Hepatitis C virus and atherosclerosis: A legacy after virologic cure?

Bassendine, Margaret, Nielsen, Søren, Bridge, Simon, Felmlee, Daniel, Sheridan, David, Packard, Chris and Neely, Robert (2016) Hepatitis C virus and atherosclerosis: A legacy after virologic cure? Clinics and Research in Hepatology and Gastroenterology, 41 (1). pp. 25-30. ISSN 2210-7401

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinre.2016.09.008

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major pathogen with approximately 3% of the world's population (over 170 million) infected. Epidemiological studies have shown HCV is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality as well as peripheral arterial disease. This is despite HCV inducing an ostensibly favourable lipid profile with accompanying low classical risk score for atherosclerosis (AS). We discuss possible factors involved in the aetiopathogenesis of atherosclerosis in chronic HCV and hypothesise that an important mechanism underlying the development of AS is the presence of circulating low-density immune complexes that induce an inflammatory response. We suggest that HCV particles may be inducing an antibody response to lipoproteins present in the lipoviral particles and sub-viral particles – a concept similar to the more general ‘autoantibody’ response to modified LDL. After virologic cure some AS risk factors will recede but an increase in serum cholesterol could result in progression of early atherosclerotic lesions, leaving a legacy from persistent HCV infection that has clinical and therapeutic implications.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: A300 Clinical Medicine
C500 Microbiology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Applied Sciences
Depositing User: Dr Simon Bridge
Date Deposited: 16 Nov 2016 15:59
Last Modified: 01 Aug 2021 07:05
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/28556

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