Clinical Implications of HBV PreS/S Mutations and the Effects of PreS2 Deletion on Mitochondria, Liver Fibrosis, and Cancer Development

Yuh Jin Liang, Wei Teng, Chih Li Chen, Cheng Pu Sun, Rui Dung Teng, Yen Hua Huang, Kung Hao Liang, Yi Wen Chen, Chung Chih Lin, Chien Wei Su, Mi Hua Tao, Jaw Ching Wu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Aims: PreS mutants of HBV have been reported to be associated with HCC. We conducted a longitudinal study of the role of HBV preS mutations in the development of HCC, particularly in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) having low HBV DNA or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and investigated the effects of secretion-defective preS2 deletion mutant (preS2ΔMT) on hepatocyte damage in vitro and liver fibrosis in vivo. Approach and Results: Association of preS mutations with HCC in 343 patients with CHB was evaluated by a retrospective case–control follow-up study. Effects of preS2ΔMT on HBsAg retention, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, calcium accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and liver fibrosis were examined. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association of preS mutations with HCC (HR, 3.210; 95% CI, 1.072-9.613; P = 0.037) including cases with low HBV DNA or ALT levels (HR, 2.790; 95% CI, 1.133-6.873; P = 0.026). Antiviral therapy reduced HCC risk, including cases with preS mutations. PreS2ΔMT expression promoted HBsAg retention in the ER and unfolded protein response (UPR). Transmission electron microscopic examination, MitoTracker staining, real-time ATP assay, and calcium staining of preS2ΔMT-expressing cells revealed aberrant ER and mitochondrial ultrastructure, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, and calcium overload. Serum HBV secretion levels were ~100-fold lower in preS2ΔMT-infected humanized Fah–/–/ Rag2–/–/Il2rg–/– triple knockout mice than in wild-type HBV-infected mice. PreS2ΔMT-infected mice displayed up-regulation of UPR and caspase-3 and enhanced liver fibrosis. Conclusions: PreS mutations were significantly associated with HCC development in patients with CHB, including those with low HBV DNA or ALT levels. Antiviral therapy reduced HCC occurrence in patients with CHB, including those with preS mutations. Intracellular accumulation of mutated HBsAg induced or promoted ER stress, calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired energy metabolism, liver fibrosis, and HCC.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)641-655
Number of pages15
JournalHepatology
Volume74
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2021

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