Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Suppresses NF-κB Activation and Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression by Direct Interaction with IκB Kinase β

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Abstract
In addition to hepatocytes, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects immune cells, including macrophages. However, little is known concerning the impact of HCV infection on cellular functions of these immune effector cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates IκB kinase (IKK) signalsome and NF-κB, which leads to the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which catalyzes production of prostaglandins, potent effectors on inflammation and possibly hepatitis. Here, we examined whether expression of HCV core interferes with IKK signalsome activity and COX-2 expression in activated macrophages. In reporter assays, HCV core inhibited NF-κB activation in RAW 264.7 and MH-S murine macrophage cell lines treated with bacterial LPS. HCV core inhibited IKK signalsome and IKKβ kinase activities induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha in HeLa cells and coexpressed IKKγ in 293 cells, respectively. HCV core was coprecipitated with IΚΚβ and prevented nuclear translocation of IKKβ. NF-κB activation by either LPS or overexpression of IKKβ was sufficient to induce robust expression of COX-2, which was markedly suppressed by ectopic expression of HCV core. Together, these data indicate that HCV core suppresses IKK signalsome activity, which blunts COX-2 expression in macrophages. Additional studies are necessary to determine whether interrupted COX-2 expression by HCV core contributes to HCV pathogenesis.

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