RESUMO
La hepatitis C es una enfermedad viral hepática causada por un hepacivirus de la familia Flaviviridae, el cual posee un genoma de molécula única de ARN altamente variable. Codifica 10 proteínas necesarias para infectar las células y multiplicarse dentro de ellas. Su replicación se da únicamente en los hepatocitos. Debido a su gran variabilidad genómica y a la ausencia de síntomas de la enfermedad, se dificulta realizar un tratamiento temprano y acertado. En este trabajo se analiza el mecanismo molecular mediante el cual el virus infecta los hepatocitos y desarrolla la enfermedad. Particularmente, analizamos las alternativas terapéuticas, discutiendo la posibilidad de mejorar el tratamiento con el uso de nuevas vacunas específicas. Destacamos el uso de nuevas terapias basadas en ácidos nucleicos, principalmente vectores de ADN. Durante los próximos años, una vez que este tipo de tratamiento sea evaluado adecuadamente en ensayos clínicos y se equilibren los costos, constituirá una alternativa a los métodos convencionales muy beneficiosa
Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease caused by hepacivirus of the Flaviviridae family. It has a RNA genome, a unique highly variable molecule. It encodes ten proteins which are necessary to infect cells and multiply. Replication occurs only in hepatocytes. Because of its wide genomic variability and the absence of symptoms, it is difficult to make an early diagnosis and successful treatment. In this review we analyze the molecular mechanism by which the virus infects the hepatocytes and causes the disease. We focused the analysis on different therapies, with the possibility of improving treatment with the use of new specific vaccines. We highlight the use of new therapies based on nucleic acids, mainly DNA vectors. In the near future, once this treatment is adequately evaluated in clinical trials, and the costs are calculated, it could be a very beneficial alternative to conventional methods
Assuntos
Humanos , Vacinas contra Hepatite Viral/farmacocinética , Hepacivirus/patogenicidade , Hepatite C Crônica/prevenção & controle , Antivirais/farmacocinética , Comorbidade , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Hepacivirus/ultraestruturaRESUMO
Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease caused by hepacivirus of the Flaviviridae family. It has a RNA genome, a unique highly variable molecule. It encodes ten proteins which are necessary to infect cells and multiply. Replication occurs only in hepatocytes. Because of its wide genomic variability and the absence of symptoms, it is difficult to make an early diagnosis and successful treatment. In this review we analyze the molecular mechanism by which the virus infects the hepatocytes and causes the disease. We focused the analysis on different therapies, with the possibility of improving treatment with the use of new specific vaccines. We highlight the use of new therapies based on nucleic acids, mainly DNA vectors. In the near future, once this treatment is adequately evaluated in clinical trials, and the costs are calculated, it could be a very beneficial alternative to conventional methods.