title: Pathogenetic mechanisms of hepatitis C virus-induced B-cell lymphomagenesis.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is probably the most common chronic viral infection and affects an estimated 180 million people worldwide, accounting for 3% of the global population. Although the liver is considered to be the primary target, extrahepatic manifestations are well recognized among patients with chronic HCV infection. Epidemiological studies have clearly demonstrated a correlation between chronic HCV infection and occurrence of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL). The clinical evidence that antiviral therapy has a significant role in the treatment at least of some HCV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders, especially indolent B-NHL, further supports the existence of an etiopathogenetic link. However, the mechanisms exploited by HCV to induce B-cell lymphoproliferation have so far not completely clarified. It is conceivable that different biological mechanisms, namely, chronic antigen stimulation, high-affinity interaction between HCV-E2 protein and its cellular receptors, direct HCV infection of B-cells, and "hit and run" transforming events, may be combined themselves and cooperate in a multifactorial model of HCV-associated lymphomagenesis.
authors: Department of Oncology, Hematology, and Respiratory Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Forghieri
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Luppi
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Barozzi
authors: Rossana
authors: R
authors: Maffei
authors: Leonardo
authors: L
authors: Potenza
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Narni
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Marasca
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*