ADAPTIVE T-CELL RESPONSE IN PATHOGENESIS OF HEPATITIS C INFECTION

Chronic viral hepatitis C is the most common cause of liver damage and the global problem worldwide since is characterized by a high prevalence, high chronization rates, and significantly increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Many studies have shown that antigen-specific СD4+ and CD8+T-cells play a key role in pathogenesis and outcome of the infection. While the strong sustained antigenspecific multi-epitopic T-cell response predicts successful viral elimination, a deficiency of adaptive immune response is associated with virus persistence. This review presents data about pathogenetic significance of T-cell response in viral elimination, viral persistence and hepatitis development. Possible mechanisms of T-cell response failure in chronic infection are discussed as well.