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KMID : 0923620130130050168
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Immune Network
2013 Volume.13 No. 5 p.168 ~ p.176
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The Natural Killer Cell Response to HCV Infection
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Ahlenstiel Golo
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Abstract
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In the last few years major progress has been made in better understanding the role of natural killer (NK) cells in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This includes multiple pathways by which HCV impairs or limits NK cells activation. Based on current genetic and functional data, a picture is emerging where only a rapid and strong NK cell response early on dur-ing infection which results in strong T cell responses and pos-sible subsequent clearance, whereas chronic HCV infection is associated with dysfunctional or biased NK cells phenotypes. The hallmark of this NK cell dysfunction is per-sistent activation promoting ongoing hepatitis and hep-atocyte damage, while being unable to clear HCV due to im-paired IFN-? responses. Furthermore, some data suggests certain chronically activated subsets that are NKp46high may be particularly active against hepatic stellate cells, a key player in hepatic fibrogenesis. Finally, the role of NK cells during HCV therapy, HCV recurrence after liver transplant and hepatocellular carcinoma are discussed.
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KEYWORD
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Natural killer cell, Hepatitis C virus, Viral hepatitis, Chronic infection
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