17β-Oestradiol Protects from Hepatitis C Virus Infection through Induction of Type I Interferon.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Sex hormones are widely recognised to act as protective factors against several viral infections. Specifically, females infected by the hepatitis C virus display higher clearance rates and reduced disease progression than those found in males. Through modulation of particle release and spread, 17β-oestradiol controls HCV's life cycle. We investigated the mechanism(s) behind oestrogen's antiviral effect.

Methods

We used cell culture-derived hepatitis C virus in in vitro assays to evaluate the effect of 17β-oestradiol on the innate immune response. Host immune responses were evaluated by enumerating gene transcripts via RT-qPCR in cells exposed to oestrogen in the presence or absence of viral infection. Antiviral effects were determined by focus-forming uni

SUBMITTER: Barbaglia MN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9415988 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature