Figure 3.

Roles played by hepatitis C virus core protein in relation with host inflammation and the evolution from hepatitis C virus infection in liver to hepatocellular carcinoma. Repeated injury of liver tissue and chronic inflammation resulted from chronic hepatitis C, accompanied with liver tissue repair process leads to liver fibrosis that might further results in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The hepatitis C virus core protein plays multiple rules in the process. The core protein is suggested to trigger host inflammation by interaction with pro-inflammatory cell surface receptors, induction of release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as induction of oxidative stress. The core protein is also identified to involve in promoting the persistent infection by inhibiting host apoptosis, promoting host cell proliferation, and suppression of immune cell differentiations and functions. The core protein is also able to alter the lipid metabolism of the host and induce steatosis which also contribute to the development of liver fibrosis