Cleaved c-FLIP mediates the antiviral effect of TNF-α against hepatitis B virus by dysregulating hepatocyte nuclear factors

Cytokines are key molecules implicated in the defense against virus infection. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is well known to block the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the molecular mechanism and the downstream effector molecules remain largely unknown.In this study, we investigated the antiviral effect and mechanism of p22-FLIP (FLICE-inhibitory protein) by ectopic expression in vitro and in vivo. In addition, to provide...