Rimonabant suppresses RNA transcription of hepatitis B virus by inhibiting HNF4a

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 HNF4a, which is known to stimulate viral RNA synthesis, was depressed. Overall design: Transcriptome analysis of PHH treated with DMSO or Rimonabant (Rimo) upon infection with HBV.