Hepatitis C Virus: Why Do We Need a Vaccine to Prevent a Curable Persistent Infection?

Overview

Journal Curr Opin Immunol

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2015 Aug 5

PMID 26241306

Citations 32

Authors

Christopher M Walker

Arash Grakoui

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is now curable by antiviral therapy but the global burden of liver disease is unlikely to diminish without a vaccine to prevent transmission. The objective of HCV vaccination is not to induce sterilizing immunity, but instead to prevent persistent infection. One vaccine that incorporates only non-structural HCV proteins is now in phase I/II efficacy trials to test the novel concept that T cell priming alone is sufficient for protection. Evidence also suggests that antibodies contribute to infection resolution. Vaccines comprised of recombinant envelope glycoproteins targeted by neutralizing antibodies have been assessed in humans for immunogenicity. Here, we discuss current concepts in protective immunity and divergent approaches to vaccination against a highly mutable RNA virus.

Citing Articles

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Ali A, Azouz R, Hussein N, El-Shenawy R, Helmy N, El-Abd Y BMC Biotechnol. 2025; 25(1):8.

PMID: 39827115 PMC: 11742997. DOI: 10.1186/s12896-024-00935-5.

Hepatitis C Virus E1E2 Structure, Diversity, and Implications for Vaccine Development.

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Prospects for developing an Hepatitis C virus E1E2-based nanoparticle vaccine.

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Expression of the Hepatitis C Virus core-NS3 Fusion Protein on the Surface of Bacterial Ghosts: Prospects for Vaccine Production.

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Virus-Like Particles Containing the E2 Core Domain of Hepatitis C Virus Generate Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies in Guinea Pigs.

McGregor J, Hardy J, Lay C, Boo I, Piontek M, Suckow M J Virol. 2022; 96(5):e0167521.

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