CD28 family of receptors on T cells in chronic HBV infection: Expression characteristics, clinical significance and correlations with PD-1 blockade.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the overall clinical expression characteristics of the cluster of differentiation (CD)28 family receptors [CD28, inducible T-cell co-stimulator, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‑1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 and B‑ and T-lymphocyte attenuator] on T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), analyze the correlations among these receptors and the clinical parameters, and to investigate the effects of PD‑1 blockade on the receptor expression profiles, T‑cell function and other biological effects. The expression characteristics of the CD28 family of receptors, the effects of PD‑1 blockade on the receptor expression profiles and the levels of interferon (IFN)‑γ were investigated in the T cells of patients with CHB. In addition, the transcription factor, T‑box 21 (T‑bet) and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA‑3) mRNA expression levels were investigated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with CHB.

[Prokaryotic expression and polyclonal antibody preparation of truncated duck hepatitis B virus core protein].

Aim: To construct a prokaryotic plasmid expressing truncated duck hepatitis B virus core protein (DHBc(1-214)), purify the recombinant protein, and to develop polyclonal antibodies against DHBc.

Methods: DHBc(1-214) was cloned into vector pRSET-B, then expressed in E.coli Rosetta(DE3) pLacI induced by IPTG.