miRNA146a is a key component of immunnosupressive environment of hepatocytes chronically infected with HBV

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute hepatitis and can lead to chronic liver inflammation, often resulting in hepatocellular carcinoma. Known as a stealth virus, virus," HBV can evade recognition by the immune system. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), robust producers of type I and III interferons (IFNs), 1 which are crucial for HBV clearance. However, miRNA146a, an immunosuppressive and proliferative miRNA in hepatocytes, modulates pDCs by silencing TRAF6 and IRAK1/4 proteins.