Gene therapeutic approach for inhibiting hepatitis C virus replication using a recombinant protein that controls interferon expression.

ABSTRACT: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a continuing threat to public health. The systemic administration of interferon alpha with ribavirin is the only currently approved treatment. However, this treatment is associated with a wide spectrum of systemic side effects that limits its effectiveness; thus, there is an urgent need for new treatment modalities. In this study, we describe a novel anti-HCV strategy employing a recombinant transcription factor that we have engineered in such a way that NS3/4a viral protease controls its intracellular localization, thereby restoring interferon secretion specifically in cells infected with HCV. Proof-of-concept experiments validated the strategy, showing that the recombinant transcription factor was triggered to stimulate interferon promoter by NS3/4A and rem

SUBMITTER: Joo CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2981247 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature