IL-33 Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus through Its Receptor ST2 in Hydrodynamic HBV Mouse Model

Figure 3

The anti-HBV effect of IL-33 has been impaired in NK depletion HBV mice. After the treatment of IL-33, the levels of HBsAg and HBV DNA in NK depletion HBV mice are higher than its counterparts in WT HBV mice ( and , respectively) (a). However, there is no difference in the levels of serum HBsAg and HBV DNA between the WT HBV mice and CD8+ T cell depletion HBV mice after the treatment of IL-33 (b). The depletion of NK cells and CD8+ T cells was verified by FACS; compared with their isotype controls, NK cells and CD8+ T cells were almost undetectable (c). The statistical significance of the data was determined using the Mann–Whitney test; value is shown in each test.

(a)

(b)

(c)