Figure 6. Schematic Diagram of the Mechanisms Involved in Macrophages-Mediated Suppression of HCV Replication in Hepatocytes.

Macrophages uptake the HCV RNAs from liver internal environment, leading to TLR3 signaling activation and production of IFN-α/β, which binds to IFN-α/β receptors expressed in HCV-infected hepatocytes and induces ISGs expression that suppresses HCV replication.