Modulation of the CD8 + -T-Cell Response by CD4 + CD25 + Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Abstract

ABSTRACT CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells have been shown to maintain peripheral tolerance against self and foreign antigens. In this study we analyzed the effect of circulating CD4 + CD25 + T cells on CD8 + -T-cell responses of patients with chronic and resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We demonstrated that circulating CD4 + CD25 + T cells modulate the function and expansion of HBV-specific CD8 + cells ex vivo in all patients, regardless of whether they have chronic or resolved HBV infection. The possible role of CD4 + CD25 + T cells in the pathogenesis of chronic HBV infection is not supported by these data. However, these results might have implications for optimizing future immunotherapeutic approaches to HBV treatment.