High levels of TNF-α have been associated with increased inflammatory activity and more severe illness in individuals with chronic hepatitis C. It has also been shown that TNF-α activates hepatic stellate cells and can modify the phenotype of activated myofibroblasts, thus causing an accumulation of molecules in the extracellular matrix, leading to fibrogenesis and fibrosis progression [26]. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and chronic hepatitis C virus infection.