1. Inhibition of hepatitis B virus DNA replication by a thermostable interferon-γ variant.
- Author
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Brunelle MN, Saboulard D, Massinet H, Lamant C, Soussan P, Brezillon N, and Kremsdorf D
- Subjects
- Animals, Antiviral Agents pharmacology, DNA, Viral biosynthesis, Female, Half-Life, HeLa Cells, Hep G2 Cells, Hepatitis B virus drug effects, Hepatitis B virus genetics, Humans, Interferon-gamma genetics, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Recombinant Proteins, DNA Replication, Hepatitis B virus physiology, Interferon-gamma pharmacology, Virus Replication
- Abstract
Background: Treatment of HBV chronic carriers using interferon (IFN)-α or nucleoside/nucleotide analogues fails to suppress viral infection. Type-II IFN-γ has been shown to inhibit HBV replication. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the antiviral efficacy against HBV of a thermostable IFN-γ variant isolated using Massive Mutagenesis and thermoresistant selection (THR) technologies., Methods: The thermostability of wild-type (wt) and S63C IFN-γ was determined in vitro and in vivo. Activation of the IFN-γ responsive element by wt and S63C IFN-γ was tested using a luciferase assay. HepG2.2.15 cells constitutively expressing HBV were used to analyse the antiviral activity of wt and S63C IFN-γ against HBV replication. Intracellular HBV DNA was detected by Southern blot and quantified by real-time PCR analyses., Results: S63C IFN-γ was shown to be more thermostable and had a longer half-life than wt IFN-γ. Both wt and S63C IFN-γ displayed a similar capacity to activate the IFN pathway. The treatment of HepG2.2.15 cells with wt or S63C IFN-γ induced the inhibition of HBV viral replication. After heating, S63C IFN-γ displayed better conservation of its antiviral activity against HBV when compared with wt IFN-γ., Conclusions: These results confirm that the THR method can be used to isolate mutants with enhanced thermostability and demonstrate that a thermostable IFN-γ variant presents antiviral properties against HBV replication. This molecule could provide a new strategy to treat patients who do not respond to antiviral therapy.
- Published
- 2010
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