Interferon-α inducible protein 6 impairs EGFR activation by CD81 and inhibits hepatitis C virus infection

Sci Rep. 2015 Mar 11:5:9012. doi: 10.1038/srep09012.

Abstract

Viral entry requires co-operative interactions of several host cell factors. Interferon (IFN) and the IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) play a central role in antiviral responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We examined the effect of interferon-α inducible protein 6 (IFI6) against HCV infection in human hepatoma cells. HCV RNA level or infectious foci were inhibited significantly by ectopic expression of IFI6. IFI6 impaired CD81 co-localization with claudin-1 (CLDN1) upon HCV infection or CD81 cross-linking by specific antibody. Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a co-factor involved in CD81/CLDN1 interactions, was reduced in IFI6 expressing cells in response to HCV infection or CD81 cross linking by antibody, but not by treatment with EGF. Taken together, the results from our study support a model where IFI6 inhibits HCV entry by impairing EGFR mediated CD81/CLDN1 interactions. This may be relevant to other virus entry processes employing EGFR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Claudin-1 / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Hepacivirus / physiology
  • Hepatitis C / metabolism*
  • Hepatitis C / virology*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tetraspanin 28 / metabolism*
  • Virus Internalization
  • Virus Replication
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • CLDN1 protein, human
  • Claudin-1
  • IFI27 protein, human
  • IFI6 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Tetraspanin 28
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • ras Proteins