An Hepatitis B and D Virus Infection Model Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocytes

ABSTRACT: Current culture systems available for studying hepatitis D virus (HDV) are suboptimal. In this study, we demonstrate that hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are fully permissive to HDV infection across various tested genotypes. When co- infected with the helper hepatitis B virus (HBV) or transduced to express the HBV envelope protein HBsAg, HLCs effectively release infectious progeny virions. We also show that HLCs expressing HBsAg support extracellular spread of HDV, thus providing a valuable platform for testing available anti-HDV regimens. By challenging the cells along the differentiation with HDV infection, we have identified CD63 as a potential HDV co-entry factor, which was rate-limiting HDV infection in immature hepatocytes. Given their r

SUBMITTER: Dr. Viet Loan Dao Thi 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44319-024-00236-0 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other