Characterization of the cellular immune response in hepatitis C virus infection.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a hepatotropic RNA virus, is a major causative agent of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinomas. The host immune responses, especially cellular immune responses, play an important role in viral clearance, liver injury, and persistent HCV infection. A thorough characterization of the HCV cellular immune responses is important for understanding the interplays between host immune system and viral components, as well as for developing effective therapeutic and prophylactic HCV vaccines. Recent advances that provide better understanding the cell immune responses in HCV infection are summarized in this article.
Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA.
Xinjian
X
Zhang
Jun
J
Dou
Markus W
MW
Germann
D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007113:Immunity, Innate