The Role of Monocytes/Macrophages in HBV and HCV Infection

Abstract

Monocytes/macrophages constitute the irst line of defence for external intrusion or infection. Circulatory monocytes represent about 10% of leukocytes in human blood and resident macrophages are distributed in a variety of tissues and organs to maintain body homeostasis. But relatively litle is known about the consequences of chronic viral infections on monocytes. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the most important causes of chronic liver diseases, which may develop to serious and fatal liver pathology, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Whether HBV and HCV infections are cleared or persist is determined by host immune responses. Viral replication takes place inside hepatocytes as soon as infection begins. The secretion of infectious virions or virus proteins can persist for decades at high rates. Chronic infections with HBV and HCV are the result of inefective anti-viral immune response towards the virus. Interacting with virions or virus proteins, monocytes/macrophages play an important function in the disease process. The role of monocytes/macrophages in HBV and HCV infections or co-infections is discussed in this chapter.

Reactivación y coinfecciones virales en COVID-19: otro elemento a considerar. Revisión Sistemática

“…Se ha observado que algunos pacientes coinfectados presentaron linfopenia y monocitopenia, que implica una menor respuesta de monocitos, siendo un factor importante para considerar, puesto que comúnmente los pacientes con infección de VHB activa suelen presentar inhibición de monocitos producto de la presencia de HBsAg. Además, la desregulación de citoquinas proinflamatorias como IL-6 observada en pacientes COVID-19 coinfectados con VHC, donde su producción es menor (125) , que podría promover la susceptibilidad a infecciones, así como la reactivación de virus hepatotropos, específicamente VHB (20,23,120,130,131) . Si adicionalmente, se añade el hecho de que para COVID-19 suelen emplearse terapias inmunomoduladoras como esteroides, se debe tener en consideración que el uso de esteroides puede promover de forma directa la replicación del VHC, así como indirectamente suprimir la respuesta inmunitaria contra VHC, permitiendo su replicación (17) .…”

Perspectives of pharmacological intervention promoting liver regeneration

“…Thus phthalhydrazide therapy decreased signs of viral hepatic disease and normalized liver functions. Conversely, chronic activation of monocytes and macrophages correlated with liver damage in HCV infection [20].…”

Determination the sero prevalence of HCV among HBV Sudanese patients

“…HBV and HCV infection account for a substantial proportion of liver diseases worldwide. Because the two hepatotropic viruses share same modes of transmission, co-infection with the two viruses is not uncommon [1] , especially in areas with a high prevalence of HBV infection and among people at high risk for parenteral infection , chronic liver diseases, also co-infection of HBV and HCV is frequently found in injection drug users , ISSN: 2635-0955 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52152/spr/2022.177…”