title: Cytokines and HCV-related disorders.
abstract: Cytokines are intercellular mediators involved in viral control and liver damage being induced by infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The complex cytokine network operating during initial infection allows a coordinated, effective development of both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, HCV interferes with cytokines at various levels and escapes immune response by inducing a T-helper (Th)2/T cytotoxic 2 cytokine profile. Inability to control infection leads to the recruitment of inflammatory infiltrates into the liver parenchyma by interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)-9, -10, and -11 chemokines, which results in sustained liver damage and eventually in liver cirrhosis. The most important systemic HCV-related extrahepatic diseases--mixed cryoglobulinemia, lymphoproliferative disorders, thyroid autoimmune disorders, and type 2 diabetes--are associated with a complex dysregulation of the cytokine/chemokine network, involving proinflammatory and Th1 chemokines. The therapeutical administration of cytokines such as IFN-alpha may result in viral clearance during persistent infection and reverts this process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Poupak
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fallahi
authors.forename: Clodoveo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Silvia Martina
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Alda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corrado
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sansonno
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D007109:Immunity; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016898:Interferon-alpha