Hepatitis C virus core protein induces fibrogenic actions of hepatic stellate cells via toll-like receptor 2

Lab Invest. 2011 Sep;91(9):1375-82. doi: 10.1038/labinvest.2011.78. Epub 2011 May 2.

Abstract

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) represent the main fibrogenic cell type accumulating extracellular matrix in the liver. Recent data suggest that hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein may directly activate HSCs. Therefore, we examined the influence of recombinant HCV core protein on human HSCs. Primary human HSCs and the human HSC line LX-2 were stimulated with recombinant HCV proteins core and envelope 2 protein. Expression of procollagen type I α-1, α-smooth muscle actin, cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 2, glial fibrillary acidic protein, tissue growth factor β1, matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP2) and 13, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 was investigated by real-time PCR. Intracellular signaling pathways of ERK1/2, p38 and, jun-amino-terminal kinase (JNK) were analyzed by western blot analysis. Recombinant HCV core protein induced upregulation of procollagen type I α-1, α-smooth muscle actin, MMP 2 and 13, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 and 2, tissue growth factor β1, cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 2, and glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA expression, whereas HCV envelope 2 protein did not exert any significant effect. Blocking of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) with a neutralizing antibody prevented mRNA upregulation by HCV core protein confirming that the TLR2 pathway was involved. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed HCV-induced phosphorylation of the TLR2-dependent signaling molecules ERK1/2, p38 and JNK mitogen-activated kinases. Our in vitro results demonstrate a direct effect of HCV core protein on activation of HSCs toward a profibrogenic state, which is mediated via the TLR2 pathway. Manipulating the TLR2 pathway may thus provide a new approach for antifibrotic therapies in HCV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA Primers
  • Hepatitis C / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / physiology*
  • Viral Core Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Viral Core Proteins