title: Regulatory T Cells in Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are hepatotropic viruses that establish chronic persistent infection by effectively escaping the host immune response and can cause immune-mediated liver injury. It has recently become apparent that regulatory T (Treg) cells, specifically CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells, modulate viral diseases by suppressing antiviral immune responses and regulating inflammatory host injury. The roles of Treg cells in HBV and HCV infections range from suppressing antiviral T cell responses to protecting the liver from immune-mediated damage. This review describes Treg cells and subpopulations and focuses on the roles of these cells in HBV and HCV infections.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea.
authors.forename: Eui-Cheol
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Shin
keywords: Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus; Regulatory T cell