THE ROLE OF CYTOKINE GENES POLYMORPHISM IN HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION

Abstract

Abstract. The outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection depends on the immune response caused by the host genetic factors. Cytokines are key mediators of inflammation and development of specific immunity, which is responsible for the elimination of HCV. It has been found that the polymorphisms in several cytokine genes play role in human susceptibility to HCV infection, determine its differences in response to HCV and treatment-induced HCV clearance. This review summarizes the results of studies on the single-nucleotide polymorphisms of cytokine genes that complete our knowledge of the pathogenesis of HCV infection.

Keywords

• hepatitis c virus
• cytokines
• single nucleotide polymorphisms