HEPATITIS C VIRUS: MECHANISMS TO ESCAPE CELLULAR INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSES

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are a significant global health concern, representing the primary cause of chronic hepatitis and liver disease. While current treatments can be effective, they are costly and often come with adverse side effects, highlighting the pressing need for new therapeutic strategies and a preventive vaccine. A deeper understanding of the interactions between HCV and host cells is critical for elucidating disease progression and may reveal novel cellular targets for antiviral drug development. This review examines the relationship between HCV and the host cell's innate immune system, detailing the cellular pathways activated in response to infection and the strategies employed by the virus to evade these intracellular defenses.