Recombinant HBsAg inhibits LPS-induced COX-2 expression and IL-18 production by interfering with the NFκB pathway in a human monocytic cell line, THP-1

These results showed a novel anti-inflammatory property of rHBsAg which involves inhibition of COX-2 and suggested that hepatits B virus may regulate IFN-γ production by inhibiting IL-18 and IL-12 production.