The ultimate outcome of hepatitis c viral infection is determined by the host immune response. Patients with acute hepatitis c viral infection who did not clear the virus developed chronicity. Persistant hepatitis c virus -specific cytotoxic T-cell responses in the liver have been associated with the development of hepatic inflammation which may ultimately lead to liver cirrhosis. One of the potential mechanisms that might modulate hepatitis c virus -specific immune responses is the inhibitory role of the regulatory T cells.