Effects of intrauterine exposure to maternal‐derived HBeAg on T cell immunity in cord blood

Immature immune system and immune tolerance induced by exposure to HBeAg in utero and/or shortly after infection in newborns were reportedly the causes of chronic HBV infection. To investigate the effect of maternal‐derived HBeAg on neonatal T cell immunity, we analysed and compared T cell phenotypes and functions among neonates born to HBsAg+/HBeAg+ mothers (HBeAg+ neonates), HBsAg+/HBeAg− mothers (HBeAg− neonates) and healthy control mothers (HC neonates), using flow cytometry. The results showed that neonatal T cell phenotypes were similar regardless of HBeAg exposure. Upon anti‐CD3 and anti‐CD28 stimulation in HBeAg+ neonates, CD4+ T cell production of IFN‐γ (P