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Immunopathology of hepatitis C
K M Chang1, B Rehermann, F V Chisari
1Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often persists despite immune responses. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) may contribute to chronic liver injury in HCV patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection frequently leads to chronic hepatitis.
- Immune responses, including cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), are mounted but often fail to clear the virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review host and viral factors in chronic HCV pathogenesis.
- To emphasize the role of HLA-A2 restricted CTL responses in liver disease and viral load.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HCV pathogenesis.
- Focus on cellular immune responses, specifically CTL.
Main Results:
- Persistent HCV infection is common, even with immune responses.
- CTLs are present but may not eradicate the virus and can contribute to liver damage.
Conclusions:
- Understanding CTL responses is crucial for managing chronic HCV.
- Host and viral factors influence the progression of HCV-related liver disease.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection becomes persistent in the majority of instances in the face of a humoral and cellular immune response, and persistent HCV infection is associated with chronic hepatitis. In particular, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), crucial in the eradication of virus-infected cells, have been observed in the liver and the peripheral blood of chronically infected patients, suggesting that CTL cannot completely eliminate the virus, and may contribute to chronic liver injury. In this review, the potential host and the viral factors involved in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection will be discussed with emphasis on the HLA-A2 restricted peripheral blood CTL response and its relationship to liver disease and viral load.