The potential regulatory role of miR16 to the interplay between interferon and transforming growth factor beta pathways through IRF3 and SMAD7 in hepatitis C virus infected patients.

Background: The defensive strategy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection depends on two antiviral pathways; interferon (IFN) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). We aimed at verifying the relation between TGFβ and IFN antiviral pathways in HCV infection through SMAD7 and IRF3, and whether a possible regulatory role for microRNA-16 (miR16) on the interplay between IFN and TGFβ signaling pathways exists or not.

Methods: We evaluated miR16, IRF3 and SMAD7 expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction in HCV infected patients and age and gender matched healthy controls.