The expression of the hepatocyte SLAMF3 (CD229) receptor enhances the hepatitis C virus infection

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 13;9(6):e99601. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099601. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide. We recently characterized for the first time the expression of Signaling Lymphocyte Activating Molecule 3 (SLAMF3) in human hepatocytes and here, we report that SLAMF3 interacts with the HCV viral protein E2 and is implicated in HCV entry process. We found a strong correlation between SLAMF3 expression level and hepatocyte susceptibility to HCV infection. The use of specific siRNAs to down-modulate SLAMF3 expression and SLAMF3-blocking antibodies both decreased the hepatocytes susceptibility to HCV infection. Moreover, SLAMF3 over-expression significantly increased susceptibility to HCV infection. Interestingly, experiments with peptides derived from each SLAMF3 domain showed that the first N-terminal extracellular domain is essential for interaction with HCV particles. Finally, we showed that recombinant HCV envelop protein E2 can bind SLAMF3 and that anti-SLAMF3 antibodies inhibited specifically this interaction. Overall, our results revealed that SLAMF3 plays a role during HCV entry, likely by enhancing entry of viral particle within hepatocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / chemistry
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Hepacivirus / physiology*
  • Hepatitis C / genetics
  • Hepatitis C / metabolism
  • Hepatitis C / virology*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / virology
  • Humans
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family
  • Tetraspanin 28 / pharmacology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • LY9 protein, human
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family
  • Tetraspanin 28
  • Viral Envelope Proteins

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Conseil Régional de Picardie (project reference: Imm-HCV) and the Amiens University Medical Center CHU Amiens. FC received a doctoral fellowship from CHU Amiens. FD received a fellowship from the French Ministry of Research. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.