An animal model of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection involves the use of an animal to build the model for simulating the whole process of HCV infection in humans. Establishing an ideal animal model for HCV infection is conducive to study on the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C, including virus-host interactions, viral variability, and host immune response patterns. Additionally, it provides a more effective technical strategy for screening antiviral drugs and developing preventive vaccines. This article summarizes well-known animal models of HCV infection, such as those established in chimpanzees, tree shrews, and mice. The advantages and drawbacks of each kind of animal models are analyzed. In recent years, the establishment of small animal models, particularly those in transgenic mice, has opened up a new field in the development of animal models of HCV infection, which will be the hotspot and emphasis of relevant animal model studies.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents an important public health problem worldwide. Eradicating HCV can finally delay or prevent the progression of HCV infection to end-stage liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10) is a chemokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family, and it exerts its function through binding to chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3), playing a critical role in eradication of HCV. This article reviews the relationship of CXCL10 with the pathogenesis of HCV and the effectiveness of antiviral treatment, as well as the CXCL10 measurements. Meanwhile, this article introduces the clinical value of CXCL10 in assessing the risk of liver fibrosis and liver cancer. Further studies are needed to investigate the association between CXCL10 and liver diseases, and CXCL10 may provide a new therapeutic strategy for HCV infection.