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Development of a Hepatitis B Virus Reporter System to Monitor the Early Stages of the Replication Cycle
Published on: February 1, 2017
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Hepatitis B Virus x Protein Increases Cellular OCT3/4 and MYC and Facilitates Cellular Reprogramming
Madhusudana Girija Sanal1, Sarita Gupta1, Rahul Saha1
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine and Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Cellular Reprogramming
|September 28, 2023
Summary
Hepatitis B virus x protein (HBx) enhances the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from difficult-to-reprogram cells. HBx can even replace MYC in the reprogramming cocktail, increasing OCT3/4 and MYC levels.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Hepatitis Research
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus x protein (HBx) influences cell proliferation, survival, and methylation.
- HBx is linked to liver cancer stem cells and may induce stemness.
- Somatic cell reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) typically uses Yamanaka's factors (YFs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if HBx can improve the efficiency of iPSC generation.
- To determine if HBx can substitute for MYC in the YF cocktail.
- To explore HBx's role in reprogramming 'difficult-to-reprogram' somatic cells.
Main Methods:
- Fibroblasts (low and high passage) were electroporated with YFs with or without HBx.
- Reprogramming efficiency was evaluated.
- Tri-lineage differentiation potential of derived iPSCs was assessed.
Main Results:
- HBx addition improved iPSC derivation efficiency, especially from high-passage/senescent fibroblasts.
- HBx successfully substituted for MYC in the YF cocktail for iPSC generation.
- HBx expression led to increased cellular levels of OCT3/4 and MYC.
Conclusions:
- HBx significantly enhances the efficiency of YF-mediated iPSC reprogramming.
- HBx facilitates reprogramming of challenging somatic cell types.
- HBx may offer insights into chronic hepatitis B-related liver carcinogenesis.
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