scholarly journals Generation of Hepatitis C Virus-Like Particles by Use of a Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Vector

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (23) ◽  
pp. 12325-12334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather J. Ezelle ◽  
Dubravka Markovic ◽  
Glen N. Barber

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major etiologic agent of hepatocellular carcinoma, presently infects approximately 400 million people worldwide, making the development of protective measures against HCV infection a key objective. Here we have generated a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which expresses the HCV structural proteins, by inserting the contiguous Core, E1, and E2 coding region of HCV into the VSV genome. Recombinant VSV expressing HCV Core, E1, and E2 (VSV-HCV-C/E1/E2) grew to high titers in vitro and efficiently expressed the incorporated HCV gene product, which became fully processed into the individual HCV structural proteins. Biochemical and biophysical analysis indicated that the HCV Core, E1, and E2 proteins assembled to form HCV-like particles (HCV-LPs) possessing properties similar to the ultrastructural properties of HCV virions. Mice immunized with VSV-HCV-C/E1/E2 generated cell-mediated immune responses to all of the HCV structural proteins, and humoral responses, particularly to E2, were also readily evident. Our data collectively indicate that engineered VSVs expressing HCV Core, E1, and E2 and/or HCV-LPs represent useful tools in vaccine and immunotherapeutic strategies designed to address HCV infection.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaelan Gobeil Odai ◽  
Conor O’Dwyer ◽  
Rineke Steenbergen ◽  
Tyler A. Shaw ◽  
Tyler M. Renner ◽  
...  

AbstractCholine is an essential nutrient required for normal neuronal and muscular development, as well as homeostatic regulation of hepatic metabolism. In the liver, choline is incorporated into the main eukaryotic phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and can enter one carbon metabolism via mitochondrial oxidation. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic positive-strand RNA virus that similar to other positive-strand RNA viruses can impact phospholipid metabolism. In the current study we sought to interrogate the link between choline transport and early HCV infection. Namely, we aimed to investigate how HCV modulates markers of choline metabolism following in vitro infection, while subsequently assessing how the inhibition of choline uptake and metabolism upon concurrent HCV infection may alter early viral replication. Finally, we assessed whether these parameters were consistent between cells cultured in fetal bovine serum (FBS) or human serum (HS), conditions known to differentially affect in vitro HCV infection. We observed that choline transport in FBS-cultured Huh7.5 cells is facilitated by the intermediate affinity transporter choline transporter-like family (CTL), and that CTL1 expression and the incorporation of choline into PC is diminished in 24 h infected FBS-cultured cells. Reciprocally, limiting the availability of choline for PC synthesis resulted in increased HCV replication at this early stage. In chronically HS-cultured Huh7.5 cells, there were no differences in the expression of choline transporters upon HCV infection or alterations to viral replication when choline transport was inhibited compared to control treatments. However, inhibiting choline uptake and metabolism in this system significantly impaired the production of infectious virions in HS-cultured cells. These results suggest that in addition to a known role of choline kinase, the transport of choline, potentially via CTL1, might also represent an important and regulated process during HCV infection.Abstract Figure


2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (18) ◽  
pp. 9079-9093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Pacini ◽  
Rita Graziani ◽  
Linda Bartholomew ◽  
Raffaele De Francesco ◽  
Giacomo Paonessa

ABSTRACT Naturally occurring hepatitis C virus (HCV) subgenomic RNAs have been found in several HCV patients. These subgenomic deletion mutants, mostly lacking the genes encoding envelope glycoproteins, were found in both liver and serum, where their relatively high abundance suggests that they are capable of autonomous replication and can be packaged and secreted in viral particles, presumably harboring the envelope proteins from wild type virus coinfecting the same cell. We recapitulated some of these natural subgenomic deletions in the context of the isolate JFH-1 and confirmed these hypotheses in vitro. In Huh-7.5 cells, these deletion-containing genomes show robust replication and can be efficiently trans-packaged and infect naïve Huh-7.5 cells when cotransfected with the full-length wild-type J6/JFH genome. The genome structure of these natural subgenomic deletion mutants was dissected, and the maintenance of both core and NS2 regions was proven to be significant for efficient replication and trans-packaging. To further explore the requirements needed to achieve trans-complementation, we provided different combinations of structural proteins in trans. Optimal trans-complementation was obtained when fragments of the polyprotein encompassing core to p7 or E1 to NS2 were expressed. Finally, we generated a stable helper cell line, constitutively expressing the structural proteins from core to p7, which efficiently supports trans-complementation of a subgenomic deletion encompassing amino acids 284 to 732. This cell line can produce and be infected by defective particles, thus representing a powerful tool to investigate the life cycle and relevance of natural HCV subgenomic deletion mutants in vivo.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaelan Gobeil Odai ◽  
Conor O’Dwyer ◽  
Rineke Steenbergen ◽  
Tyler A. Shaw ◽  
Tyler M. Renner ◽  
...  

Choline is an essential nutrient required for normal neuronal and muscular development, as well as homeostatic regulation of hepatic metabolism. In the liver, choline is incorporated into the main eukaryotic phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine (PC), and can enter one-carbon metabolism via mitochondrial oxidation. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic positive-strand RNA virus that similar to other positive-strand RNA viruses and can impact phospholipid metabolism. In the current study we sought to interrogate if HCV modulates markers of choline metabolism following in vitro infection, while subsequently assessing if the inhibition of choline uptake and metabolism upon concurrent HCV infection alters viral replication and infectivity. Additionally, we assessed whether these parameters were consistent between cells cultured in fetal bovine serum (FBS) or human serum (HS), conditions known to differentially affect in vitro HCV infection. We observed that choline transport in FBS- and HS-cultured Huh7.5 cells is facilitated by the intermediate affinity transporter, choline transporter-like family (CTL). HCV infection in FBS, but not HS-cultured cells diminished CTL1 transcript and protein expression at 24 h post-infection, which was associated with lower choline uptake and lower incorporation of choline into PC. No changes in other transporters were observed and at 96 h post-infection, all differences were normalized. Reciprocally, limiting the availability of choline for PC synthesis by use of a choline uptake inhibitor resulted in increased HCV replication at this early stage (24 h post-infection) in both FBS- and HS-cultured cells. Finally, in chronic infection (96 h post-infection), inhibiting choline uptake and metabolism significantly impaired the production of infectious virions. These results suggest that in addition to a known role of choline kinase, the transport of choline, potentially via CTL1, might also represent an important and regulated process during HCV infection.


2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 647-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiling Yang ◽  
Margaret Robinson ◽  
Amoreena C. Corsa ◽  
Betty Peng ◽  
Guofeng Cheng ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTGS-9451 is a selective hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease inhibitor in development for the treatment of genotype 1 (GT1) HCV infection. Key preclinical properties of GS-9451, includingin vitroantiviral activity, selectivity, cross-resistance, and combination activity, as well as pharmacokinetic properties, were determined. In multiple GT1a and GT1b replicon cell lines, GS-9451 had mean 50% effective concentrations (EC50s) of 13 and 5.4 nM, respectively, with minimal cytotoxicity; similar potency was observed in chimeric replicons encoding the NS3 protease gene of GT1 clinical isolates. GS-9451 was less active in GT2a replicon cells (EC50= 316 nM). Additive to synergisticin vitroantiviral activity was observed when GS-9451 was combined with other agents, including alpha interferon, ribavirin, and the polymerase inhibitors GS-6620 and tegobuvir (GS-9190), as well as the NS5A inhibitor ledipasvir (GS-5885). GS-9451 retained wild-type activity against multiple classes of NS5B and NS5A inhibitor resistance mutations. GS-9451 was stable in hepatic microsomes and hepatocytes from human and three other tested species. Systemic clearance was low in dogs and monkeys but high in rats. GS-9451 showed good oral bioavailability in all three species tested. In rats, GS-9451 levels were ∼40-fold higher in liver than plasma after intravenous dosing, and elimination of GS-9451 was primarily through biliary excretion. Together, these results are consistent with the antiviral activity observed in a recent phase 1b study. The results ofin vitrocross-resistance and combination antiviral assays support the ongoing development of GS-9451 in combination with other agents for the treatment of chronic HCV infection.


2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (14) ◽  
pp. 6993-7008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayaz M. Majid ◽  
Heather Ezelle ◽  
Sangeeta Shah ◽  
Glen N. Barber

ABSTRACT We have generated replication-competent (VSV-C/E1/E2) and nonpropagating (VSVΔG-C/E1/E2) vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) contiguously expressing the structural proteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV; core [C] and glycoproteins E1 and E2) and report on their immunogenicity in murine models. VSV-C/E1/E2 and VSVΔG-C/E1/E2 expressed high levels of HCV C, E1, and E2, which were authentically posttranslationally processed. Both VSV-expressed HCV E1-E2 glycoproteins were found to form noncovalently linked heterodimers and appeared to be correctly folded, as confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation analysis using conformationally sensitive anti-HCV-E2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Intravenous or intraperitoneal immunization of BALB/c mice with VSV-C/E1/E2 or VSVΔG-C/E1/E2 resulted in significant and surprisingly comparable HCV core or E2 antibody responses compared to those of control mice. In addition, both virus types generated HCV C-, E1-, or E2-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD8+ T cells, as determined by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) analysis. Mice immunized with VSVΔG-C/E1/E2 were also protected against the formation of tumors expressing HCV E2 (CT26-hghE2t) and exhibited CT26-hghE2t-specific IFN-γ-producing and E2-specific CD8+ T-cell activity. Finally, recombinant vaccinia virus (vvHCV.S) expressing the HCV structural proteins replicated at significantly lower levels when inoculated into mice immunized with VSV-C/E1/E2 or VSVΔG-C/E1/E2, but not with control viruses. Our data therefore illustrate that potentially safer replication-defective VSV can be successfully engineered to express high levels of antigenically authentic HCV glycoproteins. In addition, this strategy may therefore serve in effective vaccine and immunotherapy-based approaches to the treatment of HCV-related disease.


2013 ◽  
Vol 125 (9) ◽  
pp. 439-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-Lung Cheng ◽  
Keng-Hsueh Lan ◽  
Wei-Ping Lee ◽  
Szu-Han Tseng ◽  
Li-Rong Hung ◽  
...  

HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection affects an estimated 180 million people in the world's population. Adverse effects occur frequently with current standard treatment of interferon and ribavirin, while resistance of new direct anti-viral agents, NS3 protease inhibitors, is a major concern because of their single anti-HCV mechanism against the viral factor. New anti-viral agents are needed to resolve the problems. Amiodarone, an anti-arrhythmic drug, has recently been shown to inhibit HCV infection in vitro. The detailed mechanism has yet to be clarified. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the inhibitory effect of amiodarone on HCV life cycle. The effect of amiodarone on HCV life cycle was investigated in Huh-7.5.1 cells with HCVcc (cell culture-derived HCV), HCVpp (HCV pseudoviral particles), sub-genomic replicons, IRES (internal ribosomal entry site)-mediated translation assay, and intracellular and extracellular infectivity assays. The administration of amiodarone appeared to inhibit HCV entry independent of genotypes, which was attributed to the down-regulation of CD81 receptor expression. The inhibitory effect of amiodarone also manifested in the HCV assembly step, via the suppression of MTP (microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein) activity. Amiodarone revealed no effects on HCV replication and translation. With the host factor-targeting characteristics, amiodarone may be an attractive agent for the treatment of HCV infection.


2012 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Sandmann ◽  
Matthew Wilson ◽  
David Back ◽  
Heiner Wedemeyer ◽  
Michael P. Manns ◽  
...  

2002 ◽  
Vol 185 (8) ◽  
pp. 1165-1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Martin Lagging ◽  
Keith Meyer ◽  
Johan Westin ◽  
Rune Wejstål ◽  
Gunnar Norkrans ◽  
...  

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (24) ◽  
pp. 12121-12127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jujin Satoi ◽  
Kazumoto Murata ◽  
Martin Lechmann ◽  
Elanchezhiyan Manickan ◽  
Zhensheng Zhang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT To study the effect of genetic immunization on transgenic expression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins, we evaluated the immunological response of HCV transgenic mice to HCV expression plasmids. FVB/n transgenic mice expressing HCV structural proteins (core, E1, and E2) and wild-type (WT) FVB/n mice were immunized intramuscularly with plasmids expressing core (pHCVcore) or core/E1/E2 (pHCVSt). After immunization, HCV-specific humoral and cellular immune response was studied. Both WT and transgenic mice immunized with either HCV construct produced antibodies and exhibited T-cell proliferative responses against core or envelope. In WT mice immunized with pHCVSt, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activities were detected against E2 but not against core or E1, whereas strong CTL activities against core could be detected in WT mice immunized with pHCVcore. In pHCVSt-immunized, transgenic mice, CTL activities against the core or envelope were completely absent, but core-specific CTL activities could be detected in pHCVcore-immunized transgenic mice. A similar pattern of immune responses was also observed in other mouse strains, including a transgenic line expressing human HLA-A2.1 molecules (AAD mice). Despite the presence of a peripheral cellular immunity against HCV, no liver pathology or lymphocytic infiltrate was observed in these transgenic mice. Our study suggests a hierarchy of CTL response against the HCV structural proteins (E2 > core > E1) in vivo when the proteins are expressed as a polyprotein. The HCV transgenic mice can be induced by DNA immunization to generate anti-HCV antibodies and anticore CTLs. However, they are tolerant at the CTL level against the E2 protein despite DNA immunization.


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