Hepatitis C virus core protein augments androgen receptor-mediated signaling

T Kanda, R Steele, R Ray, RB Ray - Journal of virology, 2008 - Am Soc Microbiol
T Kanda, R Steele, R Ray, RB Ray
Journal of virology, 2008Am Soc Microbiol
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequently associated with the development of
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is one of the male-dominant diseases. Androgen
signaling in liver may be related to carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether
HCV proteins cross talk with the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway for promotion of
carcinogenesis. We have demonstrated that HCV core protein alone or in context with other
HCV proteins enhances AR-mediated transcriptional activity and further augments in the …
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequently associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is one of the male-dominant diseases. Androgen signaling in liver may be related to carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether HCV proteins cross talk with the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway for promotion of carcinogenesis. We have demonstrated that HCV core protein alone or in context with other HCV proteins enhances AR-mediated transcriptional activity and further augments in the presence of androgen. Subsequent study suggested that HCV core protein activates STAT3, which in turn enhances AR-mediated transcription. This activity was blocked by a pharmacological inhibitor of the Jak/Stat signaling pathway, AG490. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a target gene of AR in liver and plays an important role in angiogenesis. Therefore, we examined whether HCV infection modulates VEGF expression in hepatocytes. Our results demonstrated that HCV enhances VEGF expression and facilitates tube formation in human coronary microvascular endothelial cells in the presence of AR. Together, our results suggest that HCV core protein acts as a positive regulator in AR signaling, providing further insight into oncogenic potential in the development of HCC in HCV-infected individuals.
American Society for Microbiology