Natural Killer Cells Are Polarized Toward Cytotoxicity in Chronic Hepatitis C in an Interferon-Alfa-Dependent Manner

Collectively, these results describe a polarized NK cell phenotype induced by chronic exposure to HCV-induced IFN-alfa. This phenotype may contribute to liver injury through TRAIL expression and cytotoxicity, whereas the lacking increase in IFN-γ production may facilitate the inability to clear HCV.