Hepatitis C virus-induced cryoglobulinemia

Kidney Int. 2009 Oct;76(8):818-24. doi: 10.1038/ki.2009.247. Epub 2009 Jul 15.

Abstract

In this review we discuss the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cryoglobulinemia. HCV is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and is increasingly recognized as an instigator of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders such as mixed cryoglobulinemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cryoglobulinemia is characterized by the clonal expansion of rheumatoid factor-expressing B cells in the liver, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood, resulting in the presence of cryoglobulins in the circulation. Cryoglobulins are cold-insoluble immune complexes containing rheumatoid factor, polyclonal IgG, and HCV RNA that precipitate and deposit on vascular endothelium, causing vasculitis in organs such as the skin, kidneys, and peripheral nerves. A subset of patients develops a low-grade lymphoma composed of B cells that are immunophenotypically similar to the expanded B cells seen in cryoglobulinemia. HCV-related B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders likely comprise a spectrum of disease, ranging from asymptomatic clonal B-cell expansions to pathogenic cryoglobulinemia and lymphoma. It is unclear how B cells become dysregulated during the course of chronic HCV infection, and continued patient-centered research is necessary to elucidate the pathogenesis of HCV-related B-cell dysregulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Cryoglobulinemia / diagnosis
  • Cryoglobulinemia / epidemiology
  • Cryoglobulinemia / immunology
  • Cryoglobulinemia / therapy
  • Cryoglobulinemia / virology*
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lymphatic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lymphatic Diseases / immunology
  • Lymphatic Diseases / therapy
  • Lymphatic Diseases / virology*
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents