[Chronic hepatitis C infection--mechanisms of virus "immune escape"].
The characteristic feature of HCV infection is the presence of both humoral and cellular immune response. In spite of the immune activation the host is unable to eradicate the virus. Spontaneous resolution of chronic infection is exceedingly rare--it is estimated at 0.6% per year. The currently available combination therapies with alpha interferon and ribavirin are effective in limited groups of patients. Factors involved in the mechanism(s) whereby HCV establishes and maintains its persistence are not well understood. The high genetic variability of HCV allows the virus to passively evade the immune system. Data obtained from experiments with cell culture expressing HCV proteins suggest that viral persistency is a multifactorial mechanism. Several viral genes impair cellular functions involved in immune responses.
Nitkiewicz
Jadwiga
J
Molecular Virology Division, Pathology Department, Columbia University, New York, NY 10019, USA. jbn2101@columbia.edu
D000917:Antibody Formation; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D014764:Viral Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin