Apart from viral conditions, host factors such as elevated
bile acid concentrations are determinants of successful
interferon-α (IFN-α) treatment in patients with
chronic hepatitis C or B. The present study demonstrates that hydrophobic
bile acids inhibit Jak1- and Tyk2-phosphorylation, which lead to blockade of STAT1-mediated IFN-α-signaling in the
sodium-taurocholate cotransporting
peptide (NTCP)-transfected human
hepatoma cell line HepG2, resulting in a decreased
mRNA and
protein expression of IFN-stimulated genes such as myxovirus resistance
protein A (MxA) or dsRNA-activated
protein kinase (PKR). In addition, hyperosmotic stress leads to an inhibition of IFN-α-induced Jak1- and Tyk2-phosphorylation, and STAT1/STAT2-phosphorylation and gene expression. This inhibitory effect of hydrophobic
bile acids or hyperosmolarity is not due to
caspase-mediated cleavage or lysosomal degradation of the cognate receptors or to the generation of oxidative stress, activation of p38- or Erk-mediated MAPK pathways or
phosphatase activity. Preincubation with the organic osmolyte
betaine blocked the inhibitory effect of
bile acids or hyperosmolarity on MxA
protein expression, but had no effect on transcript levels or activation of STAT1, suggesting that
betaine mediates its effects on MxA expression at a translational or post-translational level. Our findings could provide a rationale for
betaine use in cholestatic HBV/HCV patients undergoing
interferon therapy.