A Systematic Review of the Advances in the Study of T Lymphocyte Suppressor Receptors in HBV Infection: Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Background: HBV-specific T lymphocytes are pivotal in eliminating the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and regulating intrahepatic inflammatory reactions. Effective T cell responses curtail HBV infection; however, compromised immunity can result in persistent infection. Beyond the acute phase, the continued presence of antigens and inflammation leads to the increased expression of various inhibitory receptors, such as PD-1, CTLA-4, Tim-3, LAG3, 2B4, CD160, BTLA, and TIGIT. This escalates the dysfunction of and diminishes the immune and proliferative abilities of T cells. Methods: In this study, we reviewed English-language literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to 9 July 2023. This paper aims to elucidate the inhibitory effects of these receptors on HBV-specific T lymphocytes and how immune function can be rejuvenated by obstructing the inhibitory receptor signaling pathway in chronic HBV patients. We also summarize the latest insights into related anti-HBV immunotherapy. Result: From 66 reviewed reports, we deduced that immunotherapy targeting inhibitory receptors on T cells is a reliable method to rejuvenate T cell immune responses in chronic HBV patients. However, comprehensive combination therapy strategies are essential for a functional cure. Conclusions: Targeting T cell suppressor receptors and combining immunotherapy with antiviral treatments may offer a promising approach towards achieving a functional cure, urging future research to prioritize effective combination therapeutic strategies for chronic HBV infection.

Clinical cure rate of inactive HBsAg carriers with HBsAg <200 IU/ml treated with pegylated interferon.

Purpose: HBsAg clearance represents clinical cure for patients with hepatitis B, but remains difficult to obtain for most HBV-infected patients. Recent studies have shown that inactive HBsAg carriers treated with pegylated interferon can achieve higher clinical cure rates, which may imply that the lower the baseline HBsAg quantification, the higher HBsAg clearance rate. Therefore, this study further investigated the HBsAg clearance rate in inactive HBsAg carriers with low level of HBsAg (<200 IU/ml) treated with pegylated interferon. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Inactive HBsAg carriers with HBsAg<200 IU/ml were divided into treatment and control groups. Pegylated interferon was administered to the patients in therapeutic group for 96 weeks. The patients in control group underwent 96 weeks of observation without any anti-viral treatment. All patients were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBV DNA, liver function, blood count, thyroid function, thyroid antibodies and autoantibodies at baseline, week 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measure (LSM) were evaluated at baseline and week 96. Patients were classified into no steatosis, mild steatosis, moderate steatosis and severe steatosis according to the value of CAP. Results: A total of 174 inactive HBsAg carriers with HBsAg<200IU/ml were enrolled, including 84 in the treatment group and 90 in the control group. In the treatment group, HBsAg clearance rate was 30.77% (24/78) at week 48, and increased to 57.69% (45/78) at week 96. HBsAg clearance occurred in 2 patients with a clearance rate of 2.27% (2/88) in control group, The HBsAg clearance rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.001). HBsAg clearance was significantly higher in patients with moderate steatosis than in those without steatosis (74.07% vs. 48.15%, p=0.008) at week 96. Conclusion: High HBsAg clearance rate could be obtained for inactive HBsAg carriers with HBsAg< 200 IU/ml treated with peginterferons. Inactive HBsAg carriers with moderate hepatic steatosis are more sensitive for the treatment.

Therapeutic effects of percutaneous coronary intervention on acute myocardial infarction complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS: A total of 216 patients with AMI complicated with MODS enrolled from January 2016 to March 2018 were divided into a PCI group (n=98) and a drug treatment group (n=118). The baseline clinical data, the incidence of each dysfunction organ, the number of dysfunctional organs and the mortality were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The number of patients with ST-segment elevation AMI in the PCI group was higher than in the drug treatment group, and the rate of patients with non-ST-segment elevation AMI was lower than in the drug treatment group (P<0.05). The use of temporary pacemakers and IABP was similar between the two groups (P>0.05). The recanalization rate in PCI group was much higher than that in the drug treatment group (P<0.05). The two groups had similar incidence of organ dysfunction in the heart, lungs, kidneys, stomach and intestine, etc. and the PCI group had lower organ dysfunction incidence in the liver, brain and hematological system than the drug treatment group (P<0.05). The dysfunction incidence rate of two organs was higher in PCI group than in drug treatment group (P<0.05), the dysfunction incidence rate of 3 organs was similar between the two groups, and the dysfunction incidence rate of three organs or more was significantly lower in PCI group than in drug treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the high risk and high mortality of patients with AMI plus MODS, clinical improvement can still be achieved when effective PCI is performed.