title: HCV-related cryoglobulinemic vasculitis: an update on its etiopathogenesis and therapeutic strategies.
abstract: Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV) is an immune-complex-mediated systemic vasculitis involving small-medium sized vessels. A causative role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in over 4/5 patients has been definitely established on the basis of epidemiological, pathological, and laboratory studies. There is great geographical heterogeneity in the prevalence of CV as well as other HCV-related immuno-lymphoproliferative disorders. Thus, unknown environmental and/or genetic co-factors should contribute to the pathogenesis of these conditions. Due to the biological properties, HCV genomic sequences cannot be integrated into the host genome; the virus could trigger the immunological alterations only indirectly by exerting a chronic stimulus to the immune system. Recent laboratory observations gave us new important insights on the complex pathogenetic mechanism(s) of HCV-related CV. Firstly, the HCV envelop protein E2, able to bind CD81 molecule expressed on B-lymphocytes, might be involved in the first steps of HCV-driven autoimmune and lymphoproliferative phenomena. The interaction between HCV-E2 and CD81 may increase the frequency of VDJ rearrangement in antigen-reactive B-cell. One possible consequence may be the activation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protoncogene that leads to extended B-cell survival. Interestingly, t(14, 18) translocation along with Bcl-2 activation have been demonstrated in B-lymphocytes of 80% HCV-related CV. The B-lymphocyte expansion is responsible for a wide autoantibody and immune-complex production, including mixed cryoglobulins. CV shows a relatively benign clinical course; however, its cumulative survival is significantly worse if compared to general population. For a correct therapeutic approach to HCV-related CV we must deal with conflicting conditions: HCV infection, autoimmune, and lymphoproliferative alterations. Therapeutic strategy of CV includes etiologic, pathogenetic, and/or symptomatic therapies, which should be tailored for the single patient according to the severity of clinical symptoms. A careful clinical monitoring of patients with HCV-related CV is mandatory in all cases, with particular attention to neoplastic complications.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. clferri@unimo.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giuggioli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Mascia
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zignego
mesh_terms: D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*