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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice
Published on: September 25, 2019
Expression of hepatitis B virus x protein in hepatocytes suppresses CD8 T cell activity
Mi Jin Lee1, Young-Hee Jin, Kyongmin Kim
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 442-721, Korea.
Background:
CD8(+) T cells contribute to the clearance of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and an insufficient CD8(+) T cell response may be one of the major factors leading to chronic HBV infection. Since the HBx antigen of HBV can up-regulate cellular expression of several immunomodulatory molecules, we hypothesized that HBx expression in hepatocytes might affect CD8(+) T cell activity.
Methods:
We analyzed the activation and apoptosis of CD8(+) T cells co-cultured with primary hepatocytes rendered capable of expressing HBx by recombinant baculovirus infection.
Results:
Expression of HBx in hepatocytes induced low production of interferon-γ and apoptosis of CD8(+) T cells, with no effect on CD8 T cell proliferation. However, transcriptional levels of H-2K, ICAM-1 and PD-1 ligand did not correlate with HBx expression in hepatocytes.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that HBx may inhibit CD8(+) T cell response by regulation of interferon-γ production and apoptosis.
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