HCV protein expression and HCV RNA is downregulated in JFH1 infected primary human hepatocytes by CD154

The CD40– CD154 (CD40 Ligand) interaction plays an important role in the regulation of the cellular immune response in inflammatory disease. An upregulation of CD40 on hepatocytes and an influx of CD154 expressing T-Lymphocytes in the liver have been described in HCV infection. To date, a direct effect of CD154 on viral replication and protein expression has not been described. Incubation of HCV replicating Huh7.5 cells and primary human hepatocytes (PHH) with CD154 yields in a time- and dose-dependent downregulation of the HCV envelope glycoprotein E2, Coreprotein and the nonstructural protein NS3. HCV RNA is r…