Hepatitis C causes: Difference between revisions
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{{Hepatitis C}} | {{Hepatitis C}} | ||
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== | ==Overview== | ||
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a member of the genus ''[[Hepacivirus]]'' that belongs to the ''[[Flaviviridae]]'' family. It is an enveloped, [[single-stranded RNA]] virus that measures approximately 60 nm in diameter. The virus enters the cell using E1 and E2 envelope proteins. HCV RNA acts as template for the production of new proteins by [[translational]], [[co-translational]], and [[post-translational]] processes. These mechanisms lead to the synthesis of 10 proteins, 3 of which are structural and 7 of which are non-structural. In isolated acute HCV infection, the host [[immune system]] causes secretion of [[interferon-alpha]] and activation of [[natural killer cells]], along with proper activation of [[adaptive immune cells]]. [[Chronic HCV]] is characterized by the impairment of these mechanisms. Eventually, chronic HCV infection leads to local [[inflammation]] and [[fibrogenesis]] causing hepatic injury and cirrhosis. [[Hepatocellular carcinoma]], a known complication of chronic HCV infection, arises in cases of [[cirrhosis]]; the role of [[oncogenic proteins]] of HCV in the pathogenesis of [[hepatocellular carcinoma]] is yet to be elucidated. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 14:37, 28 July 2014
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Hepatitis C |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Hepatitis C causes On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hepatitis C causes |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a member of the genus Hepacivirus that belongs to the Flaviviridae family. It is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus that measures approximately 60 nm in diameter. The virus enters the cell using E1 and E2 envelope proteins. HCV RNA acts as template for the production of new proteins by translational, co-translational, and post-translational processes. These mechanisms lead to the synthesis of 10 proteins, 3 of which are structural and 7 of which are non-structural. In isolated acute HCV infection, the host immune system causes secretion of interferon-alpha and activation of natural killer cells, along with proper activation of adaptive immune cells. Chronic HCV is characterized by the impairment of these mechanisms. Eventually, chronic HCV infection leads to local inflammation and fibrogenesis causing hepatic injury and cirrhosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma, a known complication of chronic HCV infection, arises in cases of cirrhosis; the role of oncogenic proteins of HCV in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma is yet to be elucidated.