Lambda interferon inhibits hepatitis B and C virus replication.

Abstract

Lambda interferon (IFN-lambda) induces an intracellular IFN-alpha/beta-like antiviral response through a receptor complex distinct from the IFN-alpha/beta receptor. We therefore determined the ability of IFN-lambda to inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. IFN-lambda inhibits HBV replication in a differentiated murine hepatocyte cell line with kinetics and efficiency similar to IFN-alpha/beta and does not require the expression of IFN-alpha/beta or IFN-gamma. Furthermore, IFN-lambda blocked the replication of a subgenomic and a full-length genomic HCV replicon in human hepatocyte Huh7 cells. These results suggest the possibility that IFN-lambda may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of chronic HBV or HCV infection.

• Authors: Michael D Robek, Bryan S Boyd, Francis V Chisari
• Journal: Journal of virology (J Virol) Vol. 79 Issue 6 Pg. 3851-4 (Mar 2005) ISSN: 0022-538X [Print] United States
• PMID: 15731279 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Interferons

Topics

• Animals
• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Hepacivirus (drug effects, physiology)
• Hepatitis B virus (drug effects, physiology)
• Humans
• Interferons (pharmacology)
• Mice
• Virus Replication (drug effects)