Dual Agonist of Farnesoid X Receptor and Takeda G Protein-Coupled Receptor 5 Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Infection In Vitro and In Vivo

Role of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) in HBV-induced hepatitis: Opportunities for developing novel therapeutics

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the HBV virus. It presents a significant challenge for treatment due to its chronic nature and the potential for developing severe complications, including hepatocirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These complications not only cause physical and psychological distress to patients but also impose substantial economic and social burdens on both individuals and society as a whole. The internalization of HBV relies on endocytosis and necessitates the involvement of various proteins, including heparin sulfate proteoglycans, epidermal growth factor receptors, and NTCP. Among these proteins, NTCP is pivotal in HBV internalization and is primarily located in the liver's basement membrane. As a transporter of bile acids, NTCP also serves as a receptor facilitating HBV entry into cells. Numerous molecules have been identified to thwart HBV infection by stifling NTCP activity, although only a handful exhibit low IC50 values. In this systematic review, our primary focus dwells on the structure and regulation of NTCP, as well as the mechanism involved in HBV internalization. We underscore recent drug breakthroughs that specifically target NTCP to combat HBV infection. By shedding light on these advances, this review contributes novel insights into developing effective anti-HBV medications.

A small molecule iCDM-34 identified by in silico screening suppresses HBV DNA through activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor

IFN-alpha have been reported to suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) cccDNA via APOBEC3 cytidine deaminase activity through interferon signaling. To develop a novel anti-HBV drug for a functional cure, we performed in silico screening of the binding compounds fitting the steric structure of the IFN-alpha-binding pocket in IFNAR2. We identified 37 compounds and named them in silico cccDNA modulator (iCDM)-1-37. We found that iCDM-34, a new small molecule with a pyrazole moiety, showed anti-HCV and anti-HBV activities. We measured the anti-HBV activity of iCDM-34 dependent on or independent of entecavir (ETV). iCDM-34 suppressed HBV DNA, pgRNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg, and also clearly exhibited additive inhibitory effects on the suppression of HBV DNA with ETV. We confirmed metabolic stability of iCDM-34 was stable in human liver microsomal fraction. Furthermore, anti-HBV activity in human hepatocyte-chimeric mice revealed that iCDM-34 was not effective as a single reagent, but when combined with ETV, it suppressed HBV DNA compared to ETV alone. Phosphoproteome and Western blotting analysis showed that iCDM-34 did not activate IFN-signaling. The transcriptome analysis of interferon-stimulated genes revealed no increase in expression, whereas downstream factors of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) showed increased levels of the expression. CDK1/2 and phospho-SAMHD1 levels decreased under iCDM-34 treatment. In addition, AhR knockdown inhibited anti-HCV activity of iCDM-34 in HCV replicon cells. These results suggest that iCDM-34 decreases the phosphorylation of SAMHD1 through CDK1/2, and suppresses HCV replicon RNA, HBV DNA, and pgRNA formation.

Non-12α-Hydroxylated Bile Acids Improve Piglet Growth Performance by Improving Intestinal Flora, Promoting Intestinal Development and Bile Acid Synthesis

As an emulsifier and bioactive substance, bile acids (BAs) participate in the absorption of nutrients and in various physiological processes. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of non-12α-hydroxylated BAs (including hyocholic acid, hyodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, from now on referred to as NBAs) on growth performance, BAs metabolism and the intestinal flora of piglets. The experiment included four groups, with eight piglets per group. The four groups of pigs were fed 0, 60, 120 and 180 mg/kg of NBAs, respectively. The results show that adding NBAs significantly increased the final weight (FW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and digestibility of crude fat (EE) and organic matter (OM) in piglets (p < 0.05). Adding NBAs significantly increased the villus height (VH) of the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05). In addition, NBAs supplementation increased the content of urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CREA) as well as the ratio of urea nitrogen to creatinine (BUN/CREA) in serum (p < 0.05). Adding NBAs can affect the genes related to BAs enterohepatic circulation. Specifically, adding NBAs significantly decreased the relative mRNA abundance of FXR in the liver (p < 0.05), significantly increased the relative mRNA abundance of CYP27A1 (p < 0.05), and significantly increased the relative mRNA abundance of NTCP (p < 0.05). Adding NBAs also significantly decreased the relative mRNA abundance of FXR in the ileum (p < 0.05). In the full-length 16S rDNA sequencing analysis, ten biomarkers were found from the gate to the species level. NBAs mainly enriched Lactobacillus_Johnsonii and decreased the abundance of Streptococcus_alactolyticus. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content in the colon was significantly increased (p < 0.05). These results indicate that NBAs supplementation can improve the growth performance of piglets, promote the development of the bile acid replacement pathway and improve intestinal flora.

Farnesoid X receptor: From Structure to Function and Its Pharmacology in Liver Fibrosis

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, plays a crucial role in regulating bile acid metabolism within the enterohepatic circulation. Beyond its involvement in metabolic disorders and immune imbalances affecting various tissues, FXR is implicated in microbiota modulation, gut- to-brain communication, and liver disease. The liver, as a pivotal metabolic and detoxification organ, is susceptible to damage from factors such as alcohol, viruses, drugs, and high-fat diets. Chronic or recurrent liver injury can culminate in liver fibrosis, which, if left untreated, may progress to cirrhosis and even liver cancer, posing significant health risks. However, therapeutic options for liver fibrosis remain limited in terms of FDA- approved drugs. Recent insights into the structure of FXR, coupled with animal and clinical investigations, have shed light on its potential pharmacological role in hepatic fibrosis. Progress has been achieved in both fundamental research and clinical applications. This review critically examines recent advancements in FXR research, highlighting challenges and potential mechanisms underlying its role in liver fibrosis treatment.

Sodium taurocholate hydrate inhibits influenza virus replication and suppresses influenza a Virus-triggered inflammation in vitro and in vivo

Influenza A virus is an important respiratory pathogen that poses serious threats to human health. Owing to the high mutation rate of viral genes, weaker cross-protection of vaccines, and rapid emergence of drug resistance, there is an urgent need to develop new antiviral drugs against influenza viruses. Taurocholic acid is a primary bile acid that promotes digestion, absorption, and excretion of dietary lipids. Here, we demonstrate that sodium taurocholate hydrate (STH) exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity against influenza strains H5N6, H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, and H9N2 in vitro. STH significantly inhibited the early stages of influenza A virus replication. The levels of influenza virus viral RNA (vRNA), complementary RNA (cRNA), and mRNA were specifically reduced in virus-infected cells following STH treatment. In vivo, STH treatment of infected mice alleviated clinical signs and reduced weight loss and mortality. STH also reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 overexpression. STH significantly inhibited the upregulation of TLR4 and the NF-kB family member p65, both in vivo and in vitro. These results suggest that STH exerts a protective effect against influenza infection via suppression of the NF-kB pathway, highlighting the potential use of STH as a drug for treating influenza infection.

Design, Synthesis, Computational and Biological Evaluation of Novel Structure Fragments Based on Lithocholic Acid (LCA)

The regulation of bile acid pathways has become a particularly promising therapeutic strategy for a variety of metabolic disorders, cancers, and diseases. However, the hydrophobicity of bile acids has been an obstacle to clinical efficacy due to off-target effects from rapid drug absorption. In this report, we explored a novel strategy to design new structure fragments based on lithocholic acid (LCA) with improved hydrophilicity by introducing a polar "oxygen atom" into the side chain of LCA, then (i) either retaining the carboxylic acid group or replacing the carboxylic acid group with (ii) a diol group or (iii) a vinyl group. These novel fragments were evaluated using luciferase-based reporter assays and the MTS assay. Compared to LCA, the result revealed that the two lead compounds 1a-1b were well tolerated in vitro, maintaining similar potency and efficacy to LCA. The MTS assay results indicated that cell viability was not affected by dose dependence (under 25 µM). Additionally, computational model analysis demonstrated that compounds 1a-1b formed more extensive hydrogen bond networks with Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) than LCA. This strategy displayed a potential approach to explore the development of novel endogenous bile acids fragments. Further evaluation on the biological activities of the two lead compounds is ongoing.

High body temperature increases gut microbiota-dependent host resistance to influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection

Fever is a common symptom of influenza and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), yet its physiological role in host resistance to viral infection remains less clear. Here, we demonstrate that exposure of mice to the high ambient temperature of 36 °C increases host resistance to viral pathogens including influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). High heat-exposed mice increase basal body temperature over 38 °C to enable more bile acids production in a gut microbiota-dependent manner. The gut microbiota-derived deoxycholic acid (DCA) and its plasma membrane-bound receptor Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) signaling increase host resistance to influenza virus infection by suppressing virus replication and neutrophil-dependent tissue damage. Furthermore, the DCA and its nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist protect Syrian hamsters from lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, we demonstrate that certain bile acids are reduced in the plasma of COVID-19 patients who develop moderate I/II disease compared with the minor severity of illness group. These findings implicate a mechanism by which virus-induced high fever increases host resistance to influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 in a gut microbiota-dependent manner.

Crosstalk between Gut Microbiota and Bile Acids in Cholestatic Liver Disease

Emerging evidence suggests the complex interactions between gut microbiota and bile acids, which are crucial end products of cholesterol metabolism. Cholestatic liver disease is characterized by dysfunction of bile production, secretion, and excretion, as well as excessive accumulation of potentially toxic bile acids. Given the importance of bile acid homeostasis, the complex mechanism of the bile acid-microbial network in cholestatic liver disease requires a thorough understanding. It is urgent to summarize the recent research progress in this field. In this review, we highlight how gut microbiota regulates bile acid metabolism, how bile acid pool shapes the bacterial community, and how their interactions contribute to the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disease. These advances might provide a novel perspective for the development of potential therapeutic strategies that target the bile acid pathway.

The progress of molecules and strategies for the treatment of HBV infection

Hepatitis B virus infections have always been associated with high levels of mortality. In 2019, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases resulted in approximately 555,000 deaths globally. In view of its high lethality, the treatment of HBV infections has always presented a huge challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) came up with ambitious targets for the elimination of hepatitis B as a major public health threat by 2030. To accomplish this goal, one of the WHO’s strategies is to develop curative treatments for HBV infections. Current treatments in a clinical setting included 1 year of pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) and long-term nucleoside analogues (NAs). Although both treatments have demonstrated outstanding antiviral effects, it has been difficult to develop a cure for HBV. The reason for this is that covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), integrated HBV DNA, the high viral burden, and the impaired host immune responses all hinder the development of a cure for HBV. To overcome these problems, there are clinical trials on a number of antiviral molecules being carried out, all -showing promising results so far. In this review, we summarize the functions and mechanisms of action of various synthetic molecules, natural products, traditional Chinese herbal medicines, as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and their associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas)-based systems, zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), all of which could destroy the stability of the HBV life cycle. In addition, we discuss the functions of immune modulators, which can enhance or activate the host immune system, as well some representative natural products with anti-HBV effects.

Emerging Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis B and the Potential for a Functional Cure

Worldwide, an estimated 296 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Current therapy with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and indefinite or finite therapy with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (Nucs) are effective in HBV suppression, hepatitis resolution, and prevention of disease progression. However, few achieve hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss (functional cure), and relapse often occurs after the end of therapy (EOT) because these agents have no direct effect on durable template: covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and integrated HBV DNA. Hepatitis B surface antigen loss rate increases slightly by adding or switching to Peg-IFN in Nuc-treated patients and this loss rate greatly increases up to 39% in 5 years with finite Nuc therapy with currently available Nuc(s). For this, great effort has been made to develop novel direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and immunomodulators. Among the DAAs, entry inhibitors and capsid assembly modulators have little effect on reducing HBsAg levels; small interfering RNA, antisense oligonucleotides, and nucleic acid polymers in combination with Peg-IFN and Nuc may reduce HBsAg levels significantly, even a rate of HBsAg loss sustained for > 24 weeks after EOT up to 40%. Novel immunomodulators, including T-cell receptor agonists, check-point inhibitors, therapeutic vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies may restore HBV-specific T-cell response but not sustained HBsAg loss. The safety issues and the durability of HBsAg loss warrant further investigation. Combining agents of different classes has the potential to enhance HBsAg loss. Compounds directly targeting cccDNA would be more effective but are still in the early stage of development. More effort is required to achieve this goal.

Central Effects of Ivermectin in Alleviation of Covid-19-induced Dysauto-nomia

Covid-19 may be associated with various neurological disorders, including dysautonomia, a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In Covid-19, hypoxia, immunoinflammatory abnormality, and deregulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may increase sympathetic discharge with dysautonomia development. Direct SARS-CoV-2 cytopathic effects and associated inflammatory reaction may lead to neuroinflammation, affecting different parts of the central nervous system (CNS), including the autonomic center in the hypothalamus, causing dysautonomia. High circulating AngII, hypoxia, oxidative stress, high pro-inflammatory cytokines, and emotional stress can also provoke autonomic deregulation and high sympathetic outflow with the development of the sympathetic storm. During SARS-CoV-2 infection with neuro-invasion, GABA-ergic neurons and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) are inhibited in the hypothalamic pre-sympathetic neurons leading to sympathetic storm and dysautonomia. Different therapeutic modalities are applied to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection, like antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs. Ivermectin (IVM) is a robust repurposed drug widely used to prevent and manage mild-moderate Covid-19. IVM activates both GABA-ergic neurons and nAChRs to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection- induced dysautonomia. Therefore, in this brief report, we try to identify the potential role of IVM in managing Covid-19-induced dysautonomia.

Targeting bile acid signaling for the treatment of liver diseases: From bench to bed

Liver diseases and related complications have become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet effective medicine or approved treatment approach is still limited. Thus, novel therapy is urgently required to prevent or at least slow down the growing burden of liver transplantation or even death caused by malignant liver diseases. As the irreplaceable modulator of hepatic and intestinal signaling cascades, bile acids (BAs) play complex physiological as well as pathological roles in regulating energy and immune homeostasis in various liver diseases, including but not limited to metabolic diseases and cholangiopathies, making them highly attractive therapeutic targets. In the current review, recent progress in the research of enterohepatic circulation of BAs and potential therapeutic targets of BAs signaling, especially the development of currently available treatments, including agonizts of FXR and TGR5, analogs of FGF19, inhibitors of ASBT, and the regulation of gut microbiome through fecal microbiota transplantation were extensively summarized. Their protective effects, molecular mechanisms, and outcomes of clinical trials were highlighted. The structural features of these candidates and perspectives for their future development were further discussed. In conclusion, we believe that pharmacological therapies targeting BAs signaling represent promising and efficient strategies for the treatment of complex and multifactorial liver disorders.

Oleanolic acid alleviates ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury by activating Fxr and Nrf2 pathways to ameliorate disordered bile acids homeostasis

BACKGROUND

Cholestasis is a clinical syndrome with high incidence and few effective treatments. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a triterpenoid compound with anti-cholestatic effects. Studies using bile duct ligation or lithocholic acid modeling have shown that the alleviating effect of OA on cholerosis is related to the regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor (Nrf2) or farnesoid X receptor (Fxr).

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of OA against alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestatic liver injury based on Nrf2 and Fxr dual signaling pathways.

METHODS

The ANIT-induced rats model was used with or without OA treatment. Serum biochemical indexes, liver histopathological changes and glutathione level were examined. Bile acids (BAs) targeted metabolomics based on UHPLC-MS/MS were performed. siRNA, RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were used to prove the role of Fxr and Nrf2 pathway in OA's anti-cholestatic liver injury in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

OA significantly alleviated ANIT-induced liver injury in rats, reduced primary bile acids, accelerated metabolism of BAs and reduced the intrahepatic accumulation of BAs. The expressions of bile salt export pump (Bsep), Na+-taurocholic cotransport polypeptide (Ntcp), UDP-glucuronyl transferase 1a1 (Ugt1a1) and Fxr in rat liver were markedly up-regulated, the activation of Nrf2 was promoted, and the expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) was decreased after OA treatment. Moreover, Fxr or Nrf2 silencing attenuated the regulation of OA on BAs homeostasis related transporters and enzymes in rat primary hepatocytes.

CONCLUSION

OA may regulate BAs-related transporters and metabolic enzymes by activating Fxr and Nrf2 pathways, thus alleviating the cholestatic liver injury induced by ANIT.

Circadian Rhythms Coordinated With Gut Microbiota Partially Account for Individual Differences in Hepatitis B-Related Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver diseases like chronic hepatitis B. In China, hepatitis B accounts for around 60% of cases of cirrhosis. So far, clinical and laboratory indexes for the early diagnosis of cirrhosis are far from satisfactory. Nevertheless, there haven’t been specific drugs for cirrhosis. Thus, it is quite necessary to uncover more specific factors which play their roles in cirrhosis and figure out the possible therapeutic targets. Among emerging factors taking part in the initiation and progression of cirrhosis, gut microbiota might be a pivot of systemic factors like metabolism and immune and different organs like gut and liver. Discovery of detailed molecular mechanism in gut microbiota and gut liver axis leads to a more promising prospect of developing new drugs intervening in these pathways. Time-based medication regimen has been proofed to be helpful in hormonotherapy, especially in the use of glucocorticoid. Thus, circadian rhythms, though haven’t been strongly linked to hepatitis B and its complications, are still pivotal to various pathophysiological progresses. Gut microbiota as a potential effective factor of circadian rhythms has also received increasing attentions. Here, our work, restricting cirrhosis to the post-hepatitis B one, is aimed to summarize how circadian rhythms and hepatitis B-related cirrhosis can intersect via gut microbiota, and to throw new insights on the development of new and time-based therapies for hepatitis B-related cirrhosis and other cirrhosis.

Regulation of the HBV Entry Receptor NTCP and its Potential in Hepatitis B Treatment

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a globally prevalent human DNA virus responsible for more than 250 million cases of chronic liver infection, a condition that can lead to liver inflammation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP), a transmembrane protein highly expressed in human hepatocytes and a mediator of bile acid transport, has been identified as the receptor responsible for the cellular entry of both HBV and its satellite, hepatitis delta virus (HDV). This has led to significant advances in our understanding of the HBV life cycle, especially the early steps of infection. HepG2-NTCP cells and human NTCP-expressing transgenic mice have been employed as the primary cell culture and animal models, respectively, for the study of HBV, and represent valuable approaches for investigating its basic biology and developing treatments for infection. However, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of NTCP transcription, translation, post-translational modification, and transport are still largely elusive. Improvements in our understanding of NTCP biology would likely facilitate the design of new therapeutic drugs for the prevention of the de novo infection of naïve hepatocytes. In this review, we provide critical findings regarding NTCP biology and discuss important questions that remain unanswered.

Fungal Secondary Metabolite Exophillic Acid Selectively Inhibits the Entry of Hepatitis B and D Viruses

Current anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) drugs are suppressive but not curative for HBV infection, so there is considerable demand for the development of new anti-HBV agents. In this study, we found that fungus-derived exophillic acid inhibits HBV infection with a 50% maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.1 µM and a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of >30 µM in primary human hepatocytes. Exophillic acid inhibited preS1-mediated viral attachment to cells but did not affect intracellular HBV replication. Exophillic acid appears to target the host cells to reduce their susceptibility to viral attachment rather than acting on the viral particles. We found that exophillic acid interacted with the HBV receptor, sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). Exophillic acid impaired the uptake of bile acid, the original function of NTCP. Consistent with our hypothesis that it affects NTCP, exophillic acid inhibited infection with HBV and hepatitis D virus (HDV), but not that of hepatitis C virus. Moreover, exophillic acid showed a pan-genotypic anti-HBV effect. We thus identified the anti-HBV/HDV activity of exophillic acid and revealed its mode of action. Exophillic acid is expected to be a potential new lead compound for the development of antiviral agents.

Therapeutic Opportunities of GPBAR1 in Cholestatic Diseases

GPBAR1, a transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor for bile acids, is widely expressed in multiple tissues in humans and rodents. In recent years, GPBAR1 has been thought to play an important role in bile homeostasis, metabolism and inflammation. This review specifically focuses on the function of GPBAR1 in cholestatic liver disease and summarizes the various pathways through which GPBAR1 acts in cholestatic models. GPBAR1 mainly regulates cholestasis in a holistic system of liver-gallbladder-gut formation. In the state of cholestasis, the activation of GPBAR1 could regulate liver inflammation, induce cholangiocyte regeneration to maintain the integrity of the biliary tree, control the hydrophobicity of the bile acid pool and promote the secretion of bile HCO₃⁻. All these functions of GPBAR1 might be clear ways to protect against cholestatic diseases and liver injury. However, the characteristic of GPBAR1-mediated proliferation increases the risk of proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma in malignant transformed cholangiocytes. This dichotomous function of GPBAR1 limits its use in cholestasis. During disease treatment, simultaneous activation of GPBAR1 and FXR receptors often results in improved outcomes, and this strategy may become a crucial direction in the development of bile acid-activated receptors in the future.

Potential Role for Combined Subtype-Selective Targeting of M1 and M3 Muscarinic Receptors in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases

Despite structural similarity, the five subtypes comprising the cholinergic muscarinic family of G protein-coupled receptors regulate remarkably diverse biological functions. This mini review focuses on the closely related and commonly co-expressed M₁R and M₃R muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes encoded respectively by CHRM1 and CHRM3. Activated M₁R and M₃R signal via G_q and downstream initiate phospholipid turnover, changes in cell calcium levels, and activation of protein kinases that alter gene transcription and ultimately cell function. The unexpectedly divergent effects of M₁R and M₃R activation, despite similar receptor structure, distribution, and signaling, are puzzling. To explore this conundrum, we focus on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and liver because abundant data identify opposing effects of M₁R and M₃R activation on the progression of gastric, pancreatic, and colon cancer, and liver injury and fibrosis. Whereas M₃R activation promotes GI neoplasia, M₁R activation appears protective. In contrast, in murine liver injury models, M₃R activation promotes and M₁R activation mitigates liver fibrosis. We analyze these findings critically, consider their therapeutic implications, and review the pharmacology and availability for research and therapeutics of M₁R and M₃R-selective agonists and antagonists. We conclude by considering gaps in knowledge and other factors that hinder the application of these drugs and the development of new agents to treat GI and liver diseases.

Overview of the microbiota in the gut-liver axis in viral B and C hepatitis

Viral B and C hepatitis are a major current health issue, both diseases having a chronic damaging effect on the liver and its functions. Chronic liver disease can lead to even more severe and life-threatening conditions, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent years have uncovered an important interplay between the liver and the gut microbiome: the gut-liver axis. Hepatitis B and C infections often cause alterations in the gut microbiota by lowering the levels of ‘protective’ gut microorganisms and, by doing so, hinder the microbiota ability to boost the immune response. Treatments aimed at restoring the gut microbiota balance may provide a valuable addition to current practice therapies and may help limit the chronic changes observed in the liver of hepatitis B and C patients. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the anato-functional axis between the gut and liver and to highlight the influence that hepatitis B and C viruses have on the microbiota balance, as well as the influence of treatments aimed at restoring the gut microbiota on infected livers and disease progression.

Are Humanized Mouse Models Useful for Basic Research of Hepatocarcinogenesis through Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection?

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem that can lead to liver dysfunction, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Current antiviral therapies can control viral replication in patients with chronic HBV infection; however, there is a risk of HCC development. HBV-related proteins may be produced in hepatocytes regardless of antiviral therapies and influence intracellular metabolism and signaling pathways, resulting in liver carcinogenesis. To understand the mechanisms of liver carcinogenesis, the effect of HBV infection in human hepatocytes should be analyzed. HBV infects human hepatocytes through transfer to the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP). Although the NTCP is expressed on the hepatocyte surface in several animals, including mice, HBV infection is limited to human primates. Due to this species-specific liver tropism, suitable animal models for analyzing HBV replication and developing antivirals have been lacking since the discovery of the virus. Recently, a humanized mouse model carrying human hepatocytes in the liver was developed based on several immunodeficient mice; this is useful for analyzing the HBV life cycle, antiviral effects of existing/novel antivirals, and intracellular signaling pathways under HBV infection. Herein, the usefulness of human hepatocyte chimeric mouse models in the analysis of HBV-associated hepatocarcinogenesis is discussed.

Progress in research on the roles of TGR5 receptor in liver diseases

TGR5 (G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1, GPBAR-1) is a G protein-coupled receptor with seven transmembrane domains and is widely distributed in various organs and tissues. As an important bile acid receptor, TGR5 can be activated by primary and secondary bile acids. Increased expression of TGR5 is a risk factor for polycystic liver disease and hepatobiliary cancer. However, there is evidence that the anti-inflammatory effect of the TGR5 receptor and its regulatory effect on hydrophobic bile acid confer protective effects against most liver diseases. Recent studies have shown that TGR5 receptor activation can alleviate the development of diabetic liver fibrosis, regulate the differentiation of natural killer T cells into NKT10 cells, increase the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors, inhibit the invasion of hepatitis B virus, promote white adipose tissue browning, improve arterial vascular dynamics, maintain tight junctions between bile duct cells, and protect against apoptosis. In portal hypertension, TGR5 receptor activation can inhibit the contraction of hepatic stellate cells and improve intrahepatic microcirculation. In addition, the discovery of the regulatory relationship between the TGR5 receptor and miRNA-26a provides a new direction for further studies of the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of TGR5. In this review, we describe recent findings linking TGR5 to various liver diseases, with a focus on the mechanisms underlying its effects and potential therapeutic implications.