New recommendations for optimization, validation of the quantitative measurement of HBV cccDNA

Approximately 300 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and at high risk of developing liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of HBV curative therapies. Due to the unique replication strategy of the HB virus, however, quantification of viral DNA in infected liver cells, which is essential in preclinical and clinical studies, is technically difficult and not standardised. An international research consortium led by DZIF scientists has now developed recommendations for the optimisation, control and validation of quantitative viral DNA measurements, which could be crucial for preclinical and clinical evaluation of therapeutic strategies.

HBV is a DNA virus that specifically infects human hepatocytes. After infection, the DNA genome of the virus is converted by cellular enzymes into covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), which forms stable mini chromosomes within the cell nuclei by association with cellular chromosomal proteins. In this form, the viral DNA then serves as a template for the formation of new virus particles. A major limitation of preclinical and clinical HBV research is the lack of standardised PCR-based methods for the specific quantification of viral DNA present as cccDNA in HBV-infected samples. As part of an international consortium supported by the International Coalition to Eliminate HBV (ICE-HBV), DZIF scientists at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Heidelberg University and the Technical University of Munich worked together with the French L'Agence nationale de recherches sur le sida et les hépatites virales (ANRS) and colleagues at Gilead Sciences in the USA to compare protocols and develop evidence-based best practices guidance to quantify cccDNA by quantitative PCR.

"When comparing different protocols for quantifying HBV DNA in tissue samples, we found that the coexistence of different forms of viral DNA as well as conditions of sample preservation and treatment strongly affect PCR-based quantification of HBV cccDNA," says DZIF young investigator Dr Lena Allweiss, who led the collaboration of the six participating laboratories. Based on the study results, the team developed sample type-tailored methodological recommendations for the optimisation, control and validation of the quantitative measurement of HBV cccDNA.

"The study will assist the HBV cure research programmes aiming at assessing the impact of therapies on the cellular HBV reservoir in preclinical studies and clinical trials," sums up study lead Prof. Maura Dandri, DZIF scientist at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, the results of the study.