“…14,15 As with HCV infection, the host immune response to HBV infection determines viral persistence, 16,17 which has been associated with polymorphisms in the human leukocyte antigen complex and other immune response genes. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Although there are likely important differences in the mechanisms of HBV persistence, there is also evidence that NK T (NKT) cells play an important role. 25,26 The nonclassical MHC class I chain-related A (MICA) gene encodes a protein that functions as a ligand for NKG2D, an activating receptor on macrophages, CD8 þ T cells, gd T cells, NKT cells, and natural killer NK cells.…”