Expression profiles of genes associated with viral entry in HCV-infected human liver

✍ Scribed by M. Nakamuta; T. Fujino; R. Yada; Y. Aoyagi; K. Yasutake; M. Kohjima; K. Fukuizumi; T. Yoshimoto; N. Harada; M. Yada; M. Kato; K. Kotoh; A. Taketomi; Y. Maehara; M. Nakashima; M. Enjoji

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 406 KB
• Volume: 83
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0146-6615
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.22042

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated that several cellular factors are involved in entry of hepatitis C virus (HCV) into host cells. Detailed gene expression profiles of these factors in HCV‐infected livers have not been reported for humans. Transcriptional levels of LDL receptor (LDLR), CD81, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR‐BI), claudin‐1, and occludin genes in liver samples from patients with chronic hepatitis C were investigated. Serum levels of LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) and HCV core antigen were also evaluated, and expression of claudin‐1 and occludin were immunohistochemically analyzed. Compared with normal liver, transcription of LDLR and claudin‐1 genes was significantly suppressed (P < 0.0001) and occludin transcription was significantly up‐regulated in HCV‐infected livers (P < 0.0001). Significant positive correlations were found for LDLR versus occludin, LDLR versus claudin‐1, occludin versus claudin‐1, and CD81 versus SR‐BI in HCV‐infected (P = 0.0012, P < 0.0001, P = 0.0004, and P < 0.0001, respectively) and normal livers (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0051, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0001, respectively). Positive correlation was observed between serum levels of HCV core antigen and LDL‐C (P = 0.0147), with their levels negatively correlated to LDLR (P = 0.0270 and P = 0.0021, respectively). Immunohistochemically, hepatocellular expression of claudin‐1 and occludin was increased in HCV‐infected livers. Different levels of expression were demonstrated at the mRNA and protein levels for occludin and claudin‐1 in HCV‐infected and normal livers. Correlation of elements associated with viral entry was comparable in HCV‐infected and normal livers. J. Med. Virol. 83:921–927, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.