Interference with ERK and STAT signaling pathways and inhibition of hepatitis C virus replication by ribavirin

► Ribavirin reduced phosphorylation of ERK and STAT1 but increased STAT3 phosphorylation. ► IFN-α regulated ERK and STAT3 synergistically with ribavirin but up-regulated expression and phosphorylation of STAT1. ► ERK and STAT pathways were down-regulated by ribavirin following HCVcc infection. ► Ribavirin decreased HCV RNA and protein expression levels.