Abstract
Persistent infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) likely depends on viral inhibition of host defenses. We report that chronic hepatitis B e antigen-positive HBV infection is associated with a significant reduction in peripheral blood monocyte expression of Toll-like receptor 2, a key component of innate immunity, thereby providing a mechanism by which wild-type HBV may establish persistent infection.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Antigens, Viral / immunology
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Antigens, Viral / pharmacology
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Down-Regulation
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Female
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Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
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Hepatitis B, Chronic / immunology*
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Humans
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Immunity, Innate
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
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Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / metabolism
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Longitudinal Studies
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Monocytes / immunology*
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Monocytes / metabolism
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Toll-Like Receptor 2 / metabolism*
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis
Substances
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Antigens, Viral
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Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
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Toll-Like Receptor 2
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha