Published online Oct 28, 2015. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i24.2535
Peer-review started: June 29, 2015
First decision: July 25, 2015
Revised: August 24, 2015
Accepted: September 25, 2015
Article in press: September 28, 2015
Published online: October 28, 2015
Infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV), a plus-stranded RNA virus that can cause cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is one of the major health problems in the world. HCV infection is considered as a multi-step complex process and correlated with abnormal metabolism of lipoprotein. In addition, virus attacks hepatocytes by the initial attaching viral envelop glycoprotein E1/E2 to receptors of lipoproteins on host cells. With the development of HCV model system, mechanisms of HCV cell entry through lipoprotein uptake and its receptor have been extensively studied in detail. Here we summarize recent knowledge about the role of lipoprotein receptors, scavenger receptor class B type I and low-density lipoprotein receptor in the entry of HCV, providing a foundation of novel targeting therapeutic tools against HCV infection.
Core tip: As cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major health problems in the world, the investigation of HCV infection becomes more and more important. HCV entry is the initial step to start infection and is a multiple process involved in abnormal metabolism of lipid. Hence, here we summarize recent knowledge about the role of lipoprotein receptors for better understanding of HCV.