[Role of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in immunopathology of HBV infection as the chance on the new therapeutic strategy].

Many individuals infected with HBV become chronic carriers and they liver disease may progress to cirrhosis and HCC. The newest data suggests that the interaction between positive and negative costimulatory molecules expressed on T cells are performing the role in the regulation ofT cells immune response. In the last years they were described programmed death-1 (PD-1) [CD279] and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) [CD274] in immunopathology of HBV infections. In acute exacerbation of hepatitis B, high level of PD-1 expression significantly mediated CD8+T cells apoptosis and protecting before damaging the liver. In the period of recovering, activation of the PD-1/PD-L 1 pathway should dynamically decrease, and if it isn't taking place, increased expression of the PD-1 plays a crucial role in inhibiting the function of virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in chronic viral infections. The aim of this article was to explore the potential role of (PD-1/PD-L) pathway in antiviral immunity during HBV infection. Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway may open a novel therapeutic strategy for restoring the function of the exhausted CD8+ T cells, and enhancing viral control during chronic viral infections.