CCR5 receptor antagonism inhibits hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in vitro.
Date
2019-10-29Journal
PLoS OnePublisher
Public Library of ScienceType
Article
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Background and aim The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a single-strand RNA virus that infects millions of people worldwide. Recent advances in therapy have led to viral cure using two- and three- drug combinations of direct acting inhibitors of viral replication. CCR5 is a chemokine receptor that is expressed on hepatocytes and represents a key co-receptor for HIV. We evaluated the effect of CCR5 blockade or knockdown on HCV replication in Huh7.5JFH1 cells. Methods Cells were exposed to varying concentrations of maraviroc (CCR5 inhibitor), cenicriviroc (CCR2/CCR5 inhibitor), sofosbuvir (nucleotide polymerase inhibitor), or raltegravir (HIV integrase inhibitor). Results HCV RNA was detected utilizing two qualitative strand-specific RT-PCR assays. HCV core antigen and NS3 protein was quantified in the supernatant and cell lysate, respectively. siRNA was utilized to knockdown CCR5 gene expression in hepatocytes. Alternatively, anti-CCR5 antibodies were employed to block the receptor. Supernatant levels of HCV RNA (expressed as fold change) were not reduced in the presence of raltegravir but were reduced 8.55-fold and 12.42-fold with cenicriviroc and maraviroc, respectively. Sofosbuvir resulted in a 16.20-fold change in HCV RNA levels. HCV core and NS3 protein production was also reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Two distinct anti-CCR5 antibodies also resulted in a significant reduction in HCV protein expression, as did siRNA knockdown of CCR5 gene expression. Conclusions These data provide evidence that CCR5 modulation could have a significant effect on HCV replication in an in vitro system. Further evaluation of the role of CCR5 inhibition in clinical settings may be warranted.Sponsors
This work was supported in part by grant NIAID R01AI065256 to KES. (https://www.niaid. nih.gov/).Keyword
Receptors, CCR5CCR5 Receptor Antagonists
Hepatitis C
RNA, Small Interfering
In Vitro Techniques
Identifier to cite or link to this item
http://hdl.handle.net/10713/11245ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1371/journal.pone.0224523