IL28B and the control of hepatitis C virus infection

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

201 Scopus citations

Abstract

Treatment-induced control and spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are affected by various host factors. Polymorphisms in the region of the gene IL28B are associated with HCV clearance, implicating the gene product, interferon (IFN)-λ3, in the immune response to HCV. Although it is not clear how the IL28B haplotype affects HCV clearance, IFN-λ3 up-regulates interferon-stimulated genes, similar to IFN-α and IFN-β but via a different receptor. There is also evidence that IFN-λ3 affects the adaptive immune response. The IL28B genotype can be considered, along with other factors, in predicting patient responses to therapy with pegylated IFN-α and ribavirin. We review the genetic studies that uncovered the association between IL28B and HCV clearance, the biology of IFN-λ3, the clinical implications of the genetic association, and areas of future research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1865-1876
Number of pages12
JournalGastroenterology
Volume139
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • HCV Treatment
  • Hepatitis C Virus
  • IL28B
  • Interferon Lambda
  • Interferon Sensitivity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

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