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A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
Evaluation systems for anti-HCV drugs
Kohji Moriishi1, Yoshiharu Matsuura
1Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1, Yamadaoka, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|August 28, 2007
Summary
Developing effective chronic hepatitis C (HCV) treatments requires better research models. New cell culture and animal models now aid in evaluating antiviral drugs and identifying novel therapeutic targets for HCV.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) treatment development is hindered by inadequate cell culture and animal models.
- HCV research has advanced with the development of RNA replicon systems and cell culture models using the JFH1 strain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current systems for studying the HCV life cycle.
- To identify potential new therapeutic targets for chronic hepatitis C.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing HCV RNA replicon systems for in vitro drug screening.
- Employing cell culture systems with JFH1 strain for evaluating antiviral compounds.
- Using a human liver fragment-transplanted mouse model for in vivo drug efficacy studies.
Main Results:
- In vitro systems have identified compounds targeting viral enzymes (RNA polymerase, proteases) and host proteins (lipid synthesis, protein folding) with anti-HCV activity.
- A mouse model allows for in vivo evaluation of antiviral drug efficacy against HCV.
Conclusions:
- Established cell culture and animal models are crucial for advancing HCV therapeutics.
- Further research into viral and host targets holds promise for new chronic hepatitis C interventions.
