Immunological analysis and new immunotherapy of chronic hepatitis C

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The aim of this study is to analyze the immunological pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The innate immune system recognizing hepatitis C virus (HCV) in myeloid dendritic cells was impaired in CHC patients. The IFN-α signaling in NK cells altered in CHC patients and this was associated with the outcome of the peg-IFN-α/ribavirin combination therapy. The early induction of HCV-specific CTL responses plays an important role in the eradication of HCV by this combination therapy. The impairment of activation of NKT cells could be occurred in tumor-bearing host and the generation of regulatory T cells could also be occurred in the presence of dendritic cells and HCC cells. These results might contribute to the development of future immunotherapy against CHC and HCC.