IL-21 attenuates liver inflammation by enhancing myeloid-derived suppressor cells immunosuppressive function in chronic HBV infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection progression is closely associated with repeated inflammatory liver injury. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), known to suppress inflammatory responses during hepatitis, may play a protective role in mitigating liver damage; nevertheless, the precise functional specialization of MDSC subpopulations and the critical regulator in controlling their suppressive capacity remain incompletely understood. This study investigates the immunoregulatory role of IL-21, a pleiotropic immunomodulatory cytokine, in modulating MDSC function and its implications for HBV-associated liver inflammation prognosis.

Methods

The frequencies of peripheral and intrahepatic MDSCs, along with serum IL-21 levels, in patients with chronic HBV infe

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12717690 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature