Fig. 6: A schematic model for HCV-associated exosomes in promoting MDSC expansion to regulate T follicular cell differentiation and function. | Cell Discovery

Fig. 6: A schematic model for HCV-associated exosomes in promoting MDSC expansion to regulate T follicular cell differentiation and function.

From: HCV-associated exosomes promote myeloid-derived suppressor cell expansion via inhibiting miR-124 to regulate T follicular cell differentiation and function

Fig. 6

HCV-infected hepatocytes can secrete HCV RNA in forms of exosomes, which are more resistant to neutralizing antibodies in the peripheral blood. These HCV RNA-containing exosomes can be taken up by monocytic myeloid cells and promote MDSC expansion via inhibiting miR-124 expression which, in turn, regulates the differentiation of TFR cells along with increasing IL-10 production and suppression of IFN-γ secretion from TFH cells. This paradigm represents a novel mechanism of immune dysregulation by HCV-Exo, leading to viral persistence and vaccine non-responsiveness during chronic viral infection

Back to article page