title: Autoimmune manifestations in viral hepatitis.
abstract: Infections by the viruses responsible for hepatitis B, C and D are accompanied by a number of immunopathological manifestations. A link between infection and autoimmunity is particularly well documented for the hepatitis C virus. Immunopathological manifestations range from production of autoantibodies to overt autoimmune disease, including thyroiditis and autoimmune hepatitis, and to immune-complex-mediated disorders, including cryoglobulinaemia, glomerulonephritis and vasculitis. Several of these manifestations improve with successful antiviral treatment, directly incriminating the virus in their pathogenesis. Mechanisms considered responsible for hepatitis virus-related immunopathology, including molecular mimicry, impairment of regulatory T cells and activation of B lymphocytes, will be examined in this review.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Liver Studies and Paediatric Liver, GI & Nutrition Centre, King's College Hospital, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK. diego.vergani@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vergani
authors.forename: Giorgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mieli-Vergani
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D013966:Thyroiditis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies