Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Interferon Response in Mice
Author Information
Author(s): Tsuge Masataka, Fujimoto Yoshifumi, Hiraga Nobuhiko, Zhang Yizhou, Ohnishi Mayu, Kohno Tomohiko, Abe Hiromi, Miki Daiki, Imamura Michio, Takahashi Shoichi, Ochi Hidenori, Hayes C. Nelson, Miya Fuyuki, Tsunoda Tatsuhiko, Chayama Kazuaki
Primary Institution: Hiroshima University
Hypothesis
How does hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affect the interferon response in human hepatocytes?
Conclusion
HCV infection suppresses the interferon response in human hepatocytes, revealing potential therapeutic targets.
Supporting Evidence
- HCV infection induced a more than 3-fold change in the expression of 181 genes.
- IFN administration induced more than 3-fold up-regulation in the expression of 152 genes.
- HCV infection suppressed interferon signaling via significant reduction in interferon-induced gene expression.
Takeaway
This study shows that when mice infected with hepatitis C virus are treated with interferon, the virus makes it harder for the treatment to work.
Methodology
Human hepatocyte chimeric mice were infected with HCV and treated with interferon, followed by microarray analysis of gene expression.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the use of a single donor for human hepatocytes.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a mouse model, which may not fully replicate human responses.
Participant Demographics
Human hepatocyte chimeric mice derived from immunocompromised SCID mice.
Statistical Information
P-Value
5.90E-16
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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