Regulatory T cells and their associated factors in hepatocellular carcinoma development and therapy

Figure 3 Factors mediated the imbalance of regulatory T cells/effector T cells. Factor such as Hepatitis B virus, gut microbiota, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma tumor cells, can modulate several important molecules produced in the liver. Alteration of these molecules has been associated with the change of frequency and/or function of regulatory T cells in chronic liver disease, resulting in an imbalance of regulatory T cells/effector T cells. HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; NAFLD: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Teff: Effector T cells; Treg: Regulatory T cells; GDF: Growth differentiation factor; HIF: Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors; Gal: Galectin; miR: micro ribonucleic acid; TLR: Toll-like receptor; YAP: Yes-associated protein; TGF-β: Transforming growth factor-beta.