T Cells through the Production of TGF-β

regulatory T cells (Tregs) act by dampening antiviral T cell responses in HCV infection. The mechanism for induction and/or expansion of Tregs in HCV is unknown. hepatocytes upregulated the production of TGF-β and blockade of TGF-β abrogated Treg phenotype and function.These results demonstrate that HCV infected hepatocytes are capable of directly inducing Tregs development and may contribute to impaired host T cell responses