AUTHOR=Lin Nengqi , Yin Wei , Miller Heather , Byazrova Maria G. , Herrada Andrés A. , Benlagha Kamel , Lee Pamela , Guan Fei , Lei Jiahui , Gong Quan , Yan Youqing , Filatov Alexander , Liu Chaohong TITLE=The role of regulatory T cells and follicular T helper cells in HBV infection JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology VOLUME=14 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1169601 DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2023.1169601 ISSN=1664-3224 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.