Hepatitis-C-virus-induced microRNAs dampen interferon-mediated antiviral signaling

Nat Med. 2016 Dec;22(12):1475-1481. doi: 10.1038/nm.4211. Epub 2016 Nov 14.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects 200 million people globally, and 60-80% of cases persist as a chronic infection that will progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer in 2-10% of patients. We recently demonstrated that HCV induces aberrant expression of two host microRNAs (miRNAs), miR-208b and miR-499a-5p, encoded by myosin genes in infected hepatocytes. These miRNAs, along with AU-rich-element-mediated decay, suppress IFNL2 and IFNL3, members of the type III interferon (IFN) gene family, to support viral persistence. In this study, we show that miR-208b and miR-499a-5p also dampen type I IFN signaling in HCV-infected hepatocytes by directly down-regulating expression of the type I IFN receptor chain, IFNAR1. Inhibition of these miRNAs by using miRNA inhibitors during HCV infection increased expression of IFNAR1. Additionally, inhibition rescued the antiviral response to exogenous type I IFN, as measured by a marked increase in IFN-stimulated genes and a decrease in HCV load. Treatment of HCV-infected hepatocytes with type I IFN increased expression of myosins over HCV infection alone. Since these miRNAs can suppress type III IFN family members, these data collectively define a novel cross-regulation between type I and III IFNs during HCV infection.

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology*
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology*
  • Hepatocytes / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / immunology*
  • Interferons
  • Interleukins / immunology
  • MicroRNAs / immunology*
  • Myosins / metabolism
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta / genetics

Substances

  • IFNAR1 protein, human
  • interferon-lambda, human
  • Interferon Type I
  • Interleukins
  • MIRN208 microRNA, human
  • MIRN499 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta
  • Interferons
  • Myosins