Recombinant Flag-tagged E1E2 glycoproteins from three hepatitis C virus genotypes are biologically functional and elicit cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies in mice

Krapchev, V. B., Rychłowska, M., Chmielewska, A., Zimmer, K., Patel, A. H. and Bieńkowska-Szewczyk, K. (2018) Recombinant Flag-tagged E1E2 glycoproteins from three hepatitis C virus genotypes are biologically functional and elicit cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies in mice. Virology, 519, pp. 33-41. (doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.03.026) (PMID:29631174) (PMCID:PMC5998380)

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Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a globally disseminated human pathogen for which no vaccine is currently available. HCV is highly diverse genetically and can be classified into 7 genotypes and multiple sub-types. Due to this antigenic variation, the induction of cross-reactive and at the same time neutralizing antibodies is a challenge in vaccine production. Here we report the analysis of immunogenicity of recombinant HCV envelope glycoproteins from genotypes 1a, 1b and 2a, with a Flag tag inserted in the hypervariable region 1 of E2. This modification did not affect protein expression or conformation or its capacity to bind the crucial virus entry factor, CD81. Importantly, in immunogenicity studies on mice, the purified E2-Flag mutants elicited high-titer, cross-reactive antibodies that were able to neutralize HCV infectious particles from two genotypes tested (1a and 2a). These findings indicate that E1E2-Flag envelope glycoproteins could be important immunogen candidates for vaccine aiming to induce broad HCV-neutralizing responses.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Patel, Professor Arvind
Authors: Krapchev, V. B., Rychłowska, M., Chmielewska, A., Zimmer, K., Patel, A. H., and Bieńkowska-Szewczyk, K.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Virology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0042-6822
ISSN (Online):1096-0341
Published Online:06 April 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The Authors
First Published:First published in Virology 519:33-41
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
656491Basis of the host range and tissue tropism for hepatitis C virusArvind PatelMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12014/2MVLS III - CENTRE FOR VIRUS RESEARCH