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REVIEW article

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.
Sec. Adaptive immunity in infection
Volume 14 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1488527

Dysfunction and Regulatory Interplay of T and B Cells in Chronic Hepatitis B: Advances in Immunotherapy and Emerging Antiviral Strategies

Provisionally accepted
Fei Yu Fei Yu 1Yue Zhu Yue Zhu 1Shenghao Li Shenghao Li 1Liyuan Hao Liyuan Hao 1Na Li Na Li 1Fanghang Ye Fanghang Ye 1Zhi Jiang Zhi Jiang 1*Xiaoyu Hu Xiaoyu Hu 2*
  • 1 Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
  • 2 Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    In the context of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the continuous replication of HBV within host hepatocytes is a characteristic feature. Rather than directly causing hepatocyte destruction, this replication leads to immune dysfunction and establishes a state of T-B immune tolerance. Successful clearance of the HBV virus is dependent on the close collaboration between humoral and cellular immunity. Humoral immunity, mediated by B-cell subpopulations, and cellular immunity, dominated by T-cell subpopulations show varying degrees of dysfunction during chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Notably, not all T-and B-cells produce positive immune responses. This review examine the most recent developments in the mutual regulation of T-B cells during chronic HBV infection. Our focus is on the prevailing immunotherapeutic strategies, such as T cell engineering, HBV-related vaccines, PD-1 inhibitors, and Toll-like receptor agonists. While nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) and interferons have notable limitations, including inadequate viral suppression, drug resistance, and adverse reactions, several HBV entry inhibitors have shown promising clinical efficacy.To overcome the challenges posed by NUCs or monotherapy, the combination of immunotherapy and novel antiviral agents presents a promising avenue for future CHB treatment and potential cure.

    Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, Immune Tolerance, immunotherapy strategy, Antiviral therapy, B cell

    Received: 30 Aug 2024; Accepted: 20 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Yu, Zhu, Li, Hao, Li, Ye, Jiang and Hu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Zhi Jiang, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, Sichuan Province, China
    Xiaoyu Hu, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.