HEPATITIS-B VIRUS (HBV) AND THE INFLAMMAT ORY IMMUNE RESPONSE (I) - THE NATURAL-ENVIRONMENT OF THE ANTIGEN PRESENTATION AND THE VIRAL-INDUCED IMMUNOLOGICAL CHAOS/

In this paper, the authors update on the immunopathology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with special reference to the roles of inflam matory and natural immune responses (macrophages and NK cells) in the viral clearance. The role of specific immune responses being related t o the influence of the environment of the antigen presentation (macrop hages, NK cells, and their related cytokines IL-12 and IFN-gamma) on T h cells within the liver. The viral scape leading to chronic hepatitis B is thought to be due (a) to the suppressive actions of the virus on NK cells and IFN-gamma production (b) to the downregulation of IL-12/ IL-15 production provoked by the inflammatory response (factor C3 of t he complement system) on IL-12-producing macrophages: immunologic chao s.