Adaptive transfer of human T cells redirected against HBV results in reduced viral loads and induced immune responses in humanized mice

Effective T cell responses are essential to resolve HBV infection. However, in chronic hepatitis B patients HBV-specific T cell responses appear severely impaired. Adoptive transfer of T cells engineered to express an HBV-specific T cell receptor (TCR) may contribute to viral load reduction and reconstitution of HBV-specific immune responses. Aim of the study was to assess the engraftment capabilities and antiviral activity of HBV-specific redirected human effector T cells in vivo using HBV infected human liver chimeric uPA/SCID/ILγR2 (USG) mice. Methods: PMBCs isolated from healthy human blood were cultured for…