Gene expression profile of Huh-7 cells expressing hepatitis C virus genotype 1b or 3a core proteins.
BACKGROUND
The liver disease expression in chronic hepatitis C patients is variable and may partially depend on the sequence of the infecting viral genotype.


OBJECTIVE
To identify some hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype-specific virus-host interactions potentially leading to clinically significant consequences.


METHODS
We compared the gene expression profile of Huh-7 cells transiently expressing the core protein of HCV genotype 1b and 3a using microarray technology.


RESULTS
Thirty-two genes were overexpressed in Huh-7 transfected with the HCV genotype 1b core protein and 57 genes in cells transfected with the genotype 3a core protein. On the other hand, we found 20 genes downregulated by core 1b and 31 genes by core 3a. These included genes involved in lipid transport and metabolism, cell cycle, immune response and insulin signalling.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of HCV core proteins of different genotypes leads to a specific gene expression profile. This may account for the variable disease expression associated with HCV infection.
Pazienza
Valerio
V
Division of Clinical Pathology, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Clément
Sophie
S
Pugnale
Paolo
P
Conzelmann
Stéphanie
S
Pascarella
Stéphanie
S
Mangia
Alessandra
A
Negro
Francesco
F
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D014758:Viral Core Proteins