Comparative analysis of gene expression upon DMSO-induced differentiation of hepatoma cell lines [Dif]

The liver, and more precisely hepatocytes, can be infected by several viruses such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis D (HDV), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis E (HEV) viruses, with chronic infection leading to end-stage liver diseases. Since no in vitro model allowing multi-infections with the four viruses is reported, limited data are available on the interplay between those viruses as well as on the potential cross-reactivity of antivirals in multi-infection cases. Here we showed that HuH7.5-NTCP cells can be partially differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells and genuinely replicate HBV, HDV, HCV and HEV for at least 4 weeks after mono or multiple infections. Additionally, we recapitulated the effect of known antivirals and found that FXR-agonists, also strongly inhibited HEV replication. Using HEV infected HuHep mice, we confirmed the antiviral effect of Vonafexor, the FXR agonist clinical candidate currently tested against HBV and HDV, highlighting FXR-ligands as potential broad acting antivirals. Here, we set-up the first in vitro model allowing multi-infections with hepatitis viruses that can be used for broad drug screening. HuH7-NTCP cells and HuH7.5-NTCP cells were differentiated or not in 2% DMSO-containing medium. Total RNAs were extracted and gene expression was analyzed by RNAseq