IFNAR2 and hepatitis C virus infection: Lee et al. [181] proposed using AuNPs conjugated with thiol-modified hyaluronic acid as a vehicle for interferon R (IFNR), providing an alternative to INFR–PEG conjugates for the treatment of hepatitis C. The AuNP/HA/IFNR complex showed similar biological activity to the PEG–IFNR conjugate and a considerably enhanced serum stability, which lasted even seven days after injection in murine liver tissue.