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Hepatitis C Is Killing Liver Cells

Date:
February 9, 2009
Source:
University of Alberta
Summary:
It has long been thought that liver disease in hepatitis C patients is caused by the patient's immune system attacking the infected liver, ultimately killing the cells. Researchers have now discovered something different though.
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It has long been thought that liver disease in hepatitis C patients is caused by the patient's immune system attacking the infected liver, ultimately killing the cells. University of Alberta researchers have discovered something different though.

Michael Joyce and his team transplanted human liver cells into mice, which lack an adaptive immune system. The researchers then infected the liver cells with the hepatitis C virus.

The researchers found that the virus itself damages liver cells and leads to liver cell death. They also found hepatitis C causes inflammation, which is the second step in liver disease.

Joyce's finding sheds new light on the virus and gives researchers more targets for therapy.

His study is published in the February edition of PLoS Pathogens.


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Alberta. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


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University of Alberta. "Hepatitis C Is Killing Liver Cells." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 February 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205214416.htm>.
University of Alberta. (2009, February 9). Hepatitis C Is Killing Liver Cells. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205214416.htm
University of Alberta. "Hepatitis C Is Killing Liver Cells." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205214416.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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