Figure 3.

Immune regulation and antiviral function of B cells in CHB infection. B cells play potential immune regulatory roles to induce or inhibit the immune response via secreting different cytokines. Breg cells can produce IL-10 to inhibit effector T cell function and enhance Treg cell function. Furthermore, IL-35 secretion by Breg cells can inhibit the proliferation of naive effector T cells. In contrast, Beff cells produce proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, to promote effector and memory CD4+ T cell responses. At the same time, these cytokines might play a non-cytolytic antiviral role for infected hepatocytes via inducing cccDNA decay or reducing HBV transcription. In addition, IL-6 secretion by Beff cells can also inhibit HBV entry by regulating the expression of an HBV-specific receptor, known as NTCP. NTCP: Na(+)/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide; Breg cells: regulatory B cells; Beff cells: effector B cells.