FOXP3 and hepatitis B virus infection: In the present study, compared to the control group, the LC group showed a decreased percentage of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cells (P < 0.01); the DCLC group had a lower percentage of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cells (P < 0.001) than that of the CLC group, indicating that Treg cells not only participated in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B-associated liver cirrhosis but also played a positive regulatory role in preventing liver fibrosis during the course of the disease.