The p7 viroporin of the hepatitis C virus contributes to liver inflammation by stimulating production of Interleukin-1β.

Hepatitis C is one of the most widespread infectious diseases worldwide and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced chronic inflammation is highly associated with progredient liver damage. It was shown that HCV infection increases levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines via activation of NOD-like receptor (NLRP3) inflammasomes, yet the underlying mechanism is still under question. We propose modulation of intracellular pH by p7, a 63 residue ion channel produced by the hepatitis C virus as a possible pathomechanism for hepatitis C-associated inflammation. Recombinant constructs corresponding to HCV genotypes 1-4 were expressed in HEK 293 and RAW 264.7 cells and changes of intracellular pH were monitored using pH-sensitive fluorescent probes as well as production of inflammatory cytokines. Presence of p7 induced general loss of vesicular acidity as well as producing a significant increase in the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Effects showed a genotype-dependent pattern of IL-1β production, in agreement with the pH-response profile of p7 channels corresponding to hepatitis C genotypes. Lowering the pH of the extracellular medium increased activity of p7 channels as well as production of IL-1β for genotypes 1, 3, and 4, but less for genotype 2. Our data are in agreement with the hypothesis that p7 activity can trigger intracellular signaling cascades that are involved in HCV-associated cytopathy.