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Type I interferons inhibit hepatitis B virus replication and induce hepatocellular gene expression in cultured liver
W H Caselmann1, M Meyer, S Scholz
1Department of Medicine II, Klinikum Grosshadern, University of Munich, Germany.
Abstract:
A hepatoblastoma cell line transfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA (Hep G2.2.15) was used to investigate the effects of interferons (IFNs) on HBV replication and hepatocellular gene expression. IFN-alpha 2b or -beta inhibited HBV replication transiently. In parallel, there was a decrease in the amount of HBV mRNA. Hepatitis B surface antigen and early antigen secretion were not influenced; however, their intracellular levels diminished during treatment. The cellular 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity was increased 9- to 18-fold during treatment of cells with IFN-gamma, -alpha, or -beta. The number of IFN-alpha and -beta receptors was down-regulated, while the number of IFN-gamma receptors remained constant. The expression of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens was stimulated by addition of IFN-alpha or -beta. These data show that both IFN-alpha and -beta can effectively inhibit HBV replication and induce a cellular IFN response in Hep G2.2.15 cells similar to that seen in humans.