CXCL8 and Hepatic fibrosis: In prior immunohistochemical studies of HCV infection, IL8 protein was shown to be expressed in infiltrating cells in the portal tract and fibrotic septa and within hepatic lobules in patients.34 We have previously reported that there was a correlation between intrahepatic mRNA IL8 expression and hepatic fibrosis in HCV patients.5 Moreover, exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells to HCV-like particles resulted in increased IL8 production.35