microRNA在乙型肝炎病毒感染及相关疾病中的作用

乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)是一种嗜肝性DNA病毒,感染后可导致急性和慢性肝炎,而慢性感染是导致肝硬化、肝癌和肝衰竭的主要病因。在乙型肝炎病毒复制、转录和相关疾病进程中,microRNA(miRNA)扮演着重要的角色。乙型肝炎病毒感染肝细胞后能引起细胞内microRNA表达谱的改变:一方面,microRNA能促进乙型肝炎病毒的转录和诱导宿主细胞向肿瘤细胞转化;另一方面,microRNA也能抑制乙型肝炎病毒包装和复制。重要的是,乙型肝炎病毒的感染能影响宿主血清microRNA的表达。因此,这类特殊的microRNA今后可成为乙型肝炎病毒相关疾病诊断的潜在生物标记物。将对乙型肝炎病毒与宿主microRNA之间相互作用及其相关生物学效应作一综述。     

Interference of hepatitis B virus with cellular signaling

The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) proteins leads to changes in the cellular gene expression. As a consequence, the cellular signaling processes are influenced by the actions of HBV proteins. It has been shown that HBV nucleocapsid protein and the amino-terminal part of polymerase termed as terminal protein (TP) could inhibit interferon signaling. Further, the global gene expression profiles differ in hepatoma cells with and without HBV gene expression and replication. The expression of interferon (IFN) stimulated genes (ISGs) was differently regulated in cells with HBV replication and could be modulated by antiviral treatments. The HBV TP has been found to modulate the ISG expression and enhance the HBV replication. The modulation of the cellular signaling processes by HBV may have significant implications for pathogenesis.     

The earliest steps in hepatitis B virus infection

The early steps in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a human hepadnavirus, initiates from cell attachment followed by entry and delivery of the genetic information to the nucleus. Despite the fact that these steps determine the virus-related pathogenesis, their molecular basis is poorly understood. Cumulative data suggest that this process can be divided to cell attachment, endocytosis, membrane fusion and post-fusion consecutive steps. These steps are likely to be regulated by the viral envelope proteins and by the cellular membrane, receptors and extracellular matrix. In the absence of animal model for HBV, the duck hepadnavirus DHBV turned out to be a fruitful animal model. Therefore data concerning the early, post-attachment steps in hepadnaviral entry are largely based on studies performed with DHBV in primary duck liver hepatocytes. These studies are now starting to illuminate the mechanisms of hepadnavirus route of cell entry and to provide some new insights on the molecular basis of the strict species specificity of hepadnavirus infection.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infections in nonhuman primates

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in nonhuman primates. Serum samples from Europe, Thailand and Vietnam were analyzed. Sera obtained from 262 apes and 454 monkeys were tested for HBV infection serologically and for HBV DNA using nested PCR (nPCR). A total number of 198 ape sera and all but one (Cercopithecus aethiops) of the 4543 monkey sera had no serological signs of HBV infection. Among the 64 of 262 (24.4%) seropositive ape sera, we found, as in humans, different stages of HBV infection: very early HBV infection, active infection with high level of infectivity, virus carriers with low infectivity, and passed HBV infection. In the cases with passed infection, 47.8% harbored HBV DNA in the presence of protective antibodies to the HBV surface antigen (HBsAb). This indicates HBV persistence in apes despite immune control. In contrast to apes, in monkeys HBV infection is a very rare event.     

Evaluation and identification of hepatitis B virus entry inhibitors using HepG2 cells overexpressing a membrane transporter NTCP

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) entry has been analyzed using infection-susceptible cells, including primary human hepatocytes, primary tupaia hepatocytes, and HepaRG cells. Recently, the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) membrane transporter was reported as an HBV entry receptor. In this study, we established a strain of HepG2 cells engineered to overexpress the human NTCP gene (HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells). HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells were shown to be susceptible to infection by blood–borne and cell culture-derived HBV. HBV infection was facilitated by pretreating cells with 3% dimethyl sulfoxide permitting nearly 50% of the cells to be infected with HBV. Knockdown analysis suggested that HBV infection of HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cells was mediated by NTCP. HBV infection was blocked by an anti-HBV surface protein neutralizing antibody, by compounds known to inhibit NTCP transporter activity, and by cyclosporin A and its derivatives. The infection assay suggested that cyclosporin B was a more potent inhibitor of HBV entry than was cyclosporin A. Further chemical screening identified oxysterols, oxidized derivatives of cholesterol, as inhibitors of HBV infection. Thus, the HepG2-hNTCP-C4 cell line established in this study is a useful tool for the identification of inhibitors of HBV infection as well as for the analysis of the molecular mechanisms of HBV infection.     

慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染自然史中HBsAg和HBsAb共存血清学模式分析

目的分析慢性乙肝病毒感染者HBsAg和HBsAb共存模式中血清学指标、HBV-DNA和肝酶等指标与自然病程的关系,探讨其临床意义。方法回顾性分析2016年重庆医科大学附属第一医院HBsAg和HBsAb双阳性患者的血清学指标、HBV-DNA和ALT、GGT检测结果,并对其感染的自然病程进行分析。结果 2016年该院HBsAg和HBsAb双阳性患者共520例,占全部HBV感染者的2.80%,占总送检标本数的0.42%。可分期的184例双阳性患者中,免疫耐受期47例(25.54%),免疫清除期17例(9.24%),低复制期108例(58.70%),再活动期12例(6.52%),HBsAg、HBsAg/HBsAb比值、HBV-DNA、ALT和GGT水平差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),低复制期患者HBsAg/HBsAb比值均低于其他患者(P<0.05)。不同分期患者HBsAb、年龄和性别比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),且HBsAb水平均较低。284例资料完整HBsAg和HBsAb共存病例中HBV-DNA阳性136例,占47.89%。HBsAg浓度与HBV-DNA载量成正相关(r=0.295,P<0.05),HBsAb浓度与HBV-DNA载量之间没有显著相关性(r=0.04,P>0.05)。结论 HBsAg和HBsAb共存患者并不少见,与性别无关,可发生在各个年龄阶段,以低复制期患者为最多。HBsAg和HBsAb共存患者中HBsAb多以低浓度形式存在,且浓度与自然病程无关。HBsAb的出现并非代表患者体内病毒复制停止,在诊断及治疗HBsAg和HBsAb共存模式的乙肝病毒感染者时仍需结合HBV-DNA载量来判断感染状态。     

减毒HAV在体外抑制HBV表达HBeAg和HBsAg的实验研究

目的　探索减毒甲型肝炎病毒( HAV) ( H2减毒株)在Hep G2 .2 .15细胞中对乙型肝炎病毒( HBV)表达HBs Ag和HBe Ag的影响。方法　在Hep G2 .2 .15细胞中,加入含3×10 - 2 ( 3×10 4 .5CCID50 / ml) ,3×10 - 3( 3×10 3.5CCID50 / ml)浓度的减毒HAV。按不同疫苗浓度,每4 d换液1次,留取第12和第16天的培养上清液;同时设立对照组。用微粒子酶免分析法检测培养上清液中的HBs Ag和HBe Ag含量。计算减毒HAV在不同浓度,以及不同作用时间长度的条件下,对Hep G2 .2 .15细胞表达HBs Ag和HBe Ag的影响。结果　3×10 - 2 Ampoule/ ml的减毒HAV作用Hep G2 .2 .5细胞12 d后,培养上清液的HBe Ag浓度为( 4 7.2 3±6 .18) S/ CO,低于对照组的( 10 1.15±15 .77) S/ CO,2组比较差异有非常显著性( P<0 .0 1) ;16 d后,上清液HBe Ag含量为( 4 0 .2 7±13.30 ) S/ CO,也显著低于对照组的( 6 5 .85±3.4 6 ) S/ CO( P<0 .0 5 ) ;HBs Ag含量为( 2 .6 8±0 .31) S/ N,低于对照组的( 5 .10±1.2 7)S/ N,差异有显著性( P<0 .0 5 )。而3×10 - 3Ampoule/ ml的减毒HAV作用Hep G2 .2 .15细胞12 d后,培养上清液的HBs Ag浓度与对照组比较有显著性下降( P<0 .0 5 )。结论　一定浓度的减毒HAV可能有直接抑制HBV表达HBs Ag,HBe Ag的作用     

Interaction of preS domains of hepatitis B virus with phospholipid vesicles

The role of preS domains of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope proteins in the first steps of viral infection has been restricted to their implication in virus attachment to a putative hepatocyte receptor. In order to explore a fusion activity in these regions, we used recombinant preS domains to characterize their interaction with liposomes. Binding experiments carried out with NBD-labeled proteins indicated that preS were able to interact in a monomeric way with acidic phospholipid vesicles, being the partition coefficient similar to that described for peptides which can insert deeply into bilayers. Fluorescence depolarization of DPH-labeled vesicles confirmed the specificity for negative charged phospholipids. Upon interaction the proteins induced aggregation, lipid mixing and release of internal contents of acidic vesicles at both acid and neutral pH in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, all these data indicate that preS domains are able to insert into the hydrophobic core of the bilayer. Moreover, the insertion resulted in a protein conformational change which increased the helical content. Therefore all these results suggest that, besides their participation in the recognition of a cellular receptor, the preS domains could be involved in the fusion mechanism of HBV with the plasma membrane of target cells.     

Duck hepatitis B virus requires cholesterol for endosomal escape during virus entry

The identity and functionality of biological membranes are determined by cooperative interaction between their lipid and protein constituents. Cholesterol is an important structural lipid that modulates fluidity of biological membranes favoring the formation of detergent-resistant microdomains. In the present study, we evaluated the functional role of cholesterol and lipid rafts for entry of hepatitis B viruses into hepatocytes. We show that the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) attaches predominantly to detergent-soluble domains on the plasma membrane. Cholesterol depletion from host membranes and thus disruption of rafts does not affect DHBV infection. In contrast, depletion of cholesterol from the envelope of both DHBV and human HBV strongly reduces virus infectivity. Cholesterol depletion increases the density of viral particles and leads to changes in the ultrastructural appearance of the virus envelope. However, the dual topology of the viral envelope protein L is not significantly impaired. Infectivity and density of viral particles are partially restored upon cholesterol replenishment. Binding and entry of cholesterol-deficient DHBV into hepatocytes are not significantly impaired, in contrast to their release from endosomes. We therefore conclude that viral but not host cholesterol is required for endosomal escape of DHBV.     

人乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)adr亚型基因组的多态性

由乙型肝炎adr亚型病毒(HBVadr)携带者26人的混合血清,得到了HBVadr基因组克隆株(PADR)158株,对这些克隆株进行四种限制性内切酶(BglⅡ,HindⅢ,PstⅠ,XhoⅠ)切点测定,并对其中S株的13种限制性内切酶图谱进行比较研究,发现同为adr亚型病毒,其基因组的限制性酶切图谱存在差异。另外,通过HindⅢ)切点得到的12个克隆株(PADR-H),也进行了酶切图谱分析。在这170个克隆株中,已经发现了5种类型的HBVadr基因组限制性酶切图谱,其中有6种酶(AvaⅠ,EglⅠ,BglⅡ,HincⅡ,HindⅢ,HpaⅠ)的7个变异点。本文报道了HBVadr基因组的多态性现象。     

Mechanism of inhibiting type I interferon induction by hepatitis B virus X protein

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is regarded as a stealth virus, invading and replicating efficiently in human liver undetected by host innate antiviral immunity. Here, we show that type I interferon (IFN) induction but not its downstream signaling is blocked by HBV replication in HepG2.2.15 cells. This effect may be partially due to HBV X protein (HBx), which impairs IFNβ promoter activation by both Sendai virus (SeV) and components implicated in signaling by viral sensors. As a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB), HBx cleaves Lys63-linked polyubiquitin chains from many proteins except TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). It binds and deconjugates retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG I) and TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3), causing their dissociation from the downstream adaptor CARDIF or TBK1 kinase. In addition to RIG I and TRAF3, HBx also interacts with CARDIF, TRIF, NEMO, TBK1, inhibitor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells, kinase epsilon (IKKi) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). Our data indicate that multiple points of signaling pathways can be targeted by HBx to negatively regulate production of type I IFN.     

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。     

Mutations and CpG islands among hepatitis B virus genotypes in Europe

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes have a distinct geographical distribution and influence disease progression and treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of HBV genotypes in Europe, the impact of mutation of different genotypes on HBV gene abnormalities, the features of CpG islands in each genotype and their potential role in epigenetic regulation.

Results

Of 383 HBV isolates from European patients, HBV genotypes A-G were identified, with the most frequent being genotype D (51.96%) in 12 countries, followed by A (39.16%) in 7 countries, and then E (3.66%), G (2.87%), B (1.57%), F (0.52%) and C (0.26%). A higher rate of mutant isolates were identified in those with genotype D (46.7%) followed by G (45.5%), and mutations were associated with structural and functional abnormalities of HBV genes. Conventional CpG island I was observed in genotypes A, B, C, D and E. Conventional islands II and III were detected in all A-G genotypes. A novel CpG island IV was found in genotypes A, D and E, and island V was only observed in genotype F. The A-G genotypes lacked the novel CpG island VI. “Split” CpG island I in genotypes D and E and “split” island II in genotypes A, D, E, F and G were observed. Two mutant isolates from genotype D and one from E were found to lack both CpG islands I and III.

Conclusions

HBV genotypes A-G were identified in European patients. Structural and functional abnormalities of HBV genes were caused by mutations leading to the association of genotypes D and G with increased severity of liver disease. The distribution, length and genetic traits of CpG islands were different between genotypes and their biological and clinical significances warrant further study, which will help us better understand the potential role of CpG islands in epigenetic regulation of the HBV genome.     

Toxic hepatitis induced by a herbal medicine: Tinospora crispa

Herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular in many countries. Tinospora species (Menispermaceae) is commonly used as a herbal medicine in South Asia, but very few toxic effects have been described. We report a case of acute hepatitis associated with chronic use of high doses of Tinospora crispa.A 49-year-old male with chronic low back pain bought a herbal medicine at a market in Vietnam that was supposed to be Tinospora crispa, and started to take 10 pellets per day. He had no medical history and did not take any other drugs or toxins. Four weeks later; he developed dark urine and pale stools, associated with asthenia and right hypochondrial pain. Two months after starting treatment, he was referred to the hepatology department with jaundice. Blood tests showed aspartate aminotransferase: 1.169 IU/l, alanine aminotransferase: 2.029 IU/l, total bilirubin: 20.47 mg/dl, direct bilirubin: 13.29 mg/dl, and γ-glutamyltransferase: 243 IU/l. Viral and autoimmune hepatitis were eliminated. Upper abdominal ultrasound was normal. Histopathological findings were consistent with a toxic reaction. The herbal medicine was stopped on admission and the patient fully recovered without treatment, with normal liver function 2 months after the acute episode. Tinospora crispa was clearly identified in the pellets by microscopic analysis of the botanical characters combined with chromatographic fingerprints.The use of herbal medicines containing Tinospora crispa can induce toxic hepatitis. Recovery can be complete after discontinuation. This case highlights the risk associated with traditional herbal remedies.