miRNA-29b-1-5p mediates an antiviral activity by targeting the HBV entry receptor in human hepatocytes

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections represent a major global health burden requiring effective therapeutic interventions. This study investigates the antiviral potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) targeting the HBV entry receptor, sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). Using an experimental model of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs), we highlighted a set of candidate antiviral miRNAs induced by interferon (IFN) alpha analog treatment. Notably, predictive analysis identified miR-29b-1-5p as interacting with the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of NTCP, suggesting a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism. Functional analysis indicated that miR-29b-1-5p directly targeted the NTCP 3'-UTR, leading to significant inhibition of NTCP transcripts. Consistently, hepatocytes overexpressing miR-29b-1-5p showed a remarkable reduction in HBV genome levels after infection. A rescue assay demonstrated that miR-29b-1-5p anti-HBV effect was specifically mediated by NTCP targeting. In summary, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of miR-29b-1-5p against HBV, advocating for further exploration of miRNA-based therapies in the treatment of human viral infections.