Identification of microRNA associated with the elimination of hepatitis C virus by direct-acting antiviral therapies

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K15786
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Kagawa University
• Principal Investigator: Tadokoro Tomoko 香川大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (50813177)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: C型肝炎 / 直接作用型抗ウイルス療法 / マイクロRNA / 肝硬変 / 肝細胞癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To identify host factors that resist treatment with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV), we analyzed changes in microRNAs (miRNAs) in the serum of patients treated with DAA. The expression of miRNAs changed with the disappearance of HCV in both groups, especially miR-762 was significantly changed in both groups. miR-762 increased after HCV elimination in the treatment-responsive group, while miR-762 decreased in the treatment-resistant cases. miR-762 transfection into HCV-infected cultured hepatocytes significantly reduced HCV-RNA replication, suggesting that miR-762 is one of the host factors involved in HCV elimination by DAA therapy.

Free Research Field

消化器内科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

C型肝炎ウイルスは未だに肝硬変・肝細胞癌の主な原因である。
直接作用型抗ウイルス療法によるC型肝炎治療は非常に有効であるが、直接作用型抗ウイルス剤の治療効果は100%ではなく、更に直接作用型抗ウイルス剤自体非常に高額な薬剤である。治療が不成功に終わる宿主要因を特定することにより、より治療成功率が上昇し、肝硬変や肝細胞癌を抑制するだけでなく医療経済面においても有益であると考えられる。