Regulation of HCV-specific immunity by IL-10 is associated with higher HCV-RNA levels in therapy-naive patients, however not linked to success of PegIFN-α/ribavirin therapy.

<p>(<b>A</b>) HCV-RNA levels of 21 therapy-naive chronic HCV patients with or without regulation by IL-10 of HCV-specific IFN-γ production. (<b>B</b>) Individual data of 21 previously therapy-naive chronic HCV patients before and 24 weeks after ending 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 the IL-10R. White squares reflect the absence of regulation by IL-10. Grey squares reflect missing data. Histograms to the right side show percentages of patients with significant IL-10 driven regulation of HCV-specific responses at the indicated timepoints.