The IL-6/STAT3 pathway upregulates microRNA-125b expression in hepatitis C virus infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

MicroRNA-125b (miR-125b) has been found to regulate inflammation and acts as an oncogene in many cancers. The mechanisms of miR-125b expression during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remain to be clarified. The present study aims to identify the factors that might regulate miR-125b expression in HCV infection.

Results

High expression of miR-125b was found to correlate with HCV infection in replicon cells and in sera from HCV-infected patients, whereas the miR-125b inhibitor reduced HCV gene expression. The interleukin 6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway plays an inducible effect on miR-125b gene expression. STAT3 siRNA or inhibitor could reduce HCV replication.

Materials and methods

HCV replicon cells Con1 (typ

SUBMITTER: Dai CY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5834265 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature