Interleukin-7 Regulates T Follicular Helper Cell Function in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

Signaling through interleukin (IL)-7 is essential and required for development, differentiation, proliferation, and homeostasis of T cells. However, the role of IL-7 in regulation of CD4 T cells in chronic viral infections was not fully elucidated. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate the immunomodulatory activity of IL-7 to T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and its contribution to pathogenesis of chronic HCV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Notch Signaling Regulates Circulating T Helper 22 Cells in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

Notch signaling enhanced the response of interleukin (IL)-22-producing CD4 T cells that were defined as T helper 22 (Th22) cells, and Notch-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-IL-22 axis fine-tuned inflammatory response. Previous studies have demonstrated that both Notch signaling and Th22 cells took part in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thus, in this study, we aimed at examining the regulatory role of Notch signaling in Th22 cells in HCV infection.

Toll-Like Receptor 2 Modulates the Balance of Regulatory T Cells and T Helper 17 Cells in Chronic Hepatitis C.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and interleukin-17-producing T helper (Th17) cells were mutually antagonistic in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the regulation of imbalance between Tregs and Th17 cells was poorly understood in HCV infection. A recent report revealed the immunomodulatory role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 in regulating the balance of Tregs/Th17 functions in multiple sclerosis.