In addition to causing acute and chronic liver disease, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequently associated with autoimmune disorders, such as mixed cryoglobulinemia, primary glomerulonephritis, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and posttransplant proliferative disorders. Progression to malignant phenotype of B cells may be the consequence of additional genetic events or abnormal conditions resulting from modification of host cell genes involved in the control of oncogenes and oncoproteins.

The main focus of this special issue will review the different aspects of hepatitis C virus infection regarding B lymphocyte involvement, immunological alterations, autoimmune disorders. In addition, involvement of other districts like skin, kidney, and central and peripheral nervous system will be focused. Of particular interest is the pathogenetic role of complement factors and cytokines in tissue damage. The special issue will become an international forum for researchers to summarize the most recent developments and ideas in the field, with a special emphasis given to the results obtained within the last few years. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Immunological alterations in HCV infection
• HCV-related kidney disorders
• HCV-related nervous system disorders
• HCV-related skin disorders
• Mixed cryoglobulinemia as a model of HCV-induced autoimmunity
• The complement system in the pathogenesis of HCV-induced vasculitis
• HCV and lymphoproliferation
• Cytokines and HCV-related disorders

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jir/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: