IFNA1 and infection: In conclusion, this comprehensive gene expression analysis with liver biopsy samples (obtained before and during treatment with pegIFN‐α) from patients with HCV infection revealed that HCV has no strong effect on the homeostasis of infected cells, that the endogenous IFN response is qualitatively similar to pegIFN‐α treatment but too weak to clear the infection, and that IFN down‐regulates miRNA primary transcripts, thereby fine‐tuning ISG expression.