title: Entry of hepatitis C virus into the cell: a therapeutic target.
abstract: Several receptors have been identified as implicated on viral entry into the hepatocyte; and, this interaction between the virus and potential receptors could modulate infection, spontaneous viral clearance, persistence of the infection and the widespread of the virus as outbreak. Nevertheless, the playing role of each of them remains controversial. The Niemann-Pick type C1 like 1 gene (NPC1L1) receptor has been recently implicated on hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into the cell and ezetimibe, an anti-cholesterol drug seems to block that, emerging the idea to control hepatitis C outbreak modulating lipid-related receptors. Hepatitis C infection seems to modulate lipid metabolism according to host genetic background. Indeed, it circulates like a lipoviroparticle. The main aim of this field of vision would be to discuss the role of hepatocyte receptors implicated on virus entry, especially NPC1L1 and the therapeutic options derived from the better knowledge about HCV-lipids- receptors interaction.
authors.affiliation: Unit for Medical and Surgical Management of Digestive Diseases, Center for Biomedical Research in Digestive and Liver Diseases Network, Valme University Hospital, University of Seville, E-41014 Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Del Campo
authors.forename: Ángela
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romero-Gómez
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001384:Azetidines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D053586:Virus Internalization / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; C410800:NPC1L1 protein, human; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D000069438:Ezetimibe