Interferon alpha-inducible protein 27 (IFI27) inhibits hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcription through downregulating cellular transcription factor C/EBPα.

ABSTRACT: Interferon alpha (IFNα) is the only approved immunomodulatory drug for chronic hepatitis B treatment, exerting its antiviral effects through the induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). To identify key antiviral ISGs that inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, we performed transcriptome analysis of IFNα-treated HepG2-NTCP cells and found that IFI27 was among the most differentially expressed genes. The high inducibility of IFI27 by IFNα was further validated in primary human hepatocytes. Overexpression of IFI27 significantly suppressed HBV replication in both HBV-transfected and -infected cells, primarily by reducing HBV RNA transcription. Conversely, IFI27 knockdown markedly diminished the antiviral effect of IFNα in HBV-infected cells. IFI27 is predominantly localized in th

SUBMITTER: Yu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12646010 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature