Hepatitis C Virus Enhances Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein 2 A Transcription Through Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 to Support Viral Replication.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) establishes persistent infection by rewiring host stress-response pathways. Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) contributes to HCV replication, but it remains unclear whether HCV regulates lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 A (LAMP-2A), the rate-limiting receptor for CMA. Here, we examined LAMP-2A regulation in HCV-infected Huh-7.5 cells. HCV infection increased LAMP-2A promoter activity, mRNA, and protein abundance, indicating transcriptional upregulation. Among candidate stress-responsive transcription factors, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFAT1) were elevated in infected cells. However, promoter mutagenesis identified NRF2 as the principal direct regulator. Mutation of the NRF2-responsive antioxidant response element markedly reduced basal and HCV-induced LAMP-2A promoter activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed NRF2 association with the LAMP-2A promoter, and HCV infection increased nuclear accumulation and Ser40 phosphorylation of NRF2. Functionally, shRNA-mediated knockdown of LAMP-2A reduced intracellular HCV RNA and protein levels. These findings identify an NRF2-LAMP-2A regulatory axis engaged during HCV infection and support a model in which HCV upregulates LAMP-2A to establish a cellular environment favorable for viral replication.

Key Findings

• HCV infection increases LAMP-2A promoter activity, mRNA, and protein levels through transcriptional upregulation.
• NRF2 is the principal transcription factor directly regulating LAMP-2A expression during HCV infection.
• Knockdown of LAMP-2A reduces intracellular HCV RNA and protein levels, indicating its role in supporting viral replication.

Clinical Significance

Citation

Xu Zihan, Matsui Chieko, Septianastiti Maria Aletheaet al.. Hepatitis C Virus Enhances Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein 2 A Transcription Through Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 to Support Viral Replication. Microbiology and immunology. 2026-Jul-20.