However, MafB inhibition elevated IFN-α1 secretion by CD14+ monocytes and interferon regulatory factor 3 phosphorylation in chronic hepatitis C. MafB inhibition also promoted CD14+ monocytes-induced viral clearance in HCVcc-infected Huh7.5 cells by up-regulation of IFN-α1 and IFN-β without increasingly destroying hepatocytes, however, did not affect CD14+ monocytes-induced CD4+ T cells differentiation in chronic hepatitis C patients. Here, CD14 is linked to chronic hepatitis C virus infection.