HBcAg-induced upregulated 4-1BB ligand on B cells contributes to B-cell hyperactivation during chronic hepatitis B infection

During the natural history of chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB), the function of B cells is still obscure. Several limited studies have suggested that B cells are highly active in patients with CHB. In the present study, we reported that the 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) expression on B cells was significantly higher in patients with CHB than that in healthy subjects, meanwhile, the patients with CHB had higher serological IgG levels. Further, after being stimulated with sCD40L or hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg), B cells had higher levels of 4-1BBL. After being cocultured with 4-1BBL+ B cells, the expressions of CD69 and 4-1BB on CD4+ T cells were significantly higher than that cocultured with 4-1BB− B cells. Cytokines including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-6 were significantly higher in the supernatant from 4-1BBL+ B cells coculture group than those from coculture group of 4-1BBL− B cell group, respectively; while IFN-γ and TNF-α in cocultured supernatant of 4-1BBL+ B cell group were significantly lower. Consistently, the total IgG levels in culture supernatant were significantly higher in 4-1BBL+ B cell group. Thus, hyperactive status of B cells in patients with CHB could be partially derived from the higher 4-1BBL expression on B cells triggered by HBcAg. 4-1BBL signaling pathway is involved in B cells activation, and further regulates B cell-T cell interaction by modulating the cytokines secretion, which might be critical in B cells dysfunction during CHB infection.