Regulatory T Cells in Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections.

Author: Min Kyung JUNG ¹ ; Eui Cheol SHIN
Author Information

1. Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea. jungmk@kaist.ac.kr ecshin@kaist.ac.kr
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: Regulatory T cell; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus
MeSH: Hepacivirus; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B*; Hepatitis*; Liver; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory*; United Nations; Virus Diseases
From:Immune Network 2016;16(6):330-336
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are hepatotropic viruses that establish chronic persistent infection by effectively escaping the host immune response and can cause immune-mediated liver injury. It has recently become apparent that regulatory T (Treg) cells, specifically CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells, modulate viral diseases by suppressing antiviral immune responses and regulating inflammatory host injury. The roles of Treg cells in HBV and HCV infections range from suppressing antiviral T cell responses to protecting the liver from immune-mediated damage. This review describes Treg cells and subpopulations and focuses on the roles of these cells in HBV and HCV infections.