Hepatitis C virus and disrupted interferon signaling promote lymphoproliferation via type II CD95 and interleukins.

Background & Aims: The molecular mechanisms of lymphoproliferation associated with the disruption of interferon (IFN) signaling and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are poorly understood. Lymphomas are extrahepatic manifestations of HCV infection; we sought to clarify the molecular mechanisms of these processes.

Methods: We established interferon regulatory factor-1-null (irf-1(-/-)) mice with inducible and persistent expression of HCV structural proteins (irf-1/CN2 mice).

Mannose-binding lectin and the prognosis of fulminant hepatic failure caused by HBV infection.

Background/aims: The mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene was reported to play an important role in determining the clinical outcome of persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We investigated serum MBL concentrations and MBL gene mutations to determine whether they were related to the prognosis of patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) caused by HBV infection.

Methods: We investigated serum MBL concentrations and MBL gene mutations in 43 HBV-infected Japanese patients with FHF and 260 HBsAg-negative healthy controls.