title: Role of the HLA class II: HCV-related disorders.
abstract: The paper highlights the role of different HLA class II molecules in hepatic and lymphoproliferative HCV-related disorders. HLA molecules have been reviewed, according to an in silico cluster classification, based on the sequence, the biochemical structure of the pockets, and the functional characteristics of the HLA II molecules. Thus, by reducing the complexity of HLA II polymorphism, characteristics that unite different HLA molecules with specific HCV-associated pathologies may be recognized with greater case. Results show that HLA clusters associated with better dlimination of the virus are protective against HCC development, while the same clusters are associated with a higher risk of developing cryoglobulinemic syndrome and the concomitant NHL. These data added further acknowledgements on pathogenetic mechanisms associated with HCV infection. Results also highlight differences of NHL occurring in HCV-positive subjects, with or without a concomitant type II autoimmune cryoglobulinemic syndrome, suggesting that cryoglobulinemic background associated with NHL should be considered in the evaluation of the effectiveness of new therapies in the course of HCV-associated NHLs.
authors.affiliation: CRO-IRCCS, Aviano National Cancer Institute, Pordenone, Italy. vdere@cro.it
authors.forename: Valli
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Re
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caggiari
authors.forename: Maria Paola
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Simula
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Vita
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzaro
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lenzi
authors.forename: Galli M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Massimo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.forename: Clodoveo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Anna Linda
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zignego
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gabrielli
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sansonno
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dammacco
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Libra
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sacchi
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Talamini
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spina
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cannizzaro
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dolcetti
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology