Subject:Riddle May Be Solved on How Hepatitis C Virus Targets Liver
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2003 16:18:51 -0400

Riddle May Be Solved on How Hepatitis C Virus Targets Liver

Researchers may have solved a longstanding hepatitis C riddle
concerning how the virus targets the liver for infection,
according to a study reported in the April 1 issue of the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Scientists at Progenics Pharmaceuticals claim to have discovered
the first-ever liver-specific receptor known as L-SIGN that occurs
specifically in the liver and is capable of binding with the
hepatitis C virus. They also identified a monoclonal antibody that
blocks the virus from binding to the L-SIGN receptor.

Study author William C. Olson, Progenics vice president of research
and development, explained that the L-SIGN receptor is found on
specialized liver cells. From that unique position, he said the
receptor can capture naturally occurring hepatitis C virus
particles and facilitate liver infection.

"We have shown that HCV binding to L-SIGN can be blocked in the
laboratory using specific inhibitors, including monoclonal
antibodies," Olson said. "Our current goals are to develop
increasingly potent and drug-like inhibitors while concurrently
exploring the role of L-SIGN in natural infection."