Biobanking for Viral Hepatitis Research

Abstract

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is a worldwide, important health issue. The optimal management of viral hepatitis infections faces numerous challenges. In this paper, we describe how biobanking of biological samples derived from viral hepatitis patients collected both in-hospital and during community outreach screenings provides a unique collection of samples. Materials and Methods: All samples and materials were provided with a study code within the SLIMS system Study protocols and an informed consent form were approved by the Antwerp University Hospital/University of Antwerp Ethical Committee. Systematic biobanking was initiated in October 2014. Collected sample types include: (1) serum and plasma of all newly diagnosed HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV positive patients; (2) left-over serum and plasma samples from all PCR analyses for HBV and HCV performed in the context of routine clinical care; (3) left-over liver tissue not needed for routine histological diagnosis after liver biopsy; and (4) additional virus-specific, appropriate sample types using a scientific rationale-based approach. A community outreach screening program was performed in three major Belgian cities. Serum, EDTA, Tempus Blood RNA and BD Vacutainer CPT were collected. CPT tubes were centrifuged on-site and mononuclear cells collected within 24 h. Results: Concerning community screening: 298 individuals supplied all 4 sample types. Samples were stored at −150°C and were logged in the biobank SLIMS database. Samples were used for HBV-related immunological and biomarker studies. DNA isolated from plasma samples derived from chronic HBV patients was used to investigate Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs 1790008. Serum samples collected from chronic hepatitis C patients were used to assess the efficacy of HCV treatment. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) isolated from chronic HBV patients and healthy controls were used for different immunological study purposes. Virus isolated from biobanked stool of a chronic hepatitis E patient was used to establish a mouse model for Hepatitis E infections, allowing further HEV virology studies. Conclusion: The establishment of a biobank with samples collected both in-hospital and during community-outreach screening resulted in a unique, continuously expanding collection of biological samples which provides an excellent platform for prompt answers to clinically and translational relevant research questions.

Glycan Node Analysis of Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles

“…Moreover, blood draws are common practice and only partially invasive. Several successful plasma-based diagnostic assays are in clinical use, such as the detection of non-small cell lung cancer [ 7 ], hepatitis [ 8 ], and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [ 9 ]. Many other promising diagnostic strategies are currently in development, including the detection of phosphorylated tau18 in Alzheimer’s disease [ 10 ].…”

In vitro functional models for human liver diseases and drug screening: beyond animal testing

“…232 Therefore, it is of foremost importance to clinically validate in vitro outcomes in humans. [233][234][235] Similarly, somatic genome editing platforms (e.g., TALEN, ZFN, CRISPR/Cas9) could be also considered as an halfway point to design liver disease models for metabolic and acquired disorders with clinical therapy purposes, thus identifying responsible genes and mutational profile of liver diseases and hepatic cancer. 93,211 For instance, such platforms were employed to model liver disease as HCC, inducing carcinogenesis in healthy liver 3D engineered constructs such as organoids.…”

Sorted B cell transcriptomes point towards actively regulated B cell responses during ongoing chronic hepatitis B infections

“…Heparinized blood was obtained from 38 treatment naïve chronic HBV patients, and 13 unvaccinated healthy individuals (negative for HBsAg, anti-HBcAg, and anti-HBsAg). Blood samples of the healthy individuals were collected during outreach community screenings in the Chinese migrant population in Antwerp [15][16][17]. Blood from chronic HBV patients was sampled at the moment they underwent a liver biopsy for routine clinical care at the Antwerp University Hospital, ZNA Stuivenberg (both located in Antwerp, Belgium) and the Erasmus Medical Center (Rotterdam, the Netherlands).…”