of Project Exposure to hepatitis C virus can lead to an acute, self-resolving infection but in most cases acute infection will progress to a chronic state characterized by persistent viral RNA replication. The proceses that effect acute or chronic infection outcome after HCV and HCV-HIV exposure have not been defined. Our studies indicate that innate intracellular antiviral defenses can control HCV RNA replication through pathogen signaling pathways of interferon regulatory factor (IRF) activation. These pathways are triggered through distinct processes by retinoic acid inducible gene-l, Toll-like receptor (TLR)3, and protein kinase R (PKR) to induce IRF transactivation of type I interferon (IFN) production and the expression of target genes that control virus infection. Our in vitro studies have shown that HCV can overcome this host response through the actions of the NS3/4A protease and the NS5A protein to respectively block signaling by RIG-I and TLR3 pathways, and to inhibit PKR signaling actions. This project will investigate the hypothesis that HCV regulation of innate intracellular defenses controls the outcome of infection.
Our Specific Aims are designed to identify the virus/host interface that controls the host response to infection. Our studies will feature the use of the chimeric mouse and HCV replicon culture systems to define the viral and host parameters that impart and regulate innate antiviral defenses against HCV and HCV/HIV co-infection in vivo and antiviral effector actions in vitro.
Aim 1 studies will define the virus-responsive cellular pathways that signal host defense and control infection outcome in vivo.
Aim 2 studies will define the viral genetic elements within NS3/4A and NS5A that impart regulation of host defense signaling and IRF function in vivo. This work will feature the use of an NS3 protease inhibitor and IFN therapy applications to determine how therapeutic modulation of the NS3/4A or NS5A blockades to host defense affect the host response to infection.
Aim 3 studies will comprise in vitro approaches for pathway validation and gene function analysis to define the antiviral effector pathways and genes of the host response that control HCV and/or HIV/HCV RNA replication and infection. Perfomance Sites University of Washington, Seattle, WA with subcontract to University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Principal Investigator/ProgramDirector (Last, First, Middle): GALE, Michael J., DETAILED BUDGET FOR INITIAL BUDGET PERIOD DIRECT COSTS ONLY

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA024563-02
Application #
7488928
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDA1-RXL-E (03))
Program Officer
Pollock, Jonathan D
Project Start
2007-09-01
Project End
2012-05-31
Budget Start
2008-06-01
Budget End
2009-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$378,489
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Kell, Alison M; Gale Jr, Michael (2015) RIG-I in RNA virus recognition. Virology 479-480:110-21
Horner, Stacy M; Gale Jr, Michael (2013) Regulation of hepatic innate immunity by hepatitis C virus. Nat Med 19:879-88
Negash, Amina A; Ramos, Hilario J; Crochet, Nanette et al. (2013) IL-1? production through the NLRP3 inflammasome by hepatic macrophages links hepatitis C virus infection with liver inflammation and disease. PLoS Pathog 9:e1003330
Ireton, ReneƩ C; Gale Jr, Michael (2013) Systems biology analyses to define host responses to HCV infection and therapy. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 363:143-67
Rustagi, Arjun; Doehle, Brian P; McElrath, M Juliana et al. (2013) Two new monoclonal antibodies for biochemical and flow cytometric analyses of human interferon regulatory factor-3 activation, turnover, and depletion. Methods 59:225-32
Wilkins, Courtney; Woodward, Jessica; Lau, Daryl T-Y et al. (2013) IFITM1 is a tight junction protein that inhibits hepatitis C virus entry. Hepatology 57:461-9
Horner, Stacy M; Park, Hae Soo; Gale Jr, Michael (2012) Control of innate immune signaling and membrane targeting by the Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease are governed by the NS3 helix ?0. J Virol 86:3112-20
Doehle, Brian P; Chang, Kristina; Rustagi, Arjun et al. (2012) Vpu mediates depletion of interferon regulatory factor 3 during HIV infection by a lysosome-dependent mechanism. J Virol 86:8367-74
Doehle, Brian P; Chang, Kristina; Fleming, Lamar et al. (2012) Vpu-deficient HIV strains stimulate innate immune signaling responses in target cells. J Virol 86:8499-506
Liu, Helene Minyi; Loo, Yueh-Ming; Horner, Stacy M et al. (2012) The mitochondrial targeting chaperone 14-3-3? regulates a RIG-I translocon that mediates membrane association and innate antiviral immunity. Cell Host Microbe 11:528-37

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