Hepatitis C Virus-Host Interactions: The NS5A Protein and the Interferon/Chemokine Systems

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Abstract
The interactions that occur between viral proteins and host factors, such as cellular proteins and signal transduction machinery, have a significant influence on the replication, persistence, and pathogenesis of all viruses. This is exemplified by hepatitis C virus (HCV), which infects an estimated 3% of the world's population and is a significant cause of liver disease. HCV-host interactions also affect the outcome of interferon (IFN) antiviral therapy, which is effective only in certain patients. In this review, we focus on the HCV nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein, a model for diverse virus-host interactions, and highlight the interaction of viruses, including HCV, with the chemokine system.