Single-cell atlas of hepatitis C virus inoculated tree shrew liver reveals immune activation, metabolic reprogramming, and persistent inflammation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major global health challenge, largely due to the absence of robust animal models that recapitulate this disease, hindering mechanistic studies and vaccine development. This study employed tree shrews to determine the molecular profiles of distinct liver cell populations following HCV infection.

Methods

Tree shrews received intrahepatic injections of the HCV JFH1 strain and were analysed at two timepoints: 1 week post-inoculation (acute) and 111 weeks post-inoculation (long-term). Viral load was assessed up to 30 weeks. Liver pathology was assessed via haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling was performed on liver tissues, while tree shrew primary hepatocytes and ITH6 hepatic cells, as well as h

SUBMITTER: Yu D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12774688 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature