Inhibition on hepatitis B virus in vitro of lectin from Musca domestica pupa via the activation of NF-κB.

The present study reported that the secretions of HBsAg and HBeAg in HepG2.2.15 cells were significantly decreased under the treatment of lectin from Musca domestica pupa (MPL). Both the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and HBV cccDNA in cells, and the copies of extracellular HBV DNA were inhibited by MPL. The mRNA expressions of interleukin-2 (IL-2), gamma interferon (INF-γ) and MxA were up-regulated by MPL treatments, but down-regulated when nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signal pathway was blocked by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). Subsequent investigation revealed that nuclear factor-κB inhibitory κB (IκB) in endochylema was inhibited and NF-κB was translocated into the nucleus. These findings indicate that MPL could inhibit HBV replication via the induction of the expression of IL-2, INF-γ and MxA through the activation of NF-κB.