Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses are the major etiological agents of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both viruses frequently cause chronic hepatitis leading to persistent liver injury, liver cirrhosis, and eventually HCC. The molecular mechanisms underlying the viral pathogenesis and carcinogenesis are poorly understood. Our current research projects focus on identification of host proteins required for the early stage of HBV life cycle, and viral-host interaction in HCV pathogenesis.

Hepatitis B virus: The early events of HBV infection are poorly defined due to dynamic nature of the entry process and lack of a systemic approach to identify the cellular components required for individual steps. The host factors, once identified, may serve as critical targets for therapeutic intervention, thus reducing the rate of chronic hepatitis and ensuing liver cancer. Duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV), the related hepatotropic DNA virus, may serve as a model system for the identification of viral receptor/co-factors as well as for the evaluation of novel molecular targets for intervention of hepadnavirus infection. We have previously identified and cloned two DHBV pre-S envelope-interacting proteins: p170 (carboxypeptidase D, DCPD) and p120 (glycine decarboxylase). The DCPD has been established as a DHBV docking receptor but fails to confer DHBV susceptibility of cell lines, suggesting that other cellular co-factors are necessary to establish productive viral infection. The p120 is distributed only in DHBV-infectible tissues and essential for a post-binding step of the DHBV life cycle. Optimal p120 binding in vitro requires truncation of the pre-S domain, which contains a putative cleavage site for PC7, a proprotein convertase. Our long-term goal is to understand virus-host interactions in the viral entry pathway and identify cellular targets for therapeutic intervention. We are currently using molecular approaches to investigate the molecular basis whereby p120 mediates productive DHBV infection and to determine the contribution of proprotein convertases to DHBV infectivity. We will also evaluate p120 as well as DCPD as molecular targets for intervention of DHBV infection. These studies will contribute to the understanding of the early events of hepadnavirus infection and may lead to the development of novel antiviral strategies for prevention of HBV induced liver cancer.

Hepatitis C virus: Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is closely associated with the development of HCC in the setting of chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to HCC development are poorly defined. Gene transfection experiments and transgenic mouse models revealed the potential of individual viral proteins to modulate the cell signaling pathways that are implicated in proliferation/apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and immune defense. The HCV core protein has been proposed as one of the key viral components contributing to oxidative stress, steatosis, and carcinogenesis. We found that expression of HCV core protein increased cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and cell cycle progression. Consistent with this, the full-length HCV replicon stimulated cell proliferation better than the subgenomic replicon, which lacks the core gene. The fact that culture supernatant from core gene transfected cells stimulated cell growth suggests the role of secreted factor(s) in mediating the growth signal. Microarray analysis revealed that most of the genes involved in cell growth or oncogenic signaling are up-regulated rather than down regulated. Of particular interest is the marked up regulation of both wnt-1 and its downstream target gene WISP2. In this regard, activation of wnt signaling has been observed in approximately one third of HCC, and both proteins are secreted growth factors. Further molecular characterization of wnt1/WISP2 signaling in association with the core induced cell proliferation in the context of HCV replication may probe into the molecular mechanisms by which HCV infection modulates growth signaling and eventually leads to the development of HCC.

Current Support:

R21 DK066950-01 Li (PI)
05/15/04-04/30/06
$100,000 (Direct/year)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein and Cell Proliferation
Goal of the project: Characterize the molecular basis of HCV core protein in mediating enhanced cell proliferation
Role: PI

R01 CA109733 (Li)
4/15/05-3/31/2010
$150,500 (Direct/year)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Molecular targets for interruption of HBV Infection
The major goal of this project is to evaluate duck hepatitis B virus receptor (carboxypeptidase D) and co-receptor (glycine decarboxylase) as potential targets for interruption of DHBV infection at the early stage of the viral life cycle.
Role: Principle Investigator

R01 DK28614 Biancani (PI)
7/1/03-6/30/07
$200,000 (direct/year)
NIDDK
Biophysical Principles of Peristaltic Phenomena
The major goals of this project are to examine the mechanisms responsible for esophageal contraction and LES tone in normal animals
Role: Co-investigator

Completed Research Support:

Liver Scholar Award Li (PI)
07/01/99-6/30/2002
American Liver Foundation (ALF)
Characterization of carboxypeptidase D as an avian hepadnavirus receptor.
Role: PI

R21 CA095490-01 Li (PI)
04/01/02-03/31/04
NIH/NCI
Role of Glycine Decarboxylase in Hepadnaviral Infection.
Goal of the project: characterize the role of glycine decarboxylase in the early stages of the viral life cycle.
Role: PI

P20 RR15578-02 Sedivy (PI)
09/30/00-08/31/05
NIH/ National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Center for Genetics and Genomics
This Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) award funds core facilities and research projects at Brown University and its affiliated hospitals.
Role: Co-Investigator

1986-1989 Research Training Fellowship, International Biotechnology Network.
1991 Young Investigator's Award, French Society for the Study of the Liver (AFEF).
1992-1993 Post-Doctoral Fellowship, BioMerieux.
1999-2002 Liver Scholar Award, American Liver Foudation.
2000 Member of National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant Review Committee, Hepatitis C Cooperative Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
2005 Member of NIH Grant Review Committee, Hepatitis C Cooperative Research Center, NIAID.
2005 Co-Chair, the International Meeting on the Molecular Biology of Hepatitis B Viruses, Heidelberg, Gemany.
2005 Co-Chair, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Research Workshop "Molecular Mechanisms of the Hepatocyte Transformation, San Francisco.
2006 Invited Speaker, 5th NHRI Conference on Viral Hepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Taiwan
2006 Co-Chair, The Molecular Biology of Hepatitis B Viruses, 2006 International Meeting, Vancouver, Canada

Member, American Society for Microbiology
Member, American Liver Foundation
Member, Centers for AIDS Research

Molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis