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Lam AM, Dugyala RR, Sheraz M, Liu F, Thi EP, Graves IE, Cuconati A, Steuer HM, Ardzinski A, Overholt N, Mason JD, Gotchev D, Cole AG, Harasym TO, Sofia MJ. Preclinical Antiviral and Safety Profiling of the HBV RNA Destabilizer AB-161. Viruses 2024; 16:323. [PMID: 38543689 PMCID: PMC10975527 DOI: 10.3390/v16030323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
HBV RNA destabilizers are a class of small-molecule compounds that target the noncanonical poly(A) RNA polymerases PAPD5 and PAPD7, resulting in HBV RNA degradation and the suppression of viral proteins including the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). AB-161 is a next-generation HBV RNA destabilizer with potent antiviral activity, inhibiting HBsAg expressed from cccDNA and integrated HBV DNA in HBV cell-based models. AB-161 exhibits broad HBV genotype coverage, maintains activity against variants resistant to nucleoside analogs, and shows additive effects on HBV replication when combined with other classes of HBV inhibitors. In AAV-HBV-transduced mice, the dose-dependent reduction of HBsAg correlated with concentrations of AB-161 in the liver reaching above its effective concentration mediating 90% inhibition (EC90), compared to concentrations in plasma which were substantially below its EC90, indicating that high liver exposure drives antiviral activities. In preclinical 13-week safety studies, minor non-adverse delays in sensory nerve conductance velocity were noted in the high-dose groups in rats and dogs. However, all nerve conduction metrics remained within physiologically normal ranges, with no neurobehavioral or histopathological findings. Despite the improved neurotoxicity profile, microscopic findings associated with male reproductive toxicity were detected in dogs, which subsequently led to the discontinuation of AB-161's clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M. Lam
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, USA; (R.R.D.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (E.P.T.); (I.E.G.); (A.C.); (H.M.S.); (A.A.); (N.O.); (J.D.M.); (D.G.); (A.G.C.); (T.O.H.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael J. Sofia
- Arbutus Biopharma, Inc., 701 Veterans Circle, Warminster, PA 18974, USA; (R.R.D.); (M.S.); (F.L.); (E.P.T.); (I.E.G.); (A.C.); (H.M.S.); (A.A.); (N.O.); (J.D.M.); (D.G.); (A.G.C.); (T.O.H.)
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2
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Usai C, Gill US, Riddell AC, Asselah T, Kennedy P. Review article: emerging insights into the immunopathology, clinical and therapeutic aspects of hepatitis delta virus. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 55:978-993. [PMID: 35292991 PMCID: PMC9314912 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis delta virus (HDV), which causes the most severe form of viral hepatitis, is an obligated hepatitis B (HBV) satellite virus that can either infect naïve subjects simultaneously with HBV (co-infection), or chronically infect HBV carriers (super-infection). An estimated 12 million people are infected by HDV worldwide. AIMS To summarise the most relevant aspects of the molecular biology of HDV, and to discuss the latest understanding of the induced pathology, interactions with the immune system, as well as both approved and investigational treatment options. METHODS References for this review were identified through searches of PubMed with the terms "HDV" "viral hepatitis" "co-infection" and "super-infection," published between 1980 and October 2021 RESULTS: The limited access to the HDV-infected liver has hampered the investigation of the intrahepatic compartment and our understanding of the mechanisms of HDV pathogenesis. In the absence of standardised and sensitive diagnostic tools, HDV is often underdiagnosed and owing to its strong dependence on host cellular factors, the development of direct antiviral agents has been challenging. New therapeutic agents targeting different steps of the viral cycle have recently been investigated, among which bulevirtide (which was conditionally approved by EMA in July 2020) and lonafarnib; both drugs having received orphan drug designation from both the EMA and FDA. CONCLUSIONS The HBV cure programme potentially offers a unique opportunity to enhance HDV treatment strategies. In addition, a more comprehensive analysis of the intrahepatic compartment is mandated to better understand any liver-confined interaction of HDV with the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Usai
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK,Present address:
Unitat mixta d’Investigació IRTA‐UAB en Sanitat AnimalCentre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)Bellaterra08193Spain
| | - Upkar S. Gill
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK,The Royal London HospitalBarts Health NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - Anna C. Riddell
- Division of Infection, Virology DepartmentBarts Health NHS TrustLondonUK
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm U1149Université́ de ParisParisFrance,Department of Hepatology, AP‐HPHôpital BeaujonClichyFrance
| | - Patrick T. Kennedy
- Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and DentistryQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK,The Royal London HospitalBarts Health NHS TrustLondonUK
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3
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Mnyandu N, Limani SW, Arbuthnot P, Maepa MB. Advances in designing Adeno-associated viral vectors for development of anti-HBV gene therapeutics. Virol J 2021; 18:247. [PMID: 34903258 PMCID: PMC8670254 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-021-01715-9] [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: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the five decades having passed since discovery of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), together with development of an effective anti-HBV vaccine, infection with the virus remains a serious public health problem and results in nearly 900,000 annual deaths worldwide. Current therapies do not eliminate the virus and viral replication typically reactivates after treatment withdrawal. Hence, current endeavours are aimed at developing novel therapies to achieve a functional cure. Nucleic acid-based therapeutic approaches are promising, with several candidates showing excellent potencies in preclinical and early stages of clinical development. However, this class of therapeutics is yet to become part of standard anti-HBV treatment regimens. Obstacles delaying development of gene-based therapies include lack of clinically relevant delivery methods and a paucity of good animal models for preclinical characterisation. Recent studies have demonstrated safety and efficiency of Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) in gene therapy. However, AAVs do have flaws and this has prompted research aimed at improving design of novel and artificially synthesised AAVs. Main goals are to improve liver transduction efficiencies and avoiding immune clearance. Application of AAVs to model HBV replication in vivo is also useful for characterising anti-HBV gene therapeutics. This review summarises recent advances in AAV engineering and their contributions to progress with anti-HBV gene therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Njabulo Mnyandu
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Shonisani Wendy Limani
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Patrick Arbuthnot
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mohube Betty Maepa
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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4
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Du Y, Broering R, Li X, Zhang X, Liu J, Yang D, Lu M. In Vivo Mouse Models for Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Their Application. Front Immunol 2021; 12:766534. [PMID: 34777385 PMCID: PMC8586444 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.766534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of effective vaccination, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major challenge worldwide. Research efforts are ongoing to find an effective cure for the estimated 250 million people chronically infected by HBV in recent years. The exceptionally limited host spectrum of HBV has limited the research progress. Thus, different HBV mouse models have been developed and used for studies on infection, immune responses, pathogenesis, and antiviral therapies. However, these mouse models have great limitations as no spread of HBV infection occurs in the mouse liver and no or only very mild hepatitis is present. Thus, the suitability of these mouse models for a given issue and the interpretation of the results need to be critically assessed. This review summarizes the currently available mouse models for HBV research, including hydrodynamic injection, viral vector-mediated transfection, recombinant covalently closed circular DNA (rc-cccDNA), transgenic, and liver humanized mouse models. We systematically discuss the characteristics of each model, with the main focus on hydrodynamic injection mouse model. The usefulness and limitations of each mouse model are discussed based on the published studies. This review summarizes the facts for considerations of the use and suitability of mouse model in future HBV studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqin Du
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Broering
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Xiaoran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongliang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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5
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In Vivo Modelling of Hepatitis B Virus Subgenotype A1 Replication Using Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112247. [PMID: 34835053 PMCID: PMC8618177 DOI: 10.3390/v13112247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The paucity of animal models that simulate the replication of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an impediment to advancing new anti-viral treatments. The work reported here employed recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to model HBV subgenotype A1 and subgenotype D3 replication in vitro and in vivo. Infection with subgenotype A1 is endemic to parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and it is associated with a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Recombinant AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) and 8 (AAV8) vectors bearing greater-than-genome-length sequences of HBV DNA from subgenotype A1 and D3, were produced. Transduced liver-derived cultured cells produced HBV surface antigen and core antigen. Administration of AAV8 carrying HBV subgenotype A1 genome (AAV8-A1) to mice resulted in the sustained production of HBV replication markers over a six-month period, without elevated inflammatory cytokines, expression of interferon response genes or alanine transaminase activity. Markers of replication were generally higher in animals treated with subgenotype D3 genome-bearing AAVs than in those receiving the subgenotype A1-genome-bearing vectors. To validate the use of the AAV8-A1 murine model for anti-HBV drug development, the efficacy of anti-HBV artificial primary-microRNAs was assessed. Significant silencing of HBV markers was observed over a 6-month period after administering AAVs. These data indicate that AAVs conveniently and safely recapitulate the replication of different HBV subgenotypes, and the vectors may be used to assess antivirals’ potency.
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6
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Li YT, Wu HL, Liu CJ. Molecular Mechanisms and Animal Models of HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: With Emphasis on Metastatic Tumor Antigen 1. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9380. [PMID: 34502289 PMCID: PMC8431721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important cause of cancer death worldwide, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major etiology, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Lack of sensitive biomarkers for early diagnosis of HCC and lack of effective therapeutics for patients with advanced HCC are the main reasons for high HCC mortality; these clinical needs are linked to the molecular heterogeneity of hepatocarcinogenesis. Animal models are the basis of preclinical and translational research in HBV-related HCC (HBV-HCC). Recent advances in methodology have allowed the development of several animal models to address various aspects of chronic liver disease, including HCC, which HBV causes in humans. Currently, multiple HBV-HCC animal models, including conventional, hydrodynamics-transfection-based, viral vector-mediated transgenic, and xenograft mice models, as well as the hepadnavirus-infected tree shrew and woodchuck models, are available. This review provides an overview of molecular mechanisms and animal models of HBV-HCC. Additionally, the metastatic tumor antigen 1 (MTA1), a cancer-promoting molecule, was introduced as an example to address the importance of a suitable animal model for studying HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Tsung Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Lin Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
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7
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Liu Y, Maya S, Ploss A. Animal Models of Hepatitis B Virus Infection-Success, Challenges, and Future Directions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050777. [PMID: 33924793 PMCID: PMC8146732 DOI: 10.3390/v13050777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects more than 250 million people worldwide, which greatly increases the risk for terminal liver diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Even though current approved antiviral therapies, including pegylated type I interferon (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogs, can effectively suppress viremia, HBV infection is rarely cured. Since HBV exhibits a narrow species tropism and robustly infects only humans and higher primates, progress in HBV research and preclinical testing of antiviral drugs has been hampered by the scarcity of suitable animal models. Fortunately, a series of surrogate animal models have been developed for the study of HBV. An increased understanding of the barriers towards interspecies transmission has aided in the development of human chimeric mice and has greatly paved the way for HBV research in vivo, and for evaluating potential therapies of chronic hepatitis B. In this review, we summarize the currently available animal models for research of HBV and HBV-related hepadnaviruses, and we discuss challenges and future directions for improvement.
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8
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Rodriguez-Garcia E, Zabaleta N, Gil-Farina I, Gonzalez-Aparicio M, Echeverz M, Bähre H, Solano C, Lasa I, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G, Hommel M. AdrA as a Potential Immunomodulatory Candidate for STING-Mediated Antiviral Therapy That Required Both Type I IFN and TNF-α Production. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 206:376-385. [PMID: 33298616 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Several dinucleotide cyclases, including cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, and their involvement in STING-mediated immunity have been extensively studied. In this study, we tested five bacterial diguanylate cyclases from the Gram-negative bacterium Salmonella Enteritidis, identifying AdrA as the most potent inducer of a STING-mediated IFN response. AdrA wild-type (wt) or its inactive version AdrA mutant (mut) were delivered by an adenovirus (Ad) vector. Dendritic cells obtained from wt mice and infected in vitro with Ad vector containing AdrA wt, but not mut, had increased activation markers and produced large amounts of several immunostimulatory cytokines. For dendritic cells derived from STING-deficient mice, no activation was detected. The potential antiviral activity of AdrA was addressed in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-transgenic and adenovirus-associated virus (AAV)-HBV mouse models. Viremia in serum of Ad AdrA wt-treated mice was reduced significantly compared with that in Ad AdrA mut-injected mice. The viral load in the liver at sacrifice was in line with this finding. To further elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) by which AdrA confers its antiviral function, the response in mice deficient in STING or its downstream effector molecules was analyzed. wt and IFN-αR (IFNAR)-/- animals were additionally treated with anti-TNF-α (Enbrel). Interestingly, albeit less pronounced than in wt mice, in IFNAR-/- and Enbrel-treated wt mice, a reduction of serum viremia was achieved-an observation that was lost in anti-TNF-α-treated IFNAR-/- animals. No effect of AdrA wt was seen in STING-deficient animals. Thus, although STING is indispensable for the antiviral activity of AdrA, type I IFN and TNF-α are both required and act synergistically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefania Rodriguez-Garcia
- Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nerea Zabaleta
- Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Irene Gil-Farina
- Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manuela Gonzalez-Aparicio
- Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite Echeverz
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.,Laboratorio Patogénesis Microbiana, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-Universidad Pública de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; and
| | - Heike Bähre
- Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Cristina Solano
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.,Laboratorio Patogénesis Microbiana, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-Universidad Pública de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; and
| | - Iñigo Lasa
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.,Laboratorio Patogénesis Microbiana, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-Universidad Pública de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; and
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; .,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.,Laboratorio Patogénesis Microbiana, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-Universidad Pública de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; and
| | - Mirja Hommel
- Terapia Génica y Regulación de la Expresión Génica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; .,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.,Laboratorio Patogénesis Microbiana, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-Universidad Pública de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; and
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9
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Chen CY, Winer BY, Chavez D, Guerra B, Brasky KM, Eng S, Salas E, Tam D, Simmons JH, Abee CR, Delaney WE, Ploss A, Lanford RE, Voitenleitner C. Woolly Monkey-HBV Infection in Squirrel Monkeys as a Surrogate Nonhuman Primate Model of HBV Infection. Hepatol Commun 2020; 4:371-386. [PMID: 32140655 PMCID: PMC7049680 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of curative therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection will likely require new animal models. Here, we evaluate HBV infection in squirrel monkeys based on the high-sequence homology of the HBV receptor, Na+/taurocholate co-transporting peptide (NTCP), between humans and squirrel monkeys. HBV PreS1 peptide was examined for binding human and squirrel monkey NTCP. Immunodeficient Fah -/- , NOD, Rag1 -/- , Il2Rg null (FNRG) mice engrafted with human or squirrel monkey hepatocytes were challenged with HBV or Woolly Monkey HBV (WMHBV). In addition, adult squirrel monkeys were inoculated with HBV, WMHBV, adeno-associated virus containing an infectious genome of HBV (AAV-HBV), and AAV-WMHBV. Finally, neonate squirrel monkeys were assessed for the potential of chronic infection with WMHBV. PreS1 peptide efficiently bound to human and squirrel monkey NTCP but not to mouse or capuchin NTCP. FNRG mice engrafted with squirrel monkey hepatocytes were susceptible to infection by WMHBV but not human HBV. Similarly, adult squirrel monkeys could be infected with WMHBV but not human HBV, whereas chimeric mice engrafted with human hepatocytes were susceptible to HBV but not WMHBV. Infection of squirrel monkeys with AAV-WMHBV yielded maximum viremia of 108 genomes/mL with detectable virus for up to 8 months. Notably, covalently closed circular DNA was detected in the liver of these animals. Infection of neonates with WMHBV led to detectable viremia for up to 6 months. Conclusions: Adult and neonate squirrel monkeys exhibited prolonged WMHBV viremia lasting 6-8 months. This is greater than twice the duration of viremia achieved in other nonhuman primates and suggests that squirrel monkeys may be a suitable model for testing HBV therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Y. Chen
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
| | | | - Deborah Chavez
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
| | - Bernadette Guerra
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
| | - Kathleen M. Brasky
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
| | | | | | - Danny Tam
- Gilead Biosciences, Inc.Foster CityCA
| | - Joe H. Simmons
- Department of Comparative MedicineMichale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research of the University of Texas MD Anderson CenterBastropTX
| | - Christian R. Abee
- Department of Comparative MedicineMichale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research of the University of Texas MD Anderson CenterBastropTX
| | | | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNJ
| | - Robert E. Lanford
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterTexas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTX
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10
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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 257 million people globally, resulting in progressively worsening liver disease, manifesting as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The exceptionally narrow species tropism of HBV restricts its natural hosts to humans and non-human primates, including chimpanzees, gorillas, gibbons, and orangutans. The unavailability of completely immunocompetent small-animal models has contributed to the lack of curative therapeutic interventions. Even though surrogates allow the study of closely related viruses, their host genetic backgrounds, immune responses, and molecular virology differ from those of HBV. Various different models, based on either pure murine or xenotransplantation systems, have been introduced over the past years, often making the choice of the optimal model for any given question challenging. Here, we offer a concise review of in vivo model systems employed to study HBV infection and steps in the HBV life cycle or pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Catherine Cherry
- Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, W2 1PGLondon, U.K
| | - Harry Gunn
- Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, W2 1PGLondon, U.K
| | - Marcus Dorner
- Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, W2 1PGLondon, U.K
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11
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Fang CC, Wu CF, Liao YJ, Huang SF, Chen M, Chen YMA. AAV serotype 8-mediated liver specific GNMT expression delays progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and prevents carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13802. [PMID: 30217986 PMCID: PMC6138656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30800-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is abundantly expressed in normal livers and plays a protective role against tumor formation. GNMT depletion leads to progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated the activity of ectopic GNMT delivered using recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy in mouse models of liver cirrhosis and HCC. Injection of AAV serotype 8 (AAV8) vector carrying the GNMT gene (AAV8-GNMT) in Gnmt−/− mice increased GNMT expression and downregulated pro-inflammatory responses, resulting in reduced liver damage and incidence of liver tumors. Moreover, AAV8-GNMT resulted in the amelioration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in BALB/c mice. We showed that AAV8-GNMT protected hepatocytes from CCl4-induced liver damage. AAV8-GNMT significantly attenuated the levels of pro-fibrotic markers and increased efficiency of hepatocyte proliferation. These results suggest that correction of hepatic GNMT by gene therapy of AAV8-mediated gene enhancement may provide a potential strategy for preventing and delaying development of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Chieh Fang
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Fen Wu
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,National Mosquito-Borne Diseases Control Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jen Liao
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiu-Feng Huang
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Marcelo Chen
- Department of Urology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research (CICAR), Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Research and Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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12
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Hepatitis B virus persistence in mice reveals IL-21 and IL-33 as regulators of viral clearance. Nat Commun 2017; 8:2119. [PMID: 29242561 PMCID: PMC5730569 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02304-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) generally causes self-limiting infection in immunocompetent adults, but establishes chronic infection in some adults and in most maternally infected infants. Factors determining clearance versus persistence are not fully understood. Hydrodynamic injection (HDI) of HBV replicon plasmid via tail vein generally results in quick clearance in immunocompetent adult mice. Here, we report the identification of strain-specific persistence of HBV in mice: one genotype B strain, designated BPS, persisted up to 33 weeks in ~50% of HDI mice. BPS persistence requires viral replication and multiple viral features. Compared to quickly cleared strains, BPS fails to induce robust post-exposure serum IL-21/IL-33 responses. Injection of IL-21-expressing or IL-33-expressing plasmids facilitates clearance of pre-established BPS persistence and protects cured mice from BPS re-challenge. IL-21 and IL-33 also induce clearance of pre-established HBV persistence in another mouse model. These data reveal IL-21 and IL-33 as potent regulators of HBV clearance and valid drug candidates. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) establishes chronic infection in only some patients, but the mechanisms underlying clearance failure in these patients are not fully understood. Here, the authors identify and characterize an HBV strain that can persist in mice and show that IL-21 and IL-33 responses contribute to clearance.
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13
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Efficient genome replication of hepatitis B virus using adenovirus vector: a compact pregenomic RNA-expression unit. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41851. [PMID: 28157182 PMCID: PMC5291108 DOI: 10.1038/srep41851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The complicated replication mechanisms of hepatitis B virus (HBV) have impeded HBV studies and anti-HBV therapy development as well. Herein we report efficient genome replication of HBV applying adenovirus vectors (AdVs) showing high transduction efficiency. Even in primary hepatocytes derived from humanized mice the transduction efficiencies using AdVs were 450-fold higher compared than those using plasmids. By using an expression unit consisting of the CMV promoter, 1.03-copy HBV genome and foreign poly(A) signal, we successfully generated an improved AdV (HBV103-AdV) that efficiently provided 58 times more pregenomic RNA than previously reported AdVs. The HBV103-AdV-mediated HBV replication was easily and precisely detected using quantitative real-time PCR in primary hepatocytes as well as in HepG2 cells. Notably, when the AdV containing replication-defective HBV genome of 1.14 copy was transduced, we observed that HBV DNA-containing circular molecules (pseudo-ccc DNA) were produced, which were probably generated through homologous recombination. However, the replication-defective HBV103-AdV hardly yielded the pseudo-ccc, probably because the repeated sequences are vey short. Additionally, the efficacies of entecavir and lamivudine were quantitatively evaluated using this system at only 4 days postinfection with HBV103-AdVs. Therefore, this system offers high production of HBV genome replication and thus could become used widely.
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14
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Complementary Effects of Interleukin-15 and Alpha Interferon Induce Immunity in Hepatitis B Virus Transgenic Mice. J Virol 2016; 90:8563-74. [PMID: 27440883 PMCID: PMC5021417 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01030-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic hepatitis B (CHB), failure to control hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with T cell dysfunction. HBV transgenic mice mirror many features of the human disease, including T cell unresponsiveness, and thus represent an appropriate model in which to test novel therapeutic strategies. To date, the tolerant state of CD8+ T cells in these animals could be altered only by strong immunogens or by immunization with HBV antigen-pulsed dendritic cells; however, the effectors induced were unable to suppress viral gene expression or replication. Because of the known stimulatory properties of alpha interferon (IFN-α) and interleukin-15 (IL-15), this study explored the therapeutic potential of liver-directed gene transfer of these cytokines in a murine model of CHB using adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery. This combination not only resulted in a reduction in the viral load in the liver and the induction of an antibody response but also gave rise to functional and specific CD8+ immunity. Furthermore, when splenic and intrahepatic lymphocytes from IFN-α- and IL-15-treated animals were transferred to new HBV carriers, partial antiviral immunity was achieved. In contrast to previous observations made using either cytokine alone, markedly attenuated PD-L1 induction in hepatic tissue was observed upon coadministration. An initial study with CHB patient samples also gave promising results. Hence, we demonstrated synergy between two stimulating cytokines, IL-15 and IFN-α, which, given together, constitute a potent approach to significantly enhance the CD8+ T cell response in a state of immune hyporesponsiveness. Such an approach may be useful for treating chronic viral infections and neoplastic conditions. IMPORTANCE With 350 million people affected worldwide and 600,000 annual deaths due to HBV-induced liver cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major health problem. However, current treatment options are costly and not very effective and/or need to be administered for life. The unprecedented efficacy of the strategy described in our paper may offer an alternative and is relevant for a broad spectrum of readers because of its clear translational importance to other chronic viral infections in which a hyporesponsive antigen-specific T cell repertoire prevents clearance of the pathogen.
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15
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McGowan D, Herschke F, Pauwels F, Stoops B, Last S, Pieters S, Scholliers A, Thoné T, Van Schoubroeck B, De Pooter D, Mostmans W, Khamlichi MD, Embrechts W, Dhuyvetter D, Smyej I, Arnoult E, Demin S, Borghys H, Fanning G, Vlach J, Raboisson P. Novel Pyrimidine Toll-like Receptor 7 and 8 Dual Agonists to Treat Hepatitis B Virus. J Med Chem 2016; 59:7936-49. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David McGowan
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Florence Herschke
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Frederik Pauwels
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Bart Stoops
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Stefaan Last
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Serge Pieters
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Annick Scholliers
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Tine Thoné
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Dorien De Pooter
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Wendy Mostmans
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Mourad Daoubi Khamlichi
- Villapharma Research S.L., Parque
Tecnológico de Fuente Álamo. Ctra. El Estrecho-Lobosillo,
Km. 2.5, Av. Azul 30320 Fuente Álamo de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Werner Embrechts
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Deborah Dhuyvetter
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ilham Smyej
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Eric Arnoult
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Samuël Demin
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Herman Borghys
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Gregory Fanning
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jaromir Vlach
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Pierre Raboisson
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Diagnostics BVBA, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
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16
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Iannacone M, Guidotti LG. Mouse Models of Hepatitis B Virus Pathogenesis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2015; 5:cshperspect.a021477. [PMID: 26292984 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a021477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The host range of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is limited to humans and chimpanzees. As discussed in the literature, numerous studies in humans and chimpanzees have generated a great deal of information on the mechanisms that cause viral clearance, viral persistence, and disease pathogenesis during acute or chronic HBV infection. Relevant pathogenetic studies have also been performed in those few species representing natural hosts of hepadnaviruses that are related to HBV, such as the woodchuck hepatitis virus and the duck hepatitis virus. Further insight has been gained from multidisciplinary studies in transgenic or humanized chimeric mouse models expressing and/or replicating HBV to varying degrees. We provide here a concise summary of the available HBV mouse models as well as of the contributions of these models to our understanding of HBV pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Iannacone
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca G Guidotti
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy Department of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
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17
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Peng XH, Ren XN, Chen LX, Shi BS, Xu CH, Fang Z, Liu X, Chen JL, Zhang XN, Hu YW, Zhou XH. High persistence rate of hepatitis B virus in a hydrodynamic injection-based transfection model in C3H/HeN mice. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:3527-3536. [PMID: 25834317 PMCID: PMC4375574 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i12.3527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To optimize the viral persistence rate in a hydrodynamic injection (HI) based hepatitis B virus (HBV) transfection mouse model.
METHODS: (1) 5-6-wk-old male C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice were hydrodynamically injected with 10 μg endotoxin-free pAAV/HBV1.2 plasmid DNA via the tail vein. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA, both in the serum and liver, were detected at different time points post HI by ELISA, immunohistochemical staining or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR); (2) male C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice, either hydrodynamically injected mice at 10 wk post HI or naïve mice, were all immunized subcutaneously with 5 μg HBsAg formulated in complete Freund’s adjuvant three times at a 2-wk interval. Two weeks after the final immunization, splenocytes were isolated for T cell function analysis by ELISPOT assay; and (3) five weeks post HI, C3H/HeN mice were intragastrically administered 0.1 mg/kg entecavir once a day for 14 d, or were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg/kg interferon (IFN)-α twice a week for 2 wk, or were treated with PBS as controls. The sera were collected and assayed for HBV DNA on days 0, 7 and 14 after drug treatment.
RESULTS: (1) Approximately 90% (22/25) of the injected C3H/HeN mice were still HBsAg-positive at 46 wk post HI, whereas HBsAg in C57BL/6 mice were completely cleared at 24 wk. Serum levels of HBeAg in C3H/HeN mice were higher than those in C57BL/6 mice from 4 wk to 46 wk. HBV DNA levels in the hydrodynamically injected C3H/HeN mice were higher than those in the C57BL/6 mice, both in the serum (from 4 wk to 46 wk) and in the liver (detected at 8 wk and 46 wk post HI). Histology showed that hepatitis B core antigen and HBsAg were expressed longer in the liver of C3H/HeN mice than in C57BL/6; (2) HBsAg specific T cell responses after HBsAg vaccination in hydrodynamically injected C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice, or naive control mice were detected by ELISPOT assay. After stimulation with HBsAg, the frequencies of IFN-γ producing splenocytes in the hydrodynamically injected C3H/HeN mice were significantly lower than those in hydrodynamically injected C57BL/6 mice, control C3H/HeN and control C57BL/6 mice, which were 0, 17 ± 7, 18 ± 10, and 41 ± 10 SFCs/106 splenocytes, respectively, and the mean spot sizes showed the same pattern. Even just stimulated with PMA and ionomysin, T-cell responses elicited in the vaccinated control C3H/HeN were much higher than those in hydrodynamically injected C3H/HeN mice; and (3) For drug treatment experiments on the hydrodynamically injected C3H/HeN mice, serum HBV DNA levels in the entecavir treatment group declined (131.2 folds, P < 0.01) on day 7 after treatment and kept going down. In the group of IFN-α treatment, serum HBV DNA levels declined to a lowest point (6.42 folds, P < 0.05) on 7 d after treatment and then rebounded.
CONCLUSION: We have developed a novel HI-based HBV transfection model using C3H/HeN mice, which had a higher HBV persistence rate than the classic C57BL/6 mouse model.
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18
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Aldabe R, Suárez-Amarán L, Usai C, González-Aseguinolaza G. Animal models of chronic hepatitis delta virus infection host-virus immunologic interactions. Pathogens 2015; 4:46-65. [PMID: 25686091 PMCID: PMC4384072 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens4010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that has an absolute requirement for a virus belonging to the hepadnaviridae family like hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication and formation of new virions. HDV infection is usually associated with a worsening of HBV-induced liver pathogenesis, which leads to more frequent cirrhosis, increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and fulminant hepatitis. Importantly, no selective therapies are available for HDV infection. The mainstay of treatment for HDV infection is pegylated interferon alpha; however, response rates to this therapy are poor. A better knowledge of HDV–host cell interaction will help with the identification of novel therapeutic targets, which are urgently needed. Animal models like hepadnavirus-infected chimpanzees or the eastern woodchuck have been of great value for the characterization of HDV chronic infection. Recently, more practical animal models in which to perform a deeper study of host virus interactions and to evaluate new therapeutic strategies have been developed. Therefore, the main focus of this review is to discuss the current knowledge about HDV host interactions obtained from cell culture and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Aldabe
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra (UNAV), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Lester Suárez-Amarán
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra (UNAV), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Carla Usai
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra (UNAV), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
| | - Gloria González-Aseguinolaza
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra (UNAV), Pamplona 31008, Spain.
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19
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Dai X, Zhang W, Zhang H, Sun S, Yu H, Guo Y, Kou Z, Zhao G, Du L, Jiang S, Zhang J, Li J, Zhou Y. Modulation of HBV replication by microRNA-15b through targeting hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:6578-90. [PMID: 24705650 PMCID: PMC4041434 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health problem worldwide. The role played by microRNAs (miRNAs) in HBV replication and pathogenesis is being increasingly recognized. In this study, we found that miR-15b, an important miRNA during HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma development, directly binds hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α) mRNA, a negative regulator of HBV Enhancer I, to attenuate HNF1α expression, resulting in transactivation of HBV Enhancer I, in turn causing the enhancement of HBV replication and expression of HBV antigens, including HBx protein, finally leading to the down-regulated expression of miR-15b in both cell lines and mice in a long cascade of events. Our research showed that miR-15b promotes HBV replication by augmenting HBV Enhancer I activity via direct targeting HNF1α, while HBV replication and antigens expression, particularly the HBx protein, then repress the expression of miR-15b. The reciprocal regulation between miR-15b and HBV controls the level of HBV replication and might play a role in persistent HBV infection. This work adds to the body of knowledge concerning the complex interactions between HBV and host miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Hongfei Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Shihui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Hong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Zhihua Kou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Guangyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Lanying Du
- Laboratory of Viral immunology, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Laboratory of Viral immunology, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Junfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yusen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
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20
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A mouse model for HBV immunotolerance and immunotherapy. Cell Mol Immunol 2013; 11:71-8. [PMID: 24076617 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2013.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of an appropriate small animal model remains a major hurdle for studying the immunotolerance and immunopathogenesis induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In this study, we report a mouse model with sustained HBV viremia after infection with a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying a replicable HBV genome (AAV/HBV). Similar to the clinical HBV carriers, the mice infected with AAV/HBV were sero-negative for antibodies against HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Immunization with the conventional HBV vaccine in the presence of aluminum adjuvant failed to elicit an immune response against HBV in these mice. To identify a vaccine that can potentially circumvent this tolerance, the TLR9 agonist CpG was added to HBsAg as an adjuvant. Vaccination of mice with HBsAg/CpG induced not only clearance of viremia, but also strong antibody production and T-cell responses. Furthermore, both the DNA replication and protein expression of HBV were significantly reduced in the livers of AAV/HBV-infected mice. Accordingly, AAV/HBV-infected mice may be used as a robust model for investigating the underlying mechanism(s) of HBV immunotolerance and for developing novel immunotherapies to eradicate HBV infections.
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21
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Chen SH, Wu HL, Kao JH, Hwang LH. Persistent hepatitis B viral replication in a FVB/N mouse model: impact of host and viral factors. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36984. [PMID: 22615863 PMCID: PMC3353969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanism underlying the chronicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has long been an interesting question. However, this mechanism remains unclear largely due to the lack of an animal model that can support persistent HBV replication and allow for the investigation of the relevant immune responses. In this study, we used hydrodynamic injection to introduce HBV replicon DNA into the livers of three different mouse strains: BALB/c, C57BL/6, and FVB/N. Interestingly, we found that an HBV clone persistently replicated in the livers of FVB/N mice for up to 50 weeks but was rapidly cleared from the livers of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Flow cytometric analysis and quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis of the mouse livers indicated that after DNA injection, FVB/N mice had few intrahepatic activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and produced low levels of alanine aminotransferase, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and the CXCL9 and CXCL10 chemokines. These findings were in sharp contrast with those observed in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, reflecting a strong correlation between the degree of liver inflammation and viral clearance. Mutational analysis further demonstrated that a change of Asn-214 to Ser-214 in the HBV surface antigen rendered the persistent HBV clone clearable in FVB/N mice, which was accompanied by increased levels of activated CTL and upregulated expression of IFN-γ, CXCL9, and CXCL10 in the livers. These results indicate that the heterogeneity of the host factors and viral sequences may influence the immune responses against HBV. An inadequate activation of immune or inflammatory responses can lead to persistent HBV replication in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hui Chen
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- VYM Genome Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Lin Wu
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lih-Hwa Hwang
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- VYM Genome Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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