Currently, there is no specific treatment for hepatitis E, a disease that causes 70,000 deaths annually. However, researchers are working to find a solution. A recent study suggests that compound K11777 may be effective in preventing the virus from infecting cells by blocking the viral capsid from being released from its shell. This discovery provides hope for the development of a targeted treatment for hepatitis E.
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany have potentially discovered a compound that could prevent viral infection. The compound, known as K11777, was found to stop host cells from assisting the virus in escaping its protective shell by breaking down the viral capsid. This action effectively prevents the virus from infecting cells. Lead author Mara Klöhn stated that the compound is currently undergoing clinical trials for other viruses, such as Sars-Cov-2, and further research is needed to determine its effectiveness against hepatitis E. The findings of the study were published in the journal Hepatology on May 11, 2024.
Viruses require assistance from host cells in order to infect an organ. Mara Klöhn suggests that a promising strategy is to find targets in the host that can be influenced by drugs to prevent them from aiding the virus.
Researchers stumbled upon compound K11777 during a control study of cell culture experiments on the hepatitis C virus with a different active ingredient. They found that this active ingredient was also effective against hepatitis E. However, it was using a different pathway than with the hepatitis C virus, as the hepatitis E virus operates differently.
Mara Klöhn explained that the drug may affect host cells instead of targeting the desired structure. The research team focused on cathepsins, which can cleave proteins, and found that K11777 inhibits many types of cathepsins, blocking their function. Tests on human liver cells in cell culture showed that the compound can prevent infection with hepatitis E viruses. The team also confirmed their hypothesis that the compound prevents cathepsin L from cleaving and opening the viral capsid.ays Mara Klöhn. ”This indicates that the virus is no longer able to enter host cells.”
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the primary cause of acute viral hepatitis. About 70,000 people die from the disease each year. It took over 50 years after the first documented epidemic outbreak between 1955 and 1956 for researchers to start addressing the issue in depth. Acute infections typically clear up on their own in patients with a healthy immune system. However, in patients with a weakened or suppressed immune system, such as organ transplant recipients or individuals with HIV, HEV can become chronic. HEV also poses a risk for pregnant women.The hepatitis E virus poses a serious threat to pregnant women. There are currently no vaccines or specific medications available to combat the virus.
