An age-based multiscale mathematical model of the hepatitis C virus life-cycle during infection and therapy: Including translation and replication

Abstract

The dynamics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA during translation and replication were added to an age-based multiscale mathematical model of HCV infection and treatment. The model allows the study of the production of HCV inside infected cells, which are later released as virus in the plasma, available to infect other cells. This is the first model to our knowledge to consider both positive and negative strands of HCV RNA with an age-based multiscale approach. Simulation of the effectiveness of direct acting antiviral (DAA) drugs in blocking HCV RNA intracellular production and release of new virions, and enhancing their depletion were performed. Changes on the set of parameters allowed the validation of the model comparing it to distinct experiments: in vitro and in vivo under therapy.