S‐adenosylmethionine and betaine correct hepatitis C virus induced inhibition of interferon signaling in vitro†

• DOI: 10.1002/hep.21116
• Publication Date: 2006-03-23T23:50:16Z
• Authors: Francois H. T. Duong; Verena Christen; Magdalena Filipowicz; Markus H. Heim
• Keywords: STAT1; Betaine; Pegylated interferon; Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important cause of chronic liver disease. Standard therapy, pegylated interferon α (pegIFNα) combined with ribavirin, results in a sustained response rate approximately half patients. The treatment failure the other patients unknown, but viral interference IFNα signal transduction through Jak-STAT pathway might be factor. We have shown previously that expression HCV proteins leads to impairment signaling because inhibition STAT1 methylation. Unmethylated less active it can bound and inactivated by its inhibitor, protein inhibitor activated (PIAS1). show treating cells S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) betaine could restore methylation improve signaling. Furthermore, antiviral effect cell culture significantly enhanced addition AdoMet betaine. In conclusion, we propose these drugs standard therapy hepatitis overcome resistance. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;43:796–806.)