Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) containing reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) can only attenuate HIV and HBV replication, and has marginal therapeutic effect on advanced liver diseases, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected persons. The underlying mechanisms by which HBV-induced liver pathogenesis, and mechanisms by which HIV co-infection accelerate that process remain unknown due in large part to the lack of small animal models. We recently developed novel humanized mouse models carrying autologous human liver and immune system cells, which support viral hepatitis infections (HBV/HCV), HIV co- infections and associated liver diseases. Inflammation associated macrophages are mainly derived from circulating monocytes and represent a major component of the inflammatory milieu in many liver diseases; however, very little is known about their role in liver pathogenesis. Macrophages are broadly classified as M1 activated, which promote the Th1 associated anti-viral response, and M2-like activated which impair Th1 response and promote tissue pathology. We recently showed that chronic HBV/HCV-induced liver inflammation in both humanized mice and humans is associated with high levels of infiltrating M2-like macrophages which localized to fibrotic and neoplastic regions. Similar findings have been reported with other inflammatory diseases. HIV infection also results in increased M2-like macrophage activation in both humanized mice and humans. Our central hypothesis is that HIV accelerates liver disease in HBV/HIV co- infections by exacerbating M2-like macrophage pathogenesis in the liver. This proposal utilizes a novel humanized mouse model, and macrophage-hepatic stellate cell co-culture to address critical knowledge gaps on the role of macrophage activation in HBV/HIV co-infection and associated liver diseases. To elucidate the role of macrophage activation in HBV/HIV co-infection and associated liver pathogenesis, Specific Aim 1 will be to delineate the effect of HBV/HIV co-infection and associated anti-viral therapy on monocyte/macrophage activation and liver disease progression in the humanized mouse model.
Specific Aim 2 will be to investigate the molecular basis by which macrophages modulate hepatic stellate cell activation and associated liver fibrogenesis in HBV/HIV co-infection using macrophage-hepatic stellate cell co-culture models and humanized mice. This work will elucidate the role of macrophages in HBV/HIV co-infection and associated liver pathogenesis, and lead to novel therapeutic strategies against inflammatory liver diseases.

Public Health Relevance

HBV/HIV co-infection and associated liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected persons. Current standard of care therapies against HIV and HBV do not eradicate the virus and have little effect on curing advanced liver diseases in co-infected individuals. Novel therapies for treating HBV/HIV- induced liver diseases will require knowledge of the mechanism by which HBV/HIV co-infection accelerates liver diseases. This project seeks to elucidate the mechanism by which HBV/HIV co-infection accelerates liver related morbidity and mortality.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
High Priority, Short Term Project Award (R56)
Project #
1R56AI126995-01A1
Application #
9453233
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-AARR-J (56)R)
Program Officer
Lambros, Chris
Project Start
2017-04-07
Project End
2018-03-31
Budget Start
2017-04-07
Budget End
2018-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$387,813
Indirect Cost
$137,813
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213