Substitution at rt269 in Hepatitis B Virus Polymerase Is a Compensatory Mutation Associated with Multi-Drug Resistance

The emergence of compensatory mutations in the polymerase gene of drug resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with treatment failure. We previously identified a multi-drug resistant HBV mutant, which displayed resistance towards lamivudine (LMV), clevudine (CLV), and entecavir (ETV), along with a strong replication capacity. The aim of this study was to identify the previously unknown compensatory mutations, and to determine the clinical relevance of this mutation during antiviral therapy. In vitro mutagenesis, drug susceptibility assay, and molecular modeling studies were performed. The rtL269I substitution conferred 2- to 7-fold higher replication capacity in the wild-type (WT) or YMDD mutation backbone, regardless of drug treatment. The rtL269I substitution alone did not confer resistance to LMV, ETV, adefovir (ADV), or tenofovir (TDF). However, upon combination with YMDD mutation, the replication capacity under LMV or ETV treatment was enhanced by several folds. Molecular modeling studies suggested that the rtL269I substitution affects template binding, which may eventually lead to the enhanced activity of rtI269-HBV polymerase in both WT virus and YMDD mutant. The clinical relevance of the rtL269I substitution was validated by its emergence in association with YMDD mutation in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with sub-optimal response or treatment failure to LMV or CLV. Our study suggests that substitution at rt269 in HBV polymerase is associated with multi-drug resistance, which may serve as a novel compensatory mutation for replication-defective multi-drug resistant HBV.     

拉米夫定联合阿德福韦酯治疗乙型肝炎的疗效及对HBV耐药基因突变的影响

目的探讨拉米夫定联合阿德福韦酯治疗慢性乙型肝炎的疗效,并利用反向点杂交技术检测其对HBV基因耐药突变的影响。方法156例慢性乙型肝炎患者随机分为2组：对照组70例采用拉米夫定治疗,治疗组86例采用拉米夫定联合阿德福韦酯治疗。采用实时荧光定量PCR和ELISA检测2组治疗前和治疗后48周的HBV-DNA载量和HBeAg并采用PCR-反向点杂交技术（PCR-RDB）检测2组治疗48周后的HBV耐药基因突变情况。结果对照组及治疗组在经过48周治疗后HBV-DNA载量较治疗前都明显下降（P 〈0. 05）,治疗组HBV-DNA载量明显低于对照组（P〈0.05）。治疗组经过48周治疗后HBeAg的阴转率为54.9%,明显高于对照组15.0% （P 〈0.05）。对照组44例未出现耐药突变,25例拉米夫定耐药突变中rtL180M突变6例,rtM204V/I突变11例,rtL180M ＋ rtM204V/I混合突变8例;阿德福韦酯HN236T耐药突变1例。治疗组77例未出现耐药突变;5例拉米夫定耐药突变中rtL180M突变1例,rtM204V/I突变2例,rtL180M ＋ rtM204V/I混合突变2例;阿德福韦酯耐药突变中rtN236T突变1例;拉米夫定和阿德福韦酯交叉耐药rtN236T ＋ rtM204V/I混合突变3例。对照组耐药突变率为37. 1%（26/70）明显髙于治疗组的10.5%（9/86）（P〈0.05）。结论拉米夫定联合阿德福韦酯对治疗慢性乙型肝炎方面有效并在减少HBV耐药基因突变方面具有一定的作用。     

An improved reverse dot hybridization for simple and rapid detection of adefovir dipivoxil-resistant hepatitis B virus

Early detection of adefovir dipivoxil-resistant mutants during long-term treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with this drug is of great clinical importance. We developed an improved reverse dot hybridization test for simple and rapid detection of the rtA181V/T and rtN236T mutations associated with adefovir dipivoxil resistance in chronic hepatitis B patients. Probes were designed for genotypes B, C, and D of this resistance characteristic; a total of 70 clinical samples were analyzed with this improved reverse dot hybridization assay. Its usefulness was validated by comparing with sequencing data. Discordant results were confirmed by subclone sequencing. This reverse dot hybridization assay was sufficiently sensitive to detect 10(3) copies/mL; it also detected adefovir dipivoxil-resistant mutant strains when they comprised more than 5% of a mixed virus population. This reverse dot hybridization array correctly identified adefovir dipivoxil-resistant mutants; it had high concordance (98.5%) with direct sequencing data. There was no clear relationship between the HBV genotype and the development of adefovir dipivoxil-resistant mutants. This reverse dot hybridization assay proved to be simple and rapid for detection of rtA181V/T and rtN236T mutations associated with resistance to adefovir dipivoxil.     

黑龙江地区400例乙型肝炎病毒基因分型与耐药突变研究

目的:运用基因芯片技术分析黑龙江地区乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)基因型分布特征及基因耐药变异情况。方法:随机选择2012年11月至2015年11月本医院乙型肝炎患者血清样本400例,应用PCR-反向点杂交的基因芯片技术对样本血清中HBV基因型及常见4类抗病毒药物耐药相关的多个位点进行检测,并进行数据分析。结果:400例样本中基因型分布以C型为主占83.25%(333例),B型7.25%(29例)、D型0.25%(1例)及混合基因型2.75%(11例);耐药突变位点检出188例,总耐药率为45.19%,其中突变位点236T(4.61%)提示阿德福韦酯单项耐药,耐药率为5.82%(10例),与拉米夫定耐药相关的为126例,突变位点以rt204I和(rt180M+rt240V)为主,显著高于其他抗病毒类药物,耐药风险较高。结论:黑龙江地区乙型肝炎基因分型以C为主,B型和其它混合型较少,且更容易对拉米夫定产生耐药。     

乙型肝炎病毒RT区变异及其与基因型分布的关系

目的：探讨大样本乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染患者RT区耐药位点变异的流行情况,及各耐药位点变异与HBV基因型的关系。方法：采用P区测序法对1117例慢性乙型肝炎患者的血清病毒进行P区测序、进化树分型。结果：RT区耐药位点变异发生率与基因型关系密切,在基因型C患者中的变异发生率远远高于基因型B患者（P=O．000）。Rt180、rtM204V、rtM204I、rt181、rt213位点变异均与基因型c有关（P〈O．05）。主要的三种变异类型rt180＋rtM204V、rtM204I、rt180＋rtM204I间基因型分布存在显薯差异（P=0．003）。不同HBeAg状态下,耐药变并的发生有显著差并（P=O．020）,特别是rt181和rt236位点变畀。结论：HBV基因型影响RT区耐药变异发生率及变异类型。且耐药变异发生率也与HBeAg状态有关。     

乙肝治疗耐药基因突变的焦磷酸测序技术诊断

目的：建立焦磷酸测序技术检测拉米夫定和阿德福韦酯治疗乙肝所致乙肝病毒基因耐药突变的定量检测方法,为临床乙肝耐药诊断和治疗提供依据。方法：针对乙肝病毒DNA聚合酶基因序列上4个常见基因突变位点的6种突变形式,分别克隆构建野生型和突变型质粒作为标准品,应用生物信息学手段设计目标基因通用PCR引物和各突变点的焦磷酸测序引物,建立焦磷酸测序的突变检测方法。对接受拉米夫定、阿德福韦酯治疗的慢性乙型肝炎患者血清标本进行检测。结果：构建了乙肝病毒四种常见耐药性突变的标准株和变异株克隆,建立了分别或同时检测拉米夫定、阿德福韦酯耐药突变的焦磷酸测序方法,对68例临床耐药或疑似耐药的患者血清标本进行检测,双脱氧测序验证,检出拉米夫定耐药突变32例,阿德福韦酯耐药突变5例,其中焦磷酸测序检出20例为混合突变,而双脱氧测序显示为6例。结论：成功建立了焦磷酸测序定量检测拉米夫定、阿德福韦酯耐药基因突变的方法,构建了乙肝病毒耐药基因突变的标准质粒,为临床动态监测乙肝病毒变异病毒株、指导合理用药奠定了基础。     

应用LNA-PCR法检测乙型肝炎病毒阿德福韦酯耐药位点基因突变

目的:建立简便、快速、灵敏的锁核酸(locked nucleic acid,LNA)探针实时荧光聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测方法,检测乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)阿德福韦酯(Adefovir dipivoxil,ADV)耐药相关位点(rtA181V、rtN236T)突变。方法:通过基因测序筛选阳性样本,进而构建ADV rt181和rt236位点野生株和突变株重组质粒,设计包含扩增阿德福韦酯rtA181V和rtN236T耐药位点在内的特异性引物和LNA荧光探针,以构建的重组质粒为标准品建立实时荧光PCR反应体系,并通过与基因测序平行检测血清样本以判断检测方法的可行性与准确性。结果:所建立的LNA-PCR法能够检测102copies/ml的HBV中ADV基因突变,同时具备较高的特异性。通过对89例ADV治疗一年后HBV阳性临床样本进行检测,有8例(8.98%)rtA181V突变、5例(5.61%)rtN236T突变、2例(2.24%)rtA181V和rtN236T混合突变,检测结果与测序结果一致。结论:所建立的LNA-PCR法是一种简便、快速、灵敏的基因突变检测方法,能有效的区分单碱基突变,对慢性乙型肝炎患者德福韦治疗过程中耐药突变的监控和抗病毒药物的调整具有指导意义。     

拉米夫定联合阿德福韦酯治疗前后乙型肝炎病毒的全基因组序列分析

目的探究拉米夫定治疗反弹后联合阿德福韦酯治疗前后乙型肝炎全基因组序列变化。方法分别提取服用拉米夫定治疗24周反弹后和阿德福韦酯辅助治疗24周后的患者2份血清病毒核酸,用聚合酶链反应扩增核酸后进行全基因组测序分析。结果测序结果显示,共计有29个氨基酸发生了突变,其中,S区突变点有5个（17．2％）,C区突变点有12个（41．3％）,P区突变点有6个（20．6％）,X区突变点有6个（20．6％）,其中P区与拉米夫定的相关位点173和204位点发生了突变翻转,但服用阿德福韦后出现了与之相关的突变位点（181、214、236和237位点）。结论核苷酸药物的使用和HBV基因耐药突变密切相关,定期检测HBV基因突变对于合理使用核苷酸药物具有重要意义。     

乙型肝炎病毒RT 区变异及其与基因型分布的关系

目的:探讨大样本乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染患者RT区耐药位点变异的流行情况,及各耐药位点变异与HBV基因型的关系。方法:采用P区测序法对1117例慢性乙型肝炎患者的血清病毒进行P区测序、进化树分型。结果:RT区耐药位点变异发生率与基因型关系密切,在基因型C患者中的变异发生率远远高于基因型B患者(P=0.000)。Rt180、rtM204V、rtM204I、rt181、rt213位点变异均与基因型C有关(P<0.05)。主要的三种变异类型rt180+rtM204V、rtM204I、rt180+rtM204I间基因型分布存在显著差异(P=0.003)。不同HBeAg状态下,耐药变异的发生有显著差异(P=0.020),特别是rt181和rt236位点变异。结论:HBV基因型影响RT区耐药变异发生率及变异类型,且耐药变异发生率也与HBeAg状态有关。     

Detection of mixed populations of wild-type and YMDD hepatitis B variants by pyrosequencing in acutely and chronically infected patients

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Lamivudine (LAM) is associated with the highest known rate of resistance mutations amongnucleotide analogs used to treat chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Despite this, LAMcontinues in widespread use, especially in combination therapies. The primary LAMresistance mutation (rtM204V/I) occurs in the YMDD motif of HBV polymerase. The aim ofthis study was to characterize Brazilian HBV isolates from acute and chronic cases by directsequencing, and to identify HBV quasispecies in the YMDD motif using a pyrosequencingmethod capable of detecting single-nucleotide polymorphisms. HBV DNA from serumsamples of 20 individuals with acute HBV infection and 44 with chronic infectionundergoing antiviral therapies containing LAM were analyzed by direct sequencing andpyrosequencing methods. RESULTS: Phylogenic analyses of direct-sequenced isolates showed the expected genotypes (A, D andF) for the Brazilian population in both acute and chronic infections. However, withingenotype A isolates, subgenotype A2 was more frequently detected in acute cases than inchronic cases (P = 0.012). As expected, none of the individuals with acute hepatitis B hadLAM-resistant isolates as a dominant virus population, whether detected by direct sequencingor pyrosequencing. However, pyrosequencing analyses showed that 45% of isolates (9/20)had minor subpopulations (4-17%) of LAM-resistant isolates. Among chronic patientsundergoing LAM treatment, YMDD mutants were frequently found as a dominant viruspopulation. In cases where wild-type virus was the dominant population, subpopulations ofYMDD variants were usually found, demonstrating the complexity of HBV quasispecies. CONCLUSIONS: YMDD variants were frequently detected as a minor population in acute HBV infection. Theoccurrence of pre-existing variants may lead to a high frequency of resistant mutants duringantiviral therapy in the chronic phase. In chronic infection, detection of YMDD variantsbefore virological or biochemical breakthrough might contribute to making better therapychoices and thus improving treatment outcome.     

Chronic hepatitis B--who should be treated?

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause both acute and chronic infection and is an important human pathogen, with an estimated 350 million individuals chronically infected worldwide. HBV carriers are at risk for the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and patients with chronic infection require life-long monitoring. Effective hepatitis B antiviral treatment is important given the significant associated global morbidity and mortality from liver-related complications. The goals of treatment are to achieve sustained suppression of HBV replication and remission of liver disease. In the past decade, great progress has been made in the treatment of chronic HBV infection. Interferon alfa, longer-acting pegylated interferon, and nucleos(t)ide analogs such as lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, and entecavir are currently available for treatment of HBV infection. Effective treatment decisions require an understanding of the natural history of hepatitis B and the range of treatment options. This review includes criteria for determining when and how to most effectively intervene with antiviral therapy for chronically infected patients.     

阿德福韦酯抗病毒治疗1a后乙肝病毒基因型变化情况的观察

观察阿德福韦酯抗病毒治疗1 a后慢性乙肝患者体内HBV基因型变化情况.随机选择152例慢性乙肝患者作为研究对象,其中52例患者作为抗病毒治疗组,口服阿德福韦酯进行抗病毒治疗,另外100例患者作为对照组,口服护肝片进行护肝治疗,2组病人治疗周期均为1 a,分别在用药后第3、6、12个月进行随访,随访内容包括患者的依从性和不良反应、HBeAg/HBeAb、肝功能、HBV DNA定量检测,并采用多对型特异性引物巢武PCR基因分型技术动态监测治疗期间HBV基因型的变化情况.治疗1 a后,抗病毒治疗组中有1例患者体内HBV基因型发生改变,由治疗前的B型变为B/C混合型,并且病情出现反弹和加重.对照组未发现HBV基因型改变.2组HBV基因型变化率(1.9％和0％)之间没有显著性差异(P＞0.05).慢性乙肝患者体内HBV基因型可发生改变,而且1 a内即可发生,抗病毒治疗可能是促进HBV基因型改变的相关因素.HBV基因型转变可导致患者病情反弹和加重.     

Antiviral therapy against chronic hepatitis B in Brazil: high rates of lamivudine resistance mutations and correlation with HBV genotypes

The effectiveness of antiviral treatments of chronic hepatitis B has been poorly studied in Brazil. Here, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA positivity, drug resistance mutations and their association with HBV genotypes were evaluated in chronically HBV-infected patients under different drug regimens in Brazil. The study involved 129 patients under interferon or nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy for a median treatment time of 12 months. One hundred and five (81%) of these patients were treated with lamivudine (LAM), either in monotherapy or in combination with newer drugs, such as entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir (TDF). High (37.5-100%) rates of HBV DNA positivity were observed with all but one drug regimen (LAM + ETV). However, patients that were treated with ETV alone, TDF alone or with LAM combination therapies had a mean viral load that was 3-4 log lower than patients treated with LAM monotherapy. Of the patients treated with LAM, 47% developed resistance mutations. HBV genotypes A (59.1%), D (30.3%) and F (9.1%) were found. There was no association between the presence of LAM resistance mutations and genotypes, HBeAg status or treatment duration. Nevertheless, the rtM204V mutation was observed more frequently (12/13, 92%) in genotype A than in the others (p = 0.023). Six out of nine isolates that contained the rtM204I mutation belonged to genotype D and half of them displayed a single mutation. Genotype D isolates with the rtM204V variant preferentially displayed a triple mutation, while genotype A preferentially displayed a double mutation (p = 0.04).     

Molecular mechanisms of adefovir sensitivity and resistance in HBV polymerase mutants: a molecular dynamics study

Molecular modeling studies of adefovir diphosphate with the wild type and the mutant HBV polymerase-DNA complex demonstrated that the increase in adefovir sensitivity toward HBV polymerase mutants (rtL180M, rtM204V/I, rtL180M-M204V/I) is a result of increased van der Waals interaction and is supplemented by the decreased affinity of natural substrate toward the mutant HBV polymerase. In the case of rtN236T mutant, loss of two hydrogen bonds accompanied by significant decrease in electrostatic interactions is observed, which explains the observed decrease in drug sensitivity and binding affinity of adefovir diphosphate toward the rtN236T mutant HBV polymerase.