Nicotine stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells could augment HBV specific CTL priming by activating PI3K-Akt pathway

► Murine dendritic cells were treated by nicotine and α7 nAChR expression was detected. ► The effects of nicotine on T cell proliferation and IL-12 secretion were determined. ► HBV-specific CTL priming and CTL's activities stimulated by nicotine were assessed. ► The efficiency of nicotine and IFN-γ on T cell priming was compared. ► The mechanism of nicotine up-regulating α7 nAChR was explored by Western blot.