Hepatitis B Virus Vector Carries a Foreign Gene into Liver Cells In Vitro

Hepatitis B viruses (HBV) specifically target the liver, where they efficiently infect quiescent hepatocytes. Thus, HBV virus has potential to be used as vectors for liver-directed gene transfer. We constructed a new HBV-based vector system. It is composed of transfer vector for transferring a foreign gene, green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene, and a helper vector. When the transfer vector and the helper vector were cotransfected into HepG2 cells, the recombinant HBV (rHBV) particles were generated by trans-complementation between two vectors. The rHBV particles carrying the foreign gene were identified by the Southern blot assay. To test gene delivery and the transduction of the rHBV, we infected primary human hepatocytes and immortalized, HepG2 cells with rHBV in vitro. The results using fluorescence microscopy confirmed that the inserted GFP gene was successfully transferred and expressed both in primary human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells.     

The generation of recombinant influenza A viruses expressing a PB2 fusion protein requires the conservation of a packaging signal overlapping the coding and noncoding regions at the 5' end of the PB2 segment

We generated recombinant A/WSN/33 influenza A viruses expressing a PB2 protein fused to a Flag epitope at the N- (Flag-PB2) or C-terminus (PB2-Flag), which replicated efficiently and proved to be stable upon serial passage in vitro on MDCK cells. Rescue of PB2-Flag viruses required that the 5' end of the PB2 segment was kept identical to the wild-type beyond the 34 noncoding terminal nucleotides. This feature was achieved by a duplication of the 109 last nucleotides encoding PB2 between the Flag sequence and the 5'NCR. In PB2 mini-genomes rescue experiments, both the 5' and 3' coding ends of the PB2 segment were found to promote the incorporation of mini-genomes into virions. However, the presence of the Flag sequence at the junction between the 3'NCR and the coding sequence did not prevent the rescue of Flag-PB2 viruses. Our observations define requirements that may be useful for the purpose of engineering influenza RNAs.     

B7-DC-silenced dendritic cells induce stronger anti-HBV immunity in transgenic mice

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a noncytopathic DNA virus and is the pathogen of acute and chronic hepatitis. Interferon and nucleotide analogues such as lamivudine and adefovir are the current treatment strategies of HBV infection; however, it is still a serious disease. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic options against HBV is needed. In the present study, we have investigated whether the vectors carrying short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting the murine B7-DC gene could silence the expression of B7-DC and analyzed the function of gene-modified dendritic cells (DCs) by mixed lymphocyte reaction. The results demonstrated that two shRNA vectors efficiently suppressed the expression of B7-DC. The MLR assay showed that shRNA-B7-DC-transfected DCs induced markedly higher allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation than transfected DCs with the vector plasmid pAS and untreated DCs at all dilutions. The most efficient shRNA plasmid vector against B7-DC was then used to silence the expression of B7-DC on DCs, the gene-modified DCs were pulsed with HBV-specific peptides, and HBV transgenic mice were immunized. After three rounds of immunization, the splenocytes were stimulated in vitro and tested for cytotoxicitic T lymphocyte activity, while the sera were used to detect the level of HBsAg and HBV DNA. The data demonstrated that blockade of B7-DC on DCs augmented the cytolytic activity induced by immunization with peptide-pulsed DCs and significantly reduced the concentration of serum HBsAg and HBV DNA, suggesting that silencing of B7-DC is of potential value in DC-based therapy of HBV infection.     

稳定分泌重组HBV载体颗粒细胞系的构建

目的 制备一个持续分泌表达杀稻瘟菌素抗性基因(BsdR)的重组乙型肝炎病毒细胞系.方法 删除HBV质粒中各基因的表达,在S基因区插入目的 基因BsdR,以构建载体质粒pCH-BsdR;具有G418抗性的无包装信号的HBV辅助质粒pcDNA3.1-CH3142与载体质粒共转染HepG2细胞,经G418和Bsd共筛选,获得细胞克隆,进行系列检测.结果 挑选36个细胞克隆,经检测,最终筛选出3个细胞株,具有形成松弛环状DNA的能力,细胞培养上清液中病毒定量分别为4.1×106、3.6×106、1.2×106拷贝/ml.观察到有囊膜的重组HBV颗粒的形成.未检测到野生型HBV的产生.结论 该细胞系能够大量制备重组HBV载体颗粒,有助于HBV载体在基因治疗方面的应用和易感细胞系的筛选.     

Quantitative analysis of wild-type and HBeAg minus hepatitis B viruses by a sequence-dependent primer extension assay

The ratio between wild-type hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HBV mutant, unable to secrete “e” antigen (HBeAg minus HBV) appears to be an important determinant of the outcome of chronic hepatitis B. Quantitative analysis of wild-type and HBeAg minus HBVs in the blood could be useful to monitor chronic hepatitis B patients. We developed a solid-phase minisequencing assay for both viruses using a primer-guided incorporation of a single labeled nucleotide on an affinity captured biotinylated amplified HBV-DNA template. A standard curve was constructed by mixing increasing quantities of wild type and mutant virus DNAs. The detection of wild-type and HBeAg minus sequences, ranging from 10% to 90% of overall viremia, was linear and reproducible till 0.1 pg/μl of serum HBV-DNA. The assay yields numerical values and the ratio of incorporated nucleotides defines the relative proportions (%) of the two viral sequences with accuracy. We tested the sensitivity and accuracy of the minisequencing on mixed end point dilutions of wild-type and HBeAg minus reference sera and amplified products. The feasibility and reproducibility of the assay were tested in 35 sera from 21 HBsAg positive patients with chronic hepatitis B using both minisequencing and oligo-hybridization assays. A high correlation was found between the two assays (r = 0.957 P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the minisequencing assay provides a precise and reproducible quantitative analysis of wild-type and HBeAg minus HBVs in clinical specimens. It is proposed to study the relations between HBV heterogeneity and the course of hepatitis B and its response to therapy. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in patients who lack detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are called occult infections. Although such infections have been identified in patients with chronic hepatitis C liver disease, their prevalence and clinical significance are not known. METHODS: With the polymerase chain reaction, we searched for HBV DNA in liver and serum samples from 200 HBsAg-negative patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease (147 with chronic hepatitis, 48 with cirrhosis, and 5 with minimal histologic changes). One hundred of the patients had detectable antibodies to the HBV core antigen (anti-HBc); 100 were negative for all HBV markers. Eighty-three were treated with interferon alfa. We also studied 50 patients with liver disease who were negative both for HBsAg and for HCV markers. In six patients found to have occult HBV infection, we evaluated possible genomic rearrangements through cloning or direct sequencing procedures. RESULTS: Sixty-six of the 200 patients with chronic hepatitis C liver disease (33 percent) had HBV sequences, as did 7 of the 50 patients with liver disease unrelated to hepatitis C (14 percent, P=0.01). Among the 66 patients, 46 were anti-HBc-positive and 20 were negative for all HBV markers (P<0.001). Twenty-two of these 66 patients (33 percent) had cirrhosis, as compared with 26 of the 134 patients with hepatitis C infection but no HBV sequences (19 percent, P=0.04). HBV sequences were detected in 26 of the 55 patients in whom interferon therapy was ineffective and 7 of the 28 patients in whom interferon therapy was effective (P=0.06). None of the sequenced HBV genomes had changes known to interfere with viral activity and gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Occult hepatitis B infection occurs frequently in patients with chronic hepatitis C liver disease and may have clinical significance.     

反义锁核酸在转基因小鼠体内阻断乙肝病毒C基因表达

目的 探讨针对乙肝病毒C基因反义锁核酸在转基因小鼠体内阻断病毒基因表达的效果.方法 各实验组经尾静脉给药后,采用real-time PCR、时间分辨免疫荧光技术、免疫组织化学法等技术分别检测血清HBV DNA、HBeAg含量及肝细胞内HBcAg的表达情况.结果 注射锁核酸后,对乙肝病毒核酸的复制和乙肝病毒e抗原的合成均有较强的抑制作用,注射后1、3 和5 d,HBV DNA的平均抑制率分别19.24％、39.20％和44.47％;HBeAg的平均抑制分别为30.71％、51.14％和63.46％;小鼠肝细胞的HBcAg阳性细胞数也较对照组明显减少.结论 针对乙肝病毒C基因的反义锁核酸在转基因小鼠体内能有效抑制病毒基因的复制和表达,提示C基因可作核酸药物治疗的有效靶位.     

逆转录病毒载体介导乙型肝炎病毒反义基因的转录表达

为了探索在真核细胞内转录表达乙型肝炎病毒（ＨＢＶ）反义核酸的方法，用基因重组技术将ＨＢＶ前Ｃ／Ｃ基因（ＰｒｅＣ／Ｃ）和前Ｓ／Ｓ基因（ＰｒｅＳ／Ｓ）片段反向插入逆转录病毒载体质粒，再将重组体分别转染ＰＡ３１７包装细胞，进而获得能够介导ＨＢＶ反义基因向小鼠ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞转移表达的重组逆转录病毒。经分子杂交试验表明，含有ＨＢＶ反义基因的重组逆转录病毒序列已经整合到转染的ＰＡ３１７细胞染色体上；转导的ＮＩＨ３Ｔ３细胞内有ＨＢＶ反义ＲＮＡ转录表达。结论：逆转录病毒载体包装细胞系统能够介导ＨＢＶ反义基因在真核细胞中转录表达，因而有可能利用反义技术和基因转移方法进行抗－ＨＢＶ基因治疗     

Tropism-modified adenoviral and adeno-associated viral vectors for gene therapy

One of the most rapidly advancing areas of gene therapy is vector development. For the majority of gene therapy procedures, efficient and selective transduction would provide safe and more effective treatments at optimal vector doses. Advances in vector targeting strategies have been rapid within the field of DNA-based viruses, particularly adenovirus (Ad) and more recently adeno-associated virus (AAV) based vectors. Vector targeting at the level of virus: cell interaction can be achieved using both non-genetic and genetic methodology. Non-genetic approaches typically utilise bispecific antibodies that both neutralise wild-type virus tropism and provide a new cell binding capacity. For genetic targeting strategies, the virus capsid can be engineered to express foreign ligands that target selected receptors in the absence or presence of additional modification to ablate the virus' natural tropism. This review covers technological advances that have led to targeting of Ad and AAV and highlights the potential for these 'designer' viruses for future gene-based therapeutics.     

Characterization of the lymphotropic amplicons-6 and tamplicon-7 vectors derived from HHV-6 and HHV-7

Amplicon-6 and Tamplicon-7 are novel non-integrating vectors derived from the lymphotropic Human Herpesviruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7). In the presence of helper viruses the amplicon vectors replicate to yield packaged defective genomes of size approximately 150 kb and consisting of multiple repeat units containing (i) the oriLyt DNA replication origin (ii) the pac-1 and pac-2 cleavage and packaging signals (iii) bacterial plasmid DNA sequences (iv) the chosen transgene(s). Employing CD46 as a receptor HHV-6 gains entry into varied cells, including lymphocytes and dendritic cells, whereas HHV-7 employs the CD4 receptor to target CD4+ cells. The amplicon-based vectors have facilitated the characterization of viral DNA replication and packaging. Following electroporation and helper virus superinfection, the vectors can be transmitted as cell associated and as cell-free virions secreted into the medium. Analyses by flow cytometry have shown good cell spread and efficient gene expression. Exemplary transgenes have included: (i) The Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) (ii) Genes for potential use in anti-viral vaccination e.g., the HSV-1 glycoprotein D (gD) with and without the trans-membrane region, expressed intracellularly, at the cell membrane or as secreted proteins. (iii) Tumor cell antigens. (iv) Apoptotic genes for development of oncolytic vectors. Due to their cell tropism, their structure as concatemeric genomes, with less than 1.5 kb of viral DNA sequences, the HHV-6 and 7 amplicons have the potential to become unique vectors for immunization and lymphotropic gene therapy.     

Identification of functionally important amino acid residues in the mitochondria targeting sequence of hepatitis B virus X protein

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been strongly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the X protein (HBx) is thought to mediate the cellular changes associated with carcinogenesis. Recently, isolation of the hepatitis B virus integrants from HCC tissue by others have established the fact that the X gene is often truncated at its C-terminus. Expression of the GFP fusion proteins of HBx and its truncation mutants with a GFP tag in human liver cell-lines in this study revealed that the C-terminus of HBx is indispensable for its specific localization in the mitochondria. A crucial region of seven amino acids at the C-terminus has been mapped out in which the cysteine residue at position 115 serves as the most important residue for the subcellular localization. When cysteine 115 of HBx is mutated to alanine the mitochondria targeting property of HBx is abrogated.     

Serotype 5 Adenovirus fiber (F7F41S) chimeric vectors incur packaging deficiencies when targeting peptides are inserted into Ad41 short fiber

Adenovirus is a well-established viral gene transfer model system that presents two major hurdles when being considered for cell-specific targeting applications. First is the need to detarget the vector from inherent host binding mechanisms, and second is the need to establish a productive and stable method to retarget the vector to a desired cell receptor. In previous studies we had generated an adenovirus vector platform that lacks the normal targeting attributes derived from the fiber and penton capsid proteins. In the current study we characterized our detargeted Ad5-based vectors (Ad5.F7F41S and Ad5.F7F41SΔRGD) as platforms for novel retargeted viruses. The experimental strategy relied on incorporating small peptide ligands into several sites of the Ad 41short fiber knob domain (AB, CD, HI, G and Cterm). Reengineering of Ad41 short fiber resulted either in a bypass to fiber 7 usage, or in a dominant negative packaging/production deficiency phenotype. Under specific growth conditions we could remedy some of the capsid deficiencies and generate high titer viruses. However when examined by Western blot analysis, the resulting viruses were still defective in capsid content. The tandem fiber F7F41S platform has revealed an unanticipated sensitivity of Adenovirus packaging to fiber 41short structural modifications. These studies indicate fiber assembly into an intact virion or fiber influenced capsid stability as a bottleneck to efficient particle production. We also demonstrate that virus particles characterized as mature virions following CsCl banding can vary significantly in capsid protein content. Considering the complexity of virus entry into a target cell, modified “mature virions” may be compromised at the level of transduction not only through the intended modification, but also by virtue of secondary structural packaging conflicts.     

腺病毒载体介导HBsAg基因在哺乳动物细胞中的表达

目的　探讨腺病毒载体介导乙型肝炎病毒 (HBV)前S2 S(preS2/S)基因在几种哺乳动物细胞中的表达。方法　制备携带HBVpreS2/S基因的非复制型重组腺病毒Ad-HBs ,体外转染人胚肾细胞 (2 93)、绿猴肾细胞 (Vero)、肝癌细胞系 (HepG2 )和间质干细胞 (MSCs) ,荧光显微镜观察EGFP的表达 ,同时采用RT-PCR检测目的基因的转录 ,ELISA法检测目的基因的表达。结果　MOI为 2 0的重组腺病毒Ad-HBs转染 2 93、Vero、HepG2 细胞和MSCs ,4 8h后 90 %以上的细胞表达EGFP ,同时细胞表达高滴度的HBsAg(A值 >3 2 2 9)。结论　腺病毒载体不仅能够介导HBVpreS2 S基因于连续细胞系细胞中高效表达 ,也能介导HBVpreS2 S基因于干细胞中高效表达     

Molecular characterization of hepatitis B virus X gene in HIV-positive South Africans

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide and the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in South Africa. The role of HBV in HCC is not well understood, although the HBV X gene has been implicated as a critical factor. Data on the HBV X gene in HIV-positive South Africans are limited; thus, we investigated X gene variability in 24 HIV-infected treatment-naïve patients at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. Quantitative and qualitative HBV DNA tests were conducted using real-time and in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, respectively, targeting the complete HBV X gene. In-house PCR-positive samples were cloned using the P-Gem T-easy vector System II and sequenced. By phylogenetic analysis, X gene sequences were classified as subgenotype A1 (n = 15), A2 (n = 4), and D1 (n = 4), and one dual infection with subgenotypes as A1 and C. The basal core promoter mutations T1753C, A1762T, and G1764A were identified in the majority of sequences. Genotype D sequences had a 6-nucleotide insertion. In conclusion, subgenotype A1 was predominant, and a rare dual infection of HBV genotype A and C was detected. The 6-nucleotide insertion could represent a unique variant in the region and highlights the need for functional studies of HBV X gene variants, particularly from resource-limited settings.     

Coronavirus defective-interfering RNA as an expression vector: the generation of a pseudorecombinant mouse hepatitis virus expressing hemagglutinin-esterase

We have developed an expression vector system using a defective-interfering (DI) RNA of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a prototype coronavirus, to deliver and express a foreign gene in MHV-infected cells. This vector contains an MHV intergenic sequence to promote the expression of foreign genes. In this study, we used this vector to introduce a hemagglutinin-esterase (HE) protein, an optional MHV structural protein, into the MHV-infected cells. The engineered HE protein could be efficiently incorporated into the virion which did not synthesize its own HE protein, thus generating a pseudorecombinant virus that expresses an exogenous HE protein. The engineered HE protein could be made distinguishable from the native protein by attaching an 8-amino-acid peptide tag at the carboxyl-terminus. Both the engineered and native HE proteins from the HE-producing virus train could be incorporated into the virion, thus generating phenotypically mixed virus particles. We also showed that the HE-expressing DI RNA could be incorporated into viruses, and the engineered HE protein expressed in the infected cells for at least three serial virus passages. Furthermore, we have made two mutants, in which parts of the external domain of the HE protein have been deleted, to study the sequence requirements for the stable expression of HE and its incorporation into MHV virions. Although both of the mutant HE proteins could be expressed in the MHV-infected cells, they failed to be incorporated into virions, suggesting the importance of the extracellular domain of HE protein for its incorporation into virus particles. This vector system enabled the first successful incorporation of a selected coronaviral protein into virions and demonstrates its utility as an expression vector for studying the molecular biology of coronaviruses.     

Molecular therapies for viral hepatitis

Current treatment modalities available for hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are not efficient. The enormous disease burden caused by these two infections makes the development of novel therapies critical. For HCV, the development of an effective vaccine is urgent in view of the escalating number of infected individuals. Molecular therapies for HBV and HCV infection can be directed at reducing viral load by interfering with the life cycle of the viruses or at generating immune response against viral epitopes. The antiviral approaches consist of the delivery or expression of antisense RNAs, ribozymes or dominant negative proteins. Viral biology can be interrupted by attacking various potential targets within the two viruses. DNA-based vaccination strategies are being explored for both prevention and treatment of these diseases. Both non-viral and recombinant viral vectors are being developed for safe, effective and long-term gene transfer to the liver. Although no "ideal" vector is available at this time, the ingenuity of numerous investigators is leading to the improvement of the vector systems, promising successful application of gene therapy to the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis in the foreseeable future.     

周围神经损伤修复与再生中的基因治疗

背景：周围神经损伤后功能恢复不够理想。基因治疗为其功能修复提供了新的方法。 目的：从功能基因、转染载体选择、基因翻译因子生物学效应3方面进行综述,为周围神经损伤的基因治疗研究提供参考。 方法：由第一作者应用计算机检索PubMed和中国期刊全文数据库(CNKI)2006/2010相关文献。在标题、摘要、关键词中以“peripheral nerve injury, gene therapy, virus vector”或“周围神经损伤、基因治疗、病毒载体”为检索词进行检索。选择与周围神经损伤的基因治疗有关的文献,同一领域文献则选择近期发表及发表在权威杂志的文章。 结果与结论：共检索到35篇文章,按纳入和排除标准对文献进行筛选,保留20篇文章进行综述。目前,周围神经损伤的基因治疗技术已经日趋成熟,如转基因的腺病毒表达的骨形态发生蛋白7和Ad-32Ep65-Flag基因等,有望成为临床修复周围神经损伤的重要手段。