Cytoskeletal Vimentin Directs Cell-Cell Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus.

ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen causing liver diseases. Although direct-acting antiviral agents effectively inhibit HCV infection, cell-cell transmission remains a critical venue for HCV persistence in vivo. However, the underlying mechanism of how HCV spreads intercellularly remains elusive. Here, we demonstrated that vimentin, a host intermediate filaments protein, is dispensable for HCV infection in cell models but essential for simulated in vivo infection in differentiated hepatocytes. Genetic removal of vimentin markedly and specifically disrupts HCV cell-cell transmission without influencing cell-free infection. Through mutual co-immunoprecipitation screening, we identified that the N-terminal 1-95 amino acids of vimentin exclusively interact with the HCV envelope p

SUBMITTER: Xing Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11744697 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature