Recapitulation of HDV infection in a fully permissive hepatoma cell line allows efficient drug evaluation

Nat Commun. 2019 May 22;10(1):2265. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-10211-2.

Abstract

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) depends on the helper function of hepatitis B virus (HBV), which provides the envelope proteins for progeny virus secretion. Current infection-competent cell culture models do not support assembly and secretion of HDV. By stably transducing HepG2 cells with genes encoding the NTCP-receptor and the HBV envelope proteins we produce a cell line (HepNB2.7) that allows continuous secretion of infectious progeny HDV following primary infection. Evaluation of antiviral drugs shows that the entry inhibitor Myrcludex B (IC50: 1.4 nM) and interferon-α (IC50: 28 IU/ml, but max. 60-80% inhibition) interfere with primary infection. Lonafarnib inhibits virus secretion (IC50: 36 nM) but leads to a substantial intracellular accumulation of large hepatitis delta antigen and replicative intermediates, accompanied by the induction of innate immune responses. This work provides a cell line that supports the complete HDV replication cycle and presents a convenient tool for antiviral drug evaluation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepatitis B virus / metabolism
  • Hepatitis Delta Virus / drug effects*
  • Hepatitis Delta Virus / physiology
  • Hepatitis delta Antigens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hepatitis delta Antigens
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • hepatitis delta virus large antigen