title: LRRFIP1 Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus Replication by Inducing Type I Interferon in Hepatocytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C virus infection is one of the leading causes of end stage liver diseases. The innate immune response slows down viral replication by activating cytokines such as type I interferon (IFN-α/β), which trigger the synthesis of antiviral proteins and modulate the adaptive immune system. Recently, leucine-rich repeat (in Flightless I) interacting protein-1 (LRRFIP1) was reported contributing to the production of interferon-β in macrophages.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the role of LRRFIP1 in induction of IFN-β and inhibition of HCV infection in hepatocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Induction of IFN-β by LRRFIP1 in Huh7 and Huh7.5.1 was determined by real-time PCR and western blotting in vitro. Inhibition of HCV replication by LRRFIP1 overexpression in hepatocytes was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LRRFIP1 increased the expression of IFN-β in hepatocytes with or without HCV infection. Induction of IFN-β by LRRFIP1 was enhanced with the presence of hepatitis C virus. Overexpression of LRRFIP1 in hepatocytes inhibited HCV replication. However, HCV infection did not regulate intracellular expression of LRRFIP1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LRRFIP1 and its mediated production of type I interferon play a role in controlling HCV infection. The findings of this study provide new target for HCV treatment and contribute to development of anti-HCV drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory Medicine Center, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region of PLA, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory Medicine Center, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region of PLA, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Ziying
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory Medicine Center, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region of PLA, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory Medicine Center, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region of PLA, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Zonghai
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine Center, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region of PLA, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine Center, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region of PLA, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Lijuan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
keywords: Hepacivirus; Interferon Type I; LRRFIP1 Protein, Human