Interferon Impedes an Early Step of Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection
2011

Interferon Impedes Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Han Ziying, Nogusa Shoko, Nicolas Emmanuelle, Balachandran Siddharth, Taylor John

Primary Institution: Fox Chase Cancer Center

Hypothesis

How does interferon affect the replication of hepatitis delta virus in human hepatocytes?

Conclusion

Interferon treatments can significantly inhibit hepatitis delta virus entry and initiation of replication in primary human hepatocytes.

Supporting Evidence

  • Interferon alpha or gamma significantly inhibited HDV RNA accumulation when applied during virus exposure.
  • The study found that interferon treatments induced time-dependent increases of host response proteins.
  • Interferon application had less effect once the hepatocytes were infected.

Takeaway

Interferon helps stop a virus that affects the liver by blocking it from getting inside the liver cells.

Methodology

The study used primary human hepatocytes to assess the effects of interferons on hepatitis delta virus replication.

Limitations

The study did not assess possible late effects of interferons on HDV RNA-editing and HBV-dependent assembly of progeny HDV particles.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022415

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