Sandra Westhaus1, Maximilian Deest2, Anna T X Nguyen2, Frauke Stanke3, Dirk Heckl4, Rui Costa2, Axel Schambach5, Michael P Manns6, Thomas Berg7, Florian W R Vondran8, Christoph Sarrazin9, Sandra Ciesek1, Thomas von Hahn10. 1. Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology und Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Germany. 2. Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology und Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. 3. Clinic for Pediatric Pneumology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Lung Research (DLZ), partner site BREATH. 4. Department for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. 5. Department Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. 6. Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology und Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Germany. 7. Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology - Section Hepatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 8. German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Germany; Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. 9. Medical Clinic I, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Medizinische Klinik II, St. Josefs-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF); External Partner Site Frankfurt am Main, Germany. 10. Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology und Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: vonHahn.Thomas@mh-hannover.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: There are numerous coding and non-coding variants in the SCARB1 gene that encodes scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SR-BI), a key receptor for both high density lipoproteins and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Many have been linked to clinical phenotypes, yet their impact on the HCV replication cycle is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of these variants on the molecular biology and clinical course of HCV. METHODS: We analyzed key coding non-synonymous as well as non-coding SCARB1 variants using virological in vitro and human genetics approaches. RESULTS: Non-synonymous variants: S112F and T175A have greatly reduced HCV receptor function. When present on the cell surface, these variants are impaired in their ability to interact with HCV E2. Non-coding variants: The G allele in rs3782287 is associated with decreased viral load. Haplotype analysis confirmed these findings and identified haplotype rs3782287 A/rs5888 C as a risk allele associated with increased viral load. We also detected a trend towards lower hepatic SR-BI expression in individuals with the rs3782287 GG genotype associated with low viral load suggesting a potential underlying mechanism. CONCLUSION: Coding and non-coding genetic SCARB1 variants modulate the HCV replication cycle and possibly clinical features of hepatitis C. These findings underscore the relevance of SR-BI as an HCV receptor and contribute to our understanding of inter-individual variation in HCV infection. LAY SUMMARY: The cell surface receptor SR-BI (scavenger receptor class B member 1), is essential for hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into hepatocytes. Variations in the gene coding this receptor influence infectivity and viral load. We analyzed these variations to gain a better understanding of inter-individual differences over the course of HCV infection.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: There are numerous coding and non-coding variants in the SCARB1 gene that encodes scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SR-BI), a key receptor for both high density lipoproteins and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Many have been linked to clinical phenotypes, yet their impact on the HCV replication cycle is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of these variants on the molecular biology and clinical course of HCV. METHODS: We analyzed key coding non-synonymous as well as non-coding SCARB1 variants using virological in vitro and human genetics approaches. RESULTS: Non-synonymous variants: S112F and T175A have greatly reduced HCV receptor function. When present on the cell surface, these variants are impaired in their ability to interact with HCV E2. Non-coding variants: The G allele in rs3782287 is associated with decreased viral load. Haplotype analysis confirmed these findings and identified haplotype rs3782287 A/rs5888 C as a risk allele associated with increased viral load. We also detected a trend towards lower hepatic SR-BI expression in individuals with the rs3782287 GG genotype associated with low viral load suggesting a potential underlying mechanism. CONCLUSION: Coding and non-coding genetic SCARB1 variants modulate the HCV replication cycle and possibly clinical features of hepatitis C. These findings underscore the relevance of SR-BI as an HCV receptor and contribute to our understanding of inter-individual variation in HCV infection. LAY SUMMARY: The cell surface receptor SR-BI (scavenger receptor class B member 1), is essential for hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into hepatocytes. Variations in the gene coding this receptor influence infectivity and viral load. We analyzed these variations to gain a better understanding of inter-individual differences over the course of HCV infection.
Authors: Raphael Wolfisberg; Caroline E Thorselius; Eduardo Salinas; Elizabeth Elrod; Sheetal Trivedi; Louise Nielsen; Ulrik Fahnøe; Amit Kapoor; Arash Grakoui; Charles M Rice; Jens Bukh; Kenn Holmbeck; Troels K H Scheel Journal: Hepatology Date: 2022-05-12 Impact factor: 17.298
Authors: Kathryn S Carpentier; Bennett J Davenport; Kelsey C Haist; Mary K McCarthy; Nicholas A May; Alexis Robison; Claudia Ruckert; Gregory D Ebel; Thomas E Morrison Journal: Elife Date: 2019-10-09 Impact factor: 8.140
Authors: Francisco J Zapatero-Belinchón; Rina Ötjengerdes; Julie Sheldon; Benjamin Schulte; Belén Carriquí-Madroñal; Graham Brogden; Laura M Arroyo-Fernández; Florian W R Vondran; Benjamin Maasoumy; Thomas von Hahn; Gisa Gerold Journal: Cells Date: 2021-06-29 Impact factor: 6.600