乙型肝炎病毒共价键闭环DNA的表观遗传调控研究进展

乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)感染仍然是威胁全球人类生命与健康的重要危险因素。虽然目前的抗病毒治疗药物在控制乙型肝炎进展有显著疗效,但却始终无法达到根治HBV感染的目标。HBV共价闭合环状DNA(HBV cccDNA)是HBV转录复制的原始模板,也是HBV持续感染的关键因素。但由于缺少有效的完全清除HBV cccDNA的治疗方法,慢性乙型肝炎患者需长期服药以防治疗后停药复发。研究证实HBV cccDNA的转录受表观遗传机制调控,其中cccDNA甲基化、组蛋白修饰、miRNA、染色质重塑等均影响HBV cccDNA的功能。本文就HBV表观遗传调控的最新研究进展进行综述。     

两种抽提乙型肝炎病毒共价闭合环状DNA方法的效果比较

乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)作为一种嗜肝DNA病毒,在感染肝细胞后会在细胞核中形成病毒转录复制的模板和基因储存库--共价闭合环状DNA(covalently closed circular DNA, cccDNA),其持续存在是乙型肝炎慢性化和难以治愈的核心,也是此研究领域内的重点。从细胞样品中稳定抽提获取cccDNA对于保证cccDNA检测的准确性至关重要。Hirt法是一种抽提真核细胞染色体外DNA的方法,被用于HBV cccDNA的抽提,但存在操作复杂和耗时长等问题。为简化操作,有研究对Hirt法进行改良,结合硅胶膜离心柱来抽提染色体外DNA,但尚不清楚该法用于HBV cccDNA抽提与传统Hirt法的效果差异。本研究基于HBV cccDNA细胞转染系统、HBV复制细胞系及感染系统,以DNA印迹(Southern blot)和定量聚合酶链式反应(quantitative polymerase chain reaction, qPCR)作为检测评价手段,平行比较了传统Hirt-酚/氯仿法与改良Hirt-过柱法抽提HBV cccDNA的效果。结果表明,两种方法具有相当的抽提效率和抽提特异性,而改良Hirt-过柱法耗时更短,提示在进行细胞HBV cccDNA抽提时可选择改良Hirt-过柱法以提高实验效率。     

重访乙型肝炎病毒感染肾脏的意义

乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)嗜肝性主要由病毒与受体作用的特异性、支持共价闭合环状DNA(covalently closed circular DNA,cccDNA)形成的宿主因子和促进病毒RNA转录的核因子3种因素决定。人的肾脏很可能也提供这些要素,且许多研究发现HBV感染标记存在于慢性乙型肝炎患者的肾脏细胞中。本文探讨了HBV感染肾脏的可能性。由于目前血清乙型肝炎表面抗原(hepatitis B surface antigen,HBsAg)消失是功能性治愈慢性乙型肝炎的关键指标,如果肾脏也是HBV感染、表达和复制的另一靶器官,则肾脏在功能性治愈慢性乙型肝炎中的作用不可忽视。     

SIRT3激动剂对乙肝病毒转录和复制的影响

该文探讨了SIRT3激动剂(Honokiol,HKL)对乙肝病毒(Hepatitis B virus,HBV)转录和复制的影响。培养HepG2-NTCP和人原代肝细胞(primary human hepatocytes,PHH),感染HBV颗粒后,用Honokiol(5μmol/L、10μmol/L、20μmol/L)处理细胞后继续培养10天,通过荧光定量PCR检测细胞内HBV DNA、cccDNA和HBV RNAs水平,Southern blot实验进一步检测胞内HBV DNA水平。构建SIRT3-KO细胞,检测敲除SIRT3后,Honokiol对细胞内HBV DNA、cccDNA和HBV RNAs的影响。通过小鼠尾静脉高压注射pCMV-KRAB-Cre质粒和precccDNA质粒构建持续感染小鼠模型,一周后腹腔注射Honokiol持续20天。荧光定量PCR检测小鼠血清中HBV DNA拷贝数,肝组织内HBV DNA、cccDNA和HBV RNAs水平。结果表明,Honokiol浓度依赖性地抑制HepG2-NTCP和PHH细胞内HBV DNA以及HBV RNAs水平,此外,Honokiol可以降低cccDNA的转录活性;敲除SIRT3后,Honokiol不能发挥抗病毒作用;小鼠模型中,Honokiol能够降低血清中HBV DNA和肝组织内HBV DNA拷贝数,以及能够显著抑制肝组织内HBV RNAs水平和cccDNA的转录活性。该研究结果表明,Honokiol能够抑制乙肝病毒转录和复制。     

抗乙肝病毒药物研究新进展

慢性病毒性乙型肝炎的根治是完全清除肝脏乙肝病毒,但是目前一线治疗药物恩替卡韦(ETV)和替诺福韦酯(TDF)等不能达到根治的目的。乙肝病毒cccDNA持续潜伏在肝细胞核中,机体的免疫应答也不能将其清除。目前用于治疗乙肝的药物包括核苷(酸)类似物、非核苷(酸)类似物和免疫调节剂,但这些药物均有各自的局限性,因此寻找新的药物作用靶点和研发新型抗乙肝病毒药物显得极为迫切。鉴于近年来乙肝病毒cccDNA和宿主免疫治疗的研究有了突破性进展,本文总结了新型乙肝病毒药物研究和发展现状,并展望了未来靶向病毒和宿主免疫反应的治疗策略。     

乙型肝炎病毒特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞在病毒清除过程中的作用

在乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染过程中,适应性免疫与病毒的致病和清除密切相关。一般认为,体液免疫产生的抗体可以清除外周循环的病毒颗粒,从而阻止病毒在宿主体内的传播,细胞免疫主要清除被感染细胞中的病毒。HBV特异性的细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)在抑制HBV复制过程中发挥着重要的作用。CTL在肝内主要通过分泌γ干扰素抑制病毒,同时,当CTL识别HBV抗原后,HBV特异性CTL募集抗原非特异性炎症细胞对肝组织浸润,造成肝细胞的损伤。对CTL抗病毒作用进行深入研究,将为乙型肝炎的治疗开辟新的途径。     

新发现,大用途——慢性乙型肝炎患者血清HBV RNA检测的应用

乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)在世界范围内流行。每年60余万人死于HBV感染所致的肝硬化、肝功能衰竭和肝细胞癌,极大地威胁着人类的生命健康,是一项世界范围内的公共卫生问题。核苷(酸)类和干扰素类药物是现今临床上应用最广泛的两类抗病毒药物,但它们都不能直接靶向肝细胞核内的共价闭合环状DNA(cccDNA),致使慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝组织内的cccDNA无法彻底清除而久治不愈,且停药后易复发使得患者不得不接受长期甚至终生的抗病毒治疗。cccDNA定量是临床评价治疗效果和预测停药终点的重要指标,但因需要肝组织穿刺活检,具有一定的局限性。血清HBV RNA作为cccDNA的转录产物,是反映cccDNA活性的理想血清学替代指标。对于这一新兴的病毒学指标,本文从其来源和本质与反映cccDNA活性的能力进行梳理,并围绕血清HBV RNA解读核苷(酸)类药物(NAs)对HBV复制的影响,以及病毒颗粒中核酸类型的变化,总结近年来慢性乙肝防治指南及专家共识对HBV RNA作为检测新指标的采纳情况,探讨其在CHB抗病毒治疗和新药研发过程中的指导意义。     

利用乙型肝炎病毒共价闭合环状DNA构建慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染的小鼠模型

目的通过水动力法注射乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)共价闭合环状DNA(cccDNA)构建C57BL/6小鼠慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染的模型。方法取29只C57BL/6小鼠,分为实验组、对照组和空白组,应用水动力法分别注射HBV cccDNA、pAAV-HBV1.2及等渗盐水,于注射后收集不同时间点的血清和肝组织。利用放射免疫法检测血清样本中乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原(HBsAg)和乙型肝炎病毒e抗原(HBeAg);荧光定量PCR检测血清和肝组织中HBV DNA拷贝数;免疫组织化学法检测肝组织中HBsAg和乙型肝炎病毒核心抗原(HBc Ag)的表达;苏木精-伊红(HE)染色观察肝组织病理变化;使用SPSS 17.0对数据进行统计学分析。结果实验组HBsAg和HBeAg表达均呈现4个上升-下降曲线:HBsAg峰值分别出现在第3天、第3周、第7周和第9周;HBeAg峰值分别出现在第1天、第1周、第4周和第10周。对照组HBsAg和HBeAg表达分别呈现2个或3个明显的峰:HBsAg峰值分别出现在第3天和第8周;HBeAg峰值分别出现在第1天、第3周和第10周。空白组未检测出HBsAg和HBeAg。实验组HBV DNA拷贝数高于对照组的拷贝数(P<0.01);肝组织中HBV DNA拷贝数高于同期血清中的拷贝数(P<0.01);实验组和对照组的肝组织中均有HBsAg和HBc Ag的表达;实验组与对照组出现肝脏细胞炎症、肝细胞纤维化、肝细胞坏死等病理变化,而空白组正常。结论利用水动力法向C57BL/6小鼠体内转入HBV cccDNA,成功建立了慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染的小鼠模型,与对照组比较,新建立的小鼠乙肝模型具有更高的HBV表达,动物模型为研究乙型肝炎病毒HBV cccDNA的感染及其引起肝损伤的机制奠定了基础。     

病毒性肝炎患者抗—HBcIgA 、IgE 、IgG 、IgM 平行检测的临床意义

目的：通过对乙肝病人血清抗-HBcIgA、HBcIgE、HbcIgc、HbcIgM平行检测进一步地探讨其临床应用价值。方法：收集216份乙肝病人血清（均为我院住院病人的血清）,采用ELISA法对病人血清抗-HBcIgA、HBcIgE、HBcIgc、HBcIgM平行检测,并对检测结果作统计学分析。结果：检测结果表明：抗-HBcIgA是HBV感染后肝脏损害的明显标志,抗-HBdgE是HBV感染后乙型肝炎慢性化的标志,抗-HBcIgG持续存在则是以往感染的标志,抗-HBcIgM是HBV感染后病毒持续复制的标志。结论：在急慢性乙型肝炎、慢活肝与慢迁肝鉴别诊断中,平行检测病人血清抗-HBcIgA、HBcIgE、HbcIgG、HbcIgM对乙型肝炎慢性化及其预后估价均有重要临床意义。     

乙型肝炎病毒相关性肾炎发病机制研究进展

乙型肝炎病毒相关性肾炎(hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis,HBV-GN)的发病机制尚未完全清楚,主要包括:①免疫复合物沉积介导的肾损伤是公认的主要发病机制。②乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)直接感染肾脏,可原位表达其HBV抗原(HBAg)及其他产物介导肾损伤。③HBV感染后可导致宿主免疫功能缺陷,病毒不能被清除,体内持续存在的病毒可造成肾脏损伤迁延进展。④HBV基因变异可导致病毒致病力改变,并影响机体清除病毒。⑤遗传因素相关研究表明存在HBV-GN的易感基因。     

乙肝患者肝组织乙型肝炎病毒cccDNA和血清MIF表达的相关性研究

目的:探讨乙肝患者肝组织乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)共价闭合环状DNA(covalently closed circular DNA,cccDNA)和血清巨噬细胞移动抑制因子(Macrophage migration inhibitory factor,MIF)的表达相关性。方法:选择2016年2月到2016年7月在我院诊治的乙肝患者144例作为乙肝组,同期选择体格检查健康者144例作为对照组,采集所有入选者的血清样本,检测血清MIF、谷丙转氨酶(Glutamic pyruvic transaminase,ALT)、谷草转氨酶(Glutamic pyruvic aminotransferase,AST)、总胆红素(total bilirubin,TBIL)的表达,并对乙肝组患者肝组织HBV cccDNA采用荧光定量PCR技术检测表达分析,直线相关分析乙肝组的血清HBV cccDNA表达量与血清ALT、TBi L、AST、MIF含量相关性。结果:乙肝组的血清MIF、ALT、TBi L、AST含量均明显高于对照组(P0.05)。乙肝组的肝组织HBV cccDNA阳性率为54.17%(78/144)。直线相关分析显示乙肝组的肝组织HBV cccDNA表达量与血清ALT、TBi L、AST、MIF含量均呈现明显正相关性(P0.05)。结论:乙肝患者体内血清MIF水平明显升高,伴肝组织HBV cccDNA的表达也升高,两者存在明显的正相关性。因此检测血清MIF水平有助于评估乙肝患者HBV的感染情况。     

Recent advances in the study of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA

Chronic hepatitis B infection is caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and a total cure is yet to be achieved. The viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the key to establish a persistent infection within hepatocytes. Current antiviral strategies have no effect on the pre-existing cccDNA reservoir. Therefore, the study of the molecular mechanism of cccDNA formation is becoming a major focus of HBV research. This review summarizes the current advances in cccDNA molecular biology and the latest studies on the elimination or inactivation of cccDNA, including three major areas: (1) epigenetic regulation of cccDNA by HBV X protein, (2) immune-mediated degradation, and (3) genome-editing nucleases. All these aspects provide clues on how to finally attain a cure for chronic hepatitis B infection.

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Generation of Covalently Closed Circular DNA of Hepatitis B Viruses via Intracellular Recycling Is Regulated in a Virus Specific Manner

Persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection requires covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA formation and amplification, which can occur via intracellular recycling of the viral polymerase-linked relaxed circular (rc) DNA genomes present in virions. Here we reveal a fundamental difference between HBV and the related duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) in the recycling mechanism. Direct comparison of HBV and DHBV cccDNA amplification in cross-species transfection experiments showed that, in the same human cell background, DHBV but not HBV rcDNA converts efficiently into cccDNA. By characterizing the distinct forms of HBV and DHBV rcDNA accumulating in the cells we find that nuclear import, complete versus partial release from the capsid and complete versus partial removal of the covalently bound polymerase contribute to limiting HBV cccDNA formation; particularly, we identify genome region-selectively opened nuclear capsids as a putative novel HBV uncoating intermediate. However, the presence in the nucleus of around 40% of completely uncoated rcDNA that lacks most if not all of the covalently bound protein strongly suggests a major block further downstream that operates in the HBV but not DHBV recycling pathway. In summary, our results uncover an unexpected contribution of the virus to cccDNA formation that might help to better understand the persistence of HBV infection. Moreover, efficient DHBV cccDNA formation in human hepatoma cells should greatly facilitate experimental identification, and possibly inhibition, of the human cell factors involved in the process.     

Effects of Entecavir on Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA in Hepatitis B e Antigen-Positive Patients with Hepatitis B

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 48-week entecavir therapy on serum and intrahepatic hepatitis B virus, covalently closed circular DNA (HBV cccDNA) levels in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients. A total of 120 patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis were treated with entecavir for 48 weeks. Serum HBV markers, total HBV DNA, and HBV cccDNA levels were measured at baseline and week 48. Biopsies from 20 patients were available for both intrahepatic total HBV DNA and cccDNA testing at these timepoints. HBV cccDNA levels were decreased from a median level of 5.1×10⁶ copies/mL at baseline to a median level of 2.4×10³ copies/mL at week 48. Reduction magnitudes of HBV cccDNA in patients with normalized alanine aminotransferase levels and those undergoing HBeAg seroconversion were significantly greater than those in alanine aminotransferase-abnormal and HBeAg positive patients. Intrahepatic HBV cccDNA was decreased significantly after 48 weeks of treatment, but could not be eradicated. In conclusion, treatment of HBeAg-positive hepatitis B patients with entecavir for 48 weeks decreased serum and intrahepatic HBV cccDNA significantly, and the magnitude of HBV cccDNA reduction was related to total HBV DNA decrease, alanine aminotransferase normalization, and HBeAg seroconversion.     

Concerted action of activation-induced cytidine deaminase and uracil-DNA glycosylase reduces covalently closed circular DNA of duck hepatitis B virus

Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) forms a template for the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and duck HBV (DHBV). Recent studies suggest that activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) functions in innate immunity, although its molecular mechanism of action remains unclear, particularly regarding HBV restriction. Here we demonstrated that overexpression of chicken AID caused hypermutation and reduction of DHBV cccDNA levels. Inhibition of uracil-DNA glycosylase (UNG) by UNG inhibitor protein (UGI) abolished AID-induced cccDNA reduction, suggesting that the AID/UNG pathway triggers the degradation of cccDNA via cytosine deamination and uracil excision.     

Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus cccDNA by siRNA in Transgenic Mice

The elimination of viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) from the nucleus of infected hepatocytes is an obstacle to achieving sustained viral clearance during antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of our study was to determine whether treatment with siRNA is able to suppress viral cccDNA amplification using a HBV-transgenic mice model. The experimental results revealed that siRNAs can serve as efficient alternative anti-HBV agents, because they showed better inhibitory effect on viral replication and antigen expression in transgenic mice. More importantly, the siRNA markedly inhibited HBV cccDNA amplification.