Field Of Vision
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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2012; 18(33): 4481-4485
Published online Sep 7, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i33.4481
Entry of hepatitis C virus into the cell: A therapeutic target
José Antonio Del Campo, Ángela Rojas, Manuel Romero-Gómez
José Antonio Del Campo, Ángela Rojas, Manuel Romero-Gómez, Unit for Medical and Surgical Management of Digestive Diseases, Center for Biomedical Research in Digestive and Liver Diseases Network (CIBERehd), Valme University Hospital, University of Seville, E-41014 Sevilla, Spain
Author contributions: Del Campo JA, Rojas A and Romero-Gómez M designed the study, performed bibliographic search and wrote manuscript and revision.
Correspondence to: Manuel Romero-Gómez, Professor, Unit for Medical and Surgical Management of Digestive Diseases, Center for Biomedical Research in Digestive and Liver Diseases Network (CIBERehd), Valme University Hospital, University of Seville, Avda. Bellavista s/n, E-41014 Sevilla, Spain. mromerogomez@us.es
Telephone: +34-95-5015761 Fax: +34-95-5015899
Received: July 5, 2012
Revised: August 13, 2012
Accepted: August 16, 2012
Published online: September 7, 2012
Abstract

Several receptors have been identified as implicated on viral entry into the hepatocyte; and, this interaction between the virus and potential receptors could modulate infection, spontaneous viral clearance, persistence of the infection and the widespread of the virus as outbreak. Nevertheless, the playing role of each of them remains controversial. The Niemann-Pick type C1 like 1 gene (NPC1L1) receptor has been recently implicated on hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into the cell and ezetimibe, an anti-cholesterol drug seems to block that, emerging the idea to control hepatitis C outbreak modulating lipid-related receptors. Hepatitis C infection seems to modulate lipid metabolism according to host genetic background. Indeed, it circulates like a lipoviroparticle. The main aim of this field of vision would be to discuss the role of hepatocyte receptors implicated on virus entry, especially NPC1L1 and the therapeutic options derived from the better knowledge about HCV-lipids- receptors interaction.

Keywords: Hepatitis C virus entry; Niemann-Pick type C1 like 1 gene; Lipid metabolism; Ezetimibe