Immunologic, metabolic and genetic factors in hepatitis C virus infection.
The mechanisms that regulate disease progression during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the response to treatment are not clearly identified. Numerous studies have demonstrated that a strong host immune response against HCV favors HCV clearance. In addition, genetic factors and metabolic machinery, particularly cholesterol modulation, are involved in HCV infection. It is likely that the interplay between all of these factors contributes to the outcome of HCV infection. In recent years, the world has experienced its largest epidemic of obesity. Mexico and the United States are the leading sufferers from this epidemic at the global level. Obesity is associated with the development of numerous pathologies including hypercholesterolemia which is one of the eight most important risk factors for mortality in Mexico. This may be related to the course of HCV infection in this population. Here, we focus on the urgent need to study the progression of HCV infection in relation to ethnic characteristics. Discoveries are discussed that hold promise in identifying immune, metabolic and genetic factors that, in conjunction, could be therapeutic targets or predictors of the progression of HCV infection.
Nora A Fierro, Karina Gonzalez-Aldaco, Rafael Torres-Valadez, Erika Martinez-Lopez, Sonia Roman, Arturo Panduro, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, "Fray Antonio Alcalde" and Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico.
Nora A
NA
Fierro
Nora A Fierro, Karina Gonzalez-Aldaco, Rafael Torres-Valadez, Erika Martinez-Lopez, Sonia Roman, Arturo Panduro, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, "Fray Antonio Alcalde" and Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico.
Karina
K
Gonzalez-Aldaco
Nora A Fierro, Karina Gonzalez-Aldaco, Rafael Torres-Valadez, Erika Martinez-Lopez, Sonia Roman, Arturo Panduro, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, "Fray Antonio Alcalde" and Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico.
Rafael
R
Torres-Valadez
Nora A Fierro, Karina Gonzalez-Aldaco, Rafael Torres-Valadez, Erika Martinez-Lopez, Sonia Roman, Arturo Panduro, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, "Fray Antonio Alcalde" and Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico.
Erika
E
Martinez-Lopez
Nora A Fierro, Karina Gonzalez-Aldaco, Rafael Torres-Valadez, Erika Martinez-Lopez, Sonia Roman, Arturo Panduro, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, "Fray Antonio Alcalde" and Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico.
Sonia
S
Roman
Nora A Fierro, Karina Gonzalez-Aldaco, Rafael Torres-Valadez, Erika Martinez-Lopez, Sonia Roman, Arturo Panduro, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, "Fray Antonio Alcalde" and Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico.
Arturo
A
Panduro
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008800:Mexico; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States
D000998:Antiviral Agents
Genetics; Hepatitis C virus; Immune response; Lipids; Metabolism