The fraktalkine receptor CX3CR1 is associated with progression of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Aims: CX3CR1 constitutes the receptor for the chemokine fraktalkine (CX3CL1) which is involved in the recruitment of immune cells to the inflamed liver. In acute liver injury, CX3CR1 has been shown to be expressed on hepatocytes and bile ducts. Recently, two novel non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect the binding of fraktalkine have been identified in CX3CR1.