Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific human stem cell memory T cells may be effective remedial therapy in patients with chronic HBV infection, according to a recent study published by Abe-Chayama et al in FEBS Letters. Previous studies have shown that cytotoxic T lymphocytes are often either numerically deficient or become exhausted in patients with chronic HBV infection—potentially leading to progressive liver issues. In the study, researchers identified stem cell memory T cells in patients with chronic HBV infection. They then used a murine model involving severely immunodeficient mice with thymidine kinase transgene–expressed livers that received human hepatocyte transplants. After introducing human stem cell memory T cells into the mice with HBV infections, the researchers found that their immune cells differentiated into cytotoxic T cells capable of fighting the HBV infections and observed a severe necroinflammatory response that eliminated the human hepatocytes. The study authors concluded: “Our hepatitis model may … uncover the fate of differentiated T cells. Such information could greatly advance future research on T-cell based therapies.”
Preclinical Findings Could Lay Groundwork for Eliminating Chronic HBV Infections
Conexiant
May 2, 2024