Inhibition of hepatitis B virus expression and replication by RNA interference in HepG2.2.15

INTRODUCTION Hepatitis B is a severe infectious disease threatening peoples’ health all over the world. There is still no efficient therapy to control HBV persistent replication, which may lead to the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellualar ca…     

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus gene expression and replication by artificial microRNA

AIM： To investigate the inhibitory effects of hepatitis B virus （HBV） replication and expression by transfecting artificial microRNA （amiRNA） into HepG2.2.15 cells. METHODS： Three amiRNA-HBV plasmids were constructed and transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells. HBV antigen secretion was detected in the cells with transient and stable transfection by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays （TRFIA）. HBV DNA replication was examined by ？ uorescence quantitative PCR, and the level of HBV S mRNA was measured by semi- quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS： The efficiency of transient transfection of the vectors into 2.2.15 cells was 55%-60%. All the vectors had significant inhibition effects on HBsAg and HBeAg at 72 h and 96 h after transfection （P 〈 0.01 for all）. The secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg into the supernatant was inhibited by 49.8% ± 4.7% and 39.9% ± 6.7%, respectively, at 72 h in amiRNA- HBV-S608 plasmid transfection group. The copy of HBV DNA within culture supernatant was also significantly decreased at 72 h and 96 h after transfection （P 〈0.01 for all）. In the cells with stable transfection, the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg into the supernatant was significantly inhibited in all three transfection groups （P 〈 0.01 for all, vs negative control）. The copies of HBV DNA were inhibited by 33.4% ± 3.0%, 60.8% ± 2.3% and 70.1% ± 3.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION： In HepG2.2.15 cells, HBV replication and expression could be inhibited by artif icial microRNA targeting the HBV S coding region. Vector-based artificial microRNA could be a promising therapeutic approach for chronic HBV infection.     

乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)反基因与HBV的结合及对HBV复制的影响

目的 研究三螺旋形成寡核苷酸与HBV基因的结合情况及其对HBV复制的影响。方法 全盛一段能与HBV核心启动子位点（1734-1753nt)形成三螺旋的寡核苷酸（TF020）并标记上生物素分别用脂质体-TF020及裸TF020转染HepG2.2.15细胞,用链酶亲和素-生物素法（SABC）检测其转染效率及其与HepG2.2.15细胞中HBVDNA的结合情况;并采用ELISA、半定量逆转录（RT）-PCR及荧光定量PCR法分别检测经寡核苷酸处理的HepG2.2.15细胞及空白对照细胞上清HBsAg、HBeAg、HBV DNA及细胞中HBV RNA的水平。结果 脂质体-TF020转染HepG2.2.15细胞的效率可达80%,而裸TFO20转染率最高为40%;TF020主要定位于细胞核及胞浆中,TF020处理组细胞上清中HBsAg、HBeAg含量分别较空白对照组降低37.0%及78.2%,HBV DNA水平较空白对照组明显降低;而细胞中2.4kb/2.1kb RNA、3.5kb/3.4kbRNA亦分别降低31.6%及70.2Z%。结论 TF020通过脂质体包裹后可以很好地进入细胞并与HBV DNA结合;TF020能够有效地抑制HBV复制,发挥抗病毒作用。     

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by pokeweed antiviral protein in vitro

AIM： To explore the inhibitory effects of pokeweed antiviral protein seed （PAP-S） and PAP encoded by a eukaryotic expression plasmid on hepatitis B virus （HBV） replication in vitro. METHODS： HepG2 2.2.15 cells in cultured medium were treated with different concentrations of PAP-S. HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA in supernatants were determined by ELISA and fluorescent quantitative PCR respectively. MTT method was used to assay for cytotoxicity. HepG2 were cotransfected with various amounts of PAP encoded by a eukaryotic expression plasmid and replication competent wild-type HBV 1.3 fold overlength plasmid. On d 3 after transfection, HBsAg and HBeAg were determined by using ELISA. Levels of HBV core-associated DNA and RNA were detected by using Southern and Northern blot, respectively. RESULTS： The inhibitory effects of PAP-S on HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA were gradually enhanced with the increase of PAP concentration. When the concentration of PAP-S was 10 μg/mL, the inhibition rates of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA were 20.9%, 30.2% and 50%, respectively. After transfection of 1.0 μg and 2.0 μg plasmid pXF3H-PAP, the levels of HBV nucleocapside- associated DNA were reduced by 38.0% and 74.0% respectively, the levels of HBsAg in the media by 76.8% and 99.7% respectively, and the levels of HBeAg by 72.7% and 99.3% respectively as compared with controls. Transfection with 2 μg plasmid pXF3H-PAP reduced the levels of HBV nucleocapside-associated RNA by 69.0%.CONCLUSION： Both PAP-S and PAP encoded by a eukaryotic expression plasmid could effectively inhibit HBV replication and antigen expression in vitro, and the inhibitory effects were dose-dependent.     

Combination of small interfering RNA and lamivudine on inhibition of human B virus replication in HepG2.2.15 cells

AIM: To observe the inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and expression by combination of siRNA and lamivudine in HepG2.2.15 cells. METHODS: Recombinant plasmid psil-HBV was constructed and transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells. The transfected cells were cultured in lamivudine-containing medium (0.05 μmol/L) and harvested at 48, 72 and 96 h. The concentration of HBeAg and HBsAg was determined using ELISA. HBV DNA replication was examined by real- time PCR and the level of HBV mRNA was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: In HepG2.2.15 cells treated with combination of siRNA and lamivudine, the secretion of HBeAg and HBsAg into the supernatant was found to be inhibited by 91.80% and 82.40% (2.89 ± 0.48 vs 11.73 ± 0.38, P < 0.05; 4.59 ± 0.57 vs 16.25 ± 0.48, P < 0.05) at 96 h, respectively; the number of HBV DNA copies within culture medium was also significantly decreased at 96 h (1.04 ± 0.26 vs 8.35 ± 0.33, P < 0.05). Moreover, mRNA concentration in HepG2.2.15 cells treated with combination of siRNA and lamivudine was obviously lower compared to those treated either with siRNA or lamivudine (19.44 ± 0.17 vs 33.27 ± 0.21 or 79.9 ± 0.13, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combination of siRNA and lamivudine is more effective in inhibiting HBV replication as compared to the single use of siRNA or lamivudine in HepG2.2.15 cells.     

长片段RNA抑制HepG2.2.15细胞中HBV基因的表达和复制

目的 评估长的反义RNA干扰片段在培养细胞株中对HBV复制的抑制效应.方法将HBV基因组S区的全部核苷酸序列插入至pTARGETTM载体中,并将重组载体转染入HepG2.2.15细胞中.用酶联免疫吸附法检测HBsAg与HBeAg水平,用荧光定量PCR法检测HBVDNA水平.对数据采用多个独立样本Kruskal-Wallis检验与两两比较的Mann-Whitney U检验.结果 经过处理后,HepG2.2.15细胞上清液中HBsAg表达量(A值)在HBS2组(携带长片段反义RNA)为0.621±0.027,在HBS4组(携带正义RNA)为3.399±0.018,对照组为2.232±0.187;HBeAg表达量(A值)在HBS2组、HBS4组和对照组分别为0.749±0.019、1.548±0.025和1.570±0.044; HBV DNA水平(×104拷贝/ml)在HBS2组、HBS4组、对照组分别为1.597±0.082、3.381±0.297和3.610±0.063.与对照组相比,HBS2组HBsAg、HBeAg和HBV DNA表达量均降低,统计量Z值均为-2.309,P值均＜0.05; HBS4组HBsAg表达量增高(Z=-2.309,P＜0.05),而HBeAg和HBV DNA表达量无明显差异,统计量Z值分别为-0.866、-1.155,P值均＞0.05.结论 长片段反义RNA能抑制HBV基因的表达和病毒复制.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effects of long antisense RNA on HBV replication in HepG2.2.15 cells. Methods The coding region of HBV S gene was cloned into pTARGET vector in sense and antisense orientations and the recombinant plasmids were transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells which were divided into HBS2 (antisense RNA) group, HBS4 (sense RNA) group and control group. HBsAg and HBeAg in the culture supernant were detected by ELISA. The HBV DNA in the supernant was quantified by real-time PCR. Results After treatment, the levels of HBsAg in HepG2.2.15 cell supernatants of three groups were 0.621 ± 0.027, 3.399 ± 0.018 and 2.232 ± 0.187 respectively; the levels of HBeAg were 0.749 ± 0.019,1.548 ± 0.025 and 1.570 ± 0.044 respectively and the levels of HBV DNA were 1.597 ± 0.082, 3.381 ± 0.297 and 3.610 ± 0.063 respectively. The expressions of HBsAg and HBeAg and the HBV DNA level in HBS2 group were remarkably reduced as compared to the control (Z = -2.309, P ＜ 0.05); whereas the sense plasmid transfection (HBS4) did not affect HBeAg (Z= -0.866) and HBV DNA (Z = -1.155) levels in the culture supernant but slightly increased the HBsAg level (Z = -2.309). Conclusion Antisense RNA might be a useful tool to repress HBV replication.     

甲胎蛋白启动子介导反义乙型肝炎病毒X基因在肝癌细胞中的表达及其作用

目的 构建含甲胎蛋白(AFP)启动子和增强子的反义乙型肝炎病毒X基因(HBX)真核表达载体，研究其特异性和有效性，为开发肝癌细胞特异性HBX反义RNA基因治疗乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)奠定基础。方法 聚合酶链反应(PCR)扩增HBX(1370—1872nt)基因，克隆至EB病毒表达载体，双轮PCR筛选、鉴定基因插入方向。脂质体转染肝癌细胞和ECV304细胞，Northernblot检测HBX mRNA的表达，酶联免疫试验(ELISA)检测HBV抗原，荧光定量PCR检测HBV DNA。结果 成功构建正、反义RNA表达载体pEBAF—s—HBX、pEBAF—as—HBX。Northernblot证实反义RNA仅在AFP阳性的肝癌细胞中表达。pEBAF—as—HBX转染3d后，可显著抑制2．2．15细胞HBV复制和抗原表达，其HBsAg、HBeAg抗原表达较正义对照分别下降37．9％和36．8％，HBV DNA降低25％。结论 反义RNA表达载体pEBAF—as—HBX仅在肝癌细胞中特异表达、并可有效抑制HBV，有良好的开发应用前景。     

三螺旋形成寡核苷酸抑制乙型肝炎病毒复制及抗原合成的实验研究

目的 探讨三螺旋形成寡核苷酸抗乙型肝炎病毒（ＨＢＶ）作用。方法 针对ＨＢＶ核心启动子ＳＰ１位点,合成２１ｍｅｒ硫代磷酸三螺旋形成寡核苷酸及２１ｍｅｒ无关对照寡核苷酸。采用ＬＥＩＳＡ,斑点杂交法分别检测了经寡核苷酸处理的ＨｅｐＧ２．２．１５细胞及空白对照组细胞培养上清ＨＢｓＡｇ,ＨＢｅＡｇ及ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ水平。结果 ＴＦＯ２１组２．２．１５细胞ＨＢｓＡｇ及ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ分泌量明显低于空白对照组。ＴＦ     

Dynamic analysis of hepatitis B virus DNA and its antigens in 2.2.15 cells

The 2.2.15 cells-derived from HepG2 cells transfected with a plasmid containing hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA secrete surface antigen (HBsAg) particles, nucleocapsids and virions (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1987; 84: 1005-1009). The latter elicit acute hepatitis in chimpanzees (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1987; 84: 4641-4644). We studied the presence of intracellular and extracellular HBV covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA in this culture system by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), kinetically analysed HBsAg and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) released in the culture media by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitated by real-time PCR but HBV DNA from intracellular and extracellular HBV-DNA. HBV cccDNA was found both intracellularly and extracellularly. A significant correlation was seen between the extracellular HBV DNA levels and virus antigens (r = 0.833; P = 0.01 and r = 0.939; P < 0.01 for HBsAg and HBeAg, respectively), whereas there was no statistical correlation between intracellular HBV DNA levels and virus antigen levels (r = 0.024; P = 0.955 and r = 0.177; P = 0.625 for HBsAg and HBeAg, respectively). These data would be valuable in studies of the HBV life cycle and of potential anti-viral agents.     

RNA干扰技术用于抗乙型肝炎病毒的实验研究

目的 构建针对乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原(HBsAg)和核心抗原的小干扰RNA(siRNA)表达载体pSuper-C，观察其对HepG2 2．2．15细胞(简称2、2．15细胞)中HBV DNA转录和翻译相应蛋白的影响。方法 根据RNA干扰(RNAi)作用原理设计针对HBV核心区的相应序列，再将其克隆入含聚合酶ⅢH1-RNA启动子的真核表达载体pSuper，将此重组质粒以电转染法转入2．2．15细胞中，用酶联免疫吸附法(Abbott试剂)检测培养上清液中HBsAg和e抗原(HBeAg)的表达。结果 经酶切鉴定、电泳和测序分析证明，成功构建了含作用序列的重组质粒pSuper-C；但以电穿孔法转染 2．2．15细胞后末能发现其对2．2．15细胞培养上清液中的HBsAg和HBeAg的表达有影响。结论 RNAi在2．2．15细胞中的作用还需进一步的实验来证实。     

N-terminal and C-terminal cytosine deaminase domain of APOBEC3G inhibit hepatitis B virus replication

INTRODUCTION Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects more than 350 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and of hepatocellular carcinoma[1]. HBV is non- cytopathic for hepatocytes; however, most newly HBV-infected adult patien…     

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus by retroviral vectors expressing antisense RNA

Two retroviral vectors carrying an antisense gene from the hepatitis B virus (HBV) preS/S or preC/C were constructed and used to infect the human hepatoblastoma cell line 2.2.15, which expresses HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), HBV e antigen (HBeAg) and releases HBV particles. The results showed that the inhibitory effects of antisense gene transfer, mediated by retroviral vectors on the expression of HBV antigens, appeared as early as day 3 after transduction, reached a maximum on day 5 and persisted for at least 11 days. Our data indicate that, on day 5 after introduction, antisense preS/S inhibited HBsAg and HBeAg expression by 71% and 23%, and the antisense preC/C inhibited HBsAg and HBeAg expression by 23% and 59%. HBV DNA production, in the supernatant of the 2.2.15 cells transduced with either antisense preS/S or preC/C, was also reduced on day 5, but the viability of the 2.2.15 cells was not affected. Our results demonstrate that the replication and expression of HBV can be inhibited through antisense gene transfer mediated by retroviral vectors and that the antisense-preC/C or antisense-preS/S may be potentially useful for clinical gene therapy against HBV.     

青蒿琥酯对乙型肝炎病毒复制及肝癌细胞株HepG2.2.15凋亡的影响

目的 探讨青蒿琥酯在体外对乙型肝炎病毒复制及肝癌细胞株HepG2.2.15凋亡的影响.方法 将不同浓度青蒿琥酯作用于转染乙型肝炎病毒全基因组DNA的肝癌细胞株HepG2.2.15,收集48 h上清,采用酶联免疫吸附实验检测上清中乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原(HBsAg)和e抗原(HBeAg),采用荧光定量PCR法检测HBV-DNA,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡.结果 青蒿琥酯对HBV复制具有抑制作用,随着浓度增加,对HBsAg和HBeAg的抑制率逐渐上升,细胞内HBV-DNA 复制水平下降;青蒿琥酯可诱导肝癌细胞早期凋亡及导致细胞死亡,随浓度增加,HepG2.2.15细胞早期凋亡率及死亡率均增加.结论 青蒿琥酯对HepG2.2.15细胞HBsAg和HBeAg的分泌及HBV-DNA复制具有抑制作用,并具有诱导HepG2.2.15细胞凋亡的作用.     

HDV核酶对乙型肝炎病毒抑制作用的研究

目的研究HDV核酶在细胞内对乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)复制及其抗原表达的抑制作用。方法1)以HBV前基因组mRNA为靶基因,体外筛选出HDV核酶有效作用位点,构建HDV核酶并进行体外测活;2)分别选用tRNA-Val、U6和hCMV 3种真核启动子,重组构建HDV核酶真核表达载体ptVHRz、pSURz和pcDHRz,分别用3种载体转染HepG2.2.15细胞;3)用点杂交、ELISA和实时荧光定量PCR方法分别检测核酶在细胞内的表达及对HBV的抑制作用。结果在HBV C基因区筛选到一位点,所构建的HDV核酶在体外条件下对该位点能产生有效切割。3种核酶表达载体在细胞内均能高效表达,在转染48 h后,ptVHRz和pcDHRz对HBeAg的表达产生了明显的抑制作用,而对HBsAg没有抑制作用。三者对HBV的复制均未产生明显影响。结论HDV核酶在细胞内对HBV抗原的表达能产生特异性抑制作用,但未能有效抑制HBV的复制,对其原因需进一步深入研究。     

靶向S区和C区基因的M1GS RNA核酶共同抑制HBV的表达

目的:研究靶向HBVS区和C区基因的M1GSRNA核酶共同作用对HBV基因表达的影响.方法:选择HBVayw亚型S区基因294nt和C区基因2333nt为切割位点,以含有编码M1RNA的DNA序列的质粒pTK117为模板,通过PCR扩增得到M1GSRNA核酶的DNA模板,并将其克隆至真核表达载体pEGFP-C1得到重组质粒pEGFP-GSS和pEGFP-GSC.将2个重组质粒共转染HepG2.2.15细胞,转染后ELISA法测细胞培养液中的HBsAg和HBeAg,RT-PCR检测HBVmRNA.结果:成功构建了分别靶向HBVS区基因和C区基因的真核表达载体.共转染HepG2.2.15细胞后,HBsAg和HBeAg的表达分别被抑制了33.2%和39.1%,HBVCmRNA和SmRNA分别被抑制了32.5%和29.7%,而HepG2.2.15细胞的增殖无明显变化.结论:靶向HBVS区和C区基因的M1GSRNA核酶共同作用可特异性抑制HBVS区和C区基因的表达.     

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication in 2.2.15 cells by expressed shRNA

Summary.  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide health problem. To determine whether RNA interference (RNAi) could inhibit ongoing HBV replication in 2.2.15 cells, we constructed shRNA-producing vector pU6P based on the mouse U6 RNA promoter and cloned 12 targeted sequences against HBV into the vector, resulting in a series of pU6-siHBV vectors. The recombinant vectors were transfected into 2.2.15 cells, HBsAg and HBeAg in cultured media were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at various days after transfection. The amount of HBV DNA in the culture medium was quantitated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. HBsAg and HBeAg expression were inhibited by 72.8 ± 5.4% ( P  = 0.00003) and 55.8 ± 6.2% ( P  = 0.000026), respectively, 4 days after transfection with pU6-siHBV5. The greatest inhibition of HBV DNA was decreased by approximately 1.9-fold ( P  = 0.013) on day 6 post transfection with pU6-siHBV11 compared with that of empty vector. No change was found for HBV protein expression and DNA replication on pU6-siGFP (negative control) transfected cells. Our data demonstrate that the transfection of HBV-targeted shRNA-producing vector in 2.2.15 cells could inhibit the HBV protein expression and HBV DNA replication specifically. RNAi may be considered as a potential antiviral approach for human HBV infection.     

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by APOBEC3G in vitro and in vivo

AIM: To investigate the effect of APOBEC3G mediated antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in cell cultures and replication competent HBV vector-based mouse model. METHODS: The mammalian hepatoma cells Huh7 and HepG2 were cotransfected with various amounts of CMV-driven expression vector encoding APOBEC3G and replication competent 1.3 fold over-length HBV. Levels of HBsAg and HBeAg in the media of the transfected cells were determined by ELISA. The expression of HBcAg in transfected cells was detected by western blot. HBV DNA and RNA from intracellular core particles were examined by Northern and Southern blot analyses. To assess activity of the APOBEC3G in vivo, an HBV vector-based model was used in which APOBEC3G and the HBV vector were co-delivered via high-volume tail vein injection. Levels of HBsAg and HBV DNA in the sera of mice as well as HBV core-associated RNA in the liver of mice were determined by ELISA and quantitative PCR analysis respectively. RESULTS: There was a dose dependent decrease in the levels of intracellular core-associated HBV DNA and extracellular production of HBsAg and HBeAg. The levels of intracellular core-associated viral RNA also decreased, but the expression of HBcAg in transfected cells showed almost no change. Consistent with In vitro results, levels of HBsAg in the sera of mice were dramatically decreased. More than 1.5 log 10 decrease in levels of serum HBV DNA and liver HBV RNA were observed in the APOBEC3G-treated groups compared with the control groups. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that APOBEC3G could suppress HBV replication and antigen expression both in vivo and in vitro, promising an advance in treatment of HBV infection.     

载脂蛋白质B mRNA编辑酶催化多肽3G抑制乙型肝炎病毒和鸭乙型肝炎病毒复制

目的了解载脂蛋白质BmRNA编辑酶催化多肽3G（APOBEC3G）对乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）和鸭乙型肝炎炎病毒（DHBV）复制的抑制作用。方法从健康人外周血单个核细胞提取RNA，逆转录聚合酶链反应扩增APOBEC3G，将产物克隆到pXF3H载体的EcoRⅠ和Hind Ⅲ酶切位点以构建真核表达质粒；以ayw亚型HBV全长质粒构建具有复制能力的1．3倍HBV质粒（pHBV1．3）。不同剂量的APOBEC3G真核表达质粒与pHBV1．3共转染HepG2细胞；酶联免疫吸附法检测细胞培养上清液的乙型肝炎表面抗原和e抗原水平，Southernblot和Northernblot分析HBV核衣壳相关DNA和RNA的水平变化。不同剂量APOBEC3G真核表达质粒与头尾相接的2倍DHBV质粒共转染LMH鸡肝癌细胞，Southernblot分析DHBV核衣壳相关DNA水平变化。结果成功构建APOBEC3G真核表达质粒和具有复制能力的1．3倍HBV质粒。APOBEC3G抑制乙型肝炎表面抗原和e抗原的分泌，转染细胞内HBV核衣壳相关RNA表达水平下降，而对核心蛋白质的表达没有影响；APOBEC3G对转染细胞内HBV和DHBV核衣壳相关DNA水平具有剂量依赖的抑制效应。结论APOBEC3G对HBV和DHBV复制具有抑制作用。