Interaction of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with P53 family-induced apoptosis signaling pathways

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection constitutes a major risk factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we investigate the interaction of HCV with transcriptionally active (TA) and inactive (DeltaN) isoforms of the p53 family which play a central role in tumor development, treatment response and prognosis of HCC. Methods and results: Combined adenoviral transfer of wild-type p53 (wt p53) or TAp73 with HCV expression constructs led to a synergistic transactivation of the CD95 and the Bax gene (luciferase reporter assays) and to an increase in p53- and TAp73-mediated ap…