The role of regulatory T cells and follicular T helper cells in HBV infection
Nengqi Lin, Wei Yin, H. I. Miller, Maria G. Byazrova, Andrés A. Herrada, Kamel Benlagha, Pamela Lee, Fei Guan, Jiahui Lei, Quan Gong, Youqing Yan, Alexander Filatov, Chaohong Liu
Abstract
Hepatitis B has become one of the major global health threats, especially in developing countries and regions. Hepatitis B virus infection greatly increases the risk for liver diseases such as cirrhosis and cancer. However, treatment for hepatitis B is limited when considering the huge base of infected people. The immune response against hepatitis B is mediated mainly by CD8+ T cells, which are key to fighting invading viruses, while regulatory T cells prevent overreaction of the immune response process. Additionally, follicular T helper cells play a key role in B-cell activation, proliferation, differentiation, and formation of germinal centers. The pathogenic process of hepatitis B virus is generally the result of a disorder or dysfunction of the immune system. Therefore, we present in this review the critical functions and related biological processes of regulatory T cells and follicular T helper cells during HBV infection.