ROLE OF THE CHEMOKINE CXCL13 IN HEPATITIS C VIRUS-RELATED CRYOGLOBULINEMIC VASCULITIS

Conclusions: This study confirms the effectiveness and safety of Rituximab in MC and shows its safety also in patients with advanced cirrhosis. Moreover, the Rituximab-related depletion of CD20+B-cells was followed by cirrhosis improvement in spite of a moderate and inconstant increase of both viraemia and ALT values. The mechanisms involved are unknown. Interesting working hypotheses may implicate a role played by direct B-cell hepatotoxicity with the contribution of B-cell infiltrates in conditioning liver damage. The improvement of Kuppfer cell function due to the cryocrit value reduction might also play a role.