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Synchronised infection identifies early rate‐limiting steps in the hepatitis B virus life cycle

Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus that contains a partially double‐stranded relaxed circular (rc) DNA. Upon infection, rcDNA is delivered to the nucleus where it is repaired to covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA that serves as the transcription template for all viral RNAs. Our understanding of HBV particle entry dynamics and host pathways regulating intracellular virus trafficking and cccDNA formation is limited. The discovery of sodium taurocholate co‐transporting peptide (NTCP) as the primary receptor allows studies on these early steps in viral life cycle. We employed a synchronised infection protocol to quantify HBV entry kinetics. HBV attachment to cells at 4°C is independent of NTCP, however, subsequent particle uptake is NTCP‐dependent and reaches saturation at 12 h post‐infection. HBV uptake is clathrin‐ and dynamin dependent with actin and tubulin playing a role in the first 6 h of infection. Cellular fractionation studies demonstrate HBV DNA in the nucleus within 6 h of infection and cccDNA was first detected at 24 h post‐infection. Our studies show the majority (83%) of cell bound particles enter HepG2‐NTCP cells, however, only a minority (<1%) of intracellular rcDNA was converted to cccDNA, highlighting this as a rate‐limiting in establishing infection in vitro. This knowledge highlights the deficiencies in our in vitro cell culture systems and will inform the design and evaluation of physiologically relevant models that support efficient HBV replication.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1111/cmi.13250

Authors


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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
NDM Experimental Medicine
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Wiley
Journal:
Cellular Microbiology More from this journal
Volume:
22
Issue:
12
Article number:
e13250
Publication date:
2020-09-28
Acceptance date:
2020-07-27
DOI:
EISSN:
1462-5822
ISSN:
1462-5814


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1123128
Local pid:
pubs:1123128
Deposit date:
2020-08-01

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