丙型肝炎病毒非结构蛋白质5A抑制Hepcidin基因表达并促进肝细胞内铁储留

目的 探讨丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)非结构蛋白质5A (NS5A)对Hepcidin基因表达的影响. 方法 用含HCV NS5A基因的表达质粒pcNS5A瞬时转染QSG7701细胞,采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应及Western blot试验观察HCV NS5A和Hepcidin的mRNA转录水平及蛋白质表达水平,铁染色后观察细胞内铁储留情况.检测数据的多组间比较行单因素方差分析,两两比较行LSD-t检验.结果 转染pcNS5A质粒细胞内有HCV NS5A的mRNA和蛋白的表达,未转染质粒组和转染空白质粒pRc/CMV组细胞内无HCV NS5A的mRNA和蛋白的表达.未转染质粒组、转染pRc/CMV质粒组和转染pcNS5A质粒组细胞的Hepcidin mRNA相对表达量分别为0.711±0.049、0.718±0.052和0.264±0.030,转染pcNS5A组Hepcidin mRNA表达低于未转染质粒组和转染pRc/CMV质粒组(t值分别为- 13.523和- 13.045,P值均＜0.01).转染pcNS5A质粒组细胞Hepcidin蛋白表达较未转染质粒组及转染pRc/CMV质粒组下降,且随着转染pcNS5A质粒剂量的增加,Hepcidin蛋白表达下降更明显.铁染色结果显示,转染pcNS5A质粒细胞内铁较转染pRC/CMV质粒细胞和未转染质粒细胞高.结论 HCV NS5A蛋白能抑制Hepidin的mRNA和蛋白质表达,并引起细胞内铁的储留增加.     

Hepatitis C virus inhibitor synergism suggests multistep interactions between heat-shock protein 90 and hepatitis C virus replication

AIM: To address the effect of heat-shock protein 90(HSP90) inhibitors on the release of the hepatitis C virus(HCV), a cell culture-derived HCV(JFH1/HCVcc) from Huh-7 cells was examined.METHODS: We quantified both the intracellular and extracellular(culture medium) levels of the components(RNA and core) of JFH-1/HCVcc. The intracellular HCV RNA and core levels were determined after the JFH1/HCVcc-infected Huh-7 cells were treated with radicicol for 36 h. The extracellular HCV RNA and core protein levels were determined from the medium of the last 24 h of radicicol treatment. To determine the possible role of the HSP90 inhibitor in HCV release, we examined the effect of a combined application of low doses of the HSP90 inhibitor radicicol and the RNA replication inhibitors cyclosporin A(Cs A) or interferon. Finally, we statistically examined the combined effect of radicicoland Cs A using the combination index(CI) and graphical representation proposed by Chou and Talalay.RESULTS: We found that the HSP90 inhibitors had greater inhibitory effects on the HCV RNA and core protein levels measured in the medium than inside the cells. This inhibitory effect was observed in the presence of a low level of a known RNA replication inhibitor(Cs A or interferon-α). Treating the cells with a combination of radicicol and cyclosporin A for 24 h resulted in significant synergy(CI 1) that affected the release of both the viral RNA and the core protein. CONCLUSION: In addition to having an inhibitory effect on RNA replication, HSP90 inhibitors may interfere with an HCV replication step that occurs after the synthesis of viral RNA, such as assembly and release.     

Additive effect of ethanol and HCV subgenomic replicon expression on COX-2 protein levels and activity

The mechanisms by which alcohol exacerbates liver injury in patients with hepatitis C are unknown. We used the hepatitis C virus (HCV) subgenomic replicon cell system to evaluate the effect of ethanol on HCV replication and viral protein synthesis. Our results demonstrate that alcohol stimulates HCV replicon expression at both HCV-RNA and protein levels. Furthermore, we observed that ethanol treatment showed an additive effect in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression and activity already induced by HCV viral proteins, and in turn increased HCV viral expression. Our results suggest that COX-2 activity is involved in ethanol-induced HCV-RNA and NS5A protein expression, because acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a COX-1/2 inhibitor, blocked this induction and downregulated COX-2 protein expression and activity. Therefore, we suggest that ethanol increases HCV replication expression, at least in part, by upregulating a key cellular regulator of oxidative stress pathway known as COX-2 or its products.     

Effect of hepatitis C virus core shadow protein expressed in human hepatoma cell line on human gene expression profiles

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) C region has been reported to have overlapping genes or regions, and may encode a core shadow protein that has a role in HCV self-replication, pathogenesis and carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of HCV core shadow protein expressed in a human hepatoma (Huh-7) cell line on human gene expression profiles. METHODS: Recombinants for expression of HCV genotype 1b core shadow protein and genotype 1b core protein were constructed, and an Huh-7 cell line was established that could express the shadow protein and the core protein constitutively. Affymetrix human gene chip, HG-U133 A and B microarray analysis and semiquantitative RT-PCR were employed to identify the expression profiles of two kinds of core proteins in the Huh-7 cell line. RESULTS: The microarray analysis showed that the core shadow protein caused expression of more genes to be up/down-regulation than the core protein, including signal transduction, protease activity, molecular transport and, particularly, immune responses genes. Surprisingly, the core shadow protein could increase/decrease expression of apoptosis and anti-apoptosis genes simultaneously. The expression profiles of three up-regulated genes were confirmed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, with results similar to the microarray analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C virus core shadow protein may play an important role in inhibiting or stimulating host cells apoptosis processing and carcinogenesis, which is useful for the understanding of HCV core shadow protein biological functions in vivo and in vitro.     

铁离子螯合剂去铁胺对巨噬细胞、泡沫细胞细胞外基质金属蛋白酶诱导因子表达的影响

目的:观察铁负荷过低对巨噬细胞、泡沫细胞细胞外基质金属蛋白酶诱导因子(EMMPRIN)表达的影响。方法: 体外诱导THP-1单核细胞转化为巨噬细胞、泡沫细胞。实验细胞分为3组:对照组（正常巨噬细胞、泡沫细胞）、铁离子螯合剂去铁胺(DFO)刺激组、柠檬酸铁和DFO共刺激组。应用RT-PCR和Western blot测定巨噬细胞、泡沫细胞中EMMPRIN基因和蛋白的表达。用Western blot测定MMP-9蛋白的表达。用明胶酶谱法测定MMP-9的活性。结果: DFO刺激组中EMMPRIN基因及蛋白的水平、MMP-9蛋白表达的水平及活性均明显高于对照组（P<0.05,P<0.01）。柠檬酸铁逆转了DFO对EMMPRIN表达的上调作用。结论: 铁负荷过低可增加巨噬细胞及泡沫细胞中炎症因子的表达及活性,可能会促进心血管事件的发生。     

HCV proteins increase expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and decrease expression of Bach1 in human hepatoma cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis C infection induces hepatic oxidative stress. Heme oxygenase (HO), the rate-controlling enzyme of heme catabolism, plays a key role as a protector against oxidative, and other stresses. Other recent work has implicated Bach1, a heme binding protein that represses gene expression, in the regulation of HO-1 gene expression. METHODS: We investigated the effects of HCV polyprotein expression on expression of HO-1 and Bach1 genes in human hepatoma cells (Huh-7 cells). RESULTS: HO-1 was up-regulated in the cell line expressing HCV proteins from core up to the aminoterminal domain of NS3. Addition of increasing concentrations of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) led to down-regulation of HO-1 in cells expressing HCV proteins. In contrast, Bach1 was significantly down-regulated in these cells. Sodium arsenite, a strong inducer of oxidative stress and HO-1, reduced Bach1 expression in wild type Huh-7 cells, and NAC partially abrogated this decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Huh-7 cells expressing HCV proteins show significant up-regulation of the HO-1 gene, and reciprocal down-regulation of the Bach1 gene. Exogenous oxidative stressors and anti-oxidants can modulate expression of these genes. These and other results suggest a key role of down-regulation of Bach1 and up-regulation of HO-1 in diminishing cytotoxic effects of HCV proteins in human hepatocytes.     

黑色素对神经细胞DJ-1基因表达的影响

目的探讨氧化应激对神经黑色素（NM）诱导的多巴胺能神经元细胞或神经胶质细胞DJ-1基因表达的影响。方法选择人类神经元细胞（SK—N-SH）和神经胶质细胞（U373）作为细胞模型,将Fenton试剂（FR）作用于加有人类神经黑色素（hNM）、多巴胺黑色素（DAM）或铁螯合剂去铁胺（DFO）的细胞SK—N-SH或U373中,提取总RNA,用实时定量PCR法观察DJ-1表达的改变。结果在SK-N—SH细胞中,经过FR、DAM和FR＋DAM处理后,DJ-1的基因表达显著升高,而FR＋hNM处理后则无统计学变化;含有DFO处理的细胞与不含DFO处理的细胞比较,DJ-1的基因表达降低（P〈0．05）。在U373细胞中,经FR、NM、DAM和FR＋DAM处理后,DJ-1基因表达明显增高（P〈0．05）。结论DJ-1对细胞有保护作用;hNM生理条件下保护细胞,但在铁浓度升高时对细胞有毒害作用。     

Hepatitis C virus protein and iron overload induce hepatic steatosis through the unfolded protein response in mice

Background/Aim: Hepatic iron overload and steatosis play critical roles in the progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐associated chronic liver disease. However, how these two pathophysiological features affect each other remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate how hepatic iron overload contributes to the development of hepatic steatosis in the presence of HCV proteins. Methods: Male C57BL/6 transgenic mice expressing the HCV polyprotein and nontransgenic littermates were fed an excess‐iron diet or a control diet. Mice in each group were assessed for the molecules responsible for fat accumulation in the liver. Results: Hepatic iron levels were positively correlated with triglyceride concentrations in the liver for all mice. As compared with the livers of nontransgenic mice fed the control diet, the livers of transgenic mice fed the excess‐iron diet showed a lower expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase I, a higher expression of sterol‐regulatory element‐binding protein 1 and fatty acid synthetase and an activated unfolded protein response indicated by a higher expression of unspliced and spliced X‐box DNA‐binding protein 1 (XBP‐1), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor‐2α (p‐eIF2α), CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homology protein (CHOP) and abundant autophagosomes concomitant with increased production of reactive oxygen species. Six‐month treatment with the anti‐oxidant N‐acetyl cysteine dramatically reduced hepatic steatosis in transgenic mice fed the excess‐iron diet through decreased expression of unspliced and spliced XBP‐1, p‐eIF2α, and CHOP. Conclusions: The iron‐induced unfolded protein response appears to be one of the mechanisms responsible for fat accumulation in the liver in transgenic mice expressing the HCV polyprotein.     

无机砷对红系相关因子-2及其抑制因子mRNA表达的影响

目的观察亚砷酸钠（NaAsO2,sodium arsenite）对Chang肝细胞株核转录因子红系相关因子（nuclear factor ery-throid 2-related factor 2,Nrf2）及其胞浆抑制因子Keap1（Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1）的mRNA表达水平的影响。方法分别以不同浓度NaAsO2（0、50、200、400μmol/L）暴露人类Chang肝细胞株12 h,采用AlamarBlue法测定细胞增殖活性,采用RT-PCR法测定Nrf2和Keap1的mRNA表达水平。结果 50μmol/L NaAsO2暴露组的细胞增殖活性与对照组相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,而200μmol/L和400μmol/L NaAsO2暴露组的细胞增殖活性均显著低于对照组（P〈0.05）;50、200、400μmol/L的NaAsO2暴露12 h,Nrf2和Keap1的mRNA表达水平与对照组比较均显著下降（P〈0.05）,且呈剂量-反应关系。结论高浓度无机砷暴露能抑制Chang肝细胞株Nrf2和Keap1的mRNA表达水平,并可能与无机砷造成机体的高氧化应激水平有关。     

Reciprocal effects of micro-RNA-122 on expression of heme oxygenase-1 and hepatitis C virus genes in human hepatocytes

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an antioxidant defense and key cytoprotective enzyme, which is repressed by Bach1. Micro-RNA-122 (miR-122) is specifically expressed and highly abundant in human liver and required for replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. This study was to assess whether a specific miR-122 antagomir down-regulates HCV protein replication and up-regulates HO-1. METHODS: We transfected antagomir of miR-122, 2'-O-methyl-mimic miR-122, or nonspecific control antagomir, into wild-type (WT) Huh-7 cells or Huh-7 stably replicating HCV subgenomic protein core through nonstructural protein 3 of HCV (NS3) (CNS3 replicon cells) or NS3-5B (9-13 replicon cells). RESULTS: Antagomir of miR-122 reduced the abundance of HCV RNA by 64% in CNS3 and by 84% in 9-13 cells. Transfection with 2'-O-methlyl-mimic miR-122 increased HCV levels up to 2.5-fold. Antagomir of miR-122 also decreased Bach1 and increased HO-1 mRNA levels in CNS3, 9-13, and WT Huh-7 cells. Increasing HO-1 by silencing Bach1 with 50 nmol/L Bach1-short interfering RNA or by treatment with 5 mumol/L cobalt protoporphyrin or heme (known inducers of HO-1) decreased HCV RNA and protein by 50% in HCV replicon cells. CONCLUSIONS: Down-regulation of HCV replication using an antagomir targeted to miR-122 is effective, specific, and selective. Increasing HO-1, by silencing the Bach1 gene or by treatment with cobalt protoporphyrin or heme, decreases HCV replication. Thus, miR-122 plays an important role in the regulation of HCV replication and HO-1/Bach1 expression in hepatocytes. Down-regulation of miR-122 and up-regulation of HO-1 may be new strategies for anti-HCV intervention and cytoprotection.     

Inhibition of hepatitis C virus replication by single-stranded RNA structural mimics

AIM: To examine the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) structural mimics of regulatory regions of the genome on HCV replication.METHODS: HCV RNA structural mimics were constructed and tested in a HCV genotype 1b aBB7 replicon,and a Japanese fulminant hepatitis-1 (JFH-1) HCV genotype 2a infection model.All sequences were computer-predicted to adopt stem-loop structures identical to the corresponding elements in full-length viral RNA.Huh7.5 cells bearing the BB7 replicon or infected with JFH-1 virus were trans...     

Glucose abnormalities in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic hepatitis C virus infection: the role of iron overload

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are major causes of liver disease frequently described in outpatient patients with glucose abnormalities. Hyperferritinemia, which suggests that iron overload plays a decisive role in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, is a common finding in both disorders. However, the role of the hepatic iron deposition differs from one to the other. In NAFLD, a moderate liver iron accumulation has been observed and molecular mechanisms, including the downregulation of the liver iron exporter ferroportin‐1, have been described. Iron overload will enhance intrahepatic oxidative stress that promotes hepatic fibrosis, interfere with insulin signalling at various levels and may hamper hepatic insulin extraction. Therefore, liver fibrosis, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia will lead to increased levels of insulin resistance and the development of glucose abnormalities. Furthermore, iron depletion by phlebotomy removes liver iron content and reduces serum glucose and insulin resistance in NAFLD patients. Therefore, it seems that iron overload participates in those glucose abnormalities associated with NAFLD. Concerning chronic HCV infection, it has been classically assumed that iron overload contributes to insulin resistance associated with virus infection. However, recent evidence argues against the presence of iron overload in these patients and points to inflammation associated with diabetes as the main contributor to the elevated ferritin levels. Therefore, glucose abnormalities, and specially type 2 diabetes, should be taken into account when evaluating serum ferritin levels in patients with HCV infection. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Iron regulates hepatitis C virus translation via stimulation of expression of translation initiation factor 3

BACKGROUND: Although the response to treatment with interferon- alpha in individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is negatively associated with increased liver iron stores, the underlying mechanisms at work have remained elusive to date. The translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) is essential for HCV translation, and thus the effects that iron perturbations have on eIF3 expression and HCV translation were studied here. METHODS: eIF3 expression was analyzed by TaqMan polymerase chain reaction, Northern and Western blot analysis of HepG2 cells, and liver biopsies. Functional effects of iron on HCV mRNA translation were estimated by use of transient transfection experiments with bicistronic vectors. RESULTS: Iron treatment of HepG2 cells increased eIF3 mRNA and protein expression, whereas iron chelation reduced it. Accordingly, iron-dependent stimulation of eIF3 specifically induced the expression of reporter genes under the control of regulatory HCV mRNA stem-loop structures. Moreover, a positive association between liver iron levels, eIF3 expression, and HCV expression was found when liver-biopsy samples from HCV-infected patients were analyzed. CONCLUSION: Iron promotes the translation of HCV by stimulating the expression of eIF3, which may be one reason for the negative association between liver iron overload and HCV infection. Modulation of the affinity of eIF3 to bind to HCV mRNA may be a promising target for the treatment of chronic HCV infection.     

Upregulation of transferrin receptor 2 and ferroportin 1 mRNA in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND: Iron accumulation has been reported to be associated with progression of liver injury. The mechanism of iron accumulation in the liver is not known. In the present study, hepatic messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of transferrin receptor (TfR)1, TfR2, and ferroportin (FP)1 was measured in patients with chronic hepatitis (CH). METHODS: Eleven patients with CH-B and 43 patients with CH-C were enrolled. All patients underwent liver biopsy. Hepatic expression of TfR1, TfR2 and FP1 mRNA was analyzed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Total hepatic iron score (THIS) was evaluated by Prussian blue staining. RESULTS: Serum ferritin concentration is significantly higher in CH-C than in CH-B. Values of THIS of >/=5 were observed only in CH-C patients (44% of CH-C patients). The expression level of TfR2 mRNA was 10-26-fold higher than the TfR1 mRNA expression level. The TfR2 and FP1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in CH-C than in CH-B patients. Hepatic expression of TfR2 and FP1 mRNA was well correlated with THIS. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic iron accumulation is more severe in patients with CH-C. Upregulation of hepatic iron transporters may contribute to the hepatic iron accumulation in CH-C.