Skip to main content
International Journal of Molecular Sciences logoLink to International Journal of Molecular Sciences
. 2015 Feb 3;16(2):3307–3322. doi: 10.3390/ijms16023307

Significant Roles of Regulatory T Cells and Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells in Hepatitis B Virus Persistent Infection and Hepatitis B Virus-Related HCCs

Yasuteru Kondo 1,*, Tooru Shimosegawa 1
Editor: Tatsuo Kanda1
PMCID: PMC4346897  PMID: 25654227

Abstract

The adaptive immune system, including type1 helper T cells (Th1 cells), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and dendritic cells (DCs), plays an important role in the control of hepatitis B virus (HBV). On the other hand, regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) suppress the immune reaction in HBV and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Excessive activation of immune suppressive cells could contribute to the persistent infection of HBV and the progression of HCC. The frequency and/or function of Tregs could affect the natural course in chronic hepatitis B patients and the treatment response. In addition to the suppressive function of MDSCs, MDSCs could affect the induction and function of Tregs. Therefore, we should understand in detail the mechanism by which Tregs and MDSCs are induced to control HBV persistent infection and HBV-related HCC. Immune suppressive cells, including Tregs and MDSCs, contribute to the difficulty in inducing an effective immune response for HBV persistent infection and HBV-related HCC. In this review, we focus on the Tregs and MDSCs that could be potential targets for immune therapy of chronic hepatitis B and HBV-related HCC.

Keywords: regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

1. Introduction

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a noncytopathic DNA virus that causes chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as acute hepatitis [1]. HBV infects more than 400 million people worldwide. HBV has six different genotypes [2,3]. The progression of liver fibrosis and HCC could vary among various HBV genotypes [3,4].

It has been reported that the innate immune system, including intra-hepatocyte reactions [5,6], natural killer cells (NK cells), natural killer T cells (NK-T cells), and monocytes, could contribute to the immunopathogenesis of HBV infection [7,8,9,10,11,12]. However, the adaptive immune system, including type 1 helper T cells (Th1 cells), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and dendritic cells (DCs), plays an important role in the control of HBV [13,14,15,16,17,18]. On the other hand, CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) suppress the immune reactions to HBV and HCC [19,20,21,22,23,24]. The excessive activation of immune suppressive cells could contribute to the persistent infection of HBV and the progression of HCC. Tregs constitutively express CD25 in the physiological state [25]. In humans, this population, as defined by CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells, constitutes 5% to 10% of peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes and has a broad repertoire that recognizes various self and non-self antigens [26,27,28]. Various kinds of immune suppressing mechanisms-induced by Tregs have been reported [28]. The important mechanisms are cell-to-cell contact and secretion of immune-suppressive cytokines including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and IL10 [19,23,28]. An emerging cell population of interest, MDSCs, could contribute to immune suppression. MDSCs are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells, originally shown to accumulate at the sites of tumors. MDSCs have been well described in various severe human diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and bacterial infections [19,29,30]. In mouse, populations of MDSCs have been divided into two groups: polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSC), described as CD11b+Gr-1highLy6+Ly6Clow/int cells, and mononuclear MDSCs (Mo-MDSC), described as CD11b+Gr-1intLy6GLy6Chigh cells [31,32]. On the other hand, in human, the phenotypic markers of MDSCs are less clear. MDSCs have been described as CD33+CD11b+HLA-DRlow/− in a human cancer model [32] (Table 1). It has been reported that MDSCs could contribute to persistent infection of HBV and HCC [19,20,30,33,34,35,36,37,38] (Table 1). In addition to HBV and HCC, MDSCs could contribute to persistent infection of HCV [39,40]. HCV core-treated CD33+ cells exhibit a CD14+CD11b+/low HLA-DR−/low phenotype with up-regulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production [39]. Moreover, the frequency of MDSCs increases and correlates with HCV-RNA loads in chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) patients [40]. MDSCs could suppress the T cell response by way of numerous mechanisms including the expression of inhibitory cell surface molecules, the production of immune suppressive cytokines, the metabolism of arginine through activation of arginase-1, production of nitric oxide, and the up-regulation of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, an interaction between MDSCs and Tregs has been reported [20,31,32,41,42,43]. MDSCs and Tregs could contribute to not only HCC but also various kinds of cancers [43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63] (Table 2). Many groups reported the frequency of MDSCs, and Tregs could be useful prognostic biomarkers. Moreover, some reports indicated the possibility of modifying the function of MDSCs and Tregs to improve the immune reaction to cancers by using CTLA-4 antibody, PD-L1 antibody, anti-miR214, c-kit antibody and sunitinib, etc. (Table 2).

Table 1.

Association between MDSCs and HBV or HCC.

Species MDSCs Phenotype Diseases or Models of Diseases Functions and Findings References
Human Lin-HLA-DR-CD11b+CD33+ HBV MDSCs might be involved in HBeAg immune tolerance Lu et al. [30]
Mouse CD11b+Gr1+ HBV (mouse model) gammadelta T Cells drive MDSCs–mediated CD8+ T Cell exhaustion Kong et al. [33]
Mouse CD11b+Gr1+ HBV (mouse model) In HBV TM, the frequencies of liver MDSCs were about twice those of normal mice liver Chen et al. [34]
Human CD34+CD14HLA-DRCD11b+ HBV vaccination in HIV patients High frequency of MDSCs contribute to week 16 HBV vaccine response Anthony et al. [35]
Human CD14+HLA-DR/low HCC MDSCs induces CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T Cells Frequency of CD14+ HLA-DR-/low cells Is Increased in PBMC and tumor of HCC patients Hoechest et al. [19]
Human CD14+HLA-DR/low HCC MDSCs inhibit NK cells in HCC patients via the NKp30 receptor Hoechest et al. [36]
Human CD14HLA-DRCD11b+CD33+ HCC Elevated numbers of MDSC in HCC patients Over-production of inhibitory cytokines such as IL10 and TGF-β Kalathil et al. [20]
Mouse Gr+CD11b+ HCC mouse model An accumulation of MDSC is found in various mice models with HCC Kapanadze et al. [37]
Mouse Gr+CD11bint HCC mouse model Tumors produce IL-6 and VEGF and induced iMC (CD11b1Gr-1int) Shmidl et al. [38]

Table 2.

Association of Tregs and MDSCs and other cancers except for HCC.

Cancer Immune Suppressive Cells Treatments, Future Treatments or Other Uses References
Tregs MDSCs
Large B cell lymphoma prognostic biomarker Ahearne et al. [44]
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma prognostic biomarker Pinheiro et al. [45]
Myeloma CTLA-4 antibody Braga et al. [46]
High-dose IL2 followed by Sorafenib Monk et al. [47]
Adjuvant GM-CSF Daud et al. [48]
prognostic marker Brimnes et al. [49]
Ovarian Cancer prognostic biomarker Brtnicky et al. [50]
Mouse model (liver metastasis model) Anti-PD-L1 antibody Ilkovitch et al. [51]
Esophageal Cancer Down-regulation of B7-H1 expression Chen et al. [52]
non-small-cell lung cancer prognostic biomarker Hasegawa et al. [53]
Yukawa et al. [54]
prognostic biomarker Liu et al. [43]
Lewis lung carcinoma (mouse model) anti-miR214 Yin et al. [55]
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma prognostic biomarker Luardi et al. [57]
Renal Cell Carcionam High-dose IL2 followed by Sorafenib Monk et al. [47]
prognostic biomarker Mirza et al. [58]
prognostic biomarker Kusmartsev et al. [59]
Solitary Fibrous Tumor Sunitinib malate Tazzari et al. [60]
Thyroid cancer Inhibition of FOXP3 Chu et al. [61]
Glioblastoma prognostic marker Soyour E et al. [62]
Colon carcinoma (mouse model) c-kit antibody Pan et al. [63]

Recently, nucleoside analogues have emerged as an important treatment option for chronic hepatitis B patients [64]. However, discontinuation of nucleoside analogues could frequently induce the reactivation of chronic hepatitis [65,66]. Therefore, pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) could be a significant treatment to control replication of HBV by inducing an immune response. The efficacy of Peg-IFN treatment has not yet become optimal [67]. Immune suppressive cells including Tregs and MDSCs might contribute to the difficulty of inducing an effective immune response for HBV persistent infection and HCC. This review focuses on the Tregs and MDSCs that could be potential targets for the immune therapy of chronic hepatitis B patients and HCC.

2. Tregs Could Affect HBV Persistent Infection

In addition to hepatitis c virus infection (HCV), it has been reported that the HBV-specific immune response could be suppressed by CD4+CD25+ Tregs in patients with HBV infection [68]. This report indicated that not only Tregs from CH-B patients, but also those from patients with resolved HBV infection could suppress HBV specific CD8+ T cell. However, it has been reported that the frequency of Tregs in CH-B patients was significantly higher than those in healthy controls and those with resolved HBV infection [69]. Therefore, the frequency of Tregs might contribute to the disease status of HBV infection [23,24,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76] (Table 3). Tregs have been identified by using CD4, CD25, CD45RO and CTLA-4 antibodies. Another group reported that the frequency of CD39+Tregs correlates with the progression of HBV infection [77]. Therefore, we should consider this minor subset of Tregs in chronic hepatitis B patients [77]. Previously, we reported that HBcAg-specific IL10 secreting CD4+CD25+ Tregs might contribute to the suppression of HBV-specific IFN-gamma secreting CD4+ T cells [23]. Moreover, the depletion of Tregs could recover the function of IFN-gamma secretion of CD4+ T cells in an ex vivo study [23]. Another group reported a similar phenomenon and the enhancement of HBV-specific T cell proliferation after the depletion of Tregs [69]. Previously, several groups including ours reported that the reduction of HBV could recover the frequency of HBV-specific T cells and the function of T cells [15,78]. Tregs might contribute to suppressing the HBV-specific T cells. Therefore, treatment with a nucleos(t)ide analogue might affect the Tregs. Previously, Stoop et al. [71] described that adefovir-induced viral load reduction caused a decrease in circulating Tregs together with a partial recovery of the immune response. They described that the frequency of Tregs among CD4+ T cells was decreased at three and six months after adefovir treatment. Moreover, they determined that the frequency of HBcAg-specific IFN-gamma secreting cells was increased during adefovir treatment. We also reported that the entecavir-induced viral load reduction caused a decrease in circulating Tregs [24]. Moreover, we analyzed the mechanism of Tregs enhancement of functions in chronic hepatitis B patients [24]. Heat shock protein 60 produced from HBV-replicative hepatocytes might enhance the IL 10-secreting function of Tregs via toll like receptor 2 (TLR2). The inhibition of TLR2 signaling could inhibit the excessive function of Tregs. Another group reported that over-expression of TLR2/4 on monocytes could modulate the activities of Tregs in chronic hepatitis B patients [79]. This report described that the agonists of TLR2 and 4 activated-Tregs showed enhanced suppression function in chronic hepatitis B patients. Another group reported that exogenous tumor necrosis factor alpha partially abrogated the Tregs-mediated suppression [80]. The interaction between programmed death (PD)-1 and its ligand, PD-L1, is important for the induction of exhausted T cells. In chronic hepatitis B patients, the antiviral intrahepatic T cell response could be restored by blocking the PD-1 pathway [81]. Tregs express both PD-L1 and PD-1 [82]. That PD-L1/PD-1 signaling might suppress the HBV-specific immune response has been reported by many groups [81,83,84,85,86]. The inhibition of PD-1 and cytotoxic lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) could slightly enhance the cellular proliferation and significantly increased the IFN-gamma production of PBMCs co-cultured with Tregs [84]. Concerning the CD4+ development pathway, both induced Tregs and Th17 cells require TGF-β. In addition to TGF-β, IL-2 promotes development of Tregs and inhibits Th17 cells, whereas IL6, IL21 and IL23 promote the development of Th17 cells and inhibit that of Tregs. Therefore, the balance between Tregs and Th17 cells during hepatitis B virus infection was analyzed [87,88,89,90]. A group reported that acute or chronic HBV-related liver failure patients have a dramatically higher IL17+/FOXP3+ ratio than that in chronic liver failure patients [87]. Another report described that a lower Treg/Th17 ratio induced greater liver fibrosis progression [88]. Although these findings are unsurprising, the balance between Tregs and Th17 might be usefully analyzed for the disease status and treatment response. A group described that the frequency of Tregs increased in non-responders but not in responders during pegylated-interferon [91]. The frequency and/or function of Tregs could affect the natural course of chronic hepatitis B patients and treatment response [92]. Most of the groups analyzed the peripheral blood to detect Tregs (Table 3). Some groups analyzed liver-infiltrating lymphocytes in addition to peripheral blood to detect Tregs. Xu et al. [70] indicated that the frequency of liver-infiltrating Tregs increased in CH-B patients and chronic severe hepatitis B patients, as seen in peripheral blood. Yang et al. [72] reported that Foxp3+ cells were present in significantly higher numbers in liver tissue sections from chronic active hepatitis B, as seen in peripheral blood. However, it is difficult to carry out the sequential analysis of liver-infiltrating lymphocytes since liver biopsy has a risk of bleeding.

Table 3.

Association between HBV infection and Tregs.

Species or Model Disease Status Immune Subset Frequency, Functions or Findings References
Human AHB Recovered Isolated CD4+CD25+ Suppression of CD8+ cells Franzese et al. [68]
CHB Frequecny (AHB = CHB = Healthy)
Healhty subjects
Human AHB Recovered Isolated CD4+CD25+ Suppression of CD4+ cells Stoop et al. [69]
CH-B Frequency(Chronic > recovered: Chronic > healthy donors)
Healthy subjects
Human AH-B Isolated CD4+CD25+; FOXP3+ gated liver infiltrating lymphocytes Suppression of CD4+ cells Xu et al. [70]
CH-B Frequency(CH-B severe > CHB, CHB severe > AH-B, CH-B severe > healthy donors)
Healthy subjects
Human CH-B Isolated CD4+ CD25+ Suppression of CD4+ cells Kondo et al. [23]
Healthy subjects Chronic = healthy donors
Human Treated CH-B CD4+ CD25+ CTLA4+ CD45RO+ (FOXP3+) Frequency (Treated CHB < CHB) Stoop et al. [71]
CH-B
Healthy subjects
Human Recovered AH-B Isolated CD4+CD25+; FOXP3+ liver infiltrating lymphocytes Suppression of CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells Yang et al. [72]
CH-B Frequency(Chronic asymptomatic > chronic active > resolved = healthy controls)
Healthy subjects
Human CH-B CD4+CD25+IL7R- sHSP60 enhances Tregs activity via TLR2 signaling Kondo et al. [24]
Treated CH-B patients Frequency (Treated CHB < CHB)
Healthy subjects
Woodchuck hepatits Woodchuck hepatitis CD4+FOXP3+ Frequency (WHV > Control) Otano et al. [73]
HBV model Interleukin-12 Increases Hepatic Tolerogenicity
Mouse AdHBV CD4+FOXP3+ Down-regulating the antiviral activity of effector T cells by limiting cytokine production and cytotoxicity Stross et al. [74]
Human HBV-HCC CD4+CD25+FOXP3 TGF-b-miR-34a-CCL22 Signaling-Induced Treg Cell Recruitment Yang et al. [75]
Human CH-B CD4+CD25+ Frequency (CH-B = Acute on choronic HBV = Healthy) Dong et al. [76]
Acute on choric HBV
Healthy

3. Tregs and HBV-Related HCC

It has been reported that the frequency of Tregs is increased in HCC patients [93,94]. Yang et al. [93] analyzed the frequency of Tregs and CD8+ T cell in peripheral blood and liver tissue. The results indicated a significant increase in both the proportion and absolute numbers of CD4+CD25+ T-cells in the peri-tumor region [94]. Another group indicated the higher frequency of Tregs in the peripheral blood from HCC patients in comparison to those from HCV patients and healthy subjects. The mechanisms of increased Tregs in HCC were analyzed. Huh7 culture supernatants appear to promote CD4+CD25+ T-cell proliferation and inhibit CD4+CD25 T-cell proliferation [95]. Moreover, the frequency of Tregs could be a significant biomarker of survival in HCC patients. The frequency of circulating CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs was increased significantly and correlated with the disease progression in HBV-related HCC patients [22,96,97]. An abundant accumulation of Tregs concurrent with a significantly reduced infiltration of CD8+ T cells was found in tumor regions compared with nontumor regions [96]. Another group reported that the frequency of the CD45RO+ subset in CD4+CD25high Tregs was associated with progression of HCCs [98]. Moreover, the frequency of the other phenotype of Tregs (CD4+CD25CD69+) was also increased in HCC patients [99]. The induction of Tregs could be affected by not only hepatitis B virus infection but also HCC. When PBMCs were co-cultured with human hepatoma cell lines stably transfected with HBV (HepG2.2.15), the CD4+CD25+ Tregs population increased and upregulated Tregs-related genes [100]. Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor that could suppress cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Sorafenib could reduce the frequency of hepatic infiltrating Tregs by suppressing TGF-β signaling [101]. Suppressing Tregs might be one of the significant targets for the induction of immunity for HCC.

4. MDSCs for HBV Persistent Infection and HBV-Related HCC

An emerging cell population of interest, MDSCs, could contribute to immune suppression. In a mouse model, it has been reported that liver-derived MDSCs from HBV transgenic mice could suppress the proliferative capacities of allogenic T cells and HBsAg-specific lymphocytes [34]. Recently, it has been reported that γδT cells could drive MDSCs-mediated CD8+ T cell exhaustion in HBV persistent infection [33]. In addition to the suppressive function of MDSCs, MDSCs could affect the induction and function of Tregs [19]. It has been reported that MDSCs could induce Tregs in HCC patients [19]. Moreover, another group reported that higher frequencies of GARP+CTLA-4+Foxp3+ Tregs and MDSCs in HCC patients are associated with impaired T-cell functionality [20]. Compared to Tregs, few reports have described the relationship between MDSCs and HCC. However, many groups including ours are focusing on MDSCs for the induction-mechanism of Tregs in HBV persistent infection and HBV-related HCC.

5. Concluding Remarks

Many groups including ours have reported that Tregs and MDSCs suppress the immune reaction for HBV and HCC. The excessive activation of immune suppressive cells could contribute to the persistent infection of HBV and the progression of HCC. Therefore, detailed mechanisms of the induction of Tregs and MDSCs should be investigated to control HBV persistent infection and HBV-related HCC. Moreover, the ability to specifically suppress Tregs and MDSCs, and understanding the appropriate time point to do so, might improve the treatment of HBV-related diseases.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  • 1.Tiollais P., Pourcel C., Dejean A. The hepatitis B virus. Nature. 1985;317:489–495. doi: 10.1038/317489a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Lai C.L., Ratziu V., Yuen M.F., Poynard T. Viral hepatitis B. Lancet. 2003;362:2089–2094. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)15108-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Liaw Y.F., Brunetto M.R., Hadziyannis S. The natural history of chronic HBV infection and geographical differences. Antivir. Ther. 2010;15:25–33. doi: 10.3851/IMP1621. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Maeshiro T., Arakaki S., Watanabe T., Aoyama H., Shiroma J., Yamashiro T., Hirata T., Hokama A., Kinjo F., Nakayoshi T., et al. Different natural courses of chronic hepatitis B with genotypes B and C after the fourth decade of life. World J. Gastroenterol. 2007;13:4560–4565. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i34.4560. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Kondo Y., Ueno Y., Shimosegawa T. Toll-like receptors signaling contributes to immunopathogenesis of HBV infection. Gastroenterol. Res. Pract. 2011;2011 doi: 10.1155/2011/810939. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Sato S., Li K., Kameyama T., Hayashi T., Ishida Y., Murakami S., Watanabe T., Iijima S., Sakurai Y., Watashi K., et al. The RNA Sensor RIG-I Dually Functions as an Innate Sensor and Direct Antiviral Factor for Hepatitis B Virus. Immunity. 2015;42:123–132. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2014.12.016. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Kakimi K., Guidotti L.G., Koezuka Y., Chisari F.V. Natural killer T cell activation inhibits hepatitis B virus replication in vivo. J. Exp. Med. 2000;192:921–930. doi: 10.1084/jem.192.7.921. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Bonorino P., Ramzan M., Camous X., Dufeu-Duchesne T., Thelu M.A., Sturm N., Dariz A., Guillermet C., Pernollet M., Zarski J.P., et al. Fine characterization of intrahepatic NK cells expressing natural killer receptors in chronic hepatitis B and C. J. Hepatol. 2009;51:458–467. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2009.05.030. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Kondo Y., Ninomiya M., Kakazu E., Kimura O., Shimosegawa T. Hepatitis B surface antigen could contribute to the immunopathogenesis of hepatitis B virus infection. ISRN Gastroenterol. 2013;2013 doi: 10.1155/2013/935295. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Baron J.L., Gardiner L., Nishimura S., Shinkai K., Locksley R., Ganem D. Activation of a nonclassical NKT cell subset in a transgenic mouse model of hepatitis B virus infection. Immunity. 2002;16:583–594. doi: 10.1016/S1074-7613(02)00305-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Boltjes A., Groothuismink Z.M., van Oord G.W., Janssen H.L., Woltman A.M., Boonstra A. Monocytes from chronic HBV patients react in vitro to HBsAg and TLR by producing cytokines irrespective of stage of disease. PLoS One. 2014;9:e97006. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097006. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Huang Y.W., Hsu C.K., Lin S.C., Wei S.C., Hu J.T., Chang H.Y., Liang C.W., Chen D.S., Chen P.J., Hsu P.N., et al. Reduced Toll-like receptor 9 expression on peripheral CD14+ monocytes of chronic hepatitis B patients and its restoration by effective therapy. Antivir. Ther. 2014;19:637–643. doi: 10.3851/IMP2762. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Chisari F.V., Ferrari C. Hepatitis B virus immunopathogenesis. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 1995;13:29–60. doi: 10.1146/annurev.iy.13.040195.000333. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14.Reignat S., Webster G.J., Brown D., Ogg G.S., King A., Seneviratne S.L., Dusheiko G., Williams R., Maini M.K., Bertoletti A. Escaping high viral load exhaustion: CD8 cells with altered tetramer binding in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. J. Exp. Med. 2002;195:1089–1101. doi: 10.1084/jem.20011723. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Kondo Y., Asabe S., Kobayashi K., Shiina M., Niitsuma H., Ueno Y., Kobayashi T., Shimosegawa T. Recovery of functional cytotoxic T lymphocytes during lamivudine therapy by acquiring multi-specificity. J. Med. Virol. 2004;74:425–433. doi: 10.1002/jmv.20194. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Martinet J., Dufeu-Duchesne T., Bruder Costa J., Larrat S., Marlu A., Leroy V., Plumas J., Aspord C. Altered functions of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and reduced cytolytic activity of natural killer cells in patients with chronic HBV infection. Gastroenterology. 2012;143:1586–1596. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.08.046. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Shi B., Ren G., Hu Y., Wang S., Zhang Z., Yuan Z. HBsAg inhibits IFN-alpha production in plasmacytoid dendritic cells through TNF-alpha and IL-10 induction in monocytes. PLoS One. 2012;7:e44900. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044900. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Ma Y.J., He M., Han J.A., Yang L., Ji X.Y. A clinical study of HBsAg-activated dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells during the treatment for chronic hepatitis B. Scand. J. Immunol. 2013;78:387–393. doi: 10.1111/sji.12097. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.Hoechst B., Ormandy L.A., Ballmaier M., Lehner F., Kruger C., Manns M.P., Greten T.F., Korangy F. A new population of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma patients induces CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells. Gastroenterology. 2008;135:234–243. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.03.020. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Kalathil S., Lugade A.A., Miller A., Iyer R., Thanavala Y. Higher frequencies of GARP+CTLA-4+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma patients are associated with impaired T-cell functionality. Cancer Res. 2013;73:2435–2444. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-12-3381. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21.Han Y., Chen Z., Yang Y., Jiang Z., Gu Y., Liu Y., Lin C., Pan Z., Yu Y., Jiang M., Zhou W., Cao X. Human CD14+CTLA-4+ regulatory dendritic cells suppress T-cell response by cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4-dependent IL-10 and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase production in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology. 2014;59:567–579. doi: 10.1002/hep.26694. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 22.Wang F., Jing X., Li G., Wang T., Yang B., Zhu Z., Gao Y., Zhang Q., Yang Y., Wang Y., Wang P., Du Z. Foxp3+ regulatory T cells are associated with the natural history of chronic hepatitis B and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver Int. 2012;32:644–655. doi: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02675.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23.Kondo Y., Kobayashi K., Ueno Y., Shiina M., Niitsuma H., Kanno N., Kobayashi T., Shimosegawa T. Mechanism of T cell hyporesponsiveness to HBcAg is associated with regulatory T cells in chronic hepatitis B. World J. Gastroenterol. 2006;12:4310–4317. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i27.4310. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 24.Kondo Y., Ueno Y., Kobayashi K., Kakazu E., Shiina M., Inoue J., Tamai K., Wakui Y., Tanaka Y., Ninomiya M., et al. Hepatitis B virus replication could enhance regulatory T cell activity by producing soluble heat shock protein 60 from hepatocytes. J. Infect. Dis. 2010;202:202–213. doi: 10.1086/653496. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 25.Suri-Payer E., Amar A.Z., Thornton A.M., Shevach E.M. CD4+CD25+ T cells inhibit both the induction and effector function of autoreactive T cells and represent a unique lineage of immunoregulatory cells. J. Immunol. 1998;160:1212–1218. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 26.Shen S.L., Liang L.J., Peng B.G., He Q., Kuang M., Lai J.M. Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and the formation of portal vein tumour thrombus in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Can. J. Surg. 2011;54:89–94. doi: 10.1503/cjs.028009. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 27.Chen W., Jin W., Hardegen N., Lei K.J., Li L., Marinos N., McGrady G., Wahl S.M. Conversion of peripheral CD4+CD25− naive T cells to CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells by TGF-β induction of transcription factor Foxp3. J. Exp. Med. 2003;198:1875–1886. doi: 10.1084/jem.20030152. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28.Hori S., Nomura T., Sakaguchi S. Control of regulatory T cell development by the transcription factor Foxp3. Science. 2003;299:1057–1061. doi: 10.1126/science.1079490. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 29.Natarajan S., Thomson A.W. Tolerogenic dendritic cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells: Potential for regulation and therapy of liver auto- and alloimmunity. Immunobiology. 2010;215:698–703. doi: 10.1016/j.imbio.2010.05.024. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30.Lu L.R., Liu J., Xu Z., Zhang G.L., Li D.C., Lin C.S. Expression and clinical significance of myeloid derived suppressor cells in chronic hepatitis B patients. Asian Pac. J. Cancer Prev. 2014;15:4367–4372. doi: 10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.10.4367. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 31.Ostrand-Rosenberg S., Sinha P. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells: Linking inflammation and cancer. J. Immunol. 2009;182:4499–4506. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.0802740. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 32.Peranzoni E., Zilio S., Marigo I., Dolcetti L., Zanovello P., Mandruzzato S., Bronte V. Myeloid-derived suppressor cell heterogeneity and subset definition. Curr. Opin. Immunol. 2010;22:238–244. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2010.01.021. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33.Kong X., Sun R., Chen Y., Wei H., Tian Z. Gammadelta T cells drive myeloid-derived suppressor cell-mediated CD8+ T cell exhaustion in hepatitis B virus-induced immunotolerance. J. Immunol. 2014;193:1645–1653. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1303432. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 34.Chen S., Akbar S.M., Abe M., Hiasa Y., Onji M. Immunosuppressive functions of hepatic myeloid-derived suppressor cells of normal mice and in a murine model of chronic hepatitis B virus. Clin. Exp. Immunol. 2011;166:134–142. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2011.04445.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 35.Anthony D.D., Umbleja T., Aberg J.A., Kang M., Medvik K., Lederman M.M., Peters M.G., Koziel M.J., Overton E.T. Lower peripheral blood CD14+ monocyte frequency and higher CD34+ progenitor cell frequency are associated with HBV vaccine induced response in HIV infected individuals. Vaccine. 2011;29:3558–3563. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.02.092. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 36.Hoechst B., Voigtlaender T., Ormandy L., Gamrekelashvili J., Zhao F., Wedemeyer H., Lehner F., Manns M.P., Greten T.F., Korangy F. Myeloid derived suppressor cells inhibit natural killer cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma via the NKp30 receptor. Hepatology. 2009;50:799–807. doi: 10.1002/hep.23054. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 37.Kapanadze T., Gamrekelashvili J., Ma C., Chan C., Zhao F., Hewitt S., Zender L., Kapoor V., Felsher D.W., Manns M.P., et al. Regulation of accumulation and function of myeloid derived suppressor cells in different murine models of hepatocellular carcinoma. J. Hepatol. 2013;59:1007–1013. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2013.06.010. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 38.Schmidt K., Zilio S., Schmollinger J.C., Bronte V., Blankenstein T., Willimsky G. Differently immunogenic cancers in mice induce immature myeloid cells that suppress CTL in vitro but not in vivo following transfer. Blood. 2013;121:1740–1748. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-06-436568. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 39.Tacke R.S., Lee H.C., Goh C., Courtney J., Polyak S.J., Rosen H.R., Hahn Y.S. Myeloid suppressor cells induced by hepatitis C virus suppress T-cell responses through the production of reactive oxygen species. Hepatology. 2012;55:343–353. doi: 10.1002/hep.24700. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 40.Zeng Q.L., Yang B., Sun H.Q., Feng G.H., Jin L., Zou Z.S., Zhang Z., Zhang J.Y., Wang F.S. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells are associated with viral persistence and downregulation of TCR zeta chain expression on CD8+ T cells in chronic hepatitis C patients. Mol. Cells. 2014;37:66–73. doi: 10.14348/molcells.2014.2282. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 41.Watanabe S., Deguchi K., Zheng R., Tamai H., Wang L.X., Cohen P.A., Shu S. Tumor-induced CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid cells suppress T cell sensitization in tumor-draining lymph nodes. J. Immunol. 2008;181:3291–3300. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.181.5.3291. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 42.Hanson E.M., Clements V.K., Sinha P., Ilkovitch D., Ostrand-Rosenberg S. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells down-regulate L-selectin expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. J. Immunol. 2009;183:937–944. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.0804253. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 43.Liu C.Y., Wang Y.M., Wang C.L., Feng P.H., Ko H.W., Liu Y.H., Wu Y.C., Chu Y., Chung F.T., Kuo C.H., et al. Population alterations of L-arginase- and inducible nitric oxide synthase-expressed CD11b+/CD14−/CD15+/CD33+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes in patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer. J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol. 2010;136:35–45. doi: 10.1007/s00432-009-0634-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 44.Ahearne M.J., Bhuller K., Hew R., Ibrahim H., Naresh K., Wagner S.D. Expression of PD-1 (CD279) and FoxP3 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Virchows Arch. 2014;465:351–358. doi: 10.1007/s00428-014-1615-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 45.Pinheiro D., Chang Y.M., Bryant H., Szladovits B., Dalessandri T., Davison L.J., Yallop E., Mills E., Leo C., Lara A., et al. Dissecting the regulatory microenvironment of a large animal model of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Evidence of a negative prognostic impact of FOXP3+ T cells in canine B cell lymphoma. PLoS One. 2014;9:e105027. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105027. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 46.Braga W.M., da Silva B.R., de Carvalho A.C., Maekawa Y.H., Bortoluzzo A.B., Rizzatti E.G., Atanackovic D., Colleoni G.W. FOXP3 and CTLA4 overexpression in multiple myeloma bone marrow as a sign of accumulation of CD4+ T regulatory cells. Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 2014;63:1189–1197. doi: 10.1007/s00262-014-1589-9. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 47.Monk P., Lam E., Mortazavi A., Kendra K., Lesinski G.B., Mace T.A., Geyer S., Carson W.E., Tahiri S., Bhinder A., et al. A phase I study of high-dose interleukin-2 with sorafenib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. J. Immunother. 2014;37:180–186. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000023. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 48.Daud A.I., Mirza N., Lenox B., Andrews S., Urbas P., Gao G.X., Lee J.H., Sondak V.K., Riker A.I., Deconti R.C., et al. Phenotypic and functional analysis of dendritic cells and clinical outcome in patients with high-risk melanoma treated with adjuvant granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. J. Clin. Oncol. 2008;26:3235–3241. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2007.13.9048. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 49.Brimnes M.K., Vangsted A.J., Knudsen L.M., Gimsing P., Gang A.O., Johnsen H.E., Svane I.M. Increased level of both CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells and CD14+HLA-DR−/low myeloid-derived suppressor cells and decreased level of dendritic cells in patients with multiple myeloma. Scand. J. Immunol. 2010;72:540–547. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2010.02463.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 50.Brtnicky T., Fialova A., Lastovicka J., Rob L., Spisek R. Clinical relevance of regulatory T cells monitoring in the peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients. Hum. Immunol. :2014. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2014.12.004. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 51.Ilkovitch D., Lopez D.M. The liver is a site for tumor-induced myeloid-derived suppressor cell accumulation and immunosuppression. Cancer Res. 2009;69:5514–5521. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-4625. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 52.Chen L., Deng H., Lu M., Xu B., Wang Q., Jiang J., Wu C. B7-H1 expression associates with tumor invasion and predicts patient’s survival in human esophageal cancer. Int. J. Clin. Exp. Pathol. 2014;7:6015–6023. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 53.Hasegawa T., Suzuki H., Yamaura T., Muto S., Okabe N., Osugi J., Hoshino M., Higuchi M., Ise K., Gotoh M. Prognostic value of peripheral and local forkhead box P3 regulatory T cells in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Mol. Clin. Oncol. 2014;2:685–694. doi: 10.3892/mco.2014.299. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 54.Yukawa T., Shimizu K., Maeda A., Yasuda K., Saisho S., Okita R., Nakata M. Cyclooxygenase-2 genetic variants influence intratumoral infiltration of Foxp3-positive regulatory T cells in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncol. Rep. 2015;33:74–80. doi: 10.3892/or.2014.3561. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 55.Yin Y., Cai X., Chen X., Liang H., Zhang Y., Li J., Wang Z., Chen X., Zhang W., Yokoyama S., et al. Tumor-secreted miR-214 induces regulatory T cells: A major link between immune evasion and tumor growth. Cell Res. 2014;24:1164–1180. doi: 10.1038/cr.2014.121. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 56.Lim K.P., Chun N.A., Ismail S.M., Abraham M.T., Yusoff M.N., Zain R.B., Ngeow W.C., Ponniah S., Cheong S.C. CD4+CD25hiCD127low regulatory T cells are increased in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. PLoS One. 2014;9:e103975. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103975. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 57.Lunardi S., Jamieson N.B., Lim S.Y., Griffiths K.L., Carvalho-Gaspar M., al-Assar O., Yameen S., Carter R.C., McKay C.J., Spoletini G., et al. IP-10/CXCL10 induction in human pancreatic cancer stroma influences lymphocytes recruitment and correlates with poor survival. Oncotarget. 2014;5:11064–11080. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2519. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 58.Mirza N., Fishman M., Fricke I., Dunn M., Neuger A.M., Frost T.J., Lush R.M., Antonia S., Gabrilovich D.I. All-trans-retinoic acid improves differentiation of myeloid cells and immune response in cancer patients. Cancer Res. 2006;66:9299–9307. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-1690. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 59.Kusmartsev S., Su Z., Heiser A., Dannull J., Eruslanov E., Kubler H., Yancey D., Dahm P., Vieweg J. Reversal of myeloid cell-mediated immunosuppression in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Clin. Cancer Res. 2008;14:8270–8278. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-0165. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 60.Tazzari M., Negri T., Rini F., Vergani B., Huber V., Villa A., Dagrada P., Colombo C., Fiore M., Gronchi A., et al. Adaptive immune contexture at the tumour site and downmodulation of circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the response of solitary fibrous tumour patients to anti-angiogenic therapy. Br. J. Cancer. 2014;111:1350–1362. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2014.437. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 61.Chu R., Liu S.Y., Vlantis A.C., van Hasselt C.A., Ng E.K., Fan M.D., Ng S.K., Chan A.B., Du J., Wei W., et al. Inhibition of Foxp3 in cancer cells induces apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 2015;399:228–234. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.10.006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 62.Sayour E.J., McLendon P., McLendon R., de Leon G., Reynolds R., Kresak J., Sampson J.H., Mitchell D.A. Increased proportion of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes is associated with tumor recurrence and reduced survival in patients with glioblastoma. Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 2015 doi: 10.1007/s00262-014-1651-7. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 63.Pan P.Y., Wang G.X., Yin B., Ozao J., Ku T., Divino C.M., Chen S.H. Reversion of immune tolerance in advanced malignancy: modulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cell development by blockade of stem-cell factor function. Blood. 2008;111:219–228. doi: 10.1182/blood-2007-04-086835. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 64.Liaw Y.F., Leung N.W., Chang T.T., Guan R., Tai D.I., Ng K.Y., Chien R.N., Dent J., Roman L., Edmundson S., et al. Effects of extended lamivudine therapy in Asian patients with chronic hepatitis B. Asia Hepatitis Lamivudine Study Group. Gastroenterology. 2000;119:172–180. doi: 10.1053/gast.2000.8559. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 65.Kondo Y., Ueno Y., Shimosegawa T. Immunopathogenesis of hepatitis B persistent infection: Implications for immunotherapeutic strategies. Clin. J. Gastroenterol. 2009;2:71–79. doi: 10.1007/s12328-009-0074-z. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 66.Yang S.H., Lee C.G., Park S.H., Im S.J., Kim Y.M., Son J.M., Wang J.S., Yoon S.K., Song M.K., Ambrozaitis A., et al. Correlation of antiviral T-cell responses with suppression of viral rebound in chronic hepatitis B carriers: A proof-of-concept study. Gene Ther. 2006;13:1110–1117. doi: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302751. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 67.Kondo Y., Ueno Y., Ninomiya M., Tamai K., Tanaka Y., Inoue J., Kakazu E., Kobayashi K., Kimura O., Miura M., et al. Sequential immunological analysis of HBV/HCV co-infected patients during Peg-IFN/RBV therapy. J. Gastroenterol. 2012;47:1323–1335. doi: 10.1007/s00535-012-0596-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 68.Franzese O., Kennedy P.T., Gehring A.J., Gotto J., Williams R., Maini M.K., Bertoletti A. Modulation of the CD8+-T-cell response by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in patients with hepatitis B virus infection. J. Virol. 2005;79:3322–3328. doi: 10.1128/JVI.79.6.3322-3328.2005. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 69.Stoop J.N., van der Molen R.G., Baan C.C., van der Laan L.J., Kuipers E.J., Kusters J.G., Janssen H.L. Regulatory T cells contribute to the impaired immune response in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatology. 2005;41:771–778. doi: 10.1002/hep.20649. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 70.Xu D., Fu J., Jin L., Zhang H., Zhou C., Zou Z., Zhao J.M., Zhang B., Shi M., Ding X., et al. Circulating and liver resident CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells actively influence the antiviral immune response and disease progression in patients with hepatitis B. J. Immunol. 2006;177:739–747. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.1.739. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 71.Stoop J.N., van der Molen R.G., Kuipers E.J., Kusters J.G., Janssen H.L. Inhibition of viral replication reduces regulatory T cells and enhances the antiviral immune response in chronic hepatitis B. Virology. 2007;361:141–148. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.11.018. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 72.Yang G., Liu A., Xie Q., Guo T.B., Wan B., Zhou B., Zhang J.Z. Association of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells with chronic activity and viral clearance in patients with hepatitis B. Int. Immunol. 2007;19:133–140. doi: 10.1093/intimm/dxl130. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 73.Otano I., Suarez L., Dotor J., Gonzalez-Aparicio M., Crettaz J., Olague C., Vales A., Riezu J.I., Larrea E., Borras F., et al. Modulation of regulatory T-cell activity in combination with interleukin-12 increases hepatic tolerogenicity in woodchucks with chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology. 2012;56:474–483. doi: 10.1002/hep.25667. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 74.Stross L., Gunther J., Gasteiger G., Asen T., Graf S., Aichler M., Esposito I., Busch D.H., Knolle P., Sparwasser T., et al. Foxp3+ regulatory T cells protect the liver from immune damage and compromise virus control during acute experimental hepatitis B virus infection in mice. Hepatology. 2012;56:873–883. doi: 10.1002/hep.25765. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 75.Yang P., Li Q.J., Feng Y., Zhang Y., Markowitz G.J., Ning S., Deng Y., Zhao J., Jiang S., Yuan Y., et al. TGF-β-miR-34a-CCL22 signaling-induced Treg cell recruitment promotes venous metastases of HBV-positive hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Cell. 2012;22:291–303. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2012.07.023. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 76.Dong X., Gong Y., Zeng H., Hao Y., Wang X., Hou J., Wang J., Li J., Zhu Y., Liu H., et al. Imbalance between circulating CD4+ regulatory T and conventional T lymphocytes in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure. Liver Int. 2013;33:1517–1526. doi: 10.1111/liv.12248. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 77.Tang Y., Jiang L., Zheng Y., Ni B., Wu Y. Expression of CD39 on FoxP3+ T regulatory cells correlates with progression of HBV infection. BMC Immunol. 2012;13 doi: 10.1186/1471-2172-13-17. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 78.Boni C., Penna A., Ogg G.S., Bertoletti A., Pilli M., Cavallo C., Cavalli A., Urbani S., Boehme R., Panebianco R., et al. Lamivudine treatment can overcome cytotoxic T-cell hyporesponsiveness in chronic hepatitis B: New perspectives for immune therapy. Hepatology. 2001;33:963–971. doi: 10.1053/jhep.2001.23045. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 79.Zhang Y., Lian J.Q., Huang C.X., Wang J.P., Wei X., Nan X.P., Yu H.T., Jiang L.L., Wang X.Q., Zhuang Y., et al. Overexpression of Toll-like receptor 2/4 on monocytes modulates the activities of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Virology. 2010;397:34–42. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.11.007. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 80.Stoop J.N., Woltman A.M., Biesta P.J., Kusters J.G., Kuipers E.J., Janssen H.L., van der Molen R.G. Tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibits the suppressive effect of regulatory T cells on the hepatitis B virus-specific immune response. Hepatology. 2007;46:699–705. doi: 10.1002/hep.21761. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 81.Fisicaro P., Valdatta C., Massari M., Loggi E., Biasini E., Sacchelli L., Cavallo M.C., Silini E.M., Andreone P., Missale G., et al. Antiviral intrahepatic T-cell responses can be restored by blocking programmed death-1 pathway in chronic hepatitis B. Gastroenterology. 2010;138:682–693. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.09.052. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 82.Franceschini D., Paroli M., Francavilla V., Videtta M., Morrone S., Labbadia G., Cerino A., Mondelli M.U., Barnaba V. PD-L1 negatively regulates CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs by limiting STAT-5 phosphorylation in patients chronically infected with HCV. J. Clin. Investig. 2009;119:551–564. doi: 10.1172/JCI36604. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 83.Evans A., Riva A., Cooksley H., Phillips S., Puranik S., Nathwani A., Brett S., Chokshi S., Naoumov N.V. Programmed death 1 expression during antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B: Impact of hepatitis B e-antigen seroconversion. Hepatology. 2008;48:759–769. doi: 10.1002/hep.22419. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 84.Peng G., Li S., Wu W., Sun Z., Chen Y., Chen Z. Circulating CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells correlate with chronic hepatitis B infection. Immunology. 2008;123:57–65. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2007.02691.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 85.Nan X.P., Zhang Y., Yu H.T., Li Y., Sun R.L., Wang J.P., Bai X.F. Circulating CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells and expression of PD-1 and BTLA on CD4+ T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Viral Immunol. 2010;23:63–70. doi: 10.1089/vim.2009.0061. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 86.Nan X.P., Zhang Y., Yu H.T., Sun R.L., Peng M.J., Li Y., Su W.J., Lian J.Q., Wang J.P., Bai X.F. Inhibition of viral replication downregulates CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells and programmed death-ligand 1 in chronic hepatitis B. Viral Immunol. 2012;25:21–28. doi: 10.1089/vim.2011.0049. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 87.Niu Y., Liu H., Yin D., Yi R., Chen T., Xue H., Zhang S., Lin S., Zhao Y. The balance between intrahepatic IL-17+ T cells and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells plays an important role in HBV-related end-stage liver disease. BMC Immunol. 2011;12 doi: 10.1186/1471-2172-12-47. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 88.Li J., Qiu S.J., She W.M., Wang F.P., Gao H., Li L., Tu C.T., Wang J.Y., Shen X.Z., Jiang W. Significance of the balance between regulatory T (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells during hepatitis B virus related liver fibrosis. PLoS One. 2012;7:e39307. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039307. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 89.Xue-Song L., Cheng-Zhong L., Ying Z., Mo-Bin W. Changes of Treg and Th17 cells balance in the development of acute and chronic hepatitis B virus infection. BMC Gastroenterol. 2012;12 doi: 10.1186/1471-230X-12-43. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 90.Li J., Shi J., Ren W., Wu W., Chen Z. Regulatory role of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells on IL-17-secreting T cells in chronic hepatitis B patients. Dig. Dis. Sci. 2014;59:1475–1483. doi: 10.1007/s10620-013-3022-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 91.Sprengers D., Stoop J.N., Binda R.S., Kusters J.G., Haagmans B.L., Carotenuto P., Artsen A., van der Molen R.G., Janssen H.L. Induction of regulatory T-cells and interleukin-10-producing cells in non-responders to pegylated interferon-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B. Antivir. Ther. 2007;12:1087–1096. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 92.Aalaei-Andabili S.H., Alavian S.M. Regulatory T cells are the most important determinant factor of hepatitis B infection prognosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vaccine. 2012;30:5595–5602. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.06.063. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 93.Ormandy L.A., Hillemann T., Wedemeyer H., Manns M.P., Greten T.F., Korangy F. Increased populations of regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Res. 2005;65:2457–2464. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-3232. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 94.Yang X.H., Yamagiwa S., Ichida T., Matsuda Y., Sugahara S., Watanabe H., Sato Y., Abo T., Horwitz D.A., Aoyagi Y. Increase of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cells in the liver of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. J. Hepatol. 2006;45:254–262. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2006.01.036. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 95.Cao M., Cabrera R., Xu Y., Firpi R., Zhu H., Liu C., Nelson D.R. Hepatocellular carcinoma cell supernatants increase expansion and function of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells. Lab. Investig. 2007;87:582–590. doi: 10.1038/labinvest.3700540. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 96.Fu J., Xu D., Liu Z., Shi M., Zhao P., Fu B., Zhang Z., Yang H., Zhang H., Zhou C., et al. Increased regulatory T cells correlate with CD8 T-cell impairment and poor survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Gastroenterology. 2007;132:2328–2339. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2007.03.102. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 97.Fu J., Zhang Z., Zhou L., Qi Z., Xing S., Lv J., Shi J., Fu B., Liu Z., Zhang J.Y., et al. Impairment of CD4+ cytotoxic T cells predicts poor survival and high recurrence rates in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology. 2013;58:139–149. doi: 10.1002/hep.26054. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 98.Takata Y., Nakamoto Y., Nakada A., Terashima T., Arihara F., Kitahara M., Kakinoki K., Arai K., Yamashita T., Sakai Y., et al. Frequency of CD45RO+ subset in CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells associated with progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett. 2011;307:165–173. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.03.029. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 99.Zhu J., Feng A., Sun J., Jiang Z., Zhang G., Wang K., Hu S., Qu X. Increased CD4+CD69+CD25− T cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are associated with tumor progression. J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2011;26:1519–1526. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06765.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 100.Zhang H.H., Mei M.H., Fei R., Liu F., Wang J.H., Liao W.J., Qin L.L., Wei L., Chen H.S. Regulatory T cells in chronic hepatitis B patients affect the immunopathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing the anti-tumour immune responses. J. Viral Hepat. 2010;17:34–43. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01269.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 101.Wang Q., Yu T., Yuan Y., Zhuang H., Wang Z., Liu X., Feng M. Sorafenib reduces hepatic infiltrated regulatory T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma patients by suppressing TGF-β signal. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:422–427. doi: 10.1002/jso.23227. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from International Journal of Molecular Sciences are provided here courtesy of Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

RESOURCES