While the exact mechanisms underlying these distinct immune activation profiles are not well understood, previous studies have suggested some crucial roles of these genes, such as the elevation of CX3CL1 as a marker of liver fibrosis/injury [29], TGF-β as a potent inducer of fibrogenesis [26], and interferon-α inhibiting HCV replication [42]. Here, CX3CL1 is linked to Hepatic fibrosis.