Dendritic cells in hepatitis C virus infection: Key players in the IFNL3-genotype response

Figure 1 Schematic representation of single nucleotide polymorphisms idenditied in the interferon lambda gene locus. IFNL: Interferon lambda.

Figure 2 Schematic representation of interferon lambda 3 production in hepatitis C virus infection. Dendritic cell populations are enhanced in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected livers. In response to HCV infection hepatocytes and dendritics produce interferon lambda (IFNL). However, recent reports suggest myeloid dendritic cell 2 (mDC2) are the major producers of IFNL3. IFNL3 production is mediated via toll like receptor (TLR)3 in mDC2 and TLR7 in plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC).