Researchers from the Department of Molecular and Medical Virology at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, are actively searching for a specific active substance against hepatitis E, as the disease kills 70,000 people every year. In a recent study, the team may have found a promising compound called K11777, which prevents the virus from infecting host cells by cleaving the viral capsid. While the compound is currently being tested in clinical trials against other viruses such as Sars-Cov-2, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness against hepatitis E. The researchers published their findings in the journal Hepatology on May, 11, 2024.
Viruses rely on the help of host cells to infect organs, making it an effective approach to identify targets in the host that can be manipulated by drugs to prevent this process. The compound K11777 was discovered during a control study on the hepatitis C virus, where it was found to be effective against hepatitis E. Further investigation revealed that the drug targeted host cells rather than the virus itself. The researchers focused on cathepsins, which can process proteins by cleaving them, and found that K11777 inhibits many types of cathepsins, blocking their function. Tests in cell culture with human liver cells confirmed that the compound prevents infection with hepatitis E viruses by inhibiting cathepsin L from cleaving the viral capsid.
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of acute viral hepatitis, with approximately 70,000 deaths attributed to the disease each year. While acute infections usually clear up spontaneously in patients with intact immune systems, HEV can become chronic in individuals with compromised immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients or those infected with HIV. Pregnant women are also at risk, as HEV poses a serious threat during pregnancy. Despite the high mortality rate and potential for chronic infection, there are currently no vaccines or specific active substances available to treat hepatitis E.
Research on hepatitis E has been ongoing since the first documented epidemic outbreak in 1955-1956, but it wasn’t until more recently that researchers began to delve deep into the issue. The discovery of compound K11777 as a potential treatment for hepatitis E offers hope for the development of a targeted therapy against the virus. By targeting host cells rather than the virus itself, the compound shows promise in preventing infection and potentially reducing the mortality rate associated with hepatitis E. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and efficacy of the compound, but it represents a significant step forward in the fight against this deadly disease.