Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and the influence of HCV subtype 1b on the progression of chronic hepatitis C in Korea: a single center experience

Background/Aims

There is some controversy regarding whether or not hepatitis C virus (HCV) subtype 1b is more influential than non-1b subtypes on the progression of chronic hepatitis (CH) C to liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 823 patients with chronic HCV infection, including 443 CH patients, 264 LC patients, and 116 HCC patients, who were HCV RNA positive and HBsAg negative. These patients had not received any prior treatment with either interferon alone or a combination of interferon and ribavirin.

Results

HCV subtypes 1b (51.6%) and 2a/2c (39.5%) were the two most common genotypes. The proportions of genotypes 2 (2a/2c, 2b, and 2) and 3 were 45.8% and 1.1%, respectively. One case of genotype 4 was found. HCV subtype 1b (47.3%) was less common than the non-1b subtypes (52.7%) in non-LC patients, but its proportion (56.9%) was higher than that of non-1b subtypes (43.1%) in LC patients (P=0.006). The proportions of patients with HCV subtype 1b did not differ significantly between the LC (55.3%) and HCC (60.3%) groups. Older age, male gender, and the relative progression of liver damage (non-LC vs. compensated LC vs. decompensated LC) were significant risk factors for HCC, with odds ratios of 1.081 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.056-1.106), 5.749 (95% CI, 3.329-9.930), and 2.895 (95% CI, 2.183-3.840), respectively. HCV subtype 1b was not a significant risk factor for HCC (odds ratio, 1.423; 95% CI, 0.895-2.262).

Conclusions

HCV subtypes 1b and 2a/2c were the two most common HCV genotypes. HCV subtype 1b seemed to be more influential than non-1b subtypes on the progression of CH to LC, but not on the development of HCC from LC.     

Hepatitis C virus and hepatocarcinogenesis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an RNA virus that is unable to integrate into the host genome. However, its proteins interact with various host proteins and induce host responses. The oncogenic process of HCV infection is slow and insidious and probably requires multiple steps of genetic and epigenetic alterations, the activation of cellular oncogenes, the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and dysregulation of multiple signal transduction pathways. Stellate cells may transdifferentiate into progenitor cells and possibly be linked to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Viral proteins also have been implicated in several cellular signal transduction pathways that affect cell survival, proliferation, migration and transformation. Current advances in gene expression profile and selective messenger RNA analysis have improved approach to the pathogenesis of HCC. The heterogeneity of genetic events observed in HCV-related HCCs has suggested that complex mechanisms underlie malignant transformation induced by HCV infection. Considering the complexity and heterogeneity of HCCs of both etiological and genetic aspects, further molecular classification is required and an understanding of these molecular complexities may provide the opportunity for effective chemoprevention and personalized therapy for HCV-related HCC patients in the future. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis induced by HCV infection.     

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Estonia

Distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) geno(sub)types among 215 Estonian patients hospitalized with acute or chronic hepatitis and with HCV RNA-positive sera was investigated. For genotyping, both multiplex PCR with subtype-specific primers of the core region and RFLP analysis of cDNA of the 5' NCR region were used. These two methods permitted a correct characterization of genotypes, a more truthful characterization of mixed infections, and combined use of single-tube performances. They revealed, respectively, 200 and 202 (93.0% and 93.9%) HCV-positive samples of sera, subtype 1a- 0.9% and 0.9%, 1b- 56.3% and 64.2%, 3a- 13.9% and 22.3%, 2a- 6.5% and 5.6%, type 4 0.5% and 0%, mixed infections- 13.5% and 0%, and unidentified- 1.4% and 0.9%. In the majority of cases (84.7%) both methods gave completely or partially concordant results; in mixed infections, as determined by subtype-specific PCR, only one subtype was revealed by the RFLP method. In the remaining 15.3% of the cases (Ohno- 7.0%, RFLP- 8.3%) only one of the methods was positive. The epidemiological analysis of the dynamics of the subtypes' relative participation may indicate increasing 3a and decreasing 1b subtype infection during recent years.     

线探针核酸杂交分析贵州地区HCV感染株基因型

目的　分析贵州地区丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）感染株的基因型。方法　用第二代线探针核酸杂交方法,对９８ 例ＨＣＶ感染者血清进行基因分型。结果　１２ 例献血员血清,均为ＨＣＶ１ｂ 型;１５ 例血液病患者中,１４ 例（９３－３％ ）为ＨＣＶ１ｂ ,１ 例（６－７％ ）为ＨＣＶ１ｂ ＋ ２ 型。慢性丙肝患者３７ 例中,ＨＣＶ１ｂ 型３４例（９１－９％ ） ,混合感染基因型３ 例（ＨＣＶ１ａ ＋ １ｂ 、ＨＣＶ１ｂ ＋ ２ 、ＨＣＶ１ａ ．１ｂ ＋ ２ａ２ｃ 各１ 例）。静脉药瘾者３４ 例,其中ＨＣＶ１ｂ 感染１３ 例（３８－２％ ） ,ＨＣＶ６ａ１０ 例（２９－４％ ） ,ＨＣＶ３ｂ４ 例（１１－８％ ） ,ＨＣＶ３ａ１ 例（２－９ ％） ,混合感染６ 例（１７－６ ％） ,大多为ＨＣＶ２ 复合其他基因型。结论　贵州地区ＨＣＶ感染者中,以ＨＣＶ１ｂ 基因型为主,其次为ＨＣＶ６ａ ,尚存在ＨＣＶ３ａ 和ＨＣＶ３ｂ 。其中ＨＣＶ３ａ、３ｂ 、６ａ ,在本地区系首次报告,但主要存在于静脉药瘾者中。虽然有混合感染基因型的存在,但其基因基础需测序分析     

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific memory B-cell responses in transiently and chronically infected HIV positive individuals

BackgroundAntibody responses to hepatitis C virus (HCV) occur delayed and overly decline after viral clearance indicating that the B-cell response to HCV is abnormal. Virus-specific memory B-cells have recently been found in infected individuals, but the viral exposure requirements for the generation of these cells is unknown.ObjectivesThe primary goal of this study was to quantify and compare the HCV-specific memory B-cell response between chronic and resolved HCV-infected individuals. A secondary goal was to examine if HIV-specific memory B-cell responses are maintained during HCV co-infection.Study designHCV core protein- and HIV-specific memory B-cell responses were examined in HIV/HCV-infected individuals treated 4–30 weeks after HCV diagnosis. Memory B-cell frequencies were compared between chronically and transiently infected individuals.ResultsChronically infected individuals had vigorous HCV-specific memory B-cell responses and antibodies, whereas subjects with transient viremia showed low or undetectable virus-specific B-cell responses. In addition, chronically HIV/HCV-infected subjects had robust HIV-specific memory B-cell responses.ConclusionsWhereas chronic HCV infection induces virus-specific antibodies and memory B-cells, transient infection in individuals with sustained viral response to therapy does not stimulate a durable HCV-specific B-cell response indicating that the formation of long-lived virus-specific B-cells is suppressed in the early phase of infection. This may contribute to the inability to spontaneously clear HCV infection.     

肝细胞肝癌中丙型肝炎病毒C区、E区、NS3区、NS4区抗原的表达

本文报道研究丙型肝炎病毒抗原在肝细胞肝癌组织内的定位分布情况。以丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）的Ｃ、Ｅ、ＮＳ３、ＮＳ４区四种单克隆抗体用免疫组化方法检测了１３９例肝细胞肝癌（ＨＣＣ）的肝脏标本，结果总的阳性率为１５．１％。２１例阳性标本中，Ｃ区单抗检测阳性占８０．９％（１７／２１），Ｅ区占３３．３％（７／２１），ＮＳ３、ＮＳ４区均占５７．１％（１２／２１），表明应用多区段单抗有助于提高ＨＣＶ抗原的检出率。阳性物质主要存在于胞浆中，呈细、粗颗粒及块状，３例出现膜及膜下型，１例核内有阳性反应。ＨＣＶ感染与ＨＣＣ的发生发展有一定的关系。     

基因芯片法特异性检测丙型肝炎病毒的基因分型

目的：采用基因芯片特异性检测血清中丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）并进行基因分型。方法：设计HCV基因型特异探针，将其固定在玻璃片上制成微阵列芯片。阳性组血清60份，阴性组血清15份，乙型肝炎血清5份（抗HCV阴性）。经核酸提取，多聚酶链式反应（PCR）扩增，与芯片上的探针杂交，最后分析结果并与测序分型结果比较。结果：阳性组血清全部检测到HCV-RNA，均有基因芯片分型结果。基因芯片分型结果与测序分型结果一致者56例。阴性组血清HCV-RNA全部阴性。乙型肝炎血清全部阴性。结论：基因芯片可准确对HCV感染血清做定性检测并同时检测HCV基因型，简便快捷，特异性好，并且不需荧光标记和昂贵的荧光扫描仪器，与乙型肝炎血清无交叉反应。可替代基因测序分型，适于临床大量样品的检测。     

Hepatocytes infected with hepatitis C virus change immunological features in the liver microenvironment

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is remarkably efficient in establishing viral persistence, leading to the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are promising HCV therapies to clear the virus. However, recent reports indicate potential increased risk of HCC development among HCV patients with cirrhosis following DAA therapy. CD8+ T-cells participate in controlling HCV infection. However, in chronic hepatitis C patients, severe CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell dysfunctions have been observed. This suggests that HCV may employ mechanisms to counteract or suppress the host T-cell responses. The primary site of viral replication is within hepatocytes where infection can trigger the expression of costimulatory molecules and the secretion of immunoregulatory cytokines. Numerous studies indicate that HCV infection in hepatocytes impairs antiviral host immunity by modulating the expression of immunoregulatory molecules. Hepatocytes expressing whole HCV proteins upregulate the ligands of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) synthesis compared to those in hepatocytes in the absence of the HCV genome. Importantly, HCV-infected hepatocytes are capable of inducing regulatory CD4+ T-cells, releasing exosomes displaying TGF-β on exosome surfaces, and generating follicular regulatory T-cells. Recent studies report that the expression profile of exosome microRNAs provides biomarkers of HCV infection and HCV-related chronic liver diseases. A better understanding of the immunoregulatory mechanisms and identification of biomarkers associated with HCV infection will provide insight into designing vaccine against HCV to bypass HCV-induced immune dysregulation and prevent development of HCV-associated chronic liver diseases.     

Immunoperoxidase staining of hepatitis C virus in formalin-fixed,paraffin-embedded needle liver biopsies

The localization of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the liver has not been well clarified. We report successful indirect immunoperoxidase staining of the HCV core antigen using polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits and conventional formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded needle biopsy sections of liver. The core antigen was distributed in a fine granular pattern diffusely, perisinusoidally, or focally within the hepatocellular cytoplasm of livers from patients with HCV infection. The staining tended to show a more heterogeneous pattern in terms of intensity and distribution in cases of more advanced disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells were also frequently stained. HCV immunostaining will provide important information on the pathogenesis and treatment of HCV-related liver diseases.     

丙型肝炎病毒血清学分型与基因分型研究

为了解某农村单采浆供血员人群所感染丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）的血清型和基因型构成，并对两种分型方法进行比较，本工作以ＨＣＶＣ区型特异性多肽对抗－ＨＣＶ进行血清学分型，对已确定血清型的血清进行５′非编码区（ＮＣＲ）逆转录套式聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ｎＰＣＲ）和限制性片段长度多态性（ＲＦＬＰ）分析以确定基因型，并对６份扩增产物进行序列测定。结果显示１４０份抗－ＨＣＶ阳性血清中，血清Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型分别为４４份（３１．４３％）和１２份（８．５７％），余８４份未能分型。４４株已知血清型的ＨＣＶ中，１ｂ、２ａ和３ｂ等３种基因型分别为３４株（７７．２７％）、９株（２０．４５％）和１株（２．２７％）。两种分型方法一致率为９３．１８％（４１／４４）。对６株ＨＣＶ５′ＮＣＲ的序列分析证实了ＲＦＬＰ分型的正确性。结论认为该人群ＨＣＶ感染以血清Ⅰ型或基因１ｂ型为主；Ｃ区型特异性多肽血清学分型法与ＲＦＬＰ基因分型法符合率高，具有一定应用价值。     

Elevation of plasma soluble human leukocyte antigen-G in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

The subversion of immune responses that hepatitis C virus (HCV) uses to escape immune surveillance and to establish persistent infection has been poorly understood. The immune-suppressive molecule human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) has been supposed to play important roles in viral infection. In the current study, HCV genotype was analyzed in 67 chronic HCV-infected (CHC) patients. Plasma soluble sHLA-G (including sHLA-G1 and HLA-G5), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels were determined in these CHC patients and in healthy subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the sHLA-G isoforms present in plasma were determined by Western blot. Data showed that HCV 1b was the predominant genotype, with a prevalence of 64.2%. sHLA-G was dramatically increased in CHC patients (median: 85.54 U/ml, range: 19.40-204.07) over that in normal controls (median: 9.13 U/ml, range: 5.07-69.56) (p < 0.001). Western blotting revealed that plasma sHLA-G was derived from sHLA-G1 and HLA-G5. IL-10 and IFN-γ levels were also significant higher in CHC patients than in normal controls (median: 16.3 pg/ml vs 1.8 pg/ml, p < 0.001, and 1025.3 pg/ml vs 858.3 pg/ml, p = 0.03, respectively). No significant association was observed for the HCV genotype and viral RNA load with the levels of sHLA-G, IL-10, and IFN-γ in CHC patients. These results indicate that elevation of sHLA-G expression in HCV patients was independent of viral genotype and viral RNA load. Given its immunotolerant property, an increase in sHLA-G may play a role in the persistency of HCV infection.     

沈阳地区乙型肝炎病毒基因型分子流行病学研究

目的 研究沈阳地区乙型肝炎病毒基因型分布和特点。方法 应用半巢式聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增乙型肝炎病毒P基因，将PCR产物应用ABI377自动测序仪直接做核苷酸序列分析，并用DNA STAR软件进行种系发生分析及基因型鉴定。结果 HBV DNA标准株P基因片段可进行基因分型。在沈阳地区慢性HBV感染者中可检出基因型B、C和D，检出率分别为22％、50％和28％，基因型C分布与基因型B、D的差异有统计学意义，在慢性乙型肝炎患者和慢性HBV携带者间各基因型间分布比较中差异无统计学意义。结论 通过测定HBV DNAP基因序列片段可进行HBV DNA基因分型。沈阳地区乙型肝炎病毒基因型有基因型B、C和D型，其中基因型C为优势基因型。     

多型别HCV-E1复合表位抗原研究

目的 设计多型别HCV-E1表位复合免疫原,通过免疫小鼠,探讨其在丙型肝炎治疗性疫苗与诊断试剂研究中的应用.方法 分析比较HCV-E1包膜糖蛋白B细胞表位序列,选取几个代表性基因型的中和性优势抗原表位,再结合泛DR辅助性T细胞表位(PADRE),构建含有不同HCV型别E1表位抗原基因和通用T辅助细胞表位基因的原核表达质粒.结果 成功构建了含有HCV 1a、1b、2a、3a、4a和6a等基因型E1中和性表位以及通用T辅助细胞表位的质粒pBVIL1/E1s-PADRE,该质粒转化大肠杆菌后获得的工程菌,通过诱导培养可以高效表达重组多型别HCV-E1表位复合抗原,所获得的多型别HCV-E1表位复合免疫原可在BALB/c小鼠体内诱发强烈的体液免疫反应,ELISA检测抗体水平可达到1:12 800.结论 新构建的HCV-E1表位复合免疫原具有很好的免疫原性,为进一步研究HCV疫苗奠定了基础.     

Hepatitis B virus genotype C prevails among chronic carriers of the virus in Korea

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causative agents of chronic liver diseases in Korea. HBV has been classified into 8 genotypes by a divergence of >8% in the entire genomic sequence, and have distinct geographic distributions. There are limited data on the relevance between HBV genotypes and clinical outcomes in Korea. To investigate the clinical feature relating to HBV genotype in Korea, a total 120 serum samples with HBsAg (65 from Seoul and 55 from the other city in Korea) were obtained from each 30 chronic HBV carriers with asymptomatic carrier (ASC), chronic hepatitis (CH), liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV genotype was determined by either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies against genotype-specific epitopes in the preS2-region or the direct sequencing of small S gene. HBV genotypes were determined in 105 (87.5%) of 120 samples. HBV genotype C was identified in all HBV carriers with ASC, CH, LC, and HCC. Genotypes A, B, D, E, F and G were not detected in any of them. Genotype C HBV prevails predominantly among chronic carriers of the virus in Korea, irrespective of their clinical stages of liver disease and geographic origin.     

Differences in the patterns and outcomes of enhanced viral replication between hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma during transarterial chemolipiodolization

Background/Aims

Enhanced replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is well described in the setting of moderate to severe immunosuppression. The aims of this retrospective study were to determine the incidence of enhanced HCV replication in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing transarterial chemolipiodolization (TACL) and to identify the factors associated with enhanced replication of HCV. The clinical pattern of enhanced HCV replication was compared with hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation during TACL.

Methods

This study enrolled 49 anti-HCV-seropositive patients who were diagnosed with HCC between January 2005 and December 2010 and who underwent TACL using epirubicin and/or cisplatin with consecutive HCV RNA copies checked. For comparison, 46 hepatitis B surface antigen¹-positive patients with HCC who were treated with TACL were also enrolled. The frequency, associated factors, and clinical outcomes of enhanced HCV replication were analyzed and compared with those of HBV reactivation during TACL.

Results

Enhanced replication of HCV occurred in 13 (26.5%) of the 49 anti-HCV-seropositive patients during TACL. Of these 13 patients, 4 developed hepatitis, but none of the subjects developed decompensation due to the hepatitis. No significant clinical factors for enhanced HCV replication during TACL were found. Compared with HBV reactivation, the frequency of hepatitis attributed to enhanced HCV replication was significantly lower than that for HBV reactivation (8.2% vs. 23.9%, P=0.036).

Conclusions

TACL can enhance HCV replication; however, the likelihood of hepatitis and decompensation stemming from enhanced HCV replication was lower than that for HBV reactivation in patients undergoing TACL.     

Duplication of the V3 domain in hepatitis C virus (1b) NS5A protein: Clonal analysis and physicochemical properties related to hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence

BackgroundHepatitis C virus non-structural protein 5A is known to play a role in development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via interactions with host cell pathways.ObjectivesHepatitis C virus genotype 1b strains presenting a wide insertion of 31 amino acids in the non-structural protein 5A V3 domain (V3 DI) were studied to determine whether this V3-like additional domain (V3 DII) was associated with HCC occurrence.Study designSeventy-four patients’ sera were screened for V3 DII presence regarding clinical status.ResultsThree strains with duplicated V3 were detected among patients with progression to HCC (n = 28), two strains among patients with liver cirrhosis (Ci, n = 27) and none among patients with chronic hepatitis (Chr, n = 19). Phylogenetic trees built from V3 DI and V3 DII sequences indicated that the latter clustered separately. In between-group clonal analysis, V3 DII sequences from the HCC group were found to be more distant from HCV-J than V3 DI sequences (p < 0.0001). Between-group comparisons showed significant differences in genetic distances from HCV-J, in HCC V3 DI and HCC V3 DII compared to Ci V3 DI and Ci V3 DII sequences (p < 0.0001). HCC V3 DII domain and its junction with V3 DI exhibited higher Shannon entropy values and enrichment in disorder-promoting residues.ConclusionsTaken together, our results suggest that V3 DII evolution may differ in strains associated with HCC occurrence. The presence of an intrinsically “disordered” V3 duplicate may alter the NS5A protein network. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the potential impact of V3 duplication in the context of carcinogenesis.     

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Molecular mechanisms and novel paradigms

Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most HCCs complicate the evolution of an active or inactive cirrhosis. However, some tumors occur on livers with minimal histological changes; the prevalence of such cases varies from one geographical region to the other, being much higher in the Southern half of Africa (around 40% of HCCs) than in Asia, America and Europe, where at least 90% of HCCs are associated in the cirrhosis. This heterogeneity is probably a reflection of different environmental and genetic factors. This review will summarise the current knowledge on the mechanisms involved in HBV-related liver carcinogenesis. It will show in particular how viruses can be viewed as tools to discover and dissect new cellular pathways involved in cancer development and emphasize the potential synergistic effects between HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as between viral infections and other environmental factors, such as alcohol.     

Cross‐reactivity of hepatitis C virus specific vaccine‐induced T cells at immunodominant epitopes

Viral diversity is a challenge to the development of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine. Following vaccination of humans with adenoviral vectors, we determined the capacity of T cells to target common viral variants at immundominant epitopes ex vivo. We identified two major variants for epitopes NS3₁₀₇₃ and NS3₁₄₄₆, and multiple variants for epitope NS3₁₄₀₆ that occurred in >5% of genotype 1 and 3 sequences at a population level. Cross‐reactivity of vaccine‐induced T cells was determined using variant peptides in IFN‐γ ELISPOT assays. Vaccine‐induced T cells targeted approximately 90% of NS3₁₀₇₃ genotype 1 sequences and 50% of NS3₁₄₄₆ genotype 1 and 3 sequences. For NS3_1406, 62% of subtype‐1b sequences were targeted. Next, we assessed whether an in vitro priming system, using dendritic cells and T cells from healthy donors, could identify a variant of NS3₁₄₀₆ that was maximally cross‐reactive. In vitro priming assays showed that of those tested the NS3₁₄₀₆ vaccine variant was the most immunogenic. T cells primed with genotype 1 variants from subtype 1a or 1b were broadly cross‐reactive with other variants from the same subtype. We conclude that immunization with candidate HCV adenoviral vaccines generates cross‐reactive T cells at immunodominant epitopes. The degree of cross‐reactivity varies between epitopes and may be HCV‐subtype specific.