Acetaldehyde accelerates HCV-induced impairment of innate immunity by suppressing methylation reactions in liver cells

Authors

Murali Ganesan, Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
Jinjin Zhang, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Tatiana Bronich, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Larisa I. Poluektova, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Terrence M. Donohue Jr., Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
Dean J. Tuma, Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
Kusum K. Kharbanda, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Natalia A. Osna, Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 309: G566–G577, 2015.

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

Alcohol consumption in patients infected with HCV exacerbates liver injury, leading to rapid progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma (34). Alcohol consumption significantly reduces responsiveness of patients with HCV to antiviral treatment. The mechanism by which alcohol consumption increases the severity of HCV infection is unclear. In this regard, the possibility of synergistic effects of HCV and alcohol on HCV spread and liver injury progression cannot be excluded because hepatocytes are primary sites for HCV replication and ethanol metabolism, both of which suppress innate immunity in liver cells.