Measurement of activated B cells, including tissue-like B cells (CD27-CD21- B cells) and activated memory B cells (CD27 + CD21- B cells) in three groups indicated the frequency of tissue-like B cells were increased in both CHC patients and HCV-related MC patients (Fig. 2c), but the difference of percentages of tissue like B cells in CHC patients and HCV-related MC patients was not significant. This evidence concerns the gene CD27 and cryohydrocytosis.