From Structural Studies to HCV Vaccine Design

Overview

Journal Viruses

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2021 Jun 2

PMID 34064532

Citations 9

Authors

Itai Yechezkel

Mansun Law

Netanel Tzarum

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious and growing public health problem despite recent developments of antiviral therapeutics. To achieve global elimination of HCV, an effective cross-genotype vaccine is needed. The failure of previous vaccination trials to elicit an effective cross-reactive immune response demands better vaccine antigens to induce a potent cross-neutralizing response to improve vaccine efficacy. HCV E1 and E2 envelope (Env) glycoproteins are the main targets for neutralizing antibodies (nAbs), which aid in HCV clearance and protection. Therefore, a molecular-level understanding of the nAb responses against HCV is imperative for the rational design of cross-genotype vaccine antigens. Here we summarize the recent advances in structural studies of HCV Env and Env-nAb complexes and how they improve our understanding of immune recognition of HCV. We review the structural data defining HCV neutralization epitopes and conformational plasticity of the Env proteins, and the knowledge applicable to rational vaccine design.

Citing Articles

Development of Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) for Hepatitis C Virus genotype 4: a novel approach for vaccine development in Egypt.

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Sustained Long-Term Decline in Anti-HCV Neutralizing Antibodies in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients Five Years after HCV Therapy: A Retrospective Study.

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Vaccination induces broadly neutralizing antibody precursors to HIV gp41.

Schiffner T, Phung I, Ray R, Irimia A, Tian M, Swanson O Nat Immunol. 2024; 25(6):1073-1082.

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

Pierce B, Felbinger N, Metcalf M, Toth E, Ofek G, Fuerst T Viruses. 2024; 16(5).

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Future Prospects, Approaches, and the Government's Role in the Development of a Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine.

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