Dysfunction of Immune Systems and Host Genetic Factors in Hepatitis C Virus Infection with Persistent Normal ALT. (14th June 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kondo, Yasuteru; Ueno, Yoshiyuki; Shimosegawa, Tooru
• Other Names: Zapata Rodrigo Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Hepatitis research and treatment. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2011-06-14
• Subjects: Hepatitis -- Periodicals; Hepatitis; Hepatitis; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.3623
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/713216
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-1364

Abstract

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.