Human MxB Inhibits the Replication of Hepatitis C Virus

Viruses of theFlaviviridae family cause major illness and death around the world and thus pose a great threat to human health. Here we show that IFN-inducible MxB restricts several members of theFlaviviridae , including HCV, Japanese encephalitis virus, and dengue virus. This finding not only suggests an active role of MxB in combating these major pathogenic human viruses but also significantly expands the antiviral spectrum of MxB. Our study further strengthens the link between virus dependence on CypA and susceptibility to MxB restriction and also suggests that MxB may employ a common mechanism to inhibit different viruses. Elucidating the antiviral functions of MxB advances our understanding of IFN-mediated host antiviral defense and may open new avenues to the development of novel antiviral therapeutics.