title: Useful biomarkers for assessment of hepatitis C virus infection-associated autoimmune disorders.
abstract: During the course of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, various extrahepatic manifestations of autoimmune disorders may occur, including arthralgia/arthritis, sicca complex, purpura, cutaneous ulcer, and thyroid dysfunction. In addition, the prevalence of circulating autoantibodies is high among patients with HCV infection. Commonly detected autoantibodies in HCV-infected patients include rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, anti-SSA/anti-SSB antibody, cryoglobulin, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, anti-smooth muscle antibody, anti-liver and anti-thyroid autoantibodies. These autoantibodies may be associated with underlying autoimmune disorders or liver inflammation in HCV infection. A possible reason for antibody production is overactivation and proliferation of B lymphocytes, via the interaction with the surface protein of HCV. Because immunotherapy can cause HCV flare-up or liver damage, overdiagnosis of HCV-related autoimmune symptoms as primary autoimmune disorders should be avoided. This review describes biomarkers that are useful in clinically evaluating autoimmune manifestations and disorders associated with HCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Deng-Ho Yang, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Armed-Forces General Hospital, Taichung 411, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Deng-Ho
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Deng-Ho Yang, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Armed-Forces General Hospital, Taichung 411, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ling-Jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Deng-Ho Yang, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Armed-Forces General Hospital, Taichung 411, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jenn-Haung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Autoantibody; Autoimmune; Biomarker; Cytokine; Hepatitis C virus