Correlation of type I, -II and -III interferon expression in the liver with clinical and viral parameters in chronic HCV infection

Aims: It has been reported that expression of Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) correlates with sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral treatment. It is not well understood by which IFNs these ISGs are induced or whether expression of IFNs is associated with virological parameters or therapy outcome. Methods: HCV load and IFNs (-α, -β, -γ, -λ [IL28a, IL28b, IL29], and IFN-ω) were determined in liver biopsies of 60 HCV patients prior to antiviral therapy and in 10 non-HCV patients by qt RT-PCR. Clinical parameters including HCV load in serum and l…