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. 2011:2011:713216.
doi: 10.1155/2011/713216. Epub 2011 Jun 14.

Dysfunction of Immune Systems and Host Genetic Factors in Hepatitis C Virus Infection with Persistent Normal ALT

Yasuteru Kondo  1 , Yoshiyuki Ueno, Tooru Shimosegawa
Affiliations

Dysfunction of Immune Systems and Host Genetic Factors in Hepatitis C Virus Infection with Persistent Normal ALT

Yasuteru Kondo et al. Hepat Res Treat. 2011.

Abstract

Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus infection who have persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels (PNALT) have mild inflammation and fibrosis in comparison to those with elevated ALT levels. The cellular immune responses to HCV are mainly responsible for viral clearance and the disease pathogenesis during infection. However, since the innate and adaptive immune systems are suppressed by various kinds of mechanisms in CHC patients, the immunopathogenesis of CHC patients with PNALT is still unclear. In this review, we summarize the representative reports about the immune suppression in CHC to better understand the immunopathogenesis of PNALT. Then, we summarize and speculate on the immunological aspects of PNALT including innate and adaptive immune systems and genetic polymorphisms of HLA and cytokines.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The schema of innate immune suppression in CHC is shown. The representative suppressive mechanisms are shown in this figure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The schema of adaptive immune suppression in CHC is shown. The representative suppressive mechanisms are shown in this figure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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