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Lago BV, Portilho MM, Mello VM, De Sousa PSF, Angelice GP, Marques BCL, da Silva Andrade LT, Marques VA, Lewis-Ximenez LL, Mello FCDA, Villar LM. Genetic variability of hepatitis B virus in acute and in different phases of chronic infection in Brazil. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10742. [PMID: 38730249 PMCID: PMC11087654 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60900-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The selection pressure imposed by the host immune system impacts on hepatitis B virus (HBV) variability. This study evaluates HBV genetic diversity, nucleos(t)ide analogs resistance and HBsAg escape mutations in HBV patients under distinct selective pressures. One hundred and thirteen individuals in different phases of HBV infection were included: 13 HBeAg-positive chronic infection, 9 HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis, 47 HBeAg-negative chronic infection (ENI), 29 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis (ENH) and 15 acute infected individuals. Samples were PCR amplified, sequenced and genetically analyzed for the overlapping POL/S genes. Most HBV carriers presented genotype A (84/113; 74.3%), subgenotype A1 (67/84; 79.7%), irrespective of group, followed by genotypes D (20/113; 17.7%), F (8/113; 7.1%) and E (1/113; 0.9%). Clinically relevant mutations in polymerase (tL180M/M204V) and in the Major Hydrophilic Region of HBsAg (sY100C, T118A/M, sM133T, sD144A and sG145R) were observed. Our findings, however, indicated that most polymorphic sites were located in the cytosolic loops (CYL1-2) and transmembrane domain 4 (TMD4) of HBsAg. Lower viral loads and higher HBV genetic diversity were observed in ENI and ENH groups (p < 0.001), suggesting that these groups are subjected to a higher selective pressure. Our results provide information on the molecular characteristics of HBV in a diverse clinical setting, and may guide future studies on the balance of HBV quasispecies at different stages of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Vieira Lago
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil.
- Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos (Bio-Manguinhos), Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Moyra Machado Portilho
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Motta Mello
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Sergio Fonseca De Sousa
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Giovana Paula Angelice
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Bianca Cristina Leires Marques
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Larissa Tropiano da Silva Andrade
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Alves Marques
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Lia Laura Lewis-Ximenez
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Francisco Campello do Amaral Mello
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
| | - Livia Melo Villar
- Laboratório de Hepatites Virais, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Hélio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion, Ground Floor, Office B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil
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He C, Liu Y, Jiang X, Xu Z, Xiang Z, Lu Z. Frequency of HBsAg variants in occult hepatitis B virus infected patients and detection by ARCHITECT HBsAg quantitative. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1368473. [PMID: 38766475 PMCID: PMC11099262 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1368473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To analyze the amino acid substitution caused by mutations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the S-region genes in the serum samples of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI), and to explore the reasons for the missed detection of HBsAg. Method The full-length gene of the S-region in hepatitis B virus(HBV) in the chronic hepatitis B virus(CHB)(10 samples) and OBI groups(42 samples) was amplified using a lab-developed, two-round PCR amplification technology. The PCR amplification products were sequenced/clone sequenced, and the nucleotide sequences of the S-region gene in HBV were compared to the respective genotype consensus sequence. Results Only 20 of the 42 samples in the OBI group had the S-region genes successfully amplified, with the lowest HBV DNA load of 20.1IU/ml. As S-region genes in HBV, 68 cloned strains were sequenced. In the OBI and CHB groups MHR region, with a mutation rate of 3.21% (155/4828) and 0.70% (5/710). The genetic mutation rate was significantly higher in the OBI group than in the CHB group (P<0.05). The common mutation types in the MHR region were: I126T, L162R, K122E, C124R, and C147Y.Mutations at s122, s126, and s162 were associated with subgenotypes, most of which being C genotypes. The high-frequency mutation sites L162R and K122E found in this study have not been reported in previous literature. Conclusion The results of this study confirmed that MHR mutations can cause the missed detection of HBsAg, giving rise to OBI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhicheng Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Ren F, Zhao S, He X, Lo H, Wong VKW, Law BYK, Wu A, Zhang J. Discovery and mechanistic study of Imperatorin that inhibits HBsAg expression and cccDNA transcription. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29669. [PMID: 38773784 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health challenge due to its link to severe conditions like HBV-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although current treatments effectively reduce viral levels, they have limited impact on certain HBV elements, namely hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). This highlights the urgent need for innovative pharmaceutical and biological interventions that can disrupt HBsAg production originating from cccDNA. In this study, we identified a natural furanocoumarin compound, Imperatorin, which markedly inhibited the expression of HBsAg from cccDNA, by screening a library of natural compounds derived from Chinese herbal medicines using ELISA assay and qRT-PCR. The pharmacodynamics study of Imperatorin was explored on HBV infected HepG2-NTCP/PHHs and HBV-infected humanized mouse model. Proteome analysis was performed on HBV infected HepG2-NTCP cells following Imperatorin treatment. Molecular docking and bio-layer interferometry (BLI) were used for finding the target of Imperatorin. Our findings demonstrated Imperatorin remarkably reduced the level of HBsAg, HBV RNAs, HBV DNA and transcriptional activity of cccDNA both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, Imperatorin effectively restrained the actions of HBV promoters responsible for cccDNA transcription. Mechanistic study revealed that Imperatorin directly binds to ERK and subsequently interfering with the activation of CAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), a crucial transcriptional factor for HBV and has been demonstrated to bind to the PreS2/S and X promoter regions of HBV. Importantly, the absence of ERK could nullify the antiviral impact triggered by Imperatorin. Collectively, the natural compound Imperatorin may be an effective candidate agent for inhibiting HBsAg production and cccDNA transcription by impeding the activities of HBV promoters through ERK-CREB axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ren
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Shiqiao Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin He
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hanghong Lo
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao
| | - Vincent Kam Wai Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao
| | - Betty Yuen Kwan Law
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao
| | - Anguo Wu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Drug Ability Evaluation, Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chongqing, China
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Liu H, Chen S, Liu X, Lou J. Effect of S-region mutations on HBsAg in HBsAg-negative HBV-infected patients. Virol J 2024; 21:92. [PMID: 38654327 PMCID: PMC11040738 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02366-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occult HBV infection (OBI) is a special form of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection that may cause Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, causing significant harm to patients. Given the insidious nature of OBI, it is usually not easy to be detected. Most of the samples currently studied are concentrated on blood donors, however, patients in this special state have not been fully studied. This project aimed to study the effect of HBV S region mutations on HBsAg in patients with clinical OBI. METHODS Collect 107 HBsAg-/HBV DNA + blood samples from Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University from August 2022 to April 2023. Next, the successfully extracted and amplified HBV DNA S regions were sequenced. Construct mutant plasmids to verify the cell function of the high-frequency mutation sites and explore the possible molecular mechanism. RESULTS Sixty-eight HBsAg-negative samples were sequenced, revealing high-frequency amino acid substitution sites in the HBV S protein, including immune escape mutations (i.e., sY100C、sK122R、sI126T、sT131P、and sS114T) and TMD (Transmembrane domain) region substitutions (i.e., sT5A、sG10D、sF20S、and sS3N). We constructed a portion of the mutant plasmids and found that sT5A, sF20S, sG10D, sS3N, sI68T, and sI126T single point mutations or combined mutations may decrease HBsAg expression or change the antigenicity of HBsAg leading to detection failure. CONCLUSIONS HBsAg-negative patients may show various mutations and amino acid replacement sites at high frequency in the HBV S-region, and these mutations may lead to undetectable Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBsAg antigenic changes or secretion inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China
| | - Shuxiang Chen
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China
| | - Jinli Lou
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.
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Sedohara A, Takahashi K, Arai K, Arizono K, Tuvshinjargal K, Saito M, Nakahara F, Tsutsumi T, Ikeuchi K, Adachi E, Yotsuyanagi H. Characterization of mutations in hepatitis B virus DNA isolated from Japanese HBsAg-positive blood donors in 2021 and 2022. Arch Virol 2024; 169:103. [PMID: 38632180 PMCID: PMC11023964 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06016-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Missense mutations in certain small envelope proteins diminish the efficacy of antibodies. Consequently, tracking the incidence and types of vaccine-escape mutations (VEMs) was crucial both before and after the introduction of universal hepatitis B vaccination in Japan in 2016. In this study, we isolated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA from 58 of 169 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive blood samples from Japanese blood donors and determined the nucleotide sequence encoding the small envelope protein. DNA from six (10%) of the samples had VEMs, but no missense mutations, such as G145R, were detected. Complete HBV genome sequences were obtained from 29 of the 58 samples; the viral genotype was A1 in one (3%), A2 in three (10%), B1 in nine (31%), B2 in five (17%), B4 in one (3%), and C2 in 10 (34%) samples. Tenofovir-resistance mutations were detected in two (7%) samples. In addition, several core promoter mutations, such as 1762A>T and 1764G>A, and a precore nonsense mutation, 1986G>A, which are risk factors for HBV-related chronic liver disease, were detected. These findings provide a baseline for future research and highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring of VEMs and drug resistance mutations in HBV DNA from HBsAg-positive blood donors without HBV antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Sedohara
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kazuaki Takahashi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Arai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Arizono
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Khulan Tuvshinjargal
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Saito
- Department of Infectious Disease and Applied Immunology, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumio Nakahara
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Takeya Tsutsumi
- Department of Infectious Disease and Applied Immunology, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ikeuchi
- Department of Infectious Disease and Applied Immunology, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eisuke Adachi
- Department of Infectious Disease and Applied Immunology, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- Department of Infectious Disease and Applied Immunology, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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Ciupe SM, Dahari H, Ploss A. Mathematical Models of Early Hepatitis B Virus Dynamics in Humanized Mice. Bull Math Biol 2024; 86:53. [PMID: 38594319 PMCID: PMC11003933 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-024-01284-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Analyzing the impact of the adaptive immune response during acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is essential for understanding disease progression and control. Here we developed mathematical models of HBV infection which either lack terms for adaptive immune responses, or assume adaptive immune responses in the form of cytolytic immune killing, non-cytolytic immune cure, or non-cytolytic-mediated block of viral production. We validated the model that does not include immune responses against temporal serum hepatitis B DNA (sHBV) and temporal serum hepatitis B surface-antigen (HBsAg) experimental data from mice engrafted with human hepatocytes (HEP). Moreover, we validated the immune models against sHBV and HBsAg experimental data from mice engrafted with HEP and human immune system (HEP/HIS). As expected, the model that does not include adaptive immune responses matches the observed high sHBV and HBsAg concentrations in all HEP mice. By contrast, while all immune response models predict reduction in sHBV and HBsAg concentrations in HEP/HIS mice, the Akaike Information Criterion cannot discriminate between non-cytolytic cure (resulting in a class of cells refractory to reinfection) and antiviral block functions (of up to 99 % viral production 1-3 weeks following peak viral load). We can, however, reject cytolytic killing, as it can only match the sHBV and HBsAg data when we predict unrealistic levels of hepatocyte loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanca M Ciupe
- Department of Mathematics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Harel Dahari
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Yu X, Gong Q, Yu D, Chen Y, Jing Y, Zoulim F, Zhang X. Spatial transcriptomics reveals a low extent of transcriptionally active hepatitis B virus integration in patients with HBsAg loss. Gut 2024; 73:797-809. [PMID: 37968095 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-330577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can integrate into the chromosomes of infected hepatocytes, contributing to the production of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and to hepatocarcinogenesis. In this study, we aimed to explore whether transcriptionally active HBV integration events spread throughout the liver tissue in different phases of chronic HBV infection, especially in patients with HBsAg loss. DESIGN We constructed high-resolution spatial transcriptomes of liver biopsies containing 13 059 tissue spots from 18 patients with chronic HBV infection to analyse the occurrence and relative distribution of transcriptionally active viral integration events. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of HBsAg and HBV core antigen. Intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels were quantified by real-time qPCR. RESULTS Spatial transcriptome sequencing identified the presence of 13 154 virus-host chimeric reads in 7.86% (1026 of 13 059) of liver tissue spots in all patients, including three patients with HBsAg loss. These HBV integration sites were randomly distributed on chromosomes and can localise in host genes involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, such as ALB, CLU and APOB. Patients who were receiving or had received antiviral treatment had a significantly lower percentage of viral integration-containing spots and significantly fewer chimeric reads than treatment-naïve patients. Intrahepatic cccDNA levels correlated well with viral integration events. CONCLUSION Transcriptionally active HBV integration occurred in chronically HBV-infected patients at different phases, including in patients with HBsAg loss. Antiviral treatment was associated with a decreased number and extent of transcriptionally active viral integrations, implying that early treatment intervention may further reduce the number of viral integration events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiming Gong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Demin Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongyan Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Jing
- Center for Intelligent Medicine Research, Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, Lyon, France
- Department of Hepatology, Croix Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China
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Gerlich WH. Do HBsAg subdeterminants matter for vaccination against hepatitis B? Virus Genes 2024; 60:240-242. [PMID: 38353809 PMCID: PMC10978618 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-024-02061-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram H Gerlich
- Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, National Reference Center for Hepatitis B and D, Schubert Str. 81, Giessen, D35392, Germany.
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Hossain MG, Islam M, Araf Y, Paul SK, Akter S, Khan MK, Ahmed MU, Khan S, Akbar SMF, Debnath CR. Comprehensive analysis of antigenic variations and genomic properties of hepatitis B virus in clinical samples in the mid-north east region of Bangladesh. Infect Genet Evol 2024; 119:105572. [PMID: 38367678 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
This investigation delineates an exhaustive analysis of the clinical, immunological, and genomic landscapes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection across a cohort of 22 verified patients. The demographic analysis unveiled a pronounced male bias (77.27%), with patient ages spanning 20 to 85 years and durations of illness ranging from 10 days to 4 years. Predominant clinical manifestations included fever, fatigue, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, and arthralgia, alongside observed co-morbidities such as chronic renal disorders and hepatocellular carcinoma. Antigenic profiling of the HBV envelope proteins elucidated significant heterogeneity among the infected subjects, particularly highlighted by discordances in the detection capabilities of small and large HBsAg assays, suggesting antigenic diversity. Quantitative assessment of viral loads unveiled a broad spectrum, accompanied by atypical HBeAg reactivity patterns, challenging the reliability of existing serological markers. Correlative studies between viral burden and antigenicity of the envelope proteins unearthed phenomena indicative of diagnostic evasion. Notably, samples demonstrating robust viral replication were paradoxically undetectable by the large HBsAg ELISA kit, advocating for more sophisticated diagnostic methodologies. Genotypic examination of three HBV isolates classified them as genotype D (D2), with phylogenetic alignment to strains from various global origins. Mutational profiling identified pivotal mutations within the basic core promoter and preS2/S1 regions, associated with an augmented risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Further, mutations discerned in the small HBsAg and RT/overlap regions were recognized as contributors to vaccine and/or diagnostic escape mechanisms. In summation, this scholarly discourse elucidates the intricate interplay of clinical presentations, antigenic diversity, and genomic attributes in HBV infection, accentuating the imperative for ongoing investigative endeavors to refine diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Golzar Hossain
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
| | - Mahfuz Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Yusha Araf
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Shyamal Kumar Paul
- Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Sharmin Akter
- Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | | | - Muzahed Uddin Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Sakirul Khan
- Research Center for Global and Local Infectious Diseases, Oita University, Oita, Japan; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Sheikh Mohammad Fazle Akbar
- Research Center for Global and Local Infectious Diseases, Oita University, Oita, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan; Miyakawa Memorial Research Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
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Tepjanta P, Fujiyama K, Misaki R, Kimkong I. The N-linked glycosylation modifications in the hepatitis B surface protein impact cellular autophagy, HBV replication, and HBV secretion. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299403. [PMID: 38489292 PMCID: PMC10942060 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
N-linked glycosylation is a pivotal post-translational modification that significantly influences various aspects of protein biology. Autophagy, a critical cellular process, is instrumental in cell survival and maintenance. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) has evolved mechanisms to manipulate this process to ensure its survival within host cells. Significantly, post-translational N-linked glycosylation in the large surface protein of HBV (LHBs) influences virion assembly, infectivity, and immune evasion. This study investigated the role of N-linked glycosylation of LHBs in autophagy, and its subsequent effects on HBV replication and secretion. LHBs plasmids were constructed by incorporating single-, double-, and triple-mutated N-linked glycosylation sites through amino acid substitutions at N4, N112, and N309. In comparison to the wild-type LHBs, N-glycan mutants, including N309Q, N4-309Q, N112-309Q, and N4-112-309Q, induced autophagy gene expression and led to autophagosome accumulation in hepatoma cells. Acridine orange staining of cells expressing LHBs mutations revealed impaired lysosomal acidification, suggesting potential blockage of autophagic flux at later stages. Furthermore, N-glycan mutants increased the mRNA expression of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Notably, N309Q significantly elevated HBx oncogene level. The LHBs mutants, particularly N309Q and N112-309Q, significantly enhanced HBV replication, whereas N309Q, N4-309Q, and N4-112-309Q markedly increased HBV progeny secretion. Remarkably, our findings demonstrated that autophagy is indispensable for the impact of N-linked glycosylation mutations in LHBs on HBV secretion, as evidenced by experiments with a 3-methyladenine (3-MA) inhibitor. Our study provides pioneering insights into the interplay between N-linked glycosylation mutations in LHBs, host autophagy, and the HBV life cycle. Additionally, we offer a new clue for further investigation into carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These findings underscore the potential of targeting either N-linked glycosylation modifications or the autophagic pathway for the development of innovative therapies against HBV and/or HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patcharin Tepjanta
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kazuhito Fujiyama
- International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryo Misaki
- International Center for Biotechnology (ICBiotech), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ingorn Kimkong
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University – Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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11
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Peña-Asensio J, Calvo-Sánchez H, Miquel-Plaza J, Sanz-de-Villalobos E, González-Praetorius A, Delgado-Fernandez A, Torralba M, Larrubia JR. HBsAg level defines different clinical phenotypes of HBeAg(-) chronic HBV infection related to HBV polymerase-specific CD8 + cell response quality. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1352929. [PMID: 38545116 PMCID: PMC10966405 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1352929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background HBe-antigen(Ag)-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is characterized by little liver fibrosis progression and vigorous HBV-multispecific CD8+ T-cell response. Aims To assess whether HBsAg level could discriminate different HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection subtypes with dissimilar quality of HBV-specific CD8+ T-cell response. Methods We recruited 63 HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection patients in which indirect markers of liver inflammation/fibrosis, portal pressure, viral load (VL), and HBV-specific CD8+ cell effector function were correlated with HBsAg level. Results A positive linear trend between HBsAg level and APRI, liver stiffness (LS), liver transaminases, and HBV VL, and a negative correlation with platelet count were observed. Frequency of cases with HBV-specific CD8+ T-cell proliferation against at least two HBV epitopes was higher in HBsAg < 1,000 IU/ml group. CD8+ T-cell expansion after HBVpolymerase456-63-specific stimulation was impaired in HBsAg > 1,000 IU/ml group, while the response against HBVcore18-27 was preserved and response against envelope183-91 was nearly abolished, regardless of HBsAg level. Cases with preserved HBVpolymerase456-63 CD8+ cell response had lower LS/duration of infection and APRI/duration of infection rates. HBV-polymerase456-63-specific CD8+ T-cell proliferation intensity was negatively correlated with LS/years of infection ratio. Conclusion HBsAg > 1,000 IU/ml HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection group shows indirect data of higher degree of inflammation, liver stiffness, and fibrosis progression speed, which are related to an impaired HBV-polymerase-specific CD8+ T-cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Peña-Asensio
- Department of Biology of Systems, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Translational Research Group in Cellular Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla La-Mancha (IDISCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | - Henar Calvo-Sánchez
- Translational Research Group in Cellular Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla La-Mancha (IDISCAM), Toledo, Spain
- Section of Gastroenterology, Guadalajara University Hospital, Guadalajara, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Joaquín Miquel-Plaza
- Translational Research Group in Cellular Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla La-Mancha (IDISCAM), Toledo, Spain
- Section of Gastroenterology, Guadalajara University Hospital, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Eduardo Sanz-de-Villalobos
- Translational Research Group in Cellular Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla La-Mancha (IDISCAM), Toledo, Spain
- Section of Gastroenterology, Guadalajara University Hospital, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Alejandro González-Praetorius
- Translational Research Group in Cellular Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla La-Mancha (IDISCAM), Toledo, Spain
- Section of Microbiology, Guadalajara University Hospital, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Alberto Delgado-Fernandez
- Translational Research Group in Cellular Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla La-Mancha (IDISCAM), Toledo, Spain
| | - Miguel Torralba
- Translational Research Group in Cellular Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla La-Mancha (IDISCAM), Toledo, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Service of Internal Medicine, Guadalajara University Hospital, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Juan-Ramón Larrubia
- Translational Research Group in Cellular Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla La-Mancha (IDISCAM), Toledo, Spain
- Section of Gastroenterology, Guadalajara University Hospital, Guadalajara, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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12
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Zhang H, Li M, Liu H, Dong Y, Li W, Zhao P. Juveniles, young adults, and infants with hepatitis B virus infection: A genomic study. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29530. [PMID: 38529528 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Integration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA into the human genome is recognized as an oncogenic factor and a barrier to hepatitis B cure. In the study, biopsy liver tissues were collected from adolescents and young adults with acute HBV infection younger than or equal to 35 years of age and from HBV-infected infant patients younger than or equal to 6 months of age. A high-throughput sequencing method was used to detect HBV DNA integration. Totally, 12 adolescents, young adults, and 6 infants were included. Among the 12 patients with acute HBV infection, immunohistochemical staining of intrahepatic hepatitis B surface antigen for all displayed negative results, and no HBV DNA integrants in the hepatocyte DNA were confirmed. All infant patients had elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase and high levels of serum HBV DNA. Numerous gene sites of hepatocyte DNA were integrated by HBV DNA for each infant patient, ranging from 120 to 430 integration sites. The fragile histidine triad gene was the high-frequency integrated site in the intragenic region for infant patients. In conclusion, hepatocyte DNA is integrated by HBV DNA in babies with active hepatitis B but seems seldom affected among adolescents and young adults with acute HBV infection. Infantile hepatitis B should be taken seriously considering abundant HBV DNA integration events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanwen Zhang
- Chinese PLA Medical School & Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meina Li
- Faculty of Military Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huijuan Liu
- The Fifth Medical Center (formerly Beijing 302 Hospital), Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Dong
- The Fifth Medical Center (formerly Beijing 302 Hospital), Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weijie Li
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Pan Zhao
- The Fifth Medical Center (formerly Beijing 302 Hospital), Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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13
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Kitagawa K, Kim KS, Iwamoto M, Hayashi S, Park H, Nishiyama T, Nakamura N, Fujita Y, Nakaoka S, Aihara K, Perelson AS, Allweiss L, Dandri M, Watashi K, Tanaka Y, Iwami S. Multiscale modeling of HBV infection integrating intra- and intercellular viral propagation to analyze extracellular viral markers. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011238. [PMID: 38466770 PMCID: PMC10957078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is caused by the persistence of closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. Despite available therapeutic anti-HBV agents, eliminating the cccDNA remains challenging. Thus, quantifying and understanding the dynamics of cccDNA are essential for developing effective treatment strategies and new drugs. However, such study requires repeated liver biopsy to measure the intrahepatic cccDNA, which is basically not accepted because liver biopsy is potentially morbid and not common during hepatitis B treatment. We here aimed to develop a noninvasive method for quantifying cccDNA in the liver using surrogate markers in peripheral blood. We constructed a multiscale mathematical model that explicitly incorporates both intracellular and intercellular HBV infection processes. The model, based on age-structured partial differential equations, integrates experimental data from in vitro and in vivo investigations. By applying this model, we roughly predicted the amount and dynamics of intrahepatic cccDNA within a certain range using specific viral markers in serum samples, including HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcrAg. Our study represents a significant step towards advancing the understanding of chronic HBV infection. The noninvasive quantification of cccDNA using our proposed method holds promise for improving clinical analyses and treatment strategies. By comprehensively describing the interactions of all components involved in HBV infection, our multiscale mathematical model provides a valuable framework for further research and the development of targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosaku Kitagawa
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kwang Su Kim
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Scientific Computing, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Masashi Iwamoto
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sanae Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hyeongki Park
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takara Nishiyama
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naotoshi Nakamura
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Fujita
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Nakaoka
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Aihara
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alan S. Perelson
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, United States of America
| | - Lena Allweiss
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems partner sites, Germany
| | - Maura Dandri
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems partner sites, Germany
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Sciences, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Iwami
- interdisciplinary Biology Laboratory (iBLab), Division of Natural Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Sciences, Chiba, Japan
- Institute of Mathematics for Industry, Kyushu University; Fukuoka, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University; Kyoto, Japan
- NEXT-Ganken Program, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR), Tokyo, Japan
- Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS), RIKEN, Wako, Japan
- Science Groove Inc., Fukuoka, Japan
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14
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Wang J, Yuan X, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Han M, Lu H, Liu S, Zhang Y, Ge F, Liu Y, Cheng J. PreS1BP mediates inhibition of Hepatitis B virus replication by promoting HBx protein degradation. Virus Res 2024; 341:199326. [PMID: 38253259 PMCID: PMC10846407 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PreS1-binding protein (PreS1BP), recognized as a nucleolar protein and tumor suppressor, influences the replication of various viruses, including vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Its role in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and the underlying mechanisms, however, remain elusive. METHODS We investigated PreS1BP expression levels in an HBV-replicating cell and animal model and analyzed the impact of its overexpression on viral replication metrics. HBV DNA, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg), and HBV RNA levels were assessed in HBV-expressing stable cell lines under varying PreS1BP conditions. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation and ubiquitination assays were used to detect PreS1BP- hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) interactions and HBx stability modulated by PreS1BP. RESULTS Our study revealed a marked decrease in PreS1BP expression in the presence of active HBV replication. Functional assays showed that PreS1BP overexpression significantly inhibited HBV replication and transcription, evidenced by the reduction in HBV DNA, cccDNA, HBsAg, HBcAg, and HBV RNA levels. At the molecular level, PreS1BP facilitated the degradation of HBx in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas siRNA-mediated knockdown of PreS1BP led to an increase in HBx levels. Subsequent investigations uncovered that PreS1BP accelerated HBx protein degradation via K63-linked ubiquitination in a ubiquitin-proteasome system-dependent manner. Co-immunoprecipitation assays further established that PreS1BP enhances the recruitment of the proteasome 20S subunit alpha 3 (PSMA3) for interaction with HBx, thereby fostering its degradation. CONCLUSIONS These findings unveil a previously unidentified mechanism wherein PreS1BP mediates HBx protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, consequentially inhibiting HBV replication. This insight positions PreS1BP as a promising therapeutic target for future HBV interventions. Further studies are warranted to explore the clinical applicability of modulating PreS1BP in HBV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing 100015, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Xiaoxue Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China; The Division of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Yun Wang
- The Division of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- The Division of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Ming Han
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China; The Division of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Hongping Lu
- Hebei Utu Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 052165, China
| | - Shunai Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China; The Division of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Feilin Ge
- Department of Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
| | - Jun Cheng
- Peking University Ditan Teaching Hospital, Beijing 100015, China; Hebei Utu Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 052165, China.
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15
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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16
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Rawal P, Tripathi DM, Hemati H, Kumar J, Tyagi P, Sarin SK, Nain V, Kaur S. Targeted HBx gene editing by CRISPR/Cas9 system effectively reduces epithelial to mesenchymal transition and HBV replication in hepatoma cells. Liver Int 2024; 44:614-624. [PMID: 38105495 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) play a key role in pathogenesis of HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by promoting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we hypothesized that inhibition of HBx is an effective strategy to combat HCC. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS We designed and synthesized novel HBx gene specific single guide RNA (sgRNA) with CRISPR/Cas9 system and studied its in vitro effects on tumour properties of HepG2-2.15. Full length HBx gene was excised using HBx-CRISPR that resulted in significant knockdown of HBx expression in hepatoma cells. HBx-CRISPR also decreased levels of HBsAg and HBV cccDNA expression. A decreased expression of mesenchymal markers, proliferation and tumorigenic properties was observed in HBx-CRISPR treated cells as compared to controls in both two- and three- dimensional (2D and 3D) tumour models. Transcriptomics data showed that out of 1159 differentially expressed genes in HBx-CRISPR transfected cells as compared to controls, 70 genes were upregulated while 1089 genes associated with cell proliferation and EMT pathways were downregulated. CONCLUSION Thus, targeting of HBx by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system reduces covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels, HBsAg production and mesenchymal characteristics of HBV-HCC cells. We envision inhibition of HBx by CRISPR as a novel therapeutic approach for HBV-induced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preety Rawal
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Dinesh Mani Tripathi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Hamed Hemati
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Purnima Tyagi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Shiv Kumar Sarin
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Vikrant Nain
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi, India
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17
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Khan S, Anwer A, Sevak JK, Trehanpati N, Kazim SN. Cytokines Expression Compared to the Determinants of Cellular Apoptosis Prominently Attributes to the Deleterious Effects of 'A' Determinant Surface Gene Mutations in HBV Transfected Hepatoma Cell Line. Immunol Invest 2024; 53:224-240. [PMID: 38095846 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2023.2288841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have explored the role of AKT protein in anti-apoptotic/proliferative activities. However, there has been a lack of information regarding the role of Akt in association with cytokines expression in HBV-related (wild type HBV and HBV with mutations of 'a' determinant region) studies either in the case of HBV infection or in transfected hepatoma cells. The present study tries to determine the role of Akt and cytokines expression in the presence of small surface gene mutants in the hepatoma cell line. METHODS Mutations of 'a' determinant region, viz. sA128V and sG145R, were created in wild-type pHBV1.3 by site-directed mutagenesis and transfected in hepatoma cell line. Secretory levels of HBsAg in the wild type as well as in both the mutants were analyzed by ELISA. Apoptotic analysis of transfected cells was studied by flow cytometry. Expression analysis of Akt and cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IFN-gamma) was done by qPCR. RESULTS The presence of significantly more alive cells in sG145R than sA128V transfected cells may be due to the up-regulation of the Akt gene expression. Cytokines expression was nearly similar between sA128V and wild-type pHBV1.3 transfected cells. Presence of sG145R showed dramatically high cytokines expression than sA128V and wild-type pHBV1.3. CONCLUSION Cytokines expression predominantly contributes to the detrimental effects associated with the 'a' determinant region mutations particularly sG145R mutant. It may also be inferred that mechanisms associated with cellular apoptosis apparently do not play any major role to assign the 'a' determinant small surface gene mutation(s) for their pathological outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saniya Khan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Ayesha Anwer
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Jayesh Kumar Sevak
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Nirupama Trehanpati
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Naqui Kazim
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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18
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Changsri K, Duangchanda T, Soimanee T, Fuckpo W, Pipatsatitpong D, Akekawatchai C. Distribution and Clinical Significance of Hepatitis B virus A1762T/G1764A Double Mutation in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2024; 25:371-377. [PMID: 38415521 PMCID: PMC11077111 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2024.25.2.371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is well-known as a major risk for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The A1762T/G1764A double mutation in the hepatitis B virus genome affects the production of HBe antigen and is established as a predictive marker for progression to HCC. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of the mutation in Thai CHB patients. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in 78 Thai CHB patients who were assessed for hepatitis B profiles, HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBeAg, transaminitis, liver fibrosis defined by FIB-4 (FIB-4) score and AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and active hepatitis B status. HBV A1762T/G1764A mutation was examined by SYBR Green I Real-time PCR. Chi-square and Mann-Whiney U tests were performed to determine the association between the mutation and variables. RESULTS The prevalence of patients infected with the A1762T/G1764A mutation was 44.9%. The mutation was associated with HBeAg status (p=0.027) and HBsAg levels (p=0.008), transaminitis (p=0.011), and active hepatitis B (p=0.037), but not liver fibrosis markers, FIB-4 score and APRI, and AFP. Binary logistic regression identified the mutation as a predictive factor of active hepatitis B (OR 3.5, 95%CI, 1.1-11.3, p=0.037). Patients infected with the mutant exhibited significantly higher levels of HBsAg (p=0.011) and HBV viral load (p=0.047), but lower levels of HBeAg (p=0.12) than those infected with the wild-type HBV. CONCLUSION The data indicate the high prevalence of the A1762T/G1764A mutation and its significant association with the severity of Thai CHB patients and the HBV mutation is proposed as a predictive marker of active hepatitis B status in CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaimuk Changsri
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand,
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Diagnostic Molecular Biology of Chronic Diseases related to Cancer (DMB-CDC), Thailand.
| | - Thitimonrat Duangchanda
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand,
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Diagnostic Molecular Biology of Chronic Diseases related to Cancer (DMB-CDC), Thailand.
| | - Thanawan Soimanee
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Diagnostic Molecular Biology of Chronic Diseases related to Cancer (DMB-CDC), Thailand.
| | - Waraporn Fuckpo
- Medical Technology laboratory section, Thammasat University Hospital, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
| | - Duangnate Pipatsatitpong
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand,
| | - Chareeporn Akekawatchai
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand,
- Thammasat University Research Unit in Diagnostic Molecular Biology of Chronic Diseases related to Cancer (DMB-CDC), Thailand.
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Salpini R, Piermatteo L, Torre G, D'Anna S, Khan S, Duca L, Bertoli A, La Frazia S, Malagnino V, Teti E, Iannetta M, Paba P, Ciotti M, Lenci I, Francioso S, Paquazzi C, Lichtner M, Mastroianni C, Santopaolo F, De Sanctis G, Pellicelli A, Galati G, Moretti A, Casinelli K, Caterini L, Iapadre N, Parruti G, Vecchiet I, Paoloni M, Marignani M, Ceccherini-Silberstein F, Baiocchi L, Grelli S, Sarmati L, Svicher V. Prevalence of hepatitis D virus infection in Central Italy has remained stable across the last 2 decades with dominance of subgenotypes 1 and characterized by elevated viral replication. Int J Infect Dis 2024; 138:1-9. [PMID: 37944585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Here we investigate Hepatitis D virus (HDV)-prevalence in Italy and its fluctuations over time and we provide an extensive characterization of HDV-infected patients. METHODS The rate of HDV seroprevalence and HDV chronicity was assessed in 1579 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)+ patients collected from 2005 to 2022 in Central Italy. RESULTS In total, 45.3% of HBsAg+ patients received HDV screening with an increasing temporal trend: 15.6% (2005-2010), 45.0% (2011-2014), 49.4% (2015-2018), 71.8% (2019-2022). By multivariable model, factors correlated with the lack of HDV screening were alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) less than two times of upper limit of normality (<2ULN) and previous time windows (P <0.002). Furthermore, 13.4% of HDV-screened patients resulted anti-HDV+ with a stable temporal trend. Among them, 80.8% had detectable HDV-ribonucleic acid (RNA) (median [IQR]:4.6 [3.6-5.6] log copies/ml) with altered ALT in 89.3% (median [IQR]:92 [62-177] U/L). Anti-HDV+ patients from Eastern/South-eastern Europe were younger than Italians (44 [37-54] vs 53 [47-62] years, P <0.0001), less frequently nucleos(t)ide analogs (NUC)-treated (58.5% vs 80%, P = 0.026) with higher HDV-RNA (4.8 [3.6-5.8] vs 3.9 [1.4-4.9] log copies/ml, P = 0.016) and HBsAg (9461 [4159-24,532] vs 4447 [737-13,336] IU/ml, P = 0.032). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of HDV subgenotype 1e (47.4%) and -1c (52.6%). Notably, subgenotype 1e correlated with higher ALT than 1c (168 [89-190] vs 58 [54-88] U/l, P = 0.015) despite comparable HDV-RNA. CONCLUSIONS HDV-screening awareness is increasing over time even if some gaps persist to achieve HDV screening in all HBsAg+ patients. HDV prevalence in tertiary care centers tend to scarcely decline in native/non-native patients. Detection of subgenotypes, triggering variable inflammatory stimuli, supports the need to expand HDV molecular characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Salpini
- Tor Vergata University, Department of Biology, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Torre
- Tor Vergata University, Department of Biology, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano D'Anna
- Tor Vergata University, Department of Experimental Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Sohaib Khan
- Tor Vergata University, Department of Experimental Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Duca
- Tor Vergata University, Department of Experimental Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Ada Bertoli
- Tor Vergata University, Department of Experimental Medicine, Rome, Italy; Tor Vergata University Hospital, Virology Unit, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Elisabetta Teti
- Tor Vergata University Hospital, Infectious Diseases Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Iannetta
- Tor Vergata University Hospital, Infectious Diseases Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Paba
- Tor Vergata University Hospital, Virology Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Tor Vergata University Hospital, Virology Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Lenci
- Tor Vergata University Hospital, Hepatology Unit, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Miriam Lichtner
- La Sapienza University, Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Mastroianni
- La Sapienza University, Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Santopaolo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology-Hepatology Unit, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanni Galati
- University Campus Bio-Medico, Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Katia Casinelli
- Spaziani Hospital, Infectious Disease Unit, Frosinone, Italy
| | | | - Nerio Iapadre
- San Salvatore Hospital, Infectious Diseases Unit, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giustino Parruti
- Pescara General Hospital, Infectious Disesases Unit, Pescara, Italy
| | - Iacopo Vecchiet
- University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, Chieti, Italy
| | - Maurizio Paoloni
- Avezzano General Hospital, Infectious Diseases Unit, Avezzano, Italy
| | - Massimo Marignani
- Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Albano Laziale, Italy
| | | | | | - Sandro Grelli
- Tor Vergata University Hospital, Virology Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Sarmati
- Tor Vergata University Hospital, Infectious Diseases Unit, Rome, Italy
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20
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Guan G, Zhang T, Ning J, Tao C, Gao N, Zeng Z, Guo H, Chen CC, Yang J, Zhang J, Gu W, Yang E, Liu R, Guo X, Ren S, Wang L, Wei G, Zheng S, Gao Z, Chen X, Lu F, Chen X. Higher TP53BP2 expression is associated with HBsAg loss in peginterferon-α-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2024; 80:41-52. [PMID: 37858684 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS HBsAg loss is only observed in a small proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who undergo interferon treatment. Investigating the host factors crucial for functional cure of CHB can aid in identifying individuals who would benefit from peginterferon-α (Peg-IFNα) therapy. METHODS We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) by enrolling 48 patients with CHB who achieved HBsAg loss after Peg-IFNα treatment and 47 patients who didn't. In the validation stage, we included 224 patients, of whom 90 had achieved HBsAg loss, to validate the identified significant single nucleotide polymorphisms. To verify the functional involvement of the candidate genes identified, we performed a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS GWAS results indicated a significant association between the rs7519753 C allele and serum HBsAg loss in patients with CHB after Peg-IFNα treatment (p = 4.85 × 10-8, odds ratio = 14.47). This association was also observed in two independent validation cohorts. Expression quantitative trait locus analysis revealed higher hepatic TP53BP2 expression in individuals carrying the rs7519753 C allele (p = 2.90 × 10-6). RNA-sequencing of liver biopsies from patients with CHB after Peg-IFNα treatment revealed that hepatic TP53BP2 levels were significantly higher in the HBsAg loss group compared to the HBsAg persistence group (p = 0.035). In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that loss of TP53BP2 decreased interferon-stimulated gene levels and the anti-HBV effect of IFN-α. Mechanistically, TP53BP2 was found to downregulate SOCS2, thereby facilitating JAK/STAT signaling. CONCLUSION The rs7519753 C allele is associated with elevated hepatic TP53BP2 expression and an increased probability of serum HBsAg loss post-Peg-IFNα treatment in patients with CHB. TP53BP2 enhances the response of the hepatocyte to IFN-α by suppressing SOCS2 expression. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a global public health issue. Although current antiviral therapies are more effective in halting disease progression, only a few patients achieve functional cure for hepatitis B with HBsAg loss, highlighting the urgent need for a cure for CHB. This study revealed that the rs7519753 C allele, which is associated with high expression of hepatic TP53BP2, significantly increases the likelihood of serum HBsAg loss in patients with CHB undergoing Peg-IFNα treatment. This finding not only provides a promising predictor for HBsAg loss but identifies a potential therapeutic target for Peg-IFNα treatment. We believe our results are of great interest to a wide range of stakeholders based on their potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiwen Guan
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jing Ning
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changyu Tao
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Na Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zeng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Huili Guo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Chia-Chen Chen
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; National Heart and Lung Institute Faculty of Medicine (NHLI), Imperial College London, Hammersmith campus, W12 0NN, London, UK
| | - Jing Yang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832002, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Weilin Gu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ence Yang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ren Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xiaosen Guo
- Forensics Genomics International (FGI), BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Shan Ren
- First Department of Liver Disease Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Guochao Wei
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Sujun Zheng
- First Department of Liver Disease Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiliang Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
| | - Xinyue Chen
- First Department of Liver Disease Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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Damiani AS, Holzmayer V, Galli C, De Nuzzo M, Anderson M, Cloherty G, Di Renzo N. Serological and Molecular Characterization of Occult HBV Infection in Blood Donors from South Italy. Viruses 2023; 16:71. [PMID: 38257771 PMCID: PMC10819115 DOI: 10.3390/v16010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite good vaccine coverage and careful blood donor selection policies, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still the most frequent viral infection among blood donors (BDs) in Italy, mostly in the occult form (OBI). We studied the virological features of OBI in BDs from South Italy by serology, molecular testing for HBV-DNA, and sequencing for HBV genotypes and mutations. One hundred and two samples from 95 BDs (22.1% first time, 87.9% regular, median age 57 years) positive for HBV-DNA and negative for HBsAg were retrospectively analyzed. HBV biomarkers were detected in 96.9% (anti-HBc in 44.2%, anti-HBc plus anti-HBs in 49.5%, anti-HBs alone in 3.2%). No risk factor was declared by 45.3% of donors. HBV-DNA levels were very low (median: 7 IU/mL). All samples harbored HBV genotype D and single or multiple mutations in the S gene were found in 28/36 sequences analyzed and in 75% of donors. Mutations were unrelated to gender, donor group or serological patterns. An HBsAg assay with enhanced sensitivity was positive in samples from seven donors (7.4%), two of which negative for HBV-DNA by real-time PCR. OBI still represents a risk for HBV transmission from blood donations; screening by highly sensitive serological and molecular assays is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vera Holzmayer
- R&D, Abbott Diagnostics, Chicago, IL 60064, USA; (V.H.); (M.A.); (G.C.)
| | | | - Mariangela De Nuzzo
- Servizio Immunotrasfusionale, A.O. Vito Fazzi, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.D.N.); (N.D.R.)
| | - Mark Anderson
- R&D, Abbott Diagnostics, Chicago, IL 60064, USA; (V.H.); (M.A.); (G.C.)
| | - Gavin Cloherty
- R&D, Abbott Diagnostics, Chicago, IL 60064, USA; (V.H.); (M.A.); (G.C.)
| | - Nicola Di Renzo
- Servizio Immunotrasfusionale, A.O. Vito Fazzi, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.D.N.); (N.D.R.)
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Schefczyk S, Luo X, Liang Y, Hasenberg M, Walkenfort B, Trippler M, Schuhenn J, Sutter K, Lu M, Wedemeyer H, Schmidt HH, Broering R. Tg1.4HBV-s-rec mice, a crossbred hepatitis B virus-transgenic model, develop mild hepatitis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22829. [PMID: 38129531 PMCID: PMC10739827 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50090-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-transgenic mice exhibit competent innate immunity and are therefore an ideal model for considering intrinsic or cell-based mechanisms in HBV pathophysiology. A highly replicative model that has been little used, let alone characterized, is the Tg1.4HBV-s-rec strain derived from cross breeding of HBV-transgenic mouse models that either accumulate (Alb/HBs, Tg[Alb1-HBV]Bri44) or lack (Tg1.4HBV-s-mut) the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Tg1.4HBV-s-rec hepatocytes secreted HBsAg, Hepatitis B extracellular antigen (HBeAg) and produced HBV virions. Transmission electron microscopy visualised viral particles (Tg1.4HBV-s-rec), nuclear capsid formations (Tg1.4HBV-s-mut and Tg1.4HBV-s-rec) and endoplasmic reticulum malformations (Alb/HBs). Viral replication in Tg1.4HBV-s-rec and Tg1.4HBV-s-mut differed in HBsAg expression and interestingly in the distribution of HBV core antigen (HBcAg) and HBV × protein. While in Tg1.4HBV-s-mut hepatocytes, the HBcAg was located in the cytoplasm, in Tg1.4HBV-s-rec hepatocytes, the HBcAg appeared in the nuclei, suggesting a more productive replication. Finally, Tg1.4HBV-s-rec mice showed symptoms of mild hepatitis, with reduced liver function and elevated serum transaminases, which appeared to be related to natural killer T cell activation. In conclusion, the study of Alb/HBs, Tg1.4HBV-s-mut and their F1 progeny provides a powerful tool to elucidate HBV pathophysiology, especially in the early HBeAg-positive phases of chronic infection and chronic hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schefczyk
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Xufeng Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Institute for Lymphoma Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaojie Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Mike Hasenberg
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Imaging Center Essen, Medical Faculty, Germany Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernd Walkenfort
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Imaging Center Essen, Medical Faculty, Germany Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Trippler
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Jonas Schuhenn
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hartmut H Schmidt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Broering
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
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Ananchuensook P, Suksawatamnuay S, Thaimai P, Siripon N, Sriphoosanaphan S, Thanapirom K, Poovorawan Y, Komolmit P. Prevalence of hepatitis D virus infection among patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in a tertiary care centre in Thailand. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22633. [PMID: 38114689 PMCID: PMC10730816 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49819-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge about the epidemiology of hepatitis D virus (HDV) is essential for effective screening and management. Our study aimed to update the prevalence of HDV infection among patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection at hepatology clinics in Thailand. We enrolled HBV-infected patients from hepatology clinics at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, between June 2022 and November 2023. Demographic, biochemical characteristics, and liver-related complications (LRC), including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, were reviewed. The competitive enzyme and chemiluminescence immunoassays were used to detect anti-HDV antibodies. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to test for HDV RNA in anti-HDV-positive patients. The HDV genotype was identified in detectable HDV RNA samples. Of the 702 enrolled patients, four (0.6%) had positive and equivocal for both anti-HDV tests. Two (50.0%) of the four patients tested positive for HDV RNA and genotype 1 was identified; one had multiple risk factors. Anti-HDV seroprevalence was not significantly different between patients with and without LRC. In conclusion, HDV co-infection is less common in Thailand than globally. Additionally, our study identified genotype 1, the predominant HDV genotype worldwide, and observed co-infection even without LRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prooksa Ananchuensook
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama4 Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Academic Affair, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirinporn Suksawatamnuay
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama4 Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panarat Thaimai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama4 Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nipaporn Siripon
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama4 Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supachaya Sriphoosanaphan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama4 Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kessarin Thanapirom
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama4 Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yong Poovorawan
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Piyawat Komolmit
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama4 Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence in Liver Diseases, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence in Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Ning Q, Yang T, Guo X, Huang Y, Gao Y, Liu M, Yang P, Guan Y, Liu N, Wang Y, Chen D. CHB patients with rtA181T-mutated HBV infection are associated with higher risk hepatocellular carcinoma due to increases in mutation rates of tumour suppressor genes. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:951-958. [PMID: 37735836 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
The HBV rtA181T mutation is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to evaluate the mechanism by which rtA181T mutation increases the risk of HCC. We enrolled 470 CHB patients with rtA181T and rtA181V mutation in this study; 68 (22.15%) of the 307 patients with rtA181T mutation and 22 (13.5%) of the 163 patients with rtA181V mutation developed HCC (p < .05). The median follow-up periods were 8.148 and 8.055 years (p > .05). Serum HBV DNA and HBsAg levels in rtA181T-positive patients were similar to that in rtA181V-positive patients. However, the serum HBeAg levels in the rtA181T-positive patients were significantly higher than that in rtA181V-positive patients. In situ hybridization experiments showed that the HBV cccDNA and HBV RNA levels were significantly higher in the liver cancer tissues of patients with the rtA181T mutation compared to that in the tissues of patients with the rtA181V mutation. The percentage of anti-tumour hot-gene site mutations was significantly higher in the rtA181T-positive HCC liver tissue compared to that in the rtA181T-negative HCC liver tissue (7.65% and 4.3%, p < .05). This is the first study to use a large cohort and a follow-up of more than 5 years (average 8 years) to confirm that the rtA181T mutation increased the risk of HCC, and that it could be related to the increase in the mutation rate of hotspots of tumour suppressor genes (CTNNB1, TP53, NRAS and PIK3CA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Ning
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Tongwang Yang
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Xianghua Guo
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Yanxiang Huang
- Clinical laboratory center, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuxue Gao
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Mengcheng Liu
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Pengxiang Yang
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyue Guan
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Dexi Chen
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
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Khan M, Khan I, Tauseef I, Haleem KS, Shah TA, Naz S, Nazir N, Aziz T, Thamer HA. Cloning and periplasmic soluble expression of hepatitis B surface antigen gene in Escherichia coli. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27:11734-11745. [PMID: 38164836 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202312_34770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to clone and express the hepatitis B surface antigen gene (HBsAg) in Escherichia coli (E. coli), thereby aiming to develop potential local therapeutics for combating Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Pakistani community by producing HBsAg in E. coli. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood serum samples were collected from hepatitis B-infected patients, and their genomic DNA was extracted. Real-time and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the HBsAg gene. The gene of interest was cloned into the pET20b expression vector and transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) using Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction. The gene's precise size was confirmed with gene-specific external and internal primers (681 bp and 400 bp, respectively). RESULTS The HBsAg gene was successfully sequenced and submitted to GenBank, exhibiting 98% homology with targeted HBV sequences worldwide. The expression of HBsAg protein was confirmed through silver staining, Coomassie staining, western blot, and dot blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS The expressed protein clones are now available for further development as a local recombinant DNA vaccine to prevent hepatitis B viral infection in the local community.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Hazara University, Garden Campus, Mansehra, Pakistan.
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26
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Liu M, Song Y, Li Y, Yang X, Zhuang H, Li J, Wang J. C2729T mutation associated with HBV mother-to-child transmission reduces HBV production via suppressing LHBs expression. Virulence 2023; 14:2189676. [PMID: 36919573 PMCID: PMC10026911 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2189676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is still the main route of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the virological factors affecting HBV MTCT have not been fully elucidated. In this study, based on a prospective cohort of mother-infant pairs with positive maternal hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), we found that the average nucleotide mutation rate of HBV preS1 promoter (SPI) region in the immunoprophylaxis success group was significantly higher than that in the immunoprophylaxis failure group. Among the nucleotide mutations of the HBV SPI region, the C2729T mutation had the highest frequency. Next, we found that the C2729T mutation promoted HBsAg release but reduced HBV production by suppressing the expression of large hepatitis B surface antigen (LHBs), and overexpressing LHBs could rescue this phenomenon. Based on the fact that the C2729T mutation could alter the binding site of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF1) in the HBV SPI region, we uncovered that such an alteration could downregulate the transcriptional activity of SPI by attenuating the binding ability of HNF1 and HBV SPI region. This study suggests that HBV C2729T mutation may contribute to the immunoprophylaxis success of HBV MTCT by reducing HBV production, which supplements the virological factors affecting HBV MTCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Liu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yarong Song
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xingwen Yang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Peking University, Beijing, China
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27
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Liao F, Xie J, Du R, Gao W, Lan L, Wang M, Rong X, Fu Y, Wang H. Replication and Expression of the Consensus Genome of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype C from the Chinese Population. Viruses 2023; 15:2302. [PMID: 38140543 PMCID: PMC10747539 DOI: 10.3390/v15122302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is a prevalent HBV genotype in the Chinese population. Although genotype C shows higher sequence heterogeneity and more severe liver disease than other genotypes, its pathogenesis and immunological traits are not yet fully elucidated. In this study, we first established and chemically synthesized the consensus sequence based on representative 138 full-length HBV genotype C genomes from the Chinese population. The pHBV1.3C plasmid system, containing a 1.3-fold full-length HBV genotype C consensus sequence, was constructed for subsequent validation. Next, we performed functional assays to investigate the replicative competence of pHBV1.3C in vitro through the transient transfection of HepG2 and Huh7 cells and validated the in vivo function via a hydrodynamic injection to BALB/c recipient mice. The in vitro investigation revealed that the extracellular HBV DNA and intracellular replicative intermediate (i.e., pregenomic RNA, pgRNA) were apparently measurable at 48 h, and the HBsAg and HBcAg were still positive in hepatoma cells at 96 h. We also found that HBsAg and HBeAg accumulated at the extracellular and intracellular levels in a time-dependent manner. The in vivo validation demonstrated that pHBV1.3C plasmids induced HBV viremia, triggered morphological changes and HBsAg- or HBcAg- positivity of hepatocytes, and ultimately caused inflammatory infiltration and focal or piecemeal necrosis in the livers of the murine recipients. HBV protein (HBsAg) colocalized with CD8+ T cells or CD4+ T cells in the liver. F4/80+ Kupffer cells were abundantly recruited around the altered murine hepatocytes. Taken together, our results indicate that the synthetic consensus sequence of HBV genotype C is replication-competent in vitro and in vivo. This genotype C consensus genome supports the full HBV life cycle, which is conducive to studying its pathogenesis and immune response, screening novel antiviral agents, and further optimizing testing and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenfang Liao
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China; (F.L.)
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Junmou Xie
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China; (F.L.)
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Rongsong Du
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China; (F.L.)
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Wenbo Gao
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China; (F.L.)
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Lanyin Lan
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China; (F.L.)
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Min Wang
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China; (F.L.)
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Xia Rong
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China; (F.L.)
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Yongshui Fu
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China; (F.L.)
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou 510091, China; (F.L.)
- The Key Medical Laboratory of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510091, China
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28
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Langat BK, Ochwedo KO, Borlang J, Osiowy C, Mutai A, Okoth F, Muge E, Andonov A, Maritim ES. Genetic diversity, haplotype analysis, and prevalence of Hepatitis B virus MHR mutations among isolates from Kenyan blood donors. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291378. [PMID: 37963165 PMCID: PMC10645356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rapid spread of HBV has resulted in the emergence of new variants. These viral genotypes and variants, in addition to carcinogenic risk, can be key predictors of therapy response and outcomes. As a result, a better knowledge of these emerging HBV traits will aid in the development of a treatment for HBV infection. However, many Sub-Saharan African nations, including Kenya, have insufficient molecular data on HBV strains circulating locally. This study conducted a population-genetics analysis to evaluate the genetic diversity of HBV among Kenyan blood donors. In addition, within the same cohort, the incidence and features of immune-associated escape mutations and stop-codons in Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were determined. METHODS In September 2015 to October 2016, 194 serum samples were obtained from HBsAg-positive blood donors residing in eleven different Kenyan counties: Kisumu, Machakos, Uasin Gishu, Nairobi, Nakuru, Embu, Garissa, Kisii, Mombasa, Nyeri, and Turkana. For the HBV surface (S) gene, HBV DNA was isolated, amplified, and sequenced. The sequences obtained were utilized to investigate the genetic and haplotype diversity within the S genes. RESULTS Among the blood donors, 74.74% were male, and the overall mean age was 25.36 years. HBV genotype A1 (88.14%) was the most common, followed by genotype D (10.82%), genotype C (0.52%), and HBV genotype E (0.52%). The phylogenetic analysis revealed twelve major clades, with cluster III comprising solely of 68 blood donor isolates (68/194-35.05%). A high haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.94) and low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.02) were observed. Kisumu county had high number of haplotypes (22), but low haplotype (gene) diversity (Hd = 0.90). Generally, a total of 90 haplotypes with some consisting of more than one sequence were observed. The gene exhibited negative values for Tajima's D (-2.04, p<0.05) and Fu's Fs (-88.84). Several mutations were found in 139 isolates, either within or outside the Major Hydrophilic Area (MHR). There were 29 mutations found, with 37.9% of them situated inside the "a" determinant. The most common mutations in this research were T143M and K122R. Escape mutations linked to diagnostic failure, vaccination and immunoglobulin treatment evasion were also discovered. Also, one stop-codon, W163STP, inside the MHR, was found in one sample from genotype A. CONCLUSION In Kenya, HBV/A1 is still the most common genotype. Despite limited genetic and nucleotide diversity, haplotype network analysis revealed haplotype variance among HBV genotypes from Kenyan blood donors. The virological properties of immune escape, which may be the source of viral replication endurance, were discovered in the viral strains studied and included immune-escape mutations and stop-codon. The discovery of HBsAg mutations in MHR in all isolates highlighted the need of monitoring MHR mutations in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Omondi Ochwedo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Carla Osiowy
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Alex Mutai
- Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Fredrick Okoth
- Centre for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edward Muge
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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Lim CK, Romeo O, Tran BM, Flanagan DJ, Kirby EN, McCartney EM, Tse E, Vincan E, Beard MR. Assessment of hepatitis B virus infection and interhost cellular responses using intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29232. [PMID: 38009279 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
The intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids (ICOs) model was evaluated for host differences in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, cellular responses, antiviral and immunomodulator responses. Twelve ICOs generated from liver resections and biopsies were assessed for metabolic markers and functional HBV entry receptor expression throughout differentiation. Structural changes relevant to HBV infection were characterized using histology, confocal, and electron microscopy examinations. Optimal ICO culture conditions for HBV infection using HepAD38 (genotype D) and plasma-derived HBV (genotype B and C) were described. HBV infection was confirmed using HBcAg immunostaining, qRT-PCR (RNA, covalently closed circular DNA [cccDNA], extracellular DNA) and ELISA (HBsAg and HBeAg). Drug response to antiviral and immunosuppressive agent, and cellular responses (interferon-stimulated genes [ISG]) to interferon-α and viral mimic (PolyI:C) were assessed. ICOs underwent metabolic and structural remodeling following differentiation. Optimal HBV infection was achieved in well-differentiated ICOs using spinoculation, with time and donor-dependent increase in HBV RNA, cccDNA, extracellular DNA, HBeAg and HBsAg. Donor-dependent drug responsiveness to entry inhibitor and JAK inhibitor was observed. Despite having a robust ISG response to interferon-α and PolyI:C, HBV infection in ICOs did not upregulate ISGs. Human ICOs support HBV infection and replication with donor-dependent variation in viral dynamics and cellular responses. These features can be utilized for the development of personalized drug testing platform for antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan K Lim
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ornella Romeo
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Bang M Tran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dustin J Flanagan
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emily N Kirby
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Erin M McCartney
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Victoria, Australia
| | - Edmund Tse
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Vincan
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael R Beard
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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30
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Gao N, Guan G, Xu G, Wu H, Xie C, Mo Z, Deng H, Xiao S, Deng Z, Peng L, Lu F, Zhao Q, Gao Z. Integrated HBV DNA and cccDNA maintain transcriptional activity in intrahepatic HBsAg-positive patients with functional cure following PEG-IFN-based therapy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 58:1086-1098. [PMID: 37644711 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance marks regression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, more than one-fifth of patients with functional cure following pegylated interferon-based therapy may experience HBsAg seroreversion. The mechanisms causing the HBV relapse remain unclear. AIM To investigate the level and origin of HBV transcripts in patients with functional cure and their role in predicting relapse. METHODS Liver tissue obtained from patients with functional cure, as well as uncured and treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were analysed for intrahepatic HBV markers. HBV capture and RNA sequencing were used to detect HBV integration and chimeric transcripts. RESULTS Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels and the proportion of HBsAg-positive hepatocytes in functionally cured patients were significantly lower than those in uncured and treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative patients. Integrated HBV DNA and chimeric transcripts declined in functionally cured patients compared to uncured patients. HBsAg-positive hepatocytes present in 25.5% of functionally cured patients, while intrahepatic HBV RNA remained in 72.2%. The levels of intrahepatic HBV RNA, integrated HBV DNA, and chimeric transcripts were higher in functionally cured patients with intrahepatic HBsAg than in those without. The residual intrahepatic HBsAg in functionally cured patients was mainly derived from transcriptionally active integrated HBV DNA; meanwhile, trace transcriptional activity of cccDNA could also remain. Two out of four functionally cured patients with intrahepatic HBsAg and trace active cccDNA experienced HBV relapse. CONCLUSION Integrated HBV DNA and cccDNA maintain transcriptional activity and maybe involved in HBsAg seroreversion in intrahepatic HBsAg-positive patients with functional cure and linked to virological relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guiwen Guan
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ganlin Xu
- South China Institute of Biomedicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haishi Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chan Xie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhishuo Mo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuying Xiao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Liang Peng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology & Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyi Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiliang Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Wang X, Gu X, Liu F. IL-6 gene polymorphism predicts PEGylated IFN-α treatment response in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B patients. Per Med 2023; 20:503-510. [PMID: 37909375 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2023-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Background: Genetic polymorphism can affect the response to antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Objective: The study examined the genetic association of the IL-6 rs1800796 polymorphism with PEGylated IFN-α (PegIFN-α) treatment response in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive CHB patients. Methods: Direct sequencing was done for the genotyping of the rs1800796 polymorphism in the serum of CHB patients. Results: More patients with combined response (n = 95) carried IL-6 rs1800796 GC genotypes, while CC genotype carriers possessed reduced HBeAg seroconversion rate and high values of hepatitis B virus DNA. Baseline HBsAg and HBeAg and IL-6 rs1800796 CC genotype were independently related to PegIFN-α treatment response. Conclusion: Detection of the IL-6 rs1800796 genotype in CHB patients may have potential guiding significance for PegIFN-α response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250031, China
| | - Xiu Gu
- Department of Hepatology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250031, China
| | - Fengli Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250031, China
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32
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Panduro A, Roman S, Laguna-Meraz S, Jose-Abrego A. Hepatitis B Virus Genotype H: Epidemiological, Molecular, and Clinical Characteristics in Mexico. Viruses 2023; 15:2186. [PMID: 38005864 PMCID: PMC10675821 DOI: 10.3390/v15112186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV), comprising of ten genotypes (A-J), has been a silent threat against humanity, constituting a public health problem worldwide. In 2016, the World Health Organization set forth an impressive initiative for the global elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. As the target date approaches, many nations, particularly in the Latin American region, face challenges in designing and implementing their respective elimination plan. This review aimed to portray the state of knowledge about the epidemiological, molecular, and clinical characteristics of HBV genotype H (HBV/H), endemic to Mexico. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched to compile scientific literature over 50 years (1970-2022). A total of 91 articles were organized into thematic categories, addressing essential aspects such as epidemiological data, risk factors, HBV genotype distribution, HBV mixed infections, clinical characteristics, and vaccination. The prevalence and its associated 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated using the Metafor package in R programming language (version 4.1.2). We provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses in diagnostics and prevention measures that explain the current epidemiological profile of HBV/H. Training, research, and awareness actions are required to control HBV infections in Mexico. These actions should contribute to creating more specific clinical practice guides according to the region's characteristics. Mexico's elimination plan for HBV will require teamwork among the government health administration, researchers, physicians, specialists, and civil society advocates to overcome this task jointly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Panduro
- Department of Genomic Medicine in Hepatology, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, “Fray Antonio Alcalde”, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.L.-M.); (A.J.-A.)
- Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Sonia Roman
- Department of Genomic Medicine in Hepatology, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, “Fray Antonio Alcalde”, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.L.-M.); (A.J.-A.)
- Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Saul Laguna-Meraz
- Department of Genomic Medicine in Hepatology, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, “Fray Antonio Alcalde”, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.L.-M.); (A.J.-A.)
- Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Alexis Jose-Abrego
- Department of Genomic Medicine in Hepatology, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, “Fray Antonio Alcalde”, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico; (S.L.-M.); (A.J.-A.)
- Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Jalisco, Mexico
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Xu X, Zhou W, Tian X, Jiang Z, Fu X, Cao J, Sun Y, Yang B, Li X, Li Y, Zhang C, Liu G. Peptide YY inhibits transcription and replication of hepatitis B virus by suppressing promoter/enhancer activity. Virus Genes 2023; 59:678-687. [PMID: 37380814 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-023-02017-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a noteworthy cause of liver diseases, especially cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinomas. However, the interaction between the host and HBV has not been fully elucidated. Peptide YY (PYY) is a 36-amino-acid gastrointestinal hormone that is mainly involved in the regulation of the human digestive system. This study found that PYY expression was reduced in HBV-expressing hepatocytes and HBV patients. Overexpression of PYY could significantly inhibit HBV RNA, DNA levels, and the secretion of HBsAg. In addition, PYY inhibits HBV RNA dependent on transcription through reducing the activities of CP/Enh I/II, SP1 and SP2. Meanwhile, PYY blocks HBV replication independent on core, polymerase protein and ε structure of pregenomic RNA. These results suggest that PYY can impair HBV replication by suppressing viral promoters/enhancers in hepatocytes. Our data shed light on a novel role for PYY as anti-HBV restriction factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolun Xu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Weiping Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Xing Tian
- Department of Physiology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhongjia Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuanhe Fu
- Department of Immunology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Jun Cao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Xueqian Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanting Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Chunmeng Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Guangyan Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China.
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He P, Zhang P, Fang Y, Han N, Yang W, Xia Z, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Shen J. The role of HBV cccDNA in occult hepatitis B virus infection. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:2297-2307. [PMID: 36735210 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04660-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) refers to the presence of replication-competent HBV DNA in the liver, with or without HBV DNA in the blood, in individuals who tested negative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). In this peculiar phase of HBV infection, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is in a low state of replication. Several advances have been made toward clarifying the mechanisms involved in such a suppression of viral activity, which seems to be mainly related to the host's immune control and epigenetic factors. Although the underlying mechanisms describing the genesis of OBI are not completely known, the presence of viral cccDNA, which remains in a low state of replication due to the host's strong immune suppression of HBV replication and gene expression, appears to be the causative factor. Through this review, we have provided an updated account on the role of HBV cccDNA in regulating OBI. We have comprehensively described the HBV cell cycle, cccDNA kinetics, current regulatory mechanisms, and the therapeutic methods of cccDNA in OBI-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Peixin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yaping Fang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ning Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wensu Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoxin Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Jilu Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China.
- Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230012, People's Republic of China.
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Yang D, Zou J, Guan G, Feng X, Zhang T, Li G, Liu H, Zheng H, Xi J, Yu G, Dai L, Lu F, Chen X. The A1762T/G1764A mutations enhance HBV replication by alternating viral transcriptome. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29129. [PMID: 37772469 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
The A1762T/G1764A mutations, one of the most common mutations in the hepatitis B virus basal core promoter, are associated with the progression of chronic HBV infection. However, effects of these mutations on HBV replication remains controversial. This study aimed to systematically investigate the effect of the mutations on HBV replication and its underlying mechanisms. Using the prcccDNA/pCMV-Cre recombinant plasmid system, a prcccDNA-A1762T/G1764A mutant plasmid was constructed. Compared with wild-type HBV, A1762T/G1764A mutant HBV showed enhanced replication ability with higher secreted HBV DNA and RNA levels, while Southern and Northern blot indicated higher intracellular levels of relaxed circular DNA, single-stranded DNA, and 3.5 kb RNA. Meanwhile, the mutations increased expression of intracellular core protein and decreased the production of HBeAg and HBsAg. In vitro infection based on HepG2-NTCP cells and mice hydrodynamic injection experiment also proved that these mutations promote HBV replication. 5'-RACE assays showed that these mutations upregulated transcription of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) while downregulating that of preC RNA, which was further confirmed by full-length transcriptome sequencing. Moreover, a proportion of sub-pgRNAs with the potential to express polymerase were also upregulated by these mutations. The ChIP-qPCR assay showed that A1762T/G1764A mutations created a functional HNF1α binding site in the BCP region, and its overexpression enhanced the effect of A1762T/G1764A mutations on HBV. Our findings revealed the mechanism and importance of A1762T/G1764A mutations as an indicator for management of CHB patients, and provided HNF1α as a new target for curing HBV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danli Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zou
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Sanyuansheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guiwen Guan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Feng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Guixin Li
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiling Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Xi
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Guangxin Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lizhong Dai
- Peking University-Sansure Biotech Joint Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Sansure Biotech Co., LTD, Changsha, China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Naderi M, Hosseini SM, Behnampour N, Shahramian I, Moradi A. Mutations in the S gene of hepatitis B virus in three generations of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Virus Genes 2023; 59:662-669. [PMID: 37308753 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-023-02012-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Failure to neutralize HBsAg and subsequent escape from the host immune system may be caused by HBsAg mutations, particularly in the "a" determinant, which alters the antigenicity of the protein. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of S gene mutations in three generations of HBV cases in northeastern Iran. In this study, 90 patients with chronic HBV were assigned to three groups according to the inclusion criteria. The plasma were utilized to extract viral DNA, and the PCR was applied. Direct sequencing and alignment were performed on the S gene, using reference sequence. The results indicated that all HBV genomes were categorized as the genotype D/ayw2. Among 79 point mutations detected, 36.8% were silent, and 56.2% were missense. In the S region, mutations were observed in 88.9% of CHB subjects studied. In the three-generation group, 21.5% of mutations were in the "a" determinant, and 2.6%, 19.5%, and 87.0% of these mutations were observed in antigenic epitopes of CTLs, CD4+, and B cells, respectively. In addition, 56.7% of mutations occurred at Major Hydrophilic Region. S143L and G145R mutations which the most prevalent in the three-generation (36.7%, 20%), and two-generation (42.5%, 20%) groups, related to the failure of HBsAg detection, vaccine, and immunotherapy escape. The findings showed that most of the mutations were concentrated in the B cell epitope. Most CHB cases from the three-generation, especially grandmothers, had HBV S gene mutations and subsequent amino acid mutations, suggesting that these mutations may be critical for pathogenesis and vaccine evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malihe Naderi
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgān, Iran
| | - Seyed Masoud Hosseini
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Naser Behnampour
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Department, Faculty of Health, Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan, Iran
| | - Iraj Shahramian
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Abdolvahab Moradi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgān, Iran.
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Astrologo NCN, Gaudillo JD, Albia JR, Roxas-Villanueva RML. Genetic risk assessment based on association and prediction studies. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15230. [PMID: 37709797 PMCID: PMC10502006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41862-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic basis of phenotypic emergence provides valuable information for assessing individual risk. While association studies have been pivotal in identifying genetic risk factors within a population, complementing it with insights derived from predictions studies that assess individual-level risk offers a more comprehensive approach to understanding phenotypic expression. In this study, we established personalized risk assessment models using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from 200 Korean patients, of which 100 experienced hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance and 100 patients demonstrated high levels of HBsAg. The risk assessment models determined the predictive power of the following: (1) genome-wide association study (GWAS)-identified candidate biomarkers considered significant in a reference study and (2) machine learning (ML)-identified candidate biomarkers with the highest feature importance scores obtained by using random forest (RF). While utilizing all features yielded 64% model accuracy, using relevant biomarkers achieved higher model accuracies: 82% for 52 GWAS-identified candidate biomarkers, 71% for three GWAS-identified biomarkers, and 80% for 150 ML-identified candidate biomarkers. Findings highlight that the joint contributions of relevant biomarkers significantly influence phenotypic emergence. On the other hand, combining ML-identified candidate biomarkers into the pool of GWAS-identified candidate biomarkers resulted in the improved predictive accuracy of 90%, demonstrating the capability of ML as an auxiliary analysis to GWAS. Furthermore, some of the ML-identified candidate biomarkers were found to be linked with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), reinforcing previous claims that HCC can still occur despite the absence of HBsAg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Cathlene N Astrologo
- Data Analytics Research Laboratory (DARELab), Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
- Computational Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory (CINTERLabs), University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Joverlyn D Gaudillo
- Data Analytics Research Laboratory (DARELab), Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.
- Computational Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory (CINTERLabs), University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.
- Domingo AI Research Center (DARC Labs), 1606, Pasig, Philippines.
| | - Jason R Albia
- Domingo AI Research Center (DARC Labs), 1606, Pasig, Philippines
- Venn Biosciences Corporation Dba InterVenn Biosciences, Metro Manila, Pasig, Philippines
- Graduate School, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Ranzivelle Marianne L Roxas-Villanueva
- Data Analytics Research Laboratory (DARELab), Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
- Computational Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory (CINTERLabs), University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
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Luo X, Zhang R, Schefczyk S, Liang Y, Lin SS, Liu S, Baba HA, Lange CM, Wedemeyer H, Lu M, Broering R. Nuclear translocation of YAP drives BMI-associated hepatocarcinogenesis in hepatitis B virus infection. Liver Int 2023; 43:2002-2016. [PMID: 37312627 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression. The aim of this study was to mechanistically investigate the involvement of Hippo signalling in HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-dependent neoplastic transformation. METHODS Liver tissue and hepatocytes from HBsAg-transgenic mice were examined for the Hippo cascade and proliferative events. Functional experiments in mouse hepatoma cells included knockdown, overexpression, luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Results were validated in HBV-related HCC biopsies. RESULTS Hepatic expression signatures in HBsAg-transgenic mice correlated with YAP responses, cell cycle control, DNA damage and spindle events. Polyploidy and aneuploidy occurred in HBsAg-transgenic hepatocytes. Suppression and inactivation of MST1/2 led to the loss of YAP phosphorylation and the induction of BMI1 expression in vivo and in vitro. Increased BMI1 directly mediated cell proliferation associated with decreased level of p16INK4a , p19ARF , p53 and Caspase 3 as well as increased Cyclin D1 and γ-H2AX expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and the analysis of mutated binding sites in dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that the YAP/TEAD4 transcription factor complex bound and activated the Bmi1 promoter. In chronic hepatitis B patients, paired liver biopsies of non-tumour and tumour tissue indicated a correlation between YAP expression and the abundance of BMI1. In a proof-of-concept, treatment of HBsAg-transgenic mice with YAP inhibitor verteporfin directly suppressed the BMI1-related cell cycle. CONCLUSION HBV-associated proliferative HCC might be related to the HBsAg-YAP-BMI1 axis and offer a potential target for the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Luo
- Institute for Lymphoma Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stefan Schefczyk
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yaojie Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Shu S Lin
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hideo A Baba
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christian M Lange
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, LMU University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Broering
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplant Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Shen Z, Zhang S, Jiang Q, Liu N, Li F, Gao Z, Pan S, Hao W, Deng Q, Liu J, Zhang J, Xie Y. Lipid nanoparticle-mediated delivery of IL-21-encoding mRNA induces viral clearance in mouse models of hepatitis B virus persistence. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29062. [PMID: 37665238 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the transcription template for all viral mRNAs, is highly stable and current treatment options cannot effectively induce its clearance. Previously, we established an HBV persistence mouse model based on a clinical isolate (termed BPS) and identified interleukin-21 (IL-21) as a potent inducer of HBV clearance. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) mediated delivery of mRNA has proven to be a highly safe and effective delivery platform. This work explored the applicability and effectiveness of the mRNA-LNP platform in IL-21-based HBV therapies. First, LNP-encapsulated murine IL-21 mRNA (LNP-IL-21) was prepared, characterized, and demonstrated to engender IL-21 expression in vitro and in vivo. Next, LNP-IL-21 was shown to induce clearance of both serum and intrahepatic HBV antigen and DNA in two HBV persistence mouse models based on BPS and recombinant cccDNA (rcccDNA), respectively, which was associated with HBV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Furthermore, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BPS persistence mice treated ex vivo with LNP-IL-21 and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) could induce similar HBV clearance upon infusion into recipient mice. These findings indicated that IL-21 combined with mRNA-LNP platform represents a valid and promising strategy for developing novel therapeutics against chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongliang Shen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shenyan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qirong Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nannan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fahong Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixiang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaokun Pan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiju Hao
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Youhua Xie
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education/National Health Commission/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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40
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Jeng LB, Li TC, Wang J, Teng CF. Increased plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in patients with hepatitis B virus pre-S2 gene deletion mutation predict a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after curative surgical resection. Cancer 2023; 129:2621-2636. [PMID: 37096803 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite resection surgery as a curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the high rate of postoperative HCC recurrence remains a big challenge for patient survival. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most important risk factor for HCC. Deletion mutation in the HBV pre-S2 gene leads to expression of an essential viral oncoprotein called pre-S2 mutant and represents an independent prognostic biomarker for HCC recurrence after curative surgical resection. Additionally, cytokines are multifunctional secreted proteins and implicated in all stages of HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. METHODS This study aimed to identify the cytokines whose plasma levels were associated with pre-S2 gene deletion mutation and HCC recurrence and evaluate their potential to be combined with pre-S2 gene deletion mutation in predicting HCC recurrence. RESULTS Among a panel of 27 cytokines examined, plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were significantly upregulated in patients with pre-S2 gene deletion mutation or HCC recurrence. MCP-1 was validated as an independent prognostic biomarker for HCC recurrence. Moreover, patients with both the presence of pre-S2 gene deletion mutation and high levels of MCP-1 displayed a higher risk of HCC recurrence than patients with either one or none of these two biomarkers. The combination of pre-S2 gene deletion mutation and MCP-1 levels exhibited a better prognostic performance for HCC recurrence than each biomarker alone. CONCLUSIONS This study discovered that MCP-1 levels had a significance to be as a combination biomarker with pre-S2 gene deletion mutation providing an improved performance in predicting HCC recurrence after curative surgical resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Bin Jeng
- Organ Transplantation Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Cell Therapy Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Chung Li
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Healthcare Administration, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - John Wang
- Department of Pathology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Fang Teng
- Organ Transplantation Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Development, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Jung KJ, Baek JW, Shin SY, Jee SH. Genetically determined alcohol consumption and cancer risk in Korea. Epidemiol Health 2023; 45:e2023077. [PMID: 37641821 PMCID: PMC10728612 DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2023077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the causal relationship between the genetically determined amount of alcohol consumption and the occurrence of major cancers. METHODS The data used in this study were from 129,324 people selected from the Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II, the participants of which visited 18 health examination centers between 2004 and 2013. Cancer incidence was confirmed as of 2020 using data from the National Cancer Center. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) on alcohol consumption was performed using PLINK 2.0, and sex, age, chip type, and principal components were adjusted. RESULTS From the GWAS, a genetic risk score for alcohol consumption was calculated and genetically determined alcohol consumption (GDAC) was estimated. GDAC was divided into quintile groups and showed significant causal relationships with rectal cancer and liver cancer, but not with other cancers. For liver cancer, an association was shown in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative group, and a particularly strong association was found in the over-60-year-old HBsAg-negative group, in which, compared to the GDAC Q1 group, the Q4 group had a 2.35 times higher risk (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 5.23), and the Q5 group had a 2.40 times higher risk (95% CI, 1.09 to 5.30). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study provided evidence that the amount of alcohol consumed is causally related to the occurrence of rectal cancer and liver cancer in HBsAg-negative individuals. Additional studies should be continued for other cancer types through long-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keum Ji Jung
- Institute for Health Promotion, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Woo Baek
- Institute for Health Promotion, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Sun Ha Jee
- Institute for Health Promotion, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
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Wei F, Meng D. Study on the role of histone epigenetic modification in replication of hepatitis B virus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 669:1-9. [PMID: 37247516 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem and lacks effective therapies in clinic. This study attempted to investigate the role of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) in HBV replication. Cells were treated with 1.3 folds of HBV genome. The expression patterns of HDAC3, miR-29a-3p, and nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 (NFAT5) in cells were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. HBV replication was assessed by measurements of HBV DNA, HBV RNA, hepatitis B surface antigen, and hepatitis B E antigen. After chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays to testify gene interactions, rescue experiments and animal experiments were performed to assess the role of miR-29a-3p/NFAT5 in HBV replication and the role of HDAC3 in vivo. HDAC3 level was decreased by pHBV1.3 plasmid in a concentration-dependent manner. HDAC3 overexpression can inhibit HBV replication, which was neutralized by miR-29a-3p overexpression or NFAT5 downregulation. Mechanically, HDAC3 overexpression reduced the enrichment of histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation on the miR-29a-3p promoter to inhibit miR-29a-3p expression and then promote NFAT5 transcription. In vivo, HDAC3 restrained HBV replication through the miR-29a-3p/NFAT5 axis. Overall, HDAC3 downregulation was associated with HBV replication and HDAC3 overexpression inhibited HBV replication through H3K9ac/miR-29a-3p/NFAT5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenfen Wei
- Department of infectious diseases, Jincheng people's hospital, Jincheng Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Jincheng, 048000, China.
| | - Die Meng
- Department of infectious diseases, Jincheng people's hospital, Jincheng Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, Jincheng, 048000, China
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Liu X, Chen SX, Liu H, Lou JL. Host immunity and HBV S gene mutation in HBsAg-negative HBV-infected patients. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1211980. [PMID: 37646026 PMCID: PMC10461097 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1211980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Clinically, some patients whose HBsAg becomes negative owing to antiviral therapy or spontaneously still show a low level of HBV DNA persistence in serum. T-lymphocyte subsets, cytokine levels and HBV S gene sequences were analyzed in this study. Methods A total of 52 HBsAg-negative and HBV DNA-positive patients(HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ patients), 52 persistently HBsAg-positive patients(HBsAg+/HBV DNA+ patients) and 16 healthy people were evaluated. T-lymphocyte subsets of these patients were detected by flow cytometry, serum cytokines and chemokines were detected by the Luminex technique, and the HBV S region was evaluated by Sanger sequencing. T%, T-lymphocyte, CD8+ and CD4+T lymphocyte were lower in the HBsAg-negative group than in the HC group. Compared with the HBsAg-positive group, the HBsAg-negative group had lower levels in T lymphocyte %, CD8+T lymphocyte %, CD8+T lymphocyte and CD4/CD8. These difference were statistically significant (P<0.05). Serum IFN-γ, IFN-α and FLT-3L levels were significantly higher in the HBsAg-negative group than in the HBsAg-positive group (P<0.05). However, levels of many cytokines related to inflammation (i.e., IL-6, IL-8, IL10, IL-12, IL-17A) were lower in the HBsAg-negative group. Fifty-two HBsAg-negative samples were sequenced, revealing high-frequency amino acid substitution sites in the HBV S protein, including immune escape mutations (i.e., Y100C, S114T, C124Y, P127L, G130R, T131N, M133T, C137S, G145A) and TMD region substitutions (i.e., E2K/R/D, G7D/R, G10D, A17R, F20L/S, L21V, L22V). Conclusions According to the results of T-lymphocyte subsets and serum cytokines, it can be deduced that the cellular immune function of HBsAg-negative patients is superior to that of HBsAg-positive patients, with attenuation of liver inflammation. HBsAg-negative patients may show a variety of mutations and amino acid replacement sites at high frequency in the HBV S region, and these mutations may lead to undetectable HBsAg, HBsAg antigenic changes or secretion inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jin-li Lou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Zhang MM, Liao X, Wang H. The transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from mother-to-infant (MTI) and the susceptibility of offspring to hepatitis B under intrauterine exposure to HBsAg. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27:7370-7379. [PMID: 37606146 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202308_33309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes long-term injury to the liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B. It was reported that nearly half of this disease's cases now result from mother-to-infant (MTI) transmission. Therefore, intervention during this period of transmission of HBV could effectively prevent HBV infection in infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study employed bioinformatics methods to analyze the datasets of MTI hepatitis B transmission obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Through this analysis, we extracted valuable information to identify genes exhibiting differential expression and uncover the associated signal pathways. Ultimately, our investigations into alterations in immune function shed light on the underlying mechanisms of MTI HBV transmission. RESULTS There were 593 genes that were significantly differentially expressed (512 up-regulated genes and 81 down-regulated genes) in the offspring CD8+T cells with Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) intrauterine exposure. The pathways enriched for differentially expressed genes have been revealed. Furthermore, we performed a correlation analysis between differentially expressed genes and maternal hepatitis B inheritance via the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and eventually found a high correlation between the cyan module and the shape. Among them, there were 166 genes in the cyan module, which were mainly enriched in the phosphatidylinositol signaling system, glycerolipid metabolism, and other types of O-Glycan biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, we speculated that these signaling pathways and the genes within may be closely related to hepatitis B susceptibility and maternal hepatitis B inheritance. In this study, we showed that differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways may be valuable in preventing MTI transmission of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-M Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gui Yang Public Health Clinical Center, Guiyang, China.
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Ma S, Lv M, Chen X, Zang G, Tang Z, Zhang Y, Hu W. Avasimibe can cooperate with a DC-targeting and integration-deficient lentivector to induce stronger HBV specific T cytotoxic response by regulating cholesterol metabolism. Antiviral Res 2023; 216:105662. [PMID: 37393054 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
We have reported a lentivector which could effectively induce HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Avasimibe is an inhibitor of acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase-1 (ACAT1), and has been shown to enhance T lymphocyte cytotoxicity on tumor cells. However, the role of avasimibe in lentivector-induced HBV-specific T cytotoxic response remains unknown. Based on previous study, we constructed an integration-deficient lentivector LVDC-ID-HBV (harboring HBcAg expression), and the in vitro experiments showed that the combination of avasimibe exhibited better efficacy in inducing HBV-specific CTL responses including cell proliferation, production of cytokines, as well as CTL killing activities. Mechanism experiments showed that increasing cell membrane cholesterol levels by MβCD-coated cholesterol or ACAT1 inhibition efficiently promoted TCR clustering, signaling transduction and immunological synapse formation, thereby mediating augmented CTL responses. Nevertheless, the depletion of plasma membrane cholesterol with MβCD led to obviously decreased CTL responses. The avasimibe-mediated strengthened immune effects were also determined in animal experiments and the results were in agreement with those from the in vitro research. In particular, the in vivo CTL killing activities were identified by the CFSE or BV-labeled splenocyte lysis assay. Moreover, the experiments in HBV transgenic mice showed that the LVDC-ID-HBV plus avasimibe group demonstrated the lowest serum HBsAg and HBV DNA levels, as well as the lowest expression of HBsAg and HBcAg in liver tissues. We concluded that the HBV-specific CTL immune responses could be potentiated by avasimibe through regulating plasma membrane cholesterol levels. Avasimibe may be a potential adjuvant for lentivector vaccine against HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Mengjiao Lv
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Xiaohua Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Guoqing Zang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Zhenghao Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Weiwei Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
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Anabire NG, Quaye O, Helegbe GK. Circulation of multiple hepatitis B virus genotypes in individual pregnant women seeking antenatal care in northern Ghana. Virol J 2023; 20:149. [PMID: 37443015 PMCID: PMC10347747 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02110-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification and monitoring of HBV genotype variations is important, since that can help forecast the likelihood of developing serious liver disease and how well patients respond to antiviral medication. Given that HBV genotyping tests are not widely available in our healthcare system, this study characterized HBV genotypes in pregnant women seeking prenatal treatment in northern Ghana. METHOD By a cross-sectional approach, 2071 pregnant women seeking antenatal care in health facilities in northern Ghana were screened for HBV infection using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid diagnostic test kit. The women were aged between 17 and 41 years, were of varying gravidae (primigravidae and multigravidae) and gestational age (first, second and third trimesters). A confirmatory PCR assay was used to detect HBsAg, and the distribution of HBV genotypes was determined using a nested PCR assay. RESULTS Three HBV genotypes (A, D and E) were detected among the pregnant women, of which 175 (91.6%) had genotype E, 9 (4.7%) had mixed genotypes A and E, 5 (2.6%) had mixed genotypes D and E, and 2 (1.1) had mixed genotypes A, D and E. The proportions of women with the different HBV genotypes were independent of age (p = 0.925), gravidity (p = 0.193, χ2 = 4.729) and gestational age (p = 0.227, χ2 = 8.152). CONCLUSION This study for the first-time characterized circulating HBV genotypes in pregnant women in northern Ghana, which reveals genotypes A and D are found in mixed infections with genotype E. The findings have clinical implications on the management of chronic HBV infection among pregnant women in northern Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nsoh Godwin Anabire
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 54, Legon- Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University for Development studies, P. O. Box TL 1883, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Osbourne Quaye
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 54, Legon- Accra, Ghana
| | - Gideon Kofi Helegbe
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University for Development studies, P. O. Box TL 1883, Tamale, Ghana
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Liu N, Liu M, Yang J, Dong S, Yue M, Huang P, Xia X, Zhang AM. Association of genetic polymorphisms in the C19orf66 gene and biochemical indices of HBV infected individuals in Yunnan. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1180366. [PMID: 37293200 PMCID: PMC10245551 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1180366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes serious liver diseases and is a healthy problem worldwide. Although vaccines are administered to infants after birth, there is no effective medicine for HBV infection. The interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are important factors in the host that can aid in restraining the virus, and the C19orf66 gene has a wide-antiviral spectrum. Methods In this study, three SNPs in the C19orf66 gene were sequenced and genotyped, and their potential function were predicted and further verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results Although no significant difference of genotype and allele frequency was observed between HBV patients and the controls, the genotype and allele frequency showed significant difference between HBV patients with HBsAg-positive and HBV patients with HBsAg-negative or controls. Genotype AA (P= 0.009) and AT (P= 0.019) of rs77076061 showed higher and lower frequency in HBV patients with HBsAg-positive than in patients with HBsAg-negative, respectively. Genotype AG of rs1979262 played a risk role in HBV patients with HBsAg-positive (13.22%) than in patients with HBsAg-negative (7.53%, P= 0.036) or controls (8.48%, P= 0.033). The frequency of allele A of rs1979262 was higher in patients with HBsAg-positive (6.61%) than in patients with HBsAg-negative (3.77%, P= 0.042), while it was the opposite for the allele G. Moreover, the associations between genotypes of SNPs in the C19orf66 gene and the ALT, AST, and DBIL level were also identified. The functional assay suggested that the SNPs might influence the C19orf66 expression by changing the connection of transcriptional factors. Conclusion In summary, the association between genetic polymorphisms in the C19orf66 gene and HBV infection/biochemical indices of patients was firstly identified in Yunnan Province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Min Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatic Disease, First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Clinical Laboratory, The People’s Hospital of Maguan County, Wenshan, Yunnan, China
| | - Shuwei Dong
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Ming Yue
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Huang
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - A-Mei Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Ding Y, Jiang X, Jing H, Liu G, Cheng J. Recombinant HBsAg-S and RFRP-3 DNA vaccine promotes reproduction hormone secretion in sheep. Theriogenology 2023; 201:68-75. [PMID: 36842263 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
RF-amide related peptides (RFRP) have been proposed as critical regulators of gonadotropin secretion in mammals. This study was designed to construct a DNA vaccine and investigate the effect of vaccine encoding RFRP-3 on reproduction physiology in ewe. A recombinant vaccine was constructed using two copies of the RFRP-3 gene and HBsAg-S that generate a fusion protein to induce an immunology response. Results showed this recombinant vaccine could produce a significant antibody titer in the treated animals (P < 0.05). The specific RFRP-3 antibody response induced by the vaccine was detected at week 2 with a peak at week 6 after the initial immunization. Furthermore, we found that ewes inoculated with pVAX-tPA-HBsAg-S-2RFRP-asd vaccine significantly raised the concentration of GnRH, LH and E2 in serum compared to the control group. LH and E2 concentration in the treated ewes (Group T) was significantly higher than that in control ewes (Group C) at weeks 10, 12 and 14 after the initial immunization, respectively (P < 0.05). Therefore, RFRP-3 can be used as a target for DNA immunization to promote reproductive hormone secretion in ewes and RFRP-3 gene immunization might be a candidate tool to regulate mammal reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ding
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xunping Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Haijing Jing
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Guiqiong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Smart Farming for Agricultural Animals, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China; Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
| | - Junjun Cheng
- Laboratory of Small Ruminant Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
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Zhao J, Bian D, Liao H, Wang Y, Ren Y, Jiang Y, Liu S, Chen X, Hu Z, Duan Z, Lu F, Zheng S. Serum HBsAg and HBcrAg is associated with inflammation in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1083912. [PMID: 37065191 PMCID: PMC10102387 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1083912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds & aimsLiver inflammation is the main risk factor for developing liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. To replace biopsy, additional non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose and grade liver necroinflammation are urgently required in clinical practice.MethodNinety-four CHB patients, including 74 HBeAg-positive and 20 HBeAg-negative patients, were enrolled and started entecavir or adefovir therapy. Serum HBV RNA, HBV DNA, HBsAg, hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg), ALT and AST levels, as well as intrahepatic HBV DNA and cccDNA were measured at baseline and during treatment. Liver inflammation was assessed at baseline and month 60 by liver biopsy. Inflammation regression was defined as a ≥1-grade decrease according to the Scheuer scoring system.ResultsIn HBeAg-positive CHB patients, at baseline, serum HBsAg and HBcrAg levels negatively correlated with inflammation grade, while ALT and AST levels positively correlated with inflammation grade. AST plus HBsAg exhibited excellent diagnostic ability for significant inflammation with an AUROC of 0.896. After 60 months of antiviral treatment, almost all the patients’ liver inflammation ameliorated to G1, and no patients had inflammation progression.ConclusionBesides ALT and AST, serum HBsAg and HBcrAg correlated with inflammation grade in HBeAg-positive CHB patients before NAs treatment. Moreover, the combination of HBsAg and AST exhibited excellent diagnostic ability for significant inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Bian
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Electric Power Teaching Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Liao
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Intervention and Cell Therapy Center, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Ren
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingying Jiang
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyue Chen
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongjie Hu
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongping Duan
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Sujun Zheng
- Liver Disease Center, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Sujun Zheng,
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Mathew A, Ismael N, Meeds H, Vubil A, Zicai AF, Mabunda N, Blackard JT. Hepatitis B virus genotypes and drug resistance mutations circulating in blood donors in Beira, Mozambique. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281855. [PMID: 36795797 PMCID: PMC9934330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects nearly 300 million people and is the leading cause of hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Despite the high burden of HBV in sub-Saharan Africa, countries such as Mozambique have limited data available on circulating HBV genotypes and the presence of drug resistance mutations. Blood donors from Beira, Mozambique were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA at the Instituto Nacional de Saúde in Maputo, Mozambique. Regardless of HBsAg status, donors with detectable HBV DNA were evaluated for HBV genotype. PCR was performed with primers amplifying a 2.1-2.2 kilobase fragment of the HBV genome. PCR products were submitted for next generation sequencing (NGS), and consensus sequences were evaluated for HBV genotype, recombination, and the presence or absence of drug resistance mutations. Of the 1281 blood donors tested, 74 had quantifiable HBV DNA. The polymerase gene could be amplified from 45 of 58 (77.6%) individuals with chronic HBV infection and 12 of 16 (75%) with occult HBV infection. Among these 57, 51 (89.5%) sequences belonged to HBV genotype A1, while 6 (10.5%) were HBV genotype E. All genotype E sequences were E/A recombinants, and clustered separately from other genotype E references. Genotype A samples had a median viral load of 637 IU/mL, while genotype E samples had a median viral load of 476,084 IU/mL. No drug resistance mutations were observed in the consensus sequences. The current study demonstrates the genotypic diversity of HBV in blood donors in Mozambique, but the absence of dominant (consensus) drug resistance mutations. Studies in other at-risk populations are essential for understanding the epidemiology, risk of liver disease, and likelihood of treatment resistance in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Mathew
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Nalia Ismael
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene, Mozambique
| | - Heidi Meeds
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Adolfo Vubil
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene, Mozambique
| | | | | | - Jason T. Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
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