Intracellular hepatitis B virus increases hepatic cholesterol deposition in alcoholic fatty liver via hepatitis B core protein

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a prevalent infectious disease with serious outcomes like chronic and acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the metabolic alteration by HBV is rarely taken into consideration. With the high prevalence of alcohol consumption and chronic HBV infection, their overlap is assumed to be an increasing latent hazard; although the extent has not been calculated. Moreover, the impact of chronic alcohol consumption combined with HBV on cholesterol metabolism is unknown. Six-week-old male FVB/Ncrl mice were hydrodynamically injected with a pGEM-4Z-1.3HBV vector and then fed an ethanol diet for 6 weeks. Serum biomarkers and liver histology, liver cholesterol levels, and cholesterol metabolism-related molecules were measured. In vitro assays with HBx, hepatitis B surface (HBs), or hepatitis B core (HBc) protein expression in HepG2 cells costimulated with ethanol were conducted to assess the cholesterol metabolism. HBV expression synergistically increased cholesterol deposition in the setting of alcoholic fatty liver. The increase of intrahepatic cholesterol was due to metabolic alteration in cholesterol metabolism, including increased cholesterol synthesis, decreased cholesterol degradation, and impaired cholesterol uptake. Overexpression of HBV component HBc, but not HBs or HBx, selectively promoted the hepatocellular cholesterol level.     

Human oncogenic viruses: Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses and their role in hepatocarcinogenesis

Chronic infections caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the main risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in humans. Both viruses cause a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from healthy carrier state to acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and HCC. HBV and HCV belong to different viral families (Hepadnoviridae and Flaviviridae, respectively); they are characterized by different genetic structures. Clinical manifestations of these viral infections result from the interaction between these viruses and host hepatocytes (i.e. between viral and cell genomes). Proteins encoded by both viruses play an important role in processes responsible for immortalization and transformation of these cells. Chronic inflammation determined by host immune response to the viral infection, hepatocyte death and their compensatory proliferation, as well as modulation of expression of some regulatory proteins of the cell (growth factors, cytokines, etc.) are the processes that play the major role in liver cancer induced by HBV and HCV.     

Mutation analyses of integrated HBV genome in hepatitis B patients

Little has been learnt in the last 30 years about detection of HBV genome as well as its mutation analysis between hepatitis B fathers （HBF） and their children. In this study, we used nest polymerase chain reaction （PCR）, fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH）, and DNA sequencing analysis, to examine the integrated HBV genome in paraffin-embedded testis tissues, which were taken as samples from HBE and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMC） from 74 cases of HBFs and their children who were born after their fathers＇ HBV infection （caHBF）. We found that HBV DNA existed in testis tissues, mainly in the basilar parts of the seminiferous tubules, and also in PBMC of HBE It was also documented that there were point mutations of poly-loci, insertions and deletions of nucleotides in integrated HBV genomes, and the types of gene mutations in the HBFs were similar to those in caHBE This study addresses the major types of gene mutations in integrated HBV genome in human patients and also presents reliable evidence of possible genetic transmission of hepatitis B.     

乙型肝炎病毒DNA疫苗的研究进展

预防与控制乙型肝炎发病的乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)疫苗,是有重大的社会和经济意义。HBV的持续感染可引起慢性肝脏疾患,并逐步发展为肝硬化和肝细胞癌(HCC)。目前的乙肝重组亚单位疫苗可以使90％的接种产生保护性抗体;但是对慢性HBV携带,由于其机体对HBsAg蛋白产生耐受,不能产生体液和细胞免疫,因此它只能作为一种预防性的疫苗。DNA疫苗(基因疫苗)是一种新的疫苗技术,通过向体内递送编码抗原的细菌质粒,刺激产生特异的体液和细胞免疫反应。在小鼠和其他的肝炎病毒感染动物模型中,HBV DNA疫苗可以特异性地引起体液和细胞免疫,清除HBV转基因动物血循环中的HBsAg颗粒和HBV DNA。如果加入各种免疫调节细胞因子的基因,可以进一步提高HBV DNA疫苗的免疫效果,因此它不仅可作为预防性疫苗,也可作为治疗型疫苗。     

免疫因素及cccDNA 与HBV的持续感染

由于乙肝疫苗普遍接种,乙型肝炎的流行已经下降,但慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）仍是严重的全球性公共卫生问题。超螺旋共价闭合环状DNA（cccDNA）作为原始转录模板,逃避机体免疫及抗病毒药物清除,在HBV持续感染中发挥重要作用。基于调节患者对HBV的免疫功能研究新的治疗策略以清除细胞核内cccDNA可能成为根除HBV持续感染的途径。     

Comparison and significance of specific and non-specific cellular immunity in patients with chronic hepatitis B caused by infection with genotypes B or C of hepatitis B virus

The present study was designed to investigate possible relationships between the genotypes of hepa-titis B virus (HBV) and the HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. HBV genotypes, HBV specific CTL HBV DNA and other markers of HBV infection were determined in 138 patients with chronic hepatitis B. The results showed that the patients infected with genotype C (n=62) had a significantly lower HBV-specific CTL response than those who were infected with HBV genotype B (P<0.01). HBV DNA titer was higher in patients infected with HBV genotype C than in those infected with HBV geno-type B (P<0.01). Both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were higher in HBV genotype C infected patients than in those infected with genotype B (P<0.01 and <0.05, respectively). These results suggest that compared with CHB patients infected with HBV genotype B, the higher HBV DNA level and more severe liver damages in the patients infected with genotype C of HBV may be as-sociated with genotype C of the virus.     

乙型肝炎病毒e抗原的生物学功能及血清学转换的免疫学基础

目前在临床乙型肝炎的治疗中,乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(HBeAg)消失及其抗体的出现已成为重要的疗效指标.本文回顾了HBeAg的发现及其生物学和医学意义,对HBeAg与乙型肝炎病毒核心抗原(HBcAg)的免疫原性进行了比较,阐述了HBeAg血清学转换的免疫学基础,并对出现HBeAg血清学转换的意义作了分析.     

治疗性乙型肝炎疫苗研究进展

乙肝疫苗多用于预防乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)。近年来,人们的研究重点转移到了针对慢性乙肝病毒携带和慢性乙肝患的治疗性疫苗的开发上。本就治疗性乙肝疫苗的分类、机制及临床疗效加以综述。     

乙型肝炎病毒变异株功能基因组研究及其临床意义

综述了近年对乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）变异株的复制、免疫学特性、致病性、耐药性等功能基因组研究及其临床意义的研究进展,阐述基因组水平研究HBV变异株功能的重要性及有关结果,展望今后HBV变异株生物学特性研究的方向。     

TIMM29 interacts with hepatitis B virus preS1 to modulate the HBV life cycle

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a major global health problem, can cause chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinomas in chronically infected patients. However, before HBV infection can be adequately controlled, many mysteries about the HBV life cycle must be solved. In this study, TIMM29, an inner mitochondrial membrane protein, was identified as an interaction partner of the preS1 region of the HBV large S protein. The interaction was verified by both an immunoprecipitation with preS1 peptides and a GST-pulldown assay. Immunofluorescence studies also showed colocalization of preS1 and TIMM29. Moreover, it was determined that the preS1 bound with amino acids 92–189 of the TIMM29 protein. Infection of HBV in TIMM29-overexpressing NTCP/G2 cells resulted in a significant decrease of HBeAg and both extracellular particle-associated and core particle-associated HBV DNA without affecting cccDNA formation. Comparable results were obtained with TIMM29-overexpressing HB611 cells, which constitutively produce HBV. In contrast, knockout of TIMM29 in NTCP/G2 cells led to a higher production of HBV including HBeAg expression, as did knockout of TIMM29 in HB611. Collectively, these results suggested that TIMM29 interacts with the preS1 region of the HBV large S protein and modulates HBV amplification.     

Immunogenicity of a novel, bivalent, plant-based oral vaccine against hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency viruses

A synthetic chimeric gene, TBI-HBS, encoding the immunogenic ENV and GAG epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and the surface protein antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus (HBV), was expressed in tomato plants. Tomato fruits containing the TBI-HBS antigen were fed to experimental mice and, on days 14 and 28 post-feeding, high levels of HIV- and HBV-specific antibodies were present in the serum and feces of the test animals. Intraperitoneal injection of a DNA vaccine directing synthesis of the same TBI-HBsAg antigen boosted the antibody response to HIV in the blood serum; however, it had no effect on the high level of antibodies produced to HBV.Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.     

一株重组乙型肝炎病毒的全基因克隆和序列分析

通过血清学和PCR方法对广西地区乙型肝炎病毒感染者样本进行检测,发现一株乙型肝炎病毒基因序列与其余病毒差异较大,利用PCR的方法,扩增出该株病毒的全长cDNA序列,并将其克隆到T载体,进行序列测定,结果显示基因全长为3 215bp,血清型为adr.将测定序列与网上公布的标准基因序列进行比对分析,发现该株病毒全基因组序列进化分析结果与C型基因比较接近,而对其全基因组进行分析时发现1 630bp～2 880bp间基因起源与和C型基因最为接近,而其余基因序列则与A型基因更接近,提示这是一株C型和A型重组的乙型肝炎病毒,首次在国内发现这种类型的基因重组病毒,丰富了我国乙型肝炎病毒研究内容,并对基因型别研究和病毒进化研究提供了参考.     

Antisense therapy of hepatitis B virus infection

Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major health problem worldwide. The only established therapy is interferon-a with an efficacy of only 30–40% in highly selected patients. The discovery of animal viruses closely related to the HBV has contributed to active research on antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B. The animal model tested and described in this article are Peking ducks infected with the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV). Molecular therapeutic strategies aimed at blocking gene expression include antisense DNA. An antisense oligodeoxynucleotide directed against the 5′-region of the preS gene of DHBV inhibited viral replication and gene expression in vitro in primary duck hepatocytes and in vivo in Peking ducks. These results demonstrate the potential clinical use of antisense DNA as antiviral therapeutics.     

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus in Culex quinquefasciatus

An investigation of the vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Culex quinquefasciatus Say revealed the presence of low levels of the virus in adult F1 progeny from the first ovarian cycle of mosquitoes infected by feeding on HBV positive human blood. HBV was not transmitted vertically during the second, third and fourth ovarian cycles nor to the F2 generation. The salivary glands, ovaries and faeces of the F1 generation did not contain detectable levels of HBV. Progeny of female Cx quinquefasciatus mated with F1 males were negative for HBV.     

Molecular modeling studies of repandusinic acid as potent small molecule for hepatitis B virus through molecular docking and ADME analysis

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has affected over 300 million people worldwide which causes to induce mostly liver disease and liver cancer. It is a member of the family Hepadnaviridae which is a small DNA virus with unusual characters like retroviruses. Generally, hepatoprotective drugs provoke some side effects in human beings. For the reason, this study aims to identify alternative drug molecules from the natural source of medicinal plants with smaller quantity of side effects than those conventional drugs in treating HBV. Methods: We developed computational methods for calculating drug and target binding resemblance using the Maestro v10.2 of Schrodinger suite. The target and ligand molecules were obtained from recognized databases. Ligand molecules of 40 phytoconstituents were retrieved from variety of plants after we executed crucial analyses such as molecular docking and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) analysis.Results: In the docking analysis, the natural analogues repandusinic acid showed better docking scores of –14.768 with good binding contacts. The remaining bioactive molecules corilagin, furosin, nirurin, iso-quercetin and gallocatechin also showed better docking scores.Conclusion: This computational analysis reveals that repandusinic acid is a suitable drug candidate for HBV. Therefore, we recommend that this analogue is suitable in further exploration using in vitro studies.     

New therapeutic vaccination strategies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) is currently treated with either interferon-based or nucleot(s)ide-based antiviral therapies. However, treatment with pegylated interferon alpha results in a durable antiviral response in only about 30% patients and is associated with side effects. Most patients receiving nucleot(s)ide analogue treatment do not establish long-term, durable control of infection and have rebounding viremia after cessation of therapy. Thus, novel therapy strategies are necessary to achieve the induction of potent and durable antiviral immune responses of the patients which can maintain long-term control of viral replication. Therapeutic vaccination of HBV carriers is a promising strategy for the control of hepatitis B. Here the authors review new therapeutic vaccination strategies to treat chronic hepatitis B which may be introduced for patient treatment in the future.     

乙型肝炎病毒B2和C2亚型中SSRs的比较分析

乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)属于嗜肝DNA病毒科(hepadnaviridae),它分布在世界各地并严重危害人类的健康。本文从NCBI的GenBank中下载了106条B2亚型和130条C2亚型的基因组全长序列,以下载的数据为材料,分析简单重复序列(simple sequence repeats,SSRs)在B2和C2亚型基因组序列中的分布情况。结果显示,简单重复序列的重复次数比较少;二型简单重复序列在研究的五种简单重复序列类型中占绝对优势;这可能与B2和C2亚型基因组序列有较高的突变率有关。同时还发现最普遍的SSRs、序列间SSRs的平均相对丰度和平均相对密度在B2和C2亚型中分布情况相似。