Activated and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T cells, particularly the CD4 fraction, expressed NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL), which were not found on T cells from healthy controls (p < 0.001).
To explore the role of surface receptors natural killer group 2A (NKG2A) and natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) on CD3<sup>+</sup>CD8<sup>+</sup>T cells and CD3<sup>-</sup>CD56<sup>+</sup>NK cells in the progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), we measured the expression of NKG2A and NKG2D on the surface of these 2 types of circulating cells by flow cytometry in 3 groups.