Viral and host immune regulatory mechanisms in hepatitis C virus infection.
Recent studies suggest that liver inflammation in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is controlled by several mechanisms, including host regulatory immune responses and viral polypeptides interacting with cells involved in innate and adaptive immunity. This article provides an overview about current thinking on host-pathogen symbiotic relationship in HCV infection and its significance with respect to pathogenesis. Special emphasis is given to regulatory T-cell subsets which have recently received attention and which are thought to play a major role in persistent viral infections such as HCV.
Mondelli
Mario U
MU
Laboratori di Ricerca-Area Infettivologica, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Italy. m.mondelli@smatteo.pv.it
Barnaba
Vincenzo
V
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma