The Analysis of the immune evasion strategy by hepatitis C virus

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25860522
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Gastroenterology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: NITTA Sayuri 東京医科歯科大学, 医歯(薬)学総合研究科, 特任助教 (20527056)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: C型肝炎 / 自然免疫応答

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Nearly 70% of HCV infected patients develop chronic hepatitis, which leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Some viral proteins of HCV have been reported to block the host antiviral immune response that could cause persistent infection and chronic hepatitis. In this study, we have shown that non-structural protein 4B of HCV, especially N-terminus of NS4B, inhibit both of the IFNβ and the IFNλ by targeting STING which is signal molecule of IFN pathway. These results are important to understand the HCV evasion system from host antiviral response and may contribute to develop novel anti-HCV drugs.

Free Research Field

ウイルス性肝炎