Hepatitis C virus

TGF-β1 polymorphism 509 C>T is associated with an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV-infected patients

J. Ma, Liu, Y. C., Fang, Y., Cao, Y., and Liu, Z. L., “TGF-β1 polymorphism 509 C>T is associated with an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV-infected patients”, vol. 14, pp. 4461-4468, 2015.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), a member of the transforming growth factor beta family, functions as a multi-functional cytokine and plays a key role in cellular growth, proliferation, and differentiation. The 509 C/T polymorphism in the TGF-β1 gene has been implicated in the outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; however, little is known regarding the relationship between TGF-β1 gene mutations and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in HCV-infected patients.

Efficacy of Artemisia annua polysaccharides as an adjuvant to hepatitis C vaccination

L. D. Bao, Ren, X. H., Ma, R. L., Wang, Y., Yuan, H. W., and Lv, H. J., “Efficacy of Artemisia annua polysaccharides as an adjuvant to hepatitis C vaccination”, vol. 14, pp. 4957-4965, 2015.

The traditional Chinese medicine Artemisia annua can prevent and treat hepatitis following an unclear mechanism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of A. annua polysaccharides (AAP) on hepatitis C virus (HCV). A pcDNA3.1/NS3 expression vector was constructed. Ninety female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups: high-dose AAP (1 mg/mL) + HCV/NS3 plasmid; middle-dose AAP (0.5 mg/mL) + HCV/NS3 plasmid; low-dose AAP (0.1 mg/mL) + HCV/NS3 plasmid; HCV/NS3 plasmid; high-dose AAP (1 mg/mL); normal saline control (N = 15).

Molecular epidemiology of the hepatitis C virus in Brazil

S. Busek and Oliveira, G., “Molecular epidemiology of the hepatitis C virus in Brazil”, vol. 2, pp. 117-123, 2003.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease throughout the world. The genome of this virus consists of approximately 10,000 bp and codes for 10 mature polypeptides. Genome sequence comparison has revealed the existence of six major genotypes and a large number of subtypes. The genotypes can be distinguished by whole genome or genome fragment sequencing, geno-type specific amplification of a genomic region or PCR amplification, followed by hybridization or restriction digestion, among other methods.

Subscribe to Hepatitis C virus