Background: In times of limited organs for transplantation, anti-HBc positive organs can be accepted for lung transplantation to increase the number of donors. Transplant recipients should be vaccinated against hepatitis B to prevent HBV infection. However, response after HBV vaccination has only been poorly evaluated in patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. Material/Methods: Anti-HBs titers of 40 anti-HBc negative patients with end-stage pulmonary disease evaluated for lung transplantation were analyzed with the Architect® system (Abbott, Germany). Responders, partial responders, or non-responders after HBV vaccination were defined by anti-HBs titers >100 IU/L, 10–100 IU/L, and <10 IU/L, respectively. Results: There were 34/40 individuals (85%) vaccinated against hepatitis B, and 6 were not vaccinated. Response, partial response, and non-response after vaccination were observed in 10/34 (29.4%), 11/34 (32.4%), and 13/34 (38.2%) of patients, respectively. Response to vaccination did not correlate with sex, pulmonary disease, comorbidities, immunosuppressive therapy, or smoking status. Conclusions: Although 85% of patients evaluated for lung transplantation were vaccinated against hepatitis B, 38.2% did not show an anti-HBs titer >10 IU/L. Thus, anti-HBs titers should be regularly monitored. Nonresponders should be considered for booster vaccinations, alternative vaccination schedules, or prophylactic treatment with a nucleos(t)ide analogue in case of transplantation of an anti-HBc–positive organ.

Student Number : 9906382M MSc (Med) dissertation - Faculty of Health Sciences / The G1862T mutation in the bulge of the RNA encapsidation signal, in the precore region of hepatitis B virus, results in reduced expression of HBeAg and accumulation of the HBeAg precursor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi apparatus of the cell. This accumulation can disturb the functioning of the ER and lead to the ER stress response that can affect various cellular pathways, in turn affecting cell viability. The aim of this study was to determine whether apoptosis or necrosis occurred when cultured Huh7 cells were transfected with a plasmid expressing the G1862T mutation. Plasmid constructs, with and without the G1862T mutation, were used to transfect cells. To differentiate between necrosis and apoptosis cells were stained with propidium iodide or YO-PRO-1®, respectively. These were analyzed quantitatively using flow cytometry and qualitatively using confocal microscopy. Confocal microscopy, using monoclonal anti- HBe and the Hoechst stain, was performed to ensure that apoptosis was present as a result of the accumulation of the G1862T mutant HBeAg precursor. Caspase profiling was carried out using a fluorogenic-based assay. When cells were transfected with wild-type plasmid, necrosis predominated over apoptosis. Apoptosis predominated when the cells were transfected with the G1862T mutant plasmid. The highest levels of apoptosis occurred at 72 hours post-transfection. Confocal microscopy revealed the co-localization of aggregates of mutant HBeAg precursor with apoptotic nuclei. Transfection with G1862T mutant plasmids resulted in significant differences in the expression of caspase 3, 8, and 9 relative to the wild-type, at 48 and 72 hours post-transfection. The accumulation of the G1862T mutant HBeAg precursor, in the ER/ Golgi compartment, leads to apoptosis and affects the levels of caspase expression.

by Shuk-kei Lau. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-148). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.i / Table of Contents --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.vi / 論文摘要 --- p.viii / Abbreviations --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x / List of Tables --- p.xii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- General introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- HBV and its role in hepatocarcinogenesis --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Current situation of HBV infection and the HCC incidencein the world --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Current situation of HBV infection and the HCC incidencein Hong Kong --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Genetic organization of HBV --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Principle of hepatocarcinogenesis induced by HBV --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.4.1 --- Role of chronic hepatitis in hepatocarcinogenesis --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.4.2 --- Role of HBV in hepatocarcinogenesis --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Current screening tests for HCC --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- Current therapies for HCC --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3 --- Aim of the present study --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4 --- "Combining Expressed Sequence Tag (EST), Suppression Subtractive Hybridization and cDNA microarray for rapid differentially by expressed genes screening" --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- cDNA subtraction --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- cDNA microarray --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- PCR-select cDNA subtraction --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Amplification of subtracted cDNA clones by PCR --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Cycle sequencing of subtracted cDNA clones --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Sequence analysis using BLAST server and Stanford Online Universal Resource for Clones and ESTs (SOURCE) --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- cDNA microarray analysis --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Array fabrication --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Amplification of cDNA clones by PCR --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Purification of PCR products --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Cycle sequencing for clones checking --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Microarray printing --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Preparation of cDNA target --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Arraying --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Screening of differentially expressed genes in hepatocellular carcinoma and its surrounding normal counterpart by cDNA microarray --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.3.1 --- Extraction of RNA --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.3.2 --- RNA labeling --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.3.3 --- Microarray hybridization --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.3.4 --- Collection of data --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.3.5 --- Data normalization and analysis --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3 --- Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel cDNA clone differentially expressed in HCC --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Tissue distribution of T2L522 gene --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- Northern hybridization --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.1.2 --- Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Expression level of T2L522 in HCC and its surrounding normal counterpart --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Identification of interacting partner of T2L522 using yeast two-hybrid assay --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- "Cloning of T2L522 gene into the yeast two-hybrid DNA-BD vector, pGBKT7" --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Transformation of yeast competent cells --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.3.3 --- Mating of T2L522-BD with pretransformed human liver cDNA library --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.3.4 --- Colony lift p-galactosidase filter assay --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Subcellular localization of T2L522 gene by tagging with green fluorescence protein (GFP) --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.4.1 --- "Cloning of T2L522 gene into the eukaryotic GFP expression vector, pEGFP-Cl" --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.4.2 --- Transfection of pEGFP-T2L522 into HepG2 cell --- p.43 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- PCR-select cDNA subtraction --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- The sequencing results of subtracted-HCC cDNA clones --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Categorization of ESTs sequenced from subtracted-HCC library --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2 --- Microarray analysis --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Array fabrication --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.1.1 --- Amplification of cDNA microarray targets --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Microarray printing --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Microarray analysis of differentially expressed genesin hepatocellular carcinoma and its surrounding normal counterpart --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Data collection --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Image processing: spots finding and quantitation --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Data normalization and analysis --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3 --- Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel cDNA clone differentially expressed in HCC --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Tissue distribution of T2L522 --- p.77 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- Northern hybridization --- p.77 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.79 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Expression level of T2L522 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its surrounding normal counterpart --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Identification of interacting partner of T2L522 using yeast two-hybrid assay --- p.85 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Subcellular localization of GFP tagged T2L522 --- p.87 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion / Chapter 4.1 --- EST analysis on subtracted-HCC cDNA library --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2 --- cDNA microarray analysis --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Generation of reliable data using cDNA microarray --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.1.1 --- Reproducibility of signal and normalized ratio --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Comparison of data between multiple slides --- p.96 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- Assession of data quality and statistical significance --- p.96 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Interpretation of gene expression data from single and multiple hybridizarion --- p.97 / Chapter 4.3 --- Candidate genes differentially expressed in HCC and its surrounding normal counterpart --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Protein up-regulated in HCC --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Extracellular matrix protein --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Protein involved in other metabolism --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.1.3 --- Protein involved in transcription and translation --- p.100 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Protein down-regulated in HCC --- p.101 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Membrane associated protein --- p.101 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Protein involved in other metabolism --- p.102 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Secretory protein --- p.104 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Novel protein differentially expressed in HCC --- p.107 / Chapter 4.4 --- "TBC1 domain containing protein, T2L522" --- p.108 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Possible involvement of T2L522 gene in HCC --- p.109 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Tissue distribution and expression pattern of T2L522 --- p.110 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Potential interacting partner of T2L522 --- p.110 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Subcellular localization of T2L522 --- p.112 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary --- p.113 / Appendix --- p.114 / References --- p.141

Chan Ka Ping Sophie. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-144). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Thesis/Assessment Committee --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.viii / 摘要 --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xi / List of Figures --- p.xii / List of Tables --- p.xiv / Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Pathogenesis of HBV Infection --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Classification and Structure --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- HBV Genome --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Replication Cycle --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5 --- HBV Genotypes and Nomenclature --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Asian prevalent genotypes --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Numbering system --- p.9 / Chapter 1.6 --- Identification of Markers in HBV Genome for HCC Development --- p.11 / Chapter 1.7 --- Project Objective --- p.13 / Chapter 1.8 --- Promoters of HBV --- p.14 / Chapter 1.8.1 --- Pre-S1 promoter --- p.14 / Chapter 1.8.2 --- X promoter and enhancer I --- p.14 / Chapter 1.8.3 --- Core promoter and enhancer II --- p.15 / Chapter 1.8.4 --- Pair of mutations at BCP --- p.17 / Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Construction of pGL3-promoter Plasmids --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Templates selection --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Amplification of promoters --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Cloning into pGL3-basic vector --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Screening and plasmid preparation --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2 --- Construction of Mutant Promoter Clones --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Site-directed mutagenesis --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- pPreS 1 /2712C mutant clone --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3 --- Cloning of Full-length HBV Genomes --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Replication-competent HBV clone --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Amplification of full-length HBV genome --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Cloning into pUC19 vector --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Screening for insert and sequence confirmation --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Excision of full-length HBV from plasmid --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4 --- Re-construction into a 1.3-fold HBV Clone --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Cloning of HBV fragment nucleotide 979-2617 (nt 979-2617) --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Screening for insert and sequence confirmation --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Cloning of HBV fragment (nt 905-2000) --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Construction of a 1.3-fold HBV genotype Cs clone --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5 --- Cell Culture --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Cell culture maintenance --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Transient transfection of promoter clones --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Transient transfection of HBV genomes --- p.38 / Chapter 2.6 --- Dual-Luciferase® Reporter Assay System --- p.40 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Principle of the assay --- p.40 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Cell harvest --- p.43 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Luciferase assay --- p.43 / Chapter 2.7 --- Data Analysis --- p.44 / Chapter 2.8 --- Extraction of HBV DNA from Intracellular Cores --- p.45 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Harvest of intracellular cores --- p.45 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Phenol/chloroform extraction --- p.45 / Chapter 2.9 --- Southern Blotting --- p.47 / Chapter 2.9.1 --- Transfer of DNA to membrane --- p.47 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- Preparation of probes --- p.47 / Chapter 2.9.3 --- Hybridization with radiolabeled probes --- p.48 / Chapter 2.10 --- Detection of HBeAg and HBsAg --- p.50 / Chapter 2.10.1 --- HBsAg assays --- p.50 / Chapter 2.10.2 --- HBeAg assays --- p.51 / Chapter 2.11 --- SEAP Reporter Gene Assay --- p.52 / Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Templates Selected --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2 --- Results of Luciferase Assays --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- BCP mutation of genotype A as control --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Effect of C1165T mutation on Xpro/enhI activity of HBV genotype B --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- Effect ofT2712C mutation on pre-S1 promoter activity of HBV Genotype B --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.4. --- Effect of G1613A mutation on core pro/enhII activity of HBV Genotype Cs --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.5. --- G1613A and BCP mutation --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3 --- Full-length HBV Genome Clones --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Construction of replication-competent full-length HBV genome clones --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Drawbacks of the system --- p.78 / Chapter 3.4 --- Construction of a Replication-competent 1.3-fold HBV Clone --- p.82 / Chapter 3.4.1. --- Construction of the HBV (nt 979-2617) clone --- p.82 / Chapter 3.4.2. --- Construction of the HBV (nt 905-2000) clone --- p.86 / Chapter 3.4.3. --- Construction of 1.3-fold genotype Cs HB V clone --- p.89 / Chapter 3.4.4. --- Test for replication competency --- p.92 / Chapter 4 --- Discussion / Chapter 4.1 --- BCP Mutation as Control of the Luciferase Assay --- p.94 / Chapter 4.2 --- Promoter Activities Not Altered by T2712C and C1165T --- p.96 / Chapter 4.3 --- Mutation G1613A of Core pro/enhll --- p.98 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Mutation resides in negative regulatory element of core promoter --- p.98 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- NRE and NRE-binding protein --- p.98 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Relationship with BCP mutation --- p.101 / Chapter 4.4 --- HBV Constructs --- p.103 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Rationale in re-construction of 1.3-fold HB V clone --- p.103 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Replication competency --- p.104 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.106 / Chapter 4.6 --- Future Work --- p.107 / Appendix --- p.108 / References --- p.140

Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2015-02-04T09:24:45Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Leandro Nascimento da Silva - 2014.pdf: 6086146 bytes, checksum: 75f020e70d97640ac095871c4913b275 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-02-05T14:16:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Leandro Nascimento da Silva - 2014.pdf: 6086146 bytes, checksum: 75f020e70d97640ac095871c4913b275 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-05T14:16:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Leandro Nascimento da Silva - 2014.pdf: 6086146 bytes, checksum: 75f020e70d97640ac095871c4913b275 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-09-09 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Crack is considered a public health problem in Brazil and in the world because of its impact on social relationships, physical and mental integrity of the user, and the risk associated with infections, such as those caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This study investigated the epidemiology of infection with the hepatitis B virus and immunization status among users of crack institutionalized in Goiania, Brazil. During August 2012 to April 2013, a total of 600 individuals were interviewed, and blood samples collected for the detection of serological markers of HBV (HBsAg, total anti HBc and anti-HBs) by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequently a cohort of individuals susceptible to hepatitis B was formed to assess compliance, completion of the vaccination series, and vaccine response against hepatitis B, using an accelerated scheme. Prior exposure to HBV (anti-HBc) was 7.0% (95% CI: 5.22 to 9.32), and 17.7% (95% CI: 14.8 to 20.9) were anti -HBs isolated, suggesting previous vaccination against hepatitis B. The use of crack cocaine through improvised pipes, history of sexually transmitted disease, and exchanging sex for drugs or money were significantly associated with exposure to HBV (p < 0.05). Of the total of individuals who received the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine and eligible to complete the full vaccine scheme (n = 406), 229 (56.4%) and 96 (26.6%) received the second and third doses, respectively. It was possible to evaluate the vaccine response in only 23/96 subjects, and 78% responded with protective titers. The high frequency of risk behaviors, the low frequency of vaccinations, and improper compliance with the vaccination schedule, even using the accelerated scheme, highlights the need for strategies for health education and prevention to reach this population so vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections and parenteral transmission of hepatitis B. / O crack é considerado um problema de saúde pública no Brasil e no mundo devido ao seu impacto nas relações sociais, na integridade física e mental do usuário e no risco associado às infecções, como a causada pelo vírus da hepatite B (HBV). Este estudo investigou a epidemiologia da infecção pelo vírus da Hepatite B e situação vacinal em usuários de crack institucionalizados em Goiânia – Goiás. Durante agosto de 2012 a abril de 2013 um total de 600 indivíduos foram entrevistados e amostras sanguíneas coletadas para detecção dos marcadores sorológicos do HBV (HBsAg, anti-HBc total e anti-HBs) pelo ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Posteriormente foi formada uma coorte de indivíduos suscetíveis a hepatite B para avaliação da adesão, completude do esquema e resposta vacinal contra hepatite B, utilizando-se um esquema super acelerado. A exposição prévia ao HBV (anti-HBc) foi de 7,0% (IC 95%: 5,22-9,32), e 17,7% (IC 95%: 14,8-20,9) apresentaram positividade isolada para o anti-HBs, sugerindo vacinação prévia contra hepatite B. O consumo de crack por meio de lata improvisada como cachimbo, história de doença sexualmente transmissível e troca de sexo por droga ou dinheiro foram significativamente associados à exposição ao HBV (p< 0,05). Do total de indivíduos que recebeu a primeira dose da vacina contra hepatite B e elegíveis para completar o esquema (n=406), 229 (56,4%) e 96 (26,6%) receberam a segunda e terceira doses, respectivamente. Em somente 23/96 indivíduos foi possível avaliar a resposta vacinal, sendo que 78% responderam com títulos protetores. A frequência elevada de comportamentos de risco, a baixa frequência de indivíduos vacinados e adesão ao esquema vacinal, mesmo com esquema super acelerado, evidencia a necessidade de estratégias de educação em saúde e prevenção que alcancem essa população vulnerável as doenças de transmissão sexual e parenteral como a hepatite B.

Abstract not available. / by Wong Lai-hung, Grace. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 218-252). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.

Li, Sai Kam. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-179). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract in Chinese (摘要） --- p.ii / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / Table of Content --- p.iv / Abbreviations --- p.xi / List of Figures --- p.xiv / List of Tables --- p.xvii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Hepatitis B Virus / Chapter 1.1.1 --- General information --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Classification --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Virus life cycle and genome --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2 --- Enigmatic functions of HB --- p.x / Chapter 1.2.1 --- HBx as a transactivator --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- HBx as a cell cycle regulator --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- HBx as an apoptosis modulator --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3 --- Etiology of HBV-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4 --- Clinical mutants of HBV --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5 --- Hypothesis and aims of the research --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6 --- Basis of Tet-On system --- p.18 / Chapter CHPATER 2 --- EXPERIMENT MATERIALS / Chapter 2.1 --- Cell culture / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Cell-lines --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Culture medium --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Culture medium supplements --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2 --- Reagents for subcloning / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Reagents for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Reagents for restriction enzyme digestion --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Reagents for ligation --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Reagents for electrophoresis --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Reagents for E. coli DH5a preparation --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Materials for bacterial culture work --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3 --- Reagents for subcellular localization study / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Reagents for cell staining --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Reagents for mounting slides --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Materials for site-directed mutagenesis --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4 --- Reagents for cell cycle analysis and cellular proliferation / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Reagents for cell cycle analysis --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Reagents for cellular proliferation study --- p.30 / Chapter 2.5 --- Reagents for protein expression study / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Cell lysis buffer --- p.30 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Reagents for SDS-PAGE --- p.30 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Reagents for Western blot --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- Antibodies --- p.34 / Chapter 2.6 --- Reagents for gene expression study / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Reagents for RNA extraction --- p.36 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Reagents for first strand cDNA synthesis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Reagents for real-time PCR --- p.37 / Chapter 2.7 --- Reagents for establishment of Tet-On inducible stable cell-lines / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Reagents for MTT assay --- p.38 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Reagents for selection of stable clones --- p.38 / Chapter 2.8 --- Vectors used in the project / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Vectors for subcellular localization study --- p.39 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Vectors for establishment of Tet-on inducible cell-lines --- p.39 / Chapter 2.9 --- Primers used in the project / Chapter 2.9.1 --- Primers used for subcloning --- p.42 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- Primers used for site-directed mutagenesis --- p.43 / Chapter 2.9.3 --- Primers used in real-time chain polymerase reaction --- p.43 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESEARCH METHODS / Chapter 3.1 --- Subcloning of HBx and mutant genes into a green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression vector / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Amplification of HBxWt，HBxΔC44 and HBxAN60 genes --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Purification of PCR products --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Restriction enzyme digestion --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Ligation of gene products with pEGFP-C 1 vector --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Preparation of chemically competent bacterial cells E. coli strain DH5α --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.6 --- Transformation of the ligation product into competent cells --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.7 --- PCR confirmation of successful ligation --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.8 --- Small scale preparation of bacterial plasmid DNA --- p.49 / Chapter 3.1.9 --- DNA sequencing of the cloned plasmid DNA --- p.50 / Chapter 3.1.10 --- Large scale preparation of target recombinant plasmid DNA --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2 --- Subcellular localization pattern study / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Cell transfection --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Mitochondria and nucleus staining --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Epi-fluorescence microscopy --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Analysis of fluorescence images --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- In vitro site-directed mutagenesis --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3 --- Cell cycle phase analysis with flow cytometry / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Cell transfection --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Cell staining --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Flow cytometry --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4 --- Cellular proliferation quantification by BrdU proliferation assay / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Cell transfection --- p.57 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- BrdU ELISA measurement --- p.57 / Chapter 3.5 --- Protein expression / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Cell lysate collection --- p.58 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Quantification of protein samples --- p.59 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- SDS-PAGE --- p.59 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Western blot --- p.60 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- Western blot luminal detection --- p.60 / Chapter 3.6 --- Gene expression / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Primer design --- p.61 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Cell transfection --- p.61 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- RNA extraction --- p.61 / Chapter 3.6.4 --- Reverse transcription for first strand complementary DNA (cDNA) --- p.63 / Chapter 3.6.5 --- Quantitative real-time PCR --- p.63 / Chapter 3.7 --- Establishment of Tet-On inducible stable cell-lines / Chapter 3.7.1 --- Subcloning of HBx gene into pTRE2 vector --- p.64 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- Construction of WRL68/Tet-On stable cell-lines --- p.64 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- Construction of WRL68/Tet-On HBx and mutants expression cell-lines --- p.68 / Chapter 3.7.4 --- Characterization of Tet-On gene expression monoclones --- p.69 / Chapter 3.8 --- Statistical analyses --- p.70 / Chapter CHPATER 4 --- STUDY ON MITOCHONDRIA TARGETING / Chapter 4.1 --- Establishment of pEGFP-Cl-HBx and mutants constructs --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2 --- Transactivation C-terminus domain is essential for granular localization --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3 --- Wild-type HBx localizes in mitochondria --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4 --- C-terminal transactivation domain is sufficient for mitochondria targeting --- p.79 / Chapter 4.5 --- Mapping of the HBx region crucial for mitochondria targeting --- p.81 / Chapter 4.6 --- The 111-117 amino acids in HBx do not work as a signal peptide --- p.83 / Chapter 4.7 --- Site-directed mutagenesis identifies the key amino acid at 115 in HBx for mitochondrial targeting --- p.85 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- CELL PROLIFERATION AND REGULATION / Chapter 5.1 --- Alteration of S-phase distribution in cell cycle --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2 --- Analysis of DNA synthesis using BrdU proliferation ELISA --- p.92 / Chapter 5.3 --- Differential molecular regulation of cell cycle --- p.94 / Chapter 5.4 --- Regulation of the mRNA expression levels of cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors p2raf/cipl and p27kipl --- p.98 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- TRANSACTIVATION AND RAS/RAF/MAPK PHOSPHORYLATION / Chapter 6.1 --- Determination of p53-dependency of p21、vaf/cipl expression --- p.101 / Chapter 6.2 --- Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway activation by HBx variants / Chapter 6.2.1 --- ERK1/2 phophorylation by HBx variants --- p.104 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- ERK inhibition blocks the regulation effect on p53Wt and p21waf/cipl --- p.107 / Chapter 6.3 --- Transactivation activity on oncogenes/ proto-oncogenes / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Effect on c-myc (NM´ؤ002467) mRNA expression --- p.109 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Effect on RhoC (NM_017744) and Rabl4 (NM´ؤ016322) mRNA expression --- p.112 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONSTRUCTION OF TET-ON INDUCIBLE CELL-LINES / Chapter 7.1 --- Establishment of WRL/Tet-On monoclonal cell-lines Page / Chapter 7.1.1 --- Determination of geneticin selection dosage --- p.116 / Chapter 7.1.2 --- Selection of the best WRL/TOn clone using luciferase assay --- p.118 / Chapter 7.2 --- Establishment of inducible WRL/TOn/Gene monoclonal cell-lines / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Determination of hygromycin selection dosage --- p.120 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Selection of positive WRL/TOn/Gene clones with viral genes --- p.122 / Chapter 7.3 --- Characterization of TOXDC1 cell-line / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Cell morphology --- p.125 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Growth pattern of TOXDC1 --- p.126 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- HBxAC44 induced p21waf/cipl mRNA expression --- p.127 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- Doxycycline concentration dependent HBxAC44 expression in TOXDC1 --- p.129 / Chapter CHAPTER 8 --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 8.1 --- Selection of cell model / Chapter 8.1.1 --- Selection of cell models --- p.130 / Chapter 8.1.2 --- Selection of truncation mutant --- p.131 / Chapter 8.2 --- Differential sub-cellular localization of HBx and its variants / Chapter 8.2.1 --- Mechanisms of mitochondria targeting --- p.132 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- Mitochondria as site of HBx-induced apoptosis --- p.134 / Chapter 8.2.3 --- Stimulation of calcium release from mitochondria by wild-type HBx --- p.135 / Chapter 8.3 --- Cell cycle distribution profiling and its regulations / Chapter 8.3.1 --- Cell cycle pattern and cell proliferation --- p.136 / Chapter 8.3.2 --- Differential cell cycle molecular pathway activation --- p.138 / Chapter 8.4 --- Ras/Raf/MAPK mediated transactivation by HBxWt and its mutants / Chapter 8.4.1 --- p53-mediated p21waf/cipl expression --- p.142 / Chapter 8.4.2 --- ERK-mediated p21waf/cipl and wild-type p53 mRNA expression --- p.143 / Chapter 8.4.3 --- Regulation of oncogenes/ proto-oncogenes expression --- p.147 / Chapter 8.5 --- General discussions on differential effects of HBxWt and HBxAC44 --- p.149 / Chapter 8.6 --- Establishment of Tet-On/HBxAC44 cell-line TOXDC1 --- p.153 / Chapter 8.7 --- Conclusions --- p.154 / Chapter 8.8 --- Future Prospects / Chapter 8.8.1 --- From mitochondria targeting to calcium signaling --- p.157 / Chapter 8.8.2 --- Construction of a complete cell cycle regulation pathway --- p.158 / Chapter 8.8.3 --- Elucidation of the transcriptional transactivation regulation --- p.159 / Chapter 8.8.4 --- To make the best use of the Tet-on stable cell-line TOXDC1 --- p.159 / Chapter 8.8.5 --- Study with other carboxy-terminal truncation mutants --- p.160 / Chapter 8.8.6 --- In vivo study --- p.160 / REFERENCES --- p.162

Leung, Chung Yan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-113). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.I / 摘要 --- p.III / Acknowledgements --- p.V / List of figures --- p.VI / List of tables --- p.VIII / Abbreviations --- p.IX / Table of Contents --- p.XII / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Etiology of heptocellular carcinoma (HCC) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.3 --- HBV genome structure --- p.2 / Chapter 1.4 --- HBV pathogenesis --- p.2 / Chapter 1.5 --- Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) --- p.3 / Chapter 1.6 --- Oxidative stress and antioxidant --- p.5 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Glutathione (GSH) --- p.5 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) --- p.7 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Oxidative stress in HBV-related liver disease and HCC --- p.8 / Chapter 1.7 --- Apoptosis and necrosis --- p.9 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Apoptotic pathways --- p.9 / Chapter 1.8 --- Role of HBx in apoptosis --- p.10 / Chapter 1.9 --- Transcriptional activity by HBx --- p.12 / Chapter 1.10 --- Chemotherapy drug resistance --- p.13 / Chapter 1.11 --- Objectives of study --- p.14 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Methods and materials / Chapter 2.1 --- Construction of plasmid --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- PCR amplification of wild-type and mutant HBx --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Agarose gel extraction --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Restriction enzyme digestion --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Ligation of vectors and gene of interest --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Preparation of competent cells for transformation --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Transformation of plasmid in competent cells --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Plasmid extraction by mini-prep --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- DNA sequencing of the inserted genes --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2 --- Transfection --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Cell line --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Lipofectamine transfection --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Construction of stably-transfected cell lines --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3 --- Detection of expression of transfected gene in mRNA level by RT-PCR --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- RNA extraction --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4 --- Detection of expression of transfected gene in protein level by Western blot --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Sample preparation --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Measurement of protein concentration --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Transfer of proteins to nitrocellulose membrane --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Immunoblotting of protein --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5 --- Measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in cell lines --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Sample preparation --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Measurement of GSH concentration --- p.39 / Chapter 2.6 --- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in cell lines --- p.40 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Sample preparation --- p.40 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Measurement of total SOD activity --- p.41 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Measurement of Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD by Western blot --- p.42 / Chapter 2.7 --- Cell proliferation assay --- p.43 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Drugs and concentration --- p.43 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- "MTT(3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)assay" --- p.43 / Chapter 2.7.3 --- Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity of the drugs --- p.44 / Chapter 2.8 --- Detection of apoptosis by flow-cytometry --- p.44 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Cell culture --- p.44 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Cell fixation --- p.45 / Chapter 2.8.3 --- Cell staining --- p.45 / Chapter 2.8.4 --- Flow cytometry analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 2.9 --- Detection of protein involved in apoptotic pathway --- p.46 / Chapter 2.9.1 --- Antibodies --- p.46 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- Sample Preparation --- p.47 / Chapter 2.9.3 --- Measurement of protein concentration --- p.48 / Chapter 2.9.4 --- Western blotting --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Establishment of HBx transfected stable cell lines / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2 --- Results --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Plasmid construction --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Stable transfection of cell lines --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Morphology of wild type and mutant HBx-transfected cell lines --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3 --- Discussion --- p.58 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Antioxidant level in HBx transfected cell lines / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2 --- Results --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Glutathione (GSH) concentration in different cell lines --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in different cell lines --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- Total SOD activity --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Cu/ZnSOD --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.2.3 --- MnSOD --- p.72 / Chapter 4.3 --- Discussion --- p.72 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Involvement of HBx in apoptotic pathway / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2 --- Results --- p.82 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Cell proliferation of HBx transfected cells --- p.82 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Apoptosis of HBx transfected cells --- p.83 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Cytotoxicity of fluorouracil (5FU) and doxorubicin (DOX) in HBx transfected cells --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Detection of anti-apoptotic proteins cIAP2 and Bcl-2 in HBx-transient and stably transfected cells --- p.84 / Chapter 5.3 --- Discussion --- p.85 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- Concluding remarks and general discussion / Chapter 6.1 --- General discussion --- p.93 / Chapter 6.2 --- Future work --- p.97 / Chapter 6.3 --- Summary --- p.99 / References --- p.100 / Appendix 1 --- p.114

Die Virushepatitis gehört weltweit zu einer der häufigsten viralen Erkrankungen. Doch durch die Entwicklung von immer effizienteren Impfstoffen kann bei einer frühzeitigen Immunisierung eine Infektion verhindert werden. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, ein Patientenkollektiv zu untersuchen, welches eine Impfung mit einem Hepatitis B-Impfstoff erhalten hatte, und dieses mit Probanden zu vergleichen, die nicht immunisiert waren. Diese Proben wurden auf ihre serologische und zelluläre Reaktivität mittels ELISA und ELISpot untersucht. Im ELISA zeigte sich bei 95 % der geimpften Personen eine positive Serokonversion nach zurückliegender Hepatitis B-Impfung. Um den Impfstatus genauer zu analysieren und bei seronegativen geimpften Probanden den zellulären Arm des Immun-systems zu verifizieren, wurde mittels ELISpot die IFN-γ-Sekretion von HBs-reaktiven T-Zellen untersucht und mit den Ergebnissen, welche in der Serologie gewonnen wurden, verglichen. Dabei zeigte sich, dass die zelluläre Untersuchung bei 43 von 94 untersuchten Patientenproben (46 %) ein positives Ergebnis aufwies. Zweiundzwanzig der 48 geimpften Patienten (46 %) hatten eine antigenspezifische IFN-γ-Sekretion und 21 der 46 Proben der aktuell nicht geimpften Patienten fielen im ELISpot positiv aus. Bei zwei seronegativ geimpften Patienten konnte jeweils ein positives Ergebnis im ELISpot gezeigt werden. Ein direkter Zusammenhang zwischen der Höhe des anti-HBs-Titers im ELISA und Anzahl der spot-bildenden Zellen im ELISpot konnte nicht gezeigt werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zeigen, dass die serologische Untersuchung mittels ELISA weiterhin als Goldstandard verwendet werden soll, um den aktuellen Schutz gegenüber einer Hepatitis B-Infektion zu verifizieren. Durch die zelluläre Untersuchung mit dem ELISpot-Verfahren kann bei weiterer Testoptimierung in Zukunft eine Nachweismethode für seronegative Geimpfte entwickelt werden. Vor allem sollten diese mit Hilfe des ELISpots genauer analysiert werden, um gegebenenfalls bei nicht vorhandener humoralen Immunität und einer ebenfalls fehlenden zellulären Immunität prophylaktische Maßnahmen einzuleiten.

Thesis (Dr. P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2008. / "May 2008." Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-02, Section: B, page: 0911. Adviser: Lu-Yu Hwang. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-62).