| Theme |
Liver and Immunity |
| Title |
PEG-Interferon Alfa plus Ribavirin Treatment and Innate Immunity in Chronic Hepatitis C |
| Author |
Yasuhiro Asahina |
Division of Gastroenterologyand Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
RIG-I initiates a host antiviral response by detecting intracellular viral dsRNA. ISP-1 is an adaptor molecule which connects RIG-I sensing to downstream signaling. Hepatic RIG-I in chronic hepatitis C patients is upregulated at a 2- to 8-fold rate compared to non-HCV patients with relatively constitutive IPS-1 levels. Hepatic RIG-Ⅰ is significantly up-regulated in non-virological responders (NVR) compared to transient or sustained virological responders. Quantifying hepatic gene expression involving an innate immune system is of use in identifying patients who are at higher risk of becoming NVRs. In conclusion, NVRs may have adopted a different state of equilibrium in their innate immune response. |