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Hepatitis B Virus-KMT2B Integration Drives Hepatic Oncogenic Processes in a Human Gene-edited Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-derived Model.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA integration into the host genome contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. KMT2B is the second most frequent locus of HBV-DNA integration in HCC; however, its role and function remain unclear. We aimed to clarify the impact of HBV-KMT2B integration in HCC development using a human genome-edited induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs) model. METHODS: Based on the genetic information on HBV-KMT2B integration in HCC, we determined its complete DNA sequence and transcript variants. To exclude the effect of other oncogenic mutations, we reproduced HBV integration in healthy donor iPSCs with an intact genome and analyzed its effects using iPSC-derived hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) and hepatocytes (iPS-Heps). RESULTS: The reproduced HBV-KMT2B integration significantly upregulated the proliferation of hepatic cells. Comprehensive transcriptional and epigenetic analyses revealed enhanced expression of cell cycle-related genes in hepatic cells with HBV-KMT2B integration based on perturbation of histone 3 lysine 4 tri-methylation (H3K4me3), mimicking that in the original HCC sample. Long-read RNA-sequence detected the common KMT2B transcript variants in the HCC sample and HPCs. Overexpression of the truncated variant significantly enhanced proliferation of hepatic cells, whereas HBV-KMT2B fusion transcripts did not enhance proliferation. HBV-KMT2B-integrated HPCs exhibited replication stress and DNA damage, indicating that our model initiated the process of hepatocarcinogenesis due to abnormally promoted KMT2B function. CONCLUSIONS: Our disease model using genetically engineered iPSCs provides the first insight into both the KMT2B function in HCC development and the oncogenic processes by HBV-KMT2B integration. We clarified the novel oncogenic mechanism in HBV-related HCC due to aberrant KMT2B function.

Humans↗

Trans-activation function of a 3' truncated X gene-cell fusion product from integrated hepatitis B virus DNA in chronic hepatitis tissues.

To investigate the expression and transactivation function of the X gene in integrated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA from chronic hepatitis tissues, a series of transfectants containing cloned integrated HBV DNAs was made and analyzed for X mRNA expression and trans-activation activity by using a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay. Most of the integrated HBV DNAs expressed X mRNA and encoded a product with trans-activation activity in spite of the loss of the 3' end region of the X gene due to integration. From cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of X mRNA transcribed from native or integrated HBV DNA, the X protein was found to be translated from the X open reading frame without splicing. For integrated HBV DNA, transcription was extended to a cellular flanking DNA and an X gene-cell fusion transcript was terminated by using a cellular poly(A) signal. The amino acid sequence deduced from an X-cell fusion transcript indicated truncation of the carboxyl-terminal five amino acids, but the upstream region of seven amino acids conserved among hepadnaviruses was retained in the integrated HBV DNA, suggesting that this conserved region is essential for the transactivation function of the X protein. These findings support the following explanation for hepatocarcinogenesis by HBV DNA integration: the expression of a cellular oncogene(s) is transactivated at the time of chronic infection by the increasing amounts of the integrated HBV gene product(s), such as the X-cell fusion product.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hybrid hepatitis B virus-host transcripts in a human hepatoma cell.

The human PLC/PRF/5 hepatoma cell line (the Alexander cell) contains at least seven copies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA integrated in its genome; but it selectively expresses the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) gene and perhaps low levels of the core gene. We have prepared a cDNA library from PLC/PRF/5 cell poly(A)+ RNA and isolated clones containing HBV sequences. Hybridization experiments show that the great majority of HBV-specific RNAs in this cell line contain HBsAg coding sequences and are presumably derived from the HBsAg gene. Primer extension experiments show that these HBsAg mRNAs are, however, derived from multiple initiation sites in the HBsAg gene and involve two promoters: one at the 5' end of the gene that can produce a protein of 45 kDa, and one located in the pre-S region that can produce two proteins of 31 kDa and the mature HBsAg, 25 kDa, respectively. The HBV RNAs are hybrid RNA species that contain HBV sequences at their 5' ends and host DNA sequences at the 3' ends. The great majority of these hybrid RNAs are transcribed from two closely related yet distinct HBV integrants. The viral-host sequences of these two related hybrid RNAs suggest that the related HBV sequences were generated from a parental fragment via duplication, translocation, and mutagenesis. These processes may play a role in HBV-related oncogenesis.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Integrated hepatitis B virus X and 3' truncated preS/S sequences derived from human hepatomas encode functionally active transactivators.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) frequently integrates into hepatocellular genomic DNA during viral infection. Transcriptional transactivators encoded by integrated HBV X and 3' truncated preS/S sequences are known to stimulate gene expression from homologous and heterologous promoters. Here we demonstrate that 21 of 26 (81%) hepatocellular carcinoma tissues/cell lines contain coding sequences for at least one of the two known transactivators. Four integrated X and three preS/S transactivator sequences contained in five isolates from three hepatoma primary tissues or cell lines were used as examples to prove functionality of the encoded transactivators. In one case, where both X and preS/S sequences were present, dissection of X and preS/S transactivator sequences showed independent functionality. The investigation of X- and preS/S-specific RNA and protein expression revealed the existence of carboxyterminally truncated viral-cellular fusion proteins that were able to stimulate gene expression from the c-fos proto-oncogene promoter five- to ten-fold. These results demonstrate that structurally intact HBV transactivator sequences are integrated in the majority of HBV-associated HCCs/hepatoma cell lines. In all tested examples integrated DNAs had retained functionality as transactivators. This data thereby support indirectly the hypothesis of a possible involvement of HBV transactivators in liver cell proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis.

Base Sequence↗

Liver diseases associated with hepadnavirus infection. A study in duck model.

Among four hepadnaviruses, we studied liver diseases of duck hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected animals. There was close correlation of viral infection and development of liver diseases. The presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was observed in Chinese ducks. We previously showed that duck HBV DNA was integrated in the neoplastic cells. Analysis of duck HBV integrants revealed the similarity to the reported structures of HBV integrants. To develop effective antiviral therapy, we tested adenine arabinoside (Ara-A), phosphonoformate, azido-deoxythymidine (AZT), and dideoxycytidine (DDC) in this in vivo model. Significant suppressive effects on viral replication were observed by phosphonoformate and adenine arabinoside, but AZT and DDC failed to show significant antiviral effects. This may be related to a unique pathway of replication in hepadnaviruses.

Animals↗

Different expression of hepatitis B surface antigen between hepatocellular carcinoma and its surrounding liver tissue, studied using a tissue microarray.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and is highly associated with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B viral infection. In order to study the association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and HCC development, tissue microarrays were used to detect the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 194 HCCs and their surrounding liver tissues, using anti-HBsAg monoclonal antibody. The results showed that the expression of HBsAg is significantly lower in tumour tissue than in non-tumour tissue. Among the 138 cases with positive serum HBsAg, expression of HBsAg was more frequently detected in non-tumour tissue (103 cases, 75%) than in tumour tissue (11 cases, 8%). RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis were performed to explore the mechanism of the decreased expression of HBsAg in tumour cells. The RT-PCR results showed that absence or decreased expression of the HBV S gene was detected in 3/15 (20%) and 6/15 (40%) HCCs, respectively. Integration of HBV in 23 pairs of HCCs and their matched non-tumour liver tissues was studied by Southern blot. The results showed that the integrated HBV S gene sequence was detected in 19/23 tumours (83%) and 1/23 non-tumour tissues (4%), whereas the free replicative virus form was observed in 3/23 tumours (13%) and 14/23 non-tumour tissues (61%). These findings suggest that HBsAg-negative results in tumour tissues were directly related to HBV DNA insertion and provide new insights into the involvement of HBsAg in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Adolescent↗

Hepatocellular carcinoma in north-east England: importance of hepatitis B infection and ex-tropical military service.

Over a four-year period 40 patients of local origin, with primary hepatocellular carcinoma were seen at a regional referral centre. Twenty-nine patients had histological evidence of underlying cirrhosis and these patients were predominantly male (25/29) and elderly (mean age 66 years). Serological evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was found in 11 (38 per cent) of the cirrhotic group. Of the 25 males with cirrhosis, 13 (52 per cent) were known to have seen military service in the tropics and of these eight had serum HBV markers. The non-cirrhotic group was younger (mean age 55 years) and the sex distribution was nearly equal (six male, five female). Two patients (19 per cent) had hepatitis B markers including one of the two men in this group who had served in the tropics. One patient with no serum HBV markers had integrated HBV-DNA sequences in the cellular DNA of her tumour. These observations confirm the association of primary hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatitis B virus and suggest that a significant proportion of patients of United Kingdom origin acquired their susceptibility as a result of military service in the tropics. There is presumably a substantial cohort of ex-service men at risk of developing primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗

Cloning and characterization of a human ribosomal protein gene with enhanced expression in fetal and neoplastic cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is strongly associated with hepatitis B virus carrier patients who usually have HBV sequences integrated in the chromosomal DNA of liver cells. To assess the possible effects of HBV regulatory sequences (e.g., the enhancer) on expression of neighboring host genes we have screened for cellular genes that are both overexpressed and adjacent to integrated HBV sequences in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The cloned cDNA for one such gene encodes a protein similar to the E. coli L-3 ribosomal protein which is thought to play a role in mRNA binding to the ribosome. The protein encoded by the cDNA localizes to the nucleolus and is also found in ribosomes; possibly it is the mammalian homologue of L-3 (MRL3). The expression of MRL3 is higher in colon carcinoma and lymphoma cell lines than in normal liver, placenta and diploid fibroblasts, and is also higher in fetal than in adult liver. Therefore, MRL3 overexpression seems to be a property of rapidly dividing cells and is not directly linked to oncogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Scaffold attachment region located in a locus targeted by hepadnavirus integration in hepatocellular carcinomas.

The role of viral integration in HBV induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. In the WHV/woodchuck animal model, WHV integration was found to activate the N-myc2 oncogene either by enhancer insertion in proximity of the gene, or by integration in a distantly located uncoding locus, win. In addition, we have reported that N-myc2 activation also results from WHV integration in the b3n locus, located several kilobases downstream of N-myc2. In this work we report the search for function(s) of the b3n locus that might be possibly affected by WHV integration and indirectly activate N-myc2. A 0.5 kb region of the sequence of this locus exhibited unusual features, typical of scaffold/matrix attachment regions (S/MAR). Standard in vitro binding assays are commonly used to assess if a DNA fragment is a S/MAR. DNA fragments cloned from the b3n locus were tested for in vitro binding affinity for both heterologous and autologous nuclear scaffold preparations. Only the fragment spanning the region rich of S/MAR motifs was found to bind specifically nuclear scaffolds, thus demonstrating that a S/MAR element is present in the b3n locus. Based on these findings, we speculate that WHV integration might deregulate the S/MAR element and indirectly affect the expression of the N-myc2 gene located upstream of the S/MAR. Our findings also suggest that the role of HBV integration should be reconsidered, because a similar mechanism has not been investigated to date in human HCC.

Animals↗

Hepatocellular carcinoma and infections with multiple hepatitis viruses.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) plays a major role in liver carcinogenesis. HBV-DNA integration into cellular DNA provides some molecular basis for understanding the mechanisms of neoplastic transformation of the liver cell. Persistence of HBV-DNA episomic forms, necro-inflammation in the liver, and cirrhosis appear to be additional promoting factors. We studied the possible association between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the defective hepatitis D virus (HDV), a virus that requires the helper function of HBV. Patients infected with HDV and HBV develop HCC about 10 years earlier than those infected with HBV alone. Persistence of active HDV disease and low levels of "wild-type" HBV (i.e., secreting the hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]) are associated with progressive liver disease and HCC. Therefore, HBV replication, in spite of being inhibited by HDV, appears to play a major role sustaining HDV pathogenicity. Detection of antibody to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in many HCC patients raises the important question whether HCV has oncogenic potential. Clinico-epidemiological data show that the most severe forms of liver disease in patients with multifactorial liver damage occur in those infected with HCV. The prevalence of HBV markers in patients with cirrhosis, HCC, and HCV infection is higher than in individuals with comparable age and other diseases. HBV-DNA integration occurring early during HBV infection can persist in those with and without detectable HBsAg in their serum. Therefore, one can speculate that in patients with integrated HBV-DNA and concurrent HCV infection, cirrhosis and HCC may develop more easily than in patients without HBV-DNA integration. HCV hampering the immune system also might play a role in the genesis of HCC. The evidence that multiple hepatitis viruses are more frequently associated with HCC than infections of one virus alone has important practical consequences. It warrants the identification of high risk patients so that they can be monitored frequently for early diagnosis and treatment.

Adolescent↗

Hepatitis B virus integration in a cyclin A gene in a hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA frequently integrates into the genome of human primary liver cancer cells, but the significance of this integration in liver carcinogenesis is still unclear. Here we report the cloning of a single HBV integration site in a human hepatocellular carcinoma at an early stage of development, and of its germline counterpart. The normal locus was found to be transcribed into two polyadenylated messenger RNA species of 1.8 and 2.7 kilobases. We have isolated a complementary DNA clone from a normal adult human liver cDNA library which has an open reading frame with a coding capacity for a protein of 432 amino acids and relative molecular mass 48,536. The strong homology of the C-terminal half of the protein to the A-type cyclins of clam and Drosophila identifies it as a human cyclin A. The cyclin A gene has several exons, and the HBV integration occurs within an intron. As cyclins are important in the control of cell division, the disruption of a cyclin A gene by viral insertion might contribute to tumorigenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Integration of hepatitis B virus: analysis of unoccupied sites.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) sequences integrated in the PLC/PRF/5 cell line (Alexander cells), which was derived from a human primary liver carcinoma, were previously extensively studied. Here we describe the analysis of the unoccupied sites of two linearly integrated forms of HBV DNA, AL-14 and AL-26, that were characterized previously. No major cellular DNA rearrangements were seen at the integration sites except for small deletions of host sequences: 2 kilobases of DNA in AL-14 and 17 base pairs (bp) in AL-26. The unoccupied site of AL-26 was found to be missing 182 bp, which previously mapped next to the right end of the integration sites of several independent clones. These were believed to be of cellular origin, but we show here that these 182 bp are in fact from unusual HBV sequences. Surprisingly, a region of this newly detected HBV DNA sequence is more homologous to that of woodchuck HBV DNA. Our analysis shows that the normal counterparts of both AL-14 and AL-26 contain minisatellite-like repetitive sequences. Based on the data presented here and our previous finding of HBV DNA integration at satellite sequences, we propose that genomic simple repetitive sequences are hot spots for HBV DNA integration.

Base Sequence↗

[Viral replication, histologic damage and enzymatic activity in chronic hepatopathies caused by B virus].

The future of patients with chronic hepatitis (HC) due to B virus depends above all on the tendency of the interaction between viral activity and immune response. Viral activity (replication) (RV) can be expressed in these patients by two variants: a) "complete" or "early", associated with the presence in serum of HBsAg, HBeAg, and significant DNA polymerase activity, and b) "incomplete" or "late", in which anti-HBe is found in serum and there are scant or no histopathologic changes ("healthy carriers" in some cases). In prolonged infections viral replication declines gradually, although viral capsid protein continues to be synthesized and DNA-HBV is integrated into the genome. Viral replication per se does not condition the histologic damage (DH) expressive of liver cirrhosis with HBV (HCB). Other publications take a different view of this problem. The increase in viral replication often is proportional to a rise in serum GPT (an expression of histologic damage), but viral replication is not always associated with a progressive disease course. The immune defense leads to cytolysis and subsequent elimination of the HB virus. Some patients with high HBsAg levels have little active forms of liver cirrhosis; the DNA-HBV integrated would be capable of producing HBsAg but not HBcAg. It is precisely this that induces the response of cytotoxic T lymphocytes at the level of the hepatocyte surface. The presence in serum of anti-HBe IgM would be related to the expression of HBcAg on the hepatocyte membrane and/or the liberation of HBcAg particles by lysed hepatocytes. The relationship between the degree of histologic damage and serum aminotransferase levels is better established.

Chronic Disease↗

Detection of HBV-DNA in liver biopsy and serum: its significance in the selection of hepatitis B patients for antiviral therapy.

We have characterized the hepatitis B virus state in liver and serum of 38 HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis patients (chronic active hepatitis (CAH), 19; chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH), 7; cirrhosis, 11; 'normal' carrier, 1) and 21 HBsAg-negative patients. Episomal HBV-DNA in liver, without detectable integrated HBV-DNA sequences, concomitant with HBV-DNA in serum was found in 19 HBeAg-positive patients (CAH, 16; CPH, 1; cirrhosis, 2). Integrated sequences were detected in 13 HBsAg-positive HBeAg-negative patients (CAH, 1; CPH, 5; cirrhosis, 7) and in 1 HBsAg-negative patient. Episomal HBV-DNA and integrated HBV-DNA sequences were observed simultaneously in 1 HBsAg-positive HBeAg-negative CPH patient and in 4 HBsAg-positive cirrhosis patients (2 HBeAg-positive, 2 HBeAg-negative). The presence of HBcAg immunofluorescence corresponded well with that of episomal HBV-DNA. Antiviral therapy is advised for HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis patients with episomal HBV-DNA, irrespective of the presence of integrated sequences. Since the presence of episomal HBV-DNA in liver is not always accompanied by the presence of serum HBV-DNA, procedures for the selection and evaluation of patients for antiviral therapy should be extended by characterization of the HBV-DNA state in liver biopsies.

Antiviral Agents↗

Activation of protooncogene c-jun by the X protein of hepatitis B virus.

A specific viral oncogenic mechanism has not been shown for hepatitis B virus (HBV), although persistent HBV infection has been strongly associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most HCCs in HBV carriers contain integrated viral sequences in host DNA and this raises the question of whether such integrations ever contribute to oncogenesis. HBV does contain a gene (designated the hbx gene) which encodes a transcriptional trans-activator protein capable of activating homologous and heterologous regulatory sequences. Hbx has been detected in some human HCC with HBV integrations and the expressed hbx protein appears to have transcriptional transactivating activity. These findings raise the possibility that hbx expression could contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis by activating cellular genes that could contribute to oncogenicity. The possibility that the hbx protein may activate certain protooncogenes was investigated and we found that hbx can activate the protooncogene c-jun promoter. c-Jun was found to be expressed at a very low level in normal liver tissue but at high levels in HCCs of HBV-infected patients.

Base Sequence↗

Chromosomal translocation and inverted duplication associated with integrated hepatitis B virus in hepatocellular carcinomas.

Integrated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is found in hepatocellular carcinomas which develop in HBV carriers. Presented here are the results of analyses of four integrants that show chromosomal rearrangements associated with the integrated HBV DNA. Two clones (p4 and C15) were found to have large inverted repeating structures, each consisting of HBV genome along with flanking cellular sequences. The structure must have arisen by duplication of the primary integrant, including the flanking cellular DNA, followed by recombination within the viral DNA. One of the two viral arms in each clone joins to the other viral arm at the "cohesive end region." Two clones (DA2-2 and DA2-6) were found to have integrated HBV sequences, each flanked by cellular DNAs from different chromosomes (chromosome X joined to 17 and chromosome 5 joined to 9). They must be the products of cellular DNA translocations using the integrated HBV DNA as the switch point. The viral DNA in each clone is a continuous stretch of a single virus genome with one end in the cohesive end region. These complex structures seem to have been produced by activation of the cohesive end of an integrant viral genome, followed by its recombination with another chromosomal DNA.

Base Sequence↗

Deletion in chromosome 11p associated with a hepatitis B integration site in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a virus with known carcinogenic potential, integrates into cellular DNA during long-term persistent infection in man. Hepatocellular carcinomas isolated from viral carriers often contain clonally propagated viral DNA integrations. As small chromosomal deletions are associated with several types of carcinomas, the occurrence of chromosomal deletions in association with HBV integration in hepatocellular carcinoma was studied. HBV integration was accompanied by a deletion of at least 13.5 kilobases of cellular sequences in a human hepatocellular carcinoma. The viral DNA integration and deletion of cellular sequences occurred on the short arm of chromosome 11 at location 11p13-11p14. The cellular sequences that were deleted at the site of HBV integration were lost from the tumor cells, leaving only a single copy of the remaining cellular allele.

Animals↗