The current study showed that the level of MIC-1 was positively correlated with ALT, AST, PIIINP, CIV, and HCV RNA in patients with CHC1b, suggesting that MIC-1 might be involved in HCV replication, liver cell injury, and liver fibrosis, and elevated plasma MIC-1 levels might be a potential diagnostic marker for HCV infection. The gene discussed is GDF15; the disease is Hepatic fibrosis.