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HIV/HBV co-infection remodels the immune landscape and Natural Killer cell functional responses

ABSTRACT: Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is a common occurrence globally, with significant morbidity and mortality. Both viruses lead to dysregulated immune responses including changes in natural killer (NK) cells, a key component of antiviral defense and a promising target for HBV cure strategies. In this study we used high-throughput single cell analysis to explore the immune cell landscape in people with HBV mono-infection and HIV/HBV co-infection, on antiviral therapy, with emphasis on identifying the distinctive characteristics of NK cell subsets. Results: Our data show striking differences in the transcriptional programs of NK cells. HIV/HBV co-infection was characterized by an overrepresentation of adaptive, KLRC2 expressing NK cells, including a higher abundance of a chemokine enriched (CCL3/CCL4) adaptive cluster. The NK cell remodeling in HIV/HBV co-infection was reflected in enriched activation pathways shared with T cells, including CD3 phosphorylation and ZAP-70 translocation that can mediate stronger ADCC responses and a bias towards chemokine/cytokine signaling. By contrast HBV mono-infection imposed a stronger cytotoxic profile on NK cells and a more prominent signature of exhaustion with higher circulating levels of HBsAg. Mirroring the transcriptomic analysis, phenotypic alterations in the NK cell pool in co-infection were consistent with increased ‘adaptiveness’ and better capacity for ADCC compared to HBV mono-infection. Overall an adaptive NK cell signature correlated inversely with circulating levels of HBsAg and HBV-RNA in our cohort. Conlcusions: This study provides new insights into the differential transcriptional signature and functional profile of NK cells in HBV and HIV/HBV co-infection, highlighting new pathways that can be manipulated to tailor NK cell-focused approaches to advance cure strategies in the different population groups.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE241183 | GEO | 2024/08/01

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background and aims: The intrahepatic processes associated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), especially in the context of HDV and HIV co-infection, require a better understanding. Spatial transcriptomics can provide new insights into the complex intrahepatic biological processes, guiding new personalized treatments. Our aim is to evaluate this method to characterize the hepatic transcriptional landscape, cellular composition and biological pathways in liver biopsy samples from patients infected with HBV and HDV or HIV co-infection. Method: The GeoMx nanostring Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP) platform was employed to assess expression of HBsAg and CD45 in formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) biopsies from three treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV and HDV or HIV co-infection. The GeoMx whole transcriptome human atlas assay quantified the expression of genes enriched in specific regions of interest (ROIs). Cell type proportions within ROIs were deconvoluted using a training matrix from the human liver cell atlas. A weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) evaluated transcriptomic signatures across sampled regions. Results: We identified spatially discrete transcriptomic signatures and distinct biological pathways that associate with HBV infection/disease status and immune responses. Shared features including cytotoxicity and B cell receptor signaling were consistent across patients, suggesting common elements alongside individual traits. HDV/HBV co-infection exhibited upregulated genes linked to apoptosis and immune cell recruitment, whereas HIV/HBV co-infection featured genes related to interferon response regulation. Varied cellular characteristics and immune cell populations, with an abundance of T cells in the HDV/HBV sample, were observed within analyzed regions. Transcriptional differences in hepatocyte function suggest disrupted metabolic processes in HDV/HBV co-infection potentially impacting disease progression. Conclusion: This proof-of-principle study shows the value of this platform in investigating the complex immune landscape highlighting relevant host pathways to disease pathogenesis.

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HIV/HBV co-infection remodels the immune landscape and Natural Killer cell functional responses

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