Apoptosis and progression of hepatic fibrosis in hepatitis C patients

Braz J Infect Dis. 2006 Apr;10(2):117-21. doi: 10.1590/s1413-86702006000200009.

Abstract

Hepatitis C is a worldwide endemic disease, affecting roughly 200 million people. It has a variable prognosis, depending on the progression to fibrosis. During the last five years, the importance of apoptosis for the pathogenesis of various diseases, including hepatitis, has been recognized. It has been suggested that an increase in T cell-apoptosis during a hepatitis C virus infection is the cause of impaired regulation of the immune cellular response, helping to maintain infection. Thus, the interest in discovering the probable mechanisms by which the hepatitis C virus perpetuates in the liver, and to determine the conditions that predispose for progression of this disease, makes investigation of apoptosis in hepatic injury of great interest. We have made an overview of the various mechanisms by which the cell, more specifically the hepatic cell, is affected by apoptosis, and how it interacts with the hepatitis C virus and the immune system.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / physiopathology*
  • Hepatocytes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / immunology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology
  • Receptors, Death Domain / physiology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Death Domain