Irrespective of viral outcome, regulation of HCV-specific IFN-γ production by TGF-β increases during and up to 24 weeks after PegIFN-α/ribavirin therapy.

<p>Individual data of previously therapy-naive chronic HCV patients before, during and after therapy are shown. Patients 1–13 showed an SVR, patients 14–21 did not achieve an SVR (non-SVR). (<b>A</b>) Green squares reflect patients with a significant increase in either HCV-specific proliferation or (<b>B</b>) IFN-γ production after neutralization of TGF-β. White squares reflect the absence of regulation by TGF-β. Grey squares reflect missing data. Histograms to the right side show percentages of patients with significant TGF-β driven regulation of HCV-specific responses at the indicated timepoints.