Expression of Claudin-1 in steatosis free and steatotic chronic hepatitis C

Background: Claudin-1 (CLDN1) is a coreceptor for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Previously our group described increased expression of CLDN1 in chronic hepatitis (CH) and cirrhosis. The association between grade and stage and the presence of steatosis in CH-C has not yet been studied, which is the aim of the present study. Materials and Methods: Studies were performed on 47 paraffin embedded liver biopsy samples obtained from CH-C patients and 18 samples with liver steatosis without HCV infection. CH-C patients were divided into those who were steatosis free (n=18) and those whose livers were steatotic (n=29). CLDN1…