TNF-alpha and TNF Receptor Type p75 are Induced by Recombinant Hepatitis C Virus Proteins in Peripheral Mononuclear Blood Cells

Recent studies showed an activation of the TNF system in patients with chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection correlating with the severity of the disease. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), representing extrahepatic sites for HCV replication and a source of inflammatory cytokines play a central role in the regulation of immune-mediated response. The aim of this project was to imitate the very first contact with HCV of healthy individuals. To characterize the innate and primary response of PBMC to HCV components, we studied the cellular induction of TNF-alpha and TNF specific receptors TNFR–p55, -p75…