HCV Proteins and Immunoglobulin Variable Gene (IgV) Subfamilies in HCV-Induced Type II Mixed Cryoglobulinemia: A Concurrent Pathogenetic Role

Table 1

Schematic representation of viral and humoral factors implicated in the instauration of HCV-related MCII and B-NHL.

	Implicated factors		Associated mechanisms	References
HCV proteins	Core		(i) Complement activation; (ii) Cryoprecipitation; (iii) ↓ T cell response	[37, 39, 41–43, 45]
	E2		(i) Molecular mimicry of IgV domain; (ii) Induction of RF; (iii) Proliferation and transformation signals; following interaction with CD81/BCR; (iv) Super-Ag?	[46, 47, 52–59]
	NS3		(i) Molecular mimicry of IgG-Fc domain; (ii) Oncogenesis	[69, 71]
	IgV subfamilies		VH1-69	(i) Expansion of CD5+ B cells?; (ii) WA with RF activity; (iii) Expansion of natural IgM; expressing B cells	[52, 55, 76, 78, 79, 97–99]
		Heavy chains	VH4-34	Naturally autoreactive	[79]
		VH4-59, VH3-7, VH3-21, VH3-23, VH3-48 and VH3-30	Mono/oligoclonal expansion following HCV infection	[75, 77, 100–102]
Light chains		Vκ3-15		[80]
		Vκ3-20	WA with RF activity	[77, 80, 97, 103, 104]