96-Week Treatment of Tenofovir Amibufenamide and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Background and Aims:Tenofovir amibufenamide(TMF)is a novel phosphoramidated prodrug of tenofovir with nonin-ferior efficacy and better bone and renal safety to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate(TDF)in 48 weeks of treatment.Here,we update 96-week comparison results.Methods:Patients with chronic hepatitis B were assigned(2:1)to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks.The virological suppression was defined as HBV DNA levels<20 IU/mL at week 96.Safety was evaluated thoroughly with focusing on bone,renal,and metabolic pa-rameters.Results:Virological suppression rates at week 96 were similar between TMF and TDF group in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative populations.Noninferior efficacy was maintained in the pooled population,while it was first achieved in patients with HBV DNA≥7 or 8 log10 IU/mL at baseline.Non-indexed estimated glomerular filtration rate for renal safety assessment was adopted,while a smaller decline of which was seen in the TMF group than in the TDF group(p=0.01).For bone mineral density,patients receiv-ing TMF displayed significantly lower reduction levels in the densities of spine,hip,and femur neck at week 96 than those receiving TDF.In addition,the lipid parameters were stable after week 48 in all groups while weight change still showed the opposite trend.Conclusions:TMF maintained similar efficacy at week 96 compared with TDF with continued superior bone and renal safety profiles(NCT03903796).

Role of Ras-related Nuclear Protein/Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein in Facilitating the Replication of Hepatitis C Virus

Background and Aims:Ras-related nuclear(RAN)protein is a small GTP-binding protein that is indispensable for the translocation of RNA and proteins through the nuclear pore complex.Recent studies have indicated that RAN plays an important role in virus infection.However,the role of RAN in hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is unclear.The objective of this study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of RAN in HCV infection.Methods:Huh7.5.1 cells were infected with the JC1-Luc virus for 24 h and then were incubated with complete medium for an additional 48 h.HCV infection and RAN expression were determined using luciferase assay,quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blotting.Small interfering RNA was used to silence RAN.Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the cytoplasmic translocation of polypyrimidine tract-binding(PTB),and coimmunoprecipitation was used to examine the interaction between RAN and PTB.Results:HCV infection significantly induced RAN expression and cytoplasmic redistribution of PTB.Knockdown of RAN dramatically inhibited HCV infection and the cytoplasmic accumulation of PTB.Colocalization of RAN and PTB was determined by immunofluorescence,and a direct interaction of RAN with PTB was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation.Conclusions:PTB in the host cytoplasm is directly associated with HCV replication.These findings demonstrate that the involvement of RAN in HCV infection is mediated by influencing the cytoplasmic translocation of PTB.