HBV preS2 transactivates FOXP3 expression in malignant hepatocytes

摘要

Background & AimsRecent data reported the increased expression of forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3), the well known master regulator of CD4(+)C25(+) regulatory T cells, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. However, the mechanisms remain unknown. We previously showed that preS2, one of important regulatory proteins encoded by HBV, triggers transactivation of hTERT in malignant hepatocytes. Here, we aimed to explore the role of preS2 in regulating FOXP3 expression in HCC.