Dissection of a Circulating and Intrahepatic CD4+Foxp3+ T-Cell Subpopulation in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection: A Highly Informative Strategy for Distinguishing Chronic HBV Infection States

Abstract

The delineation of a CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T-cell subpopulation is a highly informative strategy for distinguishing different chronic HBV infection states. HBcAg-derived peptides may be responsible for activation of Tregs that, in turn, specifically inhibit anti-HBV immune response but not liver inflammation.