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Hepatitis

Brain endothelial cells support HCV entry and replication

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 9, page 65 (2012)Cite this article

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Chronic HCV infection causes progressive liver disease and can also be associated with various CNS abnormalities. To date, however, few studies have investigated the mechanisms by which these abnormalities arise, that is, whether they are a result of impaired hepatic function or virus replication in the CNS. Thus, the researchers quantified HCV RNA levels in the brain and liver of 10 individuals infected with HCV. They also investigated the expression of HCV entry receptors in the brain, and conducted in vitro studies to ascertain whether two brain-derived endothelial cell lines could support HCV infection.

HCV RNA was detected in multiple brain samples from four of the patients (although at much lower levels than in the liver samples), and microvascular endothelia expressed all of the essential HCV entry receptors. The two cell lines supported HCV entry and replication; infection was inhibited by receptor-specific antibodies, interferon and antiviral agents. Furthermore, infection caused endothelial cell apoptosis, potentially providing a mechanism for the mild neurocognitive impairment observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Fletcher, N. F. et al. Hepatitis C virus infects the endothelial cells of the blood–brain barrier. Gastroenterology doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2011.11.028

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Authors
  1. Isobel Franks
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Franks, I. Brain endothelial cells support HCV entry and replication. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 9, 65 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2011.259

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2011.259

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