Clinical implications of the innate and adaptive immune response to HBV and HCV

Abstract

The tolerogenicity of the liver renders it vulnerable to hepatotrophic pathogens such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Both viruses have successfully co-evolved within the human host by evading and counteracting immune control. Inadequate cell culture and animal models have limited definitive characterization of the immunological mechanisms arbitrating virus and host co-existence. The clinical sequelae of chronic viral hepatitis such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are not directly mediated by the viruses but rather by hepatotoxic immunological mediators and cytokines. The pro-fibrotic T helper 2 (Th2) response promoted by this altered cytokine milieu is asso..