Study of the earliest extracellular and intracellular interactions of the hepatitis C virus with human hepatocytes in chimeric uPA-SCID mice

uPA-SCID mice can be infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) after they have been transplanted with human hepatocytes. In this research project we will evaluate in vivo the different steps in viral entry and evaluate different approaches to prevent HCV infection. In addition, we will map all changes in gene and protein expression that occur in the human hepatocytes that occur early after HCV entry. This may provide insight in the mechanism that HCV uses to evade the innate immune system of the human hepatocytes.