Rimonabant suppresses RNA transcription of hepatitis B virus by inhibiting HNF4α

The emergence of drug-resistant viruses against nucleot(s)ide analogs (NAs), which are the main treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, has become a problem. To discover novel anti-HBV compounds with a low risk of emergence of drug-resistant viruses, we performed screening of a G protein-coupled receptor-associated compound library and identified Rimonabant as a candidate. Transcriptome analysis of Rimonabant-treated primary hepatocytes by RNA sequencing revealed that the transcriptional activity of HNF4α, which is known to stimulate viral RNA synthesis, was depressed. Transcriptome analysis of PHH treated with DMSO or Rimonabant (Rimo) upon infection with HBV.