Suppression of the interferon sensitive gene 15 affects the expression of proteins that play a role in HCV replication

Introduction: The interferon stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) has been identified as pro-viral host factor in the pathogenesis of HCV. As an ubiquitin-like protein ISG15 is conjugated to many cellular proteins, but the link between ISG15 and HCV is not well understood. Aim of the present study was to functionally analyse the role of ISG15 and to identify the HCV promoting interactions. Methods: ISG15-specific siRNAs or control siRNAs (NC) were transfected into human and murine hepatoma cell lines, respectively, harboring a subgenomic HCV replicon (human: con1; murine: MH1). For in vivo studies, nanolipid-formulated si…