Griffithsin has antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection universally leads to rapid reinfection of liver grafts post-transplantation.
• Current treatments fail to prevent graft reinfection and can accelerate disease progression.
• A novel strategy is needed to prevent HCV reinfection in liver transplant recipients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate griffithsin (GRFT), a lectin, as a novel strategy to prevent HCV infection.
• To assess GRFT's antiviral efficacy in vitro and in vivo models.
• To determine GRFT's potential in preventing liver allograft reinfection in transplant patients.

Main Methods:

• In vitro evaluation of GRFT using HCV pseudoparticle (HCVpp) and HCV cell culture (HCVcc) systems.
• Assessment of GRFT's effect on direct cell-to-cell transmission of HCV.
• In vivo efficacy testing of GRFT in uPA(+/+)-SCID mice engrafted with human hepatocytes (chimeric mice).

Main Results:

• GRFT preincubation prevented HCVpp and HCVcc infection of Huh-7 hepatoma cells.
• GRFT inhibited direct cell-to-cell transmission of HCV, acting early in the viral life cycle.
• GRFT mitigated HCV infection in chimeric mice, delaying viral kinetics in treated animals.

Conclusions:

• Griffithsin demonstrates potent antiviral activity against Hepatitis C virus in vitro and in vivo.
• GRFT effectively prevents HCV infection and mitigates existing infection, offering a potential prophylactic strategy.
• GRFT treatment may be a viable approach to prevent liver allograft reinfection in HCV-positive liver transplant recipients.