title: Preferential association of Hepatitis C virus with apolipoprotein B48-containing lipoproteins.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in cell culture has a density comparable to that of other members of the family Flaviviridae, whereas in vivo infectious particles are found partially in low-density fractions, associated with triacylglycerol (TG)-rich lipoproteins (TRLs). In the blood of infected patients, HCV circulates as heterogeneous particles, among which are lipo-viroparticles (LVPs), globular particles rich in TG and containing viral capsid and RNA. The dual viral and lipoprotein nature of LVPs was addressed further with respect to apolipoprotein composition and post-prandial dynamic lipid changes. The TRLs exchangeable apoE, -CII and -CIII, but not the high-density lipoprotein apoA-II, were present on LVPs, as well as the viral envelope proteins. apoB100 and -B48, the two isoforms of the non-exchangeable apoB, were represented equally on LVPs, despite the fact that apoB48 was barely detectable in the plasma of these fasting patients. This indicates that a significant fraction of plasma HCV was associated with apoB48-containing LVPs. Furthermore, LVPs were enriched dramatically and rapidly in triglycerides after a fat meal. As apoB48 is synthesized exclusively by the intestine, these data highlight the preferential association of HCV with chylomicrons, the intestine-derived TRLs. These data raise the question of the contribution of the intestine to the viral load and suggest that the virus could take advantage of TRL assembly and secretion for its own production and of TRL fate to be delivered to the liver.
authors.affiliation: IFR 128 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, INSERM U503, 21 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.affiliation: Université Pierre et Marie Curie, INSERM, UMRS 505, Paris, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Delers
authors.affiliation: Service d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Hôtel Dieu, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maynard
authors.affiliation: Université Pierre et Marie Curie, INSERM, UMRS 505, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demignot
authors.affiliation: Service d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Hôtel Dieu, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zoulim
authors.affiliation: Université Pierre et Marie Curie, INSERM, UMRS 505, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chambaz
authors.affiliation: Service d'Hépato-Gastro-Entérologie, Hôtel Dieu, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trépo
authors.affiliation: IFR 128 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, INSERM U503, 21 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lotteau
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France.|IFR 128 Biosciences Lyon Gerland, INSERM U503, 21 avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: André
mesh_terms: D053283:Apolipoprotein B-48; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000378:metabolism*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D053283:Apolipoprotein B-48; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D012367:RNA, Viral