IL-1β Enhances the Antiviral Effect of IFN-α on HCV Replication by Negatively Modulating ERK2 Activation.

Chronic hepatitis C infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis, which is linked to chronic hepatic inflammation. While there are multiple studies detailing the proinflammatory role of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in HCV-induced inflammasome signaling, the antiviral capacity of this cytokine has not been adequately investigated in the context of HCV infection or other members of Flaviridae. Our data indicated that IL-1β alone does not inhibit HCV replication, yet when in combination with IFN-α, it can boost the anti-HCV activity of IFN-α, which is mediated by augmented STAT1 tyrosine 701 phosphorylation.

A Nanoparticle-Based Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine With Enhanced Potency.

Despite the emergence of new direct-acting antivirals, hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection and its consequent fibrosis and hepatocarcinoma remain a significant burden for public health, thus requiring an effective preventive vaccine. Our group previously showed that a subunit vaccine based on recombinant soluble E2 (sE2) can induce broadly neutralizing antibodies. To improve the immunogenicity of sE2, we designed and produced a fusion protein (sE2-ferritin) comprising sE2 and a ferritin unit in Drosophila S2 cells, which self-assembled into a nanoparticle with sE2 displayed on the surface.