Published online Jan 28, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i4.1477
Peer-review started: May 5, 2015
First decision: September 11, 2015
Revised: September 30, 2015
Accepted: November 13, 2015
Article in press: November 13, 2015
Published online: January 28, 2016
Processing time: 267 Days and 1.1 Hours
Host-hepatitis C virus (HCV) interactions have both informed fundamental concepts of viral replication and pathogenesis and provided novel insights into host cell biology. These findings are illustrated by the recent discovery of host-encoded factors that restrict HCV infection. In this review, we briefly discuss these restriction factors in different steps of HCV infection. In each case, we discuss how these restriction factors were identified, the mechanisms by which they inhibit HCV infection and their potential contribution to viral pathogenesis.
Core tip: Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which chronically infects approximately 130-150 million people. The ultimate outcome of HCV infection depends on host-viral interactions. Host cells encode multiple proteins to suppress HCV infection, known as host restriction factors. In this review, we will summarize the host restriction factors in different steps of the HCV life cycle. The possible mechanisms of the host restriction factors will also be discussed.