HCV research and anti-HCV drug discovery: toward the next generation.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes persistent infection and induces chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and finally hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies for HCV infection have not been satisfactory, and more effective anti-viral treatments are needed. In this regard, detailed analysis of HCV has been hampered by a lack of appropriate viral culture systems and small animal models of infection. However, rapid progress in HCV research has recently been achieved, such as a subgenomic replicon system, a viral culture system using JFH-1 clone and the Alb-uPA/SCID mouse transplanted with human liver cells. Such progress will propel HCV research and anti-HCV drug discovery toward the next generation.
Wakita
Takaji
T
Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan. wakita@nih.go.jp
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002460:Cell Line; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D012093:Replicon / Q000235:genetics; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014612:Vaccines; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons