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Abstract Details
The role of natural killer cells in hepatitis C infection
Howell J, Visvanathan K. Antivir Ther. 2013 Apr 4. doi: 10.3851/IMP2565. [Epub ahead of print]
Source
Liver Transplant Unit, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. manukascarlet@yahoo.com.
Abstract
Hepatitis C (HCV) infection is an exponentially growing health burden worldwide, with an estimated 170 million people infected. Whilst therapies for HCV are continually improving, there remain a considerable proportion of patients who do not achieve viral eradication and develop liver disease. Natural Killer (NK) cells are critical for T cell activation and are one of the first-line sentinel cell responders to viral infection. A recent explosion in studies exploring the role of NK cells in HCV infection has yielded important mechanistic information and intriguing potential therapeutic options for HCV infection. This review provides a general overview of normal NK cell function and outlines some of the important mechanisms characterising the immune interplay between NK cells and HCV infection.