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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice
Published on: September 25, 2019
Ribavirin and IFN-alpha combination therapy induces CD4+ T-cell proliferation and Th1 cytokine secretion in patients
Fen-Yu Ren1, Hai Jin, Xi-Xu Piao
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji 133000, Jilin Province, China. fenyu65@yahoo.com.cn
Aim:
To investigate the anti-viral mechanism of combination therapy of interferon (IFN)-alpha and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Methods:
Twenty patients were assigned to receive either IFN-alpha plus ribavirin (group A, n = 14) or no treatment as a control (group B, n = 6). Patients were analyzed for T-cell proliferative responses specific for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-antigen and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
Results:
Combination therapy induced HBV-antigen specific CD4+ T-cell proliferative responses in four patients (28.6%). Production of high levels of HBV-specific IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-12 by PBMCs was found in five patients (35.7%), who showed significantly lower HBV DNA levels in serum at 12 mo after treatment ended (P = 0.038) and at 24 mo of follow-up (P = 0.004) than those without high levels of cytokine production.
Conclusion:
HBV-antigen specific CD4+ T cells may directly control HBV replication and secretion of anti-viral T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines by PBMCs during combination therapy of chronic hepatitis B with ribavirin and IFN-alpha.
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