Investigation of the link between hepatitis C and porphyria cutanea tarda

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K21346
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Medical pharmacy; Pharmacology in pharmacy
• Research Institution: Teikyo Heisei University
• Principal Investigator: Nakano Takafumi 帝京平成大学, 薬学部, 講師 (40720793)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: C型肝炎 / 晩発性皮膚ポルフィリン症 / ヘム生合成 / ポルフィリン / Ethanol

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Earlier reports have shown a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with PCT. While these observations implicate HCV infection as a risk factor for PCT pathogenesis, the mechanism of interaction between the virus and porphyrin metabolism is unknown. Here, we showed that HCV core protein triggers abnormal porphyrin metabolism, expressed by excess coproporphyrin excretion and higher porphyrins synthesis rate, via the change in the expression of enzymes and transporters involved in heme synthesis pathway. In addition, we confirmed that HCV core protein strengthen the ethanol-induced increase in ALAS1 protein expression that is a rate-limiting enzyme in heme synthesis.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学