Recent advances in understanding T cell activation and exhaustion during HBV infection

Chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection remains a major public health concern globally,and T cell responses are widely believed to play a pivotal role in mediating HBV clearance.Accordingly,research on the characteristics of HBV-specific T cell responses,from activation to exhaustion,has advanced rapidly.Here,we summarize recent developments in characterizing T cell immunity in HBV infection by reviewing basic and clinical research published in the last five years.We provide a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms that induce effective anti-HBV T cell immunity,as well as the latest developments in understanding T cell dysfunction in chronic HBV infection.Furthermore,we briefly discuss current novel treatment strategies aimed at restoring anti-HBV T cell responses.