IFN-γ, was recorded. Moreover, mRNA transcription of TGF-β was considerably elevated. HCVne particles have the potential to shape the immune response by modifying specific phenotypic and functional markers mainly on CD4+ T cells and driving them to partial exhaustion as well as to Treg expansion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni P. Doumba
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Laboratory of Surgical Research, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisavet Serti
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Boutsikou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Manousos M. Konstadoulakis
- Laboratory of Surgical Research, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - John Koskinas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Claassen MAA, Janssen HLA, Boonstra A. Role of T cell immunity in hepatitis C virus infections. Curr Opin Virol 2013; 3:461-7. [PMID: 23735335 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2013.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chronic infections with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are a major global health issue. Viral replication is restricted to hepatocytes, and occurs for decades at high replication rates. Over the last decade, it became accepted that HCV-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells are crucial for protective immunity to HCV. However, a characteristic feature of persistent HCV infection is the dysfunctional T cell response, and over recent years enormous progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms that dampen the antiviral T cell responses in blood and liver of chronic HCV patients and also impact disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A A Claassen
- Liver Unit, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Rafik MM, Hosny AEDMS, Abdallah KO, Abbas AA, Abo Shady RA, Soliman DA, Nasr El-Din Rakha KM, Alfedawy SF. TH1 cytokine response to HCV peptides in Egyptian health care workers: a pilot study. Virol J 2013; 10:144. [PMID: 23663415 PMCID: PMC3655851 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-10-144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Our objective was to elucidate the effects of different HCV peptides on TH1 cytokine synthesis (interleukin 2(IL2), gamma interferon (INFγ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α)), in a proliferative response in a high risk population of HCV seronegative aviremic Egyptian healthcare workers (HCW). We studied the TH1 cytokine response to different HCV peptides among 47 HCW with and without evidence of HCV infection. Participants were classified according to the proliferation index (PI) in a CFSE proliferation assay as an indicator of previous exposure to HCV. Cytokines were analyzed using Luminex xMAP technology. Results showed that positive PI HCW produced a higher IL2 in response to all HCV peptides except NS4, a higher IFNγ response to NS3 and NS4 and no difference in TNFα response when compared to the negative PI HCWs. When compared to chronic HCV HCW, positive PI HCW showed no difference in the IL2 response, a higher IFNγ response to NS4 and NS5 HCV peptides and a higher TNFα response to all peptides. In conclusion the magnitude and type of cytokines produced in HCV infection is critical in determining the outcome of infection. NS4 & NS5 HCV peptides induce a protective TH1 response in positive PI HCW.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Rafik
- Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine Clinical Pathology Department, Abbassia square, Cairo, Egypt.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Zhou Y, Callendret B, Xu D, Brasky KM, Feng Z, Hensley LL, Guedj J, Perelson AS, Lemon SM, Lanford RE, Walker CM. Dominance of the CD4(+) T helper cell response during acute resolving hepatitis A virus infection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 209:1481-92. [PMID: 22753925 PMCID: PMC3409494 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20111906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection typically resolves within 4-7 wk but symptomatic relapse occurs in up to 20% of cases. Immune mechanisms that terminate acute HAV infection, and prevent a relapse of virus replication and liver disease, are unknown. Here, patterns of T cell immunity, virus replication, and hepatocellular injury were studied in two HAV-infected chimpanzees. HAV-specific CD8(+) T cells were either not detected in the blood or failed to display effector function until after viremia and hepatitis began to subside. The function of CD8(+) T cells improved slowly as the cells acquired a memory phenotype but was largely restricted to production of IFN-γ. In contrast, CD4(+) T cells produced multiple cytokines when viremia first declined. Moreover, only CD4(+) T cells responded during a transient resurgence of fecal HAV shedding. This helper response then contracted slowly over several months as HAV genomes were eliminated from liver. The findings indicate a dominant role for CD4(+) T cells in the termination of HAV infection and, possibly, surveillance of an intrahepatic reservoir of HAV genomes that decays slowly. Rapid contraction or failure to sustain such a CD4(+) T cell response after resolution of symptoms could increase the risk of relapsing hepatitis A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Bes M, Sauleda S, Casamitjana N, Piron M, Campos-Varela I, Quer J, Cubero M, Puig L, Guardia J, Esteban JI. Reversal of nonstructural protein 3-specific CD4(+) T cell dysfunction in patients with persistent hepatitis C virus infection. J Viral Hepat 2012; 19:283-94. [PMID: 22404727 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2011.01549.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell responses are essential for HCV control, and chronic infection is characterized by functionally altered antigen-specific T cells. It has been proposed that the early inactivation of specific CD4(+) T cell responses may be involved in establishment of HCV persistence. We have investigated whether HCV-specific CD4(+) T cells dysfunction can be reversed in vitro. Nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) and core-specific CD4(+) T cells from eight chronically infected and eight spontaneously resolved HCV individuals were selected through transient CD154 (CD40 ligand) expression, and their functional profile (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-4 production by enzyme-linked immunospot assay, cytometric bead array and intracellular cytokine staining, and proliferation by carboxy-fluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester dilution assay) was determined both ex vivo and after in vitro expansion of sorted CD154-expressing cells in the absence of specific antigen in IL-7/IL-15-supplemented medium. Ex vivo bulk CD4(+) T cells from chronic patients expressed CD154 in most cases, albeit at lower frequencies than those of resolved patients (0.11%vs 0.41%; P = 0.01), when stimulated with NS3, but not core, although they had a markedly impaired capacity to produce IL-2 and IFN-γ. Antigen-free in vitro expansion of NS3-specific CD154(+) cells from chronic patients restored IFN-γ and IL-2 production and proliferation to levels similar to those of patients with spontaneously resolved infection. Hence, NS3-specific CD4(+) T cell response can be rescued in most chronic HCV patients by in vitro expansion in the absence of HCV-specific antigen. These results might provide a rationale for adoptive immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Bes
- Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Banc de Sang i Teixits, Servei Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Schulze Zur Wiesch J, Ciuffreda D, Lewis-Ximenez L, Kasprowicz V, Nolan BE, Streeck H, Aneja J, Reyor LL, Allen TM, Lohse AW, McGovern B, Chung RT, Kwok WW, Kim AY, Lauer GM. Broadly directed virus-specific CD4+ T cell responses are primed during acute hepatitis C infection, but rapidly disappear from human blood with viral persistence. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 209:61-75. [PMID: 22213804 PMCID: PMC3260872 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20100388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Vigorous proliferative CD4(+) T cell responses are the hallmark of spontaneous clearance of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, whereas comparable responses are absent in chronically evolving infection. Here, we comprehensively characterized the breadth, specificity, and quality of the HCV-specific CD4(+) T cell response in 31 patients with acute HCV infection and varying clinical outcomes. We analyzed in vitro T cell expansion in the presence of interleukin-2, and ex vivo staining with HCV peptide-loaded MHC class II tetramers. Surprisingly, broadly directed HCV-specific CD4(+) T cell responses were universally detectable at early stages of infection, regardless of the clinical outcome. However, persistent viremia was associated with early proliferative defects of the HCV-specific CD4(+) T cells, followed by rapid deletion of the HCV-specific response. Only early initiation of antiviral therapy was able to preserve CD4(+) T cell responses in acute, chronically evolving infection. Our results challenge the paradigm that HCV persistence is the result of a failure to prime HCV-specific CD4(+) T cells. Instead, broadly directed HCV-specific CD4(+) T cell responses are usually generated, but rapid exhaustion and deletion of these cells occurs in the majority of patients. The data further suggest a short window of opportunity to prevent the loss of CD4(+) T cell responses through antiviral therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Schulze Zur Wiesch
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Möller JF, Möller B, Wiedenmann B, Berg T, Schott E. CD154, a marker of antigen-specific stimulation of CD4 T cells, is associated with response to treatment in patients with chronic HCV infection. J Viral Hepat 2011; 18:e341-9. [PMID: 21692946 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01430.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
CD4 T-cell function is crucial for the eradication of HCV, and insufficient function is observed in chronic carriers. The monitoring of T-cell responses is complicated by the scarcity of antigen-specific T cells and the relative inefficiency of virus-specific T cells to produce effector cytokines. CD154 is a marker of activation expressed on T cells induced through their T-cell receptor. We analysed CD4 T-cell responses in 72 patients with chronic or resolved HCV infection (23 treatment naïve, 49 treatment experienced, including 16 who had achieved a sustained response). In an additional prospective protocol, 20 of the chronically infected patients were analysed before and after 8-12 weeks of combination therapy with peg-interferon-α and ribavirin. T-cell responses were measured by detecting the expression of CD154 and Th1 cytokines after stimulation with recombinant HCV proteins and were correlated with pretreatment status and outcome of therapy. Broader T-cell responses were observed in treatment naïve than in experienced patients, while the outcome of a preceding therapy regimen did not influence T-cell responses. In the prospective cohort, an on-treatment increase in CD154+ cytokine- T-cell activity was associated with response to treatment, while a decrease was observed in nonresponders. Stronger antigen-independent activity of CD154+ cytokine+ T cells was observed in responders than in nonresponders. Our data indicate that CD154 as a marker of activation of CD4 T cells is a suitable tool for the analysis of T-cell responses in patients with HCV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J F Möller
- Medizinische Klinik m.S. Hepatologie und Gastroenterologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CVK, Berlin Hepatologische Schwerpunktpraxis, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Temporal variations in the hepatitis C virus intrahost population during chronic infection. J Virol 2011; 85:6369-80. [PMID: 21525348 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02204-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The intrahost evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) holds keys to understanding mechanisms responsible for the establishment of chronic infections and to development of a vaccine and therapeutics. In this study, intrahost variants of two variable HCV genomic regions, HVR1 and NS5A, were sequenced from four treatment-naïve chronically infected patients who were followed up from the acute stage of infection for 9 to 18 years. Median-joining network analysis indicated that the majority of the HCV intrahost variants were observed only at certain time points, but some variants were detectable at more than one time point. In all patients, these variants were found organized into communities or subpopulations. We hypothesize that HCV intrahost evolution is defined by two processes: incremental changes within communities through random mutation and alternations between coexisting communities. The HCV population was observed to incrementally evolve within a single community during approximately the first 3 years of infection, followed by dispersion into several subpopulations. Two patients demonstrated this pattern of dispersion for the rest of the observation period, while HCV variants in the other two patients converged into another single subpopulation after ∼9 to 12 years of dispersion. The final subpopulation in these two patients was under purifying selection. Intrahost HCV evolution in all four patients was characterized by a consistent increase in negative selection over time, suggesting the increasing HCV adaptation to the host late in infection. The data suggest specific staging of HCV intrahost evolution.
Collapse
|
34
|
Basha HI, Subramanian V, Seetharam A, Nath D, Ramachandran S, Anderson C, Shenoy S, Chapman W, Crippin J, Mohanakumar T. Characterization of HCV-specific CD4+Th17 immunity in recurrent hepatitis C-induced liver allograft fibrosis. Am J Transplant 2011; 11:775-85. [PMID: 21446979 PMCID: PMC3076941 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2011.03458.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence with accelerated fibrosis following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a universal phenomenon. To evaluate mechanisms contributing to HCV induced allograft fibrosis/cirrhosis, we investigated HCV-specific CD4+Th17 cells and their induction in OLT recipients with recurrence utilizing 51 HCV+ OLT recipients, 15 healthy controls and 9 HCV- OLT recipients. Frequency of HCV specific CD4+ Tcells secreting IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-10 was analyzed by ELISpot. Serum cytokines and chemokines were analyzed by LUMINEX. Recipients with recurrent HCV induced allograft inflammation and fibrosis/cirrhosis demonstrated a significant increase in frequency of HCV specific CD4+Th17 cells. Increased pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1), decreased IFN-γ, and increased IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 levels were identified. OLT recipients with allograft inflammation and fibrosis/cirrhosis demonstrated increased frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) that inhibited HCV specific CD4+Th1 but not Th17 cells. This suggests that recurrent HCV infection in OLT recipients induces an inflammatory milieu characterized by increased IL-6, IL-1β and decreased IFN-γ which facilitates induction of HCV specific CD4+Th17 cells. These cells are resistant to suppression by Tregs and may mediate an inflammatory cascade leading to cirrhosis in OLT recipients following HCV recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H. Ilias Basha
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Vijay Subramanian
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - A. Seetharam
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - D.S. Nath
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - S. Ramachandran
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - C.D. Anderson
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - S. Shenoy
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - W.C. Chapman
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - J.S. Crippin
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - T. Mohanakumar
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Serti E, Doumba PP, Thyphronitis G, Tsitoura P, Katsarou K, Foka P, Konstandoulakis MM, Koskinas J, Mavromara P, Georgopoulou U. Modulation of IL-2 expression after uptake of hepatitis C virus non-enveloped capsid-like particles: the role of p38 kinase. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:505-22. [PMID: 20680391 PMCID: PMC11114540 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2010] [Revised: 06/28/2010] [Accepted: 07/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been shown to actively replicate in cells of the immune system, altering both their function and cytokine expression. Naked nucleocapsids have been reported in the serum of infected patients. We investigated interference of recombinant non-enveloped capsid-like particles with signaling pathways in T cells. HCV non-enveloped particles (HCVne) internalization was verified in Jurkat and Hut 78 T cells, as well as primary human peripheral blood and intrahepatic mononuclear cells. HCVne uptake leads to activation of the MAPKs-p38 signaling pathway. Using specific phosphoantibodies, signaling pathways inhibitors, and chemical agents, it was demonstrated that p38 activation in T cells correlated with IL-2 transcriptional activation and was accompanied by a parallel increase of IL-2 cytokine secretion. c-fos and egr-1, two transcription factors, essential for IL-2 promoter activity, were also found to be elevated. We propose that HCVne uptake by T lymphocytes results in increased MAPKs-p38 activity and IL-2 expression, thus altering the host immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisavet Serti
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Polyxeni P. Doumba
- Laboratory of Surgical Research, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - George Thyphronitis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Panagiota Tsitoura
- Present Address: Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Group, Institute of Biology, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Pelagia Foka
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Manousos M. Konstandoulakis
- Laboratory of Surgical Research, 1st Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Medical School of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - John Koskinas
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Penelope Mavromara
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kang KH, Yamamura Y, Carlos MP, Karvelas N, Kim IS, Sunkara D, Rivera R, Gardner MB, Anderson DE, Diaz-Mitoma F, Torres J, Marquez JP. Synthetic antigens representing the antigenic variation of human hepatitis C virus. Viral Immunol 2011; 23:497-508. [PMID: 20883164 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2010.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been studied by numerous groups. However, details concerning the production of antibodies to antigenically variable epitopes remain to be elucidated. Since the sequences of the variable regions of several HCV proteins are different among the virus strains infecting patients, we decided to design peptide combinations that represent the theoretical maximum antigenic variation of each epitope to be used as capture antigens. We prepared six peptide mixtures (hypervariable epitope constructs; HECs) representing six different epitopes from structural and non-structural proteins of HCV from genotypes 1-6. Plasma from 300 HCV patients was tested to determine if their antibodies recognize the synthetic constructs. All the patients were chronically infected with diverse HCV genotypes and did not receive antiviral treatment. Antibodies to one or more of the HECs were detected in all of the HCV-infected individuals. Immunogenicity of the HCV HECs was also evaluated in outbred and inbred mice. Strong HEC-specific antibodies were produced, and cellular responses were also induced that were Th-1 rather than Th-2. Our results show that HCV HECs are both antigens that can be used to detect the broad cross-reactivity of antibodies from HCV-infected patients, and strong immunogens that can induce antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Hee Kang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Casey R, Blumenkrantz D, Millington K, Montamat-Sicotte D, Kon OM, Wickremasinghe M, Bremang S, Magtoto M, Sridhar S, Connell D, Lalvani A. Enumeration of functional T-cell subsets by fluorescence-immunospot defines signatures of pathogen burden in tuberculosis. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15619. [PMID: 21179481 PMCID: PMC3001879 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background IFN-γ and IL-2 cytokine-profiles define three functional T-cell subsets which may correlate with pathogen load in chronic intracellular infections. We therefore investigated the feasibility of the immunospot platform to rapidly enumerate T-cell subsets by single-cell IFN-γ/IL-2 cytokine-profiling and establish whether immunospot-based T-cell signatures distinguish different clinical stages of human tuberculosis infection. Methods We used fluorophore-labelled anti-IFN-γ and anti-IL-2 antibodies with digital overlay of spatially-mapped colour-filtered images to enumerate dual and single cytokine-secreting M. tuberculosis antigen-specific T-cells in tuberculosis patients and in latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We validated results against established measures of cytokine-secreting T-cells. Results Fluorescence-immunospot correlated closely with single-cytokine enzyme-linked-immunospot for IFN-γ-secreting T-cells and IL-2-secreting T-cells and flow-cytometry-based detection of dual IFN-γ/IL-2-secreting T-cells. The untreated tuberculosis signature was dominated by IFN-γ-only-secreting T-cells which shifted consistently in longitudinally-followed patients during treatment to a signature dominated by dual IFN-γ/IL-2-secreting T-cells in treated patients. The LTBI signature differed from active tuberculosis, with higher proportions of IL-2-only and IFN-γ/IL-2-secreting T-cells and lower proportions of IFN-γ-only-secreting T-cells. Conclusions Fluorescence-immunospot is a quantitative, accurate measure of functional T-cell subsets; identification of cytokine-signatures of pathogen burden, distinct clinical stages of M. tuberculosis infection and long-term immune containment suggests application for treatment monitoring and vaccine evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosalyn Casey
- Tuberculosis Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Andrews DM, Estcourt MJ, Andoniou CE, Wikstrom ME, Khong A, Voigt V, Fleming P, Tabarias H, Hill GR, van der Most RG, Scalzo AA, Smyth MJ, Degli-Esposti MA. Innate immunity defines the capacity of antiviral T cells to limit persistent infection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 207:1333-43. [PMID: 20513749 PMCID: PMC2882831 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20091193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Effective immunity requires the coordinated activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Natural killer (NK) cells are central innate immune effectors, but can also affect the generation of acquired immune responses to viruses and malignancies. How NK cells influence the efficacy of adaptive immunity, however, is poorly understood. Here, we show that NK cells negatively regulate the duration and effectiveness of virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses by limiting exposure of T cells to infected antigen-presenting cells. This impacts the quality of T cell responses and the ability to limit viral persistence. Our studies provide unexpected insights into novel interplays between innate and adaptive immune effectors, and define the critical requirements for efficient control of viral persistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Andrews
- Immunology and Virology Program, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Zhang X, Dou J, Germann MW. Characterization of the cellular immune response in hepatitis C virus infection. Med Res Rev 2010; 29:843-66. [PMID: 19378287 DOI: 10.1002/med.20157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a hepatotropic RNA virus, is a major causative agent of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinomas. The host immune responses, especially cellular immune responses, play an important role in viral clearance, liver injury, and persistent HCV infection. A thorough characterization of the HCV cellular immune responses is important for understanding the interplays between host immune system and viral components, as well as for developing effective therapeutic and prophylactic HCV vaccines. Recent advances that provide better understanding the cell immune responses in HCV infection are summarized in this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinjian Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Iacovazzi PA, Cozzolongo R, Lanzillotta E, Frisullo S, Guerra V, Correale M. Serum 90K/Mac-2 binding protein (Mac-2BP) as a response predictor to peginterferon and ribavirin combined treatment in HCV chronic patients. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2010; 30:687-700. [PMID: 18720164 DOI: 10.1080/08923970802278177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
90K/Mac-2BP glycoprotein is involved in the immune defense against a variety of neoplasms and viral infections, modulating the activity of several effectors such as natural killer cells. Quite interestingly, 90K/Mac-2BP is associated to a poor response to interferon (IFN) alpha in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. Here, in 70 consecutive HCV chronic patients, we have evaluated 90K basal levels as a response predictor to combined therapy with Peginterferon and Ribavirin. We have found higher 90K levels in genotype 1/4 than in genotype 2/3 (p = 0.006) and in 62.5% of non-responders than in 20% of responders (p < 0.001). Genotype 1/4, higher 90K and gamma glutamyl transferase (gammaGT) levels resulted independently associated to a status of refractoriness to therapy. Consequently, evaluation of 90K serum levels seems to be a promising useful marker of response to combined therapy in HCV disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Palma A Iacovazzi
- Clinical Pathology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, S. de Bellis, Bari, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Molecular and Contextual Markers of Hepatitis C Virus and Drug Abuse. Mol Diagn Ther 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03256323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
42
|
Alvarez-Lajonchere L, Shoukry NH, Grá B, Amador-Cañizares Y, Helle F, Bédard N, Guerra I, Drouin C, Dubuisson J, González-Horta EE, Martínez G, Marante J, Cinza Z, Castellanos M, Dueñas-Carrera S. Immunogenicity of CIGB-230, a therapeutic DNA vaccine preparation, in HCV-chronically infected individuals in a Phase I clinical trial. J Viral Hepat 2009; 16:156-67. [PMID: 19017255 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2008.01058.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide health problem. No vaccine is available against this pathogen and therapeutic treatments currently in use are of limited efficacy. In the present study, the immunogenicity of the therapeutic vaccine candidate CIGB-230, based on the mixture of pIDKE2, a plasmid expressing HCV structural antigens, with a recombinant HCV core protein, Co.120, was evaluated. CIGB-230 was administered by intramuscular injection on weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 to 15 HCV-chronically infected individuals, non-responders to previous treatment with interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin. Interestingly, following the final immunization, neutralizing antibody responses against heterologous viral pseudoparticles were modified in eight individuals, including six de novo responders. In addition, 73% of vaccinees exhibited specific T cell proliferative response and T cell IFN-gamma secretory response 24 weeks after primary immunization with CIGB-230. Furthermore, 33.3% of individuals developed de novo cellular immune response against HCV core and the number of patients (46.7% at the end of treatment) with cellular immune response against more than one HCV structural antigen increased during vaccination (P = 0.046). In addition, despite persistent detection of HCV RNA, more than 40% percent of vaccinated individuals improved or stabilized liver histology, particularly reducing fibrosis, which correlated with cellular immune response against more than one HCV antigen (P = 0.0053). In conclusion, CIGB-230 is a promising candidate for effective therapeutic interventions based on its ability for enhancing the immune response in HCV chronically infected individuals.
Collapse
|
43
|
Shapshak P, Somboonwit C, Drumright LN, Frost SDW, Commins D, Tellinghuisen TL, Scott WK, Duncan R, McCoy C, Page JB, Giunta B, Fernandez F, Singer E, Levine A, Minagar A, Oluwadara O, Kotila T, Chiappelli F, Sinnott JT. Molecular and contextual markers of hepatitis C virus and drug abuse. Mol Diagn Ther 2009; 13:153-79. [PMID: 19650670 PMCID: PMC4447498 DOI: 10.2165/01250444-200913030-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection involves a complex interplay of social risks, and molecular factors of both virus and host. Injection drug abuse is the most powerful risk factor for HCV infection, followed by sexual transmission and additional non-injection drug abuse factors such as co-infection with other viruses and barriers to treatment. It is clearly important to understand the wider context in which the factors related to HCV infection occur. This understanding is required for a comprehensive approach leading to the successful prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HCV. An additional consideration is that current treatments and advanced molecular methods are generally unavailable to socially disadvantaged patients. Thus, the recognition of behavioral/social, viral, and host factors as components of an integrated approach to HCV is important to help this vulnerable group. Equally important, this approach is key to the development of personalized patient treatment - a significant goal in global healthcare. In this review, we discuss recent findings concerning the impact of drug abuse, epidemiology, social behavior, virology, immunopathology, and genetics on HCV infection and the course of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Shapshak
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Boonstra A, Woltman AM, Janssen HLA. Immunology of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2008; 22:1049-61. [PMID: 19187866 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2008.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses are the two major causes of chronic liver inflammation worldwide. Despite distinct virologic features, both viruses are preferentially hepatotropic, not directly cytopathic, and elicit liver diseases that share several aspects of their natural history. HBV and HCV infections also share some important features of the adaptive antiviral immune response. We describe the innate immune response in the early phase following infection, and how these early events may influence the development of the adaptive immune response in these two important viral infections. The mechanisms by which high levels of viral antigens, liver immunological features, the presence of regulatory T cells and impaired dendritic cell functions may maintain the HBV- and HCV-specific immunological failure, characteristic of chronic hepatitis B and C patients, are also evaluated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andre Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|