Role of CXCL10 in pathogenesis of hepatitis C and antiviral therapy

Hepatitis C virus( HCV) infection represents an important public health problem worldwide. Eradicating HCV can finally delay or prevent the progression of HCV infection to end-stage liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Chemokine( C-X-C motif) ligand 10( CXCL10) is a chemokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family,and it exerts its function through binding to chemokine( C-X-C motif) receptor 3( CXCR3),playing a critical role in eradication of HCV. This article reviews the relationship of CXCL10 with the pathogenesis of HCV and the effectiveness of antiviral treatment,as well as the CXCL10 measurements. Meanwhile,this article introduces the clinical value of CXCL10 in assessing the risk of liver fibrosis and liver cancer. Further studies are needed to investigate the association between CXCL10 and liver diseases,and CXCL10 may provide a new therapeutic strategy for HCV infection.