18 / 2022
Around 1.5 million people worldwide become infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) every year. A research team led by the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut has identified a previously unknown pathway for the egress of hepatitis B virus particles from cells: researchers were able to visualise intact virus particles in extracellular vesicles (exosomes) for the first time. Exosomes, small vesicles in cells that are released into the surroundings, serve as a means of transport and possibly as a protective covering. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology reports on the results in its online edition from 29 September 2022.
Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases in history. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can cause acute and chronic hepatitis. An estimated 300 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hepatitis B infection, which is associated with an increased risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver or liver cell carcinoma. Every year, around 900,000 people worldwide die as a result of an HBV infection. Serological evidence even shows that an estimated two billion people have previously been infected or are currently infected with HBV. HBV is transmitted mainly via blood, but also via other body fluids such as saliva, lacrimal fluid, sperm or even vaginal secretions.
Although safe and effective vaccines have been authorised, HBV continues to pose a major health problem. Many countries under a high epidemic burden do not have effective vaccination strategies or lack vaccine supplies. It is also a medical challenge to completely cure a chronic infection.
Much is now known about the life cycle of HBV. Nevertheless, there are still parts that have not been fully elucidated, such as which mechanisms enable the virus to leave the cell. Like all viruses, HBV needs to be released from the cell to reproduce and to infect other cells. Various studies have shown that some viruses can be found in exosomes. These small vesicles are released into the surroundings by the cell. They are used for cellular communication and the transport of molecules.
A research team from the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, headed by Professor Eberhard Hildt, head of the Virology Division, investigated whether hepatitis B viruses also use exosomes as a means of transport from the cells. It was not yet known whether this was a mechanism used by HBV.
In their work, the research group isolated exosomes from the cell culture supernatant of HBV-producing human liver cells and found both typical exosomal markers and markers of hepatitis B viruses. These exosomal fractions were separated from fractions containing free virions to determine whether hepatitis B viruses were actually present in the exosomes. Virions are virus particles that are located outside of cells.
It was possible for the research team to release intact HBV virions stepwise from the exosomes with the help of detergents, which dissolve the membrane of the exosomes.
The scientists were able to observe that inhibiting exosome morphogenesis in the laboratory impaired the release of exosome-wrapped HBV. In addition, electron microscopy confirmed the presence of intact virions in the examined exosomes. The research team also detected the presence of the HBV surface protein LHB (large hepatitis B virus surface antigen) on the surface of exosomes. The presence of this protein makes it possible for the hepatitis B viruses encapsulated in exosomes to infect susceptible cells. An uptake of exosomal hepatitis B viruses was also observed in cells which are usually not very susceptible to HBV infection, albeit with low efficiency.
The current research data indicates that some of the intact HBV virions can be released as exosomes. This is a release pathway for hepatitis B viruses which had not been previously identified. Although hepatitis B, C and E viruses are completely different, they all use this pathway to leave cells.
Like some other infectious diseases, the hepatitis B virus can be transmitted via the blood. Due to high safety standards in the collection and processing of blood and blood products in Germany, the risk of transmission has been greatly reduced in recent decades and no cases of HBV transmission via blood transfusions were confirmed in 2020.
In Germany, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut is responsible for the safety of blood and blood products. The Institute regularly provides information on reports and measures relating to blood products in its haemovigilance reports.
Updated: 03.11.2022
