IV. Pathogenetic mechanisms involved in hepatitis C  virus-induced liver diseases

The pathogenetic mechanisms for liver damage in acute hepatitis C are not clear, but a host immune cellular response may be involved. In chronic hepatitis C, there is strong evidence that host cellular immune response is involved in the control of viral replication and contributes to hepatocellular damage. As hepatitis C virus infection persists, continuous liver damage and regeneration, together with enhanced fibrogenesis, may eventually lead to cirrhosis in a proportion of patients. Transplant patients on high-dose immunosuppression may have high-level intrahepatic hepatitis C viral expression, and, in this setting, the virus may induce direct cytopathic liver damage.

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Hepatitis C virus reinfection in liver transplant patients: Evaluation of liver damage progression with echo-color doppler

Liver Transplantation ◽

10.1002/lt.21407 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 616-624 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Massimo Bolognesi ◽

Cristina Quaglio ◽

Giancarlo Bombonato ◽

Maria Guido ◽

Luisa Cavalletto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Liver Transplant ◽

Liver Damage ◽

Color Doppler ◽

Transplant Patients ◽

Damage Progression

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells Can both Enhance and Inhibit the Cellular Response to DNA Immunization by Genes of Nonstructural Proteins of the Hepatitis C Virus

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22158121 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (15) ◽

pp. 8121

Author(s):

Olga V. Masalova ◽

Ekaterina I. Lesnova ◽

Regina R. Klimova ◽

Alexander V. Ivanov ◽

Alla A. Kushch

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Cellular Response ◽

Cell Immune Response ◽

Dna Immunization ◽

Immunostimulatory Activity ◽

Group 5 ◽

Group 2 ◽

High Level

Despite extensive research, there is still no vaccine against the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to investigate whether MSCs can exhibit adjuvant properties during DNA vaccination against hepatitis C. We used the pcNS3-NS5B plasmid encoding five nonstructural HCV proteins and MSCs derived from mice bone marrow. Five groups of DBA mice were immunized with the plasmid and/or MSCs in a different order. Group 1 was injected with the plasmid twice at intervals of 3 weeks; Group 2 with the plasmid, and after 24 h with MSCs; Group 3 with MSCs followed by the plasmid the next day; Group 4 with only MSCs; and Group 5 with saline. When the MSCs were injected prior to DNA immunization, the cell immune response to HCV proteins assessed by the level of IFN-γ synthesis was markedly increased compared to DNA alone. In contrast, MSCs injected after DNA suppressed the immune response. Apparently, the high level of proinflammatory cytokines detected after DNA injection promotes the conversion of MSCs introduced later into the immunosuppressive MSC2. The low level of cytokines in mice before MSC administration promotes the high immunostimulatory activity of MSC1 in response to a DNA vaccine. Thus, when administered before DNA, MSCs are capable of exhibiting promising adjuvant properties.

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Pathogenetic mechanisms of hepatocellular damage in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Journal of Hepatology ◽

10.1016/s0168-8278(05)80405-2 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 255-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Regino P. Gonzalez-Peralta ◽

Gary L. Davis ◽

Johnson Y.N. Lau

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Hepatitis C Virus Infection ◽

Pathogenetic Mechanisms ◽

Hepatocellular Damage ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C Virus

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Efficacy of Direct-Acting Antiviral Combination Therapy in the Treat-ment of Hepatitis C Virus Among Kidney Transplant Patients

Anti-Infective Agents ◽

10.2174/2211352518999200703114432 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammed Al Atbee ◽

Saad Shaheen Al-Taher ◽

Majid Alabbood

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Kidney Transplant ◽

Virological Response ◽

Hepatitis C Virus Infection ◽

Direct Acting Antiviral ◽

Transplant Patients ◽

Kidney Transplant Patients ◽

Direct Acting

Background: Up to date, there is no consensus on the best combination of direct-acting antiviral to treat hepatitis C virus in kidney transplant recipients. Objective: This study aims to analyze the efficacy of combination of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir regimen for treatment of hepatitis C virus infected kidney transplant patients. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted in a nephrology clinic and the Nephrology Center in Basrah Teaching Hospital from June 2015 to June 2018. Ledifos (90 mg Ledipasvir and 400 mg Sofosbuvir fixed-dose) was given as a single daily dose for all the participants for 12 weeks. Response for therapy was tested by follow up hepatitis C virus load at the end of 12 weeks and 24 weeks. The sustained virological response was defined as negative viral load of hepatitis C virus (aviremia) at the end of therapy. This study was done according to the Helsinki Congress. Results: A total of 60 (16 females) patients with renal transplantation and hepatitis C virus infection were included. Mean age was 40±6.2 years. A sustained virological response observed in all of the patients who received Ledifos after 12 and 24 weeks of therapy for all genotypes (1a, 1b and 4); p= 0.0001. Genotype 1a was more prevalent among males, 34 (56.6%); p= 0.0001, and it was the most common genotype tested negative serologically, 11 (18.3%). Conclusion: Ledifos therapy is effective and safe option for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in the post–renal transplant setting.

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