Construction of a replication-competent hepatitis B virus vector carrying secreted luciferase transgene and establishment of new hepatitis B virus replication and expression cell lines

BACKGROUND Previously,we have successfully constructed replication-competent hepatitis B virus(HBV)vectors by uncoupling the P open reading frame(ORF)from the preC/C ORF to carefully design the transgene insertion site to overcome the compact organization of the HBV genome and maintain HBV replication competence.Consequently,the replication-competent HBV vectors carrying foreign genes,including pCH-BsdR,carrying blasticidin resistance gene(399 bp),and pCH-hrGFP,carrying humanized renilla green fluorescent protein gene(720 bp),were successfully obtained.However,the replication efficiency of the former is higher but it is tedious to use,while that of the latter is poor and cannot be quantified.Hence,we need to search for a new reporter gene that is convenient and quantifiable for further research.AIM To establish a helpful tool for intracellular HBV replication and anti-viral drugs screening studies.METHODS We utilized the replication-competent HBV viral vectors constructed by our laboratory,combined with the secreted luciferase reporter gene,to construct replication-competent HBV vectors expressing the reporter gene secretory Nanoluc Luciferase(SecNluc).HepG2.TA2-7 cells were transfected with this vector to obtain cell lines with stably secreted HBV particles carrying secNluc reporter gene.RESULTS The replication-competent HBV vector carrying the SecNluc reporter gene pCHsNLuc could produce all major viral RNAs and a full set of envelope proteins and achieve high-level secreted luciferase expression.HBV replication intermediates could be produced from this vector.Via transfection with pTRE-sNLuc and selection by hygromycin,we obtained isolated cell clones,named HBV-NLuc-35 cells,which could secrete secNLuc recombinant viruses,and were sensitive to existing anti-HBV drugs.Using differentiated HepaRG cells,it was verified that recombinant HBV possessed infectivity.CONCLUSION Our research demonstrated that a replication-competent HBV vector carrying a secreted luciferase transgene possesses replication and expression ability,and the established HBV replication and expression cell lines could stably secrete viral particles carrying secNluc reporter gene.More importantly,the cell line and the secreted recombinant viral particles could be used to trace HBV replication or infection.

Generation and application of replication-competent Venus-expressing H5N1,H7N9,and H9N2 influenza A viruses

The generation and application of replication-competent influenza A virus （IAV） expressing a reporter gene represent a valuable tool to elucidate the mechanism of viral pathogenesis and establish new coun- termeasures to combat the threat of influenza. Here, replication-competent 1AVs with a neuraminidase （NA） segment harboring a fluorescent reporter protein, Venus, were generated in the background of H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 influenza viruses, the three subtypes of viruses with imminent pandemic poten- tial. All three reporter viruses maintained virion morphology, replicated with similar or slightly reduced titers relative to their parental viruses, and stably expressed the fluorescent signal for at least two pas- sages in embryonated chicken eggs. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated that these reporter viruses, used in combination with a high-content imaging system, can serve as a convenient and rapid tool for the screening of antivirals and host factors involved in the virus life cycle. Moreover. the reporter viruses demonstrated similar growth properties and tissue tropism as their parental viruses in mice, among which the HTN9 NA-Venus virus could potentially be used in ex vivo studies to better understand H7N9 pathogenesis or to develop novel therapeutics.

Oncoselectivity in Oncolytic Viruses against Colorectal Cancer

In humans colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. New treatment options are urgently needed to supplement existing therapies. Replication-competent oncolytic viruses (RCOVs) for the treatment of cancerous tumors?in vivo?is a relatively new therapeutic modality with great but largely unrealized potential against CRC. In the context of oncolytic virus safety, oncoselectivity is an important criterion. It is at the conceptual intersection of viral replication strategy and tumor cell biology that RCOVs acquire their oncoselectivity, and thus their safety. Every aspect of tumor molecular biology which distinguishes it from normal, non-neoplastic cells is a potential target for exploitation. In the first section of this review we will provide an explanation of some of the successful and widely used strategies for improving oncoselectivity in wild-type viruses to make them more suitable as RCOVs. In the second section we will describe some of the characteristics of CRC biology which can be exploited to provide oncoselectivity against CRC. Throughout the review examples of successfully-engineered RCOVs which embody the approach or strategy under discussion are noted. By showing what has been done, we hope to highlight what is possible and what remains to be done to generate oncoselective RCOVs for use against CRC in humans.