Abstract
With an estimated 170 million chronically infected individuals, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. A protective vaccine does not exist to date and therapeutic options are still limited. At present, inferon-a (IFN-a) in combination with ribavirin is the treatment of choice for chronic hepatitis C. The mechanism of action of IFN-a is only partially understood and may involve both direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. Recently, the replicon system has allowed the investigation of the effect of IF-a and other cytokines on HCV RNA replication. In addition, data obtained in other experimental model systems indicate that HCV has evolved strategies to counteract the antiviral effect of IFN-a. Such mechanisms could contribute to the resistance to IFN-a therapy observed in many patients and may represent a general escape strategy of HCV contributing to viral persistence and pathogenesis. In the following, we will briefly review current concepts of the interaction between cytokines, primarily IFN-a, and HCV.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Cytokines in liver injury and repair |
| Subtitle of host publication | proceedings of Falk Symposium No. 125 |
| Editors | A. M. Gressner, P. C. Heinrich, S. Matern |
| Place of Publication | The Netherlands |
| Publisher | Kluwer Academic Publishers |
| Chapter | 7 |
| Pages | 105-120 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780792387756 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0792387759 |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
| Event | Cytokines in liver injury and repair: proceedings of Falk Symposium No. 125 - Hanover, Hanover, Germany Duration: 30 Sept 2001 → 1 Oct 2001 |
Conference
| Conference | Cytokines in liver injury and repair |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Germany |
| City | Hanover |
| Period | 30/09/01 → 1/10/01 |
