Fig. 1.

The immune response in viral hepatitis C involves both the innate and adaptive immune system. Innate immunity involves activation of resident liver macrophages (MØ), dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and NKT cells, whereas CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B lymphocytes are effectors of adaptive immunity. CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocyte; HCV, hepatitis C virus; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; TNF, tumour necrosis factor.

(Reproduced with permission from John Wiley and Sons Ltd., New Jersey, USA [Clin Liver Dis 2006; 10 : 753-71]17.