title: Host genetics in immune-mediated hepatitis C virus clearance.
abstract: Upon infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), only few patients spontaneously clear the virus, while most patients develop chronic HCV infection. The host innate and adaptive immune response is believed to be the key determinant of viral clearance or persistence. Several host factors have been demonstrated to influence the efficiency of the antiviral immune response, including IL-28B polymorphisms, inhibitory natural killer cell receptors, as well as HLA class I and II alleles presenting viral antigens to CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells. The understanding of the respective mechanisms is essential for the development of successful vaccination strategies against HCV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine II, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thimme
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neumann-Haefelin
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I