Abstract: Objective:To study the relationship between the expressions of hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen and CD8⁺CD28⁺T lymphocyte in liver tissue of hepatitis B patients and analyze the corresponding clinical significance. Methods:The expressions of HBV antigens and nucleic acid were detected by immunohistochemistry and situ hybridization method in each groups(mild,moderate and severe hepatitis B groups). The expression of CD28 T lymphocyte in liver tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry and the results of each group were compared. Results:There was no significant difference in the expressions of HBsAg(+) HBcAg(+), HBsAg(+) HBcAg(-),HBsAg(-) HBcAg(+) and HBsAg(-) HBcAg(-) in the three groups(P>0.05). The expression of CD8⁺CD28⁺T lymphocyte in mild hepatitis group was lower than in control group,the expressions of CD8⁺CD28⁺T lymphocyte and CD8⁺CD28^-T lymphocyte were higher in moderate and severe hepatitis B groups than in control group(P<0.05). The expression of CD8⁺CD28⁺T lymphocyte was increased progressively,while the expression of CD8⁺CD28^-T lymphocyte was decreased progressively with the grade of inflammation(P<0.01). The expression of CD8⁺CD28⁺T lymphocyte in moderate and severe hepatitis patients with HBsAg(+) HBcAg(+) was lower than in other groups with HBsAg(+) HBcAg(-),HBsAg(-) HBcAg(+) and HBsAg(-) HBcAg(-) (P<0.05~P<0.01). There were no significant difference about the expressions of HBV DNA and HBeAg in different levels of inflammation(P>0.05). Conclusions:HBV can reflect the replication of HBV DNA in liver tissue more accurately. As an indirect reflection of immune status, it can be used as a selector of anti-viral treatment indication and a predictor of efficacy. The expression of CD28 on the surface of CD8⁺T lymphocyte is closely related with the clearance of HBV,and the high expression of CD28 can promote HBV clearance in liver cells.