Broadly neutralizing antibodies protect against hepatitis C virus quasispecies challenge.

Law, Mansun; Maruyama, Toshiaki; Lewis, Jamie; Giang, Erick; Tarr, Alexander W; Stamataki, Zania; Gastaminza, Pablo; Chisari, Francis V et al. · Nat Med · 2008

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

A major problem in hepatitis C virus (HCV) immunotherapy or vaccine design is the extreme variability of the virus. We identified human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that neutralize genetically diverse HCV isolates and protect against heterologous HCV quasispecies challenge in a human liver-chimeric mouse model. The results provide evidence that broadly neutralizing antibodies to HCV protect against heterologous viral infection and suggest that a prophylactic vaccine against HCV may be achievable.

Medical subject headings