Activated circulating T follicular helper 17 cells positively correlated with anti-HBV humoral immunity in chronic hepatitis B patients

HBV is a major global public health problem. Dysfunction of HBV-specific B cells is an important reason for the failure to achieve a functional cure for HBV. Tfh cells are dysregulated in CHB patients, potentially leading to impaired B-cell differentiation into plasma cells. Here, we found that although Tfh17 cell frequencies were decreased in CHB patients, they exhibited a more activated state. Activated Tfh17 cells correlated positively with HBsAg levels, while quiescent Tfh17 cells correlated negatively. Furthermore, CHB patients had higher frequencies of HBV-specific Tfh17 cells, which positively correlated with serum HBsAg and HBV DNA levels. Our study provides new insights into the role of Tfh17 cells in CHB infection, potentially informing immunotherapeutic strategies for functional cure.