Antagonism of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling favors hepatitis E virus life cycle.

Unlabelled: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses a global threat, which currently remains understudied in terms of host interactions. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays multifaceted roles in viral pathogenesis, impacting host-cell entry, viral replication, and host-defense modulation. On the one hand, EGFR signaling emerged as a major driver in innate immunity; on the other hand, a crosstalk between HEV and EGFR requires deeper analysis.

The Protease Domain in HEV pORF1 Mediates the Replicase's Localization to Multivesicular Bodies and Its Exosomal Release.

Background: A peculiar feature of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) is its reliance on the exosomal route for viral release. Genomic replication is mediated via the viral polyprotein pORF1, yet little is known about its subcellular localization.

Methods: Subcellular localization of pORF1 and its subdomains, generated and cloned based on a structural prediciton of the viral replicase, was analyzed via confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Targeting Cholesterol Metabolism as Efficient Antiviral Strategy Against the Hepatitis E Virus.

Background And Aims: The Hepatitis E virus hijacks the endosomal system for its release. These structures are highly dependent on cholesterol. Hence, this study investigates the impact of HEV on cholesterol-metabolism, the effect of intracellular cholesterol content on HEV-release and the potential of cholesterol-modulators to serve as antivirals.

Identification of the interferon-inducible GTPase GBP1 as major restriction factor for the Hepatitis E virus.

This study aims to gain deeper insight into HEV-induced innate immunity by characterizing the crosstalk between the virus and the host factor guanylate-binding protein 1 (GBP1). We observe that the amount of GBP1 is elevated upon infection, although number of transcripts is decreased, which is explained by a prolonged protein half-life. Modulation of GBP1 levels via overexpression significantly inhibits the viral life cycle.

Inhibition of Hepatitis E Virus Spread by the Natural Compound Silvestrol.

Every year, there are about 20 Mio hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections and 60,000 deaths that are associated with HEV worldwide. At the present, there exists no specific therapy for HEV. The natural compound silvestrol has a potent antiviral effect against the (-)-strand RNA-virus Ebola virus, and also against the (+)-strand RNA viruses Corona-, Picorna-, and Zika virus.