High,Broad, Polyfunctional,and Durable T Cell Immune Responses Induced in Mice by a Novel Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Vaccine Candidate (MVA-HCV) Based on Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Expressing the Nearly Full-Length HCV Genome

A major goal in the control of hepatitis C infection is the development of a vaccine. Here, we have developed a novel HCV vaccine candidate based on the highly attenuated poxvirus vector MVA (referred to as MVA-HCV) expressing the nearly full-length (7.9-kbp) HCV sequence, with the aim to target almost all of the T and B cell determinants described for HCV. In infected cells, MVA-HCV produces a polyprotein that is subsequently processed into the structural and nonstructural HCV proteins, triggering the cytoplasmic accumulation of dense membrane aggregates. In both C57BL/6 and transgenic HLA-A2-vaccinated mice, MVA-HCV induced high, broad, polyfunctional, and long-lasting HCV-specific T cell immune responses. The vaccine-induced T cell response was mainly mediated by CD8 T cells; however, although lower in magnitude, the CD4⁺ T cells were highly polyfunctional. In homologous protocol (MVA-HCV/MVA-HCV) the main CD8⁺ T cell target was p7+NS2, whereas in heterologous combination (DNA-HCV/MVA-HCV) the main target was NS3. Antigenic responses were also detected against other HCV proteins (Core, E1-E2, and NS4), but the magnitude of the responses was dependent on the protocol used. The majority of the HCV-induced CD8⁺ T cells were triple or quadruple cytokine producers. The MVA-HCV vaccine induced memory CD8⁺ T cell responses with an effector memory phenotype. Overall, our data showed that MVA-HCV induced broad, highly polyfunctional, and durable T cell responses of a magnitude and quality that might be associated with protective immunity and open the path for future considerations of MVA-HCV as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccine candidate against HCV.     

Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Phenotypically Distinct Huh7 Cell Lines

In 2005, the first robust hepatitis C virus (HCV) infectious cell culture system was developed based on the HCV genotype 2a JFH-1 molecular clone and the human-derived hepatoma cell line Huh7. Although much effort has been made to dissect and expand the repertoire of JFH-1-derived clones, less attention has been given to the host cell despite the intriguing facts that thus far only Huh7 cells have been found to be highly permissive for HCV infection and furthermore only a limited number of Huh7 cell lines/stocks appear to be fully permissive. As such, we compiled a panel of Huh7 lines from disparate sources and evaluated their permissiveness for HCV infection. We found that although Huh7 lines from different laboratories do vary in morphology and cell growth, the majority (8 out of 9) were highly permissive for infection, as demonstrated by robust HCV RNA and de novo infectious virion production following infection. While HCV RNA levels achieved in the 8 permissive cell lines were relatively equivalent, three Huh7 lines demonstrated higher infectious virion production suggesting these cell lines more efficiently support post-replication event(s) in the viral life cycle. Consistent with previous studies, the single Huh7 line found to be relatively resistant to infection demonstrated a block in HCV entry. These studies not only suggest that the majority of Huh7 cell lines in different laboratories are in fact highly permissive for HCV infection, but also identify phenotypically distinct Huh7 lines, which may facilitate studies investigating the cellular determinants of HCV infection.     

Functional and Biochemical Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Particles Produced in a Humanized Liver Mouse Model

Lipoprotein components are crucial factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) assembly and entry. As hepatoma cells producing cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) particles are impaired in some aspects of lipoprotein metabolism, it is of upmost interest to biochemically and functionally characterize the in vivo produced viral particles, particularly regarding how lipoprotein components modulate HCV entry by lipid transfer receptors such as scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI). Sera from HCVcc-infected liver humanized FRG mice were separated by density gradients. Viral subpopulations, termed HCVfrg particles, were characterized for their physical properties, apolipoprotein association, and infectivity. We demonstrate that, in contrast to the widely spread distribution of apolipoproteins across the different HCVcc subpopulations, the most infectious HCVfrg particles are highly enriched in apoE, suggesting that such apolipoprotein enrichment plays a role for entry of in vivo derived infectious particles likely via usage of apolipoprotein receptors. Consistent with this salient feature, we further reveal previously undefined functionalities of SR-BI in promoting entry of in vivo produced HCV. First, unlike HCVcc, SR-BI is a particularly limiting factor for entry of HCVfrg subpopulations of very low density. Second, HCVfrg entry involves SR-BI lipid transfer activity but not its capacity to bind to the viral glycoprotein E2. In conclusion, we demonstrate that composition and biophysical properties of the different subpopulations of in vivo produced HCVfrg particles modulate their levels of infectivity and receptor usage, hereby featuring divergences with in vitro produced HCVcc particles and highlighting the powerfulness of this in vivo model for the functional study of the interplay between HCV and liver components.     

Functional Analysis of Cell Surface-Expressed Hepatitis C Virus E2 Glycoprotein

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoproteins E1 and E2, when expressed in eukaryotic cells, are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). C-terminal truncation of E2 at residue 661 or 715 (position on the polyprotein) leads to secretion, consistent with deletion of a proposed hydrophobic transmembrane anchor sequence. We demonstrate cell surface expression of a chimeric glycoprotein consisting of E2 residues 384 to 661 fused to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA), termed E2661-HATMCT. The E2661-HATMCT chimeric glycoprotein was able to bind a number of conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies and a recombinant soluble form of CD81, suggesting that it was folded in a manner comparable to "native" E2. Furthermore, cell surface-expressed E2661-HATMCT demonstrated pH-dependent changes in antigen conformation, consistent with an acid-mediated fusion mechanism. However, E2661-HATMCT was unable to induce cell fusion of CD81-positive HEK cells after neutral- or low-pH treatment. We propose that a stretch of conserved, hydrophobic amino acids within the E1 glycoprotein, displaying similarities to flavivirus and paramyxovirus fusion peptides, may constitute the HCV fusion peptide. We demonstrate that influenza virus can incorporate E2661-HATMCT into particles and discuss experiments to address the relevance of the E2-CD81 interaction for HCV attachment and entry.     

重组HCV NS5区蛋白抗原在丙型肝炎检测中的应用

对ＨＣＶ ＮＳ５区部分基因进行了克隆表达,获得优质ＮＳ５区蛋白抗原。通过对不同人群抗－ＮＳ５检测表明,随访３年和６年的输血后丙肝病例抗－ＮＳ５阳性率分别为７０．５％和８０．９％,随访８年和１１年慢性丙肝病例分别为５０．７％和８２．４％。一般人群阳性率仅为１．７％,正常献血员中未检出阳性。     

Cell-Cell Contact-Mediated Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Transfer,Productive Infection,and Replication and Their Requirement for HCV Receptors

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is believed to begin with interactions between cell-free HCV and cell receptors that include CD81, scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1), claudin-1 (CLDN1), and occludin (OCLN). In this study, we have demonstrated that HCV spreading from infected hepatocytes to uninfected hepatocytes leads to the transfer of HCV and the formation of infection foci and is cell density dependent. This cell-cell contact-mediated (CCCM) HCV transfer occurs readily and requires all these known HCV receptors and an intact actin cytoskeleton. With a fluorescently labeled replication-competent HCV system, the CCCM transfer process was further dissected by live-cell imaging into four steps: donor cell-target cell contact, formation of viral puncta-target cell conjugation, transfer of viral puncta, and posttransfer. Importantly, the CCCM HCV transfer leads to productive infection of target cells. Taken together, these results show that CCCM HCV transfer constitutes an important and effective route for HCV infection and dissemination. These findings will aid in the development of new and novel strategies for preventing and treating HCV infection.     

两株乙型肝炎病毒基因组结构分析及其复制和抗原表达特性的比较

为从全基因组水平研究乙型肝炎病毒（ＨＢＶ）的核苷酸结构及复制和抗原表达特性,分别从２例ＨＢｓＡｇ和ＨＢｅＡｇ阳性、ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ滴度为１０＾１４和１０＾１３拷贝／ｍｌ的慢性乙型肝炎患者（编号为５６和２－１８）血清中扩增、克隆了ＨＢＶ全基因组,并测定了核苷酸序列。两株病毒基因组转染ＨｅｐＧ２细胞的培养上清中ＨＢｓＡｇ水平基本相同,但＃５６毒株表达的ＨＢｅＡｇ约为＃２－１８株的３倍,Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｍ印     

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Genotype 1 Subtype Identification in New HCV Drug Development and Future Clinical Practice

Background

With the development of new specific inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) enzymes and functions that may yield different antiviral responses and resistance profiles according to the HCV subtype, correct HCV genotype 1 subtype identification is mandatory in clinical trials for stratification and interpretation purposes and will likely become necessary in future clinical practice. The goal of this study was to identify the appropriate molecular tool(s) for accurate HCV genotype 1 subtype determination.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A large cohort of 500 treatment-naïve patients eligible for HCV drug trials and infected with either subtype 1a or 1b was studied. Methods based on the sole analysis of the 5′ non-coding region (5′NCR) by sequence analysis or reverse hybridization failed to correctly identify HCV subtype 1a in 22.8%–29.5% of cases, and HCV subtype 1b in 9.5%–8.7% of cases. Natural polymorphisms at positions 107, 204 and/or 243 were responsible for mis-subtyping with these methods. A real-time PCR method using genotype- and subtype-specific primers and probes located in both the 5′NCR and the NS5B-coding region failed to correctly identify HCV genotype 1 subtype in approximately 10% of cases. The second-generation line probe assay, a reverse hybridization assay that uses probes targeting both the 5′NCR and core-coding region, correctly identified HCV subtypes 1a and 1b in more than 99% of cases.

Conclusions/Significance

In the context of new HCV drug development, HCV genotyping methods based on the exclusive analysis of the 5′NCR should be avoided. The second-generation line probe assay is currently the best commercial assay for determination of HCV genotype 1 subtypes 1a and 1b in clinical trials and practice.     

Follow-Up Study of Hypervariable Region Sequences of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Genome in an Infant with Delayed Anti-HCV Antibody Responses

An infant born prematurely and infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) one month after birth was followed for 4.5 years. The patient did not produce detectable anti-HCV antibodies until two years after the onset of hepatitis. Before seroconversion, a single clone of HCV, as determined by quasispecies of the hypervariable region (HVR) of the HCV genome, was almost exclusively found in the serum. After seroconversion, however, another distinct lineage of HCV clones replaced it within half a year. As HCV infection persisted further in the presence of anti-HCV antibodies, many derivatives of both sequence lineages emerged to exhibit the typical quasispecies feature of HVR sequences. Neither seroconversion nor the changes in HVR sequences influenced the serum aminotransferase titers.     

Liver Fibrosis,Host Genetic and Hepatitis C Virus Related Parameters as Predictive Factors of Response to Therapy against Hepatitis C Virus in HIV/HCV Coinfected Patients

Objective

To establish the role of liver fibrosis as a predictive tool of response to pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) treatment in human immunodeficiency (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected patients, in addition to recognized predictive factors (HCV load, HCV genotype, IL-28B polymorphism).

Patients and Methods

A sample of 267 HIV/HCV coinfected patients was treated with Peg-IFN and RBV. Predictive factors of rapid (RVR) and sustained (SVR) virological response were analyzed. Independent variables were age, sex, IL28B, −238 TNF-α and −592 IL-10 polymorphisms, HCV genotype, HCV-RNA levels, significant fibrosis or cirrhosis and CD4+ T cell count.

Results

Patients infected by HCV genotype 1 (n = 187) showed RVR and SVR in 12% and 39% of cases, respectively. The parameters associated with RVR were IL28B genotype CC and plasma HCV-RNA levels <600000 IU/ml. Advanced liver fibrosis was negatively associated with SVR in patients without RVR. A SVR was obtained in 42% of subjects with HCV genotype 4, and the independent factors associated with SVR were IL28B genotype CC and an HCV-RNA <600000 IU/ml. A SVR was obtained in 66% of patients with HCV genotypes 2/3; in this case, the independent parameter associated with SVR was the absence of significant liver fibrosis. TNF-α and IL-10 polymorphisms were not associated with SVR, although a significantly higher percentage of −238 TNF-α genotype GG was detected in patients with significant liver fibrosis.

Conclusions

In HIV/HCV coinfected patients with HCV genotypes 1 or 4, RVR, mainly influenced by genotype IL28B and HCV-RNA levels, reliably predicted SVR after 4 weeks of therapy with Peg-IFN plus RBV. In patients infected by HCV genotype 3, an elevated relapse rate compromised the influence of RVR on SVR. Relapses were related to the presence of advanced liver fibrosis. Liver cirrhosis was associated with a −238 TNF-α polymorphism in these patients.     

Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Replication by Specific RNA Aptamers against HCV NS5B RNA Replicase

This study identified specific and avid RNA aptamers consisting of 2′-hydroxyl- or 2′-fluoropyrimidines against hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B replicase, an enzyme that is essential for HCV replication. These aptamers acted as potent decoys to competitively impede replicase-catalyzed RNA synthesis activity. Cytoplasmic expression of the 2′-hydroxyl aptamer efficiently inhibited HCV replicon replication in human liver cells through specific interaction with, and sequestration of, the target protein without either off-target effects or escape mutant generation. A selected 2′-fluoro aptamer could be truncated to a chemically manufacturable length of 29 nucleotides (nt), with increase in the affinity to HCV NS5B. Noticeably, transfection of the truncated aptamer efficiently suppressed HCV replication in cells without escape mutant appearance. The aptamer was further modified through conjugation of a cholesterol or galactose-polyethylene glycol ligand for in vivo availability and liver-specific delivery. The conjugated aptamer efficiently entered cells and inhibited genotype 1b subgenomic and genotype 2a full-length HCV JFH-1 RNA replication without toxicity and innate immunity induction. Importantly, a therapeutically feasible amount of the conjugated aptamer was delivered in vivo to liver tissue in mice. Therefore, cytoplasmic expression of 2′-hydroxyl aptamer or direct administration of chemically synthesized and ligand-conjugated 2′-fluoro aptamer against HCV NS5B could be a potent anti-HCV approach.     

丙型肝炎病毒功能基因在CHO细胞中的表达研究

丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)与宿主细胞因子的相互作用已经成为国内外研究的热点和难点。近期研究已经证实HCV的感染对宿主多种途径中基因的转录均能产生影响。为了进一步研究究竟是HCV中的哪些功能基因在与特定细胞因子的相互作用中起主导作用,构建了分别含有HCV Core、E1、E2、p7、NS2、NS3、NS4A、NS4B、NS5A和NS5B基因的真核表达质粒,分别转入宿主细胞CHO-K1中,在G418的选择压力下筛选获得稳定表达HCV单个蛋白的细胞系(10株)。PCR和RT-PCR可分别从稳定细胞系中检测到相应的HCV基因的DNA和mRNA,冻存和复苏不会造成HCV基因的丢失。Western-blot检测到稳定细胞系中表达E1,E2和NS5B蛋白,说明HCV基因在CHO-K1中已经形成稳定表达。薄层层析(TLC)结果显示,含有不同HCV基因的稳定传代细胞系中,UDP-葡萄糖神经酰胺葡萄糖基转移酶(UGCG)活性均发生了不同程度的变化,其中E2和p7的表达使胞内UGCG的活性提高了约1倍,NS2和NS5A则使UGCG的酶活提高了约0.6倍。该稳定细胞系的建立为研究病毒与宿主因子的相互作用及药物筛选奠定了基础。     

丙型肝炎病毒功能基因在CHO细胞中的表达研究

丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）与宿主细胞因子的相互作用已经成为国内外研究的热点和难点。近期研究已经证实HCV的感染对宿主多种途径中基因的转录均能产生影响。为了进一步研究究竟是HCV中的哪些功能基因在与特定细胞因子的相互作用中起主导作用,构建了分别含有HCV Core、E1、E2、p7、NS2、NS3、NS4A、NS4B、NS5A和NS5B基因的真核表达质粒,分别转入宿主细胞CHO-K1中,在G418的选择压力下筛选获得稳定表达HCV单个蛋白的细胞系（10株）。PCR和RT-PCR可分别从稳定细胞系中检测到相应的HCV基因的DNA和mRNA,冻存和复苏不会造成HCV基因的丢失。Western-blot检测到稳定细胞系中表达E1,E2和NS5B蛋白,说明HCV基因在CHO-K1中已经形成稳定表达。薄层层析（TLC）结果显示,含有不同HCV基因的稳定传代细胞系中,UDP-葡萄糖神经酰胺葡萄糖基转移酶（UGCG）活性均发生了不同程度的变化,其中E2和p7的表达使胞内UGCG的活性提高了约1倍,NS2和NS5A则使UGCG的酶活提高了约0.6倍。该稳定细胞系的建立为研究病毒与宿主因子的相互作用及药物筛选奠定了基础。     

Hepatitis C Virus Non-structural Protein 3 (HCV NS3): A Multifunctional Antiviral Target

Hepatitis C virus non-structural protein 3 contains a serine protease and an RNA helicase. Protease cleaves the genome-encoded polyprotein and inactivates cellular proteins required for innate immunity. Protease has emerged as an important target for the development of antiviral therapeutics, but drug resistance has turned out to be an obstacle in the clinic. Helicase is required for both genome replication and virus assembly. Mechanistic and structural studies of helicase have hurled this enzyme into a prominent position in the field of helicase enzymology. Nevertheless, studies of helicase as an antiviral target remain in their infancy.