Fig. 3
From: Exosome-mediated effects and applications in inflammatory diseases of the digestive system
Exosomes are involved in the progression of hepatitis B. Exosomes circulating in the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis B contain HBV nucleic acids and proteins. Exosomes can reduce the expression of the activating receptor NKp44 on NK cells, enhance the expression of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, and promote NK cell dysfunction. CHB exosomes can transfer HBV to NK cells, and HBV nucleic acids can downregulate the expression of RIG-I, inactivate the NF-κB and p38 pathways, induce functional tolerance of NK cells, and promote HBV viral replication